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This dissertation examines Irenaeus of Lyons’ teaching on the spiritual life through the perspective of his reflections on Gen 1:26—2 7 and the imago Dei. A work of constructive historical theology and spirituality, the project probes Irenaeus’ understanding of the relationship between God and humanity as expressed through his articulation of humankind’s creation and experience in the divine image and likeness. Chapter 1 introduces the bishop of second-century Lugdunum and surveys the essential elements of his spirituality and his doctrine of the imago Dei. Chapter 2 surveys the ways in which the doctrine was interpreted prior to Irenaeus. These include key biblical, philosophical, Gnostic, and patristic sources; together, they illustrate the wide variety of Gen 1:26 interpretations. The final three chapters analyse the key imago Dei texts, nearly all of which are found in Against Heresies Books 3 through 5. Chapter 3 examines Book 3 and notes that reference to the image of God is utilized in order to establish the key theological foundations of the spiritual life. Chapter 4 identifies the progressive quality of the imago texts in Against Heresies 4. demonstrating their emphasis on humanity as created beings meant to grow nearer to God. Chapter 5 illustrates how the texts of Book 5 are distinguished by their emphasis on human fulfilment and restoration. The Conclusion highlights the trajectory of the examined texts, noting how their cumulative witness demonstrates two key points: First, that his use of Gen 1:26 was to function primarily as a motif through which to frame his theological understanding of the spiritual life, and, second, that this life is predicated upon the idea that communion between God and humanity is the very foundation of authentic spirituality. Irenaeus’ employment of the language of the divine image and likeness functions as the means by which he describes the intimate connection meant to be shared between the Creator and humankind. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Inaug.-Diss.: Philosophische Fakultät: Münster: 1966-67. _ Bibliogr. p. 148-149. Index.

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In recent years, Pastoral leadership has been in crisis as a result of globalisation and its far reaching effects. Added to this is the stereotypical, social image of the word 'pastor' and what it takes to be considered successful in ministry. Related to these factors, the key problem that stands out in this research is that pastoral ministry has been governed by success and of the wrong kind: consumerism and relevance. The objective of this research is to examine the concept of pastoral ministry effectiveness. New Testament texts, and not excluding contributions from the Old Testament, indicate models of pastoral ministry that support the need to redefine and refine our understanding of pastoral leadership effectiveness in ministry in the face of globalisation. In order to accomplish this study, the central theological argument was that pastoral ministry is most effective in a global society when it is rooted in the Imago Dei. The questions raised are: What is the doctrine of the Imago Dei? What role might it play in a concept of pastoral effectiveness now? The importance of the Christian faith and core beliefs cannot be ignored, in particular that we are created in the Image of God. On the fundamental basis of Christ's events it is argued that unless pastors internalise the teachings and examples of Imago Christi by the works of the Holy Spirit in continua, pastoral ministry is not only ineffective but is also a misrepresentation of the theological aspect and also, a distortion of the historical literature of humankind. A precise meaning is sorely needed of what it is to be successful as a pastor, of the limits of human capacity and of the fallen nature and redeemed status of humankind. On this topic, it is posited that the pastor who is set apart by God to shepherd His sheep according to what Jesus Christ has shown and done, is a proper and superior measure of whether Christ incarnate in us correctly characterises the successful and effective pastor. That pastoral conviction and action is essential to true discipleship to God is exemplified through a description of Paul the pastor-apostle. This essence of true discipleship emerges after examination of linguistic material available on the subject; for example, lexicon, commentaries, theological dictionaries and the theological methodology employed. Without denying the advantages brought to human living, the negative impact of globalisation and of pastoral thought and actions are discussed. Investigation into certain of the current practices of pastors and of what has confused and distorted humankind made in the Imago Dei indicates that the assumptions of this thesis are apt. Recommendations are provided to explain the transformation and reformation changes required to counter the potential danger inherent in the corruption of mankind made in the Image of God. Equally significant is the idea that it is the generous sharing of God in Christ and the power of the Spirit in His ministry to the world that form the highly valuable aspects of Pentecost and revival times, not the disciple's effort. Finding is achieved by revisiting these times and by analysis of the literary contributions employed in these two events: Pentecost and revival times. The resultant contributions are integrated into the ongoing development of the Central Theoretical Argument in order to indicate that pastoral ministry effectiveness and success are dependent on the works of the Spirit in continue Furthermore, examination is undertaken of the concepts and models of contemporary scholars who have contributed to the idea of the final restoration of the church and believers and to the idea of the 'very good' of humankind being created in the Image of God and for the glory of Jesus Christ. The ultimate, God's reign and our acknowledgement that our chief purpose is to glorify our Creator, imply our understanding of the nature of pastoral effectiveness in globalisation. The inquiry concludes with the assertion that Jesus Christ, incarnate in us, effects successful ministry and that this is how we become promising pastors who will globalise and become globalising Images of Christ in a rapidly changing world. Findings in this research are considered within the framework of a fresh and comprehensive formulation of pastoral ministry. A concise model is presented in the unique proposal of this research: pastoral ministry is most effective when rooted in the Imago Dei / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, in association with Greenwich School of Theology, U.K., 2009.

In recent years, Pastoral leadership has been in crisis as a result of globalisation and its far reaching effects. Added to this is the stereotypical, social image of the word 'pastor' and what it takes to be considered successful in ministry. Related to these factors, the key problem that stands out in this research is that pastoral ministry has been governed by success and of the wrong kind: consumerism and relevance. The objective of this research is to examine the concept of pastoral ministry effectiveness. New Testament texts, and not excluding contributions from the Old Testament, indicate models of pastoral ministry that support the need to redefine and refine our understanding of pastoral leadership effectiveness in ministry in the face of globalisation. In order to accomplish this study, the central theological argument was that pastoral ministry is most effective in a global society when it is rooted in the Imago Dei. The questions raised are: What is the doctrine of the Imago Dei? What role might it play in a concept of pastoral effectiveness now? The importance of the Christian faith and core beliefs cannot be ignored, in particular that we are created in the Image of God. On the fundamental basis of Christ's events it is argued that unless pastors internalise the teachings and examples of Imago Christi by the works of the Holy Spirit in continua, pastoral ministry is not only ineffective but is also a misrepresentation of the theological aspect and also, a distortion of the historical literature of humankind. A precise meaning is sorely needed of what it is to be successful as a pastor, of the limits of human capacity and of the fallen nature and redeemed status of humankind. On this topic, it is posited that the pastor who is set apart by God to shepherd His sheep according to what Jesus Christ has shown and done, is a proper and superior measure of whether Christ incarnate in us correctly characterises the successful and effective pastor. That pastoral conviction and action is essential to true discipleship to God is exemplified through a description of Paul the pastor-apostle. This essence of true discipleship emerges after examination of linguistic material available on the subject; for example, lexicon, commentaries, theological dictionaries and the theological methodology employed. Without denying the advantages brought to human living, the negative impact of globalisation and of pastoral thought and actions are discussed. Investigation into certain of the current practices of pastors and of what has confused and distorted humankind made in the Imago Dei indicates that the assumptions of this thesis are apt. Recommendations are provided to explain the transformation and reformation changes required to counter the potential danger inherent in the corruption of mankind made in the Image of God. Equally significant is the idea that it is the generous sharing of God in Christ and the power of the Spirit in His ministry to the world that form the highly valuable aspects of Pentecost and revival times, not the disciple's effort. Finding is achieved by revisiting these times and by analysis of the literary contributions employed in these two events: Pentecost and revival times. The resultant contributions are integrated into the ongoing development of the Central Theoretical Argument in order to indicate that pastoral ministry effectiveness and success are dependent on the works of the Spirit in continue Furthermore, examination is undertaken of the concepts and models of contemporary scholars who have contributed to the idea of the final restoration of the church and believers and to the idea of the 'very good' of humankind being created in the Image of God and for the glory of Jesus Christ. The ultimate, God's reign and our acknowledgement that our chief purpose is to glorify our Creator, imply our understanding of the nature of pastoral effectiveness in globalisation. The inquiry concludes with the assertion that Jesus Christ, incarnate in us, effects successful ministry and that this is how we become promising pastors who will globalise and become globalising Images of Christ in a rapidly changing world. Findings in this research are considered within the framework of a fresh and comprehensive formulation of pastoral ministry. A concise model is presented in the unique proposal of this research: pastoral ministry is most effective when rooted in the Imago Dei / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, in association with Greenwich School of Theology, U.K., 2009.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-36).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:13:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Ricardo Almeida de Paula.pdf: 575942 bytes, checksum: 0ec317ec0ef5e61d733726a1b2025646 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-27 / This thesis has as main purpose to study Emmanuel Mounier´s personalist thought as shown in his Oeuvres edited by Paulette Mounier in four volumes, published by Editions du Seuil from 1961 to 1963. The personalism is a movement with a wide philosophic renews and has the person as its core. In this manner, the study of being a person has its implications on Education. According with its Christian anthropological premise the Mounier´s philosophy sees the human being gifted with a imago, image, and throughout his transcendence with imago Dei, God´s image. The study of Mounier´s works and thinkers in the personalist context and philosophy of Education gave us perception of centrality of the person role as reference on contemporaneity. We affirm that personalism was lived as a philosophy which has the person as its core and therefore it is an Integral humanism, nevertheless the person´s concept and idea come from Mounier´s professed christianism, in this manner a Christian humanism. We assured that the personalism is a philosophy. The problem comes because Mounier marked his thought as an attitude more than a doctrine. However, personalism is a philosophy because it does not miss to it accuracy na systematization. Notwithstanding, it is a philosophy outdoor, out of academic walls, a lived and acted philosophy, a pluriform philosophic proposal, having the human person as its convergence center. We elucidated that the personalist thought is not underneath to the philosophical Brazilian thought building, on the contrary it was forbidden due the confusion made by the military system which understood its Marxist or communist and therefore prejudicial to the nation. Throughout social and communitarians movements as CEBs, JEC, JUC, AP, where had participated thinkers like Alceu Amoroso Lima and Henrique Lima Vaz the conscience of being personal in a repressive context and educational was of crucial importance for social-historical-educational development in Brazil. We discussed the meaning of the word education showing to be this changing and valorative attitude concerning the person that aims the transformation of the being of human person. We distinguished educational practice of institutional school practice, being the first understands the human educability and the second seeks to maintain the order ideologically established. We got the conclusion that the perceived crisis in the educational behavior was triggered by the person absence as being of education. The absence of a more defined anthropology, integral and proper about human person gives variable character to the education according to its thought about human being and humanization. Through Mounier´s thought we can retake the person´s concept as itself rescuing him in his communitarian-social aspect and at the same time as the center of all educational proposals. / Esta tese tem como principal objetivo estudar o pensamento personalista de Emmanuel Mounier conforme apresentado nas Oeuvres editadas por Paulette Mounier em quatro volumes, publicadas pelas Editions du Seuil, de 1961-1963. O personalismo constitui-se como um movimento de ampla renovação filosófica que tem como centro a pessoa. Desta sorte, o estudo do ser pessoa tem suas implicações na educação. Dentro de sua premissa antropológica cristã, a filosofia mounierista percebe o ser humano dotado de uma imago, imagem, e, mediante sua transcendência, de imago Dei, imagem de Deus. O estudo das obras de Mounier, e pensadores no contexto do personalismo e da filosofia da educação nos deu a percepção da centralidade do papel da pessoa enquanto referência na contemporaneidade. Afirmamos que o personalismo foi vivido como uma filosofia que tem a pessoa como centro, portanto, um humanismo integral, contudo, a idéia e conceito de pessoa partem do cristianismo professado por Mounier, dessa forma, um humanismo cristão. Afirmamos que o personalismo é uma filosofia. A problemática se instaura pelo fato de Mounier o ter assinalado mais como uma atitude do que como doutrina. Contudo, o personalismo é uma filosofia, pois, não lhe faltam o rigor e a sistematização. Porém, uma filosofia postulada fora dos muros acadêmicos, uma filosofia vivida e agida, uma proposta filosófica pluriforme, com o centro de convergência para a pessoa humana. Elucidamos que o pensamento personalista não é subjacente à construção do pensamento filosófico brasileiro, ao contrário, foi proibido devido à confusão feita pelo regime militar taxando-o de marxista , comunista e, portanto, pernicioso à nação. Através dos movimentos sociais-comunitários como as CEBs, JEC, JUC, AP, dos quais participaram pensadores da ordem de Alceu Amoroso Lima e Henrique Lima Vaz, a consciência de ser pessoal num contexto repressivo e educacional foi de crucial importância para o desenvolvimento sócio-históricoeducacional no Brasil. Discutimos a concepção do termo educação mostrando ser esta uma atitude transformadora e valorativa da pessoa, que visa todas as áreas da existência humana e, ainda, visa a transformação do ser da pessoa humana. Distinguimos a prática educativa da prática escolar institucionalizada, sendo que a primeira percebe a educabilidade humana e a segunda procura manter ordem ideologicamente estabelecida. Concluímos que a crise percebida no meio educacional foi deflagrada pela ausência da pessoa como ser da educação. Ausência de uma antropologia mais definida, integral e própria sobre a pessoa humana, confere à educação um caráter variável a respeito do que entende por ser humano e humanização. Através do pensamento de Mounier podemos retomar o conceito de pessoa enquanto tal resgatando-a em seu aspecto comunitário-social e ao mesmo tempo como centro de toda proposta educacional.

Marriage it seems has always been a key element in the family systems of the western world. The joining of two people of the opposite sex in a unity bond, with the purpose of creating a system to produce children and bring them to adulthood. These marriage bonds usually start with a romantic love affair between the partners that lead to a permanent joining in some form of marriage. It is these long term bonds that seem to suffer from endless pursuits to find a way to be joined for a lifetime. In most of the western world the divorce rate between couples average fifty pe People from all walks of life seem to suffer the same fate and Christians specifically do not seem to indicate a higher rate of marital success. The faith and biblical principals Christians adhere to is a strong motivator to keep people together but does not have all the practical answers for the co-habitation of to individuals in a long term relationship. Christian marriage counseling possess several unique traits that enhances their counseling processes but does not indicate to have a significant higher success rate than an other form of marital counseling. Imago relationship therapy is an approach to relationship counseling that offers some new ideas and methods. It combines several principals from different psychological therapeutic approaches into a unique relational approach. Based on the belief that the relationship is a systemic it approaches the couple as a unity and all therapy is done with both partners present. The approach uses several practical exercises to foster emotional connection between the partners and teach them new relational and communication skills. This approach indicates a high success rate and seems to seamlessly flow with normal Christian counselling. The principals of Christian marriage counseling can be enhanced and put into practice by using the imago techniques. It is deducted that Imago relationship therapy can easily be integrated into a Christian marriage counseling approach and produce good results. / Prof. W.J. Hattingh

We live in a world where most people are inundated with information on a global scale. The world has become smaller and more homogenous, whereas the social composition has become more and more complex, and extremely hierarchical. In such a society, the only way for one to define oneself could be to expand himself/herself beyond all social frames. Through close and dynamic interaction with the outer world, and coexistence with heterogeneous elements around us, we are able to define intrinsic factors within us, within our society. This process challenges openness and full understanding of the world beyond oneself. Only through this process, we might be able to establish a "global culture." Every action we take has some kind of impact on this world. Like the river flows into the bay, it seems that social values on our life and culture are constantly in a state of change. It is very important for me to read this changing flow of social consciousness to understand our world and allow it to inform architecture. Architecture is a great tool for me to expand myself toward society, and people. It allows me to become infinite in a timeless journey in human life searching for the truth. / Master of Architecture