Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:19:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos Flavio Teixeira.pdf: 2910487 bytes, checksum: 5f22f4cbfc5d01fe0ebd2a483f6c3bb3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-12-05 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This dissertation presents a non-exhaustive approach about the theme of freedom from the perspective of a North American Protestant Christian theologian named Ellen G. White. The dissertation starts with a study about her life and the social-cultural and geopolitical contexts, in which she lived in, approaching her literary writings and the importance of her way to systematize her thoughts in order to understand her reasoning about the proposed theme. It is taken as a criterion for analysis her system of organizing her thoughts in three theological lines of thinking named respectively Integral Theology, Theology of Commitment, and the Theology of Discipleship that together constitute her theological perspective of freedom. The first line of reasoning justifies the reasons of freedom, the second one explains how liberty occurs in human being, and the third one explains the itinerary of its positive exteriorization for humanity. The dissertation continues exploring the concepts, foundations, features and thematic developments of each element which comprises the theological itinerary that has been mentioned, and highlighting the theologians that strongly influenced the author and pointing out her closest perspectives compare to the posteriors theologians. The dissertation concludes proposing that, by the authors perspective, freedom is a significant expression of a committed life to serve with love in a piety way. Thus, freedom is a condition lived for those who believe and surrender themselves to God, experiencing an enduring life of love and self-sacrificing service to the neighbor, a reality that is witnessed through a genuine Christian piety. And lastly, the dissertation challenges the reader to an urgent perception, critical thinking, and a balanced proactive reaction towards the humanists ideologies of an exclusive anthropocentric matrix, presenting them as the main foundations of postmodern misconceptions about freedom. Given this reality, the dissertation proposes to rehumanize the idea of liberty through a theocentric perspective, by returning to God and His word, and for this action Ellen G. White s proposal seems to be a Teo-humanizing potential of great value that may enable even the harmonious development of human wholeness. / Este trabalho de pesquisa faz uma abordagem não exaustiva acerca da temática da liberdade na perspectiva da teóloga cristã protestante norte-americana Ellen G. White, partindo do estudo de sua pessoa e dos contextos geopolítico e sociocultural nos quais viveu, avançando ainda para uma noção de sua produção literária e a importância da sistematização de seu pensamento para uma compreensão de sua tratativa quanto ao tema proposto. Toma-se como critério de análise a organização de seu pensamento em três linhas de raciocínios teológicos chamadas, respectivamente, Teologia Integral, Teologia do Compromisso e Teologia do Discipulado, as quais, combinadas, constituem sua perspectiva teológica de liberdade. Mostra-se que a primeira linha justifica as razões da liberdade, a segunda explica como ela ocorre no ser humano, e a terceira propõe o roteiro de sua exteriorização positiva para a humanidade. Segue-se, então, examinando os conceitos, fundamentos, características e desdobramentos temáticos de cada um dos elementos constituintes dos roteiros teológicos mencionados, evidenciando os teólogos que mais influenciaram a autora e apontando as aproximações de sua perspectiva à de teólogos que lhe são posteriores. Em conclusão, propõe-se, na perspectiva da autora, liberdade como expressão significante de uma vida comprometida com o servir em amor de forma piedosa. Liberdade é, assim, uma condição experimentada por aqueles que creem e se submetem a Deus, experimentando uma vida de permanente amor e serviço abnegado ao próximo, realidade testemunhada na prática da genuína piedade cristã. E, por último, desafia-se o leitor à urgente percepção, crítica e reação proativa equilibrada em relação às ideologias humanistas de matriz antropocêntrica exclusiva, mostrando-as como principais fundamentos dos equívocos (pós)modernos de liberdade. Diante dessa realidade, propõe-se a reumanização da ideia de liberdade numa perspectiva teocêntrica por meio do retorno a Deus e à Sua Palavra, empreendimento para o qual a proposta de Ellen G. White se mostra um potencial Teo-humanizador de considerável valor, capaz de possibilitar inclusive o desenvolvimento harmônico da integralidade humana.

This study flows from an awareness of the crisis in the church, and specifically in the Dutch Reformed Church The Reeds, concerning the lack of faith identity as well as the lack of assimilation with the faith community after confirmation. The hypothesis chosen for this study, which also determined the opening argument, was that parental mentorship and involvement of parents in faith development assist in the development, understanding and living of children’s faith identity as well as their assimilation with the faith community after confirmation. The opposite of this is also made clear – a lack of parental mentorship and involvement of parents in faith development is the cause of the absence of faith identity and assimilation with the faith community after confirmation. From a perspective of building up the local church this hypothesis is examined theologically, psychologically and empirically. The study concludes that this hypothesis definitely holds ground. The role of the involvement or absence of parents in children’s faith identity and faith development is examined. The role of the faith community in supporting parents with their mentoring role is also probed and the results clearly indicate the need for an adjustment in the approach of the church’s youth ministry. Another meaningful finding is that there has been a shift in the past few decades (regarding where the responsibility for the development of children’s faith lie) from parents to the faith community. Parents were gradually shifted out of youth ministry, which caused the drop-off culture that currently exists. To ensure a generation that understands and live their faith identity and who are still actively involved in their faith community after confirmation, begs for definite action. To address this crisis, different strategies and action plans are proposed in order to move away from church-centred, home-supporting youth ministry to home-centred, church-supporting youth ministry. This implies long-term implementation and will result in parents once again taking primary responsibility for the faith development of their children. This further infers that faith communities must include parents in the ministry to children before and during their Sunday-school and catechism years. Copyright / Dissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

AFRIKAANS: Hierdie studie het ten doel gehad om die ampsbegrip van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA) te meet aan die “amp” of te wel bedieninge in die Nuwe Testament, en meer spesifiek Jesus se oproep tot dissipelskap in Markus 8:34. Daar is aangetoon dat die historiese Jesus steeds relevant is vir kerklike teologie in die opsig dat daar ʼn saaklike kontinuïteit bestaan tussen die historiese Jesus en die kerk van vandag. Die slotsom waartoe gekom is, is dat daar in Jesus se oproep tot dissipelskap in Markus 8:34 ʼn implisiete ampsbegrip teenwoordig is, waarvan diensbaarheid op grond van selfverloëning, kruis opneem en navolging, die essensie vorm. Omdat die kerk bestaan uit ʼn groep gelowiges en daar in die kerk ook leiding gegee moet word, is ook aandag gegee aan leierskap en die vorming van kleingroepe soos gesien vanuit die sosiale wetenskappe. As verdere rede hiervoor kan aangevoer word dat groepvorming een van die belangrikste eienskappe is van institusionalisering. Die resultate van hierdie gedeelte is toegepas op die beweging rondom Jesus ten einde te sien hoe charisma en institusionalisering daarvan in die beweging rondom Jesus gefunksioneer het. Verder is ook gekyk na groepsdinamiek in die beweging rondom Jesus op grond van die funksionering van charisma in hierdie groep. Vervolgens is daar gewys op die rol wat institusionalisering van charisma gespeel het in die Pauliniese-, deutero-Pauliniese- en Pastorale Briewe. Kontinuïteit tussen die vroeë kerk en die Jesussaak is ook onder die soeklig geplaas. Omdat die ampsbegrip van die NHKA onder andere baie sterk steun op die denke van die reformatore soos Calvyn, is Calvyn se ampsbegrip asook die invloed van ander Reformatore se denke op dié van Calvyn, aan die orde gestel. Opsommend is ʼn paar slotopmerkings gemaak oor die ampsbegrip van die NHKA soos verwoord in sy Kerkorde en bevestigingsformuliere. Die gedagte is dat hierdie opmerkings vir die NHKA as riglyn kan dien vir die vorming van ʼn eietydse ampsbegrip. Die opsommende opmerkings word gemaak op grond van die resultate van die studie van Jesus se oproep tot dissipelskap ten einde te verseker dat die NHKA sy dienswerk doen in ooreenstemming met die Woord van God. Hierdie dienswerk word verrig in ʼn wêreld wat ver verwyderd is van dié waarin Jesus geleef en gedien het. ENGLISH: This study aims to examine the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa’s (NHKA) understanding of church office and measure it by “office” or ministries in the New Testament, and specifically by Jesus’ calling to discipleship in Mark 8:34. The relevance of the historical Jesus for contemporary church theology is indicated by the “essential” (Sache) continuity that exists between the historical Jesus and the church today. The study concludes that there is an implicit understanding of office present in Jesus’ calling to discipleship in Mark 8:34. The essence of this calling is servitude based on self denial, the taking up one’s cross and the following of Jesus. Because the church consists of a group of believers, who needs guidance, a part of the study focuses on leadership and the forming of small groups as described by social sciences. Another reason why this focus is important is that group forming is an essential characteristic of institutionalization. The results of this part of the study are applied to the movement around Jesus, the purpose of which is to study the functioning of charisma and institutionalization in this movement. Attention is also given to the group dynamic in the movement based on the functioning of charisma. Subsequently the role of institutionalization in the Pauline-, deutero-Pauline- and Pastoral Epistles are shown. The continuity between the early church and the Jesus cause is examined as well. The NHKA bases it’s understanding of church office to a large extent on the thoughts of reformers like Calvin. Therefore Calvin’s understanding of church office, as well as the influence that other reformers’ thoughts had on Calvin, is examined. Consequently a few remarks are made on the NHKA’s understanding of church office, as described in the NHKA church ordinance and the formulary for the confirmation of office-bearers. The aim is for these remarks to serve as a guideline for the NHKA to form a contemporary understanding of church office. The concluding remarks are derived from the results of the study on Jesus’ calling to discipleship, with the aim of assuring that the NHKA serves and works in correspondence to the Word of God. This serving is done in a world very different from the one in which Jesus lived and served. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

German text / Die vorliegende Arbeit schlägt eine Brücke über den Graben zwischen dem normativ-ethischen Anspruch an die Lebenslänglichkeit einer Ehe und Gottes gnädigem Handeln gegenüber dem scheiternden Menschen. Anhand des Umgangs der Kirchen und Glaubensgemeinschaften mit Ehescheidung und Wiederheirat wird dieser Graben aufgezeigt. Es ergibt sich, dass die bestehende Spannung jeweils durch die einseitige Betonung von Norm oder Gnade aufgelöst wird. Die Grundlage für die Diskussion bilden das massgebende Eheverständnis sowie die Bestimmung des Verhältnisses zwischen theologischer Ethik und dem Konzept der Gnade als Handlungsprinzip Gottes. Darum werden in dieser Forschungsarbeit zuerst die theologiegeschichtlich gewachsenen Eheverständnisse und die unterschiedlichen Normen- und Gnadenverständnisse der römisch katholischen Kirche, der evangelischen Kirchen und der evangelikalen Gemeinschaften in Bezug auf den Umgang mit Scheidung und Wiederheirat untersucht. Aufgrund der herausgearbeiteten Übereinstimmungen und Unterschiede wird anschliessend anhand eines von der Vergebung ausgehenden Denkansatzes der Graben zwischen normativer Ethik und dem Konzept der Gnade überbrückt, die Spannung aber nicht aufgehoben. Daraus werden mögliche Auswirkungen im Umgang mit Scheidung und Wiederheirat für die Kirchen und Gemeinschaften abgeleitet. / The present thesis bridges the gap between the normative-ethical standard of lifelong marriage on the one hand and God’s grace for men‘s failures on the other hand. Considering the practices of churches and communities with regard to divorce and remarriage, this gap is demonstrated. It is found that the associated tension is eliminated by an unilateral choice of either the normative aspect or the principle of grace. The basis for the discussion is provided by the relevant understanding of marriage and the determination of the relationship between theological ethics and grace as the principle of God's action towards mankind. Therefore, this thesis investigates the evolution of the theological understanding of marriage during history and the different understandings of norms and grace in the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church and the Evangelical Free Communities with regard to their handling of divorce and remarriage. Considering the resulting similarities and differences, I propose – building on the fact of God’s forgiveness – how to bridge the gap between normative ethics and the concept of grace without eliminating the obvious tension. Finally, possible consequences for how to handle divorce and remarriage by churches and communities are drawn. / Philosophy and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Theological Ethics)

Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa / This research analyses the role of Christian leaders in the schisms that occurred in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Southern Africa, from 1899 to 1908. The study assesses whether their character and conduct were in keeping with the requirements of the law of the Church and the model of ethical leadership developed in this dissertation. The study assesses the different reasons for the schisms, as well as the impact of these schisms on the community, taking into consideration the socio-cultural contexts of the time. The dissertation discusses how Christian leaders ought to act and evaluates the consequences of the decisions made by the relevant leaders. Finally, the study explores pathways towards the restoration of separated churches. The study argues that the spiritual and moral formation of Christian leaders is essential for both the restoration of the AME Church and the prevention of schisms in the future / Hierdie navorsing ontleed die rol van Christelike leiers in die breuke wat van 1899 tot 1908 in die Afrika-Metodiste- Episkopale Kerk in Suidelike Afrika voorgekom het. Die studie assesseer of hul karakter en optrede ooreengestem het met die vereistes van die wet van die Kerk en die model van etiese leierskap wat in hierdie dissertasie ontwikkel is. In die studie is die verskillende redes vir die breuke geassesseer, sowel as die impak van hierdie skeurings op die gemeenskap, met inagneming van die sosio-kulturele kontekste van die tyd. Die dissertasie bespreek hoe Christelike leiers veronderstel is om op te tree en evalueer die gevolge van die tersaaklike leiers se besluite. Laastens bied die dissertasie ʼn blik op moontlike maniere om kerke wat geskei geraak het, te herstel. Die studie voer aan dat die spirituele en morele formasie van Christelike leiers noodsaaklik is vir sowel die herstel van die AME-kerk as die voorkoming van skeurings in die toekoms. / Olu phando luphengulula indima yeenkokheli zobuKrestu kuqhekeko olwenzeka kwinkonzo yamaWesile eyaziwa ngokuba yiAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church in Southern Africa, kwiminyaka ephakathi kowe-1899 nowe-1908. Esi sifundo sivavanya indlela ezi nkokheli zaziphatha ngayo, nokuba ingaba zayilandela njani imigaqo nemithetho yeCawa. Isifundo esi sikwaqwalasela, zizame ukuphuhlisa indlela emsulwa yobunkokheli. Esi sifundo siqwalasela izizathu ezahlukeneyo zoqhekeko, nefuthe lolu qhekeko eluntwini, phakathi kweemeko zentlalo nenkcubeko yelo xesha. Uphando olu luxoxa ngokuba iinkokheli zobuKrestu zifanele ukuziphatha njani kwaye lukwavavanya iziphumo zezigqibo ezathathwa ziinkokheli ezazithatha inxaxheba ngelo xesha.Ekugqibeleni, olu phando luqwalasela iindlela zokubuyelana kweecawe ezaqhekekayo. Isifundo esi sibeka elokuba ubume bomoya nesimilo seenkokheli zobuKrestu bungundoqo kwaye bubalulekile ekubuyiseleni iCawe iAME nokunqanda ukuba kungaze kuphinde kubekho uqhekeko. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Christian leadership)

Text in German, with summaries in German, English and Xhosa / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-138) / In dieser Foschungsarbeit werden zwei theologische Ansätze auf Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede zueinander untersucht. Hierfür wird zunächst die täuferisch-mennonitische Gemeindearbeit auf ihre zugrundeliegende Theologie und Ekklesiologie untersucht. Als nächstes wendet sich der Fokus dem zweiten Ansatz, der Missionalen Theologie zu. Auch hier wird die zugrundeliegende Theologie und Ekklesiologie untersucht. Die notwendige Zuspitzung erfolgt durch die Eingrenzung auf die Entwicklungen in Deutschland. Nach dieser synchronen Herangehensweise können beide entfalteten theologischen Ansätze miteinander verglichen werden. Anschließend werden praktische Folgerungen gezogen, ob und inwiefern beide theologischen Ansätze miteinander kompartibel sind und welche Integrationsmöglichkeiten lohnenswert erscheinen. Hierbei wird die inhaltliche Nähe beider Ansätze deutlich. Die Missionale Theologie scheint der täuferisch-mennonitischen Gemeindearbeit eine Chance zu bieten, durch Ganzheitlichkeit und Kontextualisierung mehr Relevanz für die Gesellschaft zu entwickeln. / In this research, two theological approaches are examined for commonalities and differences. For this purpose, the Anabaptist-Mennonite church work is first examined for their underlying theology and ecclesiology. Next, the focus turns to the second approach, the missional theology. Again, the underlying theology and ecclesiology is examined. The necessary aggravation is achieved by limiting it to developments in Germany. Following this synchronic approach, both unfolded theological approaches can be compared. Subsequently, practical conclusions are drawn as to whether and to what extent both theological approaches are compatible with each other and which integration options seem worthwhile. The content of both approaches becomes clear. Missionary theology seems to offer Anabaptist-Mennonite church work a chance to develop more relevance for society through holistic and contextualization. / Kolu phando, iindlela ezimbini zakwalizwi ziyavavanywa kwizinto eziqhelekileyo kunye nokwahluka. Ukulungiselela le njongo, umsebenzi wecawe yama-Anabaptist-Mennonite kuqala uvavanyelwa isiseko sabo semfundiso yenkolo kunye ne-ecclesiology. Emva koko, ukugxila kugxila kwindlela yesibini, i-theology yobufundisi. Kwakhona, kuyaxilongwa ubuxhakaxhaka besayensi kunye ne-ecclesiology. Ukongezwa okufanelekileyo kufezekiswa ngokunciphisa umda kuphuhliso lwaseJamani. Ukulandela le ndlela ye-synchronic, zombini iindlela ezingachazwanga zenkolo zingathelekiswa. Emva koko, izigqibo ezisebenzayo ziyatsalwa malunga nokuba ingaba iindlela zombini ezi ndlela zenkolo ziyahambelana kwaye yeyiphi indlela yokudibanisa ebonakala iluncedo. Umxholo wezi ndlela zombini ucacile. ITheology yabefundisi ibonakala ngathi inika icawe yama-Anabaptist-Mennonite ithuba lokuphuhlisa ukubaluleka koluntu ngokubhala izinto nangomxholo / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

[pt] A escolha do tema Relação pessoal com Jesus Cristo provém, não só da possibilidade de ser um assunto investigado, com cunho científico, marcado pela inovação e em discussões acadêmicas, mas também do fato de que, embora a vida humana seja dinâmica relacional, o ser humano está sempre inclinado ao Absoluto, à plenitude de vida, com o desejo de alcançar o sentido de sua vida, numa relação com Aquele que é o sentido da sua vida. Os objetivos foram não só o de propiciar reflexão sobre esse verdadeiro encontro, do qual ninguém pode sair da mesma forma, pois ele gera o testemunho do que foi vivido, bem como ratificar que esta Relação advém da iniciativa do próprio Deus que oferece a Si mesmo, em Jesus Cristo, através de diversas realidades. Para buscar fundamentação teórica filosófico-teológica de reforço à argumentação proposta, aborda-se, na metodologia, a pesquisa bibliográfica, como efeito também da revisão do material distribuído nas aulas, e a documental, com as normas técnicas e Documentos do Magistério. Os resultados obtidos, a partir da observação e análise dos textos permitem concluir que é possível o homem fazer uma profunda experiência de encontro com Ele para transformar a vida no hoje da existência humana. Basta que esta esteja atenta à Sua presença marcante no mundo contemporâneo. / [en] The choice of the theme Personal relationship with Jesus Christ comes, not only from the possibility of being a subject investigated on a scientific aspect, marked by innovation and in academic discussions, but also on the fact that, although human life is relational dynamics, the human being is always inclined to the Absolute, to the fullness of his life with the desire of achieving the sense of his life, in a relationship with the One who is the meaning of his life. The objectives were not only to provide a reflection about this true meeting, which no one can leave the same way he or she was before, because it generates the testimony of what was lived, and to ratify that this relationship comes from the initiative of the proper God who offers Himself in Jesus Christ, through different realities. To seek for philosophical-theological theoretical basis as a support for the argument proposed, we discuss, in the methodology, the bibliographic research, as effect also of the review of the material distributed in class, and the documentary, with the technical standards and the Documents of the Magisterium. The results obtained, from the observation and analysis of texts allow us to conclude that man can make a profound experience of meeting with Him to transform life in the today of human existence. It must be just attentive to His strong presence in the contemporary world.

Text in German / Die Arbeit ist eine ekklesiologisch-rnissiologische Untersuchung einer Migrantengruppe, der uber eine Viertelrnillion zahlender Russlanddeutscher, evangelisch freikirchlicher Tradition, die innerhalb von 35 Jahren, beginnend rnit 1963, als Aussiedler aus der vorrnaligen Sowjetunion in die Bundesrepublik Deutschland eingewandert sind. Die Aussiedlung und Einwanderung geschah in Absprache beider Staaten als Farnilienzusarnrnenfiihrung von Menschen deutscher Volkszugehorigkeit, die durch den zweiten Weltkrieg getrennt worden waren. Ethnisch ein Tei! von rund 1.900.000 Menschen, die oft nach vielen, anstrengenden aber entschlossenen Bernilhungen die Erlaubnis erlangten auszureisen. In Deutschland wurden sie unerwartet freundlich und hilfreich aufgenornrnen. Da keine offiziellen Angaben fiber die Anzahl der eingewanderten freikirchlichen Aussiedler vorliegen, war das erste Ziel der Studie, ihre zahlenrnaBige GroBe festzustellen. Ergebnis: Etwa 270.000 Personen sind als Farnilien der baptistischen und rnennonitischen Freikirche zuzurechnen. Von ihnen hatten sich rund 55.000 Erwachsene dern christlichen Glauben zugewandt und sich diesen Gerneinden angeschlossen. Die anderen waren Minderjahrige oder der Gerneinde bisher ferngeblieben. Erst nach der Aufnahrne in das Land ihrer Yater rnerkten viele, dass sie Frernde in der Heirnat waren. Wollten sie nicht Frernde bleiben, rnussten sie sich sozial, kulturell und kirchlich durch Anpassung integrieren. Dieser Prozess ist schwer, weil der einzelne Einwanderer sich dazu verandern rnuss. Zunachst aber wollen viele bleiben wie sie sind und so leben, wie sie in der alten Heirnat gelebt hatten. Besonders schwierig erweist sich die kirchliche Integration. Etwa sechs von sieben freikirchlichen Aussiedlern ( etwa 48.000) haben eigene Gerneinden gegrilndet, die anderen ( etwa 7 .000) haben ihre geistliche Heirnat in bestehenden Gerneinden gefunden. Diese neugegrilndeten Gerneinden weisen flir die BRD eine uberdurchschnittliche Wachsturnsrate auf. Ein zweites Anliegen ging der Frage nach, wie diese Gerneinden wachsen: Durch neuen Zuzug aus der GUS oder durch Bekehrung und Taufe? Ergebnis: Von den rund 62.000 Mitglieder (aus den ursprilnglichen 48.000) in Aussiedlereigenen Gerneinden (Stand 1998) sind rund 24.500 Glaubige in Verbindung rnit der Taufe zur Gerneinde gekornrnen. Die Zahl der Aussiedler-Taufen in den einheirnischen Gerneinden ist nicht bekannt. Drittens wurde diskutiert, inwiefern die Gerneinden ihre Lebensordnung bewahren und trotzdern ihren Missionsauftrag wahrnehrnen konnen. / The thesis is an ecclesio-missiological study of a migrant group of more than a quarter of a million Russian Germans, by tradition free church evangelicals. Beginning in 1963, they migrated from the former Soviet Union as 'Aussiedler' (re-settlers) to the Federal Republic of Germany. The resettling - agreed upon by both states - was a program of re-uniting families that had been separated during the Second World War. Ethnically, part of a larger group of 1,900.000 German people who, after exhausting but determined efforts, were permitted to leave for Germany. Here being welcomed and given generous material and social support. As no statistics about evangelical free church family immigrants are recorded, the first aim of the research was to establish their numerical size. The result:: By 1998 some 270,000 family members of this confession had entered Germany. Of these about 55,000 were adult Christian believers who had become members of a Baptist or a Mennonite Church. The rest were minors or adults with no confession of faith to date. In the country of their forbears many of the 'Aussiedler' realised: ,,We are strangers in our homeland. If we do not want to remain strangers, we need to adjust culturally, socially and religiously". Initially many resisted change. Change in to religious customs was particularly difficult. As a result, many did not join existing churches but established new congregations where they could practice their faith in the traditions familiar to them. Since the new 'Aussiedler' churches have been growing at an above average growth rate, the second goal was to investigate the reasons for this phenomenon. How much growth was by immigrantion? How much by conversion and baptism? It was found that of the ca. 62,000 members in the Aussiedler congregations (1998) ca. 24,500 had joined through baptism. The others had come in by immigration. A third area of discussion related to the question: In how far can immigrant Christians retain their own culture and still be faithful to their missionary calling? / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)

The subject of this study is Christian education in the church. This practical-theological work starts from the premise of the relevance of a commitment experience for the faith development of the individual and studies the formats and contents of continuing formal faith education of young Christians in evangelical free churches in a postmodern-urban milieu in Frankfurt. Its aim is to find out how well the New Testament discipleship topics of Jesus are integrated into the faith education in the church, and what reception difficulties and chances they experience in regard to the Zeitgeist. Are the New Testament discipleship topics still the basic guidelines with regard to content? The relationship between faith development, faith education and the local church is presented within a religion- and church-pedagogical approach and a connection to education for discipleship is made. The biblical premise is the discipleship commission of Jesus (Mt 28:18-20) and its church-pedagogical reply. / Der Untersuchungsgegenstand ist die christliche Erziehung in der Gemeinde. Diese praktisch-theologische Arbeit geht aus von der Bedeutung einer Commitment-Erfahrung für die Glaubensentwicklung des Einzelnen und untersucht die Formate und Inhalte der weiterführenden formalen Glaubenserziehung junger Christen in evangelikal-freikirchlichen Gemeinden im postmodern-urbanen Umfeld in Frankfurt. Ihr Ziel ist es, herauszufinden, inwiefern heute die neutestamentlichen Nachfolgethemen Jesu in der gemeindlichen Glaubenserziehung behandelt werden und welche Rezeptionsschwierigkeiten und Chancen sie im heutigen Zeitgeist haben. Sind dabei die neutestamentlichen Nachfolgethemen Jesu noch die inhaltlichen Grundrichtlinien? In einem religions- und gemeindepädagogischen Zugang wird die Beziehung von Glaubensentwicklung, Glaubenserziehung und der Ortsgemeinde gezeigt und mit der Erziehung zur Nachfolge verknüpft. Der biblische Ausgangspunkt ist der Jüngerschaftsauftrag Jesu (Mt 28,18-20) und dessen gemeindepädagogische Antwort. / Practical Theology / M. Th.(Practical Theology)