Theses

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    A Critical Analysis of Christology in N.T. Wright and Wolfhart Pannenberg: Implications for a Christo-Centric Homiletic
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2023) Duffield, Devon 1988; Bartholomaeus, Michael; Falconer, Robert D.
    The Christo-centric homiletic is considered one of the leading contemporary approaches within the evangelical hermeneutic and homiletic society. However, its popularity has not made this approach immune to criticism. This thesis seeks to point out that the Christo-centric homiletic is embedded in a Christology from above, which contributes to its strengths and weaknesses. It explores the implications of the from below Christologies of N.T. Wright and Wolfhart Pannenberg on the Christo-centric approach. A unique research methodology is employed that consists of five literary tasks to address the research problem. The research project begins with examining the from below Christologies of Wright and Pannenberg, which encompasses the overarching tenets of their Christologies and the influences of other scholars upon their presuppositions and Christological developments. Then, the strengths and weaknesses of their Christologies are identified, described, and evaluated through critical analysis. Subsequently, the Christo-centric homiletic is examined, and its underlying Christology and shortcomings are specified and assessed. It is argued that the Christo-centric homiletic is embedded in a from above approach to Christology and that the presuppositions of a Christology from above contribute to the homiletical approach's shortcomings. The implications of the strengths of Wright and Pannenberg's Christologies on the Christo-centric homiletic are then explored. These implications demonstrate that these two from below Christologies enrich and challenge the Christo-centric method in various meaningful ways. This thesis suggests that if the Christo-centric method takes the from below Christologies of Wright and Pannenberg seriously, it can address specific weaknesses and find resources to enhance some of its strengths without negating its central conviction of preaching Christ in every sermon. This thesis fulfils the profound need to place the current homiletical debate on Christo-centric preaching in dialogue with Christology. It defends the unique proposal that the Christo-centric method can address its criticisms without becoming more Theo-centric.
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    Exploring the Work of the Holy Spirit in the Preaching Ministry of the Northcliff Union Church
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg) Wood, Gavin Graham 1965; Lessing, Pelham; Lessing, Pelham
    The purpose of this thesis is to explore the role of the Holy Spirit in the preaching ministry at Northcliff Union Church located to the north-west of the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD). As a pastor who has been pastoring the same congregation for around 12 years, I identified many challenges, which competes with other demands that are experienced in pastoral ministry both internally and externally. Internally, the senior pastor as in my case is responsible for vision casting, strategic planning, administration, the budget, the staff and the overall well-being of the ministry. Externally, prosperity preaching, or the health and wealth gospel is a major challenge preachers face, who desires to remain faithful to the biblical text. Preaching also competes with the constant flood of information, which inundates preachers and members of the congregation via the internet. There is also the temptation to slavishly follow the advances in technology that enable preachers to produce elaborate audio-visual presentations. For many seeing is hearing. There is also the challenge of what could be called ‘biblical illiteracy’ among congregations. This could be extended to preachers as well. Many are not properly trained and others after their college, university or seminary studies, no longer persist with rigorous study and research in sermon preparation. While evangelical preachers are of the opinion that the Spirit is vitally important in the preaching task, not all believe His work can be fully defined or understood. Those who are of the opinion that the Holy Spirit’s role in preaching is imperative also concede that its points to a spiritual mystical experience. The primary research question which will be addresses in this study is: How can effective Spirit-led preaching at the Northcliff Union Church be enhanced? The answer to the question lies in a multi-faceted approach to the preaching task. This includes the personal spiritual life of the preacher[s], active submission to the work of the Holy Spirit in the entirety of the preparation process until after the delivery of the sermon and an understanding, and appreciation of, the relationship between the Word of God and the Spirit of God in the life of the preacher, the preaching team and the members of the congregation.
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    Towards a Theology of Interactive Homiletics: An Investigation of Theological Validity
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, South Africa) Warby, Paul; Martin, Raymond
    ABSTRACT: Traditionally when evangelical homiletic works have developed theory on the medium, or form, of homilies they have focused primarily on the giving of speeches; that is that homiletics is produced in the form of a monologue. However in recent time’s verbal interaction has been put forward as an option for homiletic medium within church practice. The agenda of this thesis is to question to what extent a homily that has interaction as the medium is theologically validated. This question invokes elements of theological method and this thesis uses the sources of theological method as put forward by Stanley J Grenz and John R Franke (2001). Namely that in order for an evangelical teaching to be theologically valid it needs to be established in the three sources of the Scriptures, the Culture and the Tradition, with the Scriptures acting as the authoritative source.This thesis aims to investigate the teaching methods of Jesus and the early disciples (by surveying the gospel of Mark and the book of Acts). It will then correlate the homiletic practice to its cultural equivalent in the secular setting (that of educational theory). And finally it will look back at the tradition focusing most of the attention on the early years of the churches development and the church since the Reformation. After these sources have been examined the thesis will conclude and answer the question as to what extent interactive homiletics is theologically valid.
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