Theses
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Item Mission in Creative Tension: Paradigm Shifts in Relationship to Church and Mission(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, South Africa) Lockard, Anna-Marie; Vermeullen, PieterSUMMARY: The focus of this thesis was to identify and examine the reasons for a paradigm shift in relationship to the Church in mission and to recommend ways in which this tension between Church and mission can be used creatively to further the work of Christ in the 21st century. Through the lens of the missio Dei, this thesis examined the theology and history of mission in order to introduce the theological, missiological, and contextual crises of mission organisations. Arguments of major theologian/missiologists were given as they pertained to the Old Testament book of Jonah, particularly, with regards to a biblical concept of mission. In addition, the incarnational model from the New Testament formed a background to posit that mission is not a grand human enterprise, but rather a creative partnership with Christ and His Church to do mission His way. This thesis culminates with a clarion call to the church to formulate a biblical-holistic concept of mission based on the incarnation. It must seek an understanding that God has gone before us in mission and the church exists for His mission. Mission is to be carried out by the whole church for the whole world (panta ta ethne). The church must be viewed as an instrument of God’s mission.To unite the relationship between church and mission will require an interdisciplinary approach with church, mission entities, and theological institutions working in harmony and creative partnership to accomplish the biblical goals of the missio Dei. The great task of the church for mission is to align itself with the incarnational mission of Jesus Christ.Item Common Witness: A Contemporary Approach to Islam(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, South Africa) Lockard, Anna-Marie; Vermeullen, PieterThis study has shown that today’s 21st church of Jesus Christ must abandon the notion that Islam is a formidable foe. Rather, Islam must be viewed as a people group for which Christ made atonement. Christ is waiting for the church of today to rise to the challenges and opportunities that Islam currently presents. This thesis has demonstrated that Christ has opened wide the doors of opportunity for inter-faith dialogue. The time is now. This research has sought to gain a pellucid grasp of the historical and contemporary missiological approaches and attitudes toward Islam. Implications for understanding and building bridges which form essential steps toward inter-faith dialogue have been demonstrated through missiological research. The issue of fear and antagonism among Muslims due to the September 11 terrorist activities (which raised the level of awareness of Islamic terrorists on a global scale) was carefully examined. Recommendations were given to demonstrate ways in which Christians can emit a peaceable witness to their Muslim neighbors. Finally, theological perspectives were compared to doctrinal differences in order to assess additional ways to build bridges between Islam and Christianity. Recommendations were presented to demonstrate ways in which Muslims may positively respond to a biblical understanding of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The comparative approach as an engagement tool was examined and proposed as an effective way to introduce the use of the Bible as it relates to a sound biblical faith. Inter-faith dialogue among our Muslim neighbors may be viewed either as an obstacle or an opportunity.