Thesis (D. Min.)--Covenant Theological Seminary, 2003. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-142).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill., 1998. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-141).

Thesis (doctoral)--Hannover, Universiẗat, Diss., 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 247-261).

Criança é presente. Pistas para uma hermenêutica bíblica na perspectiva de crianças. A primeira parte desta dissertação traz diversos referenciais teóricos das ciências sociais com ênfase especial na antropologia da criança, nas discussões de gênero e nas discussões sobre o protagonismo das crianças. Mostra o quanto as concepções universalizantes de infância estão longe da realidade concreta da vida das crianças, pois esta sempre vem marcada pelo contexto e pela época na qual está inserida. A segunda parte apresenta o texto bíblico de João 6,1-15, onde uma criança é a portadora dos pães e dos peixes partilhados. São destacados alguns aspectos sobre lugar, tempo, interrelacionalidade entre adultos e crianças e são traçados paralelos com os evangelhos sinóticos. O texto é localizado em seu contexto literário e são mostradas especificidades teológicas do Evangelho de João. O terceiro e último capítulo aborda a hermenêutica simbólica, pergunta pela realidade das crianças na época de Jesus e mostra o comprometimento das primeiras comunidades cristãs com as crianças. Por fim, aponta alguns pressupostos que poderão orientar tanto a leitura bíblica como a práxis pastoral comprometidas com as crianças: não é possível falar de uma geração sem considerar a outra; crianças são seres completos e respondem aos estímulos que recebem de quem se relaciona com elas desde o início de sua vida; é possível desenvolver uma teologia com as crianças se, como adultos, nos dispormos a aprender com elas e, principalmente, buscarmos espaços e tempos de convivência. Estes devem possibilitar as brincadeiras, os jogos, a troca de afetos, a valorização do simbólico e das metáforas; crianças e adultos estão sempre interrealcionados. Só descobrimos o protagonismo das crianças no movimento cristão em suas origens se perguntarmos explicitamente por ele e se estivermos de fato comprometidos com projetos que valorizem as crianças pelo que elas são no presente. / A child is a present : Clues for a biblical hermeneutic on the perspective of children. The first part of this dissertation brings some theoretical references from the social sciences with special emphasis on child anthropology, on gender matters and on the matters of children agency. It shows how far universal concepts of childhood are from the concrete life of children, since they always come with the marks of time on which they are insert. The second part shows the biblical text of John 6,1-15, where a child is the one who brings bread and fish to be shared. Highlighted are some aspects related to place, time interconnections among adults and children and parallels are drawn with the sinoptical gospels. The text is brought in his literary context and some specific theological issues of Johns Gospel are showed. The third and last chapter approaches the symbolic hermeneutics, asking about the reality of children on Jesus time and shows the commitment of the early Christian Communities with the children. Finally, it indicates some assumptions that will orient the reading of the Bible as well as the pastoral work with children: it isn't possible to speak about one generation without considering another; children are completed beings and they answer to the stimulus they receive from those who are related to them since the beginning of their lives; it is possible to develop a theology with children if we, as adults, are willing to learn with them and, above all, if we seek for places and time for acquaintanceship. This will allow the entertainment, friendship , the valorization of the symbolic and of the metaphors ; children and adults are all the time interconnected. We will only discover the agency of children in the origins of Christian movement if we ask for it explicitly and if we really commit ourselves with projects that valorize the children for what they are in the present.

I have outlined some objections to soteriologies that presume that only some are given a chance of eternal life. Such soteriologies can include or exclude those mentally competent but lacking human evangelisation. Fundamental to evaluating soteriologies I have looked at both what sin is (being and doing) and what salvation consists in, as regards divine and human interaction. On the one side I have considered God's goodness - would such a being act unethically regarding man's eternity? On the other hand I have looked at whether, and if so in what way, man is required to respond - in what way or ways is chance (if at all) given. Finally I have considered views about those who die in infancy. Here I have tentatively suggested my own theory which seeks to presume that before death every human being may choose to accept of reject God, a choice integral (I suggest) to salvation. / Department of Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study attempts to contribute to search for a more ministry appropriate framework that will cause children’s ministry to be more holistic and sustainable. It explores the 40 Developmental Asset framework of the Search Institute for more sustainable children’s ministry. The research question has been formulated as follows: Can the 40 Developmental Asset framework contribute to a more sustainable Children’s ministry.? The purpose of the study is to: • Firstly try and determine what contribution this framework can make to sustainable children’s minsitry. • Secondly make children’s workers more aware of the good ministry practices outside their context and paradigm and to give guidelines of the use of such pracitce. • Thirdly to contribute to more academic thought and discussion about children’s ministry in a South African context. In chapter one the research problem is defined and the research methodology discussed. Chapter two pays attention to certain challenges for children’s ministry in a South African context after which discussions about factors that influences children’s ministry, follows. A discussion about current ministry models and metaphors for children’s ministry is also done. The conclusion of this exploration is that these ministry models mainly accommodate children in one context, namely the church and largely ignores the other contexts of children’s lives. These contexts include their home, school, friends and the larger community of which they are part of and therefore does not accommodate children’s ministry in a holistic sustainable manner. In chapter three a more detailed discussion of the asset framework and its potential for sustainable ministry follows. The current age we live in urges the church to return to her missional calling by attempting to reach out to children that is not part of the church, meaning it should attempt to be more inclusive in its ministry efforts to children. Chapter four describes the research methodology followed in this study and discusses the themes identified in the interpretation of the data derived from the research. In chapter five conclusions based on the research are made. These conclusions include that • More academic research about children’s minsitry is needed; • Children’s ministry is and inclusive ministry; • Contextualization of the asset framework is possible; • The responsibillities to build assets in children is everyone’s responsibillity; • That a more appreciative attitude towards children should be cultvated and practiced; The conclusion of the study is that the 40 Developmental Asset framework should be considered as a possible framework for more sustainable ministry. The reason being that it accomodates all the contexts of children’s lives and is thus more inclusive of contexts and the addresses the whole being of children. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie poog om mee te werk in die soeke na ‘n meer praktykgerigte raamwerk vir kinderbediening wat meer holisties en volhoubaar is. Die studie stel ondersoek in na die benutting van die 40 Batesraamwerk van die Search Instituut vir ʼn meer volhoubare kinderbediening. Na aanleiding van die navorsingsprobleem word die navorsingsvraag soos volg geformuleer: Kan die 40 Batesraamwerk bydra tot ’n meer volhoubare kinderbediening? Die doel van die studie is om: • Eerstens te probeer vasstel watter bydrae die Veertig Ontwikkelingsbates tot ’n meer volhoubare kinderbediening kan maak;. • Tweedens kinderwerkers meer bewus te maak van ander goeie bedieningspraktyke buite hulle eie konteks en denkraamwerk, en ook riglyne te bied oor die gebruik van so ’n raamwerk; • Derdens mee te help tot akademiese nadenke oor kinderbediening binne die Suid Afrikaanse konteks. In hoofstuk een is die navorsingsprobleem en metodiek van die navorsing bespreek. Ten einde die navorsingsvraag te probeer beantwoord, word daar in hoofstuk twee heel eerste aandag gegee aan die bespreking van enkele uitdagings met betrekking tot kinderbediening in Suid-Afrika, ‘n bespreking oor invloede op kinderbediening volg waarna moontlike modelle en metafore vir kinderbediening in ’n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks verken word. Die konklusie van die verkenning is dat die bedienningsmodelle kinders meestal slegs binne die konteks van die kerk “ontvang” maar dat die res van die kontekste waarin kinders leef byvoorbeeld die huis, skool, vriende en die gemeenskap baie min of glad nie kinders holisties en volhoubaar akkomodeer nie. In hoofstuk drie word die 40 Batesraamwerk meer breedvoerig bespreek en die redes waarom dit as raamwerk vir meer volhoubare kinderbediening oorweeg behoort word, verken. Hierdie tydsgewrig vereis dat die kerk deur kinderbediening misionaal behoort op te tree teenoor ander kinders wat nie deel is van die gemeente nie. Hoofstuk vier beskryf die navorsingsmetodologie wat gevolg is in die studie en bespreek temas wat geïdentifiseer is tydens die interpretering van die data verkry uit die ondersoek. In hoofstuk vyf word gevolgtrekkings en konklusies gemaak uit die studie in geheel. Die vernaamste bevindinge is dat: • Meer akademiese navorsing oor kinderbediening nodig is; • Kinderbediening ‘n inklusiewe bediening is; • Langtermynoplossings vir kinderbediening nodig is; • Kontekstualisering van die 40 Batesraamwerk moontlik is; • Die verantwoordelikheid om bates te bou, by almal berus; ’n Meer waarderende houding teenoor kinders nodig is.Die konklusie van die studie is dus dat die 40 Batesraamwerk wel oorweeg behoort te word as raamwerk vir meer volhoubare kinderbediening aangesien dit al die kontekste waarin kinders leef, aanspreek en dus meer inklusiewe bedieningsbenadering ten opsigte van konteks maar ook menswees kan bevorder.

Thesis (M.Div. with Concentration : Christian education)--Emmanuel School of Religion, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-130).

Thesis (M.Div. with Concentration : Christian education)--Emmanuel School of Religion, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-130).

I have outlined some objections to soteriologies that presume that only some are given a chance of eternal life. Such soteriologies can include or exclude those mentally competent but lacking human evangelisation. Fundamental to evaluating soteriologies I have looked at both what sin is (being and doing) and what salvation consists in, as regards divine and human interaction. On the one side I have considered God's goodness - would such a being act unethically regarding man's eternity? On the other hand I have looked at whether, and if so in what way, man is required to respond - in what way or ways is chance (if at all) given. Finally I have considered views about those who die in infancy. Here I have tentatively suggested my own theory which seeks to presume that before death every human being may choose to accept of reject God, a choice integral (I suggest) to salvation. / Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Die Kerk van God bestaan uit mense wat tot geloof gekom het in Jesus Christus. Volwassenes maak nie alleen deel uit van die kerk nie, maar ook kinders. Die plaaslike gemeente se roeping is om in sy bedieningstrategie te fokus op die behoeftes van die kind (6 - 12 jaar). Die leefwereld van die kind binne die geografiese grense van Nelspoort, Murraysburg, Merweville en Beaufort-Wes word sterk beinvloed deur gebrekkige sosio-ekonomiese en politieke toestande. Die V.G.K., wat daarvoor verantwoordelik is om die kinders (6-12 jaar) in genoemde dorpe te bedien, slaag nie daarin om 'n effektiewe bediening te loods nie. Gebrek aan opgeleide personeel, basiese lesmateriaal en gebrekkige kennis van die ontwikkelingsfases van die kind in genoemde ouderdomsgroep vererger die situasie. Die studie bied riglyne vir die V.G.K. op die platteland om 'n meer effektiewe kinderbedieningstrategie (plattelandse kind) daar te stel, wat die unieke behoeftes en spesifieke omstandighede waarin kinders lewe, asook die ontwikkelingsfases waarin hulle verkeer, uit te lig. / The Church of God consists of people (Adults and Children) who believe in God. The local congregation focus on the needs of the child (6-12 years). The enviroment of the child who lives within the geographic boundaries of Nelspoort, Murraysburg, Merweville and Beaufort West is influenced by retarted sosio-economic and political circumstances. The U.R.C. which serve the child (6-12 years) in the afore mentioned towns, fails to initiate and implement an effective service. Lack of trained staff, basic learning material and insufficient knowledge of the development phases of the child within the mentioned age groups exacerbates the situation. The study offers guidelines for the U.R.C. (rural) to have a more effective child service strategy (rural children) in place which attends to the unique needs and specific circumstances under which the children live as well as the developmental phases they are in. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M. Diac. (Jeugwerk)