"Holy baptism" : a reconsideration of the doctrine of holy baptism in the light of recent research
- Authors: Moore, Robert Humphrey
- Date: 1974
- Subjects: Baptism in the Holy Spirit , Holy Spirit -- Biblical teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1239 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007686 , Baptism in the Holy Spirit , Holy Spirit -- Biblical teaching
- Description: Conclusion: This study has helped us to perceive the significance of Christian Baptism as it arose from its antecedents, and yet differed decisively from them in meaning and significance. We have seen how Baptism grew from the New Testament situation into the life of the Early Church. We have considered the sacramental nature of Baptism, that here, while the Community is visibly active, in this holy sacrament, God is the doer of what is done. It is by Him, whose Grace is seen in Jesus Christ, that we are brought to new life within the Community of His Covenant and what He can do for adults, He can do for infants as well. However, it is good for us to remember that His presence is also for our judgement, and that there therefore remains upon us as individuals and as Community the requirement of faith and faithfulness. We have seen how it is that the Holy Spirit is given in Baptism, and we believe it is through His indwelling presence and power that we are able to come into the Family of God and enjoy that fellowship with Him, which is salvation. We have also seen that, despite many centuries of thought and study, no final doctrinal definition of Baptism is yet achieved, and that the Churches are still giving this serious attention.
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- Date Issued: 1974
"The congregational way" : an historical study of the congregational doctrine of the church
- Authors: De Gruchy, John Wesley
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Congregational churches , Congregationalism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1276 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013317
- Description: From Preface: In this Ecumenical Age it is necessary that each Christian Communion consider again its particular doctrine of the Church, and restate it for the benefit of the whole Body of Christ. This Thesis is an attempt to show some historical and theological facets of the traditional Congregational doctrine of the Church. However, it must be stated that a full exposition of Congregational ecclesiology is an impossible task for any thesis. Firstly, inherent within Congregationalism is the fear of dogmatizing about matters of faith and practice. It has expressed itself in Statements and Declarations but always with the qualification that these things are 'commonly believed amongst us' Therefore, Congregationalism, while it has a characteristic ecclesiology, has never formulated a rigid pattern of Churchmanship which has to be adhered to by all the Churches. Secondly, a full study of Congregational ecclesiology would entail the study of the practices of every Congregational Church through the ages. That is an impossible task. Therefore, we have been confined to available material; but material which nevertheless expresses what we would regard as traditional congregationalism. Thirdly, a study of this nature must be content merely to state, however critically, what Congregationalists have believed about the Church at various times in the history of Congregationalism. It is impossible to convey the pulse and feeling of the life of a Congregational Church, for it is very important in seeking to understand any Churchmanship, not only to understand its theological form and structure, but also to experience its ' koinonia ' in its common life and worship.
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- Date Issued: 1961
A comparison between the views of Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley regarding the sovereignty of God
- Authors: Robertson, Alan Charles
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Edwards, Jonathan, 1703-1758 , Wesley, John, 1703-1791 , Free will and determinism , Predestination -- History of doctrines , God -- Omniscience -- History of doctrines , Atonement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013067
- Description: The views of Edwards and Wesley regarding the sovereignty of God present a puzzle. On the face of things, both were successful evangelists while both held contrary doctrines of sovereignty. Does this mean that the doctrine of sovereignty is irrelevant? This thesis argues that the doctrine of sovereignty is crucial in evangelism and revival, and that the views of Edwards and Wesley regarding the sovereignity of God were in fact very similar. A useful framework for showing this is the Five Points of Calvinism, as well as the doctrines of justification by faith and the omnipotence of God.
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- Date Issued: 1977
A comparison of the views of modern scholars on the origin, date and importance for O.T. study of the Dead Sea Scrolls
- Authors: Sheriffs, Robert J A
- Date: 1954
- Subjects: Dead Sea scrolls
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013179
- Description: In the early part of 1948 an announcement was made concerning the discovery of some ancient manuscripts in Palestine; to this discovery sober and distinguished scholars applied adjectives like 'sensational' and 'phenomenal' - words that not commonly applied to the discovery of manuscripts in the world of scholarship.
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- Date Issued: 1954
A consideration of the relations between Church and industry
- Authors: Hulley, L D
- Date: 1968
- Subjects: Industries -- Religious aspects , Church and industry , Christian life
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1295 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015396
- Description: [From Chapter 1]. The first point I wish to make, in fact it can be considered the primary one in this essay for what is to follow is a response to it, is that theology must be responding theology. This is a theology which takes the world seriously and responds to it in a Christian way. This is the approach we find in the New Testament: particularly in the Epistles, concrete problems and behaviour in the lives of his converts to which St. Paul responded prompted the didactic sections of his epistles. J. G. Davies supports this view in Planning for Mission "There are ... two primary realities'' he says "with which the congregation must be concerned: The Gospel of God and the world to which it is sent. 'Authentic theology' emerges out of the dialogue between the Gospel and the world." This is what Tillich calls the method of correlation. First we make an analysis of our situation and then try to relate the Christian message to the problems within it. While this compels us to rethink and reformulate many traditional Christian views, nothing "can change the substance of ... the ... answer, because this is the logos of being, manifest in Jesus as the Christ." This does not say that "we have all the answers" (in fact it will become clear that we do not), but it does express our conviction that the Christian Gospel has to do with life in all its aspects.
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- Date Issued: 1968
A critical examination of the policy and practice of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa regarding the readmission of ministers who have resigned or who have been discontinued as a result of divorce
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Ockert
- Date: 1999
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:21093 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6356
- Description: The scope and purpose of this research is the examination of the theology and practice of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in matters relating to marriage, divorce and remarriage in ministry. The theology of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa is based on its understanding of the scriptural injunctions on these matters and the Wesleyan tradition. These are examined in some detail as is the one paper in existence produced by the church on the subject. This is the report by a committee appointed by the Conference of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, convened by Dr Donald Cragg; M.A. (OX ON) D.Phil. (OXON). This document is referred to in this thesis as The Cragg Document. Section One of this thesis deals with research into the theology of the church. The practice of the church is examined using the recently completed study by the writer of the decided cases of the church in all disciplinary matters dealt with by Conference from 1957 to 1997. These were compiled from the existing record of Conference proceedings kept in the Methodist Connexional Office in Durban. This case precedent is included in a larger work also recently completed by the writer, namely A Handbook/or Disciplinary Committees. This book is in the process of being published by the church. Section two of this work deals with research into the practice of the church. The conclusions drawn at the end of this paper include a possible model for ministry to ministers and their families in the area of marriage and family enrichment and pastoral assistance to families in crisis. This thesis includes qualitative research into the aforesaid practice and procedure of the church in these matters and it is submitted that the conclusions drawn and the model posed in the concluding chapters can be of value to the church as it seeks to deal of the problem of an increasing number of ministers suffering the breakup of their homes and going through the trauma of divorce.
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- Date Issued: 1999
A historico-theological study of Pentecostalism as a phenomenon within a South African community
- Authors: Pillay, Gerald J
- Date: 1985
- Subjects: Pentecostalism -- South Africa Pentecostal churches -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1222 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001552
- Description: Preface: An attempt is made in this thesis to document the history of Pentecostalism among Indians in South Africa and to study and evaluate its religious character and main theological tenets. Obviously the peculiar socio-political situation of the Indians in South Africa has influenced the character of Indian Pentecostalism, which has in turn been able to address itself to the critical, cultural and religious disjunctions within this community. Hence an investigation of the dynamic tensions that obtain between crises in the Indian community and Pentecostalism will not only clarify the course of its history but will also explain its theological emphases. However, several studies on Pentecostalism in other communities have concentrated on the sociological dimension almost exclusively and many have even concluded that Pentecostalism is the spontaneous result of psychosocial; economic or cultural upheavals . This kind of reductionism has been largely the result of the uncritical use of 'functional-type' theories postulated by sociologists of religion. Indian Pentecostalism, while it has to be examined within the complex context of the South African community, cannot as we shall show, be adequately explained by any of the prevailing 'functional-type' theories because these theories reduce religion to a sociological function. Since the functional theory has the effect of limiting the perspective on religion to such an extent that the basis of religion, that is, the relation between the individual and faith, is either belittled or ignored, it has been jettisoned in this thesis for an approach free of any deliberately formulated 'theoretical framework'. However, it is necessary to critically examine some of the more popular 'functional-type' theories and the way they have been applied to the study of the Pentecostal movement here and elsewhere, so that by exposing the shortcomings of their application and the contradictions inherent in their assumptions, the approach adopted in this thesis could be clarified.
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- Date Issued: 1985
A history of the growth and development of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Southern Africa, 1920-1960
- Authors: Thompson, Ronald Charles Lloyd
- Date: 1979
- Subjects: Seventh-Day Adventists -- South Africa -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1231 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007294
- Description: From Introduction: The most natural divisions of time for this historical survey of the growth and development of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southern Africa fall into three periods: (1) from 1920, when the African Division of Seventh-day Adventists was organized, to 1931, when it was reorganized under the name Southern African Division; (2) from 1931 to 1945, covering the period years of the Great Depression and Second world War; (3) from 1946 to 1960, the post-war. Attention is given in Chapter I to a certain phase of church development because the church had emerged at the highest level of Adventist organization, i.e. a Division. Although the first group of Adventists adopted the simplest form of organization in 1892 known as the South African Conference, the church was small and little known. The church at Division level therefore embarked on a programme of orientation and adaptation to gain recognition and make itself known everywhere. Closely allied to this was organization. Chapter II defines the organization of the church and explains how it was financed. The history of its organization and reorganization is also traced. Chapters III and IV deal with an era of expansion during the twenties in the establishment of missions, medical missions and training institutions, while new mission fields were entered and old mission fields were further developed. Chapters V and VI continue to trace the development of missions, mission fields, medical missions, and training institutions together with important changes in the medical and educational work. Further reorganization and new developments in the European church and African church are also outlined. The great emphasis on expansion and the development of institutions finally reached a point whereby "institutionalism" overtook "evangelism". Chapter VII discusses this problem and what was done to try and arrest it. Thus the history of the church is brought to an interesting turning point and climax in Part Two. Chapter VIII breaks from the common run of growth and development in missions, medical missions and institutions and traces the development of the principles and practice of the Adventist Church. The Southern African Division set itself the objective of full maturity in the establishment of a self-supporting, self-governing and self- propagating church in Africa. The history of these principles are covered together with the principles governing the reception of government grants-in-aid. Chapter IX deals with the analysis and development of the three-fold ministry of teaching, preaching and healing. These chapters in Part Three do not constitute a conclusion but simply give further insights in the growth and development of the church .
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- Date Issued: 1979
A holy people: a study in the ecclesiology of Andrew Murray
- Authors: Neethling, Johann Christiaan
- Date: 1975
- Subjects: Murray, Andrew, 1828-1917 , Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk , Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika -- History , Nederduitse Gereformeerde Gemeente Worcester , Nederduitse Gereformeerde Gemeente Bloemfontein , Nederduitse Gereformeerde Gemeente Wellington , Theology, Doctrinal -- South Africa -- History , Church history
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1287 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013592
- Description: The thesis seeks to show Andrew Murray's growing understanding of what it meant to be the elect of God in contrast to other prevailing notions. In his confrontation with the Trekker communities, the majority of whom were rigid Calvinists, stressing a divine election based on the notions of biological and cultural identity, Murray found little of the holy behaviour which ought to characterize the people of God. The elect should be seen to be the elect by their fruits. Instead there was divisiveness, discrimination, party spirit and other forms of ungodliness. Faced with the immensity of the task in identifying the true Church and building God's people up in holiness, Murray began to sense the necessity of another 'dimension' within the Church's regular means of grace of preaching, the sacraments, and discipline. The revival of 1860, focussed Murray's attention in a new and vital way on the work of the Holy Spirit in breathing new life into the Church and in empowering believers to live lives pleasing to God. The 'indiscriminate' effects of the Holy Spirit's work convinced Murray that the Gospel and thus the Church was not the possession of the white colonist, Dutch or English, but that the black and brown man had an equal claim on the Gospel and as much right to become a member of Christ's Church. Murray's understanding of the Christian life as continual abiding in Christ by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit meant that the believer came to have the mind of Christ and to partake of His holiness. This holiness evidenced itself in the believer having Christ's concern for the lost. Mission, therefore, became this supreme end of the Church. The struggle with the forces of liberalism raised the new issue that unbelievers could no longer be simply 'heathen blacks' or English but most of all Dutch. The support of the civil courts of those disciplined by the Church brought the whole problem of ecclesiology to the fore and led Murray to the conclusion of the necessary separation of the Church from the State. Murray's discovery that in various ages, nations and Church traditions there were those with the same passionate desire for God' s holiness, led him into an increasing awareness of the catholicity of the Church. True holiness demanded the love and unity of all God's children. Murray's ecclesiology was a biblically-based one at a time when communities were beginning to be formed by other than biblical notions and principles and by a people who were trying to pack more into the notion of a people of God than Scripture gave warrant for. The emphasis for which Murray stood made for an ecclesiology that simply could not be confined.
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- Date Issued: 1975
A pastoral theological examination of inner healing
- Authors: Velthuysen, Daniel Nicholas
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Pastoral theology , Healing -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Mental healing -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Inner child -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Primal therapy -- Religious aspects -- Christianity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1300 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016248
- Description: Doing a survey of the ministry of inner healing, one is arrested by three salient features: its pragmatic and correlative development, its lay orientation, and the inconsistent and naïve theoretical explanation of the phenomenon. Inner healing, or as it was first known, the healing of the memories, appears to have its roots with Agnes Sanford during the 1940's (Sandford 1982: 3-4). Over a period of time and through a series of events, Sanford experienced what she termed a healing of memories. After some reflection on her experiences she began to teach her views at the School of Pastoral Care started by her husband in 1958, at Camps Farthest Out (CFO), and at numerous churches and conferences.
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- Date Issued: 1990
A rhetorical analysis of 1 Timothy 2:9-15 with a special focus on the role of women in the church
- Authors: Williams, Allan Alexander
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Bible -- Criticism, interpretation, etc. , Women in the Bible , Women in Christianity -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600 , Women in Christianity , Sexism in religion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1299 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015721
- Description: This thesis investigates the role of women in the early church as portrayed in 1 Timothy 2:9-15 using the recently-developed method of Rhetorical Analysis. It makes use of a rhetorical approach largely based on the method proposed by Kennedy, supplemented by insights from scholars who have emphasised the argumentative element in rhetoric. This method illustrates how the role of women in the church is decisively determined by the argument in the letter as a whole. A brief survey of classical rhetoric is given. The typical structure of a rhetorical discourse is listed with its component sections. The validity of using rhetorical analysis as a means for interpreting New Testament texts is justified. Textual units are identified from the structure of the text. Rhetorical insights are used to explain how the identified units cohere within the overall structure of the letter and how they relate to one another and interact. The thesis is developed that the section on women and teaching can only be meaningfully investigated in the light of the text as a whole and of the motifs in the letter. The thesis has a special focus on 2:9-15. This section is analysed in more detail than the rest of the text with the exception of 1 Timothy 1. As exordium, the latter provides the introduction to the situation dealt with in the letter, introduces the case, and sets the tone for the rest of the letter. The persuasive power of rhetoric in any situation depends to a large extent on its use of common tradition. The socio-cultural setting of the author is consequently analysed. Finally, the role of women in Graeco-Roman society is analysed in terms of motifs found in 1 Timothy 2:9-15.
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- Date Issued: 1992
A rock in the seething chasm : Thomas Keating's understanding of the human person and of spirituality as a basis for contemporary pastoral counselling
- Authors: Burton, Rodney Lawrence
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Pastoral counselling Psychology and religion Psychology and religion Spirituality -- Christianity Spiritual life -- Christianity Keating, Thomas -- Criticism and interpretation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1246 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009960
- Description: Contemporary pastoral counselling has many unresolved problems associated with its practice, causing frustration for both counsellors and counsellees. This thesis suggests that such problems are related to the fact that pastoral counselling is overshadowed by the dominant schools of psychology, to the detriment of its spirituality. Furthermore, by attending to both its "values" and its "aims", contemporary pastoral counselling is shown to lack a distinctive theoretical base. This thesis proposes that pastoral counselling is, in fact, the reparative dimension of spiritual direction. Referring to such counselling as " therapeutic spiritual direction" best expresses this concept. Some of the ways in which this redefinition of pastoral counselling may alleviate problems which are currently experienced, particularly by counsellors, are highlighted. A spirituality appropriate to this discipline is outlined. Both Keating's life in general, and eight anthropological models used in conjunction with his teaching on Centering Prayer, are examined to provide a theological foundation for therapeutic spiritual direction. Utilising a conflation of Keating's models, supplemented by insights from his spirituality, individuals are located within an evolutionary-developmental context, within which the reality of sin is acknowledged. Attention is given, in a holistic fashion, to the physical, emotional, and spiritual faculties, and to relationships with both the world at large, and God in particular. Real and potential problems in emotional and spiritual formation are explained with reference to four "energy centres". Therapeutic spiritual direction is characterised by the environment within which it is conducted, and SLX identifiable stages through which it passes. Based on Keating's models, an Instrument is developed to facilitate such counselling, particularly in its diagnostic phases. Use of the means of grace and traditionally Christian disciplines and forms of ministry are emphasised for healing, and a spectrum of suggested treatment modalities is generated. The place of other health-care disciplines and social-care agencies is recognised, and discriminating co-operation and dialogue with them and with other faith traditions is encouraged This thesis has profound significance for the way in which pastoral counselling should be practised. In the light of these insights, some implications for the training of counsellors and for ministry in South Africa are noted.
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- Date Issued: 1998
A study of certain aspects of the Mount Coke Missionary Institution
- Authors: Walker, James Andrew
- Date: 1955
- Subjects: Shaw, William, 1798-1872 , Missions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Missionaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1282 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013463
- Description: In searching for information concerning the chain of stations that William Shaw established from the Eastern Frontier of the Cape Colony towards Natal, I found that I had to consult many books. Many sources of information have recently come to light and this had to be analysed as well. In this work much had to be included that did not directly refer to Mount Coke, but it is relevant in that it affected the history of the Mission, and the effect of the Mission on the community as a whole. When histories of all the stations are written the incidents should show up in the right perspective.
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- Date Issued: 1955
A study of the concept of the church in the Pauline Corpus and in Luke-Acts with special reference to the reasons for differences in their understanding
- Authors: Maclean, Iain Stewart
- Date: 1980
- Subjects: Bible. Luke -- Theology -- Criticism, interpretation, etc. Bible. Acts -- Theology -- Criticism, interpretation, etc. Pauline churches
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1227 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006984
- Description: This essay consists of six chapters with an introduction and conclusion. INTRODUCTION: The introduction sets out the scope of the essay and states the methodology that is followed. CHAPTER I: THE PEOPLE OF GOD. This and the next two chapters deal with the Pauline conception of the Church. This chapter deals in particular with Paul's understanding of the continuity of the Church with Israel. The Old 'Testament terms and types that Paul uses are examined and their new application to the Church noted. The Church is examined as the "people of God", the "ekklesia" the "saints", the "elect" and the "temple of the Holy Spirit". CHAPTER II: THE WHOLE CHRIST. This chapter deals with the understanding of the Church as being "in Christ", as being "with Christ" in his redemptive acts. Here the close union between Christ and the Christian is examined,especially as it is conveyed by the "local" understanding of "in Christ" and the Christians' participation "with Christ" in baptism. The term fellowship (Koinonia) is also examined. The chapter concludes that Paul regards Christians as being "solid" with Christ. CHAPTER III: THE BODY OF CHRIST. Here the corporate understanding of the Church as the Body of Christ is examined. After a brief survey of various theories of origin it is suggested that the formula and concept itself was an original Pauline formulation. The "body of Christ" is closely identified with the actual redemptive acts, but it is exceeding the figures usage to regard the Church under this figure as the Iiteral physical body of Christ. While the term is used metaphorically, it is yet more than a metaphor. It expresses the corporate nature of the Christian Church, in its union with Christ. CHAPTER IV: LUKE, JESUS AND THE COMMUNITY. This chapter looks at Luke's treatment of Jesus' purpose. It seeks to answer the question as to whether Jesus intended to found a community. The question of eschatology and its relationship to the Lukan concept of the Church is examined. It is shown that Luke did have an interest in eschatology and that this did not prevent him conceiving of Jesus' founding a community. CHAPTER V: THE RESTORATION OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD (ISRAEL). We see in this chapter that Luke has an unique ecclesiology. For he does conceive of a Church, but one that is essentially Jewish, in fact the restored Israel. Luke only envisages one Israel, from which unbelieving Jews are cut off. This Israel, as part of its restoration, comprehends within itself both the Samaritans (who are viewed by Luke more as Jews than non-Jews) and the Gentiles. CHAPTER VI: THE APOSTLES, THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE COMMUNITY. The Apostles are regarded by Luke as the regents of the restored Israel, not really as the guarantors of a Jesus tradition or as the first ecclesiastical officials. As such they are instrumental in showing the Church's continuity with Israel and the events of Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension. They are vital for the Lukan conception of the restoration of Israel. When this is done by the inclusion of believing Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles, they disappear from Luke's account. The Holy Spirit is viewed as Jesus' gift to the Church, which guides it into an understanding of its universal nature. The Holy Spirit is seen as essential in Christian initiation. Participation in the Holy Spirit, together with the Church's common origin, give the Church its unity and life. CONCLUSION. The conclusion sums up the Lukan and the Pauline concepts of the Church, noting both their similarities and the points wherein they differ. Reasons are advanced for these differences.
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- Date Issued: 1980
A study of the place of the eucharist in ecumenical discussion
- Authors: Reimers, D G
- Date: 1964
- Subjects: Ecumenical movement , Lord's Supper
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1267 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013058
- Description: Christian disunity, as has been shown by Rouse and Neill, has been a major problem in the Church from the time of its inception. In Apostolic times Paul had to face serious dissension at Corinth and elsewhere. The great councils of the 4th and 5th centuries were convened to settle doctrinal disputes. The schism between Eastern and Western Christianity, which finally became permanent at about the end of the 12th century, was the result of thoroughgoing doctrinal as well as cultural differences. At the Reformation, Christianity was again drastically divided and between the 16th and 19th centuries,divisions were greatly multiplied. Chap. 1, p. 1.
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- Date Issued: 1964
A study of the Presbyterian Church mission in the Transvaal from 1903-1960
- Authors: Boyd, Barry Graeme
- Date: 1981 , 2013-03-22
- Subjects: Presbyterian Church -- South Africa -- Transvaal , Missions -- South Africa -- Transvaal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1226 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006110 , Presbyterian Church -- South Africa -- Transvaal , Missions -- South Africa -- Transvaal
- Description: The aim of ·this study is to present a picture of the circumstances and the manner in which the mission was undertaken. With this in mind reference has been made to individual men and their particular importance and also to the decislons of the Church Assembly as they affected Mission. In part, the thesis is fuller for the earlier years, for the writer holds that these were the most formative as they established the pattern. Furthormore the writer wishes to make clear that the Mission become the work of black men with the white Mission Secretary of the 1950's filling an administrative role. This does not mean he was unimportant but for the nature of this study and its desire to ·emphasise the role of the black man, the work of these individual administrators has been largely omitted. In the concluding chapters the writer has shown the effects of political changes and African Nationalism on the Mission with a further chapter on the Mission's educational work. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Date Issued: 1981
A study of ΔIAQHKH
- Authors: Bird, Ian Keith
- Date: 1965
- Subjects: Covenant theology , Covenants -- Religious aspects -- Judaism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1285 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013510
- Description: From Preface: The Church has been divided from its very earliest days, when Christians of Jewish origin found it hard to accept that uncircumcised Gentiles might be Christians too. (See Acts 15, Galatians 2, etc.) It has since then known division into East and West, into Roman Catholic and Protestant, and into the hundreds and even thousands of denominations and sects which we know today, not to speak of the schisms between 'modernism' and 'fundamentalism', between Calvinism and Arminianism, and between 'High' and 'Low' churchmanship. We are, however, being reminded more and more by the Ecumenical Movement that the Church of Christ is ONE. Jesus said: "On this rock I will build my Church" (not churches) - Matt. 16:18.
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- Date Issued: 1965
A theological consideration of the office, sacrifice, ministry and perfection of Christ as high priest in the Epistle to the Hebrews, and their significance for the believer and the community of faith
- Authors: Furness, Darryl Hilary
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Jesus Christ -- Person and offices , Bible -- Hebrews -- Criticism, interpretation, etc. , Sacrifice -- Christianity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001549
- Description: In these last days God has spoken his last and most complete word to man in a Son, Jesus Christ. In his person and ministry Christ is the agent of creation and heir of the spiritual and material estate of God. He is the locus of the fulfilment of the revelatory plan of God, and, as such, is superior to the angels, the ministers of salvation within the created order, and Moses, the faithful minister of God's people Israel. Christ not only fulfils the necessary qualification for priesthood under the old covenant, that of divine appointment, but is appointed by God a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. This establishes and authenticates the high priestly office of Christ. Jesus Christ, Iike the high priests of the old covenant, must offer gifts and sacrifices to God. The sacrifice of Christ fulfils the sacrificial code of Leviticus 1-7, his sacrifice being a gift to God, communion with God, and an expiatory sacrifice. But more than this the sacrifice of Christ fulfils the Day of Atonement ritual of Leviticus 16 as well as the covenant sacrifice of Exodus 24. The sacrifice of Christ is essentially once for all, being that unique action which alone can ultimately deal with sin. The uniqueness of Christ's sacrifice depends on the uniqueness of the person of Christ and his superior high priestly office. In his sacrificial action Christ is also the sin-bearer. The high priestly sacrifice of Christ determines the form of the high priestly ministry of Christ, which is also gift to God, communion with God, has expiatory significance, and is a ministry of the new covenant . The high priestly ministry of Christ is a ministry which is continuous through time and is both contemporaneous with and subsequent to his sacrifice. In this continuity through time the ministry of Christ is the foundation of both the faith of believers and their perfection as sons. In the execution of his high priestly ministry Christ is perfected by God through the learning of obedience. The humiliation of Christ and his learning of obedience becomes the foundation of the perfecting of believers. It is as the One who is perfected through suffering that Christ becomes the pioneer of salvation and the pioneer and perfecter of the faith of the people of God. Through faith in Christ the people of God constitute a pilgrim people who, on the basis of Christ's perfection, are themselves perfected and brought to glory. The pilgrim people of God share in the priesthood of Christ and constitute a priesthood of all believers. In their pilgrimage of faith they are to demonstrate their confidence, endurance, obedience, and discipline, and in their running of the race of pilgrimage are to exercise their own ministry as they progress to glory and the sabbath rest of God. The high priesthood of Christ has implications for the common life of the people of God and is at the foundation of our understanding of the Christian life.
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- Date Issued: 1989
A theology of spiritual direction for the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa
- Authors: Snyman, Kevin
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Spiritual direction , Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016260
- Description: This essay is written in response to a lacuna that appears to exist within the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa with regard to the ancient and highly regarded ministry of spiritual direction. My primary assertion is that, in the light of what might be perceived of as a crisis of relevance in Presbyterian life and spiritual practice, spiritual direction offers one particular way of fostering an exciting and existentially relevant spirituality for the denomination. Through the hoped-for renewal brought about by direction, Presbyterians may well have something to say to a South Africa racked not only with violence and poverty, but also bored by an increasingly irrelevant Christianity. The essay traces that history of spiritual direction most apposite to Presbyterianism in South Africa. This includes an overview of aspects of the Celtic and African spiritual traditions with a view to finding any correspondence that would help to narrow the distance between the spirituality of its black and white members. It then asks questions about the character and tasks of directors. Highlighted is the task of fostering an awareness of God that is not purely ''heavenly minded", but is able to speak into the real issues facing Presbyterians today. The essay goes on to explore the relationship that should exist between director and directee, focussing for a moment on the direction necessary in the directee's prayer life. The essay comes full circle as it considers the implications of introducing direction more widely in this largely "directionless" denomination. As a microcosm of the country, divergent cultures are as much a reality in the P.C.S.A. as in the rest of South Africa. So respect for uniqueness and the practice of interpathy are encouraged as part of the familiarisation process. Throughout the essay, I attempt to show that spiritual direction is a means of allowing the directee to more clearly discern the voice of the Spirit, who constantly encourages the transcendence of self - viz. the breaking of and dying to old perceptions, habits and beliefs so that s/he might more fully enter into the mystery that one usually refers to as God.
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- Date Issued: 1997
A Zulu martyr? What are the factors that led to the sparse and irregular public commemoration of Maqbamusela Kbanyile in the Lutheran church to which he belonged?
- Authors: Nürnberger, Margarete Paula Luise
- Date: 2001
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:21087 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6301
- Description: From Foreword: About a fortnight after I had submitted the thesis on factors that lead to the sparse and irregular public commemoration of Maqhamusela Khanyile in the Lutheran church to which he belonged when the archivist of the Norwegian Mission Society in Stavanger sent an e-mail that new material had been found. It consisted of a miscellany of various documents connected with the erection of the first cross, dating from 1926-1940, to be found in Misjonskapets archiv SA, boks nr. 2A legg nr. 8. The new material falsified two hypotheses on which the thesis had worked. The first of these hypotheses states that the initiative for the erection of the first monument to Maqhamusela had come from the Anglican interest in and research on him in 1935. Source 1a in the new material proves that in 1926 there were already appeals for contributions towards such a monument among the Lutheran congregations that grew out of the Norwegian work. The second hypothesis falsified by the new material had issued from memories of interviewees (e.g. Dean Shobete in interview 33) which stated that a stone with the Zulu inscription had been placed in the saddle of the hill where the execution had taken place before the erection of the first cross. The new material proves that the suggestion for a marble plate dates from 1927 (source 2a) and that the slab was eventually ordered in October 1939. A receipt (document 10) for "making the Maqhamusela monument" is dated 11.5.1940. Altogether, then, there was earlier commemoration of Maqhamusela in the church of which he was a member than the thesis had found, and the impetus to erect a monument had come from White and some black Norwegian Lutherans themselves.
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- Date Issued: 2001