Missiology

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Open Access
Sola ecclesia? : 'n kritiese verantwoording van die kerkbegrip van die gemeentebouteologie in die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk
(University of the Free State, 1994) Erasmus, Lourens Marthinus; Kellerman, J. S.; Britz, R. M.
Gemeentebou bet in die Ned. Geref. Kerk 'n huishoudelike woord geword. Dit staan enersyds in verband met 'n bepaalde prob/ematiek van die gemeentelike lewe en andersyds met die op/ossing claarvoor. As 'n konsep en prakties-teologiese benadering is dit oor die afgelope aantaljare in die geledere van die kerk aangegryp as 'n manier om die gemeentelike struktuur en praktyk grondliggend te vernuwe. Dit het nuwe rnoontlikhede, uitdagings en vergesigte geopen vir talle predikante en lidmate wat 'n onvergenoegdheid met die praktiese kedclilce lewe ervaar bet. En, gesorg vir 'n beduidende invloed in die Ned. Geref. Kerk. Daar kan nie oor die konternporere teologie in die Ned. Geref. Kerk gepraat word, sonder om ook die gemeentebouteologie te verreken nie. Orn die beslag van die gemeenteboubeweging behoorlik in kaart te bring, moet dit in verband gesien word met die belangrike besinningsproses wat gedurende die sewentigerjare in die Ned Geref. Kerk op gang gekorn het Veel klem is in hierdie tyd geplaas op die getuienis en diens van die indiwiduele lidrnaat. Dit het konkrete gestalte gevind in die omvattende sending-en evangelisasieprogram van 1970, die landwye Jeug-tot-Jeugaksie van 1974 en die werlcsaarnhede van die Dinamiese Gemeentebou-Studiegroep van 1978. Die klern op die indiwiduele lidmaat is mettertyd verskuif na die kollektiwiteit van die gemeente as geloofsgemeen skap. Die verwerking van die konsepte van "dinarniese gerneentebou" deur Bybelkor se Gemeenteboureekse en Lidmaattoerustingsprogramme in die tagtigerjare, het "gemeentebou" vierkantig op die tafel geplaas. Dit het 'n benadering in die Ned Geref. Kerk geword wat doelbewus gcywer het vir die goeie en optirnale funksionering van die gerneente. Sinodale Kornmissies, soos die Algernene Kommissie vir Arnpsbediening en Evangelisasie en die Algemene Jeugkommissie, bet hierin 'n belangrike rol gespeel. Die vakwetenskaplike beoefening sowel as die kurrikulering claarvan in die amptelike teologiese opleiding van die Ned Geref. Kerk teen die middel van die tagtigerjare, het verdere stukrag aan die gemeenteboubeweging verleen en die ontwikkeling vakwetenskaplik bestendig. Gemeentebou het dus uitgegroei tot 'n teologiese dissipline met 'n ornvangryke invloed in die Ned. Geref. Kerk. Met entoesiasme, aangevuur deur die snel veranderende konteks waarrnee die kerk sedert 1980 gekonfronteer is, is saamgewerk, beplan, geeksperirnenteer en onderling verslag gelewer. Vera! in die Ned. Geref. Kerk was iets nuuts aan die gebeur. Gewapen met die kennis aangaande die gerneenteboubeweging en 'n aanvoeling vir veral die missionere dimensie van die "diakonale gemeente," was dit aanvanklilc die voorneme om 'n bedieningsmodel te beredeneer waarin die missionere diakonaat van die plaaslilce gemeente tereg moes kom. Die "Diakonale gemeente in koninkryksperspektief' het horn as 'n aktuele terna voorgedoen om in 'n doktorale studie aangepak te word Die bediening van die "diakonale gemeente" moes die omvangryke eksistensiele nood in die wereld aanspreek en verlig. Vanselfsprekend het dit 'n "struktuurbenadering" vereis om deur middel van basis-en praktykteoretiese ontwerpe gevolg te gee aan 'n nuwe en meer dinamies-diakonale inrigting van die gerneentelike bediening. Ook sou empiriese navorsing en analise die geldigheid en haalbaarheid van nuut ontwerpte teoriee bevestig.
Open Access
The theological reflection on the divine in the African context: a possible basis for dialogue with Islam
(University of the Free State, 1998) Namukoa, Edward Wanyama; Verster, Pieter; Nel, P. J.
𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 The countries of Africa are experiencing important changes and development forms a major part of their political agenda. It is a period of economic awakening. This Renaissance of Africa is impossible to achieve without a new social order. This new social order is one that goes beyond sectional and ethnic hatred. This also implies a need for religious tolerance based on an acceptable concept understood equally by all religions and ethnic groups of Africa. In this thesis, the researcher sought to contribute to religious tolerance by looking at similarities and differences between the conceptions of the Divine held by the major religious traditions of Africa, viz. African traditional religion, Christianity and Islam. The thesis also explored the possibility of employing the conception of the Divine as a unifying factor and a possible basis for dialogue between religious communities in a multi-religious society. The investigation articulated the following three basic convictions which are central to the study: (a) The concept of the Divine in the African context is a complex one. (b) Christian theology in Africa has relevance for the ecumenical church. (c) Islam, like Christianity, also suffers from a religious ethnocentrism. In Chapter 1 attention was devoted to the problem and scope of the study, the conceptualisation of the problem, and the purpose and relevance of the study. The chapter contains a historical survey of African traditional religion, Christian Mission and the Islamic Da'wah in Africa. Lastly the researcher spelled out his personal stance as regards the subject under discussion and concluded with a discussion of African traditional religion, Christianity and Islam in Kenya. In Chapter 2 attention was devoted to the theological views on the Divine. This took the form of a general definition followed by specific attention to the way in which the concept is understood from the African, Christian and Islamic points of view. Attention was paid to the way in which these religions understand the attributes of God and the names of God and to how these views may contribute towards preparing the stage for dialogue. The African conception of the Divine has been misunderstood by Western writers, especially by the missionaries who initially had a pre-conceived notion of Africans and their understanding of God. The researcher discussed these views critically and concluded that Africans, like the Jews, believed in one God and that their concept of the Divine was evolving from simple to complex in a similar way as Yahweh of Israel and Allah of the Arabs also evolved from simple to complex up to the level at which the concept comes to us in the Bible and the Qur'an. In Chapter 3 the respective attitudes of African traditional religion, Christianity and Islam towards the Divine were explored. Emphasis was laid on the African Christians who take the gospel to their fellow Africans and who can therefore be regarded as missionaries among their own people. The Muslim attitude towards Allah and the Da'wah was also discussed. In Chapter 4 the theological views of the three religions on Monotheism, the Trinity and Predestination were explored. The findings revealed that the religions differ in this regard. The differences are more pronounced between Christianity and Islam. It was argued that, in order to achieve a religious symbiosis, the differences should be left to the adherents of the respective religions while emphasis should be laid on the concept of the Divine which is understood in a similar fashion in these religions. This could serve to effect a working togetherness in a multi-religious society. In Chapter 5 attention was devoted to the condition of sin. Sin was discussed as the major reason for the separation between man and the Divine. The views of the three religions on sin and the resulting strained relationship with the Divine were investigated .. The researcher believes that sin is the main cause of religious animosity between the adherents of these religions in Africa and specifically in Kenya. The remedy lies in looking to the Divine for a complete restoration and the possibility of dialogue. The question of salvation was investigated in Chapter 6. In discussing the theology of salvation in the African traditional Religion, Christianity and Islam attention was devoted to the way in which the theology of salvation relates to the perception of the Divine in these religions. The differences between the ways in which Christianity and Islam understand of salvation were discussed critically and the responses of each of the religions were articulated. Chapter 7 contains a few concluding remarks and a way forward was discussed. It was stressed that a social order based on the concept of religious tolerance is necessary in a multi-religious society. It is possible for people of different religions to work together under the umbrella of the concept of the Divine. Religious animosity is unnecessary in the 21st century and beyond, and quite untenable if Africa is to be developmentally conscious. There are common areas where African traditional religion, Christianity and Islam agree - especially with regard to the concept of the . Divine. This should be emphasised in order to promote peace; yet the individual religious differences should be respected as such. Attention was also devoted to the Christian witness in a multi-religious society and it was pointed out that Christians should learn to listen to other religions in order to be understood and accepted in their witness to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. ___________________________________________________________________
Open Access
The common critical success factors determining the mission impact of the local church : an analytical study
(University of the Free State, 2001-11) Hancke, Frans Johannes Van Heerden; Verster, P.
English: From research referred to in this study it is clear that a growing missions awareness and involvement is developing across the globe. This statement is supported by the recent publication of growth figures in the Christendom. In apparent contrast, church .leaders and Missiologists indicate that a vast number of local churches are not involved in the proclamation of the Gospel in the world. This situation gives birth to the research problem which is addressed by this study: "What are the common critical success factors enabling churches, involved in mission, to mobilise people for the Kingdom of God?" The goals of the study therefore are: o to analyse and identify common critical success factors lil congregations who are effectively involved in mission; o to develop a conceptual model of such factors for the church-on-mission; and, o to identify specific areas for further research, as a follow-up on this exploratory research. The research approach can therefore be described as follows: 1. The founding of the Church's missionary task. Is it Scripturally sound to describe mission as the essential calling of the local church? Can we accept that mission is not just a New Testament phenomenon but that it finds its roots in the whole Scripture? Does the whole Scripture support God's involvement with humankind, or do we find uniquely new attributes of God in the New Testament? Is God exclusively concerned with Israel in the Old Testament? The study accentuates that God's plan of redemption is already made known early during Old Testament times. God calls Abraham in Genesis 12:3 and consistently promises His blessing in order for Abraham to be a blessing unto the riations - through Abraham all the families on the earth were to be blessed. It is indicated that the Great Commission is not a surprising, isolated New Testament phenomenon, but that God is truly the God of the Nations! The whole Scripture testifies about His involvement with His creation. 2. The development of a biblical paradigm for the church-on-mission. With the mission mandate of the local church firmly based on Scripture this study proceeds to develop a biblical paradigm for the church. Various perspectives are reviewed in this process. Charles van Engen's book, God's missionary people - Rethinking the purpose of the local church, is used as essential reference in developing a biblical paradigm for the church-on-mission. A series of other sources are utilised to evaluate Van Engen's views. 3. Empirical research determine the critical success factors in the local church. Five churches were selected and are reviewed in the study. Through qualitative research, supported by quantitative data, the critical factors in these churches are isolated and described. The study concludes by evaluating the empirical research against the created biblical paradigm. Through this evaluation ten critical success factors are integrated in a model supported by the biblical perspective of the missional church. This research re-affirms the essential commission of the Church. It integrates the biblical being and essence of the local church with those factors detectable in churches impacting creation. Eventually, this study should contribute towards the whole Church taking the whole gospel to the whole world.
Open Access
Leadership in African context: a missiological approach
(University of the Free State, 2002-06) Afeke, Bright; Verster, Pieter
English: Good leadership is of utmost importance for the people of Africa and the political future of the continent. In the African context it is clear that important new directives for sound leadership is needed. From the missiological perspective an overview of leadership and biblical guidelines are given. In chapter one an outline of the context, scope and purpose of the thesis is given In chapter two leadership is defined in the secular literature and given theories on leadership is discussed. In chapter three a biblical overview of leadership is put forward. The Old Testament’s view of king, prophet and priest is discussed. According to the New Testament Jesus replied to the environmental problems of his time and age. Jesus himself was a shepherd of his people, servant and steward. Paul’s views are also discussed. In chapter four the context of Africa is reviewed. Africa is a continent with as terrible past and important aspects of the pre-colonial and colonial rule is discussed. However, the problems of Africa are not only as a result of its colonial past. Leadership is often lacking and dictators and military leaders often bring about disaster to their people. In chapter five the socio-economic an political stance of the church is discussed. The church has an important role to play in Africa to help the continent on a new way. In chapter six the churches’ involvement in Africa’s revolution is defined and discussed. The church must influence the leadership of Africa. The way in which the worldview must be influenced is also important. Chapter seven ends of with a short evaluation.
Open Access
Developing a church planting movement in India
(University of the Free State, 2004-11) Fowlkes, Dane Winstead; Verster, Pieter
English: This dissertation acknowledges the need for Church Planting Movements among the unreached peoples of India. Of particular concern to this study is the application of Church Planting Movement strategy to forward caste Hindus of India. It traces the historical development of group or people movement strategy and then compares that strategy with traditional missionary approaches in India. It shows that evangelizing households is the primary strategy of the New Testament and the most appropriate strategy for initiating Church Planting Movements. The thesis carefully examines salvation understanding in the Hindu context and its relationship to the caste system. All of this lays a foundation for a proper approach to evangelization of forward caste Hindus in light of the fact that there have been no documented Church Planting Movements among forward caste Hindus in all of India. The paper concludes that the best approach to facilitating a Church Planting Movement among forward caste Hindus is by not planting churches. As contradictory as this sounds, the paper shows that Christian disciples remaining within Hindu culture and familial systems holds the potential for the most indigenous approach to establishing multiplying churches among forward caste Hindus.
Open Access
The contextualization of the gospel of Jesus Christ in Christian churches in Maseru, Lesotho
(University of the Free State, 2004-11) Tabi, Lefa Issac; Verster, Pieter
English: The main issue in this dissertation is to establish what the different ways of contextualization among Christian churches in Maseru, Lesotho are. To reach this objective, church leaders from various churches were interviewed, with the aim of establishing their different approaches to contextualization. Their approaches to the main concepts of Church service were evaluated namely kerugma and leiturgia, diakonia, koinonia and marturia. Persons from the following churches were interviewed: The African Methodist Episcopal Church in Maseru, Lesotho Evangelical Church, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in Maseru, St. John Apostolic Faith Mission Church and the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. Views on contextualization of three main theologians were then also evaluated namely, Turaki, Sanneh and Bediako. After this evaluation the churches' position were reassessed. In the final instance the way forward for the churches in Maseru is discussed.
Open Access
Religious dualism in South Africa: consequences of inadequate mission theology of the spirit world
(University of the Free State, 2005) Froise, Harald; Verster, Pieter
English: This thesis has been written to address the reality that we tend to arrive at philosophical positions based on our worldview which is largely affected by our culture and background. This is so ingrained into our system that it is difficult for us to break away from that position. In a Christian context, this affects the way we interpret scripture, and it is only when we step back and objectively examine carefully what we believe against what is written in scripture that we begin to question how accurately our worldview reflects biblical teaching. This tendency to base our beliefs on our culture has enormous significance when we come to export our faith to other cultures. The thesis examines the beliefs of people in an animistic society, and attempts to differentiate between what is purely cultural and what is religious. It takes note of the fact that heavy emphasis is being placed on respecting the existing cultures in societies in which the Christian faith is being propagated. But in so doing there is a blurring of what is cultural and what is religious, so that demands are made to add Christianity to an existing religion rather than to switch from serving foreign gods to worshipping the one true God. The thesis also examines western evangelical Christianity which has been strongly influenced by enlightenment thinking, so that the supernatural events of the New Testament have given way to scientifically explained alternatives. It notes that much of the Christian faith that has been taken to pe ople of different cultures has carried the baggage of that western culture. This has had serious deficiencies when dealing with societies that have been steeped in animism, which the thesis contends is nothing more than demonic influences. The brand of Christianity that has been brought has been inadequate to deal with these phenomena. The result of this is that people have not been liberated from the influences of their animistic past. It is postulated that the Christianity of the Bible does indeed deal w ith issues of animism, and that to a significant degree. It was faced in New Testament times and powerfully dealt with by the Christian’s authority over the demonic forces. It further holds that this New Testament ministry is still valid for today, and tha t the results of missionary activity could have been very different if this biblical theology had been understood and practised. Instead, the failure to equip emerging churches with the ability to deal with these forces, has led them to attempt to deal wit h them in their own way. The only way they knew was to continue the practice of appeasing the spirits. This is why there is such a strong appeal to include appeasement of the spirits, referred to as ‘ancestors,’ in the enculturated Christianity of the emerging churches. This has contributed to religious dualism in South Africa, since a demonstration that the Christian faith is powerful enough to deal with the demonic forces would have obviated the need to find solutions elsewhere. It is also noted that where it has been possible to break out of the limitations of western enlightenment theology, evangelism has been more effective.
Open Access
Contextualization and the Ovahimba Christian youth
(University of the Free State, 2006-01) Petersen, Gideon Phillip; Verster, Pieter
As a missionary to the Ovahimba, in north Kunene Region (Namibia), this researcher has discovered that although the Christian Church has had a presence for five decades it has not been able to establish roots in the Ovahimba community. In these five decades of ministry the Christian mission concentrated on teaching the children and/or youth about the gospel. This implied uprooting the children from their cultural moorings and introducing new and different moorings. Yet when family and friends challenged their Christian allegiance they returned to their traditional life experience. Jesus became an appendage to their ancestor-mediators. Jesus was just another helper. The underlying worldview of the person remained the same. The premise of this study suggests that mission belongs to God (Missio Dei). It starts with God and it ends with Him. He desires to have humanity in His presence. Based upon this premise it becomes imperative that the Christian community find a way to share the Biblical message so as to draw the Ovahimba into that mindset. To achieve this the thesis recommends the principle of critical contextualization that will enable the Bible to remain the focal point of a localized Christian community. However, such localization would need to remain within the local community yet be part of the universal Church. This is not a dilemma but represents the oneness of the body of Christ. It is not a unity in diversity but unity despite diversity. This study therefore proposes that contextualization is vital to planting a Christian Church within this community. To achieve a deep-rooted transformation the study suggests a model of understanding culture. This model is then recommended to the Christian community to help identify the Ovahimba worldview so effective transformation can take place.
Open Access
The witness of the church on HIV/AIDS in the Motheo District
(University of the Free State, 2006-06) Phathela, Mzwandile Petrus; Verster, P.
English: The complex and fatal illness, HIV/AIDS challenges the church and the community. The illness has a high occurrence in the Motheo District. The worldwide tendency of rising infections is also present here. In the research, the views of specific persons in the community towards the illness and the conclusions they reached on how to empower people to overcome and prevent the illness, were determined. The views of health workers, pastors, members of churches and traditional healers were determined. Suggestions on how people can be involved with the affected persons were also put forward. It is clear that those people suffering from the illness are not ostracised but that there is the desire to help them to live with the illness and to fight against it. Responsible sexual behaviour is strongly emphasized. The monogamous marriage, in which people are faithful toward one another, is the best guarantee against contracting the illness. Emphasis on Christian marriage is the best defence against the pandemic. Lastly, the church and community have a responsibility to become involved in the fight against the pandemic. The church cannot avoid her responsibility but must provide help and advice. The community must help via groups to give help and guidance.
Open Access
Die bemagtiging van die amp van die gelowige in missionêre konteks
(University of the Free State, 2006-11) Pienaar, Roelof Johannes; Verster, P.
English: In chapter one the thesis is that the church, in a time of change and paradigm shift, can maintain its identity as a missionary faith community if it focus on the role that believers who do not serve in a special office of the church, play. The church must enable believers to live in a missionary way in every sphere of life. To be able to do this more is needed than just the equipping of believers. A more comprehensive approach is needed to enable the local congregation to reach out to the community and fallen world of which it is part. This more comprehensive approach is described by the term “empowerment”. In chapter two the missionary context in which the church finds itself is formulated as the church’s involvement in the Missio Dei. Missions happens where the church crosses boundaries, visible and invisible, between the gospel and the lost world in such a way that the world may share in the hope that is in Jesus Christ. The third chapter is devoted to the contribution that reformed theology makes to the definition of what missions is. Mission is Missio Trinitatis and must be a dimension of all the activities of the church. The fourth chapter focus on the role of the special offices in the church. These offices works mostly within the borders of the congregation and has a missionary function in the way that it equips believers for their missionary call. The term “office of the believer” is not used in the three Creeds of Unity and yet the call that rests on every believer is connected by these creeds to the official work of Jesus Christ. The Biblical content of the vocation of every believer in the Missio Trinitatis is the field of study of chapter five, as well as the interaction between the special and general offices of the church. The focus of the latter is mainly outside the borders of the congregation. Before general science is utilized in chapter seven to obtain a definition of the term “empowerment”, chapter six asks the question whether Missiology may use these general sciences and what they may contribute to the formation of theology. From a study of the use of the term “empowerment” in different fields, within and outside of the church, the conclusion is reached that the most basic meaning of empowerment is to give a new sense of belonging to anybody who was excluded by one or another structure or system. The church must empower believers in such a way through a new sense of belonging that they may be encouraged to enter the world with all its challenges and make a difference through their participation in the message of hope on all terrains of life.
Open Access
Cultural sensitivity in Christian mission to resistant people: an historical perspective: the link between mission praxis and theological presupposition
(University of the Free State, 2007-10) Coleman, Marc; Verster, P.
A thesis of approximately 73,000 words that deals with subject of historical approaches to the mission of the church. The title is indicative of the often-sensitive nature of theological discussions concerning culture in missions. It is also indicative of the fact that missionaries throughout the history of Christian mission have each had to decide how to be sensitive to the culture of the evangelized. The main thesis of this research is that in the history of Christian mission to resistant people theology predisposes to a particular set of mission principles and methodologies. Stated otherwise, there is a link between what one believes about the Bible and other Christian doctrines and how one goes about the task of doing mission. I argue that history bears out this assertion and that the link is more than as casual one. In this study, I take a descriptive look at the factors leading up to, facilitating, and hampering a variety of mission movements in Christian history. The progress of the study follows, in a general way, the timeline of church history. The goal is to find possible trends and links between the three Mission Praxis Paradigms (MPP) and theology. For that reason, a selection of prominent mission movements in the history of the church is employed for study. I hypothesize that there are a variety of theological variables that underpin mission methodology. These are weighed for each mission movement in light of the MPP adopted by the missionaries. Questions about how much one should include pagan or non-Christian elements in mission, what one believes about eschatology, soteriology and the Bible are all examined. This study demonstrates that the responses to these questions have manifested themselves in three broad-based approaches which I call mission praxis paradigms (MPP). These MPP’s are practical approaches to cross-cultural mission that encompass almost all mission endeavors (with a few exceptions) since the beginning of the Christian Church. These three approaches; the authoritative MPP, the inclusivist MPP, and the Neo-inclusivist MPP hold many ideologies in common while concurrently holding many conflicting theological positions. This study demonstrates that mission approach or methodology in its broadest sense throughout history has been a function of theological orientation. It is not a critique of any one approach but rather demonstrative of the tendencies to one’s approach or particular theological leanings Among other things, the study reveals several trends in several keys areas of belief that may useful indicators of one’s likely mission methodology. It ends with recommendations for more detailed study of the finding that views of inspiration and place of the Bible in Christian mission is the factor most likely to determine mission methodology.
Open Access
A study of Paul as a biblical model of contextualization through a hermeneutical approach
(University of the Free State, 2009-12) Ji, Ho-Young; Verster, Pieter
English: 1. The aim of this study The aim of this thesis is to indicate how Paul preached the gospel of Christ in the contexts of various mission fields through a hermeneutic approach to the Acts and Paul's epistles. To study Paul as a biblical model of contextual mission is invaluable. 2. The background of Paul as a model of contextualization Paul's Hebraic, Hellenistic and Roman backgrounds and the theological background relate to his missions. God orchestrated several factors in Paul's background that enabled him to become one of the most significant evangelists in the history of the church. Paul's Jewish- Roman background and cosmopolitan outlook fitted him for a unique ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. Paul was the ideal person to bridge the cultural and religious chasm. 3. The contextualization of Paul regarding ritual By its decree, the Council at Jerusalem, setting the standards for Gentile participation in the Christian community, manifestly upheld God's demand for truth and for love of the brotherhood. Faith in Christ could not and must not be made dependent on the observance of certain rituals and traditions. If inherited traditions hindered the liberty of Christ and the worship of God, they should be abandoned. This was Paul's consistent belief on contextual evangelization with regard to the ritual issue. 4. Contextualization of Paul's message As an apostle to the Gentiles, Paul struggled to find a relevant way to translate the supracultural gospel of Jesus Christ in the multiple cultural contexts. He proclaimed that Christ was good news for all people. The strategies employed by the evangelist were borrowed from the secular gentile realm because he preached to secularists. Paul dealt with the internal issues aiming to establish the church as a community of dynamic life. In the pluralistic religiosity of their cultures, Paul diagnosed the situation in theological terms, and reviewed the church's issues in light of the gospel. 6. Final statement Above all, on the basis of the revelation of Christ, he had given the Gospel, for both the Jew and Greek its fundamental character. He had built the Church of Christ Jesus totally on the basis of this Gospel. With regard to the Gentile mission, all his missionary acts were clearly based on the word of God. The unchanging centre of Paul's work was total preoccupation with Jesus Christ. Paul adapted to the style and needs of his day as evangelists must in every historical period and cultural context. He is a model of contextual mission to modem evangelists regarding cross-cultural communication in a pluralistic.
Open Access
The self-identity of the eschatological church: the Pauline theology of Albert Schweitzer and successors in the resurfacing of a missional ecclesiology
(University of the Free State, 2010-05) Banfield, Colin; Verster, P.
The Pauline Theology of Albert Schweitzer and the developments in this field of study a century on from him forms the core of this current Masters dissertation. The subject of the investigation is the extent to which Schweitzer was a catalyst in steering the conversation toward a self-identity of the Church which can be described as a participation with Christ in His mission. The motivation for this investigation is the growing interest and development in what has become known globally as, ‘Missional Ecclesiology’, with its claim to be a more faithful understanding of Paul and a true description of the nature and identity of the earliest Church. The dissertation concerns itself mainly with the work written in the early part of the 20th century by Albert Schweitzer called, The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle. The present work attempts to highlight and briefly describe Schweitzer’s Pauline theology on key themes such as eschatology, Christ-mysticism, the law, justification, and more. It then takes a fair selection of New Testament scholars who have been more influential than most in this field and demonstrate how and where they have contributed to the main thesis – that of the selfunderstanding of the Christian, the Church and her mission. These include such scholars as: Rudolf Bultmann; CH Dodd; Oscar Cullman; WD Davies; EP Sanders; Lesslie Newbigin; NT Wright, and others. The investigation is set within the changing context from a Christendom to a post-Christendom environment in Europe with South Africa following close on the heals of these changes. We are introduced to the statistical data in South Africa with its present situation of change, focussing particularly on the Church of England in South Africa as the Author’s personal context at the time of writing. After the core work on Schweitzer and his successors is completed with sufficient evidence of Schweitzer’s influence especially in eschatology, the dissertation analyses the post-Christian environment of England and Scotland. It quite deliberately focuses on the theological responses of the two large National Churches of these countries - the Church of England and the Church of Scotland - and not on the smaller missional initiatives from newer, independent church groups in order to observe the sense of urgency for change despite the long and historical complexity of these organizations. The dissertation concludes with an attempt to determine any detectable similarities between the theological response of these national churches in a post-Christian environment and the Pauline conversation of Schweitzer and his successors over the preceding century. The conclusion shows an overall eschatological orientation in both as well as a similar emphases on a corporate participation in the mission of God in Christ that determines the shape and life of the Church as a foretaste of the Kingdom.
Open Access
Ministry to nomads: a comprehensive missiological approach
(University of the Free State, 2011-05) Petersen, Gideon Phillip; Verster, Pieter
English: Immanuel, our God is with us. Somehow Christianity has struggled with this very basic Christian belief. There has not been a theological struggle. The struggle has been the application among a people different from those influenced by the Graeco-Roman thinking of the West. In so doing it became easy for the Western missionary to impose his/her own understanding of God upon others and hence they were able to impose doctrines that would outline such thinking. This thesis argues that this application of Christian teaching did not coincide with the belief that God comes to all humanity. A group that was isolated by this kind of practice are the nomads of the world. Nomads have not rejected Christianity per se, however, they have questioned the need to change to something they are not in order to be Christian. Thus this thesis proposes that Christians enter a nomadic environment with the goal of allowing God to be one with nomads by using their communication styles and lifestyle. This requires a deep study of the people before embarking on such a journey. It also requires that the mission practitioner learn to become a learner and respect the people. In the end the mission practitioner will not dictate what and how the new believer ought to understand God. To achieve the stated goal this thesis suggests an incarnational approach that would connect the nomads to God through a demonstration of God’s presence in the life of the missionary. Such an approach will address the heart issues of the people and demonstrate a coming of God to humanity.
Open Access
Marketplace missiology
(University of the Free State, 2011-11) Carstens, Johan; Verster, P.
Abstract not available
Restricted
Preface
(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2012) Verster, Pieter
Abstract not available
Open Access
The unified body of Christ as biblical metaphor for being church
(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2012) Schoeman, Lourens
The church, as faith community, is described with the metaphor of one body, with all members interlinked to each other, helping each other, praying for each other, serving each other. The reality is that this church, like the secular community (locally, provincially, nationally, throughout Africa and globally) is divided into class, wealth and health categories. Is this “world-like” fragmented existence of the church depriving her of her unique role as source of hope in a given community? Is she loosing face in the world due to this “world-like” fragmented way of living? Can she better meet the social challenges, related to poverty and HIV, if, as alternative community, rich and poor were indeed living as one body? How would she then define and respond to poverty and HIV infection?
Open Access
A church with the poor – lessons from scripture and from congregations in informal settlements
(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2012) Verster, P.
The church has an essential role to play in communities riddled with poverty, disease, and despair. Communities in informal-settlement areas suffer a great deal. Churches in these communities are often small and have few means for alleviating poverty. In the Bible, the community of God is a community of love. Although there are instances of retribution in the Old Testament, there are clear instances where the community of God experiences the implications of love for one’s neighbour. In the New Testament, the essence of the church is to be the community of love. Congregations in Mangaung’s informal settlements bring a message of hope by being the community of love in their area. The church can become the true messenger of God’s hope in informal areas.
Open Access
God's missional people: reflecting God's love in the midst of suffering and affliction
(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2012) Hancke, Frans. J. van H.
The title of this article reflects a deep and personal conviction founded on the belief that a major solution to lessen the suffering of people living in poverty and in the midst of pandemics such as AIDS, lies within the body of Christ. The focus therefore is on God’s people being called to participate in God’s mission in God’s world. Reflecting on those people, his church, in which he is incarnating himself through his Holy Spirit in an extraordinary and empowering way in order for them to reflect his love on the highways and byways of life – to transform the lives and circumstances of people in order for him to receive glory and honour. The title of this article clearly indicates a fundamental characteristic of God’s people – they are being sent to participate in his mission (missio Dei).
Open Access
New hope for the poor: a perspective on the church in informal settlements in Africa
(Sun Media Bloemfontein, 2012) Verster, Pieter
Abstract not available