Theophostic Prayer Ministry (TPM) is an unparalleled method of inner healing which was developed in 1996 by Dr. Ed Smith of Campbellsville, Kentucky. The term Theophostic is formed by a combination of two Greek words, namely Theos (God) and phos (light). God's light refers to the central aspect of the ministry during which God gives his light to the counselee in order to expose the emotional wounds from the person's past and to heal it. TPM became known as a method which is exceptionally effective in treating trauma and experience-based problems. Several evaluators of TPM, however, raise questions concerning the doctrinal and philosophical soundness of the base of TPM's theory and practice. Exponents of the anti-psychology movement, like Martin and Deidre Bobgan, are exceedingly condemning in their critique of TPM, and particularly the fact that Smith probably had used insights, concepts and techniques from psychology. In researching the literature on the subject, it was found that the reformed pastoral ministry is relatively lacking in theoretical reflection on and practical implementation of the ministry of inner healing, TPM included. The first main purpose of the research was to scientifically determine whether the doctrinal and philosophical points of departure as well as practice of TPM were sound according to the reformative Scriptural standard. Should the research data indicate that TPM is acceptable in this respect, then the reformed pastoral practice have found at least one method of inner healing to make use of. Should the research data point to the contrary, then the necessary corrections can be done accordingly. The second main purpose of the research was to determine how the theory, practice and even context of TPM can possibly be served by the new light which the research may shed upon it. In the research methodology it is decided to firstly summarize the practical theory of TPM. This was followed on a meta-theoretical level by a qualitative empirical research on TPM, as well as a comparative study on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evenly highly successful psychotherapeutic treatment method for trauma and experience-based problems. In a third meta-theoretical chapter TPM and some of its critics are evaluated in accordance with the Philosophy of the Cosmonomic Idea. Following that, the data of the meta-theoretical chapters were compared in a hermeneutical way with the first practical theory of TPM and all its critique, as well as the reformative theological tradition. The final conclusions of the research indicate that TPM can be recommended to the reformed pastoral ministry as a reformative Scripturally sound method for inner healing and that the TPM theory, practice and context can be improved on several points as has been suggested in the study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Theophostic Prayer Ministry (TPM) is an unparalleled method of inner healing which was developed in 1996 by Dr. Ed Smith of Campbellsville, Kentucky. The term Theophostic is formed by a combination of two Greek words, namely Theos (God) and phos (light). God's light refers to the central aspect of the ministry during which God gives his light to the counselee in order to expose the emotional wounds from the person's past and to heal it. TPM became known as a method which is exceptionally effective in treating trauma and experience-based problems. Several evaluators of TPM, however, raise questions concerning the doctrinal and philosophical soundness of the base of TPM's theory and practice. Exponents of the anti-psychology movement, like Martin and Deidre Bobgan, are exceedingly condemning in their critique of TPM, and particularly the fact that Smith probably had used insights, concepts and techniques from psychology. In researching the literature on the subject, it was found that the reformed pastoral ministry is relatively lacking in theoretical reflection on and practical implementation of the ministry of inner healing, TPM included. The first main purpose of the research was to scientifically determine whether the doctrinal and philosophical points of departure as well as practice of TPM were sound according to the reformative Scriptural standard. Should the research data indicate that TPM is acceptable in this respect, then the reformed pastoral practice have found at least one method of inner healing to make use of. Should the research data point to the contrary, then the necessary corrections can be done accordingly. The second main purpose of the research was to determine how the theory, practice and even context of TPM can possibly be served by the new light which the research may shed upon it. In the research methodology it is decided to firstly summarize the practical theory of TPM. This was followed on a meta-theoretical level by a qualitative empirical research on TPM, as well as a comparative study on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evenly highly successful psychotherapeutic treatment method for trauma and experience-based problems. In a third meta-theoretical chapter TPM and some of its critics are evaluated in accordance with the Philosophy of the Cosmonomic Idea. Following that, the data of the meta-theoretical chapters were compared in a hermeneutical way with the first practical theory of TPM and all its critique, as well as the reformative theological tradition. The final conclusions of the research indicate that TPM can be recommended to the reformed pastoral ministry as a reformative Scripturally sound method for inner healing and that the TPM theory, practice and context can be improved on several points as has been suggested in the study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / O presente trabalho se constitui em uma apresentação do pensamento e sistema filosófico do holandês Herman Dooyeweerd. Nele, discutem-se os fundamentos sob os quais o autor constrói o que ele denominou de filosofia cosmonômica, identificando-se no movimento do neocalvinismo do final do séc. XIX, de Abraham Kuyper, como a tradição na qual o pensamento dooyeweerdiano está localizado. Com vistas ao oferecimento de uma introdução aos principais elementos presentes no pensamento do filósofo de Amsterdam, este trabalho está estruturado em três capítulos. No primeiro, intitulado Panorama da modernidade, faz-se uma breve discussão a respeito desse período histórico e do ideal de racionalidade advindo com ele, para em seguida, apresentar a proposta de Dooyeweerd, como uma leitura crítica da modernidade, via a denúncia do dogma da autonomia religiosa da razão. O segundo capítulo, Elementos constitutivos da filosofia cosmonômica, versa a respeito da linguagem conceitual do autor, refletindo sobre o significado de cosmonomia e seus desdobramentos para a construção de uma filosofia genuinamente cristã, que se diferencia de uma proposta escolástica. No terceiro capítulo, denominado A recepção do pensamento de Dooyeweerd no contexto brasileiro, é realizada uma análise, a partir da tradição kuyperiana-dooyeweerdiana, de possíveis modelos de relação entre o cristianismo e a cultura no Brasil. Na sequência, aponta-se a crítica dos neocalvinistas a um modelo dualista e segmentado de interação com a esfera cultural. Em contraposição a ele, é defendida uma compreensão de cristianismo como força transformadora e redentora da cultura. Em seguida, faz-se uma reflexão a respeito dos pontos de aproximação e de tensão entre a visão neocalvinista e as perspectivas teológicas da Missão Integral e da Teologia da Libertação, em uma tentativa de diálogo entre essas ricas tradições. Por fim, faz-se um balanço e avaliação de possíveis contribuições da construção dooyeweerdiana, tanto em termos acadêmicos, como é o caso do diálogo entre fé e racionalidade, e, em conversa com o desenvolvimento de uma Teologia Pública. / This dissertation constitutes itself as a presentation of the thought and the philosophic system of the Dutch Herman Dooyeweerd. In it, is discussed the foundations upon which the author built what he called the cosmonomic philosophy, identifying in the nineteenth century neocalvinsm movement of Abraham Kuyper the tradition in which the dooyweerdian thought is located. Aiming to introduce the main elements of the amsterdammer philosophers thought this work is structured in three chapters. In the first one, called Panoramic view of modernity, is made a brief discussion about this historical period, reflecting on the ideal of rationality that came with it in order to present the Dooyeweerds proposal as a critic view of modernity, by the means of his denounce of the dogma of the religious autonomy of reason. The second chapter, Constitutive elements of the cosmonomic philosophy, demonstrates the authors conceptual language, reflecting about the meaning of cosmonomic and its unfolding towards a construction of a truly Christian philosophy which differs itself of the scholastic perspective. In the third chapter, named The reception of the Dooyeweerds thought in the Brazilian context is made an analysis from a kuyperian-dooyeweerdian tradition of possible models of relation between Christianity and culture in Brazil. In the sequence, it is showed the neocalvinistic critic towards a dualistic and segmented model of interaction with the cultural sphere. In opposition to this model, is defended an understanding of Christianity as a power of transformation and redemption of the culture. Following that, a reflection is made about the convergent and divergent elements between the neocalvinstic view and the theological perspectives of Missão Integral (Comprehensive Mission) and Liberation Theology, in an attempt to establish a dialog between these traditions. Finally, it is presented an evaluation of possible contributions of the dooyeweerdian construction in academic terms as well as in the case of a faith/rationality dialog, having in perspective the developing of a Public Theology.