MTh Theses
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14194/2591
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Item A Critical Investigation into the Prophetic Praxis within the Sword Embassy Ministry of Ondangwa, Namibia: A Congregational Study(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2023) Ngube, Lasarus 1984–; Mzondi, Modisa; Mzondi, ModisaThis study is a critical investigation of the doctrine of prophecy, which is one of the central themes of the scriptures and one of the core messages of the Sword Embassy Ministry Ondangwa, Namibia. This research investigated the concept and experience of prophecy in the Sword Embassy Ministry. It discusses how Sword Embassy Ministry members experience and interpret the concept of prophecy in response to their existential problems. It is noted that while church members in general embraced prophecy, there has always been a varied understanding on what prophecy is and ways in which it should be practiced. The study revealed that prophecy has been a subject which has been practiced throughout the Bible from the Old Testament, New Testament, Early Church, and indeed through to the twentieth century. The researcher discussed the concept of prophetic praxis which is one of the core beliefs of the church. The study further examines the biblical and theological concept of prophecy, and it reveals that biblical prophecy is a comprehensive and holistic concept that defines God`s delivering involvement in human affairs. It demonstrates that the delivering and revelation acts of God have been redefined to every generation in every nation in response to questions asked by contemporary people. Hence the researcher developed a practical five-steps strategy for the implementation of prophetic ministry at a congregational level. The strategy entails (a) prayer and fasting, (b) Bible centered prophetic ministry, (c) sensitive prophecy, (d) interactive prophetic ministry and (e) feedback and accountability. The last chapter gives a reflective summary of the thesis, recommendations, and conclusion.Item Ordination of Women in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God–Zambia (PAOGZ), Eastern Province, Lundazi District(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2023) Kangwa, Kenny 1974–; Mzondi, Modisa; Mzondi, ModisaThis study discusses the ordination of women in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God – Zambia, Eastern province, Lundazi District, Zambia with regards to the local church’s cultural environment. The literature review was conducted on the teaching of the Pentecostal churches in which scholars’ systems and theories that shaped their theology regarding female ordination were unearthed. Nineteen local participants were interviewed in three separate focus groups of seven Lundazi Pentecostal pastors, six Lundazi senior males, and six Lundazi senior females, respectively. Each group aired their experiences, views, and feelings on the Lundazi cultural context regarding the role of women in society. Five lecturers from Eastern School of Mission and Theology were interviewed to share their views on the ordination of females in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God-Zambia in the Eastern Province of Zambia. A biblical analysis was conducted to determine what the Bible teaches regarding female ordination. Focus was placed on passages that teach some form of ordination, namely Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5 in relation to gender prophetic gifts (Acts 2:17). These and related passages were compared with 1 Timothy 2:12, which tends to teach on the exclusion of females from ruling local assemblies. Comparison and contrast of the literature, interviews and biblical analysis revealed that PAOGZ, Eastern Province, Lundazi District, Zambia operated in a patriarchal environment. Evidence showed that women who attempted to pastor local assemblies in the area faced rejection from local people. Recommendations were made in forms of theological implications and practical recommendations to help the local church improve its practices of female ordination by making them relevant to the culture of its people.Item PBL in der theologischen Ausbildung(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Scheffler, Wolfgang 1963; Shirrmacher, Thomas; Shirrmacher, ThomasThe present thesis deals with the question of "Problem Based Learning" as an option for professional theological education. Besides the purely academic question of theological education, there is a need for well-trained church leaders on an academic level. Not everyone has the opportunity of leaving his job for theological education. And sometimes a clear connection between theological education and pastoral practice in the church community is missing. Therefore, Problem Based Learning seems to be a solution. After a brief introduction to the principle of Problem Based Learning and its main tools, there will be a reflection on this method from the methodological, didactical, and educational perspectives. This happens to clarify how far this method can keep its promises. Because Problem Based Learning based on the theory of Constructivism that is contradicting the Christian understanding of truth, there will be a theological reflection as well. The thesis ends with a draft of an adaption of this method to theological education in the context of current needs.Item The Concept of Glory in First Peter(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Pike, David James 1983; Sivonen, MikkoThe purpose of this study is to explore the concept of glory in 1 Peter. To that end, it has endeavoured to explore and analyse the words and concepts applied by Peter, which could be described as representing or shaping the overall concept of glory. Influenced by the narrative approach taken by previous studies, this thesis has examined 1 Peter in light of the Old Testament and the unfolding narrative of Scripture, while seeking to present its findings in systematically theological terms. In addition, the influence of the life and teachings of Jesus as a significant factor in the life of Peter as well as the influence of the Roman Imperial context of the time have also been considered. The questions that guided the research for this study were as follows: 1. How do we define which words and concepts relate to the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter? 2. What factors influence Peter’s understanding and use of the concept of glory in 1 Peter? 3. Which words or concepts does Peter use to communicate the glory concept? 4. Is Peter’s use of language related to the glory concept uniform throughout his letter or does he apply terminology differently in different places? 5. What other concepts in 1 Peter are related to the concept of glory and affect or help define the overall concept of glory? 6. What theological categories characterise the overall concept of glory in the epistle? Glory language and related concepts permeate the epistle and therefore the text is exegeted and examined to ascertain Peter’s concept of glory. To this end, the letter is divided into twelve sections or exegetical units. This process discovered that there are many words and concepts in 1 Peter that are related to or define the overall concept of glory that Peter presents in this letter. As one might expect, the most prominent way the concept of glory was seen in the epistle was through the presence of the “glory” lexemes δόξα and τιμή and their semantically related derivatives. It is the presence of these terms that initially make the reader aware that the concept of glory is prominent in 1 Peter. It is also in the manner that other language relates to these lexemes, through various levels of context, that we understand that they are relating to or modifying the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter. In multiple places throughout the epistle, the concept of glory is identified with or modified by other concepts. For example, the concept of identity plays a role in shaping Peter’s concept of glory. Peter’s identity, and that of his audience, is intrinsically linked to their connection to Jesus and his identity. Jesus, as the eschatological Israel, is the narrative fulfilment of the Old Testament Scriptures and their identity with him will also mean their participation in the future revelation of his glories. Related to this identity theme is the presentation of Jesus as the “Cornerstone” and “Living stone”, while his followers are described as a “Chosen Race”, a “Royal Priesthood”, a “Holy Nation” and a “People for His Own Possession”. There are also several other concepts that influence and shape Peter’s overall concept of glory. The concepts of hope, joy, faith, grace, salvation, life, inheritance, and blessing fill out the concepts of deliverance and vindication. The concepts of holy living, characterised by honourable conduct, and suitable submission within relevant social contexts, are also seen to be contributing to the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter. Building on these findings, theological categories that communicate the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter are created. These categories are Glory as a Possession of a Person or a Group of People, Glory as an Experience of God’s Presence, Glory as a Superior Quality in Comparison to Others, Glory as a Concept in Relation to Time, and Glory as the Vindication of God’s People. In addition to these categories, within the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter, Peter distinguishes between the concept of eternal, salvific, Christian glory and the concept of temporal, non-salvific, pagan glory.Item Die Dringlichkeit der strategischen Konsolidierung junger Christen/Gemeinden bei Paulus exemplarisch im 1. Thessalonicherbrief (2,17-3,10), mit möglichen Implikationen für die Gemeindegründungs-, bzw. Gemeinderevitalisierungsbewegung: Eine exegetisch systematische Untersuchung.(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Luz, Edgar 1972; Vogt, Titus; Vogt, TitusIn dieser Arbeit wird die Frage untersucht, welche Priorität der Apostel Paulus der Nacharbeit mit seinen jungen Konvertiten einräumt. Es wird erforscht, welche Dringlichkeit und Strategie hinter den uns offenbarten apostolischen Maßnahmen und Aktivitäten in seinen neuen Gemeinden stehen. Als Modell wählen wir die Gemeinde in Thessaloniki. Darin wird zuerst allgemein die Frage nach der Existenz einer Strategie bei Pls. aus verschiedenen Perspektiven erörtert. Anschließend werden die gängigen Ansätze in der aktuelleren biblisch-theologischen Fachliteratur auf die letztlichen Ambitionen des Apostels für die jungen Konvertiten in Thessaloniki analysiert und die Resultate in einer kurzen Synthese vergleichend aufgearbeitet. Hierbei sehen wir, dass die Ansätze weniger Alternativen als Komplementierung zueinander darstellen. Eine längere Einführung in den 1 Thess.-brief versucht, neben den allgemeinen Einleitungfragen, vor allem die Länge des Erstaufenthaltes und die genaue Abfolge der Nacharbeitsinitiativen festzulegen. Dieser folgt eine intensive Auseinandersetzung mit dem curricularen Inhalt der katechetischen Erstunterweisung, die Pls. der Gemeinde bei seinem ersten Aufenthalt in Thessaloniki gab. Dieser wird nachfolgend richtungsweisend in einen kurzen ersten Fazit zusammengefasst, wobei hier ein Schwerpunkt auf die „parakaleo“ Wortfamilie im 1 Thess.-brief gelegt und unter den drei Aspekten des integrierten Dienstes, inhaltlichen Dichte und intensivierten Dynamik kategorisiert wird. Hierauf folgt eine kurze textkritische Untersuchung unseres Modelltextes aus 1 Thess 2,17-3,10 mit dem Ziel, sich zu familiarisieren mit dem weiteren Kontext, inneren Aufbau, Sprache und Stil. Einer detaillierten dreiteiligen Einzelexegese folgt ein längeres Fazit mit der Analyse der in der Forschungsfrage wichtigen Aspekte auf dem Hintergrund der Details des Textes und seiner Auslegung. Diese wird tabellarisch aufgearbeitet und mit einem kurzen Schlussplädoyer abgerundet. Abschließend wird versucht, die erarbeiteten Prinzipien in einigen kurzen Thesen für die Missions- und Gemeindearbeit des 21. Jahrhunderts fruchtbar zu machen.Item A Socio-Rhetorical Analysis of Paul’s Speech in Acts 17:16–34: Implications for a Missions Strategy Beyond the Ewes in the Global Evangelical Church in Ghana.(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Sackitey, Francis Lawer 1967; Van Deventer, Cornelia; Van Deventer, CorneliaThe command Jesus gave the Church to make disciples of all nations in Matthew 28:16–20 calls for a missions strategy that takes into consideration the socio-cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds of those the Church reaches out to. The writer of the Acts of the Apostles narrates how in carrying out the mandate of the Great Commission, the Holy Spirit through the apostles, adopted various mission strategies to fulfil that mandate. The Apostle Paul’s speech in Acts 17:16–34 is one of the classic examples of how the early missionaries adopted the socio-cultural, religious, and linguistic background of their audiences to carry the gospel message across. This thesis adopts a socio-rhetorical analysis methodology to analyse Paul’s speech in Acts 17:16–34 with the aim of distilling implications of the speech for missions strategy which will take care of the socio-cultural, religious, and linguistic settings of the people the Church evangelises. Many scholars, having researched the Areopagus speech, have proposed that the gospel message must be contextualised into the cultural context of those evangelised. One major gap in those studies however is how the Church must articulate the gospel in a multicultural and linguistic context to distil theological and missiological truth(s) for the African (and, in this case, Ghanaian) context, where language planning and the accommodation of tribal distinctions are frequently undermined in the Church’s missions strategy. The research considered the context of the book of Acts, examined the socio-rhetorical context of Paul’s speech in Acts 17:16–34, undertook a socio-rhetorical analysis of the speech, and explored its significance for missions strategy. The practical significance of the socio-rhetorical interpretation of Paul’s speech in Acts 17:16–34 is the acquisition of handles for the Global Evangelical Church in Ghana and abroad to expand its missions plan beyond service to the Ewe people. The research revealed that though the early Church struggled to integrate Jews and Gentiles as worldviews, language practices, history, and other factors were anything but monolithic, the apostle Paul adopted a missions strategy that demonstrates a worthwhile attempt to bridge tribal and language barriers in his mission work.Item Exploring Challenges of Theological Education for Women in Evangelical Churches in Ndola, Zambia.(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Phiri, Rachel Eva Melhorn 1055; Amenyedzi, Seyram B.; Brodie, RobertNumerous women from evangelical churches within Ndola, Zambia desire to do theological education. As the women pursue theological studies, they encounter obstacles which hinder their studies. This empirical research, in the field of Practical Theology, explored the challenges experienced by some women from evangelical churches in Ndola. The study was done through finding the current situation of the women, as well as the reason they find themselves in their present circumstances. Next, the research devised a model of what the situation should be in Ndola with women doing theological studies. And lastly, the study discovered some possible ways of responding to the situation with the women from Ndola, Zambia. In order to come to know the barriers, qualitative interviews with four different groups of participants were conducted. In the first task, the interviews provided the current situation with women from Ndola, Zambia doing theological education. Through the second task, the influences that hindered the women from doing theology courses were discovered. The third task was vital to determine what the ideal situation should be. This was done through a biblical and theological reflection on women in the Bible, as well as, seeking wisdom from educators at institutions within Ndola, concerning women and the way they learn. The final task provides suggestions for overcoming the obstacles after determining what the ideal situation should be. A data analysis and findings point to ten different obstacles, called themes, that women encounter as they pursue theological education. The themes are as follows: lack of resources, time management, misunderstood on the reason for pursuing theological education, mentality concerning the priority of educating males over females, learning styles and teaching methods, online learning, the value of a woman as a person, gender imbalance in theology classrooms, and the perception of female leadership in the church. The influences of each of these themes point to a number of trends, which provided the reason for the themes. Lastly, a possible response to the challenges encountered by women from Ndola, Zambia to pursue theological education is proposed as recommendations.Item Liebe – (k)ein Gefühl Das Phänomen der Liebe Gottes in der Theologie – Was Liebe Gottes ist und woran sie erkannt wird(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Busenbender, Sylke 1961; Kubsch, Ron; Kubsch, RonSummary not available.Item An Evaluation of Job Creation Programs in Alexandra Township by Two Sandton-Based Churches in Light of 2 Corinthians 8(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Meulenberg, Alef 1987; Joynt, Shaun; Joynt, ShaunThis research study was undertaken to determine what the appropriate contemporary response was for Sandton-based churches in light of Paul’s challenge to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, where he asks them to contribute to the Jerusalem collection. While Paul uses a monetary collection in support of the poor in Jerusalem, churches in Sandton can mainly assist the poor in Alexandra by being involved with job creation programs. South Africa is the most economic unequal country in the world and the relationship between Alexandra and Sandton provide for a microcosm of this inequality. The apostle Paul urges his congregations to contribute towards a clear need amongst the poor in Jerusalem with the following aims (1) to alleviate poverty and (2) to create fellowship across racial and social lines. Within the current context relating to both economic and socio-economic inequality, combined with significant racial tensions, the most effective way to alleviate poverty is for Sandton based churches to participate in job creation programs in neighbouring township communities. The two churches that participated in this research study, namely, Rivers Church and Rosebank Union Church, have long-standing initiatives in Alexandra township. These interventions include several current job creation programs that are operated with limited success. One outcome of this research study is that both churches adopt a job creation methodology called Market Creating Innovations, where through innovation, complex and expensive products and services are simplified and therefore offered at a cheaper rate. This process makes products and services accessible to a larger quantity of people. Within the framework of Osmer’s practical theological reflection qualitative research was undertaken to determine what strategies and methodologies can be adopted by both churches to participate in job creation programs in Alexandra. Current stakeholders, participants of programs, and industry experts were interviewed, the selected biblical text analysed, and social sciences consulted, to provide a sustainable recommendation to both churches.Item A Kuyperian Theology of Living Under Christ as King: Towards Cultivating a Christian Transformative Cultural Engagement in Croatia(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Balint-Feudvarski, Miroslav 1980; Falconer, Robert D.; Falconer, Robert D.Croatia has undergone manifold political changes in the last hundred years, from living in a monarchy through undergoing 45 years of Communist dictatorship and public contempt toward religion to the last 30 years of capitalism and religious freedom. Nevertheless, undesirable markings were left upon Croatian social mentality but also on the evangelical community, which yet has to dare to taste the newfound religious liberties. Indeed, evangelical Christians need to understand that they were released from the bondage of feeling oppressed and detached from the majority of society and can offer themselves as a transformative influence. Unfortunately, this partly transpired because of the influence of a particular form of Christian fundamentalism, which is prone to alienate believers from society. This thesis in systematic theology argues that a Kuyperian vision of living under Christ as King can address these challenges in a way that will cultivate a transformative cultural engagement in Croatia. It utilizes the modified Osborne method of systematic theology, which is integrative and encompasses historical, biblical, contextual, and, to an extent, practical theology. It shows that Christ’s present rule over the whole world, as presented by Kuyperian theology, is grounded in the historical views of Augustine and Calvin and was later developed by Abraham Kuyper and his theological successors. Kuyperian theology holds that God is not working in the human culture only through believers (special grace) but also through unbelievers (common grace). It is both preserving the world from the fall to total corruption and enabling human cultural achievements that align with God’s initial intention for humanity. Nevertheless, Christ’s ascension to heaven means that he is now the world's rightful King, pushing God’s plan even more decisively forward through the engagement of his body, the Church. It gives the impetus to believers and opens up many possibilities for their engagement with the culture in redemptive and transformative ways. The exegetical analysis of Colossians 1:15-20shows that the Kuyperian vision is grounded in the Bible, as the passage elucidates that Christ is the sovereign Creator. He became the Messianic King of the whole world and the Head of the church. He is now ruling and working on reconciliation of all things, which will be completed at his second coming. His Body, the Church, is called to vice-regency with Him and in Him and to be faithful in its proclamational, vocational, exemplary, and incarnational role in the world. Kuyperian theology of Christ’s kingship is then contextualized for Croatian evangelicals—as it is argued that Kuyperianism offers a balanced vision for cultural engagement that evades both the excessive enthusiasm of Postmillennialism and the cultural despondency of some sorts of Premillennialism—and applied to different sovereign spheres. Finally, this vision is applied to evangelical churches in Croatia, as it relates to their functions of formation through Word and Sacrament, exemplification of faith, hope, and love to the watching world, and prophetic proclamation of Christ’s Kingship through evangelism and dialogue.