1,720,983 research outputs found
When Christians suffer? : a South African Pentecostal engagement with theodicy and the character of God
Full text linkThesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis presents a Pentecostal understanding of the character of God in light of Christians suffering sickness, depression and death in South Africa. Given the statistically verifiable prevalence of suffering among the majority Christian South African population, an understanding of God in light of suffering is pertinent. Moreover, the thesis addresses the problem which exists as a result of the perceived inconsistency between what some Christians believe about the character of God and what is experienced on a daily basis by South African believers undergoing suffering. To further narrow the context of the study, the author writes specifically concerning an understanding of God in suffering from a Pentecostal Christian perspective. The research project uses a qualitative-analysis methodology as its principal theoretical framework.
The author uses this methodology when assessing selected works from
Chris Oyakhilome as a representative of a particular type of Pentecostal theology present amongst South African believers. Moreover, the emerging theology from Oyakhilome is critically evaluated. This evaluation is undertaken by engaging with the Crucified God by Jürgen Moltmann and weighing up Oyakhilome’s understanding of God in suffering against that of Moltmann, inter alia, other influential approaches to theodicy. Finally, the findings are consolidated and a proposal for a revised Pentecostal understanding of God’s character in relation to suffering is offered. This consists primarily of three traits, namely: the good God, the healing God and the suffering God.
The study concludes by summarising the findings of the research, making some
proposals for how a South African Pentecostal understanding of God can be further developed, and suggests areas for future research.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.Master
Reconciliation, forgiveness and violence in Africa : biblical, pastoral and ethical perspectives
No full textCITATION: Nel, M. J., Forster, D. A. & Thesnaar, C. H. (eds.) 2020. Reconciliation, forgiveness and violence in Africa : biblical, pastoral and ethical perspectives. Stellenbosch: SUN PReSS, doi:10.18820/9781928480532.The original publication is available from AFRICAN SUNMeDIA - www.sun-e-shop.co.zaBOOK BLURB: What might reconciliation and forgiveness mean in relation to various forms of personal, structural, and historical violence across the African continent? This volume of essays seeks to engage these complex, and contested, ethical issues from three different disciplinary perspectives – Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology and Practical Theology. Each of the authors reflects on aspects of reconciliation, forgiveness and violence from within their respective African contexts. They do so by employing the tools and resources of their respective disciplines. The end result is a rich and textured set of interdisciplinary theological insights that will help the reader to navigate these issues with a greater measure of understanding and a broader perspective than what a single approach might offer. What is particularly encouraging is that the chapters represent research from established scholars in their fields, recent PhD graduates, and current PhD students. This is the first book to be published under the auspices of the Unit for Reconciliation and Justice in the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology.Introduction / Marius J. Nel, Dion A. Forster & Christo H. Thesnaar; 1. Matthew's Reconfiguring of Salvation in a Context of Oppression / Marius J. Nel; 2. Conquering Evil: Engaging Violence from the Perspective of Paul’s Letter to the Romans / Endale Sebsebe Mekonnen; 3. The Reconciliation of Lepers in Luke 5:12-15 and its Implications for Human Dignity: An African Perspective / Godwin Etukumana; 4. Towards an (Im)possible Politics of Forgiveness? Considering the Complexities of Religion, Race and Politics in South Africa / Dion A Forster; 5. Jesus within the Genres of the Human: Sylvia Wynter, African Philosophy, and Post-Colonial Conceptions of the Not Nonviolent Resistance of Jesus / Alease Brown; 6. Lessons From Mr. Noki: Empire, Structural Violence and the Missio Dei / Jaco Botha; 7. Transferring Frozen Conflict to Future Generations: In Search of a Contextual Pastoral Approach / CH Thesnaar; 8. Reconciliation in Burundi Crisis: A Practical Theological Approach / Benaya Niyukuri; 9. The Praxis of Reconciliation Among Religious Groups in Northern Nigeria: A Pastoral Care Approach ./ Oholiabs D Tuduks; 10. Transforming (Christian) Apartheid / Wilhelm VerwoerdPublisher's versio
Calvinistic baptists in Jamaica? : a historical-theological study of the relationship between the theology and work of five pioneering missionaries in Jamaica
Full text linkThesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the theology and work of five Baptist missionaries (George Liele, John Rowe, William Knibb, Thomas Burchell, and James M. Phillippo) who came to Jamaica during the 18th and 19th century. It purports that there has not been any previous collective study of Calvinistic Baptist missions from 1782 to 1879 in Jamaica. Furthermore, it argues that these men’s theology was largely influenced by Calvinistic theology, which they affirmed and that this in part was responsible for the resilience they had despite the many challenges and trials they had in Jamaica.
To test the validity of his claim, the author examines each of the five men’s lives, including their birth, family of origin, education, teachings, speeches, publications, work, character and death. Additionally, he discusses the origin, history, and theology of Calvinistic Baptists to examine how widespread it was during the late eighteenth and late nineteenth century to demonstrate the likelihood that all five men held to this view.
He also analyses if they affirmed God’s sovereignty and providence through Arminian, Calvinist, General Baptist and Particular Baptist confessions to locate where they were theologically. This analysis seeks to ascertain whether their views were more in keeping with Calvinism to deduce if they were Particular Baptists or not. Thus, he surveys if they affirmed God’s providence in salvation through Arminian, Calvinist, General Baptist and Particular Baptist confessions and the acronym TULIP (total depravity, unlimited election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and the perseverance of the saints) for each of the four confessions. The reason for this approach is that the Calvinistic doctrines which are usually more emphasised or distinguishable in the lives of believers would be in terms of how they view God’s sovereignty, providence and God’s providence in salvation (namely through the acronym TULIP). The author also highlights the positive impact that these five Baptist missionaries made in missions, education, health care, social and economic development and character development too, and partially attributes it to their Calvinistic convictions.
Finally, he argues that learning Church History has many advantages. For instance, it can help Christians to avoid mistakes in the past (such as being suspicious of Calvinism). Also, it can assist in informing denominations which unintentionally excluded important areas of their history regarding their origins and the reasons why they did what they did in the past and how that knowledge may benefit them going forward.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die teologie en werk van vyf Baptiste-sendelinge (George Liele, John Rowe, William Knibb, Thomas Burchell en James M. Phillippo) wat gedurende die 18de en 19de eeu na Jamaika gekom het. Dit argumenteer dat daar geen vorige kollektiewe studie van Calvinistiese Baptiste-sendings van 1782 tot 1879 in Jamaika was nie. Verder beweer dit dat hierdie mense se teologie grotendeels beïnvloed is deur die Calvinistiese teologie, wat hulle onderskraag het en dat dit deels verantwoordelik was vir die entoesiasme wat hulle gehad het ondanks die vele uitdagings en beproewings wat hulle in Jamaika gehad het. Om die geldigheid van sy argument te toets, ondersoek die outeur elk van die vyf mans se lewens, insluitend hul geboorte, familie van herkoms, opvoeding, leerstellings, toesprake, publikasies, werk, karakter en dood. Verder bespreek hy die oorsprong, geskiedenis en teologie van Calvinistiese Baptiste om te verstaan hoe wydverspreid dit gedurende die laat agtiende en laat negentiende eeu was ten einde aan te toon dat dit waarskynlik was dat al vyf mans hierdie siening gehuldig het. Die studie bespreek ook die sieninge van God se soewereiniteit en voorsienigheid onder Arminiaanse, Calvinistiese, Algemene Baptiste en Besondere Baptiste-belydenisse.. Hierdie analise poog om vas te stel of hulle sienings meer ooreenstem met die Calvinisme om te bepaal of dit spesifieke baptiste was of nie. Daar word dus gevra of en how hulle God se voorsienigheid in redding bevestig het deur Arminiaanse, Calvinistiese, Algemene Baptiste en Besondere Baptiste-belydenisse en die afkorting TULIP (totale verdorwenheid, onbeperkte verkiesing, beperkte versoening, onweerstaanbare genade en die volharding van die heiliges) binne die konteks van die vier geloofstradisies. Die rede vir hierdie benadering is dat die Calvinistiese leerstellings wat gewoonlik duidelik of onderskeibaar is in die lewens van gelowiges, sou te voorskyn kom in terme van hoe hulle God se soewereiniteit, voorsienigheid en God se voorsienigheid in redding beskou (naamlik deur die akroniem TULIP). Die skrywer beklemtoon ook die positiewe impak wat hierdie vyf Baptiste-sendelinge op missies, onderwys, gesondheidsorg, sosiale en ekonomiese ontwikkeling en karakterontwikkeling gehad het, en hy skryf dit gedeeltelik toe aan hul Calvinistiese oortuigings. Ten slotte voer hy aan dat die studie van Kerkgeskiedenis baie voordele inhou. Dit kan Christene byvoorbeeld help om foute in die verlede te vermy (soos om agterdogtig te wees oor Calvinisme). Dit kan ook help om denominasies in te lig wat onbewustelik belangrike dele van hul geskiedenis uitgesluit het aangaande hul herkoms, die redes waarom hulle gedoen het wat hulle in die verlede gedoen het aan te dui en om kennis te bied wat tot hul voordeel kan strek.Doctora
Holy or wholly? : a systematic theological study of Sabbath keeping in the works of Samuele Bacchiocchi and Marva J. Dawn
Full text linkThesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2018.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is a study of the doctrinal concept of Sabbath keeping in the works of Samuele Bacchiocchi and Marva J. Dawn, respectively. Bacchiocchi is from the Seventh Day Adventist
(SDA) Church which believes that the seventh day of the week is to be kept as the Sabbath. On the other hand, Marva Dawn is a Lutheran who believes in the relevance and benefits of keeping one day in a week as the Sabbath. Using a qualitative content analysis of books and articles by these two Theologians the doctrinal concept of Sabbath keeping is extensively
studied in their respective works to find the distinctive theological contributions to Sabbath keeping that each author offers. In addition, other theologians including those who have written on Sabbath keeping are cited as secondary sources to maximize the critical theological discourse and outcome of this study. The intention of this process is to facilitate a critical
engagement on Sabbath keeping in the works of Bacchiocchi and Dawn to gain a new, more complex, and nuanced understandings of Sabbath keeping. The study is then concluded by summarising the findings of the research, how the theology of Sabbath keeping can be enriched, developed, nuanced, and problematized through this critical theological engagement
between the works of Samuele Bacchiocchi and Marva J. Dawn, and suggesting areas for future research.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis is ʼn studie van die leerstellinge oor Sabbats onderhoud in die werke van Samuele Bacchiocchi en Marva J. Dawn onderskeidelik. Bacchiocchi werk van die perspektief van die Sewende Daagse Adventiste Kerk (SDA) wat glo dat die sewende dag as die Sabbat onderhou
moet word. Marva J. Dawn, aan die ander kant, is ʼn Lutheraan wat die tradisie verteenwoordig
wat die relevansie en voordele uitwys om een dag in die week as Sabbat te onderhou. Deur gebruik te maak van kwalitatiewe inhoud analise van boeke en artikels deur hierdie twee teoloë, is die leerstellinge en dogma van Sabbat onderhoud in diepte bestudeer in die onderskeie werke om sodoende ʼn kenmerkende bydrae na Sabbats onderhoud te bevorder deur ook beide teoloë se bydrae te respekteer. Bykomend word ander teoloë wat bydraes maak oor Sabbats onderhoud as sekondêre bronne aangehaal om sodoende kritiese teologiese diskoers en uitkomste te maksimaliseer. Die intensie van die proses is om ʼn kritiese interaksie oor Sabbat onderhoud in die werke van Bacchiocchi en Dawn te fasiliteer om sodoende nuwe, meer
komplekse en genuanseerde verstaan van Sabbat onderhoud te ontwikkel. Die studie se gevolgtrekking gaan opsommend om met die bevindinge en meer spesifiek hoe die teologie van Sabbat onderhoud verdiep, meer ontwikkeld en genuanseerd kan wees deur kritiese teologiese interaksie met die werke van Samuele Bacchiocchi en Marva J. Dawn. Daar word
ook voorstelle gemaak vir toekomstige navorsing in hierdie veld
Aspects of the cosmic Christ in the spirituality of Dom Bede Griffiths
Full text linkAlan Griffiths was born at Walton-on Thames, England in 1906. He was educated at Christ's Hospital and later at Oxford (under the tutelage of C.S. Lewis). At Oxford he read English literature and philosophy. After considerable inner turmoil he was converted to Christianity in 1931 and entered the Roman Catholic Church in 1933. As a novice Benedictine he was given the name Bede, and was finally ordained as a priest 1940. In 1955 Fr Bede went to India to start a Benedictine community with Dom Benedict Alapatt. He later moved to Kurisumala Ashram in Kerala, and finally, in 1968, to Shantivanam Ashram in Tamil Nadu. He died at Shantivanarn in 1993. Fr Bede was, and still is, regarded by many as a spiritual pioneer. This high regard stems from an appreciation of his spirituality which was rooted in a mystical experience of God. This thesis investigates aspects of Fr Bede's cosmic christology as they arise from his spirituality. The aim of this research is to show that Fr Bede’s cosmic christology that stems from an expression of a real mystical experience of Christ, as the source, sustainer and goal of the whole cosmos, offers both value and insight to Christian spiritual practice and the formulation of doctrine. What makes Fr Bede's spirituality so valuable is the manner in which he integrated East and West in his spirituality and person, coupled with his ability to draw upon that integration in reflecting and articulating his experience - which ultimately shaped his cosmic christology. In order to share his knowledge and experience of the cosmic Christ, Fr Bede draws upon linguistic and philosophical concepts from the East (and Hinduism in particular) as well as the language and theory arising from discoveries in the areas of quantum physics, microbiology and transpersonal psychology in the West. It is the primacy of spiritual experience, coupled with Fr Bede's ability to integrate the religions, cultures and world-views of the East and West within himself, which makes his cosmic christology so compelling
African theological perspectives on intersubjective identity : in conversation with developments in Strong Artificial Intelligence
Full text linkCITATION: Forster, D. A. 2023. African theological perspectives on intersubjective identity : in conversation with developments in Strong Artificial Intelligence. Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 9(1), doi:10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.at4.The original publication is available at https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.zaDevelopments in Strong Artificial Intelligence (AI) raise important questions about human identity. Of particular interest is how AI challenges the idea that human identity can be collapsed, without remainder, into the individual. In African theological anthropology there is an emphasis upon intersubjective relationality as a key aspect in the formation and understanding of human identity and uniqueness. This article explores the intersections of some of the claims of Strong AI in relation to some southern African notions of relational identity. This article argues that Strong AI invites us to reconsider some dominant individualized approaches to theological anthropology in relation to the doctrine of creation. It does so by decentring the locus of theological reflection from the individual human person and invites some reflection on what it might mean for theology if forms of AI begin to reflect on their own subjectivity, creation, and broader relationships with human and non-human creation.https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/index.php/stj/article/view/2582Publisher's versio
Mandela and the Methodists : faith, fallacy and fact
No full textPeer reviewedThe death of Nelson Mandela has once again focused the spotlight on his religious convictions and faith affiliation. Numerous academics, journalists, and interested members of faith communities have asked what Mr Mandela’s faith pers-pective was. It is clear that faith played a part in his life and this was evidenced in the events surrounding his death and funeral. Faith leaders, and in particular Christian leaders (such as Bishop Ivan Abrahams, Bishop Zipho Siwa, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu), featured prominently in the public and private events surround¬ding Mr Mandela's death, memorial service and funeral. Nume¬rous media sources reported that the Mandela family, and Nelson Mandela in particular, were members of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. The Chaplain General of the Afri¬can National Congress is an ordained minister of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, which also played some part in the role accorded to the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in the public and private moments of ministry surrounding Mr Mandela’s death. This article considers Nelson Mandela’s faith biography in order to answer the following questions: Was Nelson Mandela a member of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa? What was his relationship to the church and the Christian faith? What lessons can we learn from this for the relationship between the church and the state in South Africa?Research Institute for Theology and Religio
An ecological theology in the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa? : a critical theological review
Full text linkThesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The global Earth community finds itself in an unprecedented environmental crisis; a
crisis that has been bought on by the actions of its human inhabitants. As humanity
has evolved and grown, so has its societies and the way in which it views the world.
This rapid growth and progress have however had a devastating impact on the whole
Earth community. The power with which humanity enacts violence against the rest of
creation has physically altered delicate balances that sustain life, effecting both human
and non-human existence. Never has a single species had such an overwhelming
effect on the Earth. These habits and practices are deeply embedded in beliefs and
worldviews that have objectified the natural world as a recourse to be exploited for
human gain.
These issues demand theological reflection. Many contributions in Ecotheology have
been shared, but one could ask how the environmental crisis has been engaged from
within a South African context? The environmental crisis is something that affects all
of the Earth community; it not only has an effect on the natural world, but also on the
livelihoods of people. It is therefore a concern that is relevant (and essential!) to local
congregations.
This study will focus on the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) of South Africa and
attempts to map the landscape of Ecotheology within the denomination. This is done
by examining the theologies and worldviews that have had an impact in shaping the
environmental crisis as we have it today. Then by engaging with the complexity of the
South African context, the study situates the DRC by understanding environment in a
holistic manner. Following this, the study focusses on the impact different metaphors
and creative language can have on engaging with the environmental crisis.
The environmental crisis is an unparalleled test facing humanity. The human race has
to honestly reflect on the scope of its destructive impact and drastically change its
ways. Examining a well-established and institutional church in the South African
context has the potential to awaken conversation and fresh contributions. Surveying
the ecotheological landscape of the DRC can become part of a wider movement in
society. The call to adopt alternative practices helps frame the rest of creation as more
than just a recourse, but as good and part of God’s great cosmic story.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hele Aardse gemeenskap bevind haarself in ‘n ongekende omgewingskrisis wat
aan die voet van die mensdom se aksies gelê kan word. Soos die mensdom gegroei
en ontwikkel het, het haar verstaan van die wêreld ook verander. Hierdie vinnige groei
en vooruitgang het egter ‘n verwoestende impak op die hele Aarde gemeenskap. Die
mag waarmee die mensdom geweld uitoefen teen die res van die skepping het die fyn
balanse versteur wat noodsaaklik is om lewe onderhou. Hierdie versteurings het
verreikend gevolge vir beide menslike en nie-menslike lewe hier op Aarde. Nog nooit
het een spesie so ‘n oorweldigende effek op die Aarde gehad nie. Hierdie ongesonde
gewoontes en praktyke is ten diepste verweef met oortuigings en wêreldbeskouinge
wat die natuurlike wêreld sien as net ‘n hulpbron vir menslike gewin.
Hierdie kwessies verg teologiese refleksie. Baie bydraes is al in ekoteologie gelewer,
maar mens sou kon afvra hoe die kwessie al aangespreek is binne die Suid-Afrikaanse
konteks? Die omgewingskrisis is iets wat die hele Aardse gemeenskap beïnvloed en
‘n impak het op die gesondheid van beide die natuur en menslike gemeenskappe. Dit
is dus ‘n uitdaging wat relevant (en noodsaaklik!) is tot plaaslike gemeenskappe.
Hierdie studie fokus spesifiek op die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) van
Suid-Afrika en poog om die landskap van ekoteologie te skets binne die denominasie.
Hierdie taak word gedoen deur die teologie en wêreldbeskouings te bestudeer wat die
omgewingskrisis gevorm het soos ons dit vandag beleef. Daarna word die
kompleksiteit van die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks benader deur ‘n holistiese verstaan van
omgewing te inkorporeer en hoe die NGK in hierdie konteks inpas. Hierna fokus die
studie op die moontlike impak wat verskillende metafore en kreatiewe taal kan hê op
die mens se teologiese nadenke oor die omgewingskrisis.
Die uitdaging wat die mensdom in die gesig staar met die omgewingskrisis is
ongekend. Die mensdom word geroep om eerlik te reflekteer oor hul verwoestende
dade en drasties begin om aanpassings te maak. Die hoop is dat nuwe gesprekke en
bydraes gestimuleer kan word deur ‘n gevestigde kerk in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks
te ondersoek. Hierdie nadenke kan gesien word as deel van ‘n wyer beweging wat die skepping nie net sien as ‘n hulpbron nie, maar as deel van God se groot kosmiese narratief.Master
Cruelty to animals in the East Asian context : Andrew Linzey’s animal theology in conversation with eco-theology
Full text linkThesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2022.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Christian theology. This is the ultimate contribution of this study – an engagement with animal theology and resources from eco-theology that can enrich theological and ethical reflection among Christians in the East Asian context.
The outcome of the study offers a reinterpretation of our understanding of God,
humanity, and animals within the context of East Asia. These theological and ethical resources enable us to move away from characteristically anthropocentric East Asian theologies while promoting an organic and eco-centric understanding of the relationships between God, humans, and non-human animals. This is the first study of its kind in the East Asian context. The contribution falls within the realm of ecotheology and animal theology. The outcomes of the research stress that animals are God’s creatures; that animals are not merely a means towards human ends; that animals are objects of God’s love and concern; that animals are endowed with inherent value by God; that animals are our fellow creatures and companions on earth; and that we must coexist in just and ethical ways in order to honour God and one another. The outcomes of the study can lay a foundation that offers contextual resources to encourage Christians and churches in East Asia in their struggle for holistic liberation. The conclusions of the study can help in further addressing this shameful form of human cruelty against animals (our fellow creatures), and aid in the establishment of greater animal rights and ecological harmony.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dieremishandeling is 'n ernstige sosiale, etiese, ekologiese en teologiese probleem in Oos-Asie. Dwarsdeur die wereld ly diere aan menslike uitbuiting, insluitend intensiewe industriele boerdery, eksperimentering, vermaak vir mense en die finansiele handel van wild. In Oos-Asie ly diere aansienlik weens apatie,
onoordeelkundige verbruik van diere en verskeie vorme van uitbuiting wat eie is aan die kulturele en sosiale konteks. Boonop lei die koste van die onoordeelkundige uitbuiting van diere tot die verspreiding van aansteeklike siektes (soos Covid-19 wat vermoedelik afkomstig is van 'n lewendehawemark in Wuhan, China). Boonop dra die uitbuiting van diere by tot klimaatsverandering, en word die ekologiese krisis verder verdiep. Dit wek natuurlik groot morele kommer oor die welstand van diere in die streek. Filosowe, wetenskaplikes, bioloe en diere-aktiviste van 'n wye reeks dissiplines het probeer om die probleem van wreedheid teenoor diere regoor die wereld aan te spreek. Soos hierdie navorsing toon, was hul pogings egter nog nie so suksesvol in Oos-Asie nie. Hierdie navorsing toon veral dat daar 'n gaping in kennis is
wanneer dit kom by Oos-Asiatiese Christelike teologie en teologiese etiek wat
wreedheid teenoor diere aanspreek.
In hierdie proefskrif word aangevoer dat bestaande Christelike teologie as katalisator vir die uitbuiting van, en geweld teen, diere gedien het. Daarom het hierdie navorsing ten doel om ons siening van diere te hersien deur 'n teologiese en etiese herinterpretasie van ons gedeelde plek en rolle in die skepping te bied. Om hierdie rede poog hierdie proefskrif om die implikasies van wreedheid teenoor diere in Oos- Asie aan te spreek deur twee primere gespreksgenote te betrek. Hulle is historiese en kontemporere ekoteologiee en Andrew Linzey se diereteologie. Eerstens fokus ons op Linzey se diereteologie. Hy is 'n belangrike baanbreker in hierdie debat. Sy bydrae het gevorm hoe Christene regoor die wereld hul teologiese oortuigings, en etiese betrokkenheid, met betrekking tot diere herwaardeer. Sy werk is egter nog nie in verband gebring met die Oos-Asiatiese Christelike konteks nie. Tweedens maak ons gebruik van geselekteerde hulpbronne uit die veld van ekoteologie. Hierdie veld van teologiese refleksie help ons om 'n begrip van die teologiese belangrikheid van die hele skepping te ontwikkel. Derdens, alhoewel teologiee uit hierdie velde (diereteologiee en ekologiese teologiee) nie altyd ooreenstem met betrekking tot hul
benadering tot dierekwessies nie, bied dit aan ons 'n ryk stel teologiese hulpbronne om die probleem van wreedheid teen diere in Oos-Asiatiese Christelike teologie aan te spreek. Dit is die uiteindelike bydrae van hierdie studie – 'n gesprekvoering met diereteologie en hulpbronne uit ekoteologie wat teologiese en etiese refleksie onder Christene in die Oos-Asiatiese konteks kan verryk.
Die uitkoms van die studie bied 'n herinterpretasie van ons begrip van God, die
mensdom en diere binne die konteks van Oos-Asie. Hierdie teologiese en etiese
hulpbronne stel ons in staat om weg te beweeg van kenmerkende antroposentriese Oos-Asiatiese teologiee terwyl ons 'n organiese en ekosentriese begrip van die verhoudings tussen God, mense en nie-menslike diere bevorder. Dit is die eerste studie van sy soort in die Oos-Asiatiese konteks. Die bydrae val binne die gebied van ekoteologie en diereteologie. Die uitkomste van die navorsing beklemtoon dat diere God se skepsels is; dat diere nie bloot middele vir menslike doeleindes is nie; dat diere voorwerpe van God se liefde en besorgdheid is; dat diere deur God met inherente waarde toegerus is; dat diere ons medeskepsele en metgeselle op aarde is; en dat ons op regverdige en etiese maniere saam moet bestaan om God en mekaar te eer. Die uitkomste van die studie kan 'n grondslag le wat kontekstuele hulpbronne bied om Christene en kerke in Oos-Asie aan te moedig in hul stryd vir holistiese bevryding. Die gevolgtrekkings van die studie kan help om hierdie skandelike vorm
van menslike wreedheid teen diere (ons medewesens) verder aan te spreek en help met die vestiging van groter diereregte en ekologiese harmonie.Doctora
Is ovarian cancer the end of womanhood? : a feminist theological engagement
Full text linkThesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2018.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is a study of the contemporary notions of the body that may seem to challenge concepts of womanhood among women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer who, as a result, may not be able to bear children. The research engages with certain social, biblical and political ideas of what it means to be a woman, and how these social perspectives impact and influence women's identities as a whole, especially when one's body no longer performs the way it did before. These notions will be viewed through a theological lens.
Social notions of motherhood influence the ideology of womanhood socially, emotionally and psychologically, which implicates how women understand their own femininity, sexuality and their bodies. The aim of this project?? is to reconstruct the social and Christian assumption that women are created for the purpose of childbirth and mothering. The intention of this research is to critically engage with the complex ideologies and concepts of motherhood and womanhood, how theology plays a role in both reinforcing and/or addressing this ideology and to criticise theological and social engagement between body theology and ideas of motherhood. This will be done by using a qualitative research method since it will engage with existing secondary research on women with ovarian cancer. This research will be a descriptive and a critical analysis of the social and political nature of society and media and how it plays a role in the self –identity of women and their femininity. In addition, feminist theologians including Lisa Isherwood and Gayle Letherby have contributed significantly as secondary sources to widen the critical theological engagement and discussion on body theology and womanhood.
In chapter 2, the research will describe key medical procedures before and after women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, to illustrate the emotional, psychological and physical trauma women experience from ovarian cancer. Chapter 2 introduces social notions and implications of sexuality, body theology, motherhood, and womanhood. These notions are then critically engaged within Chapter 3, where the intersectionality of these social issues is interlinked through the health condition of ovarian cancer. Chapter 4 of the research communicates the theological complexity of ideologies of motherhood and engages with both voluntary and involuntary childlessness. In
addition, chapter 4 suggests the need for church engagement with the social construction of motherhood and draws on a West African conference in Nigeria as a primary source. The study is then concluded by summarising the research findings of ideologies of womanhood, childbirth, and motherhood and problematizing this critical social construction through a theological engagement with body theology. It suggests further research should be done in future to help develop a richer research project.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis is 'n studie van die hedendaagse persepsies van die liggaam wat blykbaar konsepte van vroulikheid onder vroue wat met eierstokkanker gediagnoseer word, uitdaag en dus nie kinders kan hê nie. Die navorsing hou verband met die sosiale, Bybelse en politieke idee van wat dit beteken om 'n vrou te wees en hoe hierdie sosiale perspektiewe ‘n impak maak op die vrou se identiteit en dit beïnvloed, veral as die liggaam nie meer funksioneer soos dit voorheen gedoen het nie, sal hierdie konsepte gesien word deur 'n teologiese lens.
Hierdie sosiale persepsies van moederskap beïnvloed die ideologie van vroulikwees sosiaal, emosioneel en sielkundig, wat beïnvloed hoe vroue hul eie vroulikheid, seksualiteit en hul liggame verstaan. Die doel is om die sosiale en Christelike aanname dat vroue geskep word vir die doel van voortplanting en moederskap, te rekonstrueer. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om krities die komplekse ideologie en konsep van moederskap en vrouwees aan te spreek, hoe teologie 'n rol speel in die aanspreek van hierdie ideologie en om die teologiese en sosiale interaksie tussen die (body) liggaamsteologie1 en moederskap te kritiseer. Dit sal gedoen word deur gebruik te maak van kwalitatiewe navorsing, aangesien dit navorsing sal wees met betrekking tot vroue met eierstokkanker. Hierdie navorsing sal 'n beskrywende en kritiese analise wees van die sosiale en politieke aard van die samelewing en die media en hoe dit 'n rol speel in die selfidentiteit van vroue en hul vroulikheid. Daarbenewens het feministiese teoloë, waaronder Lisa Isherwood en Gayle Letherby, ‘n betekenisvol bygedra as sekondêre bronne gelewer om die kritiese teologiese aanknoping en bespreking oor liggaams-teologie en vroulikheid te verbreed.
In hoofstuk 2 sal die navorsing die mediese prosedures beskryf voor en na vroue met eierstokkanker gediagnoseer word. Dit help om die emosionele, sielkundige en fisiese trauma wat vroue ondervind met eierstokkanker te illustreer. Hoofstuk 2 help om die sosiale persepsies en implikasies van seksualiteit, liggaamsteologie, moederskap en vroulikheid bekend te stel. Hierdie begrippe is krities aangspreek in hoofstuk 3 waar die oorvleuelings van elk van hierdie sosiale kwessies verbind word deur die gesondheidstoestand van eierstokkanker asook hoe dit aan mekaar verbind word. Hoofstuk 4 van die navorsing bespreek die teologiese kompleksiteit van die ideologie van moederskap en betrek vrywillige en onwillekeurige kinderloosheid. Daarbenewens stel hoofstuk 4 kerklike betrokkenheid voor by die sosiale konstruksie van moederskap en verwys na 'n Wes-Afrikaanse konferensie as 'n primêre bron. Die studie word dan afgesluit deur die navorsingsbevindinge van die ideologie van vroulikwees, bevalling en moederskap op te som en hierdie kritiese sosiale konstruksie deur middel van 'n teologiese betrokkenheid te problematiseer. Dit dui daarop dat verdere navorsing in die toekoms gedoen moet word om 'n ryker navorsing te help ontwikkel
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