This research attempted to provide a comprehensive overview of the Eastern Cuba Baptist Theological Seminary within the context of theological education in Cuba and the Cuban Revolution. Three major purposes directed this research. The first one was historical: to document and evaluate the rise, survival and achievements of the Eastern Cuba Baptist Theological Seminary, which has continued its mission through extraordinary political opposition and economical difficulties. The second major purpose was institutional: to gain insight into Cuban seminary modus operandi. The third purpose of the study was to identify perceived needs of the seminary. This study sought to provide information that can facilitate a better understanding of Cuban Christian theological higher education. The Eastern Cuba Baptist Theological Seminary was founded in the city of Santiago the Cuba on October 10, 1949 by the Eastern Baptist Convention. This seminary exists for the purpose of training pastors for the Eastern Baptist Convention. The school offers a four-year program leading to a bachelor in theology degree. The Eastern Cuba Baptist Convention experienced the same oppression from the communist revolution as the rest of the evangelical denominations during the sixties and seventies. The worst period for the convention and the Eastern Cuba Baptist Theological Seminary started in 1965 when many important people were recruited to work at the Military Units to Aid Production (UMAP). Fidel Castro recognized in 1991 that the Cuban Communist Party erroneously made atheism its religion. Although the Cuban communist regime never issued an antireligious policy, in subtle ways Christians suffered the consequences of the religious ideological conflict. Nevertheless, today the Eastern Cuba Baptist Theological Seminary operates independently and without the direction of the Cuban government. Communism and Christianity have learned to live together in Cuba even though they started with difficulties. Theological education in Cuba not only survived the negative effects of the Cuban revolution, but also has emerged stronger than ever. Economic resources are the primary need of the Eastern Cuba Baptist Theological Seminary. The seminary has been through many difficulties during its history. Nevertheless, these days represent the best time in the seminary history.

Theological Education by Extension (TEE) for parishioners is the general area of study. However, focus is placed on the developing of a curriculum, particularly on the problems and challenges around developing of a relevant TEE curriculum. Four different TEE programmes in Botswana were studied. The findings showed that problems were experienced by respondents and others who are involved in TEEs in Botswana. The respondents could identify and describe some of such problems and challenges. Therefore the researcher could arrive at the following conclusion:- Students, staff and all other parties of a TEE must collectively and fully participate in the developing of the curriculum. Moreover, the socio-cultural context influences TEE curriculum; therefore, students need to be trained to respond to such influences in their life situations. Once again, it is important that the curriculum policy and the process of planning take into account of some basic concerns like the theological presuppositions, aims and objectives and basic commitments or foci behind the curriculum. If these concerns are well attended, a more relevant TEE curriculum can be developed. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / Th. M. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Die kerk, in sy bree gesien, is tans in 'n 'nie-groei-kultuur' vasgeval. Daar is by min gemeentes 'n opregte las vir verlorenes te bespeur. Leiers het 'n gemaksone van professionalisme en instandhouding betree waar die groei van gemeentes me hoog op hul agenda geplaas word nie. Hierdie instandhoudingsingesteldheid en derhalwe 'n uitsluitlik na-binne-gerigte bedieningsfilosofie, het grootliks tot geringe groei en soms ook agteruitgang bygedra. Die omvangryke veranderinge in die samelewing gaan nie deur die kerk vrygespring word nie. Vandag kan kerke nie meer vanselfsprekend op die tradisionele ondersteuning en lojaliteit van mense sowel as die samelewing aanspraak maak nie. Die kerk is in 'n groot mate uitgeskuif en geniet nie meer dieselfde kollig as in die verlede nie. Groot 'kerklike grondgebied' is reeds afgestaan. Leiers is deel, en gevolglik ook 'n produk, van die huidige kerklike situasie waar belangeloosheid ten opsigte van gemeentegroei dikwels 'n algemene verskynsel is. Vanwee strukture soos die herder-kudde-model, is lidmate vir jare buite bedieningsgeleenthede gehou. Die bediening was as die verantwoordelikheid van leiers beskou. Die rol van lidmate is tans besig om groot veranderinge te ondergaan, aangesien gewone lidmate toenemend in dienswerk opgeneem word. Vrae wat reeds gevra word, is: Wat gaan die unieke rol van leiers in die toekoms wees? Wie is vir groei-inisiatief verantwoordelik? Die probleem waarmee leiers tans te make het, is hul behendigheid om die uitdagings en eise van 'n nuwe kerklike paradigma te ontmoet, veral in 'n mondering wat vir 'n uitgaande paradigma bedoel is. Baie kritiek word teen opleidingsmodelle gerig, maar wesenlik is die probleem in 'n gevestigde "mind-set" gesetel. Groeiende gemeentes wereldwyd toon dat hul leiers 'n sleutelrol in die groeipotensiaal van die gemeente speel en leiers van hierdie gemeentes het die voortou geneem om nuwe moontlikhede en modelle van leierskap uit te stal. Daar sal totaal nuut oor leierskap gedink moet word indien ons die groei van gemeentes ten doel het. In hierdie navorsing word leierskaptendense in die algemeen, asook leierskaptendense spesifiek in groeiende gemeentes, ondersoek. 'n Teorie vir 'groei-leierskap' word dan hieruit ontwikkel en aangebied. / The church is not experiencing a lot of growth at the moment. A number of congregations have no urge to find the lost ones. Growth is not a priority, due to leaders maintaining instead of expanding the congregation. This philosophy to maintain resulted into an inward practice which contributed to little growth, more seriously even a decline in total membership. The numerous changes experienced by the community at large will also fall the church to victim. The church has lost support simply because of a total lack in the so-called traditional loyalty and support. The church is no more the focus as in the past, it has been side-lined. The church has already lost greatly. Church leaders, as such products of the present day situation in the church, have been part of this culture of non-interest in the growth of the congregation. The typical evangelistic model of shepherd and flock left the ordinary members of the congregation out in the cold. The ministry was the responsibility of the church leaders, however the role of the ordinary members of the congregation is changing as they too are becoming more involved in ministry. Questions such as the following come to the fore: What is the unique role of church leaders going to be in future? Who's going to be responsible for growth inisiatives in the church in future? The problem facing church leaders of the day, is their total lack to meet the challenges and demands. The new evangelistic paradigm especially calls for an outgoing approach. Criticism has been given against the training of leadership but most probably the problem lies within their established mind-set". Globally, congregations which are experiencing large growth, has proved their leaders to play a paramount role in exploiting their growth potential. Such leaders were in the forefront of new leadership exhibiting the same qualities. If the growth of the various congregations is of importance, then the whole issue around leadership will have to be adapted and renewed. This research contains leadership tendencies in general, as well as leadership tendencies in growing congregations. A theory for "growth-leadership" will be developed and presented from this. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / Th.D. (Practical theology)

This research investigates the teaching and practice of moral formation at three theological education institutions in South Africa. The theological institutions, while acknowledging moral formation in their aims and teaching ethical theory, have difficulty developing and implementing a moral formation programme. Among the reasons for this are the complex nature of moral formation and the numerous and wide ranging expectations placed on the institutions. In this research, morality is described in terms of relationship with God, with self, with others in the Church and society and with the environment. The findings of the research suggest that the teaching and practice at the institutions that involve relationships are most effective for moral formation. Hence it is recommended that the institutions find ways to foster the students‟ relationship with God, with themselves, with others and with the environment. Modes of moral formation that involve thinking and knowledge are important, but so are those modes that encourage emotional development and character and spiritual formation. Through projects and assignments, students can be exposed to the harsh realities of life and opportunities created to reflect on these experiences in the light of faith. Practical suggestions such as encouraging students to pray, meditate, reflect, journal and study are made. Other suggestions are that lecturing staff make more use of participative teaching methods such as discussions, case studies and stories, including the stories of the students. The mentoring role of staff and the importance of the faith community are affirmed. These relational teaching methods and activities are easier to implement in a residential seminary than in a distance learning situation. In order to fully implement the relational aspects of a programme for moral formation, it would be helpful for the theological institutions to explore various forms of blended education and to develop partnerships and work with local churches. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Ethics)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A presente pesquisa analisou o processo de formação de teólogos na Universidade Católica de Pernambuco - UNICAP. A análise partiu do Projeto Pedagógico do Curso de Bacharelado em Teologia (PPTEO-2013), e da avaliação realizada com um grupo de 10 estudantes, estabelecendo-se os possíveis caminhos de adequação desta proposta de formação à realidade vigente. A pesquisa está dividida em três capítulos. O primeiro capítulo apresenta o significado da teologia enquanto ciência na atualidade, bem como rememora o processo histórico e as discussões sobre o Reconhecimento e Credenciamento de cursos de teologia pelo Ministério da Educação no Brasil. Ainda neste capítulo é relatada a caminhada histórica da formação de teólogos católicos na Arquidiocese de Olinda e Recife. O segundo capítulo percorre os passos epistemológicos de Santos (1997), Morin (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007), Cunha (1998), Vaz (2002) e Geffré (2009) buscando uma reflexão capaz de auxiliar uma leitura contemporânea do conhecimento científico, sobretudo com relação à formação e o fazer teológico na atualidade. O terceiro e último capítulo analisa o Projeto Pedagógico do Curso de Bacharelado em Teologia da UNICAP e os discursos dos seus discentes. Em conclusão, compreende-se que o grande desafio do curso de bacharelado em teologia da UNICAP é preparar teólogos e teólogas capazes de assumir com coerência crítica, dialógica, firmeza acadêmica e extrema sensibilidade cristã, os grandes dilemas vividos no século XXI. / This research examined the process of training of theologians at Catholic University of Pernambuco - UNICAP . The analysis started from the Pedagogical Project of Bachelor of Theology ( PPTEO 2013 ) and the evaluation performed with a group of 10 students , establishing possible ways to adapt this proposal to form the current reality . The research is divided into three chapters . The first chapter introduces the significance of theology as a science in the news and recalls the historical process and the discussions on the Recognition and Accreditation of theology courses by the Agency of the Federal Government of Education in Brazil. Although this chapter is reported to walk the historic formation of Catholic theologians in the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife . The second chapter goes through the epistemological steps of Santos (1997 ) , Morin ( 2000, 2003 , 2005, 2007 ) , Cunha (1998 ) , Vaz (2002 ) and Geffré (2009 ) to a reflection capable of assisting a contemporary reading of scientific knowledge especially with regard to training and theological doing today. The third and final chapter examines the pedagogical project of Bachelor Theology on the University Catholic of Pernambuco and speeches of their students . In conclusion, it is understood that the great challenge of the Bachelor in Theology from University Catholic of Pernambuco is preparing theologians able to take criticism with consistency , dialogical , academic Christian firmness and extreme sensitivity , the great dilemmas in the XXI century.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:12:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 luiz_gonzaga_moura_penteado.pdf: 389467 bytes, checksum: f9402ef5cc70c34a986b96bee0eb5f13 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This research examined the process of training of theologians at Catholic University of Pernambuco - UNICAP . The analysis started from the Pedagogical Project of Bachelor of Theology ( PPTEO 2013 ) and the evaluation performed with a group of 10 students , establishing possible ways to adapt this proposal to form the current reality . The research is divided into three chapters . The first chapter introduces the significance of theology as a science in the news and recalls the historical process and the discussions on the Recognition and Accreditation of theology courses by the Agency of the Federal Government of Education in Brazil. Although this chapter is reported to walk the historic formation of Catholic theologians in the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife . The second chapter goes through the epistemological steps of Santos (1997 ) , Morin ( 2000, 2003 , 2005, 2007 ) , Cunha (1998 ) , Vaz (2002 ) and Geffré (2009 ) to a reflection capable of assisting a contemporary reading of scientific knowledge especially with regard to training and theological doing today. The third and final chapter examines the pedagogical project of Bachelor Theology on the University Catholic of Pernambuco and speeches of their students . In conclusion, it is understood that the great challenge of the Bachelor in Theology from University Catholic of Pernambuco is preparing theologians able to take criticism with consistency , dialogical , academic Christian firmness and extreme sensitivity , the great dilemmas in the XXI century. / A presente pesquisa analisou o processo de formação de teólogos na Universidade Católica de Pernambuco - UNICAP. A análise partiu do Projeto Pedagógico do Curso de Bacharelado em Teologia (PPTEO-2013), e da avaliação realizada com um grupo de 10 estudantes, estabelecendo-se os possíveis caminhos de adequação desta proposta de formação à realidade vigente. A pesquisa está dividida em três capítulos. O primeiro capítulo apresenta o significado da teologia enquanto ciência na atualidade, bem como rememora o processo histórico e as discussões sobre o Reconhecimento e Credenciamento de cursos de teologia pelo Ministério da Educação no Brasil. Ainda neste capítulo é relatada a caminhada histórica da formação de teólogos católicos na Arquidiocese de Olinda e Recife. O segundo capítulo percorre os passos epistemológicos de Santos (1997), Morin (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007), Cunha (1998), Vaz (2002) e Geffré (2009) buscando uma reflexão capaz de auxiliar uma leitura contemporânea do conhecimento científico, sobretudo com relação à formação e o fazer teológico na atualidade. O terceiro e último capítulo analisa o Projeto Pedagógico do Curso de Bacharelado em Teologia da UNICAP e os discursos dos seus discentes. Em conclusão, compreende-se que o grande desafio do curso de bacharelado em teologia da UNICAP é preparar teólogos e teólogas capazes de assumir com coerência crítica, dialógica, firmeza acadêmica e extrema sensibilidade cristã, os grandes dilemas vividos no século XXI.

One of the most innovative and original Hasidic leaders and thinkers, Rabbi Nachman of Braslav (1772 – 1810), related thirteen long, complex fables during the final four years of his life. This doctoral thesis presents an analysis of the quest for the Lost Princess in Rabbi Nachman of Braslav's "Book of Stories in Ancient Times." The image of the Lost Princess and the quest to find and rescue her, which appear in four of these stories (including the first and the last ones), are central symbols in Rabbi Nachman's thought. The most important key to an analysis of this image and theme lies in understanding the symbols and concepts of the Jewish mystical tradition (the Kabbalah), as Rabbi Nachman himself suggested. / Classsics, Near & Far East & Religious Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Judaica)

The aim of this research project was to explore whether or not the TEE programme of The Wesleyan Church in Southern Africa is effectively contextualized to help churches to experience numerical increases in church attendance and in new congregations being started. Three aspects of contextualization were examined in relationship to The Wesley'.3-n Church's TEE programme: ( 1) Content, focusing upon the theme of "liberation"; ( 2) Methodology, focusing upon the theme of "conscientization"; and (3) Structures, focusing upon the theme of "involvement in context". At the outset of this research project, I hypothesized that The Wesleyan Church's TEE programme in Mozambique was being effectively contextualized, while the TEE programme in South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe was not. Data was collected by means of four different questionnaires, interviews, and observations made as a participant observer in different TEE classes. A letter was initially sent to 175 individuals who had been, or still were, still involved in the TEE programme of The Wesleyan Church in Southern Africa. A.total of 132 individuals responded and stated that they would be willing to participate in my research project. The data analysis indicates that when TEE helps its students to adhere to the following three principles of contextualization, the church is able to experience numerical growth; (1) Both the clergy and the laity have a vital ministry; (2) It is important to minister to the spiritual needs of people, as well as to the social and political needs of the people; and (3) Christians must be helped to think and act critically and creatively about the contexts in which they live and work. The conclusion seems to be that the Mozambican TEE programme, because it is being contextualized, is helping its churches to grow. On the other hand, the TEE programme in South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, because it has not been effectively contextualized, seems to be powerless in helping its churches to do the same. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / Th. D. (Practical Theology)

One of the most innovative and original Hasidic leaders and thinkers, Rabbi Nachman of Braslav (1772 – 1810), related thirteen long, complex fables during the final four years of his life. This doctoral thesis presents an analysis of the quest for the Lost Princess in Rabbi Nachman of Braslav's "Book of Stories in Ancient Times." The image of the Lost Princess and the quest to find and rescue her, which appear in four of these stories (including the first and the last ones), are central symbols in Rabbi Nachman's thought. The most important key to an analysis of this image and theme lies in understanding the symbols and concepts of the Jewish mystical tradition (the Kabbalah), as Rabbi Nachman himself suggested. / Classsics, Near and Far East and Religious Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Judaica)

The aim of this research project was to explore whether or not the TEE programme of The Wesleyan Church in Southern Africa is effectively contextualized to help churches to experience numerical increases in church attendance and in new congregations being started. Three aspects of contextualization were examined in relationship to The Wesley'.3-n Church's TEE programme: ( 1) Content, focusing upon the theme of "liberation"; ( 2) Methodology, focusing upon the theme of "conscientization"; and (3) Structures, focusing upon the theme of "involvement in context". At the outset of this research project, I hypothesized that The Wesleyan Church's TEE programme in Mozambique was being effectively contextualized, while the TEE programme in South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe was not. Data was collected by means of four different questionnaires, interviews, and observations made as a participant observer in different TEE classes. A letter was initially sent to 175 individuals who had been, or still were, still involved in the TEE programme of The Wesleyan Church in Southern Africa. A.total of 132 individuals responded and stated that they would be willing to participate in my research project. The data analysis indicates that when TEE helps its students to adhere to the following three principles of contextualization, the church is able to experience numerical growth; (1) Both the clergy and the laity have a vital ministry; (2) It is important to minister to the spiritual needs of people, as well as to the social and political needs of the people; and (3) Christians must be helped to think and act critically and creatively about the contexts in which they live and work. The conclusion seems to be that the Mozambican TEE programme, because it is being contextualized, is helping its churches to grow. On the other hand, the TEE programme in South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, because it has not been effectively contextualized, seems to be powerless in helping its churches to do the same. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / Th. D. (Practical Theology)