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- Research outputs and conference proceedings from conferences hosted by the seminary
- Conspectus is the official journal of South African Theological Seminary
- Thesis holdings emanating from successfully defended degrees completed at the seminary
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Towards a Biblical strategy to counteract cultic practices among Neo-Pentecostal/charismatic churches: A case of the Restoration Embassy church in White-Hazy, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
(South African Theological Seminary, 2024-04-01) Hungwe, Ropafadzo; Mzondi, Modisa
In South Africa, cultic practises amongst some false prophets have trended all over social media platforms, national television stations and radios for making members eat rodents, eat grass, drink petrol and ordering church members to strip naked during healing services. This has caused Christianity which has had from the beginning of the activities of Missionaries, good repute, and having positive impact on social cultural lives of Communities, to be under disrepute. Christian values have been compromised.
This thesis' main question described how members of the Restoration Embassy church in White-Hazy, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa could counteract emerging cultic practices in their local context using scriptures. The first subsidiary question covered what the current situation in the White-Hazy area was regarding cultic practises and movements, whilst the second highlighted the causes of the cultic practises and movements that emerged amongst them. The third subsidiary question focused on what the New Testament teaches about false teachers and their doctrines whilst the fourth proposed biblical strategies that could be employed to counter cultic practises among Neo-Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches.
Data was gathered through interviews and questionnaires, from pastors and church members. Therefore, in this study, interviews and questionnaires were administered to participants who consisted of fifteen (15) pastors and also hundred church members, who were ten (10) members from each local church all adding up to hundred (100) members. This target population was randomly selected from the churches that are in the White-Hazy district. The area was purposefully chosen as a sample taking it from the fact that the researcher knew what was to be represented as characteristics and also to gain detailed knowledge from participants who met the research requirements.
The response from the interviews showed that many prophetic churches with cultic tendencies are on the increase. Also, socio-economic conditions, materialism, greed and competition contribute to the increase of these churches in the area. This thesis also discussed what is taught in these churches and the reasons behind these teachings. From the findings, it was noted that some churches are still teaching true Bible doctrines. Lastly, there were proposed strategic approaches which can be employed to counteract cultic practises by Restoration Embassy Church. Community Bible study roadshow method was also suggested as a strategy for giving life teachings and biblical truths on false teachings and false prophets.
A comparative study of the knowability of the Christian God and Allah: Strategic implications for Muslim evangelism
(South African Theological Seminary, 2024-04-24) Boshoff, Rudolph P.; Smith, Kevin G.
This research explores the basic ideas of Christianity and Islam about God's
knowability, emphasizing the key differences between Allah and Yahweh. Christians base their theology on the Bible and claim that Allah can only be known via his revealed nature, but Muslims believe Allah cannot be personally known at all, creating a theological conundrum. According to my study, the biblical idea helps Christians develop an "I-Thou" relationship with Yahweh and helps them understand some of his attributes. On the other hand, Muslims find it difficult to explain many aspects of Allah, which undermines the moral foundation and coherence of their faith. The implications for evangelism strengthen the logical coherence of Christian theism and its ability to offer a meaningful alternative to Islamic monotheism. This comparative study aims to equip Christian witnesses to effectively address Islamic theology's challenges.
Evangelisation und soziales Handeln Wie die missionale Wirksamkeit der evangelikalen Kirchen in der Schweiz erhöht werden kann
(South African Theological Seminary, 2024-08-18) Anderegg, Pascal Matthias; Derungs, Klaus-Peter
This thesis examines the declining influence of evangelical mission efforts in the German-speaking region, particularly Switzerland. The research seeks to understand the reasons behind this stagnation and explores strategies to improve the missional effectiveness of evangelical churches in Switzerland.
The study combines historical analysis with empirical research methods, including quantitative surveys and qualitative group interviews, to investigate how members of evangelical churches perceive and practice mission. The findings reveal a disconnect between mission theory and practice, which must be addressed to enhance missional impact. The research suggests that fostering dialogue between church leaders and members and addressing socially relevant issues within church communities could help bridge this gap. Moreover, a paradigm shift toward a balanced integration of evangelism and social action may be necessary to better meet societal needs and restore the church's credibility and relevance.
The thesis concludes by offering practical strategies to promote culturally relevant mission models that integrate evangelism with social engagement, aiming to increase the missional effectiveness of Swiss evangelical churches.
Evaluating the Exegetical Benefit of Integrating New Testament Greek Discourse Grammar with Traditional Grammar
(South African Theological Seminary, 2023-10-01) Crafford, Estelle; Smith, Kevin G.
Over the past two centuries, there has been a constant shift in the evolution of thought on how Greek grammar should be studied and presented. Modern linguistics entered the scene at the dawn of the twentieth century, bringing a notable shift in language study. This modern linguistics period (1961 to the present) is earmarked for advances in modern linguistics and, in the past ten to twenty-plus years, the emergence of discourse grammar as a recent development in the field. In keeping with this trend, this thesis investigated the exegetical benefit of integrating New Testament Greek discourse grammar with traditional grammar in Greek language studies.
The study began with a documentation of the past and current state of scholarship in Greek grammar. Then, in phase two, Matthew 7:1–20 was examined through the lens of traditional grammar, which provided a baseline for a comparison with the discourse-grammar study. The next logical step was to examine Matthew 7:1–20 through a discourse grammar lens to determine how much it clarified or enriched the interpretation of the four pericopes.
After conducting phases two and three, the key takeaway was that integrating discourse grammar with traditional grammar does not result in a different interpretation of Matthew 7:1–20. Still, there is compelling evidence suggesting that it adds significant nuance and enriches the understanding of the text in three specific discourse-related areas of exegesis: (1) the writer's intent behind constituent order fluctuations (and whether they are "default" or "marked"), (2) the function and pragmatic constraints of conjunctions, and (3) the tasks performed by various other discourse devices.
Accordingly, a holistic approach is proposed that integrates the grammatical and syntactical rules of traditional grammar with the communicative principles (or discourse tasks) of discourse grammar. This finding is significant since, if implemented, it could enrich the learning experience and improve the exegetical skills of future Greek students.
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, Frank
This 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.