This dissertation is an analysis of differing Pentecostal experiences in Apostolic Faith Mission from its inception, with specific reference to the AFM of South Africa and AFM in Zimbabwe.The study examines: The brief history of the AFM. This begins with the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angels. Pentecostalism then spread to South Africa through John G. Lake with the founding of AFM of South Africa. AFM filtered into Zimbabwe where it faced stiff resistance from government authorities and established mainline churches. Theologies and spiritual gifts which make Pentecostalism different from other faiths. Main doctrines and tenets of faith discernible from the brief historical outline. A general outline of phases in Pentecostalism. An attempt will be made to determine whether these phases are applicable to AFM. This dissertation is a contribution towards reconciling diverging views concerning Pentecostalism in the AFM because various congregations of the same denomination behave and believe differently. / Systematic Theology & Theological Ethics / M.Th. (Systematic Theology)

Text in English / The objective of this thesis is to give a description of the theory and practice of theological education in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM) from 1908 to 1996 in order to understand the current theory and practice and also to give guidelines for future implementation thereof. This is a literature study using a practical theological method of research. Three of the aspects that governed theological education in the AFM are racial relationships, the tension between spirituality and academic achievement and financial viability. These three aspects were the leitmotiv throughout the study. This study indicates that: * the AFM started as an interracial mission * within two years after its founding the AFM became a segregated church * racially divided theological education was practised throughout all the periods of development * initially, believers entered the pastoral ministry by means of the calling, anointing of the Holy Spirit and proven practical self-involvement in the ministry * the Church now believes that theological education must be added to the experience of the indwelling of the Spirit * there has been a gradual move from a focus on spirituality towards that of higher academic achievements * theological education should be offered at different academic levels and different tracks of ministry * financial support came mainly from the central funds of the Church via statutory funds from local churches * other contributors towards the cost of theological education are the students, donations from the public, churches, organisations, businesses and the state *the transformation of theological education from a predominantly White westernised enterprise to an African endeavour would require that the statutory contribution of the Church towards theological education be doubled. This thesis is a contribution towards the renewal of theological education in the AFM. A new practical theological theory is proposed that will make provision for a racially integrated theological education system. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

The Faith Movement is a religious mosaic since it is a multi-layered phenomenon which is coloured by several themes. These themes represent several areas of emphasis like: Blessing and Blessings, Power to declare, Prophetic anointing, connecting with the anointing, dominion, success and increase, sowing the seeds, as well as other ideas which are still evolving. The Word of Faith teachers have a very unique way of reading the Bible. They usually approach the text without consideration of its historical and cultural context. When they approach the biblical text they usually assign to it an independent existence cut off from its natural context. This in turn results in the reinterpretation of all the major doctrines of the Christian faith. Both God and human beings belong to the same class of “divine beings.” God and human beings it is believed operate under the rule of faith. It is argued that whatever God created, God did so by speaking words of faith (see Genesis 1:1-3). It is therefore argued that human beings similarly can create their own reality and destiny by speaking words of faith.Christology and Pneumatology of the Faith Movement assume a rather narrow outlook. It is believed that Jesus Christ died so that in addition to the forgiveness of sins He provided for all spiritual and material needs of the people. Therefore, no Christian should be poor or sick. The Holy Spirit on the other hand, is the anointing that enables believers to make it in life. It must be pointed out that even though the Word of Faith ideas were exported to Africa mainly from the United States of America it has found a home in Africa. The concepts of blessings and curses have a corollary in African Religious Traditional thought. The role that Word of Faith preachers play is similar to the roles played by several religious experts in African Religious Thought. Ultimately, the Faith Movement is not based on sound theological and philosophical ground. It is based on unique reading of the Bible which is more esoteric than theological. More Gnostic than Christian. / Philosophy & Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Systematic Theology)

This thesis explores the roles of women of faith in peacebuilding in the conflict between the Gusii and Maasai of South-western Kenya. While religion has at times legitimated women’s exclusion and predominantly created male religious elite figures in peacebuilding, I demonstrate how women of faith deploy religious resources for peace. Acting within complex unequal gendered socio-cultural conditions and positions, the women of faith deploy religious faith as an identity, motivation, and legitimating moral authority and voice in peacebuilding. Gendered barriers hinder them from finding status and a place in formal peacebuilding mechanisms alongside males, but still the women of faith struggle and develop an attitude and disposition of moral influence, and faith power that facilitates them to act as agents in peacebuilding. The women of faith deploy religious resources in mourning and burial rituals of healing and reconciliation, in everyday spiritual practices of sharing lives, and through services that provide security and protection especially for children, the elderly, the injured and the infirm. Religion enables women to establish protective infrastructure through women of faith networks and organizations that provide services to the community, mobilize human capital, and conduct outreach and community engagement. I show that even as the women of faith deploy these religious resources for peacebuilding, they recognize the gendered barriers they are faced with and the public peacebuilding mechanisms that they are excluded from. Deployment of religious resources for peacebuilding intersects with gender identities and relations, and in some instances religious faith transcends established gender norms and gendered barriers or even removes them.

Thesis (MMus) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The AFM came into being as a result of the Pentecostal Movement, which in turn owes its existence to the worldwide revivals at the beginning of the twentieth century. The president of the AFM, Dr. Isak Burger, writes in his book concerning the history of the church: Die Geloofsgeskiedenis van die Apostoliese Geloofsending van Suid-Afrika, that the First Evangelical Awakening (18th century), the Second Evangelical Awakening (19th century), as well as the worldwide revivals at the beginning of the twentieth century, had a causal effect on one another. It goes without saying that the musical practices of these Awakenings would also, indirectly, influence that of the AFM. This study serves a twofold purpose. It is just as important to examine the origin and development of the AFM, as it is to examine internal and external factors that have influenced its musical practices. The music that has been used during different periods also receives due attention. In order to view the AFM in the correct perspective, Chapter 1 deals with the factors leading up to the origin of the Pentecostal Movement. However, the historical development within the AFM also receives attention, with special reference to those events which influenced the practice of church music directly or indirectly. Chapter 2 includes a history of Church Music since the Reformation, since the Reformers strove to get the congregation involved into the service of worship. Music practised during the First and Second Evangelical Revivals, as well as the subsequent revivals at the beginning of the twentieth century, also receives mention. The musical practice within the AFM forms the main theme of Chapter 3. Subdivisions of this chapter reflect historical events within the AFM, the influence of the Charismatic Revival Movement, the role and function of music during church services, the rendition of music items, as well as the leading figures who contributed to this practice. Chapter 4 provides a chronological summary of songbooks used by the AFM since 1908 until 1998, while Chapter 5 presents analyses of the music mentioned in Chapters 2,3 and 4. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die AGS het vanuit die Pinksterbeweging ontstaan, terwyl dié op sy beurt uit die wêreldwye Ontwakings aan die begin van die twintigste eeu tot stand gekom het. Die President van die AGS, Dr. Isak Burger, kom in sy boek: Die Geloofsgeskiedenis van die Apostoliese Geloofsending van Suid-Afrika, tot die gevolgtrekking dat vorige Ontwakings van so ver terug as die Eerste Evangeliese Ontwaking (18de eeu), die Tweede Evangeliese Ontwaking (19de eeu), sowel as die wêreldwye Ontwakings aan die begin van die 20ste eeu, in kousale verband tot mekaar gestaan het. Dit spreek dus vanself dat ook die musiekbeoefening tydens hierdie Ontwakings indirek 'n invloed op dié van die AGS sou uitoefen. Hierdie studie is dus tweërlei van aard. Aan die een kant word die nodige aandag aan die ontstaan, sowel as die geskiedenis van die AGS gegee, terwyl die ontwikkeling van die musiekbeoefening soos beïnvloed deur interne en eksterne faktore, asook die musiek wat tydens verskillende tydperke gesing is, ook onder die loep geneem word. Om die AGS as kerkgenootskap binne die regte perspektief te plaas, begin Hoofstuk 1 met die vooraf- en ontstaansgeskiedenis van die Pinksterbeweging. Daar word egter ook kortliks aan die geskiedkundige verloop van gebeure binne die AGS aandag gegee, veral wanneer die beoefening van kerkmusiek direk of indirek daardeur geraak is. In Hoofstuk 2 word so ver as die Hervorming teruggegryp m.b.t. kerkmusiekgeskiedenis, aangesien die Hervormers so 'n belangrike bydrae gelewer het om die gemeente d.m.v. die kerklied weer by die erediensgebeure betrokke te kry. Daar word egter ook kortliks na musiek van die reeds genoemde Ontwakings in die 18de, 19de, asook aan die begin van die 20ste eeue verwys. Die AGS se musiekpraktyk vorm die hooftema van Hoofstuk 3. Onderafdelings van hierdie studie sluit o.a. in: bepalende geskiedkundige gebeure binne die AGS, die invloed van die Charismatiese Herlewingsbeweging, die rol van begeleiers en die begeleiding t.o.v. gemeentelike same sang tydens byeenkomste en die lewer van musiekitems, asook belangrike persone wat as leiers na vore getree en belangrike werk verrig het. Hoofstuk 4 bied 'n chronologiese opsomming van liedboeke wat vanaf 1908 tot en met 1998 deur die AGS gebruik is, en in Hoofstuk 5 word ontledings gemaak van musiek wat in Hoofstukke 2, 3 en 4 bespreek is. In Bylae 1 word aangedui watter musiek deel van die belangrikste liedbundels, nl. Hymns for Life and Service, Nuwe Sionsliedere, Evangelieliedere en Deo Gloria uitgemaak het, terwyl Bylaes 2 en 3 volledige bladmusiekvoorbeelde van ontledings van onderskeidelik vroeëre en hedendaagse musiek bevat.

Thesis (MPhil (Religion and Culture) (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Green spirituality as found in popular media such as films can be used to develop an ecological ethic in theological reflection and praxis and serve as a platform in a multi-sectoral and multi-pronged response to the ecological crisis. By examining the films Avatar, Emerald Forest, Dances with Wolves, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and the animated films of Hayao Miyazaki, ecological and spiritual themes can be drawn from the text and applied as contemporary examples of 'green spirituality'. In the first chapter I articulate and describe the research problem, whether green spirituality is found in popular media and if so, could it be used to develop an ecological ethic in theological reflection and praxis. This discussion includes the aims of the study and the description of the research methodology used in the study, as well as the delimitations of the study. In the second chapter I define some of the key terms: spirituality, green spirituality, ecological crisis, ecological ethic, and present a brief overview of the theoretical concepts, ecofeminism, and deep ecology, within whose context this study takes place. This chapter will include the literature survey that informs this study. In the third chapter I present the data, namely the green spirituality found in media such as the films Avatar, Emerald Forest, Dances with Wolves, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and the films of Hayao Miyazaki. The films are summarised and evaluated according to the green spirituality and ecological themes presented. Four signifiers are identified to be present in the films: visual, cognitive, spiritual and communal. In the fourth chapter I present my interpretation of the data, as informed by scholarly sources, and also describe the relevance of the data in the faith traditions and the positions taken by faith traditions with regards to the ecological crisis. I also present some practical suggestions for responses in theological praxis. In chapter five I present my conclusion. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'Groen spiritualiteit', soos gevind in populêre media soos films kan gebruik word om 'n ekologiese etiek in teologiese refleksie en praxis te ontwikkel en kan dien as 'n platform in 'n multi-sektorale en multi-fokus reaksie op die ekologiese krisis. Deur die films Avatar, Emerald Forest, Dances with Wolves, The Day the Earth Stood Still, en die films van Hayao Miyazaki te ondersoek, kan ekologiese en spirituele temas onderskei word en toegepas word as kontemporêre voorbeelde van 'groen spiritualiteit'. In die eerste hoofstuk noem en beskryf ek die navorsingsprobleem, naamlik die moontlikheid om groen spiritualiteit wat te vinde is in die populêre media soos films, te gebruik om 'n ekologiese etiek te ontwikkel in teologiese refleksie en praxis. Hierdie bespreking sluit die doelwitte en beperkings van die studie in en beskryf die navorsingsmetodologie wat gebruik word. In die tweede hoofstuk gee ek 'n paar definisies van sleutel begrippe: spiritualiteit, groen spiritualiteit, ekologiese krisis, ekologiese etiek, sowel as 'n kort oorsig van die teoretiese konsepte soos ekofeminisme en 'deep ecology' waarin die studie omraam. Hier sluit ek in wat ek verstaan onder die sleutel konsepte om die studie te definieër binne die raamwerk van die navorsing. Hierdie hoofstuk sluit die literatuur oorsig in. In die derde hoofstuk gee ek die data, naamlik die groen spiritualiteit gevind in populêre media soos die films Avatar, Emerald Forest, Dances with Wolves, The Day the Earth Stood Still, en die films van Hayao Miyazaki. Die films word opgesom en ge-evalueer volgens die groen spiritualiteit en ekologiese temas teenwoordig. In die vierde hoofstuk beskryf ek my interpretasie van die data, soos voorgestel ook deur geleerde bronne en die geloofstradisies. Ek maak ook 'n paar praktiese voorstelle in teologiese praxis. In hoofstuk vyf gee ek my gevolgtrekking.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, religiously heterogeneous households refer to households where the parents practice entirely different religions. These households are becoming more common and whilst the literature focusses on what this means for the married couple in terms of marital satisfaction, marital conflict and religious participation it largely neglects the influence that growing up in such a household may have on the child. This poses a potential problem in the therapeutic setting because there is no existing knowledge to work with. This study sought to narrow the gap in the literature by describing the lived experiences of young adults who grew up in religiously heterogeneous households. Through the use of snowball sampling, six young adults (aged 18-24) who grew up in religiously heterogeneous households agreed to be interviewed for this study. Of the participants four were male and the remaining two were female. The semi-structured interview yielded many reports of the participant’s experiences growing up in a religiously heterogeneous household. These experiences have been grouped into three types of themes. The themes include: (1) over-arching themes which deals with issues such as making sense of religion, making the decision as to which religion to affiliate with and idealizing the religiously homogeneous household whilst valuing the lessons gained from the religiously heterogeneous household; (2) an explicit theme which discusses how the experiences that the participants report about their households can be used to make tentative inferences about religiously heterogeneous marriages and divorce and; (3) peripheral themes include discussions about feeling judged and ostracised, negotiating a religiously heterogeneous background outside of the immediate family, tolerance and the value of a name. An Ecological Model is employed in the interpretation of these findings. Finally, the limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie verwys godsdienstige heterogene huishoudings na huishoudings waar die ouers aan heeltemal verskillende godsdienste behoort. Hierdie tipe huishoudings word al hoe meer algemeen en alhoewel die literatuur fokus op wat dit beteken vir die getroude paartjie in terme van huweliks tevredenheid, huweliks konflik en godsdienstige deelname, versuim dit om te kyk na die invloed wat dit het op die kind wat groot word in sulke huishouding. Dit hou ‘n potensiële probleem vir die terapeuties omgewing in, want daar is geen bestaande kennis om mee te werk nie. Hierdie studie poog om die gaping in die literatuur kleiner te maak, deur die beleefde ervaringe van jong volwassenes wat groot geword het in ‘n godsdienstige heterogene huishouding te beskryf. Deur gebruik te maak van sneeubalsteekproefneming, het ses jong volwassenes (tussen die ouderdomme van 18-24), wat groot geword het in godsdienstige heterogene huishoudings, ingestem om deel te neem aan ‘n onderhoud vir hierdie studie. Vier van die deelnemers was manlik en die oorblywende twee was vroulik. Die semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude het verskeie verslae gelewer van die deelnemers se ondervindinge van hoe dit was om groot te word in ‘n godsdienstige heterogene huishouding. Hierdie ondervindinge word in drie tipes temas gegroepeer. Die temas sluit in: (1) oorkoepelende temas wat te doen het met kwessies soos om sin te maak van godsdiens, die keuse te maak oor watter godsdiens om te volg en om die godsdienstige homogene huishouding te idealiseer, terwyl jy die lesse waardeer wat jy gekry het deur die ervaring van in ‘n godsdienstige heterogene huishouding groot te word; (2) ‘n uitdruklike tema wat kyk na hoe die ervaringe wat die deelnemers geraporteer het oor hulle huishoudings gebruik kan word om tentatiewe gevolgtrekkings te maak oor godsdienstige heterogene huwelike en egskeiding en; (3) perifere temas sluit in besprekings oor om geoordeel en uitgesluit te word, om ‘n godsdienstige heterogene agtergrond buite die onmiddellike familie te onderhandel, verdraagsaamheid en die waarde van 'n naam. ‘n Ekologiese model word gebruik in die interpretasie van hierdie bevindinge. Ten slotte, is die beperkings en aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing bespreek.

This mixed methods study investigates how counselling psychology perspectives can collaborate with the Sikh community in the development of Older Adult Psychology Services. 73 Sikh participants, aged 45-65 years contributed in English and Punjabi through interview, questionnaire or focus group at multiple community sites across 3 metropolitan boroughs in Sandwell. Qualitative data from validated scenarios and personal experience were analysed by a thematic approach informed by Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Master themes were identified for religion, quality of life and service development. The SF12v2 (Ware et al., 2005) is a measure of health and well-being which showed just below average population norms for physical and mental health components of well-being for the Sikh Community. The God Locus of Health Control Scale (Wallston et al., 1999) demonstrated religion‟s importance, and how karma is integral to Sikhs‟ understanding and management of health. 80.6% (N=31) prefer older adult service providers to account for their religious beliefs and counselling psychologists are recommended to address this request in their engagement with this community. Preferences in the modes of delivery, types of psychological intervention and aids to service uptake are provided with recommendations for clinical practice, training and future research.

Political philosophers widely assume that public reason liberalism is hostile to religious contributions to liberal politics. My dissertation argues that this assumption is a mistake. Properly understood, public reason liberalism does not privilege religious or secular reasoning; a compelling conception of public reason liberalism can balance the claims of secular citizens and citizens of faith. I develop a framework that can resolve the tensions between liberalism and faith not only at a theoretical level but in the practical matters of dialogue, public policy, institutional design and constitutional law.

Canada has distinct contemporary faith communities that differ from western and European counterparts. Unfortunately statistics tracking denominational allegiances give little insight into the daily intricacies of collective religious practice. The purpose of this study is to contribute towards filling a gap within scholarly research on the lived culture and experiences of contemporary religious communities within Canada. This study examines the pattern of culture-sharing within a non-denominational faith community as lived and practiced in Ottawa. Through autoethnography, this study asks why members attend and how members view the use of popular culture video clips within church. Individual and collective religious identities are constructed through observations, interviews and material artifacts gleaned through participant observation from January 2011 to December 2011. The results show that within the church, a community of practice is built around shared parenthood and spiritual journey. Members place importance on children, on providing support of all kinds for one another, and on keeping religion relevant. Reasons for attending are echoes of the patterns of culture-sharing: members enjoy the feeling of community, the support, the friendships, the play dates. Participants view popular culture video clips played within church as one aspect of an overall importance placed upon relevance. Mutuality of engagement results in members experiencing their lives as meaningful, it validates their worth through belonging, and it creates personal histories of becoming within the context of a community of practice. Future research recommendations include further study of other contemporary faith communities within Canada, with investigation into the possibility that communities of practice may be what the churched and unchurched are seeking.