Thesis (M. Th.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research aims to establish if church-going young people adhere to the principle of ‘no sex before marriage’, or if there are competing ‘voices’ and pressures that young people succumb to. Are they practising risky sexual behaviour, with multiple partners, using no protection or experiencing sexual violence? We conducted a survey in order to understand the gravity of the challenge, and to identify ways in which the Anglican Church might become more effective in dealing with issues of sexuality among young people. The field research was undertaken between October 2004 and January 2005 and involved a detailed questionnaire survey (with 1,306 responses analysed), and three different focus group discussions. Respondents were between 12 and 19 years of age, both male and female, and demographically representative of the Anglican Church of Cape Town Diocese. It is hoped that the results of this survey will be informative for church leaders and those involved in ministry with young people. Our research reveals that church-going young people are not excluded from the risks faced by others in society. Of the respondents 30.5% have had sex (40% Male and 21% Female; Black 44%, White 26% and Coloured 30%). This is irrespective of geographical location (32% Rural and 30% Urban). Young people are practising vaginal, oral and anal sex or any combination. During their first sexual experience, only 35% used contraceptives. Ninety percent of their first partners are friends or schoolmates and when it came to venue, 75% had sex at home or at their partner’s place. Casual sex was common and 33% of those who have had sex have been with four or more sexual partners. Sexual violence also occurred as 6% of the respondents were forced to have sex (Black 7.1%, White 6.5% and Coloured 5.4%). Of this coerced group, 12% have themselves demanded sex from somebody else. There is thus a gap between the Church’s traditional teaching of ‘no sex before marriage’ and the realities of the way in which our young people live. Hence, we should no longer hide our heads in the sand and pretend that our young people are not at risk. This research has certainly identified several areas of concern. Nonetheless, it has also revealed encouraging information, as young people are interested in changing the situation. In order to increase its effectiveness in addressing the sexuality of young people, the Anglican Church should be prepared to act decisively. The approach recommended from this study should be multifaceted, given the increasingly complex landscape in which young people live. There is an urgent need to support young people in building healthy relationships. Parental workshops are an important intervention in order to enable parents to communicate with their children about sexuality, using an ageappropriate approach. Peer education should be adopted: that is training key opinion leaders in each church so that they can provide positive peer pressure. In addition, the church should take a stand against sexual messages seen in the media; silence implies consent. The church must clearly communicate its opposition to these unhealthy sexual messages to society at large. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: The doel van die navorsing is om jongmense war kerklik meelewend is se siening en persepsies oor die standpunt van die Anglikaanse kerk, naamlik geen seks voor die huwelik , te ondersoek en te toets aan die hand van sekere teologiese kriteria. Dit wil vasstel of daar ander moontlike faktore of stemme is wat jongmense se standpunt oor seks en seksualiteit bepaal. Van die belangrike vrae wat ondersoek is: beoefen jongmense hoë risiko, seksuele gedrag met meervoudige bedmaats? Tree hulle genoegsaam voorkomend op? Is hulle blootgestel aan seksueel-geweldadige gedrag? ‘n Empiriese ondersoek (Oktober 2004 en Januarie 2005) is geloots ten einde die uitdagings waarvoor die Anglikaanse Kerk ten opsigte van seks-onderrig te staan kom, vas te stel. Die projek beoog om die kerk se bediening op te skerp en meer relevant gefokus te raak op die seksuele orientasie van jongmense. ‘n Vraelys is opgestel en uitgestuur.Drie verskillende diskussiegroepe was betrokke.1306 response is ontleed. Respondente was tussen 12 en 19 jaar, gender-gemeng en demografies verteenwoordigend van die Anglikaanse Kerk se bedieningsopset binne die Cape Town Diocese. Die navorsing toon duidelik dat jongmense aan risikos blootgestel is met implikasies vir die MIV pandemie. Van die respondente het 30.5% seks gehad (40% mans; 21% vrouens; swart 44%; wit 26% en bruin 30%). Wat geografiese verspreiding aan betref (stad 30%, platteland 32%) was daar nie beduidende verskille nie. Daar bestaan ‘n kombinasie van seks-praktyke, vanaf vaginale, orale en anale seks. Gedurende die eerste seks-ervaring het net 35% kontraseptiewe middels/metodes gebruik. 90% van die eerste bedmaats was maats, vriende of skoolmaats. 75% van die kontakte het tuis plaas gevind. Toevallige seks was algemeen en 33% van die respondente het seks met vier of meer pesone gehad. Seksuele geweld kom voor. 6% van die repondent was geforseer om seks te beoefen (swart 7.1%; wit 6.5%; bruin 5.4%). Vanuit hierdie groep het 12% seks geeis van iemand anders. Daar bestaan ‘n groot gaping tussen die leer van die kerk: geen seks voor die huwelik en die lewensrealiteit van jongmense. Jongmense is belis ‘n hoë risikogroep. Die navoring het verkeie areas geïdentifiseer wat dringend die kerk se aandag verg. Van belang is die feit dat jongmense duidelik ‘n behoefte toon aan konstruktiewe begeleiding. Ten einde the problematiek van seksuele gedrag onder jongmense in die kerk sinvol aan te spreek, sal relevante programme ontwikkel moet word wat multi-faktoreel gestruktureer en kontekstueel moet wees. ‘n Belangrike bedieningstrategie is die skep van ouerbegeleidingsgroepe en werkswinkels ten einde ouers toe te rus hoe om sinvol met jongmense oor seksuele gedrag en seksualiteit te kommunikeer. Daar moet gefokus word op verskillende ouderdomsgroepe en hoe om jongmense by te staan om gesonde verhoudinge te bou. Die seksopvoeding en voorligting moet jongmense inskakel. Leiers onder jongmense wat kan help, moet geïdentifiseer word en ook opgelei word. Destruktiewe groepsdruk moet aangespreek word. Die kerk sal ook leiding moet gee oor die wyse waarop die media seksualiteit hanteer. Op hiedie wyse moet die kerk betrokke raak by die publieke diskoers en negatiewe tendens aanspreek.

Assignment (M. Div.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This assignment deals with the question of whether and how it is possible to preach about texts on the last judgment in the New Testament under the premise of a merciful God. This question will be approached from a hermeneutical angle. Therefore the researcher will, after some introductory comments, deal with two different texts about the last judgment (Luk 16:19-31 and Rev 20:11-15) and investigate them exegetically. This will form a large part of the assignment. After the exegesis, a homiletical as well as a systematical reflection will be done on these specific biblical texts. Each of these chapters will conclude with a draft of a sermon on the texts, showing what a possible sermon on these texts may look like. In the last chapter, the researcher will summarize the approaches she used on her way from the biblical texts to the sermons. A general outline of different approaches depicting how a sermon on the last judgment in the New Testament can be done is followed. The researcher will come to the conclusion that it is possible to preach about the last judgment in the New Testament under the premise of a merciful God. She shows this in dealing with the biblical texts in exegetical and contextual, rhetorical and historical, theological and homiletical ways. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werkstuk handel oor die vraag of en inderdaad hoe dit moontlik is om te preek oor tekste wat handel oor die laaste oordeel in die Nuwe Testament vanuit die veronderstelling van ‘n genadige God. Hierdie vraag sal benader word vanuit ‘n hermeneutiese hoek. In hierdie verband sal die navorser, na ‘n paar inleidende opmerkings, handel met twee verskillende tekste oor die laaste oordeel nl. Luk 16:19-31 and Openbaring 20:11-15. Hierdie tekste sal eksegeties ondersoek word en dit sal ‘n groot deel uitmaak van hierdie werkstuk. Na die eksegese sal ‘n homiletiese sowel as ‘n sistematiese refleksie gedoen word oor hierdie spesifieke Bybeltekste. Elk van hierdie hoofstukke sal afgesluit word met ‘n preekontwerp van die teks wat sal dien as voorstel hoe ‘n moontlike preek oor die betrokke teks sal kan lyk. Binne die laaste hoofstuk sal die navorser ‘n opsomming maak van al die benaderings deur haar gebruik op haar weg vanaf die Bybelse tekste na die preke. ‘n Algemene raamwerk van die verskillende benaderings wat voorstel hoe ‘n preek oor die laaste oordeel in die Nuwe Testament gedoen kan word sal hierop volg. Die navorser sal dan tot die gevolgtrekking kom dat dit wel moontlik is om oor die laaste oordeel in die Nuwe Testament te preek vanuit die veronderstelling van ‘n genadige God. Dit dui sy aan deur op ‘n eksegetiese en kontekstuele, ‘n retoriese en historiese, en op ‘n teologiese en homiletiese wyse te handel met die Bybeltekste.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2005 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2000 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa and the rest of the world research is being conducted on the growth and decline of the Christian church and specific denominations. Most congregations keep record of their membership. These data are very useful. However national census data on religion, when available, bring a neutral dimension to the statistics. Census data in most cases provide the only reliable means of establishing religious affiliations of the population at a certain point in time or over a certain period. Since the 1911 national census respondents are being asked to state their religious affiliation. It is essential that the data of these censuses are available in a database. This basic data can then be used to make different combinations and do certain calculations. Different denominations can be combined into families to compare their percentage markets hare of the total population and of the Christian church. If all census data are made compatible with each other it is possible to establish trends over a longer period. When the Census '96 data was made available by Stats SA it was important to prepare the data so that it could be studied en compared with previous census data. This study attempts to do this. It seems that the biggest determining factor in the religious topography of South Africa is the religious shifts that happen amongst the Black population. The biggest percentage Christians belong to the mainline denominations while the Africa Independent Churches have the second most. To compare different denominations with one another over a longer period of time is a difficult task. Inconsistencies with which data are treated as well as the political instability in South Africa are two important factors that hamper the research. The fact that the question regarding religious affiliation was made optional since 1991 complicates the issue even further. The Christian church in South Africa grew from 1911 to 1980 and then started to decline. Membership of both the African Independent Churches and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches are growing. Since 1991 respondents who indicate that they have no religion are growing amongst all population groups. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wereldwyd en spesifiek in Suid-Afrika word navorsing gedoen oor die groei- en kwyntendense van die kerk in die algemeen asook van verskillende denominasies. Meeste denominasies hou rekord van hulle eie lidmaatskap. Hierdie data is baie waardevol. Nasionale sensus data ten opsigte van geloof, aan die ander kant, bring 'n neutrale dimensie aan die statistiek. Sensus data verskaf dikwels die enigste betroubare inligting oor 'n bevolking se geloofsorientasie op 'n spesifieke stadium of oor 'n langer periode. In Suid-Afrika word sedert die 1911 sensus aan respondente gevra om, as deel van die vraelys, hulle geloofsaffiliasie te verskaf. Dit is dus essensieel dat hierdie data van die nasionale sensusse in 'n databasis beskikbaar sal wees. Die basiese data kan gebruik word om verskillende groeperings en berekenings te maak. Verskillende denominasies kan saam gegroepeer word en hulle persentasie markaandeel van die totale bevolking sowel as van die Christelike kerk kan met mekaar vergelyk word. Indien al die vorige sensusse se data op dieselfde manier verwerk word, kan vergelykings oor 'n langer termyn gemaak word ten einde tendense vas te stel. Toe die data van Sensus '96 beskikbaar word, moes dit verwerk word sodat dit enersyds opsigself bestudeer kan word en andersyds met vorige sensusse se data vergelyk kon word. Dit is wat hierdie studie poog om te doen: Om Sensus '96 se data ten opsigte van geloof te verwerk en te vergelyk met vorige nasionale sensusse se data. Dit blyk dat die grootste bepalende faktor in die godsdienstige topografie van Suid-Afrika die godsdienstige verskuiwinge van die Swart bevolking is. Die grootste persentasie Christene behoort aan die Gevestigde Kerke terwyl die Onafhanklike Afrika Kerke die tweede grootste aanhang geniet. Om verskillende denominasies met mekaar oor 'n langer peri ode te vergelyk, is geen rnaklike taak nie. Data wat nie konsekwent hanteer word nie en politieke onstabiliteit sedert die 1960's in Suid-Afrika is maar twee van die problerne. Die feit dat die vraag sedert 1991 opsioneel is, kornpliseer navorsing verder. Die Christelike Kerk het 'n periode van groei van 1911 tot 1980 beleef en daarna begin kwyn. Die lidmate van die Onafhanklike Afrika Kerke sowel as van die Pinkster/Charismatiese Kerke toon 'n stygende tendens. Sedert 1991 styg die respondente wat aangedui het dat hulle aan geen geloof behoort nie, onder al die bevolkingsgroepe.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The small rural congregations, of which the Dutch Reformed Congregation ofHofmeyr is part, strive to keep the status quo with their congregational structure and leadership. However the times we live in is characterised with a lot of changes. The rural areas cannot escape al these changes. It brings these congregations at a T-junction in the road, where they must decide which way to go. The problem is that these congregations do not always have a good understanding of who, what en how the church must be. With this self-initiated study the researcher tries to put in place a practicaltheological process for the Dutch Reformed Congregation of Hofmeyr with the aim to work out her nature and character, her ministry practise and structures. The researcher tries to discus in practicaltheological terms the future of the Dutch Reformed Congregation ofHofmeyr with spesific focus on the development of new structures for the faith-leaders of the congregation. With this study the researcher wants to render an account of the history, the statistics of the previous 17 years and an analysis of the context of the congregation with the aim to discern the current understanding of the congregation about the church. Through interaction with Scripture and other disciplines the researcher wants to develop a possible base and practical theory for the congregation. Following from this the researcher wants to set guidelines for the process of developing a new ministry practise. In this process the development and rol of the faith leaders is a keyfactor. The study is arranged in the following chapters: In the introduction the researcher places the study in the proper framework. The different dimensions of the study are explained. The purpose is to orientate the reader about the congregation, the community and the specific area of this research. The purpose of the second chapter is to give the reader a picture of the congregation and the context in which the congregation functions. It becomes clear that the members of the congregation grow older and hardly any young people join the congregation. The younger members and children of the congregation grow-up in an altogether different world than the older members did and very few of them make sense of the traditional way of being a congregation. The changes in the world have the result that the current way of being a congregation is just not exceptable to anybody. In the third chapter the researcher explains the paradigm shifts and megatrends observed in the world and their influence on the church as a whole, also the influence there-of on the local community and congregation. It becomes obvious that the small rural congregation cannot side-step these shifts and trends - with one part of the congregation routed firmly in the Christendom-era paradigm and another part of the congregation on its way to a different but still undefined paradigm. This whole process brings uncertainty and stress in the congregation. Following from this knowledge of the world and the congregation the researcher tries to develop a more Scripture-based understanding of who, what and how the congregation is supposed to be. The focus is to develop an improved base theory for the congregation. In the forth chapter this base theory for the congregation must be put into practice. The researcher tries to show what does this base theory means in practice. The following comes into play: the congregation must be an open family of God. We must not only say that we believe. We must have a faith that we live in practice. Each member must participate with his/her gifts in the different ministries of the congregation. The congregation must reach-out to the community to help the poor develop different skills with the focus to break the cycle of poverty. We must have good communication between all the different generations. We must be a congregation that loves nature and preserve it for posterity. Lastly we must have leaders that inspire and motivate the congregation through their service. In the fiveth chapter the researcher tries to develop a strategy to implement the practical theory of the previous chapter. The focus is on the development and equipping of faith leaders. The researcher presents some guidelines for doing this. He demonstrates that a new structure for the congregation is needed to be faithful in the development of these faith leaders. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die klein plattelandse gemeentes, waarvan die Ned. Geref. Gemeente Hofmeyr, deel is, strewe om die status quo rondom hul gemeentelike struktuur en leierskap te handhaaf. Die tye waarin ons lewe word egter gekenmerk deur baie veranderinge. Die platteland kan ook nie ontkom aan al hierdie veranderinge nie. Dit bring die gemeentes by 'n T-aansluiting in die pad waar hulle keuses moet uitoefen. Die probleem is egter dat diesulke gemeentes nie altyd 'n goeie verstaan het van wie, wat en hoe die kerk moet wees nie. Met hierdie selfgemisieerde studie poog die navorser om vir die Ned. Geref. Gemeente Hofmeyr 'n prakties-teologiese proses daar te stel, met die doel om sy aard en wese, sy bedieningspraktyk en 'n bedieningstruktuur uit te werk. Die navorser poog om in prakties-teologiese terme die toekoms van die Ned. Geref. Gemeente Hofmeyr, te beredeneer, met spesifieke toespitsing op die ontwikkeling van nuwe strukture vir die geloofsleiers van die gemeente. Met hierdie ondersoek wil die navorser deur middel van 'n oorsigtelike geskiedenis, die statistiese gegewens van die afgelope 17 jaar en die ontleding van die konteks van die gemeente, bepaal wat die huidige kerkbegrip van die gemeente is. Dan, in wisselwerking met die Skrif en ander wetenskappe, 'n moontlike basis- en praktykteorie vir die gemeente daarstel. Hieruit voortvloeiend, poog die navorser om riglyne vir die proses na die ontwikkeling van 'n nuwe bedieningspraktyk daar te stel. Die ontwikkeling en rol van geloofsleiers staan in die proses sentraal. Die studie word in vyf hoofstukke verdeel: Met die eerste hoofstuk poog die navorser om inleidende opmerkinge oor die verskillende dimensies van die navorsing daar te stel. Die doel is om die leser te orienteer ten opsigte van die gemeente, gemeenskap en vakgebied van die navorsing. Die tweede hoofstuk poog om 'n beeld van die gemeente en die konteks waarbinne die gemeente homself bevind, daar te stel. Dit is duidelik dat ons met 'n al ouerwordende gemeente te doen het. Die jonger lidmate en kinders van die gemeente word in 'n heel ander wereld groot en min vind enige sin in die tradisionele manier van gerneente-wees. Die verandering in die wereld rondom almal maak dat die huidige manier van gerneente-wees vir niemand meer aanvaarbaar is nie. In die derde hoofstuk kom die paradigma-skuiwe en hul invloed op die kerk as geheel, en die uitwerking daarvan op die plaaslike gemeenskap en gemeente, aan die orde. Dit word duidelik dat daar 'n groot paradigma skuif in die wereld aan die gebeur is en dat selfs ons, in die klein plattelandse gemeente, die invloed van die verskuiwing ervaar. Die een dee! van die gemeente is volledig in die vorige paradigma en die ander deeIis op weg na iets anders. Dit bring baie onsekerheid en spanning in die gemeente na Yore. Vanuit hierdie verstaan, poog die navorser om die bestaande verstaan van die gemeente-wees te plaas op In meer Skrifgefundeerde grond van wie, wat en hoe die gemeente moet wees. Die strewe is om In meer gesonde basisteorie vir die gemeente te ontwikkel. Met die vierde hoofstuk word hierdie basisteorie vir die gemeente in die praktyk omskep. Daar word gepoog om aan te dui wat dit prakties vir die gemeente beteken. Die volgende sake word aangeraak: Die gemeente moet In oop familie van God wees. Ons moenie net se ons glo nie, maar In geleefde geloofbesit. Elke lidmaat moet volgens sy/haar gawes betrokke wees in die vele bedieninge wat daar in die gemeente is. Die gemeente moet uitreik na buite deur onder andere In verskeidenheid vaardigheidsklasse te begin om mense te help om uit die siklus van armoede te breek. Ons moet In gemeente wees waar daar goeie kommunikasie tussen al die generasies is. Ons moet In gemeente van die aarde wees wat omgee vir die natuur en dit bewaar vir die nageslag. Ons moet ook In gemeente wees met In leiersgroep wat inspirerend en motiverend in die gemeente dien. Met die vyfde hoofstuk poog die navorser om In strategie te ontwikkel om hierdie praktykteorie wat in die vorige hoofstuk na yore gekom het, te implementeer. Die daarstelling en ontwikkeling van geloofsleiers word duidelik as die hoof-fokus uitgewys. Daar word gepoog om riglyne vir geloofsleiers-ontwikkeling uit te stip en dit te plaas binne In nuwe bedieningspraktyk vir die gemeente.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Violent crime in South Africa in general and on the Cape Flats in particular, is a very complex phenomenon. This phenomenon has various historical, sociopolitical and economic roots. Furthermore, violent crime has a direct as well as indirect impact on the functioning of faith communities within societies. Congregations and churches do not function in isolation from the rest of society. Theology, and more specifically pastoral care, must be seriously concerned with the problems experienced by the community at large. A pastoral strategy should therefore move away from a spirituality that only focus on the impact of violence on individuals and families. Because violent crime is a systemic phenomenon, a socio-systemic approach should be followed, in which the impact of violent crime on faith communities should be analyzed in order to create a holistic model. In Chapter 1 we look at the reasons for violence. We focus on the appearance of crime, the relationship between aggression and crime. Different types of aggression as well as some underlying causes of aggression are discussed. In Chapter 2 we focus on crime as a national phenomenon. Certain historical roots of the current "culture of violence" are discussed. We also look at the impact of the political transition since 1990 on the socio-economic and moral situation in the country. In Chapter 3 we take a closer look at the situation on the Cape Flats. Particular attention is given to the issue of gangsterism, which in a certain sense has become synonymous with the Cape Peninsula. In Chapter 4 the trauma of violent crime on communities is the focus of discussion. Results of a victim survey in Cape Town are utilized. Violence against women and children enjoy special attention. The effect of violent crime on faith communities is highlighted. In the last chapter we try to put forward some guidelines for a theory of practice for the pastoral care of people living on the Cape Flats, using traditional-historic and current resources. We propose a holistic model with a systemic approach. We choose a theory of practice based upon an eco-hermeneutic model, which implies the following: The interpretation of the salvation of God to people (hermeneutic) within the reality (existence) of their daily lives (systemic). We indicate a few areas for long term, preventative building up and healing intervention and conclude with the results of this research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geweldsmisdaad in Suid-Afrika in die algemeen en op die Kaapse Vlakte in besonder, is 'n uiters komplekse fenomeen, waarvan die wortels gesoek moet word in verskeie historiese, sosio-politieke en ekonomiese oorsake. Hierdie geweldsmisdaad het In direkte en indirekte impak op die funksionering van geloofsgemeenskappe binne die samelewing. Gemeentes en kerke funksioneer nie in isolasie van die res van die samelewing nie en daarom behoort teologie en die pastoraat in besonder, erns te maak met die probleme waarmee die breer gemeenskap worstel. In Pastorale strategie behoort dus weg te beweeg van In spiritualiteit wat fokus bloot op die impak van geweld op individue en gesinne. Omdat geweldsmisaad In sistemiese verskynsel is, behoort In sosio-sistemiese benadering gevolg te word waarbinne die impak van geweldsmisdaad op geloofsgemeenskappe kontekstueel ontleed word ten einde In holistiese model te ontwerp. In Hoofstuk 1 word daar gekyk na oorsake van geweld. Ons kyk na die voorkoms van misdaad, die verband tussen aggressie en geweld. Verskillende tipes aggressie sowel as onderliggende oorsake vir aggressie word bespreek. In Hoofstuk 2 word daar gefokus op geweld as nasionale fenomeen. 8epaalde historiese wortels van die huidige "kultuur van geweld" word bespreek. Daar word veral gekyk na die impak van die politieke transisie sedert 1990 op die sosioekonomiese en morele toestand in die land. In Hoofstuk 3 word die situasie op die Kaapse Vlakte van nader beskou. Die verskynsel van bendegeweld wat in 'n sekere sin al so sinoniem met die Kaapse Skiereiland geword het, kry besondere aandag. In Hoofstuk 4 word die trauma van geweldsmisdaad op gemeenskappe bespreek. Resultate van 'n opname onder slagoffers van misdaad in Kaapstad word as uitgangspunt gebruik. Geweld teen vroue en kinders geniet spesiale aandag. Die effek hiervan op die funksionering van geloofsgemeenskappe word uitgelig. In die laaste hoofstuk word gepoog om vanuit die tradisioneel-historiese sowel as hedendaagse bronne tot ons beskikking riglyne vir 'n moontlike praktykteorie vir die pastorale begeleiding van lidmate binne hierdie gemeenskappe op die Kaapse Vlakte daar te stel. 'n Holistiese model wat sistemies te werk gaan, word voorgestel. Die keuse vir In praktykteorie gebou op In eko-hermeneutiese model word gemaak, wat neerkom op: Die vertolking van God se heil aan mense (hermeneuties) binne die totale werklikheid van hule daaglikse bestaan (ekosistemies). In Paar areas vir langtermyn, preventatiewe opbou en ehelende intervensie word voorgestel en die navorsingsbevindinge van hierdie studie word aangedui.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Dialogue between Christians of different sexual orientations is not taking place in the church. From a missiological perspective this lack of dialogue damages the unity of the church and therefore its credibility to the outside world. There is a diversity of opinions and experiences in terms of sexual orientation in the church. Dialogue with each other from an arrived and positioned attitude, where judgement and rejection dominates, does not model reconciliation and the experience of unity. This research aims to further the intra-faith dialogue regarding sexual orientation ecclesiologically in such a way that the unity of the body of Christ be embodied and the credibility of the church heightened. The interreligious experience of the dialogue process and the skills that have been learned from it, are researched via an extensive literature study to establish if it can serve as an source of experience from which a dialogue-skills model can be developed that furthers the intra-faith dialogue regarding sexual orientation, with specific mentioning of homosexuality, ecclesiologically. A historical overview of the interreligious dialogue development in the ecumenical movement is given. This overview highlights the tension that has developed between the church's understanding and use of witnessing and dialogue in its contact with and reflection on other faiths. Historically, priority has been given to witnessing, because it is understood as being part of the essence of the Christian faith. The role of witnessing in dialogue, however, is small, because dialogue does not have a missiological intention, but a missiological dimension. In this research the tension between dialogue and witnessing is handled via this distinction, without separating the two. This missiological dimension is understood to be concerned with the relevant, adequate, intelligible and credible communication of the triune God's communication with the Christian and the other of another faith. The research develops a model of interreligious dialogue-skills to make clear the procedure and polyhedral of this kind of dialogue in conjuction with the big challenge and demand for skills required. The research then gives a working definition for the concept "intra-faith dialogue", whereafter the intra-faith dialogue regarding sexual orientation, with specific mentioning of homosexuality is described and researched in two casestudies. The first casestudy is the World Council of Churches's "Padare" occasion at their Harare Assembly in December I998 and it serves as an example of an ecumenical intra-faith dialogue on macrolevel. The second casestudy is the Dutch Reformed Church's Western Cape Sinodical Commission for Doctrinal and Actuality's Adhoc Studycommission which, via a denominational intra-faith dialogue, developed guidelines for a Biblical founded pastoral care for the homosexual neighbour. This casestudy serves as an example of an intra-faith dialogue on microlevel. Both casestudies are then evaluated via the use of the developed dialogue-skills model. The results prove that the hipotheses that there is a lack of dialogue-skills and guidelines in these intra-faith dialogues, is correct. The research offers the dialogue-skills model as a praxismodel to further the intra-faith dialogue regarding sexual orientation ecclesiologically. The importance of a pastoral aptitude and attitude in this dialogueprocess and how pastoral care for a homosexual person ought to be, are described as an example. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dialoog tussen Christene van verskillende seksuele orientasies vind nie plaas in die kerk nie. Vanuit 'n missiologiese perspektief, skaad hierdie gebrek aan dialoog die eenheid van die kerk en daardeur haar geloofwaardigheid na buite. Daar is 'n verskeidenheid van menings en belewenisse rakende hierdie saak en om vanuit 'n gearriveerde, geposisioneerde houding met mekaar te praat, bewerk nie versoening en die belewenis van eenheid nie. In hierdie navorsing word gepoog om die intra-geloofsgesprek rondom seksuele orientasie kerklik op so 'n wyse te bevorder dat die eenheid van die liggaam van Christus vergestalt word en die geloofwaardigheid van die kerk na buite verhoog word. Die ervaring van die interreligieuse dialoogproses en die vaardighede wat daaruit aangeleer is, word ondersoek deur middel van 'n uitgebreide literatuurstudie. Die literatuurstudie het ten doel om vas te stel of die interreligieuse dialoogproses kan dien as ervaringsbron waaruit n dialoogvaardigheidsmodel ontwikkel kan word. So n model sou dan die intra-geloofsgesprek rondom seksuele orientasie, met spesifieke verwysing na homoseksualiteit, kerklik kon bevorder. 'n Geskiedkundige oorsig oor die ontwikkeling van interreligieuse dialoog in die ekumeniese beweging word gegee. Hierdie oorsig toon aan dat daar 'n spanning ontwikkel het tussen die kerk se verstaan en gebruik van getuienis en dialoog in die kontak met en nadenke oor ander gelowe. In die geskiedenis is prioriteit gegee aan getuienis, omdat dit deel is van die wese van die Christel ike geloof. Die rol van getuienis in dialoog is egter klein, omdat dialoog nie 'n missionere intensie het nie, maar wei 'n missionere dimensie. Die navorsing hanteer die spanning tussen dialoog en getuienis kreatief deur bogenoemde onderskeiding, sonder om die begrippe van mekaar te skei. Hierdie missionere dimensie word dan verstaan as die relevante, verstaanbare en geloofwaardige kommunikasie van God Drie-enig met die self en die ander van 'n ander geloof. Die navorsing ontwikkel dan 'n interreligieuse dialoogvaardigheidsmodel om die multidimensionele aard van die soort dialoog, tesame met die groot uitdaging en eise aan vaardighede, aan te toon. Vervolgens word 'n werksdefinisie van die begrip intra-geloofsgesprek gegee, waarna die intra-geloofsgesprek rondom seksuele orientasie, met spesifieke verwysing na homoseksualiteit in twee gevallestudies ondersoek en beskryf word. Die eerste gevallestudie is die Wereldraad van Kerke se "Padare" geleenthede by hul Harare byeenkoms in Desember 1998 en dien as voorbeeld van 'n ekumeniese intrageloofsgesprek op makrovlak. Die tweede gevallestudie is die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk se Wes-Kaapse Sinodale Kommissie vir Leer en Aktuele Sake se Adhoc Studiekommissie wat via 'n denominasionele intra-geloofsgesprek, riglyne vir 'n Bybelsgefundeerde pastoraat aan die homoseksuele naaste ontwikkel het. Hierdie gevallestudie dien as voorbeeld van 'n intra-geloofsgesprek op mikrovlak. Beide gevallestudies word dan aan die hand van die ontwikkelde dialoogvaardigheidsmodel, krities geevalueer. Die resultaat bevestig die hipotese dat daar 'n gebrek aan dialoogvaardighede en riglyne in hierdie intra-geloofsgesprekke bestaan. Die dialoogvaardigheidsmodel word as praktykmodel aangebied om die intra-geloofsgesprek rondom seksuele orientasie kerklik te bevorder. Die belang van 'n pastorale ingesteldheid en houding in hierdie dialoogproses en hoe die pastoraat teenoor die homoseksuele persoon behoort te Iyk, word as voorbeeld beskryf.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: AIDS is stigma, disgrace, hatred, hardship, abandonment, isolation, exclusion, prohibition, persecution, poverty, privation. AIDS is a metaphor. It is a threat, a tragedy, a blight, a blot, a scar, a stain, a plague, a scourge, a pestilence, a demon, killer, rampant, rampaging, murderer. It is made moral. It is condemnation, deterrence, retribution, punishment, a sin, a lesson, a curse, rebuke, judgement (Pillay, 2008:21). The above quotation represents societal perceptions, discourses and responses to the AIDS pandemic. Sadly, in the early days of this pandemic, some theologians and churches held the above-mentioned perception, creating the fear in sufferers of the disease that they might be judged. Communities, families and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) also still hold this view. The aim of this study is to investigate the judgemental attitudes in pastoral care and spiritual counselling for women living with HIV/AIDS. One of the aspects that contribute to the spread of the HIV pandemic is the stigma attached to it as it is the stigma that causes the silence. This study aims to explore the definition of stigma and investigate its causes and results as well as looking into the judgemental attitudes of the community, church, society, family and counselling of the HIV/AIDS sufferer, their identity crisis and their question of meaning. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate the theological reflection on the notion of God, through the doctrine of judge ment (how God is presented as a judge in both the Old and the New Testaments), as well as Old and New Testaments’ views on illness. Using these sources, this study investigates whether or not HIV is a punishment from God. Using case studies, the resurrection of hope and the role of hope in a person was explored. This study also investigates how pastoral care and spiritual counselling can empower and bring hope and healing to PLWHA. This was done through the use of Louw’s five-phase model of counselling PLWHA, an externalising method from a narrative approach. This study seeks to determine the judgemental attitudes in pastoral care and counselling towards women living with the HI virus in the local township of Lwandle. It is said that the people most vulnerable to the HI virus and most infected are women and especially those living in the poor townships of South Africa. Their lack of education and poverty put these women in a more dangerous situation than their counterparts. In the township churches, women are in the majority. This study speculates about the role of pastoral care and counselling in empowering these women, in particular those living with HIV and AIDS and seeks to explore how the faith community, society and their families judge these women. It also investigates how pastoral care can dispute irrational and unrealistic constructs applied to the interpreta tion of the pandemic and how the Christian community can contribute to constructive pro cesses of de-stigmatisation. In the early days of the pandemic, the church regarded intercourse as intended solely for procreation (Van Dyk 2008:318). Therefore, since it is well established that HIV and AIDS is a desease that is mostly contracted through sexual activity, those who contracted the disease were regarded as being not morally sound or upright members of society. This resulted in pastoral counsellors finding it difficult to counsel without discussing the causes of this disease as when they did so, they often appeared to be condemning the infected persons by judging them. This study focuses on the judgemental attitudes and stigmatisation, a theological reflection on the notion of God, as well as on women living with the HI virus in a specific context. In order to determine the attitudes of pastoral care and counselling, an empirical study was done to assess the attitudes in the above-mentioned location to PLWHA in that community. The aim of the empirical research was not to create statistical evidence, but rather to reflect the stories of the women living with the virus in this community. For the study, a certain group of women was selected from the support group of women who are living with HIV/AIDS. The co-ordinator of the support group helped the researcher to access the people from the Ikhwezi clinic. A questionnaire was used for the findings. The study showed the pain, vulnerability as well as the bravery of these women. Through the case study, the researcher was able to demonstrate how hope can change the lives of PLWHA. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vigs is stigma, haat, swaarkry, verlating, isolasie, uitsluiting, verbod, vervolging, armoede, ontbering. VIGS is 'n metafoor. Dit is 'n bedreiging, 'n tragedie, 'n vloek, 'n klad, 'n letsel, 'n vlek, 'n plaag, 'n kastyding, 'n pestilensie, 'n demoon, 'n doodmaker, wild, vervloek, 'n moordenaar. Dit is sedelikheid gemaak. Dit is veroordeling, afskrikking, vergelding, straf, 'n sonde, 'n les, 'n vloek, teregwysing veroordeling (Pillay, 2008:21). Bostaande aanhaling verteenwoordig sosiale persepsies, gesprekke en reaksies betreffende die VIGS pandemie. Tragies om te sê, in die begin van die pandemie was bostaande persepsie die standpunt van sommige teoloë en kerke, wat die vrees by lyers van die siekte geskep het dat hulle veroordeel sou word. Gemeenskappe, gesinne en mense wat lewe met MIV/VIGS (MWLMV) huldig nog steeds hierdie seining. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die veroordelende houdings by pastorale sorg en berading van vroue wat lewe met MIV/VIGS, te ondersoek. Een van die kwessies wat bydrae tot die toename van die MIV- pandemie is die stigma wat daaraan kleef, omdat dat die stigma is wat die verswyging daarvan veroorsaak. Hierdie studie beoog om die definisie van sigma te verken, en om die oorsaak en die gevolg daarvan te ondersoek, asook as om ’n kykie te kry in die veroordelende houdings van die gemeenskap, die kerk, die samelewing, die familie en die berading van die MIV/VIGS-lyer, hulle identiteitskrisis en hulle soeke na betekenis. Verder beoog die studie om die teologiese besinning oor die idee van God n.a.v., die leerstelling van oordeel (hoe God voorgestel word as Regter in sowel die Ou en Nuwe Testament), sowel as die Ou Testamentiese en Nuwe Testamentiese sienings oor siekte, te ondersoek. Deur die gebruik van hierdie bronne will hierdie studie ondersoek of MIV ’n straf deur God is. Hierdie studie ondersoek ook hoe pastorale sorg en berading kan bemagtig en hoop kan bring vir MWLMV. Dit is gedoen deur die gebruik van Louw se vyf fase beradingsmodel vir MWLMW-’n eksternaliseringsmetode vanuit ’n narratiewe benadering. Deur gebruik te maak van gevallestudies is die opwekking van hoop en die rol van hoop in ’n persoon verken. Hierdie studie poog om die veroordelende houdings by pastorale sorg en beranding van vroue wat leef met die MI-virus in die plaaslike dorpie Lwandle, vas te stel. Daar word gesê dat die kwesbaarste vir die MI-virus en die mees geïnfekteerde persone die vroue is, en by uitstek die wat in die arm dorpies van Suid-Afrika woon. Hulle gebrek aan geletterdheid en hulle armoede bedreig hierdie vroue meer as hulle mans. In die dorpskerke is vrouens in die meerderheid. Hierdie studie besin oor die rol van pastorale sorg en berading in die bemagtiging van hierdie vroue, in besonder hulle wat met MIV/VIGS lewe in die studie poog om te verken hoe die geloofsgemeenskap, die samelewing en hulle gene hierdie vroue beoordeel. Dit ondersoek ook hoe pastorale sorg irrasionele en onrealistiese opvattings rakende die interpretasie van die pandemie kan betwis, en hoe die Christengemeenskap kan bydrae tot ’n opbouende proses van destigmatisering. In die vroeë dae van die pandemie het die kerk gemeenskap gesien as uitsluitlik bedoel vir voorplanting (Van Dyk 2008:318). Aangesien dit algemeen aanvaar word dat MIV en VIGS ’n siekte is wat meestal opgedoen word deur seksuele aktiwiteite, is hulle wat hierdie siekte opgedoen het, nie gesien as moreel, of as onkreukbare lede van die gemeenskap nie. Dit het daartoe gelei dat pastorale beraders dit moeilik gevind het om te beraad sonder om die oorsaak van die siektetoestand te bespreek indien hulle dit wel gedoen het, en het dit dikwels gelyk asof die geïnfekteerde persoon veroordeel is deurdat hulle geoordeel is. Hierdie studie fokus op die veroordelende houdings en stigmatisasie-op ’n teologiese besinning oor die idee van God, sowel as op die vroue wat met die MI-virus binne ’n bepaalde raamwerke leef. Ten einde die houdings van pastorale sorg en berading teenoor MWLMV te bepaal, is ’n empiriese studie in daardie gemeenskap gedoen. Die doel met die empiriese navorsing was nie om statistiese bewyse te skep nie, maar eerder om te besin oor die verhale van die vroue wat met die virus leef in hierdie gemeenskap. Vir die studie is ’n bepaalde groep vroue geselekteer uit die ondersteuningsgroep vroue wat met MIV/VIGS leef. Die koördineerder van die ondersteuningsgroep het die navorser gehelp om die mense van die Ikhwezi kliniek te bereik. ’n Vraelys is gebruik vir die bevindinge. Die studie het die pyn, verwondbaarheid, sowel as die moed van hierdie vroue getoon. Deur die gevallestudie het die navorser aangetoon hoe hoop die lewens van MWLMV kan verander.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The researcher is a minister in a rural congregation in the town of Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape. A growing diversity among congregants became obvious. It led to conflict and challenged the leadership of the congregation to deal with it in a constructive way in order to be a missional congregation that strives to focus on the missio Dei. In order to help the congregation to better understand where it comes from and how it can be used to participate in God’s work in the Sundays River Valley, the researcher described the identity and culture of the congregation as well as the transformation processes that are having such an influence on everybody. The research question is: How can the diversity between congregants be understood, described en used? In Chapter 2 the identity of the congregation is described. Attention is given to Louw’s identity 1996 analysis of the congregation. Afterwards the influence of globalization on the identity of the congregation is described and how it increased the diversity of the congregation. Ethnographic research described the culture of the congregation (Chapter 3). The researcher discussed Armour and Browning’s (2000) Systems theory in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 described the results of empirical research that depicted five of the reigning systems in the congregatation. The data is interpreted and discussed. At the end of each chapter the researcher outlined conclusions. In Chapter 6 these conclusions and the findings of the empirical research are brought to a point on the basis of which a strategy with practical and theological points of departure for the ministry are suggested. The purpose is to guide the congregation to use their diversity in order to fulfill their missional vocation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorser is ʼn dominee in ʼn plattelandse gemeente in Kirkwood in die Oos-Kaap. Hy merk ʼn groeiende diversiteit tussen lidmate van die gemeente ten opsigte van hul lewens- en wêreldbeskouings op. Hierdie diversiteit lei tot konflik en stel die leierskap van die gemeente voor ‘n uitdaging om die diversiteit so te bestuur en te benut. Sodoende kan die gemeente haar roeping om binne hul konteks deel te neem aan die missio Dei bereik. Die studie beskryf die diversiteit. Die navorsingsvraag lui soos volg: Hoe kan die diversiteit tussen lidmate verstaan word, omskryf word en benut word? Die doel van die studie is om die verskillende lewens- en wêreldbeskouings van die lidmate van die NG gemeente Sondagsrivier (Kirkwood) vas te stel. Hiervoor gebruik die navorser die sisteemteorie van dr. Graves soos deur Armour en Browning toegepas op gemeentewees. In Hoofstuk 2 is die identiteit van die gemeente beskryf. Daar is eerstens gelet op Louw se identiteitsanalise wat hy in 1996 onderneem het. Daarna is die invloed wat globalisasie op die identiteit van die gemeente gehad het, beskryf en hoe dit ‘n toename in diversiteit tot gevolg gehad het. Met behulp van etnografiese navorsing is die kultuur van die gemeente in Hoofstuk 3 beskryf. Die navorser bespreek die Sisteemteorie soos uiteengesit in die boek van Armour en Browning (2002) in Hoofstuk 4. Die doel van hierdie hoofstuk is om die sisteemteorie aan die leser bekend te stel en die nut daarvan vir hierdie studie te verduidelik. Hoofstuk 5 verhaal hoe die Sisteemteorie meetinstrument gebruik is. Die data wat verkry is, word geanaliseer en bespreek. Aan die einde van elke hoofstuk is daar gevolgtrekkings gemaak ten opsigte van die diversiteit in die gemeente. In Hoofstuk 6 kry hierdie gevolgtrekkings en die bevindinge van die empiriese navorsing aandag. Op grond hiervan word ‘n strategie met praktiese en teologiese vertrekpunte vir die bedieningspraktyk voorgestel. Dit het ten doel om die gemeente te begelei om hul diversiteit te benut in die uitleef van hulle missionale roeping.

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2000 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation is a theological-ethical study of suffering and God in relation to the war in Sudan. It examines historical, political, socio-economic and religious factors behind one of the longest wars of Africa. Over the last forty years, Sudan, the largest country in Africa has intermittently been at war with itself. This bitter conflict, pitting the predominantly Moslem north against Christian and animist south, has devastated communities, families as well as basic socio-economic infrastructure and has turned this potentially rich land into one of the most impoverished and heavily indebted countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. From 1983 to the present, this war of attrition has claimed nearly two million lives and displaced double that figure of people from their homes, scattering them all over the globe. But in the midst of this human catastrophe, the church has grown enormously. It has one of the fastest growth rates in Africa today. In its struggle with faith and the reality of suffering, the church in Sudan variedly interprets its predicament if only to make sense of this sordid experience. In that regard, it interprets suffering as divine judgement and as a direct result of a cosmic conflict between God and the forces of evil. At the same time, the church pleads with God for his intervention and deliverance. Thus, the image of God as Judge-Deliverer largely dominates the theology and worship of the suffering church in the war-torn country. This seems to be the major theme of more than 1 500 Bor Dinka new songs, composed in the war. To place the suffering of the church in Sudan in the larger context of Christian theology, this dissertation briefly looks at the problem of evil and suffering in 'classical theology', examining the thought of Augustine, Luther and Calvin as well as the paradigm shift in the optimism of the Enlightenment. Similarly, this dissertation takes a brieW look at 'alternative theodicies' that followed the collapse of the fine edifice of the Age of Reason and the dereliction of the world wars and natural disasters. In this category is to be found the dialectic theology of Karl Barth and Ji.irgen Moltmann. The praxis of Liberation Theology is also briefly explored as a response to suffering. GC Berkouwer's 'believing theodicy' is examined as a theological and Biblical critique of the whole project of theodicy as a wrongheaded enterprise vainly trying to justify the ways of God to man instead of the reverse. The African traditional view of suffering and evil is explored as a sharp contrast to the Western view. Looking at the Scripture, this work identifies five ways the Bible addresses the problem of evil and suffering. In the Bible, suffering may come as a punishment for sin or as a disciplinary measure from God or as a test of faith or faithfulness or as a price of choosing to follow Jesus or simply as innocent as in the case of Job. Admitting to the apparent mystery and insolubility of the problem of evil, this dissertation, finally, proposes the cross, community, character and hope as the only viable framework of transcending and transforming suffering. It argues in that regard that the incarnation is the distinctively Christian answer to the problem of evil and suffering in which that transcending and transforming can be effected. Within the framework of the cross, community, character and hope suffering can be transcended and transformed into the highest good possible in this life. The cross reminds those who suffer that God has done and will do something about suffering and that he does not abandon us in suffering. The community absorbs suffering and helps the victim through the ordeal. Character is formed and toughened as the sufferer chooses to respond appropriately to suffering. Hope tells us that suffering shall be ultimately overcome and a new order of things shall be ushered in, thus spurring us on to participate in the present as we anticipate that bright future. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif is 'n teologies-etiese studie van lyding en God in verhouding tot die oorlog in Soedan. Dit ondersoek die historiese, politiese, sosio-ekonomiese en godsdienstige faktore agter een van die langdurigste oorloe in Afrika. Soedan, die grootste land in Afrika, is oor die afgelope veertig jaar ononderbroke in oorlog met sigself gewikkel. Hierdie bittere konflik, waarin die hoofsaaklik Moslem Noorde die Christen en animistiese Suidelike deel van die land teenstaan, het gemeenskappe en gesinne verwoes, sowel as die basiese sosio-ekonomiese infrastruktuur, en het sodoende hierdie potensieel ryk land omskep in een van die armoedigste lande, met een van die swaarste skuldelaste, in Afrika benede die Sahara. Vanaf 1983 tot op hede het hierdie uitputtingsoorlog amper twee miljoen lewens geeis, terwyl dit tweemaal sovee! mense van hul tuistes verplaas en hul wereldwyd versprei het. Ter midde van hierdie menslike katastrofe het kerklidmaatskap ontsaglik toegeneem. Die groeitempo is inderdaad tans een van die hoogstes in Afrika. In sy worsteling met die geloof en die realiteit van lyding interpreteer die kerk in Soedan sy toestand op 'n verskeidenheid van wyses, in 'n poging om sodoende van hierdie haglike omstandighede sin te maak. Lyding word interpreteer as die strafgerig van God, en as 'n direkte gevolg van die kosmiese konflik tussen God en die bose magte. Gelyktydig pleit die kerk met God vir sy ingryping en verlossing. Die siening van God as Regter- Verlosser is dus oorheersend in die teologie en aanbidding van die lydende kerk in 'n oorloggeteisterde land. Dit blyk die hooftema te wees van die meer as 1 500 Bor Dinka liedere wat ontstaan het gedurende die oorlog. Om die Iyding van die kerk in Soedan binne die groter konteks van die Christelike Teologie te plaas, word die probleem van die bose en Iyding in die klassieke teologie in hierdie proefskrif kortliks behandel. Die denke van Augustinus, Luther en Calvyn, sowel as die paradigmaverskuiwing wat gepaard gegaan het met die optimisme van die Verligting, word ondersoek. Hierdie proefskrif beskou ook kortliks die alternatiewe godslere wat gevolg het op die ineenstorting van die agttiende eeu se "Age of Reason" asook die verwaarlosing and ontwrigting van die wereldoorloe en verskeie natuurrampe. In hierdie kategorie vind ons die dialektiese teologie van Karl Barth en Jurgen Moltmann. Die praktyk van die Bevrydingsteologie word ook kortliks ondersoek as reaksie op Iyding. GC Berkouwer se 'believing theodicy' word ondersoek as teologiese en Bybelse kritiek op die hele projek van godsleer as 'n aweregse onderneming wat vergeefs probeer om die werkwyse van God te regverdig vir die mens, in plaas van die teenoorgestelde. Die tradisionele Africa-siening van lyding en die bose word ook ondersoek, as skerp kontras met die Westerse siening. Vanuit die Skrif, identifiseer hierdie studie vyf wyses waarop die probleem van die bose en lyding in die Bybel aangespreek word. In die Bybel is lyding In straf vir sonde, In tugmaatreel van God, In toets van geloof oftrou of die prys wat geeis word vir die keuse om Jesus te volg. Andersins, kan die mens heeltemal onskuldig wees, soos in die geval van Job. Hierdie proefskrif erken dat die probleem van die bose raaiselagtig en skynbaar onoplosbaar is. Die kruis, die gemeenskap, karakter, en hoop word uiteindelik voorgestel as die enigste gangbare raamwerk vir die transendering en transformasie van lyding. Daar word geredeneer dat in hierdie verband die opstanding die kenmerkende Christel ike antwoord op die probleeem van die bose en lyding bied, waarbinne hierdie transendering en transformasie kan geskied. Binne die raamwerk van die kruis, die gemeenskap, karakter en hoop, kan die mens lyding transendeer en dit transformeer tot die hoogste moontlike goed in hierdie lewe. Die kruis herinner die lydendes dat God reeds iets gedoen het, en nog sal doen omtrent lyding, en dat Hy ons nie in ons lyding sal verlaat nie. Die gemeenskap absorbeer lyding, en help die slagoffer deur die beproewing. Karakter word gevorm en geslyp soos die lydende kies om op geskikte wyse te reageer op die lyding. Die hoop verkondig die uiteindelike oorwinning oor lyding, en die begin van In nuwe bedeling; dus word ons aangespoor om deel te neem aan die aksie van die hede terwyl ons op daardie helder toekoms wag.