Thesis advisor: John Baldovin / Thesis advisor: Brian Dunkle / Building upon the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, this thesis explores the possibility of expanding access to the Anointing of the Sick beyond those who have begun to be in danger of death. The history of sacramental anointing is examined, with its periods of flexibility and contraction, along with the church’s attempts to recover elements of her earlier usages. Exegesis of James 5:13-18 and a theological examination of the church’s own liturgical orations are shown to contain elements which favor broader access to anointing, and the arguments of opponents to expansion are also considered. Contemporary challenges and opportunities - including extensive medical advancements, the expansion of the church in Africa, and postmodern narrative construction - each provide an avenue by which the broader use of the Anointing of the Sick could make a valuable contribution to effective pastoral care today. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

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1 Abstract Anointing with the oil as a sacramental - new possibilities? The use of oil as a sacramental is present in the whole history of the Church. In this thesis we deal first with the nature of sacramentals and with the concept of blessing in the antiquity and in the biblical period. We also consider the sacramental use of oil in the history of liturgical worship. Then we examine recent ways of using the oil as a sacramental according to liturgical books - i.e. we study different ways of application of the oil of the catechumens, of the chrism oil, of the blessed oil intended as a meal and of the blessed oil ("myron") used for anointing in the Eastern Church. Present ways of the sacramental use of oil that are not directly presupposed in the liturgical books are further investigated. These include: anointing of the assembly during a youth meeting, during retreats and Pentecost vigils. The question of the "exorcised oil" is also briefly considered. Finally, several proposals are presented for the inclusion of anointing into the liturgical worship of the Church. Keywords Anointing, oil, blessing, sacramental.

This research has attempted to discover the ethos and characteristics of the anointing with the Spirit of the Charismatic movements with the reformed assessment. It has been studied how the exegetical interpretation and Scriptural theology of the anointing with the Spirit relate to the systematic reformed theology. This study has indicated the key notion of this research, “the anointing with the Spirit” in Ancient Near Eastern Literature and in Scripture. The biblical foundation of the Reformed tradition on the notion of this research has been investigated and Christian reflection on the anointing with the Spirit has historically been investigated. The church’s dogmata of the anointing with the Spirit examined throughout the history of the church as well as whether the anointing with the Spirit in the Charismatic movement was implicated in the Reformed tradition. Whether the Reformed tradition disallowed all supernatural phenomena has also been examined, and what their concept is of the anointing with the Spirit. The debates between charismatic and reformed perspectives on the theological characteristics of the anointing with the Spirit have been compared. Essential to the argument is the nature and characteristics of the Charismatic movement in relation to the anointing with the Spirit, in which the unique experiences of the Spirit and their response to the world is demonstrated. The explored issues are systematically recapitulated and evaluated to be resolved. Four systematic spheres are examined with different hermeneutical approaches: the biblical and theological pneumatology; soteriology, in which the anointing with the Spirit is to be applied; promulgated eschatology that entails the characteristics of the missio Spiritus and the extent of the establishment of God’s kingdom in connection with the anointing with the Spirit, and finally mandated ecclesiology that requires responsibilities and commitments of those who are endowed with the charismata of the Spirit in the sphere of all contemporary areas. The anointing with the Spirit is related to soteriological aspect, authentic repentance is preconditioned to be gifted the charismata of the Spirit (Acts 2:38-40). Unlikely the pneumatological concept of the Charismatic movements, it is not only a means to achieve the God’s redemptive task, but also a resolution to prepare a residence for the God the Spirit in the hearts of the believers. Consequently sanctification should be the centred-ethos in the manifestation and application of the charismata of the Spirit in the Charismatic movements. The Charismatic believe that the anointing with the Spirit is the presence of God. However, the sanctifying characteristics, which come through God’s presence, are scarcely demonstrated in the life of the Charismatic believers. In the eschatological perspective, this research unveils the anointing with Spirit, poured upon the body of the Anointed One, is for eschatological completion, confirming the godly guarantee of his physical presence of the Anointed One by indwelling of his Spirit in and among their eschatological sanctuary. Simultaneously the anointing with the Spirit is perceived as a reality to encounter the upcoming dreadful judgment day of the Lord which will occur to the world. Justification and sanctification are essential requirements to face those days. Then the anointing with the Spirit in the Charismatic movement is by no means operated only for the present prosperity gospel. Eschatological imminence should be the foundational theology for both the Reformed and the Charismatic traditions. In assessment and evaluation of the Charismatic movements, this research analyses the cohorts of the Charismatic have ostensibly collapsed into a predicament over the intuitive characteristics due to the deficiency of its confirmation with the authority of Scripture in the process of charismatic manifestations of the Spirit. Some Charismatics blunder into a deception since they incline to shape their ethos on emotional and sensational experience, rather than to formulate these experiences in response to the authentic truth of Scripture. In this regards, this research indicates the Charismatics is to revise their dogmata according to Scripture. If spirituality is correlated to the knowledge of God through his Spirit, then the experience of genuine spirituality must be joined to what is meant by the truth of the Spirit. Nevertheless in search for the charismatic anointing with the Spirit, this study does not disregard the essential function of both inspirational intuition and rational conception to form their theology and beliefs on Scriptural foundation. The Reformed contends that they should eliminate the insecure and instinctive category of procedures and solemnly rely on the adequacy and exclusivity of Scriptural authority. The Charismatics believe that such knowledge is not seriously dissimilar to the imperfect nature of contemporary causes. However, both perspectives require some consideration. The instruction of the essence either repeats Scripture either Scriptural or is invalid. Finally this investigation illustrates some contributions of the Charismatic movement that entails the revitalized crucial function of the charismata with manifestations of the Spirit for individual edification, energetic communal worship, and influential evangelism and particularly the contextualization in communication with other society and community in evangelism in the areas of the missio Spiritus, eschatology, and experience. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Dogmatics and Christian Ethics / unrestricted

The thesis "Sacraments in the documents of the second Vatican council" deals with selected articles of the individual constitutions, documents and decrees of the council, which concern sacraments in the theological context. The articles are selected from the constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum concilium, constitution on the Church Lumen gentium, pastoral constitution Gaudium et spes, document about the Apostolate of the Laity Apostolicam actuositatem, decree on Ecumenism Unitatis redintegratio and the decree on the life and service of priests Presbyterorum ordinis. The thesis is based on the acts of council and it maps the progress of creating the articles. A brief summary of history of the formation of individual constitutions, documents and decrees is mentioned before the analysis of the articles. The chapters are divided by the documents. At the end of the thesis is a chapter containing important themes concerning the Sacraments that came up from the mapping of the article.

The conception of illness and healing in contemporary Mexican Catholic discourse highlights both particular and ubiquitous instances of a health experience perceived locally and widespread. Catholic healing masses are utilized as supplemental methods of individual health restoration coupled with Western medicinal techniques in Catholic dramas. Aside from the spiritual and religious significance of this practice, the use of healing masses as an additional means to achieving an optimal health status implies that something is lacking in current biomedical models. The purpose of my research is to explore the humanistic terms under which healing masses operate and translate these terms into a biomedical conversation towards enhanced secular medical care.

This dissertation analyses Reinhard Bonnke's evangelistic ministry in Africa, and examines to what extent his propagated "Evangelism by Fire" conforms with the New Testament ministry of evangelism. The results of an analysis of the New Testament ministry of evangelism, especially of the evangelistic ministry of Philip, provide the basis for a comparison with Bonnke's understanding and practice of the evangelistic ministry. A thorough analysis of Bonnke's publications, especially those referring to the theme of evangelism, allows a systematic insight into his understanding of the evangelistic ministry. In order to examine the conformity between Reinhard Bonnke's understanding and his practice of evangelism, expert interviews referring to his gospel crusade in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in 2002 are analysed, and compared to his understanding of evangelism. Finally, the findings about Bonnke's understanding and practice of evangelism are related to the New Testament evangelistic ministry, and analysed synoptically. The research results of this study show that Bonnke's understanding of evangelism and his practice of evangelism, during the gospel crusade in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, conform with each other. Bonnke's propagated and applied "Evangelism by Fire" shows him to be an evangelist orientated to the New Testament. Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Dissertation setzt sich mit Reinhard Bonnkes evangelistischem Dienst in Afrika auseinander und überprüft, inwiefern die von ihm bekannt gemachte ,,Evangelism by Fire" mit dem neutestamentlichen evangelistischen Dienst übereinstimmt. Die Ergebnisse aus einer Untersuchung des evangelistischen Dienstes im Neuen Testament, insbesondere des evangelistischen Dienstes des Philippus, bieten die Grundlage für einen Vergleich mit dem Evangelisationsverständnis und der Evangelisationspraxis Bonnkes. Eine intensive Auseinandersetzung mit Bonnkes Publikationen, insbesondere zum Thema Evangelisation, gibt einen systematischen Einblick in sein Verständnis des evangelistischen Dienstes. Um Reinhard Bonnkes Evangelisationsverständnis auf Übereinstimmung mit seiner Evangelisationspraxis zu überprüften, werden Experteninterviews zu seiner 2002 durchgeführten Großevangelisation in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, ausgewertet und mit seinem Evangelisationsverständnis verglichen. Schließlich werden die gewonnenen Forschungsergebnisse zu Bonnkes Evangelisationsverständnis und Evangelisationspraxis in Relation zum neutestamentlichen evangelistischen Dienst gesetzt und synoptisch ausgewertet. Die Forschungsergebnisse zeigen, dass Bonnkes Evangelisationsverständnis und seine Evangelisationspraxis während der Evangelisation in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, kongruieren. Die von Bonnke propagierte und praktizierte ,,Evangelism by Fire" offenbart ihn als Evangelisten mit neutestamentlicher Grundausrichtung. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / (D.Th.(Missiology))

This dissertation analyses Reinhard Bonnke's evangelistic ministry in Africa, and examines to what extent his propagated "Evangelism by Fire" conforms with the New Testament ministry of evangelism. The results of an analysis of the New Testament ministry of evangelism, especially of the evangelistic ministry of Philip, provide the basis for a comparison with Bonnke's understanding and practice of the evangelistic ministry. A thorough analysis of Bonnke's publications, especially those referring to the theme of evangelism, allows a systematic insight into his understanding of the evangelistic ministry. In order to examine the conformity between Reinhard Bonnke's understanding and his practice of evangelism, expert interviews referring to his gospel crusade in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in 2002 are analysed, and compared to his understanding of evangelism. Finally, the findings about Bonnke's understanding and practice of evangelism are related to the New Testament evangelistic ministry, and analysed synoptically. The research results of this study show that Bonnke's understanding of evangelism and his practice of evangelism, during the gospel crusade in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, conform with each other. Bonnke's propagated and applied "Evangelism by Fire" shows him to be an evangelist orientated to the New Testament. Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Dissertation setzt sich mit Reinhard Bonnkes evangelistischem Dienst in Afrika auseinander und überprüft, inwiefern die von ihm bekannt gemachte ,,Evangelism by Fire" mit dem neutestamentlichen evangelistischen Dienst übereinstimmt. Die Ergebnisse aus einer Untersuchung des evangelistischen Dienstes im Neuen Testament, insbesondere des evangelistischen Dienstes des Philippus, bieten die Grundlage für einen Vergleich mit dem Evangelisationsverständnis und der Evangelisationspraxis Bonnkes. Eine intensive Auseinandersetzung mit Bonnkes Publikationen, insbesondere zum Thema Evangelisation, gibt einen systematischen Einblick in sein Verständnis des evangelistischen Dienstes. Um Reinhard Bonnkes Evangelisationsverständnis auf Übereinstimmung mit seiner Evangelisationspraxis zu überprüften, werden Experteninterviews zu seiner 2002 durchgeführten Großevangelisation in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, ausgewertet und mit seinem Evangelisationsverständnis verglichen. Schließlich werden die gewonnenen Forschungsergebnisse zu Bonnkes Evangelisationsverständnis und Evangelisationspraxis in Relation zum neutestamentlichen evangelistischen Dienst gesetzt und synoptisch ausgewertet. Die Forschungsergebnisse zeigen, dass Bonnkes Evangelisationsverständnis und seine Evangelisationspraxis während der Evangelisation in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, kongruieren. Die von Bonnke propagierte und praktizierte ,,Evangelism by Fire" offenbart ihn als Evangelisten mit neutestamentlicher Grundausrichtung. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / (D.Th.(Missiology))

This thesis seeks to answer the question of the origin of some of the most fundamental additions made to early Christian baptism. Christian baptism began in a relatively simple liturgical form, but became, by the fourth century, a much more dramatic set of initiation rituals. Among the added elements to baptism were washing ceremonies in the nude, physical anointing with oil, being marked or signed with the cross on the forehead, and receiving white garments. Scholars have proposed different theories as to the origins of these baptismal rituals. Some claim the elements existed in the New Testament practice of the rite. Others have supposed that the Christian church adopted the elements from either the Jewish synagogue or from contemporary pagan modes of initiation. This thesis argues that the initiation rituals of the Israelite tabernacle and temple provide a much more likely source for the added elements of Christian baptism. The esoteric practices of the temple priests became the esoteric tradition of early Christianity. The rites of this temple-oriented esoteric tradition in both the Old and New Testaments parallel, and may have been the origin for, the evolutions made to Christian baptism during the third and fourth centuries of the church. Christian groups such as the Valentinians provide evidence of higher esoteric rites being interpreted as baptism. Somehow the esoteric rites of the Israelite temple and the esoteric rites of early Christianity were adopted into the practice of Christian baptism.

Text in Afrikaans / In this dissertation, different aspects of aChurch leadership" are examined from a Pentecostal perspective. The framework is composed of literature compiled over the past twenty years. Especially the relationship between Church Leadership and the working of the Holy Spirit comes under the searchlight. The Theological theory underlying the Church Leadership exponents as well that of the Pentecostal movement are developed and critically evaluated. The Pentecostal ideal is that church leadership will function as leadership within a church context under the guidance and "working of the Holy Spirit The Pentecostal movement emphasises that the working of the Holy Spirit is the criticalfactor determining the effectiveness of the church. In the literature en Church leadership, the main focus is placed on the key role of church leadership with specific reference to the functional aspects and skills that church leaders need to be effective. The implication of both the aforementioned points are discussed and compared as well as the possible implications for both are indicated. Systematic theological issues concerning the role of persons in specific offices in different church traditions are avoided. It is stated that in the literature on Church Leadership more emphasis should be placed in the Working of the Holy Spirit as the critical factor in church leadership. It is clear that there is not enough emphasis on the working of the Holy Spirit if taken into account the importance thereof for the church as a whole. An approach to church leadership as "spiritual leadership" could assist in future research on this matter. In chapter one the framework of this study is explained. Chapter two reflects on the development of the Pentecostal perspective and chapter three on the Church leadership perspective. The different topics, similarities, critical reflections, evaluations and recommendations are presented in the last chapter. / In hierdie proefskrif word daar vanuit 'n Pinksterperspektief 'n ondersoek gedoen na kerkleierskap. Die raamwerk is literatuur wat in die afgelope twintig jaar oor hierdie onderwerp na vore gekom het. Veral die verband wat aangebied word tussen kerkleierskap en die werking van die Heilige Gees, kom onder die soeklig. Die teologiese teoriee onderliggend aan die standpunte van die kerkleierskap-eksponente sowel as die van die Pinksterbeweging word ontwikkel en krities beoordeel. Die Pinksterideaal is dat kerkleierskap gekenmerk sal word as leierskap wat funksioneer onder die Ieiding en werking van die Heilige Gees. Die Pinksterbeweging beklemtoon dat die werking van die Heilige Gees die deurslaggewende faktor is vir die effektiewe werking en ontwikkeling van die kerk. In die literatuur oor kerkleierskap word daarenteen hoofsaaklik klem geplaas op die sleutelrol van kerkleierskap met spesifieke verwysing na die funksionele aspekte en vaardighede wat kerkleiers benodig met die oog op die uitbouing van die kerk. Die implikasies van beide beklemtoninge word ontwikkel en met mekaar vergelyk en moontlike implikasies vir beide word aangetoon. Sistematies-teologiese vraagstukke rakende die rot van persona in bepaalde ampte in verskillende kerklike tradisies word vermy. Dit word beredeneer dat daar in die literatuur oar die onderhawige onderwerp meer klem geplaas behoort te word op die werking van die Heilige Gees as die deurslaggewende faktor vir suksesvolle kerkleierskap. Dit is duidelik dat daar nie genoegsaam gefokus word op die werking van die Heilige Gees nie ten spyte van die belangrikheid daarvan vir die kerklike praktyk in geheel. Die moontlikheid om kerkleierskap eerder te omskryf en te benader as "geestelike leierskap” bied moontlikhede ten opsigte van toekomstige navorsing op die gebied. In hoofstuk een worrd die raamwerk waarbinne die studie ontwikkel uiteengesit. Hoofstuk twee bied die basis waarbinne die Pinksterstandpunt ontwikkel het terwyl hoofstuk drie die onderwerp vanuit 'n kerkleierskapsperspektief benader. Klemverskille, ooreenkomste, kritiese besprekings, evaluering en aanbevelings word in die laaste hoofstuk aangebied. / Practical Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theology)