Browsing by Author "Semmelink, Willem"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

A Practical Theological Response To Human Trafficking In South Africa: A Salvation Army Perspective
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, South Africa) Venter, Marieke Wilhelmina 1962-; Semmelink, Willem
This study seeks to discover how Christians should respond to the ever-growing internationalcrime of human trafficking. The reason for the research rests on two pillars: one being personal conviction and the other a professional concern for deep research, through a Salvation Army lens,into how the Church can be instrumental in reducing human trafficking around the world.The main question of the study is as follows: How should The Salvation Army respond to the crime of human trafficking in the South African context? The sub-questions enquire into the nature of human trafficking in South Africa, what the Bible says about challenging and responding to injustice, how the Church has responded to slavery in history and howspecificallyThe Salvation Army should respond to humantrafficking in the present day. Utilising the Loyola Institute of Ministry research design, this worklooks at what is known about historical slavery and present-day human trafficking in South Africa as the current situation. It glances briefly at the well-known case of Sara Baartman as an early example of human trafficking. Still looking into the current situation,qualitative narrative research is used to tellthe stories of five women (one a very young girl) who were trafficked in different ways and for different reasons. Their stories are arranged under specific headings toexplain how they were trafficked, how they met The Salvation Army, and how their situations evolved.Searching for the situation as it should be, this study presents aBiblical enquiry into the mission statement of Jesus as pronounced in Luke 4:16-21and asks the question of whether the mission of the Church is the same as the mission of Jesus. In a quest to build a bridge between the current situation and the situation as it should be, the study plots a way forward by means of a proposed Christian model of response to human trafficking, including the requirements for a response and key areas of a response. The result is a workable, practical and realistic way for the Church as a whole, and for individual congregations to have a positive impact as part of a modern abolition movement.
Christian African emerging adults’ epistemological understanding of the authority of the Bible with particular reference to contextual evangelism within a Lutheran, Catholic and Charismatic church in Mamelodi, Tshwane, Gauteng
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg) Korner, Talitha Mathilda 1959; Semmelink, Willem; Joynt, Shaun
The focus of this thesis is on Christian African emerging adults’ epistemic understanding of the authority of the Bible with particular regard to contextual evangelism within a Lutheran, Catholic and Charismatic church in Mamelodi, Tshwane, Gauteng. The primary objective of this thesis was to demonstrate that among the emerging adults of Mamelodi, Gauteng, South Africa, there appears to be a perceived lack of comprehension of the Bible’s authority which currently hinders the proclamation of the gospel in a significant and contextual manner. The goal was to develop practical strategies arising from the findings to help the broader church addressing the challenges facing emerging adults. Through semi-structured interviews, the researcher explored Christian African emerging adults’ epistemic understanding of the Bible, focusing on contextual evangelism. Fifteen participants (eight males and seven females) from three different denominations (Catholic, Charismatic, and Lutheran) participated in the study. The researcher conducts a case study to investigate her perception of a lack of understanding of the Bible’s authority. The researcher utilises Browning’s fundamental practical theology research methodology. The findings based on the interviews reveal a disturbing neglect in reading and understanding the Bible and applying biblical principles in participants’ lives. Although emerging adults still believe that the Bible is reliable and authoritative, and crucial to read, they lack a thorough epistemological understanding of it. This thesis concludes with a summary of a clearer understanding of the Bible's authority amongst emerging adults. After summarising findings, further research and recommendations are offered to assist the church's impact concerning emerging adults reading and studying the Bible, proclaiming the gospel of Christ effectively.
Conspectus Volume 16
(South African Theological Seminary, 2013-09) Lioy, Dan T.; Smith, Kevin G.; Woodbridge, Noel; Semmelink, Willem; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Wyngaard, Peter; Zoltan, Erdey L.; Smith, Kevin G.
Conspectus Volume 18
(South African Theological Seminary, 2014-09) Lioy, Dan T.; Makidon, Michael; Woodbridge, Noel; Semmelink, Willem; Woods, David B.; Durigan, Angela; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Wyngaard, Peter; Zoltan, Erdey L.; Smith, Kevin G.
Conspectus Volume 29
(South African Theological Seminary, 2020-03) Bernard, Gerard; Lioy, Dan T.; Kvidahl, Clifford B.; Venter, Marieke; Semmelink, Willem; Adjei-Brown, Clement; Asumang, Annang; Amevenku, Frederick Mawusi; Boaheng, Isaac; Manyika, Batanayi I.; van Deventer, Cornelia; Jabini, Franklin; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Du Toit, Philip; Erdey, Zoltan L.
The Prophetic Witness of Amos and its Relevance for Today's Church in African Countries for Promoting Social Justice, Especially in Democratic South Africa Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 16, Issue 09, Sep 2013, p. 79 - 100
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Woodbridge, Noel B.; Semmelink, Willem
The purpose of this article is to show that the prophetic witness of Amos is relevant for today's church in African countries for promoting social justice, because of the growing corruption in African societies, especially in democratic South Africa. Firstly, relevant concepts relating to the prophetic witness of the church for promoting social justice are defined. Secondly, an attempt is made - using three theological arguments - to demonstrate that the church is called upon by God to be a prophetic witness for social justice in secular society. Thirdly, a biblical examination of the prophetic witness of Amos is presented, especially relating to the context, the call and the message of Amos. Fourthly, a discussion on the relevance of the prophetic witness of Amos for African churches today, especially in South Africa, is provided. Sixthly, recent developments and challenges for today's church in African countries like South Africa to revive their prophetic witness are described. Finally, the article proposes certain practical guidelines - based on the prophetic witness of Amos - for today's church on how to promote social justice in African countries, especially in democratic South Africa.
Towards A Set Of Criteria For Designing Programmes For Healthy Adolescent Development In Youth Groups Within Churches In The Northeast Trinidad District (Netd) Of The Pentecostal Assemblies Of The West Indies (Pawi)
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg South Africa) Harper, Warren; Semmelink, Willem; Semmelink, Willem
The purpose of this research was to determine criteria that could be used in designing programmes for healthy adolescent development within religious settings. This study focussed on selected churches within a District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies in the island of Trinidad, West Indies. Although the value of applying the PYD framework to working with youth and adolescents in various settings continues to grow, research showed very little application within religious youth settings such as Christian youth groups, and particularly as a tool for engaging adolescents for their overall, healthy development. I used the Osmer Model which began with uncovering current practices and understanding that motivated practice and concluded with presenting the ideal situation, that included a biblical component. Representatives were drawn from 20 churches which participated in the study, and these included interviews conducted with 12 youth committees and 124 survey respondents. I evaluated the data around five key domains: (1) mission, vision, and objectives, (2)target group, (3) youth health, (4) relationships, and (5) programming. Findings suggested that while some practices within youth programmes contributed to youth development, overall, the full potential of these youth programmes to promote healthy development was significantly overlooked. These results were demonstrated both in the understanding of those responsible for developing the programme and the practices of committees and participants alike. Overall, the religious setting and the youth groups, in particular, provided participants with ideal opportunities for healthy development, but a lot needs to be done to transform them into places for promoting and supporting all-round development.