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Oyemomilara, Cornelius. "Towards a contextualization of worship : a challenge to the Nigerian Baptist Convention." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2012. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/towards-a-contextualization-of-worship-a-challenge-to-the-nigerian-baptist-convention(0f77a96e-79eb-4bc4-bc5d-8fe59104f646).html.
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The worship service of the Yoruba Baptist Churches of the Nigerian Baptist Convention reflects the Western ways of life. The Nigerian Baptist pastors are oriented from the seminary where suits and ties are the official dress for ministration, the teaching of theology is Western oriented, many of the worship services are conducted in English language, most brides and bridegrooms often put on Western clothes during their wedding ceremonies and Western music and musical instruments are used to the detriment of the indigenous ones. Most of the African ways of life are not encouraged. Consequently, the worshippers are alienated, confused, disoriented and dissatisfied. This alienation is the result of what I describe in this research as ‘psychological slavery’.In this research, I argue that the Yoruba Baptist Christian of Nigeria, like other tribes in the world, have their cultural heritage which ought to be used in the place of the foreign elements/materials of worshipping the Lord. Some of the elements/materials I emphasize in this research include akara (local cake) and sobo drink (juice extracted from Hibiscus sabdariffa) in the place of bread and wine for Eucharist, indigenous clothes for the pastors and couples in the place of Western clothes during ministration and the wedding service respectively, indigenous music and musical instruments, oriki Olodumare (God praise-name) and the use of the Yoruba command-language in prayer. The aim of this thesis is to propose a contextual form of worship whereby the Yoruba Baptist Christians have a holistic worship fulfilled within their socio-religio-cultural context.
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Rodriguez, Miguel. "Confrontational Christianity: Contextual Theology and Its Radicalization of the South African Anti-Apartheid Church Struggle." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2012. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5466.
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This paper is intended to analyze the contributions of Contextual Theology and Contextual theologians to dismantling the South African apartheid system. It is intended to demonstrate that the South African churches failed to effectively politicize and radicalize to confront the government until the advent of Contextual Theology in South Africa. Contextual Theology provided the Christian clergy the theological justification to unite with anti-apartheid organizations. Its very concept of working with the poor and oppressed helped the churches gain favor with the black masses that were mostly Christian. Its borrowing from Marxist philosophy appealed to anti-apartheid organizations. Additionally, Contextual theologians, who were primarily black, began filling prominent leadership roles in their churches and within the ecumenical organizations. They were mainly responsible for radicalizing the churches and the ecumenical organizations. They also filled an important anti-apartheid political leadership vacuum when most political leaders were banned, jailed, or killed.ID: 031001426; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Adviser: Ezekiel Walker.; Title from PDF title page (viewed June 19, 2013).; Thesis (M.A.)--University of Central Florida, 2012.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 142-149).
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Crowder, Roy B. "Towards a theology of story : an experiment in contextual theology." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15875.
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Bibliography: pages 261-275.This study examines the role of story in the Christian proclamation. It focusses upon the dynamic of story which unites praxis and language in a single message. There are four stages of argument. The First Part examines the hermeneutic problem especially as discussed in the work of Gadamer, Palmer, Robinson, Funk and others writers on the so-called New Hermeneutic. Their views are set against the perspective of liberation and contextual theologies from Cone, Segundo, and Miguez Bonino amongst others. The impact of social praxis and context on communication and interpretation is examined. Its importance as a barrier to the translation of the whole dynamic of the gospel proclamation is stressed. Part Two examines Jesus parables and acted parables. The data comes from two sources: the dominant form-critical approach to parables as exemplified by Jeremias or Crossan, in which the situation behind the text is examined. Second is the recent sociological approach to the practice of Jesus taken by such scholars as Theissen or Echegaray. The approach to this data comes from an analysis of the "history of the transmission of the tradition", a concept developed by Pannenberg from the work of Rentdorf and Von Rad. It provides a series of categories through which the data is examined. The dynamic of story is shown in the unity of actions. Function and structure in the parabolic stories and The Third Part surveys the role of story as a category in contemporary theology. First, the approach of narrative theology is cosidered as in the work of Stroup, McClendon, McFague and others. Then the role of story in Third World theological reflection on liberation struggles is described. Examples are drawn mainly from Asia (China, Korea and the Philippines). The Latin American debate about such cultural forms is briefly reviewed. Lastly the role of story in some British contextual theology is discussed. The dynamic of story is discovered in the function and impact of stories in theological reflection in the struggle against oppressive situations. Part Four briefly notes the perspective of critical theorists, like Habermas, on hermeneutics. Finally an attempt is made to tell stories of theological reflection on domination as a practical exercise illustrating the theoretical themes of the study. The impetus for the study arises from two periods of practical experience. One of some ten years duration, was work in British inner city ministry and theological training, in a context where community groups were struggling against many manifestations of urban stress. The second period, of about half a year, was an exposure to the conditions of life in rural (communal lands) and urban (high density residential area) Zimbabwe, as a visitor to the Methodist Church. In both instances stories were a vital means of communication about the most important things.
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Parker, Anthony B. "The doctrine of revelation in African Christian theology." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1992. http://www.tren.com.
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Ngong, David Tonghou. "Rethinking the Other in Contemporary African Christian Theology." Bulletin of Ecumenical Theology, 2011. http://digital.library.duq.edu/u?/bet,274.
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Molyneux, K. Gordon. "African Christian theology : processes of theological reflection in Zaire." Thesis, SOAS, University of London, 1988. http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/28454/.
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African Christian Theology' represents attempts on the part of African Christians to 'own' their theological reflection, rather than borrow it from others. This in turn means taking seriously their African heritage or 'identity'. Chapter 1 of the thesis examines the theological quest in the broader context of political, educational, literary, and religious factors in sub-Saharan Africa. All of these fields display a parallel search for 'personhood', a determination to move from being object to being subject. Considerable attention is paid to the causes and dynamics of religious Independency. 'African Theology' has not emerged from the Independent churches, but it is sympathetic to their cause and has taken up theologically some of their concerns. The remaining three chapters of the thesis are devoted to the one country of Zaire, and more specifically, to three contrastive 'styles' of theological reflection. It is the argument of the thesis that 'theologizing' is done in a wide range of sectors of society. Chapter 2 examines the most prominent and (to the West) most familiar of these processes of theologizing, - the academic and literary one. Selected to Illustrate this process is Kinshasa's Faculty of Catholic Theology. Reflecting the Faculty's historical links with the rigorous academic standards of its mother-university Louvain (Belgium), it has achieved international recognition as one of Black Africa's foremost centres of research and was at the centre of the debate on 'African Theology' in the 1960s. The Faculty's emphasis on publication has contributed significantly to the influence of the institution. Academic research and publication might constitute the most prestigious sector of the theological process, and the most 'exportable' in the international literary world, but It represents only a small part of the total scene of African Christians expressing and communicating their beliefs. Chapter 3 looks to the other end of the spectrum as it explores the area of 'oral theology' illustrated by the 'inspired' hymns of the Kimbanguist Church. The distinct characteristics of orality as opposed to literacy are considered. The oral sphere does not lend itself to neat, logical analysis as does the academic sector, yet it lies closer to the heart of spirituality, and to overlook it is to neglect a major aspect of African Christianity. Finally, Chapter 4 explores an experiment in Protestant contextual theologizing in North-East Zaire: seminars designed to effect an interaction between the gospel and contextual Issues. Involving participants who combined some theological background with close acquaintance with the 'grassroots' scene, these 'Gospel and Culture Seminars' might be placed somewhere between the oral and literary spheres. From this 'broad-spectrum' understanding of the total theological picture, the Conclusion seeks to draw out implications for theology Itself, for theological education, and for theological educators in Africa today.
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Odozor, Paulinus I. "Thoughts On African Christian Theology Of Marriage And Sexuality." Bulletin of Ecumenical Theology, 1994. http://digital.library.duq.edu/u?/bet,475.
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Ritchie, Ian. "African theology and social change : an anthropological approach." Thesis, McGill University, 1993. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=41148.
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The dissertation documents the rise of African Christian theology in anglophone and francophone Africa, exploring the possibility that following the development of the two long-recognized phases of "adaptation" and "incarnation" there has been a "third phase." In the period since 1980 we find an explosion into theological diversity and maturity, marked by serious wrestling with all the social problems facing Africans in contemporary African life. Since 1980 there is a proliferation of new Christological paradigms, and increased inter-religious tensions have brought new urgency to inter-faith dialogue, with a growing number of theological responses. An explosion in the numbers of African women theologians brings a new voice on women's roles. Economic and ecological crises bring increasing reflexion on justice, peace and the integrity of creation.The paradigmatic diversity is strongly linked with changes in the concrete social conditions in which the various theologians live. This discovery confirms the thesis that theology in Africa is always related to social context.
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Sakuba, Xolani Sherlock-Lee. "The relationsthip between sin and evil in African Christian theology." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2004. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=init_9071_1177918844.
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Classic Christian theology regards evil as the product of sin, the emphasis in traditional African religion and culture is on human sin as the result of evil forces. This thesis investigated the way in which African Christian theologians understand the relationship between sin and evil. The question, which was addressed was, does sin lead to evil or evil lead to sin.
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Kombo, James Henry Owino. "The doctrine of God in African Christian thought : an assessment of African inculturation theology from a trinitarian perspective." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/51962.
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Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2000ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Christian faith knows and worships one God known in the Son and in the Holy Spirit. In his revelation, the Father is depicted as being from Himself, the Son as eternally begotten from the Father and the Holy Spirit as eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. This is what Christian thought means by the doctrine of the Trinity. Although Christian orthodoxy holds the doctrine of the Trinity, the intellectual tools used to capture and convey it vary depending on the epoch, cultural context as well as availability of alternative intellectual images. This point is demonstrated well in Western Christianity. Western theologies exhibit three models of the doctrine of the Trinity: 'God as Essence', 'God as an absolute Subject', and 'God as Community in Unity'. These models can be explained by the influence of specific philosophical presuppositions preferred in certain contexts and at certain times. 'God as Essence' is constructed from the point of view of neo-Platonism, 'God as an absolute Subject' uses the infrastructure of German Idealism, while 'God as Community in Unity' recovers and applies the conceptual tools of the second-century Greeks. Taking note of the theological methodology of Western Christianity and recognising the intellectual resources in the African heritage, African inculturation theology has argued for the use of the conceptual framework of African peoples in the development of theology for African audiences. In an attempt to make a statement to the effect that African Negroes are not neo-Platonists, German Idealists or the Greeks of the second century, and to demonstrate that the African Negroes do have a different ontology that can be deciphered, interpreted, and systematized in one common way, African inculturation theology has posited a simple identity between the African notions of God and God known in the Christian faith. This research assesses and finds inadequate the notion of a simple identity between the African concepts of God and the Christian understanding of God. In view of this it appeals to African inculturation theology to critically and creatively deal with the African Christians' understanding of God. This call means at least two things. Firstly, Nyasaye, Mulungu, Modimo and so on are to function as the conceptual gates for the Christian view of God. This calls for 'Christianisation' of the African notions of God. Secondly, a 'Christianised' Nyasaye, for example, must for the Luo people mean God known in the Son and the Holy Spirit. The 'Christianised' Nyasaye must then make use of native metaphysics for the purpose of indigenising or grounding it in the cultural milieu of the situation of reception. To achieve this goal, this research has located and proposed the NTU metaphysics, which is used widely by African Negroes. According to this metaphysics, God is not just a static 'substance', an authoritarian 'absolute Subject', or a mere relationship; God is 'Great Muntu'. The Son is God because he derives wholly from the whole NTU of the only 'Great Muntu'. The Holy Spirit is God because he has the NTU shared by both the 'Great Muntu' and the Son. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are persons because the 'genuine muntu' in them is the 'Great Muntu', who alone is the ultimate person. Thus the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are persons in the ultimate sense.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Christelike geloof ken en aanbid een God in die Seun deur die Heilige Gees. In sy openbaring leer ons die Vader ken as synde uit Homself, die Seun as van ewigheidheid verwek deur Vader, en die Heilige Gees as van ewigheid uitgaande van die Vader en die Seun. Dit is wat die Christelike geloof bedoel met die leer van die Triniteit. Alhoewel die Christlike ortodoksie gekenmerk word deur die leer van die Triniteit, varieer die intellectuele vorm wat dit aanneem en waarin dit oorgedra word afhangende van die tydperk, kulturele konteks sowel as die beskikbaarheid van altematiewe intellektuele aparatuur. Laasgenoemde kom duidelik na vore in die geskiedenis van die Westerse Christenheid. In die geskiedenis van die Westerse teologie vertoon die leer van die Triniteit drie gestaltes nl. 'God as Essensie', 'God as absolute Subjek', en 'God as Gemeenskaap in Eenheid'. Dit hou verband met die voorkeur vir spesifieke filisofiese voorverondersellings in sekere kontekste en tye. 'God as Essensie' is die resultaat van neo-Platoniese voorveronderstellings, 'God as absolute Subjek' dra die kenmerke van die Duitse Idealisme, terwyl 'God as Gemeenskap in Eenheid' terggryp op en gebruikmaak van die konseptuele aparatuur uit die Griekse denke van tweede eeu. Na aanleiding van die teologiese metode van die Westerse Christendom en met erkenning van die intellectuele moontlikhede van die Afrika erfenis, argurnenteer die Afrika inkulturasie teologie ten gunste van die gebruik van Afrika konsepte vir die ontwikkeling van 'n teologie vir Afrika. In 'n poging om die eie en gemeenskaplike aard van die ontologie van Afrika in onderskeid van die neo-Platoniste, Duitse Idealiste en Griekse filosofie van die tweede eeu, aan te toon, het die Afrika inkulturasie teologie op 'n simplistiese wyse 'n identeit tussen Afrika Godsbeelde en die God van die Christelike geloof geponeer. In hierde navorsing word hierde identifikasie beoordeel en van die hand gewys. Derhalwe word 'n appel gemaak op die Afrika inkulturasie teologie om krities-kreatief om te gaan met die Afrika Christene se verstaan van God. Hierde oproep het ten minste twee implikasies. In die eerste plek moet Nyasaye, Mulungu, Modimo, ens. dien as konseptuele poorte vir die Christlike Godsverstaan. Dit impliseer 'n 'Christianisering' van die Afrika Godsbeelde. Tweedens bring dit mee dat 'n 'gechristianiseerde' Nyasaye by voorbeeld, vir Luo volk impliseer dat God geken word in die Seun en die Heilige Gees. Vervolgens moet gebruik gemaak word van inheemse metafisika met die oop op die verinheemsing of fundering van hierdie 'gechristianiseerde' Nyasaye in die kulturele milieu van die resepsie gemeenskap. Om hierdie doel te bereik, word in hierde studie gebruik gemaak van die NTU metafisika, wat algemen in Afrika voorkom. Volgens hierde metafisika is God nie net 'n statiese 'substansie', n' outoritere 'absolute Subject' of 'n blote relasie nie, maar God is die 'Groot Muntu'. Die Seun is God omdat Hy volkome uitgaan uit die totale NTU van die enigste 'Groot Muntu'. Die Heilige Gees is God omdat Hy die NTU het wat die 'Groot Muntu' en die Seun gemeenskaplik besit. Die Vader, die Seun en die Heilige Gees is persone omdat die 'egte muntu' in hulle die 'Groot Muntu' is, wat allen die absolute persoon is. Derhalwe is Vader, Seun en Heilige Gees persone in absolute sin.
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Stauffacher, Robert W. "Christian leadership in a Malawian context : a practical theological evaluation of African Bible College." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/85837.
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Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Notwithstanding that many prominent, influential and highly effective Christian leaders over this past century are making a difference throughout Africa, a serious leadership crisis still looms. There is no doubt that Christianity has spread throughout Africa, reaching many remote areas within the continent. Still the depth to that Christianity remains elusive. Practical theologians have discovered various patterns of leadership abuse, immorality, and heresy throughout Africa. As alarming as these patterns may be, in a positive way they are encouraging many Africans to seek alternative models of leadership. Thus, Africa has now become a place ready to implement effective or authentic leadership models. The purpose of this dissertation is to determine, in a practical theological way, whether African Bible College in Malawi is producing graduates that can be described as authentic Christian leaders. As a way of determining this, the researcher will be 1) investigating the growing (Christian) leadership crisis within sub-Saharan Africa, 2) analyzing various Christian leadership models within the field, 3) conducting empirical research on the African Bible College (ABC) and ABC graduates, 4) exploring normative perceptions of Christian leadership and 5) developing a revised praxis for ABC to help it become an even more effective institution for producing authentic Christian leaders. Authentic leadership in particular emphasizes the “genuineness,” “realness,” and “transparency” of people in leadership positions. It requires a leader to be open, honest, and accountable to others. They must earn the respect and trust of their followers. People today are becoming more skeptical of their leaders. They have grown weary and impatient with typical overbearing, power-hungry, and dishonest leadership personalities. They want to see their leaders actually practicing what they are preaching, living lives of integrity, and truly living out their Christian faith in a God honoring and practical manner. This is why authentic leadership theory has become prominent and widely accepted within the past decade. The theory will be useful for analyzing the leadership of ABC graduates.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nieteenstaande die feit dat baie prominente, gesaghebbende en hoogs effektiewe Christenleiers (gedurende die afgelope eeu) ʼn ware verskil deur die hele Afrika gemaak het (en dit steeds doen), dreig ʼn baie wesenlike en ernstige leierskapkrisis steeds. Daar is geen twyfel nie dat Christenskap soos ’n veldbrand deur die hele Afrika versprei het, en baie afgeleë gebiede op die kontinent bereik het, maar die diepte van daardie Christenskap bly steeds bedrieglik. Praktiese teoloë het verskeie voorbeelde van misbruik van leierskap, immoraliteit en dwaalleer oral in Afrika aangetref. En, so ontstellend soos hierdie voorbeelde ook al is, op ʼn positiewe wyse motiveer en bemoedig hulle baie Afrikane om alternatiewe modelle van leierskap na te jaag. Afrika is dus op die oomblik ʼn baie geskikte plek vir die implementering van effektiewe (of outentieke) leierskapsmodelle. Die doel van hierdie verhandeling is dus om op ʼn prakties-teologiese wyse te bepaal, of die African Bible College (ABC) in Malawi gegradueerdes lewer, wat as outentieke Christenleiers beskryf kan word. In ʼn poging om dit te bepaal, het die navorser 1) die toenemende (Christen-) leierskapskrisis in Afrika suid van die Sahara ondersoek, 2) verskeie Christenleierskap-modelle op die gebied ondersoek, 3) empiriese navorsing oor die ABC en ABC-gegradueerdes gedoen, 4) normatiewe persepsies van Christenleierskap verken en 5) ʼn hersiene praktyk vir ABC ontwikkel wat daartoe sal bydra dat hulle ʼn selfs meer effektiewe instelling vir die lewering van outentieke Christenleiers kan word. Outentieke leierskap beklemtoon in die besonder die “opregtheid”, “egtheid” en “deursigtigheid” van mense in leierskapsposisies. Dit vereis van ʼn leier om oop, eerlik en aanspreeklik teenoor ander te wees. Dit bring mee dat ʼn leier die respek en vertroue van sy of haar volgelinge moet verdien. Mense raak deesdae al hoe meer skepties oor hulle leiers. Hulle het moeg en ongeduldig geraak vir die alomteenwoordige dominerende, magshonger en oneerlike leierskapspersoonlikhede. Hulle wil sien dat hulle leiers se woorde en dade werklik ooreenstem, dat hulle onkreukbare lewens leef en waarlik hulle Christengeloof prakties uitleef op ʼn wyse wat aan God eer bewys. Dit is hoekom outentieke leierskapsteorie die afgelope dekade een van die toonaangewendste en algemeen aanvaarde leierskapsteorieë geword het, en nuttig sal wees vir ontleding van die leierskap van ABC-gegradeerdes.
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Browne, Herman Beseah. "Theological anthropology a dialectic study of the African and liberation traditions /." London : Avon Books, 1996. http://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/39299396.html.
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Kendrick, Bob. "Advanced leadership development contextual pastoral training in eastern El Salvador, Central America /." Online full text .pdf document, available to Fuller patrons only, 2003. http://www.tren.com.
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Wanjala, Frederick. "Elements of contextual theology in Charles Nyamiti : a case study of African ancestral christology /." Romae, 2007. http://opac.nebis.ch/cgi-bin/showAbstract.pl?sys=000253504.
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McWilliams, Weldon Merrial. ""To Proclaim Liberty to the Captives": The Pan African Orthodox Christian Church and Its Relationship to Black Liberation Theology." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2010. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/79196.
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African American StudiesPh.D.
While examining the theology of Black Liberation and its contemporary relevance there are several questions that must be explained. Is there still a need for Black Liberation Theology within Christianity? What makes Black Liberation theology different from other Christian theologies? In recent years Christianity has had to dispute the notion that it is the "White Man's religion" and that Black People cannot benefit from the faith. How is this so if the majority of Black people in the United States identify Christianity as their faith? How have Black people benefited from this religion in the past and present? My research is two-fold. The first part of my research will focus on the history of Black Liberation Theology, its concepts and the historical and contemporary relevance. Black Liberation Theology, as an intellectual enterprise began in the late 1960's. Many credit James Cone with bringing a theology of Black Liberation into the forefront of intellectual discussions at educational institutions. Black Liberation theology seeks to answer the question "What does it mean to be Black and Christian in America?" James Cone posed the question and attempted to answer it in his first two books, Black Theology and Black Power, (1969), and A Black Theology of Liberation, (1970). Although Cone is often times seen as one of the pioneers of the Black Theology of Liberation, in actuality this movement has a very long history and its beginnings can be found in the freedom acts of Black people and the Black Religious experience in America from the time of enslavement (David Walker, Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey, Gabriel Prosser to name a few), through the abolitionist movements (James Forten, Henry Highland Garnett, William Wells Brown, Harriet Tubman, Richard Allen, Absalom Jones), continuing through the early to mid 1900's (Noble Drew Ali of the Moorish Science Temple, Elijah Muhammad of the Nation of Islam and Malcolm X of the Muslim Mosque Incorporated), the Civil Rights Era (Martin Luther King, Vernon Jones, Fred Shuttlesworth, Pastors of Baptist Churches in the American South), the Black Power/Black Arts Movements (Albert Cleage, Jr. of the Shrine of the Black Madonna). It stills functions in contemporary times with the recent resurgence of interest in the subject matter through the media's emphasis on the rhetoric of Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his congregation at Trinity United Church of Christ in the south side of Chicago, whose remarks were seen as controversial and almost jeopardized the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama to the Presidency. Black Liberation Theology holds the position that one's faith should encourage one to fight injustice and oppression on behalf of those who are oppressed and downtrodden. Christianity must be examined holistically which means that the religion carries a socio-political component as well as a spiritual one. Black Liberation Theologians believe that one cannot be concerned with reaching a "heavenly ever after" if he/she has not worked to heal his/her society from the social ills that exist. Working toward freedom and liberation is Christian work. These two must be seen as one and the same; you can't have one without the other. The second part of this study aims to examine a church that has made claims to preaching and putting Black Liberation Theology into practice. The Pan African Orthodox Christian Church (PAOCC) is a Christian denomination that seeks to utilize its religious institution as a tool to implement social change. Followers of this denomination believe the Black Church must utilize its resources and take advantage of its independent position, in order to bring forth freedom and liberation for people of African descent, and they attempt to do this within their place of worship. Dr. Martin Luther King best summarized the mission of the PAOCC best when he stated: [A]ny religion that professes concern for the souls of men and is not equally concerned about the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a spiritually moribund religion only waiting for the day to be buried. It well has been said: "A religion that ends with the individual ends (Clayborne, 18). My research aims to indicate that there is still a need for a theology of Black Liberation in the United States. Through careful analysis of Black Liberation Theology and the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church (PAOCC) this research will demonstrate how Black Liberation Theology has been the way that most men and women of African descent have traditionally accepted Christianity on those terms until two important events in African American history occurred: the end of the institution of enslavement; and the end of the Civil Rights Era. My research demonstrates how the PAOCC exemplifies a Black Liberation Theology. Lastly my research will also show that it is possible to be Christian and Afrocentric, which goes against the prevailing dictation of Afrocentric thought. There are Afrocentric scholars who make the claim that one cannot be both Afrocentric and Christian. My research ultimately intends to state that Afrocentricity should not antagonize the faith, but the Western practice of Christianity and its dominant theology as well as its practice.
Temple University--Theses
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Chigumira, Godfrey. "Mary as an inspiration for the empowerment of Southern African christian women disproportionately infected/affected by HIV/AIDS." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2012. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/3307/.
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The thesis proposes a liberative Mariological model for southern African Christian women disproportionately infected/affected by HIV/AIDS. The first chapter argues that women are disproportionately infected and affected by HIV and AIDS impacts in southern Africa. It proposes the utilisation of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as an inspirational symbol for the empowerment of southern African Christian women against HIV/AIDS. The second chapter explains the basic themes of the thesis of ‘symbol’, ‘inspiration’ and ‘empowerment’ in relation to Mary. It also illustrates how Mary is utilised as a symbol of empowerment within the chapters that follow. Chapter three considers some African theological writings on Mary, mainly by African women theologians and also reflects on how Mary interacts with some communities in southern Africa. Chapters four to eight are built on chapter themes of Mary as mother, as mother of sorrows, Mary’s incarnational role, Mary as virgin, and as a revolutionary respectively. Within each chapter theme, the thesis considers how Mary could inspire southern African Christian women for empowerment against HIV infection and AIDS impacts. In chapter nine, a Marian healing ritual for women living with HIV/AIDS is proposed, using feminist ritual healing guidelines, for the women’s empowerment, followed by the concluding chapter.
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Elorm-Donkor, Lord Abraham. "Christian morality in Ghanaian Pentecostalism : a theological analysis of virtue theory as a framework for integrating Christian and Akan moral schemes." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2011. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/christian-morality-in-ghanaian-pentecostalism-a-theological-analysis-of-virtue-theory-as-a-framework-for-integrating-christian-and-akan-moral-schemes(f6721108-c2a9-47e9-9dec-0b7404d6a76d).html.
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Although scholars and Christian leaders have indicated that there is marked separation between morality and spirituality in the Christian praxis of many Africans and that the African worldview, which African Christians still hold is responsible for this separation, there has not been a detailed study of the issue. The aim of the research is to offer an explanation, of a paradox in Ghanaian society where there is enthusiastic Christian spirituality that is separated from social morality, so that a deeper integration of the Christian and Akan traditional moral schemes can be proposed.My research focuses on Pentecostals in Ghana whose appropriation of the African worldview into Christian praxis has generally been considered as a positive response to African religiosity. By the use of a practical theological method of correlation whereby the Christian truth is represented by the moral theology of John Wesley and brought in dialogue with the Akan traditional moral scheme, this research offers reasons for and proposes a solution to the lack of social morality in Ghanaian Pentecostalism. It uses the virtue theory as a heuristic tool for the analysis of morality in a way that provides explanation for the situation and guides an integration of the two moral schemes at a deeper level. The examination of the two moral schemes has been guided by the elements of character, a central theme of the virtue theory. It has been shown that the ‘Deliverance Theology’ of Ghanaian Pentecostals involves significant misrepresentation of the Akan traditional scheme, and that this situation causes many Christians to focus on religion as a means for the supply of existential needs rather than the transformation of inner dispositions for moral character formation. This research shows that reinterpreting the Akan view of humanity and integrating it with the Wesleyan account of the Christian truth, transforms the ‘Deliverance Theology’ by portraying the Christian life as a pneumatological characterology. The moral responsibility that this entails will ensure that African Pentecostals understand social morality as an essential outcome of their Christian spirituality.
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Meiring, Arnold Maurits. "Heart of Darkness a deconstruction of traditional Christian concepts of reconciliation by means of a religious studies perspective on the Christian and African religions /." Thesis, Pretoria : [s.n.], 2005. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10312005-093457/.
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Huddleston, Elizabeth Anne. "Divine Revelation as Rectrix Stella: A Contextual Analysis of Wilfrid Ward's Theology of Revelation." University of Dayton / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1574854979869429.
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Rweyemamu, Josephat Alphonce. "Conversion in missionary christianity, Northwest Tanzania : a critical assessment of methods and their impact on Haya Christian life." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/71795.
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Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation is an interdisciplinary missiological study. It engages the sociological theory of structuration to critically explore the missionary Christianity approach and methods of conversion in the Lutheran Church, Northwest Tanzania, and their impact on the Haya Christian life. To this end, a theoretical scaffolding matrix of conversion is explored based on biblical and theological understanding, social theories of conversion, patterns and models of conversion. It is also pointed out that conversion is not only a theological but also a social phenomenon. Consequently, the Haya religio-cultural spiritual life and worldview are further investigated. The methods that were employed by missionary Christianity to missionize Northwest Tanzania are also explored based on the missionaries‟ home socio-political cultural context that informed these methods. Lastly, the Haya‟s earlier and later responses to the methods are highlighted and analyzed. The dissertation argues that the missionary Christianity approach and methods of conversion were important in that they accelerated social change through modernization, new ways of dressing, accessibility to western medicine and appropriation of western education that was instrumental in the production of both church and national potential leaders who later brought about political awareness, modern development and socio-political transformation. Nonetheless, the research has ascertained that the missionary Christianity approach and methods of conversion produced mainly dual converts who remained adherents of both Christianity and Haya traditional religion. This was because from the outset most western missionaries aimed at almost perverting Haya religion and culture in the placement of Christianity that was intrinsically embedded in western culture. This suggests the reasons for the inadequacy of the missionary Christianity conversion strategic approach to seriously take cognizance of the Haya religio-cultural spirituality and worldview which, as it was unpacked in the study, inherently embraces both the physical and metaphysical existential realm. Thus for the Haya, if this fact is not taken seriously, conversion seems irrelevant. That is why Haya Christians tend to actualize “real” conversion within the Revival Movements and Pentecostal-Charismatic churches‟ form of Christianity instead of maintaining loyalty to the doctrine of their mother churches, for this spiritual form of Christianity has to a greater extent demonstrated the ability to attempt to indigenize Christianity among them as, without ignoring modern ways of life, it addresses the Haya religio-cultural spirituality and worldview. Engaging structuration theory analysis, the study argues that the Haya realization of what seems “real” conversion within the revival framework and other spiritual movements and Pentecostal-Charismatic form of Christianity by most Haya Lutheran Christians in Northwest Tanzania, is an attempt to indigenize Haya missionary Christianity conversion. This is because for the Haya‟s comprehension and praxis of conversion is not only determined by missionary Christianity activity, but to some degree their traditional religio-cultural context plays a role in shaping and structuring conversion that makes sense to them. Since social structure comprises rules and resources (Giddens 1984; Wuthnow 1987; Richard 1994) which human agents draw on and reproduce as they act and yet remain open for transformation, the Haya traditional social structure therefore provides an arena for them to draw on religiosity and other spiritual resources and reproduce them even as they convert to Christianity. The study further proposes that the sociological theory of structuration in an interdisciplinary study of conversion provides a useful tool in attempting to understand the dynamics of conversion among the Haya within the Lutheran Church in Northwest Tanzania, along with their tendency to actualize their “real” conversion within the revivalist or Pentecostal-Charismatic form of Christianity. Since “real” conversion cannot be limited or absolutized in these forms of Christianity, the research proposes an “integrative model of conversion” as the most relevant approach to our contemporary missionary preoccupation and engagement. This model suggests the hermeneutics and ecclesial praxis of conversion that is based on religio-cultural sensitivity that suggests harnessing spirituality and religio-cultural rules and resources from within the framework of Haya traditional religion, missionary Christianity, East African Revival and the Pentecostal-Charismatic form of Christianity through a mutual dialogue.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie dissertasie is ʼn interdissiplinêre missiologiese studie. Dit maak gebruik van die sosiologiese strukturasie-teorie om kritiese ondersoek in te stel na missionêre Christelike benaderings en metodes van bekering in die Lutherse Kerk in Noordwes Tanzanië, en die impak daarvan op die Haya se Christelike lewe. ʼn Teoretiese gesteierde bekerings-matriks word verken gebaseer op Bybelse en teologiese begrip, sosiale bekerings-teorieë, patrone en modelle van bekering. Daar word ook op gewys dat bekering nie net ʼn teologiese verskynsel is nie, maar ook ʼn sosiale een. Daarna word die Haya godsdiens-kulturele spiritualiteit en wêreldbeskouing verder ondersoek. Die metodes wat ingespan is deur die missionêre Christendom om Noordwes Tanzanië te missionaliseer is ook ondersoek met verwysing na sendelinge se eie sosio-politieke kulturele konteks wat hierdie metodes geïnformeer het. Laastens is die Hayas se vroeëre en latere reaksie op die metodes geïdentifiseer en ontleed. Die dissertasie betoog dat die missionêre Christelike benadering en metodes van bekering belangrik was aangesien dit sosiale verandering versnel het deur modernisasie, nuwe style van kleredrag, toegang tot Westerse medisyne en die toe-eiening van Westerse opvoedkunde. Dít was weer instrumenteel in die vorming van potensiële kerklike en nasionale leiers wat later politieke gewaarwording, moderne ontwikkeling en sosio-politieke transformasie meegebring het. Die navorsing het egter ook aangedui dat die missionêre Christelike benadering en bekeringsmetodes hoofsaaklik tweeledige bekeerlinge geproduseer het wat beide die Christelike en die tradisionele Haya godsdienste aangehang het. Dit was omdat die meeste sendelinge in hul pogings om die Christelike godsdiens, wat intrinsiek in die Westerse kultuur gegrond was, te vestig, die Haya godsdiens probeer demoniseer het. Dit dui aan dat die redes vir die ontoereikendheid van die missionêre Christelike bekering-strategie moet ernstig kennis neem van die Haya godsdiens-kulturele spiritualiteit en wêreldbeskouing wat, soos die in die studie uiteengesit word, inherent beide die fisiese en godsdienstige eksistensiële ryke omarm. As hierdie feit nie ernstig bejeën word nie, is bekering dus vir die Haya irrelevant. Haya Christene geneig is om “ware” bekering te aktualiseer in Herlewingsbewegings en Pinkster-Charismatiese kerke se vorm van Christelikheid pleks daarvan om lojaal te bly aan die leer van hul moederkerke, want hierdie spirituele vorm van Christelikheid demonstreer tot ʼn groter mate die strewe om Christelikheid onder hulle inheems te maak deur die Haya godsdiens-kulturele spiritualiteit en wêreldbeskouing aan te spreek sonder om die modern leefwyse te verontagsaam. Die studie maak gebruik van strukturasie-teorie analise om te betoog dat die meeste Haya Lutherse Christene in Noordwes Tanzanië se gewaarwording van “ware” bekering binne die Herlewings-raamwerk en ander spirituele bewegings en Pinkster-Charismatiese vorms van Christelikheid is ʼn poging om Haya missionale Christelike bekering inheems te maak. Vir die Hayas word die begrip en praksis van bekering nie net bepaal deur missionale Christelike aktiwiteit nie, maar tot ʼn mate speel hul tradisionele godsdiens-kulturele konteks ook ʼn rol in die vorming en strukturering van ʼn bekering wat vir hulle sin maak. Omdat sosiale strukture bestaan uit reëls en bronne (Giddens 1984; Wuthnow 1987; Richard 1994) waaruit mense put, wat hulle reproduseer en wat tog oop bly vir transformasie, voorsien die Haya tradisionele sosiale struktuur dus ʼn arena waarin hulle kan put uit godsdienstigheid en ander spirituele bronne en dit reproduseer, selfs as hulle-hulle bekeer tot die Christendom. Die studie voer voorts aan dat die sosiologiese teorie van strukturasie in ʼn interdissiplinêre studie van bekering ʼn nuttige werktuig bied om die dinamiek van bekering onder die Haya in die Lutherse Kerk in Noordwes Tanzanië te verstaan, tesame met hul neiging om hul “ware” bekering te aktualiseer in Herlewingsbewegings of in Pinkster-Charistmatiese vorms van Christelikheid. Aangesien “ware” bekering nie in hierdie vorms van Christelikheid beperk of verabsoluteer kan word nie, stel die navorsing ʼn “integrerende model van bekering” voor as die mees relevante benadering tot ons kontemporêre missionêre fokus en betrokkenheid. Hierdie model stel voordat ʼn hermeneutiese en ekklesiale praksis van bekering wat gebaseer is op godsdiens-kulturele sensitiwiteit en spiritualiteit en godsdiens-kulturele reëls vanuit die raamwerk van Haya tradisionele godsdiens, missionale Christelikheid, Oos-Afrika Herlewingsbewegings en die Pinkster-Charistmatiese vorms van Christelikheid deur wedersydse dialoog.
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Field, David Nugent. "The new Westminster theology and South African evangelicalism : a critical evaluation of John Frame's methodology and epistemology with a view towards the development of a contextual evangelical theology." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14960.
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Bibliography: leaves 146-158.This dissertation attempts to answer the question "Do the methodological and epistemological proposals of John M. Frame have anything to contribute to the construction of a contextual evangelical theology in South Africa - a theology which is both faithful to its evangelical roots and yet radically engaged with the contemporary context?" This question is dealt with in four stages. Firstly, Frame's theology is expounded against the background of its context in America. Secondly, four aspects of Frame's theology are critically evaluated. They are perspectivalism, theology as application, hermeneutics, and the relationship between theology and praxis. This evaluation has three dimensions. It investigates the relationship between Frame's theology and the historic Reformed tradition. It examines the use that is made of Frame's theology by other theologians related to the Westminster Seminaries, in particular, the work of Harvie M. Conn and Vern S. Poythress. Finally, the evaluation seeks to examine the usefulness of Frame's theology in the South African context. This analysis results in the identification of certain weaknesses in Frame's methodological proposals. The conclusion of this dissertation is that Frame's theology provides certain methodological tools which can be employed in the construction of a contextual South African theology which is both radically engaged with its context, and faithful to the core of the evangelical tradition. For this to be possible it is proposed that certain modifications need to be made to overcome the weaknesses of Frame's theology. These modifications are the following: the integration of a strongly christological approach to Frame's concept of lordship with particular reference to a theology of the cross; the affirmation that God is, in a particular way, the God of the poor and oppressed; an understanding of the accommodated and context-relatedness of biblical revelation, and the incorporation of perspectives from the sociology of knowledge.
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Van, Wyngaard George Jacobus. "The public theology of David J. Bosch : The public role of the christian community." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/26964.
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This study seeks to give a broad picture of public theology and to bring this into conversation with the South African Missiologist David J. Bosch. The importance of ecclesiology for our public theology is pointed out and the development of Bosch's ecclesiology is traced from the 1970's through to Transforming Mission and beyond. From this some first conclusions are made concerning what the contribution of Bosch might be in the field of public theology. CopyrightDissertation (MDiv)--University of Pretoria, 2010.
Dogmatics and Christian Ethics
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Haller, Jeffrey. "The image of the unseen God contextual relevance in the visual portrayal of Christ /." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1991. http://www.tren.com.
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Chike, Chigor. "African pneumatology in the British context : a contemporary study." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2011. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/2934/.
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The large numbers of Africans that have come to live in Britain in the last few decades have necessitated a better understanding of African Christianity. Focusing on Pneumatology, this study sets out to achieve such understanding by first undertaking a research of a church in London with a congregation made up of mostly Africans. This fieldwork yielded twelve concrete statements or “pattern-theories” on what the church members believe about the Holy Spirit. At that point, a review of existing literature was used to understand these “pattern-theories” more deeply. A second fieldwork was then carried out whereby two of these twelve “pattern-theories” were tested on a larger number of Africans drawn from four different Christian denominations. The second phase enabled the study to achieve a wider understanding based on a more diverse population of Africans. These two phases of fieldwork constituted the empirical cycle. Following the analysis of the findings the study advances five factors which determine African Pneumatology. These are their day to day experience of life, the Bible, their African worldview, the African traditional concept of God and the worldwide Pentecostal movement. The study also suggests that the Doctrine of the Trinity is a key factor determining African Pneumatology.
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Carpenter, Samuel Julius. "A survey of black Baptist church leadership practices for subsequent ministry." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1996. http://www.tren.com.
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Meylahn, Johann-Albrecht. "Towards a narrative theological orientation in a global village from a postmodern urban South African perspective." Thesis, Pretoria : [s.n.], 2003. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-06232004-084622.
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Moody, David L. III. "Political Melodies in the Pews?: Is Black Christian Rap the New Voice of Black Liberation Theology?" Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1269285586.
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Olsen, Jørn Henrik. "Kristus i tropisk Afrika : I spændingsfeltet mellem identitet og relevans." Doctoral thesis, Köpenhamns universitet, 2001. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-204215.
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The title of this thesis is Christ in Tropical Africa - in the Tension Between Identity and Relevance. Within a few years Africa will be the greatest Christian continent, and African Christianity will then no longer see itself as a mere continuation of Western Christianity. On the threshold of the 21st Century, this insight challenges Christian theology and missiology which have for a long time answered the helm of the Western missionary movements. This contribution to the scholarly debate on cultural and religions identity issues deals with the question how the recent development ought to be integrated in a systematic reflection, and how Africans - especially African theologians - themselves attempt to highlight the necessity of a relevant and authentic African Christianity and theology. The post-colonial and partly post-missionary era has resulted in a sense of departure and transition which has created space for a renewed and adjusted conception of the question of identity. This dissertation present a critical discourse on African themes and questions concerning identity issues in the perspectives of studies in the areas of theology, anthropology, philosophy, and religion. The discourse shows the complexity of what is called identity, africanity etc. and threw critical light on a tendency of making generalizations and constructions. Dangers of constructions of which Christian African theologians have not always been sufficiently conscious. The interdisciplinary perspective of this study is widening the question of identity while it still constitutes a hermeneutical key to understand the concerns of Christian theology in the tropical part of Africa. African theology is situated in the tension between identity and relevance. This become obvious in African christological proposals. The thesis put a critical test question to the theologians who have contributed with new Christ-titles and -models: Have they both managed to give grounds for the significance of christology for human freedom and identity (the relevance of christology), and at the same time secured the continuity and agreement with the original theological content of christology (the identity of christology in the New Testament)? The question can only partly be answered affirmatively. In some cases the actual understanding of life and conception of reality in a certain context provides the decisive criterion in the interpretation of Biblical concepts and christological titles. This creates hermeneutic problems which are dealt with in the close of the thesis.Contains an English summary
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Pruitt, Richard A. "The incultuartion of the Christian Gospel theory and theology with special reference to the Igbo of southeastern Nigeria /." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/5061.
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Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007.The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on month day year) Includes bibliographical references.
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Momberg, Marthie. "Different ways of belonging to totality : traditional African and Western-Christian cosmologies in three films : an exploratory literature study." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/5452.
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Thesis (MPhil (Religion and Culture) Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study distinguishes between religion as a sense of belonging to the ultimately-real and specific religious traditions. Religion, as used here, concerns a cosmological understanding of the universe and with that which is experienced as meaningful and real on an existential level. Although differences between religious traditions are generaly known, most people‟s emotional conceptual frameworks of the universe are so deep seated that they do not even realise that far-reaching differences between people on this level too are possible. It often happens, for example, that concepts such as transcendence and redemption are incorrectly accepted as universal to all of humanity. Yet in fact, cosmological concepts (the nature and experience of the immediate world out there, the conceptual understanding of time, the role of chance versus determinism, the source of religious knowledge and so forth) can be experienced differently on a symbolic level. In the context of Religion and Media which is the field of study relevant here, as well as in a number of other contexts, it is problematic when scholars project their own views of reality and meaning experiences onto those of others – especially when they expressly articulate their intention as the opposite. John Cumpsty (1991) distinguished three ways in which a person can derive meaning from the cosmic totality and I shall discuss two of these with reference to the Western-Christian and the traditional African reality views. From this, it becomes clear that radical different patterns of cosmological understanding are possible, each with its own systemically related set of symbols. Along with Cumpsty‟s theory, I also use the theory of Castells (2005) on the construction of social identities, as well as the theory of Sen (2006) on the use of cognitive versus affective dimensions in identity formation, to indicate how cosmological symbols can be positioned differently. With these three theories in mind, I subsequently interpret the identities of the main characters in three films hermeneutically. I specifically selected this medium as a segment of life to be studied because of the increasing popularity of the medium in reflection, construction and projection of existential meaning. Another reason for my choice is the many examples where interpretors of film project their own cosmological understanding onto those of others whilst they actually intend to be pluralistic. The findings of this study surprised me. Firstly and as expected, it clarifies the nature of differences between the Western-Christian and the traditional African cosmologies, as well as how these are implemented in praxis and by symbolic interpretations. However, the integration of the three theories also afforded me the opportunity to develop a method for a religious-cosmological analyses of identities. According to this method, an interpretor of films can distinguish between his or her own paradigm and a possible other paradigm. It allows the analyst to acknowledge the own paradigm and simultaneously respect another paradigm – without projecting the own onto the other. Therefore this method diminishes the chances of using dubble-text interpretation which maintains or promotes the exclusion of others. With this method, as well as the findings of this study, one can go much wider than the field of Religion and Media, as it involves the understanding of identity and different ways of belonging to the cosmic totality.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie onderskei tussen religie as ’n manier van behoort aan die ultiem-werklike en spesifieke religieuse tradisies. Religie soos hier gebruik, het te make met ‟n kosmologiese verstaan van die heelal en met wat eksistensieel as werklik en sinvol ervaar word. Hoewel verskille tussen religieuse tradisies algemeen bekend is, is mense se emosionele verstaansraamwerke van die heelal so diep gesetel, dat die meeste nie eens besef dat daar ook op hierdie vlak ingrypende verskille is nie. So gebeur dit dikwels dat konsepte soos “transendensie” en “verlossing”verkeerdelik as universeel aan alle mense en religeuse tradisies beskou word. In der waarheid kan kosmologiese komponente (die aard en ervaring van die onmiddellike realiteit; tydsverstaan; die rol van kans teenoor determinisme; die bron van religieuse kennis; ensovoorts) egter op ’n simboliese vlak verskillend ervaar word. In die konteks van Religie en Media waarbinne hierdie studie val, asook binne vele ander kontekste, is dit problematies wanneer akademici hul eie realiteitsiening en sinservaring op dié van ander projekteer – veral wanneer hulle hulself uitdruklik voorgeneem het om die teendeel te doen. John Cumpsty (1991) het drie maniere waarop mense sin maak van die kosmiese totaliteit onderskei en ek bespreek twee daarvan met verwysing na die Westers-Christelike en die tradisionele Afrika realiteitsienings. Hieruit word dit dan duidelik dat algeheel verskillende patrone in ‟n kosmiese verstaan moontlik is, elk met ‟n eie stel simbole wat sistemies bymekaar aansluit. Saam met Cumpsty se teorie, gebruik ek ook dié van Castells (2005) oor sosiale identiteitsvorming, en dié van Sen (2006) oor die gebruik van die kognitiewe versus die affektiewe in identiteitsvorming om aan te toon hoe kosmologiese simbole verskillend geposisioneer kan word. Met hierdie drie teorieë in gedagte, ontsluit ek vervolgens die identiteite van die hoofkarakers in drie rolprente hermeneuties. Ek het spesifiek dié medium as ‟n bestudeerbare greep van die lewe gekies weens die toenemende gewildheid daarvan in die refleksie, konstruksie en projeksie van eksistensiële sin. Nog ‟n rede is die talle voorbeelde waarin interpreteerders van rolprente hul eie kosmiese verstaan op dié van andere projekteer terwyl hulle eintlik pluralisties wil wees. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie was vir my verrassend. Dit bring eerstens, soos verwag, wel helderheid oor die aard van verskille tussen die Westers-Christelike en die tradisionele Afrika kosmologieë, asook hoe dit in die praktyk kan uitspeel aan die hand van simboliese interpretasies. Die integrasie van die drie teorieë het my egter ook die kans gebied om ‟n metode vir ’n religieus-kosmologiese analise van identiteit te ontwikkel. Hiervolgens kan ‟n ontleder van rolprente op ‟n redelike, sistematiese en sistemiese manier tussen sy of haar eie, sowel as ‟n moontlike ander, paradigma onderskei. Dit laat die ontleder toe om die eie paradigma te erken, sowel as respek te betoon teenoor ’n ander paradigma – sonder om die eie op die ander te projekteer. Daarom verminder hierdie metode veral ook die kans op die gebruik van ‟n dubbele-teks interpretasie wat uitsluiting van die ander handhaaf of bevorder. Hierdie metode, sowel as die bevindinge van die studie, kan veel wyer as die veld van Religie en Media toegepas word, omdat dit te make het met die verstaan van identiteit en verskillende maniere van behoort aan die kosmiese totaliteit.
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Southorn, Dale Edward. "Contextual theological education and pastoral formation in a global church." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 2005. http://www.tren.com/search.cfm?p075-0068.
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Mqala, Lieberman Mxolisi. "An assessment of African Christian beliefs in ancestors in view of a responsible interpretation of 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 within the South African context." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/49744.
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Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2003ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The object of this study is to assess African Christian beliefs in ancestors in lieu of a responsible interpretation of 1 Corinthians 8 :4 - 6. Warranting this assessment is the confusion that arises from the perception that African beliefs in ancestors and the tenets of Christian faith are compatible. Scriptural teaching seems to address the question of "ancestral worship" and does seem to portray it as something mutually exclusive to the tenets of Christian faith. Some of the authors cited in the thesis attest to this, and others seem to be rising in defence of "ancestor worship" by accommodating it without any problem on the same level as Christianity. Syncretism arises in the desire to strike a compromise between the two religions and allow African Christians to practise "ancestor worship" whilst confessing to be Christians at the same time. The selected text, ] Corinthians 8: 4-6, will be the centre of the assessment into the practice of "ancestor worship" by African Christians. This is because it contains a passage where Paul addresses the issue of food dedicated to idols. Paul's resolution of the issue - with his intention of maintaining harmony in the church and in the spirit of love - seems to accommodate the eating of meats offered to idols, but encourages abstinence in consideration of the weak. This principle of love may seem to bring accommodation, yet after a rigorous discussion the thesis concludes that the text still excludes the worship of idols. "Ancestor worship" is in this thesis seen to be within the given definitions of idolatry as it involves the sacrificing of meats and foods to ancestors and the deceased. In the final analysis the quest for a solution to ancestor beliefs and practices by African Christians challenges the Church to focus on a responsible interpretation of Biblical texts, and in such a way that it would bring light as to whether ancestor beliefs and practices are in continuation with Biblical perspectives or not.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om Afrika-Christene se opvattings met betrekking tot hul voorouers aan die hand van 'n verantwoorde verstaan van 1 Korintiers 8:4-6 te evalueer. Die studie is genoodsaak deur verwarring oor die vraag of die beginsels en praktyke van "voooroueraanbidding" met die Christelike geloof versoen kan word. Vol gens die studie blyk dit dat die gekose teks die vraag van "vooroueraanbidding" aanspreek, en wel as onversoenbaar met die wesensaard van die Christelike geloof. Sommige van die bronne waarna die tesis verwys, onderskryf hierdie standpunt, terwyl ander "vooroueraanbidding" verdedig en probleemloos op dieselfde vlak as die Christelike geloof akkommodeer. Die gevolg is dat sinkretisme ontstaan as 'n kornpromis tussen die twee perspektiewe, wat dit vir belydende Afrika-Christene moontlik maak om "vooroueraanbidding" te bedryf. 1 Korintiers 8:4-6 vonn die kemgesigspunt vanwaar die praktyk van "vooroueraanbidding" deur Afrika-Christene geevalueer word. In die gedeelte bespreek Paulus die vraag of Christene voedsel mag eet wat aan afgode gewy is. In die lig van sy bedoeling om 'n gees van liefde en eenheid in die gemeente aan te moedig, laat hy ruimte vir Christene se vryheid om afgodsvleis te eet, maar beveel aan dat dit ter wille van swakkeres in die geloofliefs gelaat moet word. Hoewel die liefdesbeginsel ruimte mag laat vir die akkommodering van "vooroueraanbidding", kom die tesis 11<'1 indringende bespreking tot die slotsom dat I Korintiers 8:4-6 dit as 'n opsie vir Christene uitsluit, "Vooroueraanbidding" word hier gedefinieer as afgodery, aangesien dit die offerande van vleis en ander kos aan voorouers en afgestorwenes insluit. Om enigsins 'n oplossing vir die probleem van "vooroueraanbidding" deur Afrika- Christene te vind, vra in die finale instansie dat kerke sal fokus op 'n verantwoorde interpretasie van die Bybel, wat sal kan aandui of sodanige geloofspraktyke 'n voortsetting van Bybelse perspektiewe is al dan nie.
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Agyarko, Robert Owusu. "Libation in African Christian Theology: a critical comparison of the views of Kwasi Sarpong, Kwesi Dickson, John Pobee and Kwame Bediako." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_5472_1360676052.
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The issue of libation poses an important challenge to Christianity in Africa and, more specifically, among the Akan people in Ghana. Libation is traditionally a key ritual for the Akan as an ethnic group. However, the European missionaries who operated in West Africa condemned this ritual as idolatrous. Following the emergence of African Christian theology, especially within the Ghanaian context, various African theologians have contributed to a more systematic discussion of such libation practices. This thesis entails a critical comparison of the views of four Akan (in Ghana) theologians on Christian participation in libation practices. On this basis, the research problem in this thesis is stated in the following way: âWhat are the points of divergence that lie beneath the different positions of Kwesi Sarpong, Kwesi Dickson, John Pobee and Kwame Bediako on the question of whether and in what forms Christian participation in libation practices in an Akan context in Ghana may be regarded as compatible with the Christian faith? This thesis describes analyses, compares and assesses the cultural and theological presuppositions of the views of these four Akan Ghanaian theologians on Christian participation in libation rituals. It shows how the views of these four theologians on libation are influenced by their views on the tatus which is attributed, both in Akan culture and in contemporary Christianity in Ghana, to abosom (lesser divinities) and nsamamfo (ancestors) in relation to Onyame (Supreme Being). The purpose of this thesis is therefore to clarify the cultural and theological assumptions underlying current debates on the observance of libation rituals by Christians in Ghana. The task is a description of the views of Sarpong, Dickson, Pobee and Bediako on the compatibility of Christian participation in libation practices in an Akan context with the Christian faith - just as they themselves understand its content and significance. In this thesis I approached the debate on libation in African Christian theology in two ways, namely following a direct and a thematic approach. In the direct approach the focus is explicitly on libation as a topic either in the context of African traditional religion and culture by itself or in its encounter with Christianity. In the thematic approach the focus is on libation within the context of its wider religious (with reference to God, the lesser divinities and ancestors) and cultural (the relationship between Christianity and African culture) contexts. The research indicates that the point of divergence amongst the four theologians mentioned above is almost always related to the invocation and petition of the lesser divinities and the ancestors. In addition to these major theological issues, âecclesiastical sanctionsâ also forms a major determining factor that influences the positions of these
theologians. On their respective views, Sarpong asserts that libation in its present form is not incompatible with the Christian faith. By contrast, Bediako maintains that libation as is presently practiced among the Akan is not compatible with the Christian faith neither can it be adapted into the Christian faith. On the other hand, Dickson and Pobee maintain that libation rituals are not compatible with the Christian faith, but that it can be adopted and adapted into the Christian faith if the content of the accompanying prayer is made in consonance with Christian theology. The thesis is comprised of eight chapters and a postscript. In the postscript, I offer some personal views and argue that libation has to be adapted before it can be compatible with the Christian faith. I suggest that libation should be made only to God and to the ancestors. Petitions during libation rituals should be made only to God, while the presence of the ancestors should be recognized in a âsymbolic mannerâ by an invitation to join the living human beings to make such petitions.
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Kuruvilla, Samuel Jacob. "Radical Christianity in the Holy Land : a comparative study of liberation and contextual theology in Palestine-Israel." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10036/71932.
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Palestine is known as the birthplace of Christianity. However the Christian population of this land is relatively insignificant today, despite the continuing institutional legacy that the 19th century Western missionary focus on the region created. Palestinian Christians are often forced to employ politically astute as well as theologically radical means in their efforts to appear relevant within an increasingly Islamist-oriented society. My thesis focuses on two ecumenical Christian organisations within Palestine, the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in Jerusalem (headed by the Anglican cleric Naim Stifan Ateek) and Dar Annadwa Addawliyya (the International Centre of Bethlehem-ICB, directed by the Lutheran theologian Mitri Raheb). Based on my field work (consisting of an in-depth familiarisation with the two organisations in Palestine and interviews with their directors, office-staff and supporters worldwide, as well as data analyses based on an extensive literature review), I argue that the grassroots-oriented educational, humanitarian, cultural and contextual theological approach favoured by the ICB in Bethlehem is more relevant to the Palestinian situation, than the more sectarian and Western-oriented approach of the Sabeel Centre. These two groups are analysed primarily according to their theological-political approaches. One, (Sabeel), has sought to develop a critical Christian response to the Palestine-Israel conflict using the politico-theological tool of liberation theology, albeit with a strongly ecumenical Western-oriented focus, while the other (ICB), insists that its theological orientation draws primarily from the Levantine Christian (and in their particular case, the Palestinian Lutheran) context in which Christians in Israel-Palestine are placed. Raheb of the ICB has tried to develop a contextual theology that seeks to root the political and cultural development of the Palestinian people within their own Eastern Christian context and in light of their peculiarly restricted life under an Israeli occupation regime of over 40 years. In the process, I argue that the ICB has sought to be much more situationally relevant to the needs of the Palestinian people in the West Bank, given the employment, socio-cultural and humanitarian-health opportunities opened up by the practical-institution building efforts of this organisation in Bethlehem.
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Tamirepi, Farirai. "Going back to my roots : a critical understanding of the interplay between Christian faith and Shona tradition in the quest to find meaning within the HIV pandemic." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6511.
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Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During the study there was an attempt to understand the interplay between Christian faith and Shona tradition in the quest for meaning within the HIV and AIDS pandemic. It was revealed that HIV/AIDS has caused unimaginable suffering among all segments of society in Zimbabwe but impacts more on women and children. The suffering caused by HIV and AIDS has inevitably raised the question of meaning which is urgent and widespread, making people turn to the Christian faith or to Shona tradition for answers to their suffering. During the study there was an attempt to find out why Shona Christians revert to Shona traditions in quest for meaning within the HIV and AIDS scourge. It has been revealed that one single answer does not exist and that the quest for meaning as the sum total of answers does not exist. The quest for meaning is about discovering a God-image which is appropriate to give meaning in suffering by being involved and engaged with the existential realities of people within the HIV and AIDS pandemic. It was made clear during the study that the quest for meaning within the HIV and AIDS pandemic has greatly challenged both belief systems to the extent that the Shona Christians, not only revert to tradition in quest for meaning but move back and forth, in and out of both belief systems and remain confused about who God is. The dilemma for the Shona Christians in quest for meaning therefore is a crisis of faith, a personal crisis of identity and a continuous search for meaning. In light of this devastating pandemic, it is an undeniable fact that the quest for meaning among the Shona Christians within the HIV and AIDS pandemic challenges the SDA church to reinterpret and reframe pastoral theology in a way that is relevant to discovering a God who can be trusted to give meaning in suffering.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die studie is daar gepoog om die wisselwerking tussen die Christelike geloof en Shona tradisie te verstaan – veral in die konteks van die soeke na betekenis binne die MIV/VIGS pandemie. Daar is gevind dat MIV/VIGS ongekende lyding veroorsaak in alle sektore van die gemeenskap in Zimbabwe, maar dat die impak daarvan groter is op vroue en kinders. Die lyding wat deur MIV/VIGS veroorsaak word, het onvermydelik vrae laat ontstaan met betrekking tot die vraag na betekenis. Hierdie vrae is dringend en wydversprei en veroorsaak dat mense hulle tot die Christelike verloof of na die Shona tradisies wend vir antwoorde rakende hulle lyding. Daar is gepoog om uit te vind hoekom Shona Christene hulle tot die Shona tradisie wend vir antwoorde op hierdie kwessie. Daar is gevind dat daar nie een enkele antwoord vir hierdie verskynsel bestaan nie, maar dat die soeke na betekenis eintlik 'n soeke na 'n Godsbeeld is wat betekenis sal verleen deur betrokke te wees in die eksistensiële werklikhede van mense binne die MIV/VIGS pandemie. Dit het tydens die studie duidelik geword dat die soeke na betekenis tydens die pandemie beide geloofsisteme tot so 'n mate bevraagteken het, dat Shona Christene hulle nie net tot die Shona tradisies gewend het nie, maar ook heen en weer en in en uit beweeg tussen die sisteme en steeds verward bly oor wie God is. Vir die Shona Christen word die dilemma dus 'n geloofskrisis, 'n persoonlike identiteitskrisis en 'n volgehoue soeke na betekenis. In die lig van hierdie verskriklike pandemie en in die soeke na betekenis tydens die MIV/VIGS pandemie, word die Sewendedagadventistekerk uitgedaag om hulle pastorale teologie op so 'n wyse te herinterpreteer en te herbewoord dat dit relevant is tot die ontdekking van 'n God wat vertrou kan word om betekenis aan lyding te gee.
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Holmgren, E. Henry. "Signs and wonders in Africa a biblical perspective in interaction with western missions, African independent churches and African traditional religion, with particular reference to Zambia /." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1989. http://www.tren.com.
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Stephenson, Mark H. "African music in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa : a case study in the Western Cape." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15673.
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This study is an appraisal of African Music within the Methodist Church of Southern Africa with particular reference to the Western Cape. I develop and amplify a pilot study 4 in order to provide a model for further research into African Music in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. The subject has a certain topical relevance. Many Churches are not only producing new hymn books but are also experimenting with new ways of communicating the gospel through music. 5 More recently, the Africanisation committee of the C.U.C. (Church Unity Commission) directed by its convenor the Rev. E. Baartman (President Elect of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa) recommended that the C.U.C. co-ordinate research into "Black theology, African liturgy and furthermore, at the Fifth Annual Symposium on Ethnomusicology, 30 August 1984 - 1 September 1984, Alain Barker reported that "while all agreed that the international perspective the Conference provided was of great value, serious debate on how the subject should be dealt with in this country was limited to a brief discussion at the end" . Some critics felt more practical involvement in African Music should have been a part of the Conference. In other words an academic assessment needs to be grounded in practice. (a) My purpose is to determine the meaning of African Music in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, and to show that African Music is a contact point between Church and Culture, facilitating cultural liberation. (b)I have erected a framework to order the results of my research. It may be claimed that the method of approach is in many ways novel. Field work, recording and documentation on African Music in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa has to my knowledge never been published. This research is an attempt to make a start. We need to listen to Africa. As a fourth generation Methodist Minister, where else could I begin other than in the Methodist Church? As can be expected in an exploratory study, these findings point to areas which need more investigation. African Music articulates the most viable approach to respond to both the demands of the Gospel and African Culture. The aim of this study is to promote and teach people an appreciation of African Music within the broader context of the Church. (c) In the light of this, I have attempted four things: (i) African Music in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa is located in its broader African context by an examination of the roots of the Church within the Protestant tradition. (ii) Oral evidence was collected as a basis for critical reflection. (iii) A critical reflection is undertaken on some of the issues implicit in the words and music. (iv) An attempt is made to suggest ways and means of developing African Music within the life of the Church.
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Nwaigbo, Ferdinand. "Church as a communion : an african christian perspective : theology of the local Church in the light of the Second Vatican council /." Frankfurt am Main ; New York ; Paris [etc] : P. Lang, 1996. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb37047190x.
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Hill, Bradley N. "Kings and prophets sermons from Africa /." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1986. http://www.tren.com.
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Thesis (D. Min.)--Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1987.Typescript. Part II, The product, has text of sermons in Lingale and English on facing pages. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-117).
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Ruele, Moji. ""How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" : constructing a contextual African theology of land and liberation with and for Basarwa/San in post-independence Botswana." Thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.683244.
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Whitmer, Steven Michael. "Approaching benevolence in missions." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1995. http://www.tren.com.
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Abrahams, Lutasha Ann-Louise. ""A critical comparison of Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza's notion of Christian ministry as a 'Discipleship of Equals' and Mercy Amba Oduyoye's notion as a 'Partnership of both men and women." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/1446.
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Magister Theologiae - MThThis thesis is based on the recognition that there are similarities and differences between two notions of Christian ministry, that is, a “discipleship of equals” as defined by Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza (1989) and a “partnership of both men and women” as defined by Mercy Amba Oduyoye (1990). In this thesis, Christian ministry is assessed through the perspectives of both feminist theology and African women’s theology. The question which is addressed here is how the similarities and differences between Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza’s notion of Christian ministry as a “discipleship of equals” and Mercy Amba Oduyoye’s notion of Christian ministry as a “partnership of both men and women” should be understood and assessed. The main purpose of this thesis is to offer a critical comparison of these two female theologians so as to encourage new visions of Christian ministry in the contemporary church and society. To accomplish this task, a literature survey of books, essays, and articles published on the subject of Christian ministry in feminist and African women’s theology by African and Western theologians, between 1960 and 2003, was conducted. Two notions of how Christian ministry should be understood are offered. Fiorenza emphasizes that both women and men need to be recognized as disciples of Christ who can equally, yet within diversity, minister to God’s people by virtue of their baptisms. Oduyoye notes that reciprocity and mutuality is crucial for both men and women who minister to God’s people by forming strong partnerships through their respective vocations and ministries, by virtue of their baptisms. This thesis argues that a comparison of the views of Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza and Mercy Amba Oduyoye on Christian ministry reveals similarities based on a shared experience of being women within a male-dominated Christian church and differences emanating from the different contexts within which they practice theology, namely, that of Euro-American feminist theology and that of African women’s theology. It is argued that there are significant differences between feminist theology and African women’s theology, with reference to their context, rhetoric, experiences and modes of expression. A critical assessment of Oduyoye’s notion of Christian ministry as a “partnership of both men and women” reveals that there is an internal problem within African theology. The predicament within which African women theologians find themselves is that they have to struggle not only against patriarchy in church and society but also against the remaining distortions within what is deemed to be a more progressive theology. African women theologians acknowledge their solidarity with African theologians but also identify fundamental flaws within African theology. African women theologians are therefore engaged in a battle on more than one side. They need to unmask and support at the same time. On the other hand, it is clear that Fiorenza is far less critical of the feminist movement, from which she derives the term “feminist hermeneutics”. She is, of course, quite aware of the various and successive strands of the feminist movement, but she remains at least sympathetic to this movement and seeks to explore its significance for biblical scholarship and especially the Roman Catholic Church, of which she is a member. She recognises the need to complement the (sometimes reductionist) secular manifestations of feminism by highlighting the oppressive but also the potentially liberative role which religious traditions may still have in a secularised civil society. One may therefore conclude that African women’s theology remains distinct from other feminist theologies. In a similar way, African-American womanist theologians have insisted that their situation is distinct from that of Euro-American women in what is described as the “triple” oppression of black women: being women, relatively poor, black and formerly enslaved. This calls for further reflection on the similarities and differences between African-American womanist theology and African women’s theology. Important differences which come to mind here are the legacy of slavery, differences in economic status, and military power. African women are often engaged in a struggle to secure a sustainable livelihood in ways that African-American women are not. More importantly, the relationship between American black theology and womanist theology deserves further attention in this regard.
South Africa
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Pierce, India. "My Pew, Your Pulpit: An Ethnographic Study of Black Christian Lesbian Experiences in the Black Church." The Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1338383170.
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Andersson, Samuel. "God and the moral beings : A contextual study of Thomas Hobbes’s third book in Leviathan." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för idé- och lärdomshistoria, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-113789.
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The question this essay sets out to answer is what role God plays in Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan, in the book “Of a Christian Common-wealth”, in relationship to humans as moral beings. The question is relevant as the religious aspects of Hobbes’s thinking cannot be ignored, although Hobbes most likely had rather secular and sceptical philosophical views. In order to answer the research question Leviathan’s “Of a Christian Common-wealth” will be compared and contrasted with two contextual works: the canonical theological document of the Anglican Church, the Thirty-Nine Articles (1571), and Presbyterian-Anglican document the Westminster Confession (1648). Also, recent scholarly works on Hobbes and more general reference works will be employed and discussed. Hobbes’s views provide a seemingly unsolvable paradox. On the one hand, God is either portrayed, or becomes by consequence of his sceptical and secular state thinking, a distant God in relationship to moral humans in “Of a Christian Common-wealth”. Also, the freedom humans seem to have in making their own moral decisions, whether based on natural and divine, or positive laws, appears to obscure God’s almightiness. On the other hand, when placing Hobbes in context, Hobbes appears to have espoused Calvinist views, with beliefs in predestination and that God is the cause of everything. Rather paradoxically it not unlikely that Hobbes espoused both the views that appear to obscure the role of God, and his more Calvinistic views.
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Nyarenchi, M. K. N. (Matwetwe). "A theological ethical assessment of homosexuality in the east African context : a Seventh-Day Adventist perspective." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/23854.
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In the world in which we are living today many people, especially Christians, wonder why people should talk about homosexuality. For many past years, the Christian Church, especially in East Africa, considered herself more or less immune from many of the challenges, experienced by the rest of the world, particularly the Western world. However, as the church now continues to grow in numbers and expand its territories, these problems start to appear in the church also all over East Africa. Increasingly the consciousness of the society is being raised concerning social-ethical issues such as women's rights, battered children, single parent families, teenage pregnancy, wife beating and of course homosexuality. As a result such issues are widely discussed within the church and outside, sometimes causing a rift within the church. Such has been the case with homosexuality. Recently at a Seventh-day Adventist Church camp meeting in East Africa, a debate in a Bible study on the ethics of homosexuality as perceived by the Seventh-day Adventist Church paved the way for divisions in the church, which has left church members in four categories (groups) namely: culturalist, rejectionist, reinterpretationist and the reaffirmationist. Unfortunately the debate closed without a definite conclusion as to what should be the normative basis for the theological ethical evaluation of homosexuality by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in East Africa. The issue was whether the Bible, culture or both the Bible and culture should be the normative basis and also as to what theological ethical guidance does the Bible provide for the ethical evaluation of homosexuality in the present-day context. The dissertation surveys definitions and causes of sexuality, and traces some of the background from the pre-modem to the postmodern era reflecting on the definitions and causes of homosexuality, and it also traces some of the historical background regarding homosexual practices and views on homosexuality. It also discusses and assesses the Cultural beliefs on homosexuality in East Africa. The study also looks at the Biblical texts that refer to or are thought to refer to homosexuality and "examines" the claims made in much of the "gays" literature with reference to these texts. Other texts used by over-zealous Christians bent on finding condemnation of homosexuality through Scripture. During the East African pre modem era, sexuality, including homosexuality was not publicly discussed. The whole subject was encircled by a halo of secrecy and hedged around by innumerable East African taboos. When this silence is combined with the absence of written documentation on the cultures and histories of many parts of East Africa, the difficulties of accessing traditional understanding of homosexuality and sexuality become immense. One can conclude that it will be a serious mistake for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in East Africa to make East African culture normative in the ethical evaluation of homosexuality since: (i) Oral East African tradition does not really provide any moral view on homosexuality. To read into the silence on homosexuality the moral condemnation of homosexuality is not acceptable. (ii) Homosexual practices, in a ritualized form, are not foreign to East African culture. (iii) The strong condemnation of homosexuality in East Africa is often politically and ideologically inspired. This dissertation advocates the need for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in East Africa to use the Bible alone, Old and New Testament, being the written word of God, given by divine inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, as the infallible revelation of God's will. The Bible is the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and trustworthy record of God's acts in history and therefore is central in any formulation concerning homosexuality, whether theological or ethical evaluation and therefore should be used as the only normative basis for the ethical evaluation of homosexuality.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011.
Dogmatics and Christian Ethics
unrestricted
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Sutcliffe-Pratt, Daniel John. "An exploration of Groome's shared praxis approach as contextual Christian education within a South African Baptist township church." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19657.
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Morekwa, Othusitse. "Doing theology in the post liberation era of Southern Africa." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19585.
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The Study of Theology plays a crucial role in the construction of a sound theology in this post liberation era of Southern Africa. This exercise is conformed to the academic learning and creates an environment where theology can dialogue with other disciplines. It helps in the critical reflection on the issue of God and human beings as the object of theology in African context.
The study of theology and the doing of theology are methods which bring praxis and theory together. The doing of theology is the daily work of a pastor in a congregation. It is an exercise that put theological theories into practice. This is a methodology that guides the process of developing a contextual theology in Southern Africa. It is a process of taking theology from classroom to the congregations the community. The study of theology and the doing theology are soul mates. They work hand in hand to address contemporary situations. Human beings should know their physical organic environment. They are the object of theology. People experience God from natural science. Liberation theologies e.g. Africanist, Black and Women/Feminist theologies should use new approaches in order to meet the post liberation error challenges.
The wholesome approach is another alternative to be used by these theologies. The approach is based on the interconnectedness of God, human beings and physical organic universe (Theanthropocosmic principle). The principle of Theanthropocosmic helps to direct theology in Southern Africa to be contextual and universal. Some new contextual theologies are born because of the theanthropocosmic approaches to modern challenges. The modern society is build under principles of democracy, good governance, peace and tranquility. The major role of theology is to ensure that the society enjoys those principles.
Theology is directed to a group and individuals. The social, political and economical challenges should be approached as a group. The wholesome approach is an appropriate method to address challenges imposed by globalization ideologies. The increase rate of poverty in Southern Africa brings up other social illness in communities e.g. corruptions, crime, diseases. There is a need to engage theology in economic globalization. The concept of Botho calls everyone in the community to participate in the fight against these social illnesses in the society. Theology is obliged to restore economic justice. The Church is encouraged to participate in the cultural liberation and renewal. She is compelled to do mission work in this paradigms of cultural changes. African renaissance is an urgent thing to be implemented order to overcome challenges imposed by globalization in Southern Africa.Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology
D. Th. (Systematic Theology)
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Makhetha, Lesekele Victor. "Doing liberation theology in the context of the Post-Apartheid South Africa." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18568.
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The author strongly holds- in the thesis- that the Theology of liberation can inspi re the
poor of South Africa to uproot the post-1994 socio-economic and political evil structures
which continue unabated to impoverish them.
The introductory chapter studies the reasons which motivated the author to write the
thesis. It further discusses the method, the format and the limitations of the thesis.
Chapter one focuses on the author's understanding of the Theology of liberation, and its
historical background.
Chapter two discusses the relationship between the Theology of Liberation and black
theology, while chapter three contemplates on the possibility of the creation of what the
author calls, An African Theology of Liberation.
Chapter four studies the relationship between the Theology of liberation and the Social
Teachings of the Catholic Church as taught by the pope and his council. The study of this
relationship is extremely difficult because of the on-going, and seemingly insurmountable
ideological differences between the two parties. The author suggests, as a solutio n, that
each party seriously considers and recognizes the contextual limitations of its theology.
Chapter five focuses on the implementation of the Theology of Liberat ion into the South
African situation. The author highly recommends the inclusion of the veneration of the
ancestors of Africa, as a perfect instrument by means of which the Theology of Liberation
can succeed in achieving one of its major aims, which is to convert the poor to be leaders of
their own liberation.
The concluding chapter suggests concrete ways through which the Theology of Liberation
can be kept alive and relevant within the South African situation.Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology
D. Th. (Theological Ethics)
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Mans, Philippus Rudolph. "`Equipped to impact a continent?' : a descriptive study of Petra College's model to equip and mobilise Christian leaders for children's ministry in Africa." Diss., 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2333.
Full textAbstract:
In this study a contextual training model for developing leaders in ministry to children is investigated. The training model offers a dynamic training process for the development of effective leadership for the African Church and other Christian organizations in the field of children's ministries. The aim of these children's ministries would be to see holistically developed God fearing children in Africa.
This study provided an opportunity to ask deeper questions about one's assumptions on prevailing concepts about children, children ministries, leadership training, African philosophy and what is meant by contextual training models.
The complexity of Africa, its people and the challenges for the future are evident from this study. It can be concluded that it is possible and necessary to train effective Christian leadership for children's ministries.
To develop effective leadership in the field of children's ministries could prove to be one of the long term answers to the pressing needs of Africa and its people. The model serves the statement "equipped to impact the continent"Practical Theology
M.Th. (Practical Theology)
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Tesso, Benti Ujulu. "Some of the consequences of the Christian mission methods and contextual evangelism among the Oromo of Ethiopia with special focus on the Ethiopian Evagelical church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) 1880-1974." Thesis, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/4761.
Full textAbstract:
The thesis focuses on the problem of Oromo Christianity's lack of indigenous character with special focus on the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY). It examines the methods of mission used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) that introduced Christianity to the Oromo people for the first time. It also examines the methods of mission used by three Protestant mission societies who followed the EOC, evangelised the Wollaga Oromo and established the EECMY. These mission bodies were, the Swedish Evangelical Mission (SEM), the United Presbyterian Mission (UPCNAM) and the Hermannsburg Mission (HM). The Study seeks to investigate whether the four above mentioned Christian mission bodies'
methods of mission contributed to the Oromo Christianity's lack of indigenous character. Moreover, the study examines whether the apparent language of worship problem within the EECMY has historical root linked to the mission methods. It is the emphasis of the researcher of this study that the Christian mission methods used to evangelise the Wollaga Oromos were generally inadequate due to missionaries' lack of sensitivity to the culture. The study calls the EECMY to revise her traditional methods of mission that she inherited from the missionaries and root her message within the culture of the Oromo people. Christianity must identify with certain norms and values of Oromo culture. This can be done through contextual model of evangelism. Out of different sub models of contextual theology, this study suggests inculturation model as a method for incarnating the Church in the culture of the Oromo people. It is the writer's belief that inculturation model may be answer to the Oromo Christianity's lack of indigenous character and the apparent problem within the EECMY. Also inculturation can be helpful method in reaching out the non-Christian Oromos with the Gospel. Though the study focuses on the Oromo Christianity and the EECMY, the question and the problems concerning Christianity's being foreign to the culture might be similar in many Churches in the entire Ethiopia and also in Africa. Unless otherwise indicated the Scriptural quotations are taken from the GOOD NEWS BIBLE: The Bible in Today's English version, copyright Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1978,1986.
Printed in the United States of America.Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.