Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2002. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-141).

Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2002. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-141).

A postmodern approach is used to examine various discourses with relevance to subject positioning and its effect on individual spirituality. The stories are located within different discourses, introducing a spiritual diversity. Through narrative, a holistic understanding of the spiritual experiences of two contemporary Christian women who have suffered abuse is provided, highlighting spirituality as an essential component to physical and psychosocial well-being. Contextual post-structural feminist theology and the social construction theory of reality informed this work. The performative function of language in social interaction is emphasised, situating language and relationship as key factors in the construction of individual identity and spirituality. Whilst recognising the constitutive force of discourse, the research highlights the notion that people can exercise choice in opposition to these discursive practices. Elements of spiritual transformation, hope and empowerment surfaced as counter stories to the culture of abuse, providing the scaffolding for re-storying their lives. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Pastoral Therapy)

The thesis interprets and analysies the results of the explorational survey, which deals how people with intellectual diabilities reflect on sellected religious terms. The targert of this thesis is to chart the opinions, definitions and attituteds of the people with intellectual disabilities to the sellected religious categories. The theoritical part of the thesis deals not only of problems of spiritual life, meetings, dialogues and interwies with people with intellectual disabilities but solves their specific qualities and their role in the catholic community too. The exploration part presents two researches - with worshippers people with intellectual disabilities and worshippers people without disabilities. In the end of the thesis the explorational survey definates differences beetween both groups. The thesis use the method of the qualititive research, concretely the mothod of the semistructured interview and the method of the group discussion.

Baptist pastors in the early years of the twenty-first century find themselves in a challenging yet exciting period of South African history. Much has changed in the socio-political and religious contexts, yet Baptist pastors are still prone to operate according to earlier models of leadership and ecclesiology, with the result that they find themselves in situations of heightened conflict. Their position with respect to the laity, with whom they share a common priesthood of believers, is also an ambiguous one. After orientating the reader to the nature of the problem and various starting issues (chapter 1), this practical-theological thesis seeks to explore the nature of the changes in the socio-political milieu (chapter 2), as well as in the religious context (chapter 3). Baptist pastors are affected by a range of expectations that emerge from a particular view of the Bible and from the wider church community, as well as from the media and their own experience of pastors. Chapters 4 and 5 seek to understand these expectations, especially as these expectations have combined to produce role conflict and role ambiguity. In such a situation it is more understandable that ministry can lack a pastoral centre and an unclear identity. Pastors have adopted a stance in the midst of such competing demands on their role identity and chapter 6 attempts to make their position clearer through empirical analysis, before embarking – in chapters 7 and 8 – on a description of a new model of pastoral ministry that is founded on the theatrical notion of the antagonist. Several implications for future ministry are explored in chapter 9, as we look forward to a revised praxis. The pastor as spiritual antagonist is approached from the vantage-point of the world of drama, since this angle, in its metaphorical richness, is seminal for a new understanding of the provocative role of the pastor in a world that is steadily devaluing spiritual leadership. The spiritual antagonist is described in terms of his/her character and ministry actions as one who is profoundly spiritual in his awe of God and in his determination to live reflectively. At the same time the spiritual antagonist is one who has an imaginative grasp on the communicative possibilities of being with people, and alongside people, intensely and for the purpose of provoking decision and faith. Whatever conflict is generated by such a stance is deliberately incorporated for educational and transformational purposes. Whatever is modelled – in the mode of the spiritual antagonist – by ordained pastors / elders becomes facilitatory for fellow believers in the congregation to fashion a similar identity. Thus an old division in Baptist ecclesiology is healed. / Practival Theology / (D. Th. (Practical Theology))

This dissertation examines the spiritual growth of individuals: what growth is; why growth is necessary; and how it can be nurtured. An individual's spiritual growth needs to happen in relationship with others, so that Christ's commandments to love God and neighbour are fulfilled. Thus the dynamics, goals and effects of community life are examined. Spiritual growth and community raises implications for the Christian Church. These are examined, in particular the need for transformed leadership and models of ministry, transforming communities that will enable the church to fulfil its mission to the world. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Christian Spirituality)

“How does one develop an appropriate urban Christian Spirituality?” is the question this study asks. First, I develop a rigorous, yet open, theoretical framework with which to describe Christian Spirituality’s complexity: a description focused primarily on constraining the markers of Biblical Spirituality and City Spirituality. Within the limits placed on the complex system of Christian Spirituality, I begin exploring various, mostly minor, tropes of urban biblical spiritualities in the “Old” and “New” Testament. From these analyses, I evince the implications of these biblical spirituality tropes for the current city theater, and also construe a set of questions evaluating the appropriateness of mitigating urban communities. The study culminates in an imagined ideal mitigating urban community named an ekklesiastes: a wisdom teaching technology of urban meaning, complexity, and resistance. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

A mudança de paradigmas na sociedade atual tem atingido os mais variados âmbitos da vida humana, dentre os quais destacamos a religiosidade. Nesse contexto, o movimento "Nova Era" tem encontrado terreno fértil para seu desenvolvimento em vivências religiosas das mais variadas possíveis. Este trabalho, partindo do conceito de "Religião Invisível" de Thomas Luckmann, que apresenta a subjetividade como lugar das opções e construção da experiência religiosa a partir da biografia de cada indivíduo, busca entender alguns aspectos da construção de identidade(s) religiosa(s) neste movimento que se caracteriza por um sagrado sem lugar, uma religiosidade errante, favorecendo identidade(s) flutuante(s) / The change of paradigms in the current society has reached the most varied fields of the human being life, from which we detach the religiosity. ln this context, the movement "New Age" has found fertile land for its development in the varied possible religious experiences. This work, through the concept of "invisible Religion" of Thomas Luckmann, who presents the subjectivity as the place of the options ánd the construction of the religious experience from the biography of each individual searchs the understanding of some aspects of the construction of the religious identity(s) in this movement that is characterized by a sacred without place, a nomadic religiosity, favoring floating identity(s)

The dissertation represents some traditional elements of people catholic devoutness in their history and in present resemblance as well and with helping of symbols and knowledge of children psychology and children spiritual life it tries to show its utilization nowadays.

This dissertation argues that Samuel Davies' theology of and vision for the Christian life were inseparable. Although his contribution to American Evangelicalism was not as original nor as widely remembered as that of his contemporaries, Samuel Davies' insistence on vital Christian piety was far more central to his ministry than was religious toleration or patriotic duty, which are more commonly remembered emphases of his legacy. Chapter 2 recounts the contours of Davies' life and world. Chapter 3 argues that Samuel Davies' vision of the Christian life was grounded in the divine revelation of Scripture. The Bible was essential to a life of godliness. Samuel Davies believed that Jesus Christ communicated and sustained divine life in people and that this life marked the beginning of genuine piety. Chapter 4 shows that Davies' emphasis on conversion is grounded in the Puritan tradition yet evinces an emerging Evangelical theology. Chapter 5 argues that Davies saw gospel holiness as the animating principle of spiritual life, that which separated it from worldly, even religious counterfeits. Chapter 6 demonstrates that Davies believed that spiritual life was maintained through the conscientious practice of various religious duties, especially through private prayer and public communion.