German text / Gelebte Ökumene wird, als Zeichen christlicher Glaubwürdigkeit, in unserer postmodernen und postsäkularisierten Gesellschaft gefordert. Die dogmenorientierten Bemühungen zur Ökumene scheinen in die Krise geraten zu sein. Es bedarf es der Suche nach Grundlagen für ökumenische Spiritualität, für die sich der Schöpfungsglaube, als von den großen Konfessionen geteiltes Glaubensgut, anbietet. Um Schöpfungstheologie und -spiritualität als zusammengehörige Elemente wahrnehmen zu können, wird in dieser Dissertation das Weltanschauungsmodell Wrights verwendet, welches durch Waaijmans Aspekt der Umformung ergänzt wird. Konfessionell geprägte Schöpfungstheologien werden in den Kategorien Story und Antworten auf weltanschauliche Schlüsselfragen analysiert. Dies bildet die Basis für eine Synthese, im Sinne der Hermeneutik des differenzierten Konsenses, zu einer ökumenischen Schöpfungstheologie. Konfessionelle Schöpfungsspiritualitäten werden in den Kategorien Symbol und Praxis dargestellt und in einem emergent-synthetischen Entwurf, auf der Basis der ökumenischen Schöpfungstheologie, zu Perspektiven für ökumenische Schöpfungsspiritualität weiterverarbeitet. Die so aufgezeigte schöpfungstheologisch-ökumenische Weltanschauung, bietet eine mögliche Grundlage für ökumenische Spiritualität. / Living ecumenism is vital today in our postmodern and postsecularised society, in order for us to have credibility as Christian Church. Dogma-oriented attempts to establish ecumenical accord appear to be in a crisis. It is now necessary to search for a foundation of an ecumenical spirituality, and it seems that belief in creation is particularly suitable since it is shared by the established churches. In order to understand creation theology and spirituality as interdependent elements, this dissertation will apply Wright's worldview model, complemented by the aspect of transformation as identified by Waaijman. Denominational creation theologies will be analysed in the categories Story and Answers to Key Worldview Questions. This will provide the basis for a synthesis, in the sense of the hermeneutics of the differentiated consensus, for an ecumenical creation theology. Denominational creation spiritualities will be presented in the categories Symbol and Practice and developed in a step further, through an emergent synthesis related approach and on the basis of an ecumenical creation theology, to present perspectives for an ecumenical creation spirituality. The thus described worldview based on creation and ecumenical theology offers a potential foundation for an ecumenical spirituality. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

The sufficiency of Jesus Christ in the African Church is challenged by the widespread spiritual insecurity in African Christians, prompting them to hold on to ATR. The wholistic securing power of ATR challenges the sufficiency Christ's salvation to Africans. Proposing African Christological motifs alone is inadequate to induce confidence upon Christ. The African worldview must further be transformed inline with the implications of the victory of the Cross over Satan. Indeed, Christ has fully liberated African Christians from Satan's authority, placed them in his kingdom, and transformed them into a glorious state. However, because of the Fall, salvation, before the eschaton can never result in the utopian order envisioned in ATR. Suffering does not necessarily indicate satanic harassment. It is a fact of the fallen world. African Christians stand secured in Christ; therefore, they must hold on to their faith. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / M.Th. (Systematic Theology)

This dissertation lays out some of the current attitudes and understandings in the Reformed Church in America in regards to the ministry of deliverance. The arguments laid out are supported by what is currently happening in deliverance ministry across the United States and in-depth interviews with Reformed Church in America pastors. Differences in how we understand the terminology involved in this ministry were also briefly looked at. Deliverance ministry within the Reformed church is hampered by issues of fear and uncertainty, lack of knowledge or understanding and issues of world view. Many RCA pastors are open to this ministry although very few have actually engaged in deliverance with a person. RCA pastors tend to lean more toward psychological answers than they do spiritual ones. / Thesis (M. Th. (Practical Theology))

Since the end of South Africa’s Apartheid era, South Africans have become more aware of hate crimes that discriminate not on the basis of skin colour, but nationality. Among the targets of this xenophobic hate are Mozambican foreign nationals, one of the largest foreign national populations in South Africa. Structured Mozambican communities have been identified, offering support to their members in this environment. This study explores the impact of the xenophobic discourse on the Mozambican identity, particularly within the Mozambican community of Freedom Park, Soweto. Based on the social constructionist acknowledgement of multiple realities, this study used the African worldview as an epistemological framework to inform the methodology appropriate for this participant group. 12 participants, identified through convenience sampling, engaged in one group conversation that explored their understandings of their Mozambican identity and the corresponding impact of South Africa’s xenophobic discourse. Following thematic content analysis, four themes were identified. Participants showed a strong sense of national pride in their shared Mozambican heritage, linked to support from their community and their government. Secondly, participants perceived a positive Mozambican identity that emphasized work- related characteristics. Thirdly, participants showed concern over how South Africans perceive them. Finally, the Mozambican identity was de-emphasized when discussing xenophobia. Participants adopted similar ideas to Mbeki’s African Renaissance, in drawing on the broad categories of ‘blacks’ and ‘Africans’ and redefining the boundaries of belonging. In conclusion, implications for future research and government interventions are discussed / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Summary in German and English / This thesis aims at the integration of the concept of habitus, as introduced by Pierre Bourdieu, with the concept of worldview as defined by Paul G. Hiebert develop implications for the missiological discipline and the analysis of the human condition. In a first step the concept of worldview is introduced and integrated into the anthropological discipline from within the life and work of Paul G. Hiebert. The confinement of the concept within the cognitive realm is worked out subsequently and the necessity of a complimentary concept is underlined. In a second step the concept of habitus as defined by Pierre Bourdieu is introduced and explained within his biography, research tradition and his sociological framework. In the concluding chapter a synthesis is provided to integrate habitus with worldview building upon the complimentary nature of the concepts. The cognitive bias of worldview is amended through the incorporated nature of habitus. This leads to an augmented research methodology which includes practical analysis of habitus. / Ziel dieser Masterarbeit ist es, das in der Missionswissenschaft gebräuchliche Konzept der Weltanschauung, vorgestellt von Paul G. Hiebert, durch das Konzept des Habitus, vorgestellt von Pierre Bourdieu, zu ergänzen und Schlussfolgerungen für die missiologische Disziplin und die praktische Analyse menschlicher Wirklichkeit zu ziehen. Zunächst wird das Konzept der Weltanschauung anthropologisch verortet und am Leben und Werk Paul G. Hieberts konkret dargestellt. Die kognitive Engführung des Begriffs wird dabei herausgearbeitet, die Notwendigkeit einer Ergänzung zur vollständigeren Beschreibung menschlicher Wirklichkeit herausgestellt. In einem zweiten Schritt wird Pierre Bourdieu seiner Tradition und Biographie nach eingeordnet, sein Habituskonzept eingeführt und innerhalb seiner soziologischen Konzepte erklärt. In der abschließenden Synthese wird auf die vorher ausgearbeitete Komplementarität der Konzepte aufgebaut und die kognitive Engführung von Weltanschauung durch das Habituskonzept ergänzt. Die Zusammenschau von Habitus und Weltanschauung ermöglicht eine breitere Darstellung menschlicher Wirklichkeit. Erweiterte Forschungsmethoden und -gebiete, welche den Habitus mit einbeziehen, werden im Abschluss definiert und vorgestellt. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology)

Despite decades of development efforts to combat desertification processes in southern Zimbabwe, a development deadlock occurs. Using the local knowledge systems as a basis, and making an effort to strategically facilitate the revival of their capacity for checks and balances as a development approach, endogenous development could become more realistic. The actor-oriented RAAKS.methodology offers relevant tools for a case study'in which an insight into the processes of innovation is obtained in order to confirm this. The Charurnbira case study shows that many local interfaces hinder development. Although the facilitation of platform processes could enhance endogenous development, the external environment provides a serious constraint. The method employed did ndt permit broad conclusions, but a deeper examination of recent experiences suggested that by giving local people a greater say in natural resource use, local knowledge could be utilized more effectively and better use could be made of traditional management structures. / Development Administration / M.A. (Development Administration)

For centuries humans and animals have shared their lives. However, it is only in recent decades that the phenomenon of the human-animal bond and the possible therapeutic implications thereof has begun to be explored. Due to this exploration, many research programmes have sprung up around the world, investigating the implementation of animals as an intervention in various institutions. These programmes have produced overwhelmingly positive and encouraging results. However, the research remains sparse where the significance of a naturally occurring human-animal bond is concerned. From within an ecosystemic worldview, the relationship between humans and animals in the wider family system has not been extensively investigated. This dissertation explores such a relationship, investigating the meanings and experiences within the relationship, and how this relationship and significant systems around it impact one another. The implications and possible therapeutic nature of this type of relationship will be considered. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This study sets out to analyse the relevance of cultural values and perceptions, which form the basis of the "local knowledge" of grassroots people, in the natural resource management of the Laka of Mapela who live in the former Lebowa homeland in the Northern Province of South Africa. Due to the fact that political transitions affect the traditional authority system, it further explores the role of traditional leaders regarding control and decision-making over natural resources as well as the activities of oppositional groups at local level, and their attitudes towards land tenure issues. Natural resource management is approached holistically because, in grassroots perceptions, the natural world does not "stand on its own" and is not dissected into manageable units but forms part of a wider cosmos which is made up of human beings, nature and the supernatural. A happy life of people, fertile soils and rich botanical resources are inseparable from harmony in the cosmos. Misfortune, natural resource degradation and scarcity are consequently explained with a state of flux, or imbalance, in these cosmic relationships which have to be restored by people in order to survive. The general conclusions suggest that these local perceptions of natural resource management cannot be ignored from the development arena as well as by outside scientists and practitioners. Rather, in order to develop more progressive approaches for sustainable management in the former homelands, policies and plans have to be compatible with the worldview of local people to enhance their acceptance and implementation. / Anthropology and Archaeology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Anthropology)

This study is about the identity of Coloured Pentecostals living in Retreat, Western Cape. It concerns the effects which social change has upon boundary markers and worldview. It uses Robert Schreiter's semiotic approach to culture. Schreiter says that social change along with boundary markers and worldview are the basis for changing identities. This study applies Schreiter's approach to a case study to see if it will work. The study considers the traditional Coloured Pentecostal Culture's identity represented by the older generation of Pentecostals in Retreat. It then considers some responses to those traditional boundary markers and worldview given primarily by the younger generation of Pentecostals. It then suggests some possible solutions to the problems which have been identified as the reasons for the changing cultural and religious identity of the Coloured Pentecostal Culture . / Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology)

Comprendre les présupposés qui fondent les rapports au monde des individus selon leur appartenance civilisationnelle nécessite des outils et une méthode permettant de répondre à trois questions principales. D’abord, comment aborder le rapport que des individus et leurs collectivités entretiennent avec le monde et avec l’Autre selon leur propre système d’interprétations et d’explications de ces réalités? Ensuite, comment penser la diversité des collectivités humaines qui établissent de tels rapports? Finalement, comment aborder les dimensions collectives à travers les discours limités d’individus? Deux outils m’ont permis de prendre du recul face à ma subjectivité et d’accéder à un certain niveau de réalité et de validité quant aux faits rapportés et aux résultats atteints. Dans un premier temps, le réseau notionnel articulant les conceptions du monde (Ikenga-Metuh, 1987) comme phénomènes de civilisations (Mauss, 1929) accessibles par l’analyse des représentations sociales (Jodelet, 1997) permet de définir et d’étudier l’interface entre l’individuel et le collectif. Dans un deuxième temps, l’opérationnalisation de la recherche permet de cerner le XVIe siècle comme moment de rencontre propice à l’étude des civilisations andines et occidentales à travers les représentations du Soi espagnol et de l’Autre inca du chroniqueur Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa. Finalement, la méthode d’analyse de discours (Sabourin, 2009) lève le voile sur une grammaire sociale polarisante entre le Soi et l’Autre, laquelle traverse les trois univers de sens (religieux, intellectuel et politique) observés dans le discours de Sarmiento. La mise à jour des positions théologiques, intellectuelles et politiques de l’auteur ouvre à son tour sur les récits et discours collectifs propres aux civilisations occidentales et andines de son époque, et permet un questionnement nouveau : cette polarisation est-elle unique à la localisation sociale de Sarmiento ou constitue-t-elle un phénomène civilisationnel proprement occidental ? / Understanding the assumptions underlying the relationships between individuals and the world according to their civilizational affiliation requires tools and a method to address three main questions. First, how to approach the relationship individuals and their collectivities maintain with the world and with the Other according to their own set of interpretations and meanings of these realities? Second, how to envision the diversity of human collectivities which establish such relations? Finally, how to approach the collective dimensions through limited individual discourse? Two tools enabled me to distance myself from my own subjectiveness and to attain a certain degree of reality and validity as to the stated facts and the achieved results. First, the notional network linking worldviews (Ikenga-Metuh, 1987) as a civilizational phenomenon (Mauss, 1929) accessible through the analysis of social representations (Jodelet, 1997), enables the identification of an interface which can be studied between the individual and the collective. Secondly, research operationalization makes it possible to identify the sixteenth century as a significant crossroad for the study of Western and Andean civilizations through Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa’s representations of the Spanish Self and the Inca Other. Finally, discourse analysis (Sabourin, 2009) unveils a polarizing social grammar between the Self and the Other which involves the three realms of meaning (religious, intellectual and political) observed in Sarmiento’s discourse. The author’s theological, intellectual and political positions thus revealed lead, in turn, to the collective stories and discourses which prevailed in Western and Andean civilizations at the time, and invites a further question: Is this polarization unique to Sarmiento’s social location or does it constitute a truly Western civilizational phenomenon?