Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic Theological Union, 1987. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-141).

Thesis (M.A.)--International Christian Graduate University, 1985. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [64]-72).

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie is gepoog om vanuit 'n fundamentele pedagogiek-perspektief, die hele aangeleentheid rakende die normatiewe in die tegnokratiese bestel, te belig. Daar is aangedui dat die wyse waarop norme in die tegnokratiese bestel tot vergestalting kom geen vanselfsprekendheid is nie, aangesien die tegnokratiese era deur 'n onloënbare werklikheid van voortdurende verandering gekenmerk word. Hierdie tendens van verandering het meegebring dat outentieke norme, soos dit in die verlede gehuldig is, vandag nie meer die toonaangewende norme in die opvoedingsgebeure van die tegnokratiese era is nie. Trouens, dit blyk of daar vandag weinig of geen plek is waar Christelike norme prakties deur die Christen uitgeleef kan word nie. Om 'n greep op hierdie werklikheid te verkry, is daar 'n antropologies-ontologiese fundering van die mens as normatiewe synde ondemeem. Die bevindinge waartoe gekom is, dui daarop dat die mens die enigste gemoeide met waardes en norme onder die lewende wesens is. Vervolgens is daar 'n dieptestudie op die mens se huweliks- en gesinsituasie ondemeem, ten einde fundamentele uitsprake te kan maak oor die wyse waarop die norme deur die tegnokrasie geraak is. Dit het hieruit geblyk dat die tegnokratiese bestel ook die huweliks- en gesinsituasie nie ongedeerd gelaat het nie, en dat daar vandag ander waardes betreffende die huweliks- en gesinsnorme gehuldig word. Deur 'n diepteskou op die skoolsituasie, soos dit tot openbaring kom in die bedrywigheidstruktuur, kon daar duidelik aangetoon word dat daar 'n waardeverskuiwing ten opsigte van norme ingetree het. Daar word al hoe meer toegegee aan 'n sogenaamde "neutrale" opvoedingspraktyk, wat daartoe lei dat daar 'n felle aanslag teen Christelike norme heers. Verder het dit uit die ondersoek geblyk dat ten spyte van die negatiewe greep wat die tegnokratiese era op die mens se norme het, hy aileen staande kan bly indien hy die norme in sy huwelik, gesin en skoal met openbaringsinhoude van die Heilige Skrif vul. In die verband is spesifiek die Dekaloog uitgelig om as norme vir 'n partikuliere Christelike opvoedingspraktyk in die gesin en skoal te kan dien. / This study attempts to analyse the phenomenon of normativeness in a technocratic society as seen in a fundamental pedagogic-perspective. It is indicated that the way norms are manifested in the technocratic world cannot be accepted as a matter of course, because the present technocratic dispensation is characterized by an indisputable reality of continual change. This tendency to change causes authentic norms, that were adhered to in the past, to no longer be the guiding principles in the education practice of the technocratic dispensation. As a matter of fact, it appears that there is little or no place, where the Christian can practise his Christian norms today. To obtain a grip on this reality, an anthropologic-ontologic foundation of man as a normative being, is embarked upon. The resultant findings indicate that man is the only being involved with values and norms. A radical study is· also made of man's marriage and family situation to highlight fundamental findings on the way norms are being effected by the technocratic dispensation. It becomes evident that the entire marriage and family situation are also vitally affected by the technocratic forces, while it is evident that other values concerning marriage and family norms are practised today. By means of a thorough study of the school situation, as manifested in the activity structures, it becomes clear that a change of values has occurred concerning the norms being applied in schools. Today there is continuous yielding to a so called "neutral" education practice, leading to a sharp attack on Christian norms. Furthermore, research emphasizes that despite the detrimental influence exercised by the technocratic elements upon the norms of man, he can still assert himself if his norms are embedded and sustained by the inspirations of Holy Scripture. The Ten Commandments are specifically selected to be applied as norms for a particular Christian education practice in the home and school. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Fundamentele Pedagogiek)

In my thesis with the translated title “A Systematic-theologian account from an epistemological perspective on the theology-science dialogue”, I take epistemology ……., – fused with transcendence – as point of departure in order to understand the theologian-science debate within a theologian as well as a philosophical context. As a starting point, the research reflects upon humans as they are involved in practical and relevant day to day situations, consequently religious, within a religious, philosophical and natural science contexts. (Theology) constitute the so called first discourse in due course, the natural sciences follows as the second discourse. Within the context of epistemology and the cosmology metaphor embedded in a transcendental philosophical viewpoint, we are ultimately led to a ‘third discourse’ as an answer to the theological-science debate. Five statements guide the unfolding of the research process, namely: first that the religion-science discourse is shaped by the biological make-up of human beings. This entails that the discourse / debate starts and ends with human dimensions. Second, we as humans long for something metaphysical that gives us our sense and longing for life, and that includes religion, philosophy and mysticism. Third, the natural science is entertained as the second discourse where an interdisciplinary debate between the philosophical-cosmology and cosmology as metaphor is manifested as a metaphysical longing with strong ties in our thought towards the metaphysical. It examines the deconstruction as well as the participation of human resources for human rationality and in doing so it proposes that evolutionary epistemology sustains the theological question of biological roots and origin for human rationality. Fourth, a theological reflection questions whether Jesus Christ may provide an answer to this religion-science debate from a reinterpretation of a hermeneutical Christ. Fifth, and last, a meaningful perspective that all three discourses be intertwined as a process to encourage the dialogue / debate as a ‘third discourse’ between the religion-science debates. Viewpoints on Jesus Christ as theological paradigm and the way beliefs are synthesised are also examined from various theological and philosophical angles: the palaeontologist-theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and the the Danish systematic theologian Niels Gregersen, German systematic theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg, as well as certain South African systematic theologians namely, Wentzel J. van Huyssteen, Daniël P. Veldsman, Cornel W. du Toit and Klaus Nürnberger. The research focus on mentioned theologians reveals a closer but different understanding of the religion-science debate with Jesus Christ as theological point of departure. The closer, but different clarification of the religion-science debate is elaborated on and subsequently justified by a discussion of different definitions of the place of Christ in the religion-science debate. A tentative indication of the road to a new kind of metaphysical Christian religion-science debate is suggested, which entails a transformation of Christian Christology as manifested in the ‘third discourse.’ Finally, the terms Spirit and Hope are identified especially by the German theologian Jürgen Moltmann and his Theology of Hope and The Crucified God are discussed as integral parts of the theological paradigm and syntheses of believes. At the same time, their significance for the synthesis of the religion-science debate is indicated. The importance and crucial role of hermeneutics are subsequently elucidated within the theological religion-science discourse. The research opening statement in which the research problem is formulated, is taken up/explained/explicated in the conclusion as…….that human intentionality for life can be accommodated in the religion-science debate. The loose based (paradoxical) discourse that is called the ‘third discourse’ can be accommodated in more than one religion, philosophy, or intuitive infinite believe in a person’s spiritual life and can satisfy humans in their expectations, experiences, hopes, fears, in their vulnerable existence within the contexts of the religion-science discourses. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria 2015. / Dogmatics and Christian Ethics / PhD / Unrestricted

Thesis advisor: James F. Keenan / Thesis advisor: Daniel J. Daly / Nigeria is a huge and highly diverse country. It comprises an agglomeration of hundreds of precolonial nations, called “tribes” by the British colonizers. Since its independence in 1960, Nigerian State has been struggling with the question of citizenship; who is a Nigerian or who can be a Nigerian. Over these years, it has preserved an exclusive notion of citizenship where right to citizenship is intimately tied to membership of an “indigenous” community recognized by the state. This has set up boundaries between groups regarded as ‘autochthones' and 'immigrants', ‘first-comer and late-comer’, 'natives' and 'strangers’, ‘indigene’ and ‘settler’. Lacking a robust legal scaffolding, Nigeria’s system of citizenship has evolved organically to depend on authentication by local government authorities rather than a federal agency. As such, the right to be Nigerian is epitomized by a certificate of indigeneity, a nebulous system manipulated by politicians, traditional rulers and state officials. Today, such a system of citizenship has condemned different groups to the pains and agony of de facto statelessness. These groups include but are not limited to minority ethnic groups, internal migrants, internally displaced persons and refugees. In the light of the above, this thesis offers sustained ethical analysis of the oppressive structures of statelessness in Nigeria using the hermeneutical lens of human rights. Its main argument is that the lack of recognition of the citizenship rights of certain individuals or groups in Nigeria because of their ethnicity, religion or migratory history renders them stateless, constituting a grave injustice that can only be remedied through an ethic of recognition. This ethic takes the form of a set of proposals for Churches in Nigeria and the government. firstly, it articulates vigilance, humility and solidarity as necessary virtues for Churches in Nigeria to develop in order to be more capacious in responding to the challenges of statelessness. Secondly, it proposes legal and institutional reforms that the government of Nigeria must urgently embark upon to address the phenomenon of statelessness. These reforms will ensure that the national identity card or residence certificate replaces the indigene certificate as the only proof of Nigerian citizenship. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

Thesis advisor: James F. Keenan / Thesis advisor: Melissa Kelley / This thesis examines the diverse challenges that confront Indian farmers and delves into the biblical and ethical resources at our disposal for recognizing and responding as disciples of Christ. Additionally, it provides recommendations and suggestions based on successful modes and best practices from various regions for bringing hope, healing, and transformation to the lives of farmers in India. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

Thesis advisor: Daniel J. Daly / Thesis advisor: James F. Keenan / This thesis examines the concept of Fihavanana in Malagasy morality, characterized by the promotion of life in its fullness. Currently, global and local socio-political crises have resulted in significantly increased violence in Malagasy society. It reviews and examines the concept of Fihavanana through the lens of Christian friendship as expressed in scriptural and Christian tradition. The thesis endeavors to assess and guide the Malagasy response to the loss of social friendship and increase in deadly violence in the nation. It interprets Fihavanana through Christian friendship rooted in charity to arrive at a principle that can be embraced at the national level. Fihavanana thus interpreted is a norm of Christian ethics for life that can shape and guide Malagasy morality to build (re-build) a peaceful and harmonious society. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

At least from the time of Augustine, Christians have been reflecting on the question of moral conflicts. Since the mid-1960s this issue has become the center of attention for several scholars, including Norman L. Geisler, who developed ethical hierarchicalism in an attempt to resolve these conflicts. The question therefore arises: Is ethical hierarchicalism comprehensive, consistent, and biblically sound, and the only viable approach for Christians, as Geisler claims? Because Geisler is the most articulate and influential proponent of this strategy, his ethical method was selected for this research. To provide some framework, a brief survey was made of various methods relating to ethical dilemmas. In addition to observing the contrasting ways in which eminent early Christians, Reformation leaders, post-Reformation thinkers, and twentieth-century scholars have dealt with moral conflicts, this overview examined utilitarianism, situationism, non-conflicting absolutism, conflicting absolutism, hierarchicalism and the principle of double effect. Additional background traced Geisler's philosophical, theological, and ethical development over the years. Then, after outlining what Geisler considers the fundamental presuppositions of theistic morality and Christian ethics, hierarchicalism was delineated. Next, Geisler's moral methodology was critiqued, firstly against his own basic presuppositions, then by comparing contradictory concepts within hierarchicalism, and finally by contrasting his theories with those of other Christian thinkers, and with the biblical passages that Geisler uses. Following this, positive aspects of hierarchicalism were enumerated, a synopsis and recommendations made, and a final conclusion drafted. This study indicates that ethical hierarchicalism contradicts most of the essential characteristics of theistic morality and Christian ethics as specified by Geisler himself. careful research suggests that, while this theory holds to divinely-derived objective moral norms, it also embraces relativistic, utilitarian, situational, antinomian, and teleological components. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that hierarchicalism is based on falsely assumed responsibilities, inaccurately specified absolutes, naturalistic definitions, a descriptive approach to Scripture, a bifurcation in God's law, and subtle semantic strategies. Though hierarchicalism does grapple with difficult issues, emphasize personhood and individual responsibility, and offer relief from false guilt, this method of moral reasoning appears unacceptable for Christians since it is incoherent, inconsistent, self-contradictory, and unscriptural. / Theological Ethics / D.Th, (Theological Ethics)

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