Christian education and Christian formation (participation in Christian practice) are two approaches to faith nurture that have been embraced by the church. Each approach has a body of literature that describes and examines its respective approach. While both approaches are good and appropriate for use in the discipleship and nurture of adolescents, neither approach fully accounts for what occurs during faith formation. Hans-Georg Gadamer speaks about the fusion of horizons as a hermeneutic event. The horizon of Christian education and the horizon of Christian formation can be brought into dialogue, toward the creation of new understanding. Moving both horizons into dialogue will serve to elevate the significance of vision metaphors in faith formation. The perception of theological beauty plays a significant role in faith formation, unattended to by either contributing horizon's discourse. Theological beauty is represented to adolescents through the content of Christian teaching. The theological beauty is encountered by adolescents through formative practices of the church. In both cases the experience of beauty trains the attention and imagination on God. The theological beauty encountered in both avenues of nurture is the beauty of God’s own being. Theological beauty is perceived in part through language and discourse. Language is interpretive and disclosive. Careful descriptive discourse provides theological perception that is necessary for the Christian life. Language calls attention to theological beauty and theological beauty sustains this attention. At a life stage where abstract thought is beginning to develop, adolescents are beginning to be able to appreciate symbolic beauty. It is at this developmental stage that a sense of theological beauty and wonder can begin to be cultivated. Accompanying the discussion about the place of descriptive discourse is the guiding metaphor of the curator. The curatorial image represents ministry practice that carves out space for the encounter and appreciation of theological beauty. The “theological curator” draws young people’s attentions to the beauty of God's character, and the beauty of God’s personal call to them. The act of curation is also to make space for wonder as adolescents encounter God’s character and God’s call. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

No description available.

No description available.

This research paper is a case study on the identity of three Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) located in the Mindanao Island of Southern Philippines. The empirical data was collected employing qualitative semi-structured interviews through virtual interactions. The research captures the journey of the three local FBOs as they continue to sustain their identity amidst the changes in the development world where they function. Identity is a complex issue, especially when FBOs have to experience the pressure to conform to how the world thinks who they are. So what does faith identity mean to these FBOs? How is this identity communicated in practice?The aim of this research is to acquire a better understanding of these FBOs; their faith- identity and its values; and how faith provides direction for actions which shape and characterise these organisations. Moreover, considerations were taken that faith is manifested in different ways. In studying these FBOs, the researcher was provided with another perspective on why FBOs held on to their identity regardless of the constant pressure to conform to the changing world and the opportunities the changing world has to offer. Moreover, to acquire knowledge on the importance of their identity helps to bridge communication gaps among the many actors in development and to know what to expect in development partnership.According to the modernists, religion will disappear. For the international development actors, religion will be less important as the communities modernise. However, faith is still significant to the FBOs in this research. Faith is not an add-on to the development work they do. Faith is the reason for their existence. For these FBOs, faith-identity means their development activities are inspired and guided by God to have compassion for the poor and marginalised people. For them, faith is communicated in practice by providing genuine care and by being inclusive in their development commitments.

Thesis (M.A. (Divinity) -- University of Limpopo, 1991

A. B. Simpson / Charles Spurgeon / Andrew Murray / Oswald Chambers / George Muller / Hudson Taylor / John MacMillan / A. W. Tozer / Kenneth Hagin / Kenneth Copeland / Frederick K. C. Price / E. M. Bounds / Amy Carmichael / Phoebe Palmer / This thesis is a study of nineteenth and twentieth century faith theology and praxis, seeking to determine a balanced, healthy faith that is both sound in theology and effective in practice. Part 1 presents a history and sources of Faith Teaching and Practices. It first looks historicalty at the roots of later faith teaching and practice by presenting a sampling of teachings on faith from early church fathers, reformers, mystics, and Pietists. These form the foundation for the movements of faith in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries--the classic faith teaching, followed by the modern faith movement and leaders. Part 2 deals with the foundational issues of faith teaching and practice: the relationship of faith to the supernatural, the concept of the inheritance of the believer and the practice of claiming the promises of God, the nature of faith, and the authority of the believer and its inferences for faith praxis. Part 3 investigates seven major theological issues of faith teaching and practice: faith as a law and force, the object and source of faith, the relationship of faith and the will of God, distinguishing between a logos and a rhema word of God, the concepts of revelation and sense knowledge, the doctrine of healing in the atonement, the question of evidence of the baptism in lhe Holy Spirit. Part 4 examines major practical issues of faith teaching and practice about which controversy swirls: positive mental attitude and positive confession; issues of discernment in acting upon impressions, voices, revelations, and "words from the Lord;" questions of failh regarding sickness and healing, death, doctors and medicine; the relationships between sickness, suffering, healing, and sanctification; and prosperity. Part 5 reflects upon these issues and comes to final conclusions regarding: the role of hermeneutics in determining failh theology and praxis, how to handle unanswered prayers and apparent failures of faith, the seeming paradox and tension between claiming one's inheritance and dying to self, a summary of practical conclusions for exercise of healthy faith, and final conclusions and recommendations on developing a sound theology and practice of faith for the twenty-fist century. / Practical Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theology)

A. B. Simpson / Charles Spurgeon / Andrew Murray / Oswald Chambers / George Muller / Hudson Taylor / John MacMillan / A. W. Tozer / Kenneth Hagin / Kenneth Copeland / Frederick K. C. Price / E. M. Bounds / Amy Carmichael / Phoebe Palmer / This thesis is a study of nineteenth and twentieth century faith theology and praxis, seeking to determine a balanced, healthy faith that is both sound in theology and effective in practice. Part 1 presents a history and sources of Faith Teaching and Practices. It first looks historicalty at the roots of later faith teaching and practice by presenting a sampling of teachings on faith from early church fathers, reformers, mystics, and Pietists. These form the foundation for the movements of faith in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries--the classic faith teaching, followed by the modern faith movement and leaders. Part 2 deals with the foundational issues of faith teaching and practice: the relationship of faith to the supernatural, the concept of the inheritance of the believer and the practice of claiming the promises of God, the nature of faith, and the authority of the believer and its inferences for faith praxis. Part 3 investigates seven major theological issues of faith teaching and practice: faith as a law and force, the object and source of faith, the relationship of faith and the will of God, distinguishing between a logos and a rhema word of God, the concepts of revelation and sense knowledge, the doctrine of healing in the atonement, the question of evidence of the baptism in lhe Holy Spirit. Part 4 examines major practical issues of faith teaching and practice about which controversy swirls: positive mental attitude and positive confession; issues of discernment in acting upon impressions, voices, revelations, and "words from the Lord;" questions of failh regarding sickness and healing, death, doctors and medicine; the relationships between sickness, suffering, healing, and sanctification; and prosperity. Part 5 reflects upon these issues and comes to final conclusions regarding: the role of hermeneutics in determining failh theology and praxis, how to handle unanswered prayers and apparent failures of faith, the seeming paradox and tension between claiming one's inheritance and dying to self, a summary of practical conclusions for exercise of healthy faith, and final conclusions and recommendations on developing a sound theology and practice of faith for the twenty-fist century. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theology)

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (LLM)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is clear that the classical concept of contract suffers from weaknesses because it takes too little account of social and economic changes that have occurred in our highly competitive global climate. More particularly, it fails to acknowledge implicit dimensions of contract. The classical contract theory was designed for transactions rather than to regulate relations. In view of the relational contract theory, contracts are agreements, often developed gradually, over a period of time and last over a period of time, perhaps indefinitely. As illustrated, with a discussion of the various theories attempting to qualify the classical law, the development of the relational contract theory and the need for implicit dimensions is in line with changes in business, market transactions and the economic and social environment of today. The relational contract is gradual and emphasises the relationship between the parties. Focus is placed on their understandings, party practices, customs and expectations as opposed to formal doctrines and principles. Characteristically, relational contracts are often incomplete in their specifications, thus leaving room for the creation of expectations and understandings inter partes. These expectations and understandings along with co-operation, rationality and trust are the implicit dimensions, which reflect the shared interest the parties have in their transaction. The ways in which these implicit dimensions can be recognised, developed and applied to contracts, particularly in the South African context is considered in light of our law's treatment of the implication of terms into contracts. It was found that considerations of reasonable expectations and policy do playa role in our law, albeit not to such an extent as to meet the demands of the relational contract theory and the recognition of implicit dimensions. Existing contract principles are also evaluated in the light of the relational contract and implicit dimensions. It is not suggested that classical contract law doctrines are to be dispensed with but that a shift of focus should occur, from the traditional focus on the ''paper'' deal to focusing on the ''real'' deal, between the parties. It is concluded that a principle of good faith would be a suitable starting point to give cognisance to implicit dimensions and to regulate relational contracts. In recognising a principle of good faith, the courts will be able to better respond to the expectations of the parties. A principle of good faith is recommended as being advantageous towards developing a pre-contractual duty of disclosure and encouraging more co-operative thinking and dealing in both legal doctrine and contracting practice. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is vandag duidelik dat die klassieke kontraksmodel aan swakhede ly omrede dié model nie genoegsaam rekening hou met sosiale en ekonomiese veranderinge mons hoogskompeterende wêreldklimaat nie. Meer bepaald, neem die model nie die implisiete aspekte van kontrakte in ag nie. Die klassieke teorie is meer gepas vir eenmalige transakies tussen kontraktante en nie soseer gebruik vir die regulering van deurlopende kontraksverhoudinge nie. In terme van die verhoudingskontrakteorie ("relational contract theory") word kontrakte beskou as ooreenkomstes wat geleidelik, oor 'n lang tydperk kan duur, miskien selfs vir 'n onbepaalde tydperk. Soos gei1lustreer, is daar verskeie teoriëe wat poog om die bestaande klassieke benadering aan te pas. Die ontwikkeling van die verhoudingskontrakteorie en die implisiete aspekte van kontrakte korreleer met veranderinge in internasionale handel en die ekonomiese en sosiale omgewing van vandag. Die verhoudingskontrakteorie beklemtoon die verhouding tussen die partye, hul praktyke en gewoontes en verwagtinge en is nie net slegs op formele beginsels gebaseer nie. 'n Eienskap van hierdie kontraktstipe is dat hulle dikwels nie poog om die verhouding van die partye volledig te reguleer nie. Sodoende word ruimte gelaat vir die ontwikkeling van verwagtinge en implisiete verwagtinge tussen die partye. Hierdie verwagtinge en verstandhoudings te same met die beginsels van samewerking, redelikheid en onderlinge vertroue, is die implisiete aspekte wat die gemeenskaplike belang wat partye in hul verhouding het, weerspieël. Maniere om hierdie implisiete aspekte te herken, te ontwikkel en toe te pas, veral in die Suid- Afrikaanse konteks, is oorweeg in die lig van ons reg se benadering tot die inlees van onuitgesproke bedinge in kontrakte. Alhoewel daar bevind is dat redelike verwagtinge en beleid wel 'n rol speel, is dit onvoldoende in die lig van die eise van die verhoudingskontrakteorie en die behoefte aan implisiete aspekte. Bestaande kontraksbeginsels is ook geëvalueer in die lig van die verhoudingsgebaseerde kontrak en implisiete aspekte. Daar word nie gesuggereer dat klassieke beginsels van die hand gewys moet word nie. Eerder dan die tradisionele fokus op die "paper deal" moet die fokus op die"real deal" wees. Ten slotte word die behoefte aan die erkenning van 'n beginsel van goeie trou uitgelig. Breedweg sal howe beter kan reaggeer op partye se verwagtinge en verstandhoudinge en dié beginsel word ook aanbeveel met die oog op die behoefte aan samwerking tussen partye en die ontwikkeling van 'n voor-openbaarmakingsplig.