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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
71

Liturgie en versoening, die inkulturasie van rituele van versoening in Suid-Afrika : 'n ondersoeksvoorstel

Wepener, C. J. 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2000 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As a multidisciplinary liturgical scientific research project, all seven existing methods within the field of Liturgy will be used. These seven methods are namely: liturgy as book; a depth approach; the integral approach; primary and secondary sources; designation and appropriation; contextual: anthropological and cultural; as well as present, past, continuity and discontinuity, future. These seven approaches will form the matrix of the research that will be steered/directed by the researcher himself by means of interference, a so-called tamed intuition and the Bible as critical-normative source. As indicated in the title of the research proposal, the dynamic concept of inculturation will play a vital role throughout the course of the research. Since the research will be done with the intention of liturgical inculturation, the dynamic of cult and culture, as well as the time aspect of continuity and discontinuity, must be brought into account. It follows that a number of main parts will have to be opened, of which three parts have already been opened to serve as an example in this research proposal. These main parts are firstly a chapter on inculturation, secondly a chapter on ritual theory and also a chapter on the history of rituals of reconciliation within the Christian tradition. These three main parts will be opened again from a South African perspective in the final research, but will also be supplemented with a part on the theology of reconciliation, and a recent contextual analysis by means of participatory observation! ethnography. Throughout the proposed research the matrix will be applied to each chapter individually, and then on everything as a whole. The whole process will be steered by the concepts interference and quality of ritual in order to see what lines of force or series of qualities can be distilled from the process. As a whole the research will serve the initial question, namely:" How a better inculturated repertoire of rituals of reconciliation can be attained?" On this basis the research aims at making a contribution towards the so-called liturgia condenda (liturgy in process/formation), working towards the goal that the current liturgical formation in South Africa, and specifically within the Dutch Reformed Church, will take place in a theologically and anthropologically justifiable fashion. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: As multidissiplinere liturgiewetenskaplike ondersoek, sal van al sewe bestaande ondersoekswyses binne die liturgiewetenskap gebruik gemaak word, te wete liturgie as boek; In diepte benadering; die integrale benadering; primere- en sekondere bronne; benoeming en toe-eiening; kontekstueel: antropologies en kultureel; en hede, verlede, kontinuiteit en diskontinuiteit, toekoms. Hierdie sewe benaderings sal die matriks van die ondersoek vorm wat deur die ondersoeker self deur middel van interferensie, 'n sogenaamde getemde intuisie en die Bybel as krities-normatiewe bron gestuur sal word. Soos blyk uit die titel van die ondersoek, word daar vera! gewerk met die dinamiese begrip inkulturasie. Synde die ondersoek gedoen word met die oog op liturgiese inkulturasie, moet die dinamiek van liturgielkultus en kultuur, asook die tydsapek van kontinuiteit en diskontituiteit met die liturgiese tradisie wat deur die begrip inkulturasie opgeroep word, in berekening gebring word. In hierdie ondersoeksvoorstel is drie van die vyf beoogde hoofdele a! eksemplaries oopgemaak, naamlik inkulturasie, ritualiteit en geskiedenis van versoeningrituele in die Christelike tradisie. Hierdie drie hoofdele sal in die finale ondersoek weer vanuit 'n Suid-Afrikaanse perspektief oopgemaak word, en aangevul word met 'n resente kontekstuele analise met behulp van deelnemende observasie geng op versoeningrituele, asook In teologiese hoofstuk oor die begrip versoening. Die matriks sal deurgaans op al vyf dele toegepas word, eers op elkeen afsonderlik en daarna op alma! saam. Hierdie proses sal deur middel van interferensie en kwaliteite van ritueel plaasvind om te sien watter kraglyne en reekse kwaliteite afgelei kan word uit die proses. As 'n geheel staan die proses in diens van die inisiele vraagstelling, "Hoe 'n beter geinkultureerde rituele repertoire van versoening verkry kan word?". Sodoende wil die ondersoek 'n bydrae lewer tot die liturgia condenda (liturgie in wording), om mee te werk aan die ideaal dat die huidige liturgiese vormgewing in Suid-Afrika, maar spesifiek ook in die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk, op In teologies en antropologies verantwoorde wyse geskied.
72

The quest for appropriate God-images within an African paradigm for pastoral ministry

Kasambala, Amon Eddie January 2000 (has links)
Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2000 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This proposal focuses on the quest for appropriate God-images which can be used to represent God in a given pastoral situation within an African context. It identifies the challenge that confronts the African people as they try to find what can be accepted within the African culture to express their experience of God. The study argues that pastoral care and cross-cultural communication are faced with a twofold problem: the problem of accommodation (continuity) and rejection (discontinuity). It has been observed that the problem of accommodation and rejection is an integral feature of a theological problem of continuity and discontinuity in cross-cultural communication. The problem of accommodation and rejection has been described in this study as: the challenge African people confront in trying to express their experience of God in a given pastoral situation, while at the same time being aware of what is not acceptable and appropriate to the content of the Christian faith. The basic working assumption undertaken by this research, states that appropriate God-images are those which represent God and create an experience of meaning and significance in any kind of circumstance faced by His people. We will presuppose further that appropriate God-images are those which are not going to conflict with a theological interpretation of the Godhuman encounter in a given pastoral care situation. In order to clarify these basic assumptions, the study has undertaken to work with a Hermeneutical model. A hermeneutical model will help us to identify the underlying factors of an African cosmology and anthropology which, according to this study, influences the way African people formulate their God-images. It will be argued further that unless we understand what influences the way African people formulate God-images, we will not comprehend the depth of the problem of accommodation and rejection in an African context. The research proposal wishes to emphasize that the African quest for appropriate God-images is a pastoral problem. Pastoral ministry has a challenge of providing a pastoral diagnosis of God-images which people can identify with. Pastoral ministry should make use of metaphors and symbols common to African people in order to facilitate their quest for appropriate Godimages. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie voorlegging fokus op die soeke na gepaste voorstellings van God wat gebruik kan word in In gegewe pasorale situasie binne In Afrika-konteks met die oog op die effektiewe kommunikasie van die evangelie en die vorming van lidmate se geloofsvolwassenheid. Die kemvraagstuk is die probleem van inkulturasie met in agneming van die invloed van In Afrika-spiritualiteit en kosmologie op Godsvoorstellinge. Die studie voer aan dat pastorale sorg en interkulturele kommunikasie voor In tweeledige probleem te staan kom: die probleem van akkommodasie (kontinuiteit) en verwerping (diskontinuiteit). Daar is vasgestel dat die probleem van akkommodasie en verwerping In wesenlike kenmerk is van die teologiese vraagstuk van kontinuiteit en diskontinuiteit. Die probleem van akkommodasie en verwerping is in hierdie studie beskryf as: die uitdaging waarvoor die mense van Afrika te staan kom wanneer hulle probeer uitdrukking gee aan hul belewing van God in In gegewe pastorale situasie, terwyl hulle tegelyk ook bewus is van wat, volgens die inhoud van die Christelike geloof, nie aanvaarbaar en gepas is nie. Die grondliggende hipotese waaruit hierdie navorsmg voortvloei is dat gepaste voorstellings van God die is wat God op so In wyse weergee dat dit sin verskaf aan mense se daaglikse belewing en ervaring. In Verdere veronderstelling is dat gepaste voorstellings van God die is wat nie bots met In teologiese interpretasie van die ontmoeting tussen God en mens binne In konkrete situasie wat kultureel geprofileer is nie. Om hierdie grondliggende aanname te beredeneer, is daar in hierdie studie besluit om met In Hermeneutiese model te werk. Die veronderstelling is dat In hermeneutiese model ons kan help om die onderliggende faktore van In Afrika-kosmologie en antropologie te identifiseer wat In invloed het op daardie Godsvoorstellinge wat iets reflekteer van die eiesoortigheid van In Afrika-spiritualiteit. In Dergelike pastorale hermeneutiek is nodig met die oog op lydingspastoraat binne In Afrikakonteks. Die navorsingsvoorstel wil beklemtoon dat die Afrika-soeke na gepaste voorstellings van God In pastorale probleem is. Vandaar die noodsaak om met die oog op In pastorale diagnose in pastorale. terapie, aandag te gee aan kriteria wat die vraagstuk van inkulturasie in die pastorale bediening kan aanspreek. Die navorsing voorsien om op hierdie wyse uitdrukking te gee aan die vraagstuk van metaforiese teologie binne In Afrikakonteks.
73

Different ways of belonging to totality : traditional African and Western-Christian cosmologies in three films : an exploratory literature study

Momberg, Marthie 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPhil (Religion and Culture) Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study distinguishes between religion as a sense of belonging to the ultimately-real and specific religious traditions. Religion, as used here, concerns a cosmological understanding of the universe and with that which is experienced as meaningful and real on an existential level. Although differences between religious traditions are generaly known, most people‟s emotional conceptual frameworks of the universe are so deep seated that they do not even realise that far-reaching differences between people on this level too are possible. It often happens, for example, that concepts such as transcendence and redemption are incorrectly accepted as universal to all of humanity. Yet in fact, cosmological concepts (the nature and experience of the immediate world out there, the conceptual understanding of time, the role of chance versus determinism, the source of religious knowledge and so forth) can be experienced differently on a symbolic level. In the context of Religion and Media which is the field of study relevant here, as well as in a number of other contexts, it is problematic when scholars project their own views of reality and meaning experiences onto those of others – especially when they expressly articulate their intention as the opposite. John Cumpsty (1991) distinguished three ways in which a person can derive meaning from the cosmic totality and I shall discuss two of these with reference to the Western-Christian and the traditional African reality views. From this, it becomes clear that radical different patterns of cosmological understanding are possible, each with its own systemically related set of symbols. Along with Cumpsty‟s theory, I also use the theory of Castells (2005) on the construction of social identities, as well as the theory of Sen (2006) on the use of cognitive versus affective dimensions in identity formation, to indicate how cosmological symbols can be positioned differently. With these three theories in mind, I subsequently interpret the identities of the main characters in three films hermeneutically. I specifically selected this medium as a segment of life to be studied because of the increasing popularity of the medium in reflection, construction and projection of existential meaning. Another reason for my choice is the many examples where interpretors of film project their own cosmological understanding onto those of others whilst they actually intend to be pluralistic. The findings of this study surprised me. Firstly and as expected, it clarifies the nature of differences between the Western-Christian and the traditional African cosmologies, as well as how these are implemented in praxis and by symbolic interpretations. However, the integration of the three theories also afforded me the opportunity to develop a method for a religious-cosmological analyses of identities. According to this method, an interpretor of films can distinguish between his or her own paradigm and a possible other paradigm. It allows the analyst to acknowledge the own paradigm and simultaneously respect another paradigm – without projecting the own onto the other. Therefore this method diminishes the chances of using dubble-text interpretation which maintains or promotes the exclusion of others. With this method, as well as the findings of this study, one can go much wider than the field of Religion and Media, as it involves the understanding of identity and different ways of belonging to the cosmic totality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie onderskei tussen religie as ’n manier van behoort aan die ultiem-werklike en spesifieke religieuse tradisies. Religie soos hier gebruik, het te make met ‟n kosmologiese verstaan van die heelal en met wat eksistensieel as werklik en sinvol ervaar word. Hoewel verskille tussen religieuse tradisies algemeen bekend is, is mense se emosionele verstaansraamwerke van die heelal so diep gesetel, dat die meeste nie eens besef dat daar ook op hierdie vlak ingrypende verskille is nie. So gebeur dit dikwels dat konsepte soos “transendensie” en “verlossing”verkeerdelik as universeel aan alle mense en religeuse tradisies beskou word. In der waarheid kan kosmologiese komponente (die aard en ervaring van die onmiddellike realiteit; tydsverstaan; die rol van kans teenoor determinisme; die bron van religieuse kennis; ensovoorts) egter op ’n simboliese vlak verskillend ervaar word. In die konteks van Religie en Media waarbinne hierdie studie val, asook binne vele ander kontekste, is dit problematies wanneer akademici hul eie realiteitsiening en sinservaring op dié van ander projekteer – veral wanneer hulle hulself uitdruklik voorgeneem het om die teendeel te doen. John Cumpsty (1991) het drie maniere waarop mense sin maak van die kosmiese totaliteit onderskei en ek bespreek twee daarvan met verwysing na die Westers-Christelike en die tradisionele Afrika realiteitsienings. Hieruit word dit dan duidelik dat algeheel verskillende patrone in ‟n kosmiese verstaan moontlik is, elk met ‟n eie stel simbole wat sistemies bymekaar aansluit. Saam met Cumpsty se teorie, gebruik ek ook dié van Castells (2005) oor sosiale identiteitsvorming, en dié van Sen (2006) oor die gebruik van die kognitiewe versus die affektiewe in identiteitsvorming om aan te toon hoe kosmologiese simbole verskillend geposisioneer kan word. Met hierdie drie teorieë in gedagte, ontsluit ek vervolgens die identiteite van die hoofkarakers in drie rolprente hermeneuties. Ek het spesifiek dié medium as ‟n bestudeerbare greep van die lewe gekies weens die toenemende gewildheid daarvan in die refleksie, konstruksie en projeksie van eksistensiële sin. Nog ‟n rede is die talle voorbeelde waarin interpreteerders van rolprente hul eie kosmiese verstaan op dié van andere projekteer terwyl hulle eintlik pluralisties wil wees. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie was vir my verrassend. Dit bring eerstens, soos verwag, wel helderheid oor die aard van verskille tussen die Westers-Christelike en die tradisionele Afrika kosmologieë, asook hoe dit in die praktyk kan uitspeel aan die hand van simboliese interpretasies. Die integrasie van die drie teorieë het my egter ook die kans gebied om ‟n metode vir ’n religieus-kosmologiese analise van identiteit te ontwikkel. Hiervolgens kan ‟n ontleder van rolprente op ‟n redelike, sistematiese en sistemiese manier tussen sy of haar eie, sowel as ‟n moontlike ander, paradigma onderskei. Dit laat die ontleder toe om die eie paradigma te erken, sowel as respek te betoon teenoor ’n ander paradigma – sonder om die eie op die ander te projekteer. Daarom verminder hierdie metode veral ook die kans op die gebruik van ‟n dubbele-teks interpretasie wat uitsluiting van die ander handhaaf of bevorder. Hierdie metode, sowel as die bevindinge van die studie, kan veel wyer as die veld van Religie en Media toegepas word, omdat dit te make het met die verstaan van identiteit en verskillende maniere van behoort aan die kosmiese totaliteit.
74

Die implikasies van 'n missionale transformasieproses vir die NG Gemeente Marken se voortbestaan

Peens, Hannes 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MTh)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Small rural congregations like Marken with a member count of 60 often battle with the question if the congregation will be able to survive. This question is influenced through individuals and larger congregations' perception that bigger is better. The vitality of small congregations is being judged by a modernistic approach. According to this viewpoint a large member count is an important factor for survival. The uniqueness of small rural congregations is not taken into account when the vitality of such congregations comes under the spotlight. The style of ministry and the program approach of larger congregations is the model normally associated with success and vitality and leads to small congregations' attempt to follow that model and in the process lose its God given uniqueness. The congregations' question of survival is addressed through a guided journey in an attempt to help the congregation realize its missional calling. A congregation like Marken must realize that a small congregation also can and should be a mirror of God's kingdom. Missional theology and Trinitarian theology cannot be discussed without taking into account the missio Dei of God. The Dutch Reformed Congregation of Marken' expression as church in and for the world must be modelled in God's missio Dei. The Trinity is the foundation for missional theology. The purpose of the study is the transformation of the Dutch Reformed Congregation of Marken who battles with a question of survival to become a missional congregation who takes part in God's mission. The history of the congregation, her identity and culture plays an important role. In the history of the congregation it became evident that a number of factors, the long absence of a minister, shortage in funds and a schism in the congregation lead to the question of survival. A pattern became evident in which the congregation described herself as small. This became part of the identity and culture of the congregation and is confirmed in the ethnographic research. All of these factors contributed to the single deepest question in the hearts of the congregation: How can the Dutch Reformed Church in Marken survive? To be able to understand these questions, one must underline the importance of the context in which the congregation finds herself. The congregation is situated in Limpopo province and form part of the Mogalakwena municipality which consists of roughly 300,000 Pedi speaking people. Realities like demography and migration patterns in the contextual analysis are indications that the congregation can't rely on growth through birth rate. The contextual analysis was also a step to open the blinded eyes of the congregation to the realities around the congregation. This was done to motivate the congregation to take part in the missio Dei. The congregation's involvement in the missio Dei can be described as a journey. In the study the first steps of Marken on this missional road is also researched. It shows that the Spirit of God is already transforming Marken and it can be seen in normal, natural experiences which helped people to recognize the work and the intention of the Spirit (Marais, 2007:120) This should give hope to a congregation who battled with a question of survival in the past. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Klein plattelandse gemeentes soos Marken met ʼn lidmaattal van 60 worstel baie keer met die vraag of die gemeente sal kan voortbestaan. Hierdie vraag word beïnvloed deur individue en ander groter gemeentes se persepsie oor klein gemeentes en dat klein gelykstaande aan minderwaardigheid is. Die lewensvatbaarheid van klein gemeentes word na aanleiding van ʼn modernistiese vertrekpunt beoordeel. Hiervolgens is ʼn groot lidmaat getal ʼn belangrike norm vir bestaansreg. Die eiesoortigheid van klein plattelandse gemeentes word meesal nie in berekening gebring wanneer oor die lewensvatbaarheid van sulke gemeentes gedink word nie. Die bedieningstyle en programbenaderings in groot gemeentes word dikwels ook voorgehou as die ideaal en dit lei daartoe dat klein gemeentes hulle daaraan meet en hulle eie Godgegewe uniekheid uit die oog begin verloor. Die voortbestaansvraag van die gemeente word aangespreek deur die gemeente te begelei om haar missionale roeping te ontdek. ʼn Gemeente soos Marken moet besef dat ʼn klein gemeente ook ʼn spieëlbeeld van God se koninkryk kan en moet wees. Missionale teologie, trinitariese teologie en die missio Dei is in mekaar gevleg. NG Gemeente Marken se uitdrukking as kerk in en vir die wêreld moet gemodelleer word in God se drie-enige uitdrukking van sy sending in die wêreld deur die geskiedenis soos dit gereflekteer word in die Bybelse getuienis. As sending dan essensieel God se sending is, dan is die Triniteit die fondasie vir missionale teologie. Die transformasie van NG Gemeente Marken wat worstel met ʼn voortbestaansvraag na ʼn missionale gemeente is dus die doelwit van die studie. Die gemeente se geskiedenis, haar identiteit / kultuur speel ewe-eens ʼn belangrike rol. In die geskiedenis van die gemeente kan duidelik gesien word dat verskeie gebeure soos die lang afwesigheid van ʼn eie leraar, ʼn tekort aan finansies en ʼn kerkskeuring aanleiding gegee het tot die voortbestaansvraag van die gemeente. Die gebeure het ʼn tendens na vore laat tree waarin die gemeente haarself as klein beskryf. Hierdie identiteit is ook bevestig met die etnografiese navorsing en dit het deel geword van die kultuur van die gemeente. Al hierdie faktore het ʼn invloed op die mees prominente of diepste vraag wat in die harte van die 60 lidmate leef. “Hoe kan die NG Gemeente Marken voortbestaan?” Om hierdie vrae te verstaan en te begin antwoord is dit belangrik om die gemeente in haar konteks te verstaan. Die gemeente is geleë in Limpopo provinsie en vorm deel van Mogalakwena munisipaliteit waar ongeveer 300,000 hoofsaaklik Pedi sprekende mense woon. Demografiese realiteite en die migrasie patroon in die kontekstuele analise toon aan dat die gemeente nie kan staat maak op die normale manier van groei deur geboorte en bevolkingsaanwas nie. Die kontekstuele analise is gedoen as ʼn stap in die proses om die fokus van Marken op oorlewing aan te spreek en die gemeente se oë oop te maak vir die werklikheid rondom die gemeente en sodoende dan te kan deelneem aan God se missio Dei. Die gemeente se deelname aan God se missio Dei kan beskryf word as ʼn reis. In die studie word die eerste treë van Marken in hierdie missionale reis ook nagevors. Dit toon aan dat die Gees van God besig is om Marken te transformeer en dit kan soos wat Frederick Marais (2007:120) dit stel waargeneem word in die “gewone, natuurlike ervarings wat mense tot die oortuiging laat kom van die werk en die bedoeling van die Gees.” Dit moet hoop gee aan Marken wat in die verlede met die vraag geworstel het of die gemeente kan voortbestaan.
75

Preaching in the context of ethic violence : a practical theological study within the Calabar synod of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria

Ekong, Ivan 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is a practical theological endeavour that evaluates church preaching as a means of changing the paradigms relating to communal and ethnic violence in Nigeria. The study critically examines the phenomenon of ethnic conflict and violence to show the magnitude of its impact on Nigerians. The impact is evident in the number of violent conflicts recorded in the Calabar area in the last few years. The interdisciplinary approach employed in the study helps to locate the causes of violent conflict and its impact on the people of Calabar, on the one hand, and investigating the perception of church preaching and its impact on congregants, on the other hand. In particular, the historical method is employed in the process of investigating, analysing and recovering materials on the causes of violent conflict in the area. Practical theological methods are employed to evaluate the purpose of preaching. However, a sociological approach is adopted in structuring questionnaires and interviews while using critical analysis to evaluate and interpret both the qualitative and the quantitative data. In the first place, the data has proved that economic factors are the main causes of violence; other contributing factors are described as ethnic, political, demographic and social factors. It is noted that victims of violence have suffered physically, psychologically, economically and socially. Secondly, data has also shown that, if re-evaluated, preaching can be used to change paradigms relating to ethnic violence and to inspire concrete congregational change and societal action against ethnic violence. Since this thesis presents views of people at the grassroots, people who are victims of ethnic violence, it has contributed, therefore, to a deeper understanding of the impact of violent conflicts on Africans, and especially on Nigerians. The most important contribution of this research to knowledge seems to be the provision of a model of transformative preaching, which can be explored further by the church. This research effort consists of five chapters. The first chapter is the introduction while the second chapter provides a brief historical survey of the Presbyterian Church in Calabar and the history of violent conflicts in Nigeria. Chapter Three focuses on biblical perspectives on violence, theories on violence, and data analysis of violence in the Calabar area. Chapter Four is concerned with data analysis and the evaluation of contemporary preaching in the context of violence in the Calabar Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. A transformative model is proposed as a way forward. Chapter Five, which is the final chapter, presents the summary and conclusion, as well as the contribution of the research to knowledge, recommendations and suggestions on areas for future research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis is ʼn prakties-teologiese studie oor die rol van Christelike prediking as ʼn medium om samelewings- en etniese paradigmas aangaande geweld in Nigerië te verander. Die studie kyk krities na die fenomeen van etniese konflik en geweld in ʼn poging om die omvang van die effek daarvan op Nigeriërs aan te dui. Dit blyk onder andere uit die aantal gewelddadige konflikte binne die Calabar-area gedurende die afgelope aantal jare. Die studie volg ʼn interdissiplinêre benadering ten einde die redes vir geweld en die uitwerking daarvan op die mense van Calabar aan die een kant te ondersoek, maar aan die ander kant ook die persepsies oor prediking en die impak daarvan op gemeentes. Die historiese metode is gebruik om materiaal in verband met die oorsake van geweld in die area op te spoor en te analiseer. Die betekenis van prediking is prakties-teologies ontleed, terwyl die sosiologiese metode asook kritiese analise ingespan is om beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe data te evalueer en te interpreteer. Bogenoemde data het eerstens getoon dat ekonomiese redes die hoof-oorsaak is van geweld. Ander bydraende faktore is etnies, polities, demografies en sosiaal van aard. As gevolg van geweld het slagoffers fisies, psigologies, ekonomies en sosiaal gely. Die data toon egter ook tweedens aan dat prediking, indien dit herinterpreteer word, ʼn medium van verandering van paradigmas insake geweld kan wees, en dat dit daadwerklike gemeentelike verandering en sosiale aksie teen etniese geweld kan bewerkstellig. Hierdie tesis verteenwoordig die stemme van mense op grondvlak, veral diegene wat slagoffers van geweld was of is, en dit bied ʼn model vir transformatiewe prediking wat verder deur die kerk in Nigerië ontwikkel kan word. Die vyf hoofstukke verloop breedweg as volg: Hoofstuk een is die Inleiding; Hoofstuk twee handel oor historiese agtergronde van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk en geweld in Nigerië; Hoofstuk drie gee ʼn oorsig oor Bybelse perspektiewe op geweld, teorieë oor geweld asook ʼn analise van die data aangaande geweld in die Calabar-streek; Hoofstuk vier gee ʼn blik op die moontlike rol van kontemporêre prediking in ʼn konteks van geweld in die Presbiteriaanse Kerk in Nigerië, en bied ook ʼn model vir transformatiewe prediking vir die toekoms aan; Hoofstuk vyf bevat opsommende konklusies, asook suggesties vir verdere studie en die implementering van sommige van die bevindinge van die tesis.
76

Prophetic preaching within the Korean Presbyterian Church? A practical-theological investigation

Jeon, Dong-Hyun 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research begins from the concern of the Korean Presbyterian Church about the tension between affirming and rejecting attitudes toward the world. The tension between these two attitudes regarding the world is also evident in the homiletical situation. The affirming attitude secularizes the message of the gospel through “positive-thinking” and “possibility-thinking”. Contrary to this, the attitude of rejecting the secular minds makes moral instruction or societal reform the primary focus of the message. However, congregants who hear the message are not only in the church, but also live in a secular society. To Christians, a balanced perspective on the world is required in the sense of that to deny the world is to deny the grounds of their life, and to affirm the world is to lose their distinctive identity. In chapter 1, this research states the problems faced by the Korean Presbyterian Church. It is described in terms of the tension between keeping the church‟s distinctive identity and performing God‟s command. On the one hand, preachers must enter deeply into Korean culture in order to preach the gospel. On the other hand, the church must be distinguished from the surrounding culture to display its distinctive identity. Chapter 2 depicts contemporary people living in the world in terms of three notions: individualism, the pursuit of happiness, and consumerism. In chapter 3, this researcher describes the coming together of these characteristics and narrative preaching. In the development process of narrative preaching, the core motive is popularity. In the religious market, the main interest of the church has been popular satisfaction. Today‟s sermon has fallen into consumerism through being ruled by the notion of congregational preference. When people come to the church they want to hear the hopeful message from the pulpit. The pulpit has been moralized through ignoring congregations‟ needs, and secularized with a consumer ideology. Preachers should restore the eschatological perspective in order to overcome consumerism and deliver true hope to congregations. In chapter 4, the researcher portrays Christians as resident aliens on a journey through the world, and their gathering as a colony helping pilgrims to complete their journey. This world is not home to Christians who are living as resident aliens. Christians are those who are journeying toward the Promised Land. Their gathering as a colony has covenantal, communal, and alternative characteristics. To Christians as resident aliens living in this world, hope is to proclaim that God is ruling this world and Jesus will come again with the Promised Land. Therefore, in chapter 5, the researcher suggests to the Korean Presbyterian preachers that prophetic preaching is the best way to deal with the tension between “the already and not yet” of the kingdom of God. Prophetic preaching has simultaneously both prophetic and pastoral functions. Preachers cannot be prophetic without fulfilling their pastoral function, and vice versa. Because of this, the prophetic voice is the language of hope, and also the language of compassion. Prophetic preachers offer hope to people in despair, and change the apathetic world through the language of compassion. Therefore, prophetic preaching delivers hope in a paradoxical situation, deals with ethical issues from an eschatological perspective, and heals the church from amnesia through repeatedly and continuously speaking about the covenant and the shared memory and story of the faith community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing begin met die besorgdheid van die Koreaanse Presbiteriaanse Kerk rakende die spanning tussen die houdings van bevestiging en verwerping jeens die wêreld. Die spanning tussen hierdie twee verskillende houdings teenoor die wêreld is ook sigbaar binne die homiletiese situasie. Die bevestigende houding sekulariseer die boodskap van die Evangelie deur te fokus op “positiewe denke” en “moontlikheidsdenke”. Hierteenoor maak die houding wat sekulêre idees verwerp, morele onderrig of maatskaplike hervorming die primêre fokus van die boodskap. Gemeentelede wat die boodskap aanhoor is egter nie net in die kerk, maar ook deel van die sekulêre samelewing. Christene benodig ʼn gebalanseerde perspektief op die wêreld in die opsig dat die ontkenning van die wêreld, die ontkenning van die rede vir hul bestaan is, en die bevestigende houding jeens die wêreld die verloor van hul eiesoortige identiteit veronderstel. In hoofstuk 1 word die probleme wat die Koreaanse Presbiteriaanse Kerk in die gesig staar bespreek. Dit word beskryf in terme van die spanning tussen die behoud van die kerk se eiesoortige identiteit en die uitvoer van God se opdrag. Aan die een kant moet predikers diep in die Koreaanse kultuur indring om die evangelie te verkondig. Aan die ander kant moet die kerk van die omringende kultuur onderskei word ten einde sy eiesoortige identiteit te vertoon. Hoofstuk 2 stel kontemporêre mense wat in die wêreld leef in terme van deur drie fases voor: individualisme, die nastrewing van geluk, en verbruikersgesindheid. In hoofstuk 3 beskryf die navorser die verband tussen hierdie eienskappe en narratiewe prediking. In die ontwikkelingsproses van narratiewe prediking is gewildheid die kern-motief. Vanuit ʼn godsdienstige perspektief was populêre tevredenheid vir die kerk van wesenlike belang. Vandag neig prediking tot ʼn verbruikersgesindheid wat deur die idee van gemeentelike voorkeur oorheers word. Wanneer mense kerk toe kom wil hulle die boodskap van hoop vanaf die kansel hoor. Prediking word egter ʼn morele les, en met ʼn verbruikersideologie gesekulariseer omdat gemeentes se behoeftes geïgnoreer word. Predikers moet die eskatologiese perspektief herstel ten einde die verbruikersgesindheid te oorkom en ware hoop aan gemeentes te verkondig. In hoofstuk 4 word Christene as vreemdelinge op reis deur die wêreld beskryf, en hul samekoms as ʼn kolonie wat pelgrims help om hul reis te voltooi. Hierdie wêreld is nie Christene, wat as vreemdelinge woon, se huis nie. Christene is mense wat op reis is na die Beloofde Land. Hulle vergader as ʼn kommunale en alternatiewe kolonie wat binne ʼn verbond bestaan. Vir Christene, wat as vreemdelinge in die wêreld leef, is hoop die verkondinging van God se heerskappy in die wêreld, en Jesus se wederkoms met die Beloofde Land. Derhalwe het die navorser in hoofstuk 5 voorgestel dat Koreaans Presbiteriaanse predikers op profetiese prediking moet fokus om die spanning tussen “die alreeds en die nog nie” van die koninkryk van God te hanteer. Profetiese prediking het gelyktydig beide profetiese en pastorale funksies. Predikers kan nie profetiese wees sonder om „n pastorale rol te vervul nie, en omgekeerd. As gevolg hiervan is die profetiese stem die taal van hoop en medelye. Profetiese predikers bied hoop aan mense in wanhoop, en verander die apatiese wêreld deur die taal van medelye. Profetiese prediking bring daarom hoop in ʼn paradoksale situasie, fokus op etiese kwessies vanuit ʼn eskatologiese perspektief, en genees die kerk van geheueverlies deur herhaaldelik en aanhoudend die verbond, en die gedeelde herinneringe en storie van die geloofsgemeenskap te beklemtoon.
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Exploring the dynamics of the refugee phenomenon and it's relevance in Sout Africa's development : towards the merging of theory and practice for ministry to refugees

Msabah, Anzuruni Barnabé 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The history of migration is as old as that of mankind. However, the magnitude of its impact is extremely acute today as we are confronted by the manifold consequences of globalisation. Scores of people from different parts of the world leave their homes every day in quest of personal, economic, political, social, environmental, emotional and spiritual freedom or security, amongst other things. In South Africa, the local population has been witnessing floods of such people entering the country since 1994. They all have one thing in common: enduring foreignness and all its consequences at liberty rather than living with neither liberty nor safety in their own countries. However, most South Africans understand less the context of the circumstances that lead to asylum-seeking or the challenges that asylum seekers and refugees among them face on a daily basis. They less appreciate refugees’ contribution in the country’s development and even lesser, the little attempts by refugees to prompt transformative change in the community. As a result, intolerance emerges and xenophobia transpires. There is a serious need to educate the society on the issues concerning refugees. This research explores different perspectives of forced human displacement (particularly the refugee phenomenon) with the purpose of finding better ways to educate the society on such matters. So, what should the church’s contribution be in educating the population on the question of refugees? In this study we prove that, first of all, the church is to provide refugees with a sense of belonging and homely warmth. That is, it should be the truest sanctuary for refugees by receiving them rather than keeping them apart. Then, it should build a bridge of understanding between refugees and the hosting community. This means the church is to be the reconciler of the two communities. Hence, this bridge of understanding is reconciliatory and leads to transformational development in society. The study is a collection of academic reflections, theological insights and empirical data from 271 participants nationwide. It is a multidisciplinary study (albeit researched within the frames of practical theology) that promotes human dignity for all. This it does by taking the challenges related to the refugee phenomenon and turning them into opportunities to be explored for the benefit of the community. Based on our findings, we give some recommendations to assist community workers and guide policy makers in their attempts to effect transformational change in the community and be effectively responsive to the needs of refugees in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die geskiedenis van menslike verskuiwing of migrasie is so oud soos dié van die mensdom. Die impak daarvan is egter deesdae baie ernstig soos wat ons gekonfronteer word met die veelvuldige gevolge van globalisering. Massas mense van verskillende dele van die wêreld verlaat elke dag hul woonplekke op soek na persoonlike, ekonomiese, politieke, sosiale, omgewings-, emosionele en geestelike vryheid of sekuriteit. In Suid-Afrika kan die plaaslike bevolking getuig van ‘n vloedgolf van sulke mense wat die land inkom sedert 1994. Hulle het almal een ding in gemeen: blywende vreemdelingskap en al die gevolge daarvan op die persoon se vryheid eerder as om te lewe met geen vryheid en geen veiligheid in hul eie lande. Die meeste Suid-Afrikaners verstaan nie die konteks van die omstandighede wat kan lei tot die soek van asiel of die uitdagings wat asielsoekers en vlugtelinge moet aanskou elke dag. Hulle waardeer nie vlugtelinge se bydrae tot die ontwikkeling van die land nie en nog minder die vlugtelinge se beperkte pogings om transformerende verandering in die gemeenskap te bewerk. As gevolg hiervan kom onverdraagsaamheid na vore en raak xenofobie sigbaar. Daar is 'n ernstige behoefte om die gemeenskap op te voed oor die kwessies rakende vlugtelinge. Hierdie navorsing verken verskillende perspektiewe oor menslike migrasie (veral die vlugtelinge-verskynsel) met die doel om beter maniere van gemeenskapsopvoeding te vind rakende sulke sake. Wat behoort die kerk se bydrae te wees tot die opvoeding van die bevolking oor die kwessie van vlugtelinge? In hierdie studie het ons bewys dat dit eerstens die kerk se taak is om 'n gevoel van ‘behoort’ en huislike warmte te verskaf. Dus moet dit ‘n ware toevlugsoord vir vlugtelinge wees waar hulle ontvang word eerder as om hulle op ‘n afstand te hou. So behoort dit 'n brug van begrip te bou tussen vlugtelinge en die gasheer-gemeenskap. Dit beteken dat die kerk die versoener van die twee gemeenskappe behoort te wees. Hierdie brug van begrip is versoenend en lei dus tot transformasie-ontwikkeling in die samelewing. Die studie is 'n versameling van akademiese oorwegings, teologiese insigte en empiriese data van 271 deelnemers landwyd. Dit is 'n multidissiplinêre studie (alhoewel die navorsing binne die raamwerk van die praktiese teologie gedoen is) wat menswaardigheid vir almal bevorder. Die word gedoen deur die uitdagings wat verwant is aan die vlugtelinge-verskynsel te gebruik en te omskep in geleenthede wat ondersoek kan word tot die voordeel van die gemeenskap. Gegrond op ons bevindinge, gee ons 'n paar aanbevelings om gemeenskapswerkers en gids beleidmakers by te staan in hul pogings om transformasie in die gemeenskap te bewerkstellig en effektief te reageer op die behoeftes van vlugtelinge in Suid-Afrika.
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Home based diakonia within the HIV and AIDS epidemic : towards an ecclesiology of grassroots care and identity affirmation

Snyman, Stephen 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The HIV and AIDS epidemic has affected the whole South African society, including the church. The dilemma of adequate reaction to the effects of HIV andAIDS on the pastoral responsibilities of the church is posing serious questions to the church in South Africa as it deals with the care of those affected by the epidemic. The HIV and AIDS epidemic is challenging the church to re-investigate its own traditional way of help and support and to realise that the Christian faith community needs to be part of the team-approach in the fight against HIV and AIDS.A holistic approach to healing will lead us to a new and different understanding of the diakonia of the church (nuwe en anderverstaan van diakonaat). This study will investigate how care can be administered in such a way that it becomes meaningful to both the infected, affected and those involved in administering care. It will require an ecclesiology that is informed, formulated and structured from the bottom-up rather than the traditional top-down approach. It will be what we can call a ―base-community‖ ecclesiology. This thesis will therefore, in the light of the challenges that the HIV and AIDSepidemic presents, put forward an ecclesiology formulated on the ground, a grassroots ecclesiology other than the official or traditional formal ecclesiology: an ecclesiology not only directed towards the members of the specific church (membership diakonia), but an ecclesiology focused on the broader community in which the church is located: a communal diakonia. This thesis argues that in light of the HIV and AIDSepidemic, this is a wake-up call for a new ecclesiology that will lead to the kind of diaconate described above. A bold new manner of ecclesiological being/structure is required: a new openness, frankness, boldness (parrhēsia) in dealing with HIV and AIDS. This parrhēsiawill come from the empowered members of the church as they become the caregivers in the community. Home-based care as it is practised at present runs the risk of a one-sided approach with its main focus on the physical wellbeing of the person. An ecclesiology of grassroots care and identity-formation is needed to fill this void. The research investigates how a theology of affirmation can be integrated into the system/practice of home-based care to become a meaningful part of the help or assistance given to the individual and his/her household. Furthermore, the study explores how pastoral care and counselling to the HIV positive person and his/her household can be enriched through the application of a paradigm of praxis to the least in society in home-based diakonia by applying a theology of affirmation, so as to affirm and restore dignity, give meaning to life and the process of death and ultimately provide answers to the quest for identity and affirmation through an ecclesiology of grassroots care. This study is also a call for a paradigm shift with regard to ecclesiology and diakonia in the South African church that may have a profound effect on the church in South Africa. This shift must happen in three areas: 1. The church must become actively involved in home-based care as part of its ministry and calling to the world amidst the HIV and AIDSepidemic. The church can no longer be a bystander or advisor, or at best a supporter of government and civil actions. Every congregation needs to become active within the community they serve through joint/combined and innovative ways with other churches in their areas in establishing an ecclesiology of grassroots care. 2. The diakonia of the church must change. Every member must realise their full potential of utilising their Holy Spirit gifts and fruit in order to serve/minister in the Kingdom of God. Diakonia can no longer be the responsibility of a few ordained or commissioned for the diaconate. The whole church must become active in service to their community and those living around the church. The church needs to break the chains of membership-diakonia and open the arms of Christian love to everyone in need, even those who hates us. 3. Perhaps the biggest challenge is the call to change our way of being church in South Africa: our ecclesiology. We must admit that we have come to love the church more than we love God and that we forgot that God so loved the world not the church! This realisation will make it possible to become open to the proposal of this thesis: that we become church from the bottom up, that we start to practice a grassroots ecclesiology. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die MIV en VIGS epidemie het ʼn invloed op die ganse Suid Afrikaanse samelewing, insluitend die kerk. Die dilema van voldoende reaksie op die gevolge van MIV en VIGS op die pastorale verantwoordelikheid van die kerk stel enstige vrae aan die kerk in haar versorging van diegene wat deur die epidemie geaffekteer word. Die MIV en VIGS epidemie daag die kerk uit tot ʼn herondersoek van tradisionele maniere van hulpverlening en ondersteuning asook tot ʼn gewaarwording dat die Christelike geloofsgemeenskap deel moet vorm van ʼn span verband in die stryd teen MIV en VIGS. ʼn Holistiese benadering tot genesing sal lei tot ʼn nuwe en ander verstaan van diakonaat. Hierdie studie is dus ʼn ondersoek na hoe sorg op so ʼn wyse bedien kan word dat dit betekenisvol vir beide die geinfekteerde, ge-affekteerde en diegene betrokke in die hulpverlening kan wees. So ʼn benadering vereis ʼn ekklesiologie wat belig, geformuleer en gestruktureer word vanaf grondvlak in plaas van die tradisionele bo-na-onder benadering. Ons kan so ʼn benadering ʼn basis-gemeenskap (―base-community‖) ekklesiologie noem. Hierdie tesis sal dus, in die lig van die uitdagings wat die MIV en VIGS epidemie stel, ʼn ekklesiologie geformuleer op grondvlak (―a grassroots ecclesiology‖) anders as die amptelike of tradisioneel formele ekklesiologie aanbied: ʼn ekklesiologie wat nie slegs gerig is op lidmate van ʼn spesifieke kerk (lidmaatskap-diakonia) nie, maar ʼn ekklesiologie gefokus op die breë gemeenskap waarin die gemeente haarself bevind: ʼn gemeenskaps-diakonia. Die argument in die tesis is dat die MIV en VIGS epidemie ʼn wekroep is tot ʼn nuwe ekklesiologie wat mag lei tot die soort diakonia hierbo beskryf. ʼn Brawe, nuwe manier van ekklesiologie word dus vereis: ʼn nuwe openheid, waaragtigheid, moedigheid (parrhēsia) in die wyse waarop ons met MIV en VIGS omgaan. Hierdie parrhēsia sal tot stand kom deur die bemagtigde lede van die kerk soos wat hulle versorgers van die gemeenskap word. Tuisversorging soos wat dit tans bedryf word, loop die risiko van ʼn eensydige benadering wat hoofsaaklik konsentreer/fokus op die fisieke gesondheid van die persoon. Ons benodig n voetsoolvlak-ekklesiologie wat gerig is op identiteits-formering en –bevestiging om hierdie gaping te vul. Die navorsing ondersoek dus hoe ʼn teologie van bevestiging (theology of affirmation) geintegreer kan word in die sisteem of bedryf van tuisversorging om sodoende ʼn beduidende deel van die hulpverlening of bystand aan die individu en sy/haar huishouding uit te maak. Verder ondersoek die navorsing hoe pastorale sorg en berading aan die MIV en VIGS positiewe persoon en sy/haar huishouding verryk kan word deur die toepassing van ʼn paradigma van praksis (diakonia) aan die minste in die samelewing deur tuisversorging en die toepassing van ʼn teologie van bevestiging, sodat menswaardigheid opnuut bevestig of/en herstel kan word; die lewe en die proses van sterwe en dood betekenisvol kan wees, en daar uiteindelik antwoorde gevind kan word in die soeke na identiteits-bevestiging deur ʼn diakonia vanuit n ekklesiologie op voetsoolvlak. Die navorsing is ook ʼn oproep tot ʼn paradigma-skuif met betrekking tot ekklesiologie en diakonia in die Suid Afrikaanse kerk wat verreikende gevolge vir die kerk in Suid Afrika inhou. Hierdie skuif moet in drie areas plaasvind: 1. Die kerk moet aktief betrokke word in tuisversorging as deel van haar bediening en roeping in die wêreld temidde van die MIV en VIGS epidemie. Die kerk kan nie langer voortgaan om toeskouer of raadgewer, of ten beste ʼn ondersteuner van staats- en siviele aksies te wees nie. Elke gemeente moet aktief binne haar gemeenskap dien deur gesamentlike en innoverende aksies ten opsigte van versorging en hulpverlening met ander kerke in die selfde area/gebied sodat ʼn grondvlak ekklesiologie tot stand gebring word. 2. Die diakonia van die kerk moet verander. Elke lid moet sy/haar potensiaal besef en die gawes en vrug van die Heilige Gees aanwend in diens van die Koninkryk. Diakonia mag nie langer die verantwoordelikheid van ʼn paar bevestigdes of gekommandeerdes vir diakonie wees nie. Die hele kerk moet diensbaar word in die gemeenskap en diegene wat rondom die kerk bly. Die kerk moet dus die kettings van lidmaat-diakonia breek en hul arms van Christelike liefde oopmaak vir elke persoon in nood, selfs diegene wat ons haat. 3. Miskien is die grootste uitdaging die oproep om die wyse waarop ons kerk bedryf in Suid Afrika te verander: ons ekklesiologie. Ons sal moet erken dat ons die kerk meer lief het as vir God en dat ons vergeet het dat God die wêreld liefhet en nie net die kerk nie! Hierdie gewaarwording sal dit moontlik maak om onsself ontvanklik te kan maak vir die voorstel van die tesis: dat ons kerk word van die grond-af-op in plaas van kerk van-bo-af—dat ons begin om ʼn voetsoolvlak ekklesiologie in werking te stel.
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The agency of the church in HIV/AIDS among refugees in relation to the host country

Didier, Kasongo Wa Kumutombo 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / NO ABSTRACT / INTRODUCTION: All over the world there are millions of desperate people who seek refuge in other countries and so these countries are all affected by the situations of refugees. These people we call “refugees” are human beings who leave their countries and cross borders to find a place to secure their lives. The realities of the refugees are at the same time global, regional or local. They are in fact treated differently depending on the policies of the countries of refuge though they might, to some extent, be treated in the same ways according to the UNHCR charter. Whilst they run for their lives, they face all other challenges of life that affect the globe and the countries of refuge.
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Populere spiritualiteitstendense : 'n gevallestudie van die Ned. Geref. Kerk Port Elizabeth-Hoogland

Malan, Eugene 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As minister in the congregation over the past fourteen years, the researcher is affected by mainly two popular trends in the spirituality of the church. On the one hand there is a trend where the observed expression of faith is characterised by an overriding emphasis on personal salvation. This spirituality allows the believer, especially in times of transition, an easy escape from the difficult and threatening context to a place where he/she, with particular emphasis on individual faith experiences, remain engaged in spiritual matters. The researcher calls it a spirituality of escapism. On the other hand, there is a trend where faith is declared and practiced from a rational perspective. This spirituality grabs, also especially in times of awkward transition, back to pure rational statement and traditionalism where believers find their security. The researcher calls it a spirituality of reductionism. Both escapism and reductionism are, according to the researcher, expressions of a dualistic spirituality which is not unique to the church or to the Dutch Reformed Church, but lies deep in the heart of the church in the Western world. These congregations are primarily busy with their own agendas and they are alienated from the community and society. The involvement with the need in the community and creation in both cases are not directly linked to the expression of faith. The researcher found the core of the reason for this deep-rooted dualism and individualism in the faith expression of the church in the way in which she understands the concept of salvation. The researcher takes his point of departure in the belief that there is a direct connection between the congregation's context, her understanding of salvation and her spirituality. The researcher found the reformed view of salvation especially helpful to offer a theological framework for an integrated spirituality, as is particularly found in missional theology. The researcher follows the four tasks of practical theological research of Richard Osmer (2008) in his endeavour to provide guidance to the congregation towards a more integrated spirituality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: As leraar in die gemeente oor die afgelope veertien jaar is die navorser getref deur veral twee populêre tendense in die spiritualiteit van die gemeente. Enersyds is daar ’n tendens waargeneem waar die uitleef van geloof deur ’n oorheersende klem op persoonlike verlossing gekenmerk word. Hierdie spiritualiteit laat die gelowige, veral in tye van oorgang, maklik uit die moeilike en bedreigende konteks ontsnap na ’n plek waar hy/sy, veral met die klem op individuele geloofsbelewing, met geestelike sake besig bly. Die navorser noem dit ’n spiritualiteit van ontsnapping. Andersyds is daar ’n tendens waar geloof vanuit ’n rasionele raamwerk verklaar en uitgeleef word. Hierdie spiritualiteit gryp, eweneens in tye van ongemaklike oorgang, terug na suiwer rasionele verklaring en tradisionalisme vanwaar gelowiges hulle sekuriteit vind. Die navorser noem dit ’n spiritualiteit van reduksionisme. Beide ontsnapping en reduksionisme is, volgens die navorser, uitdrukkings van ’n dualistiese spiritualiteit wat nie uniek aan die gemeente of aan die NG Kerk is nie, maar diep in die wese van die kerk in die Westerse wêreld lê. Ten diepste is sulke gemeentes besig met hulle eie agendas en is hulle van die gemeenskap en samelewing vervreemd. Die betrokkenheid by die nood in die gemeenskap en die skepping is in albei gevalle nie direk met die uitleef van geloof verbind nie. Die navorser vind die kern van die rede vir hierdie diepgesetelde dualisme en individualisme in die geloofsbelewing van die kerk by die wyse waarop die konsep van verlossing verstaan word. Die navorser neem sy vertrekpunt by die oortuiging dat daar ’n direkte verband tussen die gemeente se konteks, haar verstaan van verlossing en haar spiritualiteit is. Die navorser vind die gereformeerde siening van verlossing behulpsaam om ’n teologiese raamwerk te bied vir ’n geïntegreerde spiritualiteit, soos dit veral in missionêre teologie beslag vind. Die navorser volg die vier take van prakties teologiese navorsing van Richard Osmer ten einde die gemeente op weg na ’n meer geïntegreerde spiritualiteit te begelei.

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