[pt] A história, a memória e a teologia, preservada nos versos das canções produzidas pelas Comunidades Eclesiais de Base, são de suma importância para a História Eclesiástica. Os cantos do Cancioneiro Popular das CEBs constituem uma realidade presente na Igreja do Brasil. Era preciso adentrar a história desses cantos, revisitar suas memórias e analisar sua teologia para compreender melhor o valor que a CNBB atribui a estas canções. Esta dissertação objetiva analisar a construção da história, memória e teologia das canções do Cancioneiro Popular das CEBs. Objetiva analisar de maneira histórico-teológico a arte produzida pelos adeptos da Teologia da Libertação. Essas Canções de Esperança são um patrimônio vivo, que trazem em si o legado das lutas, vitórias e derrotas dos que a todo custo tentaram denunciar as injustiças e anunciar que o reino já está entre nós. As canções cebianas trazem em si uma antecipação escatológica de uma realidade já existente, porém, ainda não completada. Nas canções das CEBs são facilmente encontradas traços da Teologia da Práxis e da Teologia da Esperança, por isso, a teologia apresentada nestas canções provocam uma inquietação no homem que por causa de Cristo não se contenta com a realidade dada, deseja contradizê-la. Percebe-se, assim, que a tensão faz parte da vida cristã – apesar da esperança – e que toda a vida do homem está embebida da índole escatológica que deve ser vivida à luz da Esperança maior que se faz realidade já aqui, mas ainda não é aqui. Logo, essas canções fomentam a luta para que a realidade do já seja uma antecipação do ainda não. / [en] The history, memory and theology, preserved in the verses of the songs produced by the Ecclesial Base Communities, are of paramount importance for Ecclesiastical History. The songs of the Popular Songbook of CEBs are a present reality in the Church of Brazil. It was necessary to enter the history of these songs, revisit their memories and analyze their theology to better understand the value that the CNBB attributes to these songs. This dissertation aims to analyze the construction of the history, memory and theology of the songs of the Popular Songbook of CEBs. It aims to analyze in a historical-theological way the art produced by the followers of Liberation Theology. These Songs of Hope are a living heritage that bring in themselves the legacy of the struggles, victories and defeats of those who at all costs tried to denounce injustice and announce that the kingdom is already among us. The Cebian songs bring in themselves an eschatological anticipation of an already existing reality, however, not yet completed. In the songs of CEBs, traces of the Theology of Praxis and Theology of Hope are easily found, so the theology presented in these songs provokes an uneasiness in the man who, because of Christ, is not content with the given reality, wants to contradict it. It is thus perceived that tension is part of the Christian life - in spite of hope - and that the whole life of man is embedded in the eschatological nature that must be lived in the light of the greater Hope that becomes already here, but Not yet is here. Therefore, these songs foment the struggle for the reality of the already to be an anticipation of the not yet.

[pt] A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo principal estudar o modo como se relacionam, no profeta Malaquias, a crise do sacerdócio, descrita de modo particular em 2,1-9, e a perspectiva escatológica apresentada em 2,17 - 3,5. A pesquisa considera que, embora em 2,1-9 prevaleça o discurso de juízo sobre os sacerdotes faltosos, no v. 4 é delineada uma perspectiva salvífica. Tal perspectiva é desenvolvida em 2,17 - 3,5, onde o tema da purificação do sacerdócio e do restabelecimento do culto domina a maior parte do texto (cf. 3,2-4). Para o estudo das unidades textuais seguiu-se o Método Histórico Crítico nas suas etapas essenciais, conjugando-o, de modo particular no comentário aos textos, com a análise sincrônica, considerando-se cada uma das perícopes na sua forma final e canônica. Com relação a 2,17 - 3,5 procurou-se identificar os elementos que permitem caracterizar este texto como escatológico e delinear suas perspectivas principais. O estudo conjunto das perícopes demonstrou que, em Malaquias, o juízo previsto em 2,1-9 é revertido a partir da perspectiva escatológica apresentada em 2,17 - 3,5. Uma vez que os sacerdotes são os ministros do culto e este é a manifestação da dimensão propriamente religiosa da relação de Deus com seu povo, YHWH mesmo agirá, em primeiro lugar por meio de seu mensageiro, purificando os sacerdotes e restabelecendo o culto na sua integridade e, depois, atuando como testemunha contra os que não o temem. / [en] The aim of this research is to study how the prophet Malachi relates the priesthood crisis, described in particular in 2:1-9, with the eschatological perspective presented in 2:17 - 3:5. The research considers that while in 2:1-9 the judgmental discourse on the faulty priests prevails, in v. 4 is outlined a salvific perspective. This perspective is developed in 2:17 - 3:5, where the theme of priesthood purification and the reestablishment of worship dominates most of the text (cf. 3:2-4). For the study of the textual units, was followed the Critical Historical Method in its essential stages, combining it, particularly in the commentary on the texts, with the synchronic analysis, considering each of the pericopes in its final and canonical form. With respect to 2:17 - 3:5 it was tried to identify the elements that allow characterizing this text as eschatological and delineating its main perspectives. The joint study of the pericopes has shown that in Malachi the judgment predicted in 2:1-9 is reversed from the eschatological perspective presented in 2:17 – 3:5. Since the priests are the ministers of worship and this is the manifestation of the properly religious dimension of God s relationship with his people, YHWH himself will firstly act through his messenger, purifying the same priests and restoring the integrity of the worship, and so he will act as a witness against those who do not fear him.

The principal aim of this study is to discern what has shaped the author of 1 Peter to regard Christian suffering as a necessary (1.6) and to-be-expected (4.12) component of faithful allegiance to Jesus Christ. Most research regarding suffering in 1 Peter has limited the scope of inquiry to two particular aspects—its cause and nature, and the strategies that the author of 1 Peter employs in order to enable his addressees to respond in faithfulness. There remains, however, the need for a comprehensive explanation for the source that has generated 1 Peter’s theology of Christian suffering. If Jesus truly is the Christ, God’s chosen redemptive agent who has come to restore God’s people, then how can it be that Christian suffering is a necessary part of discipleship after his coming, death and resurrection? What led the author of 1 Peter to such a startling conclusion, which seems to runs against the grain of the eschatological hopes and expectations of Jewish restoration ideology? This thesis analyzes the appropriation of shepherd and fiery trials imagery, and argues that the author of 1 Peter is dependent upon Zechariah 9-14 for his theology of Christian suffering. Said in another way, the eschatological program of Zechariah 9-14, read through the lens of the Gospel, functions as the substructure for 1 Peter’s eschatology and thus its theology of Christian suffering. In support of this hypothesis, this study highlights the fact that Zechariah 9- 14 was available and appropriated in early Christianity, in particular in the Passion Narrative tradition; that the shepherd imagery of 1 Pet 2.25 is best understood within the milieu of the Passion Narrative tradition, and that it alludes to the eschatological program of Zechariah 9-14; that the fiery trials imagery found in 1 Peter 1.6-7 and 1 Pet 4.12 is distinct from that which we find in Greco-Roman and OT wisdom sources, and that it shares exclusive parallels with some unique features of the eschatological program of Zechariah 9-14; that Zechariah 9-14 offers a more satisfying explanation for the modification of Isa 11.2 in 1 Pet 4.14, the transition from 4.12-19 to 5.1-4, why Peter has oriented his letter with the term διασπορά, and why he has described his addresses as οἶκος τοῦ θεοῦ; and finally that 1 Peter contains an implicit foundational narrative that shares distinct parallels with the eschatological program of Zechariah 9-14. We can conclude that 1 Peter offers a unique vista into the way in which at least one early Christian witness came to understand and to communicate the fact that Christian suffering was a necessary feature of faithful allegiance to Jesus Christ.

Early modern English Catholic eschatology, the belief that the present was the last age and an associated concern with mankind’s destiny, has been overlooked in the historiography. Historians have established that early modern Protestants had an eschatological understanding of the present. This thesis seeks to balance the picture and the sources indicate that there was an early modern English Catholic counter narrative. This thesis suggests that the Catholic eschatological understanding of contemporary events affected political action. It investigates early modern English Catholic eschatology in the context of proscription and persecution of Catholicism between 1558 and 1603. Devotional eschatology was the corner stone of individual Catholic eschatology and placed earthly life in an apocalyptic time-frame. Catholic devotional works challenged the regime and questioned Protestantism. Devotional eschatology is suggestive of a worldview which expected an impending apocalypse but there was a reluctance to date the End. With an eschatological outlook normalised by daily devotional eschatology the Reformation and contemporary events were interpreted apocalyptically. An apocalyptic understanding of the break with Rome was not exclusively Protestant. Indeed, the identification of Antichrist was not just a Protestant concern but rather the linchpin of Reformation debates between Catholics and Protestants. Some identified Elizabeth as Jezebel, the Whore of Babylon. The Bull of Excommunication of 1570 and its language provided papal authority for identifications of Elizabeth as the Whore. The execution of Mary Queen of Scots was a flashpoint which enabled previously hidden ideas to burst into public discourse. This was dangerous as eschatology and apocalypticism was a language of political action. An eschatological understanding of contemporary events encouraged conspiracy. The divine plan required human agents. Catholic prophecy and conspiracy show that eschatology did not just affect how the future was thought about but also had implications for the present. This thesis raises questions about Catholic loyalism which other scholars have also begun to challenge. Yet attempts to depose or murder the monarch was not the only response which could be adopted. Belief that one was living in the End also supported what this thesis terms ‘militant passivity’. Martyrs understood their suffering as a form of eschatological agency which revealed and confirmed the identities of the Antichrist and the Whore. The Book of the Apocalypse promised that they would be rewarded at God’s approaching Judgement and the debates of the Reformation would be settled by the ultimate Judge. As martyrs came to symbolise the English Catholic community, it came to understand itself eschatologically. This thesis argues that acknowledging the eschatological dimensions of Catholic perception and action helps us to re-think the nature of early modern English Catholicism.

Through a critical-functional, rather than literal, reading of the text of Revelation, this dissertation hypothesises a move beyond the paralysing constant reduction of hermeneutic meaning to two conventional poles when discussing hope – the early Christian movement’s hope through reversal, and contemporary nihilism. In order to do so in a responsible manner, it is necessary to study other research done on the topics of eschatology and hope – especially as seen in the book of Revelation. For this reason, the most popular and representative scholars of the Book of Revelation are studied. This overall look at current scholarships' views regarding the Apocalypse will help detect any possible missing elements in our approach to Revelation. But no study of this topic can be considered near complete if other disciplines are not involved; in this case especially when moving on to a critical-functional reading of Revelation. This thesis thus features an exploratory study of the functioning of ritual and hope within the human psyche; from archaeological to psychological perspectives. This emphasises the importance of, and leads into, the possibilities of a functional reading of the Book of Revelation. All of the above work leads to a re-evaluation of the success of hope as metanarrative for today. The suggestion is that Christian hope is not imaginary, but is irreducibly imaginative. For “reality is never just the world as it exists; it is the world as it is experienced through the lenses of social perception” (Barr 2010:636). / New Testament / D. Th. (New Testament and Early Christian Studies)

Text in German, summaries in English and German / Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht, wie die paulinische Ethik von der Eschatologie bestimmtwird. Ausgehend von einer Untersuchung der hellenistisch-römischen Jenseitserwartung und ihren (möglichen) ethischen Implikationen werden der 1. Thessalonicherbrief, der1. Korintherbrief und der Römerbrief hinsichtlichdesVerhältnisses von Ethik und Eschatologie analysiert. Durch Bestimmung und Zuordnung eschatologischer Einzelmotive zu ethischen Weisungen wird die These erhoben, dass eschatologische Motive primär der Begründung exklusivethischer Mahnungen dienen, wenngleich sie auch bei inklusiv-ethischen Themen zum Einsatz kommen.Zugleich zeichnet sich ab, dass das (von Paulus charakterisierte)ethisch-moralische Versagen und die Hoffnungslosigkeit der Heiden sowie die Hoffnung und der ethische Anspruch an Christen in Korrelation zueinander stehen. / This thesis examines how Paul’s ethical teaching is determined by his eschatology. Based on a survey of Hellenistic-Roman expectations regarding the hereafter and their potential ethical implications, this study examines 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians and Romans in order to understand the relation between ethics and eschatology. By identifying and matching individual eschatological motifs with ethical directives the thesis proposed that eschatological motifs are primarily utilized as the foundation for exclusive ethical exhortations, although they also appear in the context of inclusive ethical issues. At the same time, it becomes clear that the moral-ethical depravity and hopelessness of the Gentiles (as they are characterised by Paul) as well as hope and the ethical demands on Christians on stand in correlation with each other / New Testament / D. Th. (New Testament)

The study commenced by identifying a theological problem relating to the lack of understanding regarding grass-roots African Pentecostal healing praxis. The empirical-theological approach of Van der Ven was utilised, therefore, to study the healing praxis of an African Pentecostal body, called: The Group‘ Assemblies of God, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Van der Ven‘s original framework was developed by drawing on the hermeneutic and methodological work of Cartledge. A case study was undertaken on a Group‘ Assembly in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The use of social scientific techniques produced a wide range of results that point to the church‘s ministry of healing as a process, rooted in the Trinity, that can occur through varied channels. These pathways ended in a broad understanding of healing. A dialogue between the qualitative results and the healing literature was used to develop a more precise theological question. Case study categories were conceptualised and then operationalised as a questionnaire. A survey was performed on all Assemblies affiliated to The Group‘ Assemblies of God in KwaZulu-Natal. A significant number of people participated in the survey which produced a wide range of data. It is found that worldview and charismatic experience form an important hermeneutic axis that influences attitudes towards the healing ministry. Conservative biblical belief, ethnicity, education and gender influence attitudes towards healing. A distinct divide exists between positive attitudes towards physical, spiritual, inner healing and deliverance and more negative attitudes towards social and environmental healing. The reflection on these results focuses on the perceived influence of American dispensational fundamentalism. The eschatology formed from these beliefs has a narrowing effect on holistic healing ministry. Moltmann‘s transformational eschatology is suggested, therefore, as a suitable alternative. The methodological evaluation finds that several problems exist with regard to research in a rural African location. The cycle concludes by offering a range of suggestions for further study. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

The study commenced by identifying a theological problem relating to the lack of understanding regarding grass-roots African Pentecostal healing praxis. The empirical-theological approach of Van der Ven was utilised, therefore, to study the healing praxis of an African Pentecostal body, called: The Group‘ Assemblies of God, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Van der Ven‘s original framework was developed by drawing on the hermeneutic and methodological work of Cartledge. A case study was undertaken on a Group‘ Assembly in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The use of social scientific techniques produced a wide range of results that point to the church‘s ministry of healing as a process, rooted in the Trinity, that can occur through varied channels. These pathways ended in a broad understanding of healing. A dialogue between the qualitative results and the healing literature was used to develop a more precise theological question. Case study categories were conceptualised and then operationalised as a questionnaire. A survey was performed on all Assemblies affiliated to The Group‘ Assemblies of God in KwaZulu-Natal. A significant number of people participated in the survey which produced a wide range of data. It is found that worldview and charismatic experience form an important hermeneutic axis that influences attitudes towards the healing ministry. Conservative biblical belief, ethnicity, education and gender influence attitudes towards healing. A distinct divide exists between positive attitudes towards physical, spiritual, inner healing and deliverance and more negative attitudes towards social and environmental healing. The reflection on these results focuses on the perceived influence of American dispensational fundamentalism. The eschatology formed from these beliefs has a narrowing effect on holistic healing ministry. Moltmann‘s transformational eschatology is suggested, therefore, as a suitable alternative. The methodological evaluation finds that several problems exist with regard to research in a rural African location. The cycle concludes by offering a range of suggestions for further study. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

This study reflects the belief systems of a nation living their lives as though in exile. It is also an 'echo' of their spiritual journey, stretching from the dawn of humanity until the time of Jesus Christ. It is the testimony of the people who lived in Phoenicia, Antioch, and the holy mountains and valleys of Lebanon. From the time of early Christianity they structured their beliefs according to the general admonition and teaching of the Scripture, and looked forward to the imminent 'return' of Christ. They lived in an atmosphere of preparation for the ready welcome of the 'heavenly Bridegroom'. The background to and the reasoning supporting this study and exposition, is that of understanding the history, spirituality, and the ritual deriving from the beliefs and thought systems of the Christians of the Maronite Catholic Church, and their understanding of the hereafter. It is an attempt to relate the many factors which comprise the 'life' and ritual, the biblical foundation, and the theological and eschatological views of the Maronite Church and its members. / Christin Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (with specialisation in Christian Spirituality)

Text in German / This dissertation is a contribution in the field of Homiletics, a sub-discipline in the area of Practical Theology. It also touches the subjects of Counseling, Cy-bernetics and Religious Pedagogy. Furthermore, it also is concerned with the other theological disciplines: Theology of the OT and NT, Missiology and Sys-tematic Theology. This work also refers intra-disciplinarily to findings in Ethol-ogy, Management Theory, Neurobiology, Neuropsychotherapy and Socio-logy. The basic thesis is, "The goal of the biblical message is the mission oriented church to the glory of God, to the salvation and well-being of man." This will be demonstrated from the Holy Scriptures and made applicable to preaching and to church growth and development. The observation of the church's message results in a new thesis: "The aban-donment of the soteriological message of the church is the main reason for the dwindling of her spiritual power and therewith also of her eschatological and po-litical significance." The abandonment of the mission goes back to a christo-logical crisis. This is grounded on the preaching of less than Biblical messages with negative consequences for the church and for the people whose need for the Gospel remains unfulfilled. It will be shown that in the OT and NT various missions of the Trinity are ob-servable which are to be understood soteriologically, with the exception of the Creation. The Bible is the written expression of these missions that are evidenced within it. The distinct dynamic of the mission of Jesus is based on His obedience, His struggle against the powers of evil and the dedication of His life for the Salva-tion of the world. The ministry that preaches reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18) represents the one who reconciled the world to Himself. The dynamic of His mission corresponds to the dynamic role of the ministry of preaching. It is incumbent on the ministry to evangelize and equip the church members for their service in the congregation. The purpose of equipping the church and calling together is to practice missions. The implementation of missions will bring about a basic positive change in the attitude of the church and her pastoral activities. Because of this, we see that our usual understanding of the sermon is based on the ecclesiological misunder-standing to adress the sermon to individuals (the listener) instead to a faithful body of Christ. The church must be obedient in a new way regard to the question of mission. This is a question of life or death. The message that is preached by the church will lead it either to destruction or to the goal-centered, missions-oriented interaction of her charisms - to the glory of God and the salvation of humankind. Deutsche Zusammenfassung Diese Arbeit liefert einen Beitrag zur Homiletik, einer Teildisziplin der Praktischen Theologie. Dabei berührt sie weitere ihrer Fachrichtungen wie Seelsorge, Kybernetik, Religionspädagogik. Zudem greift sie auf andere theologische Disziplinen zurück: Theologie des AT und NT, Missiologie, Systematische Theologie. Ebenso bezieht sich die Arbeit intradisziplinär auf Ergebnisse der Ethologie, Managementtheorie, Neurobiologie, Neuropsychotherapie, Soziologie. Die Grundthese lautet: ,,Das Ziel biblischer Verkündigung ist die sendungs-orientierte Gemeinde - Gott zum Lob, dem Menschen zur ewigen Rettung und zeitlichem Wohl." Das wird aus der Schrift nachgewiesen und für die Verkündigung und Gemeindeentwicklung fruchtbar gemacht. Aus Wahrnehmungen des hiesigen Predigtgeschehen ergibt sich eine Erkenntnis: ,,Die Preisgabe ihrer soteriologisch zu verstehenden Sendung ist die Hauptursache dafür, dass die spirituelle Kraft der Kirche schwindet und damit ihre eschatologische und politische Bedeutung." Die Preisgabe der Sendung geht auf eine Krise des Christusglaubens der Gemeinde zurück. Diese hat ihre Ursache in der an sie ergehenden Predigt mit schlimmen Folgen für die Gemeinde und die Menschen, denen sie das Evangelium schuldig bleibt. Es wird gezeigt, dass im AT und NT verschiedene Sendungen des Dreieinigen bezeugt sind, die sich, abgesehen von der Schöpfung, soteriologisch verstehen. Die Bibel ist der schriftliche Niederschlag, der in ihr bezeugten Sendungen. Die besondere Dynamik der Sendung Jesu ergibt sich aus seinem Gehorsam, seinem Kampf gegen die Mächte, seiner Lebenshingabe zum Heil der Welt. Der Dienst, der Versöhnung predigt (2. Kor 5,18), repräsentiert den, der die Welt mit sich versöhnte. Der Dynamik seiner Sendung entspricht das dynamische Predigtamt. Ihm obliegt die Zurüstung und Sammlung der Gemeinde mit dem Ziel ihrer Sendung. Die ,,Sammlung zur Sendung" führt zu grundlegenden, positiven Veränderungen der Gemeinden und ihrer pfarramtlichen Praxis. Es zeigt sich, dass unsere gewöhnliche Predigtauffassung auf einem ekklesiologischen Missverständnis beruht: Statt verbindliche, zielgerichtete Sendungsrede zu sein, ist Predigt individualisierende ,,Seelenbedienung". Adressat ist der einzelne Hörer, nicht die sendungsorientierte Gemeinde als Leib Christi. - Die Kirche steht im Blick auf ihre Sendung vor der Frage des Gehorsams als einer Frage von Leben oder Tod. Ihre Predigt führt die Gemeinden entweder ins Verderben oder zum sendungsorientierten Zusammenspiel ihrer Charismen und Dienste - zur Ehre Gottes und der Rettung und dem Wohl der Menschen. / Practical Theology / D.Th.