Theses

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    Philemon: A Transformation Of Social Orders
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, South Africa) Manyika, Batanayi Itayi; Lioy, Dan T.
    Rarely does one construct an entire ideological edifice based on a short portion of Scripture. Yet, evident in Philemon is a high concentration of multiple Pauline themes, intermingling in the dynamic life of a house church, prompted by relational friction between a paterfamilias and his slave. Launching from the central claim that the Gospel has the capacity to transform the relationships between powerbrokers and the disenfranchised, this dissertation identifies power disparities in the relationships between masters and slaves in the first-century CE Graeco-Roman world and across the ages. It engages Philemon’s history of interpretation from the Early Church to the present day, underlining how a society’s understanding of slavery is inextricably linked to the ever-shifting events in front of the text. A (re)construction and description of historical and societal matters, linked to Philemon’s context, is drawn up giving higher definition to the silent contextual matters at work in the letter’s occasion. Distinctive literary features, deliberative rhetoric, and a description of Social Identity Theory and Social-Scientific Criticism are harnessed to execute a hybridized exegetical and theological inquiry of the text linked to the project’s central theoretical claim. After critically correlating the Graeco-Roman milieu with the Southern African context, via the auspices of a derived etic, the exegetical and theological findings are appropriated in the relationships between Christian employers and Christian domestic workers, heralding a transformation of social orders. This project identifies the anti enthusiastic attitude as the preferred stance on slavery from the Early Church to the Reformation, diminishing with the rise of abolitionist activity. With Paul using slavery as a metaphor for Christ followership, it navigates the complexities and nuances latent in Philemon’s portrayal of the phenomenon. Furthermore, in discussing ancient and contemporary power disparities this research is translated into different contexts. Accompanying such possibility, this dissertation adds a voice from the Majority world to Pauline scholarship, an area dominated by Occidental figures and perspectives. From this treatise it is hoped that the elevation of the slave into a beloved brother(Phlm 16),would serve as a prompt leading to the transformation of the guild, as the church and academy strive to realise Paul’s therapeutic vision, the Gospel, in context.
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    La Confrontación Del Mal Desde El Paradigma Del Rey David: En Búsqueda De Una Teología Espiritual Místico-Práctica
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg South Africa) Toledo, Ronald Milan Vuscovich; Roldán, David A.; Roldán, David A.
    Confronting Evil from the Paradigm of King David: In Search of a Mystical-Practical Spiritual Theology The greatest struggles of Davidic legacy lie beyond the military field, in the arena of the cosmic conflict between good and evil. David's experience highlights evil in its triple cosmic manifestation as Satan, sin and the world. The psalmist discerns the destructive forces in dispute, and organics his militia from profound spirituality. The study delves into the question about the confrontation of evil in Kings David experience, inquiring into practices, beliefs and spiritual worldviews manifested, whether visibly in the Davidic chronicle, or underlying the associated historical psalms, with special attention in the correlation moments. From the spiritual hermeneutic two keys of understanding evil and confrontation dynamics are proposed.
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    Eine Fallstudiezur Ausbildung Künftiger Pastorenbei Istl Schweizim Bereich Der Persönlichen Evangelisationfür Die Multiplikation Der Gläubigenin Der Lokalen Gemeinde
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg South Africa) Schum, Christoph; Von Ungern-Sternberg, Wolfgang; Von Ungern-Sternberg, Wolfgang
    This research addresses the Great Commission of Jesus Christ and the mandate to multiply from 2 Timothy 2:2 in the context of theological education. As a case study, the theological seminary ISTL Switzerland will be examined. The research question is: How must ISTL Switzerland shape the training of future pastors in personal evangelism, so that they carry it out themselves and empower and motivate others to do so? The term personal evangelistic lifestyle is introduced. Four areas are examined: (a) Expertise, (b) Perceived Urgency of Evangelism, (c) Habits and (d) Role Models. The research problem lies in the field of Practical Theology and is solved with the LIM model. This results in the structure of the research: (a) The case study is described and captured by means of a representative survey, as well as a survey of the alumni. (b) Based on literature studies, a handbook for practical implementation in theological education will be developed. The literature research is verified by means of a study of three Bible texts. (c) The case study is compared with the literature research and the Bible study. The overall objective of this research is the consistent execution of the Great Commission. The research paper serves this mission by training and educating future pastors accordingly. The scientific value lies in the study of the methodology and effectiveness of the development of the personal evangelistic lifestyle in theological education. ISTL Switzerland receives information on the effectiveness of the relevant training. A catalogue of measures and a management tool strengthen the theological seminary ISTL Switzerland with regard to the research topic. Key Terms Theological education, expertise, urgency of evangelism, habits, lifestyle, role models, leadership, Great Commission, evangelism, mission, multiplication, church, church growth, practical theology, missiology, empirical theology, quantitative empirical research, case study.
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    The Mission Of The Church In Light Of An Amillennial Perspective Of The Kingdom Of God In Luke 17:20-30 In Terms Of The MATRIX Model PDF
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, South Africa) Falconer, Catherine Anne; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Woodbridge, Noel B.
    The main aim of this study is to determine the mission of the church in light of an Amillennial perspective of the kingdom of God in Luke 17:20-30. A modified version of Smith’s basic model for research in systematic theology serves as the methodology of this study. Firstly, chapter 2 gains insight from an historical and theological overview of Amillennialism and missions by examining the works and arguments of key past and present theologians on the issues under investigation, from the early church fathers to contemporary theologians. Secondly, chapter 3 gains insight into the theology of the kingdom of God from an Amillennial perspective by examining the works and arguments of key past and present Bible scholars on this topic. More specifically, it discusses six important themes relating to the kingdom of God. Thirdly, chapter 4 conducts a short exegetical study of Luke 17:20-30 to provide biblical evidence regarding the mission of the church in light of the kingdom of God from an Amillennial perspective. More specifically, it provides a systematic and critical analysis of Luke 17:20-30 to discover the original meaning of the passage, especially as it relates to the topic under discussion. Fourthly, chapter 5 constructs and proposes the MATRIX model to describe the mission of the church in light of the kingdom of God from an Amillennial perspective. This theory construction is preceded by a deduction phase, in which a mass of isolated data on the topic is reduced to a few themes. The MATRIX model consists of six themes and accounts for all the biblical evidence from the previous chapters, especially chapter 4, in a unified and integrated manner. Lastly, chapter 6 applies the MATRIX model to demonstrate the contemporary significance of the mission of the church in light of the kingdom of God from an Amillennial perspective. More specifically, case studies of well-known pastors, missionaries and authors are used to illustrate the contemporary significance of each theme of the MATRIX model.
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    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.
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    The Biblical Role Of The Grace Baptist Church, Pennsylvania, USA In Orphan Care In Terms Of The COMPASSION Model
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg South Africa) Garner, Jeffrey Allen; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Woodbridge, Noel B.
    The main aim of the study is to determine the Biblical role of the Grace Baptist Church, Pennsylvania, USA in orphan care. The Osmer model is utilised in this research using his four tasks of theological interpretation. Firstly, Chapter 2 investigates the concerns and possible church roles of the Grace Baptist Church, Pennsylvania in orphan care by means of an empirical survey. This chapter focuses on the first task in the Osmer model, namely the descriptive-empirical task, which seeks to answer the question: What is going on? Secondly, Chapter 3 provides, through a historical survey of the orphan care and education that took place during the Pre-Reformation Period, the Reformation Period and the Age of Progress, with special reference to the work of John Calvin in Geneva and Charles Spurgeon in the UK. This chapter focuses on the second task in the Osmer model, namely, the Interpretative task, which seeks to answer the question: Why is this going on? Thirdly, Chapter 4 presents the Biblical foundations for orphan care by conducting an exegetical study of six selected Bible passages from the Old and New Testaments on orphan care. This chapter completes the third task in the Osmer model, namely the Normative task, which seeks to answer the question: What ought to be going on? Finally, as the culmination of the research, Chapter 5 proposes the COMPASSION model for assisting the Grace Baptist Church, Pennsylvania, USA to identify its Biblical role in orphan care. This chapter completes the fourth and final task of the Osmer model, namely the Pragmatic task, which seeks to answer the question: How might we respond? This task is pursued by interpreting the situational and normative data gained from the previous chapters.
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    Abortion: A Pastoral Intervention Model For Pastors In Mangaung Metropolitan City, South Africa
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg South Africa) Musapelo, M M; Light, Vernon E.; Light, Vernon E.
    The termination of pregnancy in South Africa has become a controversial issue affecting communities and the health professionals since the implementation of the Choice on the Termination of Pregnancy Act 199(COTP). This Act has imposed a moral dilemma for many health professionals and for many contemplating abortion. This has come about in that it provides for abortion on demand in the first trimester. It has also caused many Christian pastors and other citizens great concern due to the rise in the number of abortions. As a pastor, this prompted me to look at the issue of unwanted pregnancies and their termination from a theological perspective against the background of the Act and my pastoral concern. The failing family planning programme of the Department of Health has contributed to this moral controversy as some women use the termination of pregnancy as a birth control method. This study starts with a literature review to highlight the various facets and views surrounding the explosive issue of abortion on demand. This opens up the parameters within which this matter needs to be engaged. Then the details of an empirical research conducted at three designated facilities of the Department of Health in Managing Metropolitan City are presented. The health professionals that conduct abortions (see 4chapter 3) were interviewed as well as sixty clients that underwent this procedure under their service. The research investigated both groups’ experience under COTP. It explores not only the counselling side, but also reasons for abortion and related emotions and concerns of both health workers and clients. Further, the research probes their religious views and church attachments (if any) and how they relate to this controversial issue. Then the two main theological views on termination of pregnancy on demand are considered. This part of the study seeks to arrive at a biblically normative position. It takes into account the biblical worldview and the high view it places on human life. It concludes that the pro-life position, Christian morals and moral regeneration, and family planning should be central programmes, and are crucial in dealing with abortion on demand. Finally there is a formulation of a pastoral intervention model for the pastors in the churches in Mangaung Metropolitan City with some attention to recommendations for the Department of Health to address regarding the ethical dilemma some health professionals face with reference to participation in any phase of the termination of pregnancy(intervention and nursing related to post-abortion complications).
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    Indigenous Oral Communities’ Engagement With The Creation Narrative Of Genesis, With Special Reference To The Naro San Of Botswana
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg South Africa) Marx, Gerhard; Malherbe, Johannes S.
    The principal goal of this research is to understand indigenous oral communities’ engagement with Scripture, especially with the creation narrative of Genesis. It is a study in morality, wherein four sample case studies will be presented. Special attention is given to the Naro San people of Botswana (Chapters 2 and 3), after which three other people groups are studied, namely the Dao of Indonesia, the Baka of Equatorial Africa and the Gonja of Northern Ghana (Chapter 4). The case studies of the four oral people groups aim to show the diversity of affordances and performance of orality present within these communities as it pertains to Scripture engagement. The secondary purposes are to interpret their engagement and to determine its value for Bible translation, oral Scripture engagements and contemporary missiology. This study involves a combination of descriptive, contextual and consolidative approaches while giving attention to the local cultural context and oral communication affordances and performances. The research process entails a review of documented data, personal interviews, group discussions and training interventions for data collection. It also makes use of the structure of the creation narrative in Genesis. The fulfilment of the missiological task to the literate and oral people is contingent on the contextualised way Christians communicate and deliver to audiences and engage them with the gospel message. This study of oral Scripture departs from the premise that orality and literacy both play an essential role in Scripture translation and engagement. The reason for emphasising orality is that this traditionally neglected reality is opening up many exciting possibilities in the translation and communication of Scripture. This will be valuable for all practitioners, whether on the translation or the engagement side, helping them to understand the predominant contextual communication preference of any people group identified to receive and engage with Scripture. Firstly, the study provides a documented context of the Naro San community of D’Kar as a higher orality reliant community and provides the reasons why the creation account of Genesis was specifically chosen as the Scripture portion for engagement with this community. 15Secondly, the study explores the methods of oral communication of one Naro San family, focussing on their engagement with the creation narrative of Genesis. Thirdly, the study compares the Naro San with three other indigenous oral people groups. It explores the aspects of the creation narrative of Genesis which resonate with an oral community. It deals with a structure of the creation narrative of Genesis, acknowledges the existence of creation stories in traditional folk lore, puts it into the context of missiology and documents the oral Scripture engagement using the creation narrative of Genesis. Finally, the study recommends guidelines for Scripture translation and engagement that can be implemented by Scripture practitioners. The advice is based on the findings of the Scripture engagement in the case studies. The recommendations are designed around the different communication methodologies of these indigenous oral people to effectively engage them with God’s story.
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    Vers Une Évaluation Critique Des Stratégies Utilisées Dans La Traduction De La Bible Au Cameroun: Cas De Trois Agences Bibliques Dans Le Mbam, 1997-2017
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg South Africa) Mimb, Zacharie Manyim; Kipimo, Jesse F.; Kipimo, Jesse F.
    Notre réflexion est centrée sur la nécessité d’une effective appropriation communautaire de la traduction de la Bible en langue.Cette appropriation doit se manifester par un leadership local dans tout le processus de traduction de la Bible. Cela implique notamment la définition des objectifs de la traduction. Dans ce sens, l’église locale qui représente la communauté linguistique est la mieux placée pour trouver des solutions aux besoins et aux problèmes de la mission dans sa région. C’est pourquoi elle doit jouer les premiers rôles dans l’orientation de la traduction de la Bible vers cette solution des problèmes identifiés. Ainsi, au lieu par exemple d’un choix aléatoire des textes bibliques à traduire, choix opéré par des partenaires extérieurs, l’église locale qui est missionnaire doit elle-même les choisir et en définir les priorités en fonction de leur pertinence pour sa mission dans la communauté. Ce sera une action vitale au salut immédiat des locuteurs de la langue.De telles dispositions permettront à l’église d’avoir de meilleurs résultats dans sa mission. Les produits de la traduction seront de ce fait réellement appropriés par la communauté bénéficiaire. Et ainsi, la transformation des vies et de la communauté en sera assurée.
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