ill this study the interpersonal relationships and especially problematic communication within
the family context is of paramount concern. The focus on communication, specifically in the
family system, with a view to Biblically restoring communication in problematic interpersonal
relationships gives the present study validity and value; this is especially true in the context of
family systems in SOllth Africa. The family system in South Africa is under pressure and the.
pastoral care giver is, subsequently, also under pressure to provide accurate counselling and
intercession when needed to the family as a whole. This study aims to satisfY that need in
focusing on restoring communication in problematic interpersonal relationships in the family
system from a Bible-centred (Christian) perspective.
The areas that the researcher investigated centred on communication in problematic
interpersonal family relationships and the way in which communication problems in a particular
family system may contribute to the potential problems that the family as a unit may have to
cope with. The researcher worked with the hypothesis that problematic communiCation in
interfamilial relationships may severely impede the family system in functioning as an allied unit
against the pressures of life (for instance fmancial challenges, work stress). If family
communication patterns were healthy or at least functional, the hypothesis is that all other
problems that a family might face could be handled more easily by a family as an allied unit.
The research question of this study is: How can families, with problematic interpersonal familial
relationships, be counselled from a Biblical perspective with the primary objective of restoring
communication in the family system? Can effective Bible-centred counselling guidelines be set
down and developed from a study of family systems as depicted in Scripture, the human sciences
and an empirical study in order to restore communication in problematic interpersonal
relationships in the family system?
This study shows that problematic communication in interfamilial relationships does impede the
family system from functioning effectively. Interpersonal relationships in the family system is
often complex and communication is only one element present in those relationships which can
have a detrimental effect on good family relationships if communication is strained. The
overarching research aim of the study was to obtain, develop and put forth Bible-centered
praxis-theoretical guidelines on restoring communication in family systems caught up in
problematic interpersonal relationships. The conclusion of this study is that families with
problematic interpersonal familial relationships can be effectively counselled from a Biblical
perspective with the aid of material from the human sciences with the primary objective of restoring communication in the family system. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/8500 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Fourie, Omar Greyling Daniel |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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