Theses
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Item Practical Proposals for raising the profile of Children’s Ministry in the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believer’s Church(South African Theological Seminary, 2010) Abera, Abay; Jabini, FrankThis mini-thesis, titled "Practical Proposals for Raising the Profile of Children's Ministry in the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believer's Church," addresses the critical issue of children's ministry within the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believer’s Church (EFGBC). Submitted in partial fulfillment for the Master of Theology degree at the South African Theological Seminary, this work comprehensively explores identifying and rectifying the deficiencies in spiritual and social nurturing of children within the EFGBC. The research is structured into several key sections: an introduction providing background, significance, research questions, objectives, and methodology; an examination of biblical perspectives on children’s spiritual and social life; a survey assessing the current state of children’s ministry within EFGBC; identification of existing problems based on research findings; and proposed strategies for improvement. Key findings reveal that children in the EFGBC are significantly neglected both spiritually and socially. The study highlights the necessity for a biblically grounded approach to children’s ministry, emphasizing evangelism, teaching, caring, proper discipline, and equipping children for ministry. The proposed strategies include enhanced parental involvement, structured teaching programs, and church-led initiatives aimed at the holistic development of children. The research methodology involved data collection through written interviews with 90 church leaders and members across five zones of Ethiopia. Analysis of this data, supported by relevant graphs and comparisons with biblical teachings, led to practical recommendations aimed at transforming the current state of children's ministry in the EFGBC. The study concludes that for the EFGBC to cultivate a godly generation and future leaders, it must prioritize children’s ministry, adhering to scriptural principles. This transformation requires concerted efforts from both church leadership and the wider believing community to ensure children are adequately evangelized, nurtured, disciplined, and equipped for future ministry. The mini-thesis thus serves as a vital resource for pastors, parents, and church leaders dedicated to the spiritual and social development of children within the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believer’s Church.Item Widowhood Practice in Ezeagu, Nigeria: The Role of the Anglican Church(South African Theological Seminary, 2014) Mgboo, Agubuzu-Oyi Celestina; Lessing, PelhamThe mini-thesis explores the socio-cultural practice of widowhood in Ezeagu, Nigeria. The study found through both the literature study and the empirical component, that harmful cultural practices are associated with the cultural rituals of widowhood. These rituals are deeply rooted in hegemonic theory, a type of moral and philosophical leadership, which promotes dominance and control at the expense of the oppressed and marginalized. Hegemonic practice in Nigeria, as it relates to widowhood practices, rests with major social, political, and religious groups who provide consent to cultural practices. Furthermore, the study found hegemonic theory undermines the human dignity and rights of widows and their children in the research locale and has added to the stress (life crisis units) and hardships of widowhood. The study proceeds to reflect on the role of Scripture and consequently the church in addressing these harmful widowhood practices as well as charting a path to assist widows in ordering their personal worlds. The people of God in the Old Testament (the Kehal Yahweh) and the Church in the New Testament (the Ecclesia), the study argues, have always been at the forefront of addressing issues related to social justice. Drawing on the Biblical narrative and secondary sources, the researcher highlights the social responsibility of the [Anglican] Church. The Anglican Church, the study also found, has been very active in alleviating the plight of widows in Ezeagu. Through its pastoral and caring activities, the church assisted several of its members as well as citizens attached to other religions to find accommodation; assisted in supplying food; through its advocacy programs addressed issues relating to legislation, education, and creative strategies in their attempt to eradicate the harmful practices relating to the nature, rituals, and damaging practices of widowhood. The study concludes by making recommendations on how widows, the church, and society at large can continue to upgrade and intensify their efforts to empower especially Anglican widows, who are members of the church, to order their private world and become mentors and/or coaches of those who enter the status of widowhood and serve as advocates for the plight of widows in Ezeagu. The study appeals to the spiritual senses of the Anglican Church deeply rooted in the biblical narrative to continue to seek the welfare of widows as an expression of biblical advocacy and action in relation to human hardships. Solitary religion is not an option for the church. In keeping with one of the central biblical passages for the church at large, Matthew 22:34-40, [social] holiness is deep intentional love for neighbor. Stressing religion, evangelical spirituality, or social action, one without the other, the study argues, leads to problems in both directions (Evangelical Gnosticism), and keeping the balance is the task of the church; this is theology in action.Item La Formación de Líderes en la Iglesia Local: El Caso de Cuatro Iglesias Pertenecientes a la Asociación De Iglesias Evangélicas de Oriente (ASIGEO) en Venezuela(South African Theological Seminary, 2016) Marcano Carrizalez, Samuel Antonio; Hendrickson, Mark G.La formación para el ministerio es una necesidad vital para todas las iglesias. El apóstol Pablo deja claro que los dones deben ser desarrollados para la edificación de la iglesia (1 Corintios 12:4-11; Efesios 4:11-16) y Pedro exhorta a cada creyente a servir a los demás a través del ejercicio de sus dones (1 Pedro 4:10). En ese proceso de crecimiento, la iglesia necesita de creyentes que sirvan de guías o líderes para ayudar a los demás en el servicio al Señor. La formación de estos líderes siempre ha sido un desafío para todas las iglesias. La mayoría de los pastores se sienten frustrados cuando buscan apoyo en otros creyentes para que les ayuden a liderar ministerios o áreas de servicio en la iglesia y no lo encuentran. Esta investigación muestra la forma cómo cuatro iglesias que pertenecen a la Asociación de Iglesias Evangélicas de Oriente (ASIGEO) en Venezuela están asumiendo la tarea de formar líderes locales. Se demuestra, en la investigación, que es importante en este proceso de formar líderes: 1) Tener una definición clara de lo que es un líder cristiano, 2) puntualizar la necesidad de que sean los pastores mismos quienes asuman la responsabilidad de la formación de líderes en la iglesia local y que busquen toda la ayuda necesaria para este fin, 3) ofrecer apoyo continuo a los líderes emergentes a través de mentorías y asistencias pastorales y 4) reconocer el papel importante que la organización, ASIGEO, puede cumplir en ayudar a los pastores e iglesias en el proceso de formación de líderes emergentes.Item An Exegetical Study of 1 Timothy 6:3-12 With Special Reference to Its Implications for the Prosperity Gospel(South African Theological Seminary, 2018) Dlamini, Sifiso T.; Falconer, Robert D.The prosperity gospel (PG) is a widespread theology among certain denominations of the Christian church. The essence of this theology is the teaching that Christians have a right to wealth and health through positive confession and is based on a selection of texts in the Bible. The prosperity gospel, on closer examination, is the result of a very particular view of the Bible. The Bible is primarily seen as a faith contract between God and believers. Along this way, God is manipulated by the believer to fulfill his or her wants or desires. Most have come to believe that whatever they desire from God, they must simply speak (claim) it by faith. Positive confession means, therefore, that believers are speaking in faith what they believe God has already promised to them. At the heart of the prosperity teaching lies the conviction that no Christian is destined to suffer and live in poverty on this earth. The prosperity gospel has been examined and analyzed in the light of what the Bible teaches about wealth and health. The study is limited to an exegetical study of 1 Timothy 6:3-12. The results, as well as the practical implications and warnings, are discussed. It concludes with a summary of the prosperity gospel, detailing its faithfulness or infidelity to the biblical text. Recommendations are suggested that, taken together, are considered to be an appropriate response to advocates of that gospel.Item De Bijbelse Rol van Oudsten en Diakenen in de Volle Evangelie Gemeente “The Open Door” in Suriname: Een Gevalstudie(South African Theological Seminary, 2010) Gregor, Ewald F. F.; Jabini, FrankDit onderzoek zal de Bijbelse rol van de ambten van diakenen en oudsten binnen de Volle Evangelie Gemeenten, in het bijzonder de Volle Evangelie Gemeente The Open Door, behandelen. Na onderzoek is gebleken dat er binnen de kerken, maar vooral de Volle Evangelie Gemeenten in Suriname, geen duidelijke richtlijnen en ook geen publicaties zijn die handelen over de ambten. Vanwege het feit dat er geen publicaties zijn, zal er gebruik worden gemaakt van interviews, enquêtes en gesprekken. Vanwege de verschillende kerkdenominaties in Suriname, zal er een verscheidenheid van meningen zijn met betrekking tot de rol van deze ambten binnen deze kerken. Elk van de geïnterviewde kerkleiders deelt naast de stand van zaken binnen zijn kerkdenominatie ook zijn eigen ervaring en de verwachte rol van deze ambten binnen de huidige levenssituatie mee. Er zullen ook boeken en andere publicaties die handelen over de ambten besproken worden om zodoende een goede Bijbelse Theologische basis te leggen voor de Bijbelse rol van de ambten binnen de Volle Evangelie Gemeente The Open Door. De nadruk zal ook gelegd worden op de eventuele verschillen in het functioneren van deze ambten. Er zal onderzoek gedaan worden van twee van de pastorale brieven van de apostel Paulus, namelijk 1 Timotheüs 3:1-13 en Titus 1:5-9, om de verantwoordelijkheden van deze ambten duidelijk te zien. Ook zal er gekeken worden naar de kwaliteiten die deze ambtsdragers volgens deze brieven behoren te hebben. Dit onderzoek zal in de opbouw de gangbare indeling van een verslag van Soudijn opvolgen: Soudijn 1991:60. Ook zal er een soort “trechter” methode worden gevolgd naar het voorbeeld van Soudijn (Soudijn 1991:63-65). Deze “trechter” methode zal als volgt worden toegepast. Ik wil eerst de internationale ontwikkelingen bestuderen, daarna die van de Surinaamse kerken in het algemeen, vervolgens die van de Pinkster Gemeenten, en tenslotte zal ik voor de Volle Evangelie Gemeente The Open Door een strategie ontwikkelen.Item Debating Scientific Origins: Can Intelligent Design Be Supportively Involved in Natural Science Debates on the Origin of Life?(South African Theological Seminary, 2013) Farr Williams, Michael Scott; Pretorius, MarkThis study endeavors to understand the writings of Ken Miller and Eugenie Scott in terms of their objections to Intelligent Design being involved in the Natural Science Debates on the Origin of Life. These writings include Ken Miller’s books *Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution* and *Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul*. These writings also include Eugenie Scott’s books *Not in Our Classrooms: Why Intelligent Design is Wrong for Our Classrooms* and *Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction*. Further, this study identifies the objections these two authors have with Intelligent Design and looks for possible solutions from the Intelligent Design Movement. The idea is that advocates of both sides are quick to judge and slow to listen. This study is not to convince one side or the other, but to simply listen to the objections and possible answers from both sides. In this way, a bridge can be made between the two sides and these divergent groups can begin to understand one another. The objections that were raised by Miller and Scott include Miller’s objections to the age of the earth, limitations on evolution’s mechanism of natural selection, family trees in animals, Aristotle’s idea of four distinct kinds of causes, and finally design imperfections. This study also brought out ID’s connection with creationism and its contention with mainstream science. ID advocates answer these objections by saying that Intelligent Design (hereafter designated as ID) is not necessarily connected with a literal Genesis or a young-earth position. They do contend that the scientific community and its reliance on naturalism is a stumbling block for the Intelligent Design Movement. The study also explores the nature of a designer and how this affects the acceptance of Intelligent Design. The study then moves to the proper use of science as expressed in the scientific method and how the concept of a designer could hinder the acceptance of Intelligent Design. The study continues with how the Christian and Hebrew scriptures relate to the issue of ID and its objections. Finally, the study moves on to give some practical implications and suggestions on how ID can answer these objections.Item Continuity or Discontinuity of Blessing Rituals in African Traditional Religion: Towards a Contextual Theology of Christian Faith Among the Meta’ People in North West Cameroon(South African Theological Seminary, 2018) Fokwa, John Nji; Mzondi, ModisaThe mbàn (the Metaʼ family meeting house) is an institution unique to the Meta’ and Moghamo-speaking populations of the North West Region of Cameroon. Many rites of blessing are performed in this house. For instance, the blessing of a girl to be handed over in marriage, the blessing of a barren woman/wife in the family, the blessing of a sick or unfortunate child, the blessing of disputing parties after they have been reconciled, and the blessing of an entire family after the annual family gathering. The Meta’ speaking community called the mbàn: “the most important house in the compound,” “the original church” before the advent of Christianity, “the house of peace, love, unity, harmony, and reconciliation.” Unfortunately, Pentecostals among the Meta’ community have labeled the mbàn an evil place and a place where Meta’ people worship gods or idols. They vehemently state that the mbàn and the elements used for blessings should be thrown away or discarded. Data about the mbàn was gathered through interviews and questionnaires from different people among the Meta’ clan. In this study, therefore, I have attempted through interviews and questionnaires administered to participants consisting of thirty (30) Christians made up of ten (10) clergy and twenty (20) church members, ten (10) family heads, five (5) chiefs and two (2) regents, five (5) teachers, and five (5) university lecturers. This data was then used to propose a strategy for a contextualized use of the mbàn, its blessing rites, and tangible elements for local churches among Metaʼ Christians and others.Item Begleitwirkungen und mögliche Risiken des Internet-Pornografie-Konsums Ein Beitrag aus der Perspektive christlicher Ethik(South African Theological Seminary, 2015) Fürstenberg, Merlin; Schirrmacher, ThomasBegleitwirkungen und mögliche Risiken des Internet-Pornografie-Konsums: Ein Beitrag aus der Perspektive christlicher Ethik Diese Arbeit untersucht die begleitenden Wirkungen und potenziellen Risiken des Konsums von Internet-Pornografie, analysiert aus der Perspektive der christlichen Ethik. Angesichts der allgegenwärtigen Verfügbarkeit von Internet-Pornografie zielt diese Studie darauf ab, ihre ethischen Implikationen sowohl auf individueller als auch auf gesellschaftlicher Ebene zu bewerten. Die Forschungsfragen konzentrieren sich auf drei Hauptbereiche: die individuellen und gesellschaftlichen Folgen der Produktion und des Konsums digitaler Pornografie aus der Sicht der interdisziplinären Sexologie; die Integration dieser Erkenntnisse in die christliche Sexualethik, um einen Dialog zu schaffen; und die Bereitstellung nachdenklicher Anstöße zur existenziellen Bewertung des ethischen Werts der Pornografie durch die Leser. Die Arbeit stellt die Hypothese auf, dass die soziologische Forschung wahrscheinlich eine pornografie-freundlichere Bewertung präsentieren wird, die eine erhöhte sexuelle Aufklärung und Befreiung hervorhebt, während die psychologische Forschung kritischer sein wird und vor einer möglichen Sucht und der Konditionierung abweichender sexueller Vorlieben warnt. Die christliche Ethik, die sich auf soziologische und psychologische Erkenntnisse stützt, wird einen normativen Rahmen auf der Grundlage biblischer Maßstäbe bieten, wobei insbesondere der einzigartige Wert der Ehe als exklusiver Kontext für sexuelle Intimität betont wird. Die Struktur der Arbeit ist in drei Hauptabschnitte unterteilt: Soziologie, Psychologie und Theologie. Jeder Abschnitt zielt darauf ab, wichtige Erkenntnisse und Perspektiven innerhalb seines Fachgebiets zu präsentieren, die letztlich in einer umfassenden ethischen Bewertung des Konsums von Internet-Pornografie münden, die den Lesern hilft, informierte und gottesfürchtige Entscheidungen zu treffen.Item Christsein im ersten Johannesbrief Ausführungen zur christlichen Existenz vor dem Hintergrund der wichtigsten johanneischen Alternativbegriffe(South African Theological Seminary, 2014) Grader, Daniel; Heller, MargaritaDas Konzept des Christseins ist vielfältig und kann auf verschiedene Weisen interpretiert werden. Der erste Johannesbrief bietet eine einzigartige Perspektive, indem er sich auf die grundlegenden Elemente des christlichen Glaubens konzentriert. Der Verfasser des Briefes beginnt mit dem Bekenntnis des Glaubens an Christus als den Sohn Gottes, was die Grundlage seiner Weltanschauung bildet. Diese Arbeit untersucht die wesentlichen Themen, die im ersten Johannesbrief behandelt werden, und betont dabei die dualistischen Ausdrücke wie "Licht und Finsternis", "Wahrheit und Lüge" sowie "Leben und Tod". Diese Dualismen werden nicht verwendet, um einen wahren ontologischen Dualismus vorzuschlagen, sondern um die moralischen und ethischen Unterscheidungen hervorzuheben, die für ein christliches Leben wesentlich sind. Die Arbeit ist in vier Hauptabschnitte unterteilt: 1) Die Existenz des Gläubigen im Licht, 2) Das Handeln des Gläubigen, 3) Das Vertrauen des Gläubigen und 4) Die Kämpfe des Gläubigen. Die Studie kommt zu dem Schluss, dass ein echtes christliches Leben durch das Leben im Licht gekennzeichnet ist, das durch die Kenntnis von Jesus Christus ermöglicht wird. Diese Perspektive bietet einen soliden Rahmen für die Auseinandersetzung mit aktuellen Fragen zur christlichen Existenz.Item An Exegesis of Luke 5:12-16 and its Relevance for Shaping Christian Attitude towards People Stigmatized by HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa(South African Theological Seminary, 2015) Hoy, Barbara-Anne; Asumang, AnnangAll three synoptic evangelists narrate a miracle performed by Jesus in the earliest phase of His public ministry in which He was accosted by a leper requesting cleansing, to which He duly responded (cf. Mk 1:40-45; Mt 8:1-4; Lk 5:12-16). A key feature of the socio-cultural and religious experiences of the biblical leper is stigmatization, ostracism, and marginalization from full participation in the life of the community. Several scholars have examined the Synoptic Gospels’ account of the healing of the leper, seeking to identify their relevance and application in contemporary scenarios. Although these discussions have shed significant light on the modern relevance of the miracle, as far as I am aware, none have focused on the specific presentation of the miracle in Luke’s Gospel in relation to people living with HIV and AIDS, who, like the biblical leper, are also often stigmatized and marginalized from full participation in their communities, including church life. This is a significant scholarly omission, given Luke’s heightened interest in the poor, stigmatized, and marginalized. This mini-thesis exegetes the text of Luke 5:12-16 to determine its theological relevance for Luke’s first readers and, by reflective comparison, maps out some of its implications for shaping contemporary Christian attitudes towards people stigmatized by HIV and AIDS. To this end, a historical-grammatical method of exegesis, together with a literary-theological investigation, directed primarily towards historical and philological goals, is employed. In order to paint a broad social and cultural background for a closer study of the Lucan text, the purity laws of first-century Palestine and specifically how they resulted in the ostracism of those diagnosed with leprosy are examined. The study found that in this narrative Jesus gives concrete expression to the inclusive character of the gospel, the kingdom of God, and the Christian community as He deliberately reaches out and touches an ‘untouchable’. Instead of protecting Himself with the purity regulations, Jesus revealed a reformed idea of purity. Moreover, Jesus’ involvement of the priest in the restoration of the leper offers a challenge to the contemporary Church in Southern Africa. His attitude towards this social outcast has much to contribute to a greater understanding of the Christian attitude necessary in facilitating the eradication of HIV-related stigmatization.
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