This thesis in Church History examines the changing attitudes of Protestants toward Church History. The primary evidence surveyed is statements within major Protestant confessions, as well as the views of selected Reformers. By focusing on how Protestant confessions either quote the church fathers, or affirm the ancient creeds of the Church, the thesis presents a general overview of how Protestants have related to Church History. This thesis takes advantage of many recent studies on the use of church fathers by the reformers, and new critical study of creeds and confessions. A study of selected reformers and Protestant confessions demonstrates that an important part of the Reformation program was the claim to continuity with the early church, as opposed to the perceived innovations of Rome. A brief survey of reformation attitudes towards history also shows that appeals to church history were largely determined by the historical and polemical context of the times. Calvin and Bucer, for instance, make stronger or weaker appeals to church history depending in which polemical context they found themselves. As a result of the hardening of confessional lines, a more critical attitude towards church history developed, especially in Anabaptism and English Puritanism. Whereas the reformers and most Protestant confessions claim continuity with the “ancient church,” the Puritans claimed continuity with the “apostolic” church. This is ironic because the Puritans wanted to reform the English church according to the model of the “best reformed churches,” whose confessions affirm the ancient creeds. Thus, this thesis provides further evidence for the claims of other scholars who have argued that there are two main view of church history within Protestantism: one that stresses continuity with the church in history, and one which stresses interpretation of the Bible free from any historical considerations. As Stephen R. Holmes has suggested, one party sought to “reform” the church while the other party sought to “re-found” the church. If Protestants have developed an anti-historical attitude, it has been partly in response to polemical circumstances. A way out of current Protestant provincialism, particularly in American fundamentalism, may be found in studying the reformers' original, more positive, attitude towards church history. / Dissertation (MA (Church History))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Church History and Church Policy / MA / unrestricted

Text in German / Das Thema Gemeindezucht war allen Reformatoren ein Anliegen. Seit einigen Jahren ist es nach einer Hochphase in der Periode der dialektischen Theologie in der Evangelischen Kirche um das Thema Gemeindezucht sehr ruhig geworden. Es findet, von Ausnahmen abgesehen, in der Evangelischen Kirche weder eine theoretische Reflektion noch eine praktische Anwendung von Gemeindezucht statt. Etwas anders ist es in der täuferisch-mennonitischen Kirchenfamilie. Das Anliegen Gemeindezucht wird dort nach wie vor sehr hoch bewertet. Allerdings herrscht, so scheint es, eine große Unsicherheit, wie denn Gemeindezucht konkret, verantwortlich und sachgemäß zur Anwendung kommen kann. Die wenige veröffentlichte Literatur zur Kirchenzucht erschöpft sich meist in einer Darstellung und Diskussion der Bibelstellen zum Thema. Theologische, ekklesiologische und kirchengeschichtliche Überlegungen fließen in der Regel nicht in die Literatur ein. Das Ziel dieser Forschung ist es, einen Beitrag zur Schließung dieser Lücke zu leisten. Außerdem sollen Schlussfolgerungen erarbeitet werden, die es ermöglichen, dass Gemeindezucht in täuferisch-mennonitischen Kirchen verantwortlich zur Anwendung kommen kann. Es handelt sich bei dieser Forschung im ersten Teil um eine Literaturstudie. Der zweite Teil ist eine Fallstudie mittels Dokumentenanalyse zur Kirchenzucht in der Täufergeschichte. Um zu den Praxisimpulsen zu gelangen, wird das Thema Gemeindezucht anhand von fünf Leitfragen aus drei Perspektiven evaluiert und dann synthetisiert bzw. diskutiert. Diese drei Perspektiven sind die täuferische Ekklesiologie, das Neue Testament und die Täufergeschichte. / The issue of church discipline was a concern for all reformers. Whereas the discussion of this issue had its peak during the period of dialectic theology, it has become very quiet around this subject within the Protestant Church. With some exceptions, neither theoretical reflection nor practical application of church discipline is taking place within the Protestant Church. The situation is, however, a little bit different within the Anabaptist-Mennonite church community. Anabaptist-Mennonite Churches view the matter of church discipline with a relatively higher level of importance. However, great uncertainty seems to persist with respect to the question of how to apply church discipline in a practical, responsible and appropriate way. The limited literature published on the subject of church discipline is often restricted to a mere description and discussion of corresponding Bible references. As a rule, one does not include theological, ecclesiological and church-historical reflections within this literature. The purpose of this research is to close this gap by achieving well-founded conclusions which will make it possible for Anabaptist-Mennonite Churches to, once again, apply church-discipline responsibly. The first part of the research includes a literature review. The second part is a case study using document analysis. In order to arrive at practical impulses, the subject of church discipline will be evaluated, assuming from five central questions, from three different perspectives and synthesized or discussed. These three perspectives are the Anabaptist-Mennonite ecclesiology, the New Testament and the Anabaptist-Mennonite church history. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in German / Das Thema Gemeindezucht war allen Reformatoren ein Anliegen. Seit einigen Jahren ist es nach einer Hochphase in der Periode der dialektischen Theologie in der Evangelischen Kirche um das Thema Gemeindezucht sehr ruhig geworden. Es findet, von Ausnahmen abgesehen, in der Evangelischen Kirche weder eine theoretische Reflektion noch eine praktische Anwendung von Gemeindezucht statt. Etwas anders ist es in der täuferisch-mennonitischen Kirchenfamilie. Das Anliegen Gemeindezucht wird dort nach wie vor sehr hoch bewertet. Allerdings herrscht, so scheint es, eine große Unsicherheit, wie denn Gemeindezucht konkret, verantwortlich und sachgemäß zur Anwendung kommen kann. Die wenige veröffentlichte Literatur zur Kirchenzucht erschöpft sich meist in einer Darstellung und Diskussion der Bibelstellen zum Thema. Theologische, ekklesiologische und kirchengeschichtliche Überlegungen fließen in der Regel nicht in die Literatur ein. Das Ziel dieser Forschung ist es, einen Beitrag zur Schließung dieser Lücke zu leisten. Außerdem sollen Schlussfolgerungen erarbeitet werden, die es ermöglichen, dass Gemeindezucht in täuferisch-mennonitischen Kirchen verantwortlich zur Anwendung kommen kann. Es handelt sich bei dieser Forschung im ersten Teil um eine Literaturstudie. Der zweite Teil ist eine Fallstudie mittels Dokumentenanalyse zur Kirchenzucht in der Täufergeschichte. Um zu den Praxisimpulsen zu gelangen, wird das Thema Gemeindezucht anhand von fünf Leitfragen aus drei Perspektiven evaluiert und dann synthetisiert bzw. diskutiert. Diese drei Perspektiven sind die täuferische Ekklesiologie, das Neue Testament und die Täufergeschichte. / The issue of church discipline was a concern for all reformers. Whereas the discussion of this issue had its peak during the period of dialectic theology, it has become very quiet around this subject within the Protestant Church. With some exceptions, neither theoretical reflection nor practical application of church discipline is taking place within the Protestant Church. The situation is, however, a little bit different within the Anabaptist-Mennonite church community. Anabaptist-Mennonite Churches view the matter of church discipline with a relatively higher level of importance. However, great uncertainty seems to persist with respect to the question of how to apply church discipline in a practical, responsible and appropriate way. The limited literature published on the subject of church discipline is often restricted to a mere description and discussion of corresponding Bible references. As a rule, one does not include theological, ecclesiological and church-historical reflections within this literature. The purpose of this research is to close this gap by achieving well-founded conclusions which will make it possible for Anabaptist-Mennonite Churches to, once again, apply church-discipline responsibly. The first part of the research includes a literature review. The second part is a case study using document analysis. In order to arrive at practical impulses, the subject of church discipline will be evaluated, assuming from five central questions, from three different perspectives and synthesized or discussed. These three perspectives are the Anabaptist-Mennonite ecclesiology, the New Testament and the Anabaptist-Mennonite church history. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

No description available.

This study investigated the impact that a number of variables within the short-term mission experience had on the beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of Anabaptist young adult mission participants in 24 concepts related to their relationship with God, the Church and world around them. Study participants were drawn from five different Anabaptist denominationally connected short-term mission programs ranging in length from one month to one year. This study used a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test, follow-up design with non-equivalent groups as well as a non-randomized control group. The 116 study participants filled out a quantitative questionnaire prior to their short-term mission experience, after they returned from their mission experience and again one year after they returned. This longitudinal aspect of the research design measured the relative impact of variables within the short-term mission experience on participants over time. Methodological triangulation was employed that allowed for a variety of quantitative and qualitative tools to be used in better understanding the comparative impact of the short-term mission experience. The questionnaire, short essay response and interviews all incorporated concepts related to the international and cross-cultural impact of the short-term mission experience that have not been systematically analysed in this kind of study before. Response rates remained very high throughout the three stages of data collection and produced a number of significant findings. These findings included the positive impact during the mission experience of: an extensive pre-trip training experience, longer assignments, cross-cultural assignment location, relationally focused assignments, supportive families and churches, and correlation between repeat assignments and strong interest in future full-time mission work. While the positive impact of the short-term mission experience was significant, the post-trip regression in participants' beliefs, attitudes and behaviours one year after returning from the mission experience was also significant. This regression indicates that inadequate attention is being paid to participant re-entry, debrief and follow-up. Short-term mission agencies, participants and local churches need to view the discipleship impact of the short-term mission experience as ongoing. It is counter-intuitive to invest discipleship resources on returning short-term mission participants; however, the data indicates that is where the most significant discipleship challenges are found. / Theology / D.Th.

This study investigated the impact that a number of variables within the short-term mission experience had on the beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of Anabaptist young adult mission participants in 24 concepts related to their relationship with God, the Church and world around them. Study participants were drawn from five different Anabaptist denominationally connected short-term mission programs ranging in length from one month to one year. This study used a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test, follow-up design with non-equivalent groups as well as a non-randomized control group. The 116 study participants filled out a quantitative questionnaire prior to their short-term mission experience, after they returned from their mission experience and again one year after they returned. This longitudinal aspect of the research design measured the relative impact of variables within the short-term mission experience on participants over time. Methodological triangulation was employed that allowed for a variety of quantitative and qualitative tools to be used in better understanding the comparative impact of the short-term mission experience. The questionnaire, short essay response and interviews all incorporated concepts related to the international and cross-cultural impact of the short-term mission experience that have not been systematically analysed in this kind of study before. Response rates remained very high throughout the three stages of data collection and produced a number of significant findings. These findings included the positive impact during the mission experience of: an extensive pre-trip training experience, longer assignments, cross-cultural assignment location, relationally focused assignments, supportive families and churches, and correlation between repeat assignments and strong interest in future full-time mission work. While the positive impact of the short-term mission experience was significant, the post-trip regression in participants' beliefs, attitudes and behaviours one year after returning from the mission experience was also significant. This regression indicates that inadequate attention is being paid to participant re-entry, debrief and follow-up. Short-term mission agencies, participants and local churches need to view the discipleship impact of the short-term mission experience as ongoing. It is counter-intuitive to invest discipleship resources on returning short-term mission participants; however, the data indicates that is where the most significant discipleship challenges are found. / Theology / D.Th.

The goal of this research was to find ways to help churches keep safe from a mass shooter. To do that, I hoped to find common ground among academics, law enforcement, peace churches, and defense churches and then leverage that common ground to find ways the groups could collaborate on church safety. I observed three churches and conducted interviews at 14 churches. I reviewed academic literature about academics and law enforcement officers. The common ground I found between all groups was fear of violence, desire to be safe, and a general belief in metaphysical forces. Other key takeaways were that outsiders cannot make accurate assumptions about religious groups based on denomination and that a religious group's response to the threat of violence might not be internally consistent or make sense to outsiders. I designed a course based on my research results and pedagogical best practices. I limited the target audience to police officers because they were the easiest to identify and contact and because their job was to counter violence. Police officers who complete the course should better understand religious worldviews, know examples of how different Christian groups view violence, know how to effectively interact with religious groups, and know how to leverage common ground between religious groups and law enforcement officers. Future efforts include producing the course, observing law enforcement officers, and creating an undergraduate course on contemporary Christianity. / Doctor of Philosophy / The goal of this research was to find ways to help churches keep safe from a mass shooter. I hoped to connect academics, police, and different Christian churches so they could collaborate on church defense. To learn about Christian churches, I attended three churches and interviewed leaders at 14 churches. I read prior research about academics and police. I found that all groups had in common the desire to stay safe from violence and a general belief in a force greater than themselves. I also learned that outsiders could not make accurate assumptions about religious groups based on denomination and that a religious group's response to the threat of violence might not be internally consistent or make sense to outsiders. To apply my results, I designed a course for police officers because they were the easiest group to identify and contact and because their job was to counter violence. Those who complete the course should learn to better understand religious worldviews, know examples of how different Christian groups view violence, know how to effectively interact with religious groups, and know how to leverage commonalities among religious groups and law enforcement officers. Future efforts include producing the course, observing law enforcement officers, and creating an undergraduate course on contemporary Christianity.

No description available.

Text in German with English and German summaries / Die Kirchen in Europa stehen vor vielschichtigen Herausforderungen. In der kirchlichen Praxis werden vielfältige neue Wege gesucht und ausprobiert. Einer dieser verheissungsvollen Ansätze wurde durch 3DM entwickelt und findet vielfältige Umsetzungen in verschiedensten Regionen und Denominationen der Welt. Auf einen ersten Blick erscheint das Modell von 3DM aufgrund von vielen ekklesiologischen Ähnlichkeiten auch für ein täuferisches Gemeindeverständnis adaptierbar. Diese Studie bringt die leitenden ekklesiologischen Prinzipen des Täufertums mit denselben von 3DM Gemeinschaften ins Gespräch. Bei allen Differenzen zeigen sich die zentralen gemeinsamen Leitthemen Nachfolge, Gemeinschaft und Mission. Das sind wegweisende Dimensionen einer zukunftsfähigen Ekklesiologie jenseits traditioneller konfessioneller Grenzen. Nicht zuletzt sind in dieser Arbeit 11 Fallbeispiele von 3DM Gemeinschaften beschrieben, die ein nachvollziehbares Bild dieses Gemeindemodells geben. / The churches in Europe are facing multilayered challenges. In church life many new approaches are sought and tried out. One of these promising approaches has been developed by 3DM and is being implemented globally in different regions and denominations. On the first glance, due to many ecclesiological similarities the model by 3DM may possibly get adapted to an Anabaptist-Mennonite understanding of the Church. This study brings into conversation the guiding ecclesiological principles of Anabaptist tradition with those of 3DM communities. Despite some differences, the central common themes of discipleship, community and mission were identified as central common themes. These are groundbreaking dimensions of a viable ecclesiology beyond traditional confessional boundaries. Last but not least, 11 case example of 3DM communities are described in this paper, giving a comprehensible picture of this community model. / Practical Theology / M. Th.(Practical Theology)

No description available.