For the last two decades Haddon Robinson's homiletic text Biblical Preaching has been a significant influence in evangelical homiletics. In an endeavor to evaluate the homiletic method within it, this study asked the following questions: What is Robinson's theological methodology and how does it affect his homiletical method? What is his hermeneutical methodology and how does it affect his homiletical method? These two questions lead into the main issue of this study expressed in two other questions: Is Robinson consistent with his theological and hermeneutical methodology in his homiletical method? What are the strengths and weaknesses of his ten-stage method? Based on these issues, the purpose of this study was to investigate Robinson's theological and hermeneutical methodology, evaluate his ten-stage method in light of this investigation, and based on any problematic areas, suggest pointers toward new theory and procedure for the enhancement of expository pedagogy. To provide a framework for this study, four homiletical paradigms in contemporary American homiletics were identified and explained. Robinson's method was found to be in one of these paradigms. With this framework in mind, Robinson's theological and hermeneutical methodology was investigated. Following this, his definition of expository preaching with its five components was set forth and investigated. It was found that Robinson's expository methodology as expressed in his view of Scripture, hermeneutics, and definition of expository preaching, is a consistent foundation for his ten-stage method. Nevertheless, several problematic issues were noted. Having investigated Robinson's expository methodology, this study formally evaluated his ten-stage method and found its center of gravity to be on the two center stages dealing with the homiletical idea and purpose statement. Furthermore, this evaluation found the ten stages to be consistent with Robinson's definition of expository preaching in its movement from interpretation to application. In seven of the stages, however, this study found deficiencies due to procedural weaknesses and a lack of theoretical focus. The study concluded with ten pointers based on the problem areas addressed throughout the investigation and evaluation. These pointers suggested a new theory and procedure to enhance expository pedagogy and practice. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Pratical Theology)

Text in German / The impulse for this research comes from the present crisis of the penitential practice within the Roman Catholic communities of Germany, where notwithstanding all pastoral efforts the practice of sacramental confession has dropped to almost nothing. The procedure adopted is based on the method of R. Zerfass. 1" step: An investigation on the present practice has been done with a previous research: 2nd step: The present research, in the first chapter deals with the New Testament origins of penance and the historical development up to the present time. An essential result attained is the insight that conversion (Mk 1,14 f.) does not consist of a message of doom but urges the audience to pursue the salvation of the reign of God. As a consequence the believer experiences an ethic motivation whereby he takes as orientation the rules of the kingdom of God. 3rd step: The sociological situation of the target group is the topic of chapter two. The study is based on the work of G. Schulze. The central point made by his analysis is the affirmation that people in contemporary society are basically experience orientated and that all opportunities and offers are assessed according to their experiential value. Because of the confusing oversupply of experiences and the avoidance of disappointments caused by unfulfilled expectations homogeneous groups (milieus) emerge. People, in search of experience orient themselves according to these experiences and shape them in their turn. In the realm (market) of experiences which cannot be controlled supply and demand come together. The supplier who do not follow the laws of the market is ousted because of failing to supply what is demanded. 4th step: In chapter 3 a practical theological theory is developed that present penitential crises is routed in a crises of faith. For this reason an updated pastoral approach to conversion needs to take as its starting point the liberation message of Jesus and at the same time to take into consideration the rules that govern the market, the contemporary segmentation of the milieu included. The final step will consist in a pastoral concretisation / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theology)

This qualitative study illustrates that a narrative approach to pastoral therapy can guide collaborative co-authoring of alternative ways of living after trauma. The research emanates from postmodern epistemology and related discourses of social construction and post-structuralism, as well as a contextual approach to practical theology. The narrative practices of enrolling people in their own knowledges, of creating communities of concern, of honouring people, of celebration and joy, and of co-authoring alternative histories are illustrated through descriptions of how narrative maps guided one-to-one pastoral therapy as well as group work with people who have experienced trauma. The concept "resilience" is deconstructed so as to be understood as those personal actions which do not conform to pathologising predictions of the effects of trauma. / Hierdie kwalitatiewe studie illustreer dat 'n narratiewe benadering tot pastorale terapie die ko-konstruksie van alternatiewe leefwyses na trauma kan fasiliteer. Die navorsing spruit voort uit 'n postmoderne epistemologie en die verwante diskoerse van sosiale konstruksie en post-strukturalisme, asook 'n kontekstuele benadering tot praktiese teologie. Die narratiewe praktyke van ontginning van mense se kennis en vaardighede, van die skepping van gemeenskappe van sorg, van vreugde en waardering, en van die mede-skryf aan alternatiewe stories word geillustreer. Dit word gedoen deur beskrywings van die wyse waarop narratiewe kaarte individuele sowel as groepsterapie met getraumatiseerde persone kan begelei. Die konsep "weerstandsvermoee" ("resilience') word gedekonstrueer sodat dit verstaan word as daardie persoonlike ervarings wat patologiserende voorspellings oor getraumatiseerde persone weerspreek. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology, with specialisation in Pastoral Therapy)

Text in Afrikaans / Die (NG) kerk in Suid-Afrika bevind haar aan die begin van 'n nuwe millennium in 'n oorgangstydperk. Die NG Kerk se aandeel aan die sonde van apartheid hou verband met haar legitimering van die apartheidsideologie. Ten opsigte van laasgenoemde het sy 'n apartheidsteologie verkondig, ten spyte van die ernstige vermanings wat ook vanuit eie geledere gemaak is. Die lot van noodlydendes in die land hou grootliks verband met die gevolge van apartheid. Hierdie studie wys op die noodsaaklikheid dat die kerk in die konteks van noodlydendes weer haar diakonale rol moet nastreef. Die studie ondersoek die transformasiekrag van die metafoor as integrerende deel van die denk- en taalsisteem van die mens. Die bewuswees van teenstellings tussen die toegepaste en nie-toegepaste onderskeidinge binne die betekenis van die gebruikte woord is verantwoordelik vir die spanning wat daar in die metaforiese woordgebruik bestaan. Laasgenoemde bied die metafoor 'n dinamiese krag. Die prediker kan as kreatiewe metafoorskepper die metafoor in prediking aanwend. Sodoende kan gelowiges geaktiveer word om voetewassers te word en kan die diakonale kerk profetieses die bevryding van nood verkondig. Die (NG) kerk in Suid-Afrika bevind haar aan die begin van 'n nuwe millennium in 'n oorgangstydperk. Die NG Kerk se aandeel aan die sonde van apartheid hou verband met haar legitimering van die apartheidsideologie. Ten opsigte van laasgenoemde het sy 'n apartheidsteologie verkondig, ten spyte van die ernstige vermanings wat ook vanuit eie geledere gemaak is. Die lot van noodlydendes in die land hou grootliks verband met die gevolge van apartheid. Hierdie studie wys op die noodsaaklikheid dat die kerk in die konteks van noodlydendes weer haar diakonale rol moet nastreef. Die studie ondersoek die transformasiekrag van die metafoor as integrerende deel van die denk- en taalsisteem van die mens. Die bewuswees van teenstellings tussen die toegepaste en nie-toegepaste onderskeidinge binne die betekenis van die gebruikte woord is verantwoordelik vir die spanning wat daar in die metaforiese woordgebruik bestaan. Laasgenoemde bied die metafoor 'n dinamiese krag. Die prediker kan as kreatiewe metafoorskepper die metafoor in prediking aanwend. Sodoende kan gelowiges geaktiveer word om voetewassers te word en kan die diakonale kerk profetieses die bevryding van nood verkondig. / At the beginning of the new millennium, the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa finds itself in a transitional period. The part the Dutch Reformed Church played in the sin of apartheid, can be directly ascribed to the legitimizing of the apartheid ideology. With reference to the above, the church preached an apartheid theology, in spite of serious warnings from within its own ranks. The misery of the 'suffering humanity' in our country is a direct result of apartheid. This study highlights the immense importance resting upon the Dutch Reformed Church to once again fulfil its diaconal role with reference to those who suffer. This study investigates the transformation power of the metaphor as integral part of the cognitive- and language systems of the human being. The awareness of the implied contradictions between the applied and non-applied parts in the meaning of the word creates a tension in metaphorical speech. The latter endows the metaphor with a dynamic power. The preacher may then apply creative metaphors in the sermon. He is therefore a creator of the metaphor. The effective use of the metaphor in preaching will enable him to empower his audience to be servants like Jesus. The effective use of metaphors in preaching will help to activate believers and will assist the diaconal church in relaying its prophetic message of salvation to those who suffer. Through the active conduct and unity of the church, those who suffer experience the salvation of the living Christ. This study implies that the preacher should approach the text from his own experience, combined with an existentional knowledge of the needs of the people in need, to the text. The study highlights the creative role of the preacher as creator of the metaphor, and the activation of believers in the context of those who suffer, so that the church may fulfill its diaconal role. / Practical Theology / D.Th. (Practical theology)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / The research for this study has shown that the circumstances in which the majority of children in South Africa find themselves, are extremely complex and problematic, to such an extent that not only the quality of children's lives is endangered, but their lives as such. Besides the measures taken by government to improve the situation of children, it is pre-eminently the Christian church that is able to render a unique and, at the same time, a fully relevant contribution to the debate, processes and actions regarding children in South Africa. For this to be achieved, however, the church should be guided by a theology that is truly contextual and missionary in nature. In this study, therefore, distinct critical elements are being identified, which could be utilized in shaping a theory for child ministry. What is visualized by the researcher in this regard, is the formulation of a practicail-theological theory that is derived from a Scripturally sound theology, on the one hand, and, on the other, oriented to the contextual realities of children. / Die navorsing vir hierdie studie het getoon dat die lewensomstandighede van die meerderheid kinders in Suid-Afrika uiters kompleks en problematies is, in so 'n mate dat nie alleen die lewenskwaliteit van kinders nie, maar hulle lewe selfbedreig word. Benewens die maatreels van owerheidswee om die lot van kinders te verbeter, is dit by uitstek die Christelike kerk wat in staat is om 'n unieke en tegelyk volledig relevante bydrae te lewer tot die debat, prosesse en aksies rakende kinders in Suid-Afrika. Hierin sal die kerk hom egter moet laat lei deur 'n teologie wat op kontekstueel en missioner verantwoorde wyse beoefen word. In die studie word daarom bepaalde kritiese elemente geifdentifiseer wat in verdere teorievorming oor kinderbediening aangewend kan word. Wat in die verband die navorser voor oe staan, is die formulering van 'n prakties-teologiese teorie wat enersyds aan 'n Skrifgetroue teologie ontleen en andersyds aan die kontekstuele realiteite van kinders georienteer is. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Youth work)

Text in Afrikaans / Individuals can be deemed weaklings within the family relations by social discourse that claims that the value of a human being is measured by his productivity and mobility. Parkinson's disease in its turn has a paralysing effect on the mobility of the physical body. The above-mentioned social discourse on the one hand and Parkinson's disease on the other hand become a dominant story that "paralyses" the individual. During research someone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, related how she wrote an alternative story. This person, who practices a reformed spirituality, wrote an alternative story by using Christian faith language, which, in the end, halted the marginalising effect of Parkinson's disease. In this study the concerned participant had the opportunity to share her genuine experiences and her application of Christian language of faith to manage Parkinson's disease. / Practical Theology / M. Th.

Text in German / This dissertation is a contribution in the field of Homiletics, a sub-discipline in the area of Practical Theology. It also touches the subjects of Counseling, Cy-bernetics and Religious Pedagogy. Furthermore, it also is concerned with the other theological disciplines: Theology of the OT and NT, Missiology and Sys-tematic Theology. This work also refers intra-disciplinarily to findings in Ethol-ogy, Management Theory, Neurobiology, Neuropsychotherapy and Socio-logy. The basic thesis is, "The goal of the biblical message is the mission oriented church to the glory of God, to the salvation and well-being of man." This will be demonstrated from the Holy Scriptures and made applicable to preaching and to church growth and development. The observation of the church's message results in a new thesis: "The aban-donment of the soteriological message of the church is the main reason for the dwindling of her spiritual power and therewith also of her eschatological and po-litical significance." The abandonment of the mission goes back to a christo-logical crisis. This is grounded on the preaching of less than Biblical messages with negative consequences for the church and for the people whose need for the Gospel remains unfulfilled. It will be shown that in the OT and NT various missions of the Trinity are ob-servable which are to be understood soteriologically, with the exception of the Creation. The Bible is the written expression of these missions that are evidenced within it. The distinct dynamic of the mission of Jesus is based on His obedience, His struggle against the powers of evil and the dedication of His life for the Salva-tion of the world. The ministry that preaches reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18) represents the one who reconciled the world to Himself. The dynamic of His mission corresponds to the dynamic role of the ministry of preaching. It is incumbent on the ministry to evangelize and equip the church members for their service in the congregation. The purpose of equipping the church and calling together is to practice missions. The implementation of missions will bring about a basic positive change in the attitude of the church and her pastoral activities. Because of this, we see that our usual understanding of the sermon is based on the ecclesiological misunder-standing to adress the sermon to individuals (the listener) instead to a faithful body of Christ. The church must be obedient in a new way regard to the question of mission. This is a question of life or death. The message that is preached by the church will lead it either to destruction or to the goal-centered, missions-oriented interaction of her charisms - to the glory of God and the salvation of humankind. Deutsche Zusammenfassung Diese Arbeit liefert einen Beitrag zur Homiletik, einer Teildisziplin der Praktischen Theologie. Dabei berührt sie weitere ihrer Fachrichtungen wie Seelsorge, Kybernetik, Religionspädagogik. Zudem greift sie auf andere theologische Disziplinen zurück: Theologie des AT und NT, Missiologie, Systematische Theologie. Ebenso bezieht sich die Arbeit intradisziplinär auf Ergebnisse der Ethologie, Managementtheorie, Neurobiologie, Neuropsychotherapie, Soziologie. Die Grundthese lautet: ,,Das Ziel biblischer Verkündigung ist die sendungs-orientierte Gemeinde - Gott zum Lob, dem Menschen zur ewigen Rettung und zeitlichem Wohl." Das wird aus der Schrift nachgewiesen und für die Verkündigung und Gemeindeentwicklung fruchtbar gemacht. Aus Wahrnehmungen des hiesigen Predigtgeschehen ergibt sich eine Erkenntnis: ,,Die Preisgabe ihrer soteriologisch zu verstehenden Sendung ist die Hauptursache dafür, dass die spirituelle Kraft der Kirche schwindet und damit ihre eschatologische und politische Bedeutung." Die Preisgabe der Sendung geht auf eine Krise des Christusglaubens der Gemeinde zurück. Diese hat ihre Ursache in der an sie ergehenden Predigt mit schlimmen Folgen für die Gemeinde und die Menschen, denen sie das Evangelium schuldig bleibt. Es wird gezeigt, dass im AT und NT verschiedene Sendungen des Dreieinigen bezeugt sind, die sich, abgesehen von der Schöpfung, soteriologisch verstehen. Die Bibel ist der schriftliche Niederschlag, der in ihr bezeugten Sendungen. Die besondere Dynamik der Sendung Jesu ergibt sich aus seinem Gehorsam, seinem Kampf gegen die Mächte, seiner Lebenshingabe zum Heil der Welt. Der Dienst, der Versöhnung predigt (2. Kor 5,18), repräsentiert den, der die Welt mit sich versöhnte. Der Dynamik seiner Sendung entspricht das dynamische Predigtamt. Ihm obliegt die Zurüstung und Sammlung der Gemeinde mit dem Ziel ihrer Sendung. Die ,,Sammlung zur Sendung" führt zu grundlegenden, positiven Veränderungen der Gemeinden und ihrer pfarramtlichen Praxis. Es zeigt sich, dass unsere gewöhnliche Predigtauffassung auf einem ekklesiologischen Missverständnis beruht: Statt verbindliche, zielgerichtete Sendungsrede zu sein, ist Predigt individualisierende ,,Seelenbedienung". Adressat ist der einzelne Hörer, nicht die sendungsorientierte Gemeinde als Leib Christi. - Die Kirche steht im Blick auf ihre Sendung vor der Frage des Gehorsams als einer Frage von Leben oder Tod. Ihre Predigt führt die Gemeinden entweder ins Verderben oder zum sendungsorientierten Zusammenspiel ihrer Charismen und Dienste - zur Ehre Gottes und der Rettung und dem Wohl der Menschen. / Practical Theology / D.Th.

This research regarding power/knowledge abuse within the church was conducted within the postmodern social construction discourse and in the context of narrative therapy, feminist theology and practical theology. It presents a chronicle of five individuals who experienced abuse within their congregations. It reflects on the co-authoring journey of these five individuals personally and within the context of the narrative group. As part of the narrative group they came to re-author their lives around what they had experienced regarding abuse within their churches. Together they challenged those dominant structures that are so often hidden just below `sacred' tradition. In conclusion the five individuals experienced a renaissance within themselves and their personal theology of God and His dealings within the church. This renaissance has led them to seek out others who have experienced this form of abuse and to give them the hope that they discovered together. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology - with specialisation in Pastoral Therapy)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Die inhoud en vorm van 'n preek is 'n eenheid. Beide aspekte vorm deel van die teologiese teorie van die prediking. In hierdie studie word daar teoreties besin oor 'n bepaalde vorm van prediking. Dit behels 'n ondersoek na die literere vorm waarin die boodskap gestruktureer en verwoord word. Die Skrif bevat 'n verskeidenheid literere vorme wat deur Bybelskrywers aangewend is om die intensie van die teks effektief te kommunikeer. Elk van hierdie vorme besit 'n eiendomlike kommunikatiewe aard. Die ontwikkeling van die moderne literatuurwetenskap sedert die tagtigerjare van die twintigste eeu het stukrag verleen aan die insig dat die Bybel ook as 'n versameling godsdienstige literatuur bestudeer kan word. Dit het meegebring dat die intensie van die teks van die Bybel op 'n teologies verantwoordbare wyse, met inagneming van die historiese verbande, beter begryp kan word deur die gebruikmaking van insigte uit ander literatuur. As sodanig word erkende literere kunsvorme wat naas die logies-analitiese ook die emotiewe betrek, aanvaar. Die resultaat van hierdie ondersoek dui aan dat die preek as kunsvorm geevalueer en in die moderne preekteorie geregverdig kan word. Die proses van transformasie wat die moderne hermeneutiese benadering kenmerk; die veranderde beleweniswereld en verstaanshorison van die huidige hoorders asook die eiesoortige aard van Bybelse literatuur is vanuit 'n kommunikatiewe aanname in 'n kunsvorm binne die moderne homiletiese teorie haalbaar. Die teorie orienteer binne die kommunikatiewe handelingsteorie as meta-teorie wat ingestel is op dialogiese kommunikasie wat betekenisgewing deur waarnemerbetrokkenheid bevorder en 'n bepaalde denkwyse by die hoorders tot gevolg het. Die tradisionele vorm van prediking, gekenmerk deur absolute dominasie van die rede en intellektualisme uit die modernistiese tydvak, het teen die einde van die tweede millennium in ernstige diskrediet gekom. Die radikale verandering in die samelewing deur die moderniseringsproses met gepaardgaande paradigma verskuiwinge dwing die homiletiek om teoreties te herbesin. In hierdie studie word die preek as kunsvorm afgebaken tot die verhalende preekvorm, konseptueel ontwikkel en teoreties omskryf asook geplaas binne die moderne homiletiese teorie as komponent wat daarby pas. Die resultaat is verkry deur 'n vergelykende studie van gemeenskaplike wesenstrekke wat voorkom by erkende kunsvorme in die moderne kunsteorie; die verhalende kunsvorm in die moderne literere teorie met spesifieke verwysing na die Afrikaanse roman asook die verhalende preekvorm in die moderne homiletiese teorie. Deur hierdie vorm van prediking in die moderne preekteorie op te neem, kan 'n sinvolle bydrae gemaak word om die Christelike boodskap deur oortuiging sander enige vorm van dwang te kommunikeer. / In a sermon form and content are one. Both aspects form part of the theological theory of preaching. This theoretical survey investigates one of the various literary forms through which the biblical writers attempted to communicate the intention of the biblical text in the most effective way. Each of these forms possesses a distinctive communicative character. The development of modern literary theory since the eighties of the twentieth century was a propulsive force leading to the conviction that the Bible was also a collection of religious literature. This conviction implied that the intention of the biblical text could be more clearly understood in a theological justified manner within the historical context by using insights gained from other literature. Acknowledged literary art forms adhering to the emotive as well as the logic-analytical are embraced as such. In this study the sermon as an art form is limited to narrative preaching, developed as a concept; theoretically described and placed within the modern homiletical theory as a suitable component. Results are obtained by means of a comparative study of mutual features that are distinctive to acknowledged art forms in the modern theory of art; narrative art forms in modern literature theory specifically in the modern Afrikaans novel, as well as the narrative form of preaching in the modern homiletical theory. The modern homiletical theory is orientated within the communicative acts theory as meta-theory focusing on dialogical communication which promotes meaning through the involvement of the observer. The conclusions reached indicate that the sermon as an art form can be evaluated and justified within the modem homiletical theory. Taken up in this theory, it can prove significant in communicating the Christian message to the listeners in a convincing rather than compulsive manner. / Practical Theology / D.Th. (Practical theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Die Wetenskap filosofiese en prakties teologiese posisionering word deur 'n postmoderne benadering bepaal. Met die doel van die studie naamlik, dekonstruksie van die teologiese diskoers, liefde, in die oog, volg 'n blik op kwalitatiewe navorsing. Sosiale konstruksie diskoers word as epistemologiese vertrekpunt bespreek. Metodologies het die keuse op 'n narratiewe benadering geval. Voortvloeiend hieruit volg die gebruik van metafore, eksternalisering en dekonstruksie van die gesprekke. Die doel van die studie vereis ook bestudering van verskeie sienings oor liefde. Die literatuurstudie word bespreek onder die volgende metafore, naamlik algemene sienings, 'n historiese oorsig en teologiese sienings. Die relevansie van die gekose inligting word weerspieel in die gesprekke. Met behulp van veelvuldige reflekterende gesprekke word saam met gesinne gekonstrueer aan 'n nuwe verstaan van liefde. / Both the Scientific Philosophical and the practical theological positioning are determined by a postmodemistic approach. Keeping in mind the aim of this study, namely the deconstruction of the theological discourse, iove, a view on qualitative research is given. A review of social construction discourse as epistemological starting point is given. Methodologically a narrative approach was used. Emanating from this follows the use of metaphors, externalization and deconstruction of the interviews. The aim of this study also demands the study of various views on love. The study is arranged under the following metaphors, namely general views, a historic review and theological views. The relevance of the chosen information is reflected in the interviews, and new understanding of love is constructed in collaboration with the families. / M.Th.(Practical theology)