This study identifies a theological trajectory of first generation “believers” – those who allow the
biblical text to speak authoritatively into their lives – within the Sindhi community of Pakistan. A
passage from a contemporary translation of the New Testament in the Sindhi language – Luke
15:11-32, Jesus’ Parable of the Two Lost Sons – was presented in interview settings to discover
how Sindhis express their faith as they consider the message of the parable. Culture texts
generated by believers are compared to those generated by “traditional” Muslim Sindhis who do
not accept the Bible as authoritative. Twenty–eight people identified as Sindhi believers were
interviewed as well as twenty traditional Sindhi Muslims. Similarities and contrasts between the
two groups are used to discover how the theological praxis of the believers is being impacted and
how they are adjusting their view of God as they engage scripture. The description of theological
trajectories that diverge from accepted traditional convictions is referred to as “mapping.”
Six themes were identified from the interviews that are important for both groups while
demonstrating distinct contrasts and similarities. The themes are (1) God is
compassionate/kind/merciful/loving beyond our imagination, (2) God forgives his servants who
repent, (3) Concepts of rewards, punishment and the fear of God, (4) The relationship of human
beings with God (child versus servant), (5) Issues of justice, honor and status, and (6) The
importance of obedience to God. An evaluation of the six themes revealed one overarching
trajectory: a shift from a dominant master–servant view of the Divine–human relationship to a father–child paradigm. The research affirms that the shift to a biblically shaped view of God is not
disconnected from previous beliefs, but is based on and shaped by a priori assumptions held by
members of society. Commitment to the Bible as God’s word speaking authoritatively to believers
creates a shift or trajectory of faith so that current perspectives, symbols and metaphors of God are
being reformed and reconfirmed through the believers’ interaction with the Sindhi translation of
scripture. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/13472 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Naylor, Mark, 1959- |
| Contributors | Kritzinger, J. N. J. (Johannes Nicolaas Jacobus), 1950-, Van Heerden, Schalk Willem |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (542 leaves) : illustrations (some color), application/pdf |
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