Because many Bemba Christians do not experience the guality of life through would follow conversion they are tempted to either settle for shallow, superficial religious'experience, or, during times of crisis, revert to traditional religious beliefs and practices they know are inconsistent with their theological understanding. In order to assist Christian communicators in their task of bringing the Bemba to authentic conversion and an experience of salvation that genuinely meets their needs, we have, in this study, tendered one strategy for reaching the Bemba heart. most comprehensive idea of order. Because the heart, or worldview, is where reality is known, vaiued · and ordered, it should be the focus of Christian communication that has as its purpose restoring people to comprehensive well-being, or restoration of peace with God, others, one's self and nature. To this end, we have gathered 2,686 Bemba proverbs. from approximately fifteen previously seven Bemba informants, provided conte:-..tually deterrt"$1ed translati_ons, meanings, usages and teachings, inter alia, and have attempted, by means of employing Hiebert's critical conte:-..tualisation method ( 1985: 188), to begin constructing a contextualised local theology of marriage which is the result of engaging in a dialogue between Bemba traditional values as expressed in their proverbial lore and related biblical values. The process of contextualisation is incomplete because it is our contention that it is the responsibility local Bemba theologians, not of foreign researchers, to construct a theology of marriage that is relevant t local Bemba needs. Thus, this study does not attempt to provide theological answers to marital needs; rather, it is offered to Christian communicators for exploratory use as a beach-head for constructing a bridge across which both Bemba and biblical worldview values might be mutually enriched. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology)

This study explores black African migrants' experience of racism in Berlin, today. Its vantage point is that of a missiological discipline. Since racism is a very complex phenomenon, both in the church and society; the study therefore, adopted a multidisciplinary approach. This helps us to better understand the different theoretical nuances, which inform racism as an ideology and, as a social construct. Against this backdrop, the study engaged the “pastoral cycle” (cycle of missionary praxis) by Holland and Henriot and developed by Cochrane et al as its theological framework. The research methodology consisted of data collection, interpreting and analyzing (comparing and contrasting primary sources in light of data collected). Personal narratives of research participants' experience of racism in a semi-structured format, formed part of the methodology, in establishing ecclesiastical, political, social and structural climate on how they contribute to the way that black African migrants experience racism in Berlin, today. Two forms of data collection were employed: Qualitative interview and observation instruments. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M.A. (Theology)

This study explores the practice of hospitality within the Pauline churches and links this practice with mission. It is theoretically informed by Käsemann’s (1963) emphasis on the unity of the church as “an eschatological datum.” While highlighting faith, Käsemann downplays the role of organization and religious practices. Neither he nor missiological studies deal with the practice of hospitality within this context. Hospitality has been interpreted in the literature primarily as an ethic one should adopt towards strangers. Alternatively, this study interprets it as a ritual-like practice aimed at family, friends and strangers in the context of meal gatherings. The question is whether it served as an instrument of koinonia, a practice aimed to create, maintain and extend the Pauline churches as an open network, without denying the role of kerygma. This enquiry utilizes two methodological approaches to answer this question. First of all, it uses Stark’s (1996) network theory of conversion, in order to provide a framework for hospitality in early Christian mission. Secondly, it uses Bell’s (1992) ritual theory in order to interpret meal fellowship in the Pauline churches. Presupposing that science is a conversation, the relationship between missiology and anthropology is depicted as a conversation, ideally an ongoing conversation. This conversation is possible and potentially coherent because the “basic convictions” of both disciplines, respectively love and power, do not contradict each other. The key contribution of this study is that it shows that several practices in the Pauline churches such as welcoming, foot washing, seating order, distribution of portions, etc. qualify as ritual-like. This finding establishes the ritual-like character of meal fellowship within the Pauline churches. Yet, these practices were found ambiguous. They were not simply an instrument to achieve social integration or the transmission of beliefs. While they set the meal off from daily reality, they did not resolve the tension within the churches. Paul knew that this tension was part of a larger apocalyptic picture, the battle between Christ and Satan. Through ritual-like practice he participated in this battle, employing a “poetics of power” that fostered the church as an open network. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology with specialisation in Urban Ministry)

Text in German / Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht primär das Potential christlicher Mystik für die Ekklesia, Koinonia und die Mission der Kirche. Dabei wird berücksichtigt, dass der Mystikbegriff definitorisch nur schwer zu greifen ist, da keine eindeutige Definition dieses Begriffes existiert.. Auf Grund dieser Tatsache entstehen Irritationen und Missverständnisse, gerade auch in der evangelischen und evangelikalen Christenheit, die keine traditionelle Verankerung der Mystik in ihrem Glaubensleben kennen, wie es etwa bei der katholischen Kirche der Fall ist. An dieser Stelle definiert diese Arbeit in einem hinführenden ersten Teil, was christliche Mystik ist, in ihrer Unterscheidung zu esoterischen Phänomenen oder auch nichtchristlichen Mystiken. In der Folge wird nach den praktischen Ausformungen christlicher Mystik anhand von vier exemplarisch ausgewählten spirituellen Übungswegen gefragt. Auch psychologische Fragen, sowie die Frage nach der Mystagogie finden hier ihren Platz. Im Weiteren wird dann das Verhältnis zwischen der christlichen Mystik und der Koinonia, Ekklesia und Mission der Kirche bedacht. Hier ist es immer wieder das zentrale Begegnungsgeschehen, welches im Mittelpunkt des Interesses steht und als verbindendes Element dieser Aspekte ins Blickfeld rückt. Abschließend skizziert diese Arbeit eine mystische Ekklesiologie, wie sie auf Grund der vorangegangenen Erwägungen denkbar ist. Das Potential christlicher Mystik in Gemeindeaufbau und Mission wird verdeutlicht, sowie die Notwendigkeit einer empirischen Überprüfung der aufgestellten Theorie anhand einiger praktischer Anregungen aufgezeigt. / This work mainly asks for the potential of christian mysticism for the Ekklesia, Koinonia and the mission of the Church. In order to this, it is considered that the term mysticism is difficult to grasp by definition, for there is no clear definition of the term mysticism. Due to this fact irritations and misunderstandings are caused, especially in the protestant and evangelical Christianity, that have no traditional anchoring of mysticism in their life of faith, as it is the case in the catholic Church for example. At this point, the work at hand defines in an afferent first part, what christian mysticism is, in distinction to esoteric phenomena or non-christian mysticism. The following part asks for the practical forms of christian mysticism with reference to four selected samples of spiritual exercises. At this place, psychological issues are considered too, as well as the question for the mystagogy. In the next part of this work, the relationship between the christian mysticism and Koinonia, Ekklesia and the mission of the Church will be considered. At this point, the occurance of community as a connecting element for these issues is in the focus of interest. Finally, this work outlines a mystical ecclesiology, as it is now possible and conceivable on the basis of the foregoing considerations. The potential of christian mysticism for church development and the mission of the church will be clarified, as well as the need for empirical research and testing of the shown theory by some practical suggestions. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / D. Th. (Missiology)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:18:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Milton Rodigues de Souza1-145.pdf: 733021 bytes, checksum: 27d635c39633626d7dbd7acbcdbe7456 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This dissertation intends to study the Christian Harp, one of the main national protestant hymnals, looking to identify it as instrument of expansion in Brazil s Pentecostalism mission in the period between 1910 and 1970, while appreciating the history and the creation of this liturgical book, intending to comprehend its usage as motivational element in the missionary practice of the Brazilian Pentecostal churches. It also consists of knowing the characteristics of construction of this compendium, passing through the presentation of its hymnists profiles and through the assiduous study of its musical structure and literary composition, while being aware of some important constitutive characteristics that are used, such as the theological concepts. Looking for a missiology concept that shows to be more correlated with the theological content of this hymnal and the referral of various examples of incitement to the evangelist practice found within its songs, which leads to the comprehension of the relevancy of the Christian Harp in the liturgical life of confessional pentecostal churches in Brazil, and its bold presence as an efficient developer of missionary practice of these faith communities. / Esta dissertação pretende estudar a Harpa Cristã, um dos principais hinários protestantes nacionais, buscando identificá-la como instrumento de expansão da missão no pentecostalismo do Brasil, no período comprendido entre os anos 1910 e 1970, apreciando a história e a formação deste livro litúrgico na pretensão de compreender sua utilização como elemento motivador para a prática missionária das igrejas pentecostais brasileiras. Consiste também em conhecer as características da construção deste compêndio, passando pela apresentação do perfil de seus hinistas e pelo estudo aplicado da sua estrutura musical e sua composição literária, conhecendo, ainda, algumas de suas importantes características constitutivas, como os conceitos teológicos de que faz uso em seu discurso. A procura por uma conceituação missiológica que se mostre mais identificada ao conteúdo teológico deste hinário e a indicação de vários exemplos de incentivo à prática evangelística encontrados em suas canções conduzem à compreensão da relevante importância da Harpa Cristã na vida litúrgica das igrejas de confissão pentecostal no Brasil e da sua marcante presença como eficiente agente fomentador do exercício missionário dessas comunidades de fé.

Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Forschungsarbeit unternimmt den Versuch, einen konzeptionellen Entwurf einer empirischen Missionswissenschaft als Grundlagenforschung zu entwickeln, der im Praxisfeld durchgeführt wird. Dabei soll die intradisziplinäre Vorgehensweise einen methodologischen Zugang sozialwissenschaftlicher Methoden zur Missionswissenschaft möglich machen. Als Grundlage wird ein Einblick in die sozialwissenschaftliche und missionswissenschaftliche Forschung gegeben und daraus ein eigener, empirisch-theologischer Praxiszyklus entwickelt, der die Methodologie der Untersuchung darstellt. Die inhaltliche Forschungsarbeit fragt nach Gottesvorstellungen von Jugendlichen aus missionswissenschaftlicher Sicht. Dabei wird die Möglichkeit missionarischer Begegnung und Ansprechbarkeit von Jugendlichen im Kontext der kulturellen Veränderungen des postmodernen Paradigmemwechsels beleuchtet. Die Frage, wie Gottesvorstellungen von Jugendlichen gesellschaftlich geprägt und wie sich dies auf ihre Religiosität in ihrem Alltag auswirkt, spielt in diesem Zusammenhang eine wichtige Rolle. Deshalb wird nicht nur der aktuelle Forschungsstand zur Thematik untersucht, sondern 18 Jugendliche werden in Form von halbstandardisierten Interviews qualitativ befragt und ihre Aussagen empirisch-missiologisch ausgewertet. Die Thesis hat somit zweierlei Zielsetzungen: Zum einen geht es um eine empirisch-theologische Studie zur Erforschung von Gottesvorstellung bei Jugendlichen im Hinblick auf ihre missionarische Ansprechbarkeit. Zum anderen zielt sie darauf ab, durch Umsetzung des empirisch-theologischen Praxiszyklus einen Typus zu entwickeln, der auch künftig in der Missionswissenschaft für empirisch-theologische Erhebungen eingesetzt werden kann. Summary The intention of this research project is to evolve a concept for empirical missiology as a method of fundamental research and to apply it in practice. Through the usage of an intradisciplinary approach, access to missiology via the methodology of the social sciences is rendered possible. To establish a basis, an insight into social as well as missiological research will be given, and an inherent, empirical-theological praxis cycle will be developed. This praxis cycle is the methodology of this research paper. Concerning content, this research paper scrutinises the image of God held by juveniles from a missiological point of view. It considers the missionary receptiveness of juveniles in the context of cultural change in the postmodernist shift of paradigm. In how far are juvenile concepts of God marked by the correspondent social environment and does that have an impact on their everyday religious behaviour? Consequently not only the current state of research will be evaluated but, furthermore, the half-standardised qualitative interviews of 18 juveniles will be enclosed and their answers analysed on an empirical- missiological basis. Hence, this thesis has a twofold aim; one considers empirical-theological research as a way of evaluating concepts of God among juveniles with regard to their missionary receptiveness. The other implements the empirical-theological praxis cycle aiming to develop a type which enables further empirical-theological investigation in missilogy. / Missiology / D.Th.

Text in German / This thesis gives a short overview abont the anthropological term worldview and discusses various views of it. A historic resume of the situation of the metropolis Antiochia in Syria in the 4th century AD is followed by an analysis of some important aspects of the worldview of its inhabitants. A short account of the life and work of John Chrysostom is given and followed by an analysis of four of his homilies of the Gospel of Matthew. These are compared with own exegetical points of view of the same texts. The focus is directed to some topics where the influence of worfdview makes itself felt. In the last chapter some observations in connection with the influence of worldview on biblical interpretation ensue. The thesis closes with a short discussion of some missiological and hermeneutical consequences / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology)

This doctoral thesis claims the vital significance of music in mission work, particularly from the Lutheran point of view. It, therefore, calls for a liturgical missiology which would positively affect missionary efforts, especially in the African mission context. After giving a theological foundation - the doctrine of the Trinity - and the concept of the missio Dei as its missiological basis, the thesis investigates its topic from different angles: Luther and music, music in the work of the Hermannsburg Mission in the region of the ELCSA-Western Diocese, the role of music in African culture and spirituality, some qualities of music relevant to mission and a few musical steps to approach the future of music in mission. These analyses corroborate music's importance in future Lutheran mission designed for the African context. Examining Luther's stance towards music, a strong affinity to music is recognised, both theoretically and practically. While interpreting music theologically, Luther employs music in his liturgical, educational and reforming efforts. However, the example of the Lutheran Hermannsburg Mission shows a usage of music without a proper theoretical foundation, as well as only partial efforts at contextualisation. In Africa, music plays a prominent role in the interpretation and expression of life and religion indicated in the Tswana choruses; music represents the wholeness of African existence symbolising the paradigm of harmony. Further, in mission, music's qualities, such as its cultural-social, symbolic, ritualistic and community-building qualities, support the integration of the convert into a fundamental relationship between the missio Dei and the missiones ecclesiae. With the help of a musica missionis, which includes missiological music and missionary music, the practice of future mission can be approached successfully; for instance, through the Africanisation of the Lutheran mission liturgy based on a context-musicology. Thus, a liturgically orientated theology of mission, meditating deeply on music's qualities (music being one essential element of Lutheran worship), has the potential to develop into a future liturgical missiology. This musical-liturgical approach to mission is encouraged by this thesis. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)

This dissertation makes an attempt to scientifically investigate Erich Sauer's theology of salvation history for the first time. Sauer grew up in a vital missionary context in the setting of the Open Brethren fellowship and the Alliance Bible School in Berlin. He studied history, philology and theology at the Humboldt University in Berlin, with the goal of promoting missions. Because of an acute eye ailment he was forced to discontinue his studies. He was invited to Wiedenest, where he found his life's work in the Bible School, which had moved in 1919. Here he worked for almost forty years as a teacher and a writer and travelling unceasingly to preach, lecture and hold biblical seminars on the topic of salvation history and missions. His theology, which is indebted to the theory of revelation history, was influenced by federal theology, theology of salvation history and the scientific, exegetic theology of German theological positivism. Sauer derives the authority of Scripture from history and develops a complex, salvation historical model, which is characterised by the classic structure of protology, soteriology and eschatology. His pre-millennial character is not dispensationally restricted, but has, rather, its own independent formation, that allows for the universal dimensions of God's completion act, without supporting a universal redemption theory. Through the high rating that he gives the position of the ecclesia in salvation history, Sauer has achieved a programmatic missions concept, which sees a missions-oriented church within every local church. With this paradigmatic theory, Sauer contributed to a revival of missions in German Brethren congregations, in conjunction with his professional colleague Schrupp. / Christian Spirituality, Church Hist and Missiology / D.Th.

Research object of this thesis is Magnus the Apostle of the Allgäu area in Germany. Based on the historical background, this thesis analyses Magnus concerning the way and impact of his apostolic ministry to understand and compare it to the ministry of the biblical apostolic ministry and thus describe criteria of apostolic ministry and consequences until today. The originality of this thesis lies, due to a limites written sources concerning the vita of Magnus, in firstly an investigation into historical developments of his context in the Allgäu, secondly evaluates his Iro-Scottish backround and thirdly describes the historical impact. The resulting insights are compared between the apostolic-missionary work of Magnus and the New Testament. The conclusion summarizes the ministry of the apostle into a number of statements Which are in harmony with the life of Magnus and the context of the New Testament. / Forschungsgegenstand dieser Arbeit ist Magnus (699-772 n. Chr.), der Apostel des Allgaus. Aufgabe der Untersuchung ist es, basierend auf dem literarhistorischen Hintergrund des Magnus seine Biographie zu untersuchen, um eine Vorstellung liber die Art und Weise seiner apostolischen Wirksamkeit zu gewinnen. Die Besonderheit dieser Arbeit besteht darin, dass auf Grund des eingeschrankten schriftlichen Quellenbefundes der Magnusvita zum Einen die Erfassung des geschichtlichen Werdens seines Wirkungsfeldes im Allgau, zum Zweiten die Untersuchung seines iroschottischen Hintergrundes und zum Dritten die Darstellung seiner Wirkungsgeschichte unabdingbar sind. Die so gewonnenen Kenntnisse ermoglichen einen thesenhaften Vergleich zwischen dem apostolisch-missionarischen Wirken des Magnus und dem der Apostel des Neuen Testamentes. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)