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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1968
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1968
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
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
- 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
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
A holy people: a study in the ecclesiology of Andrew Murray
- Neethling, Johann Christiaan
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1975
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1975
The positive contribution of the religious life to the life of the church
- Authors: Clucas, Robert Stephen
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Religion , Christian life , Anglicans
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1291 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014701
- Description: The positive contribution of the religious life to the life of the church as a whole. Chapter one: presuppositions of an Anglican, with particular views of ministry, Bible, church and sacraments. Presupposition as regards friendship acknowledgement of influence of C.S. Lewis. Prejudices from outside. The old prejudices, their causes and historical foundation. New prejudices in the present-day world. Chapter two. Misunderstandings from within. The religious life as a higher way of perfection. False view of detachment. Celibacy of the priesthood. Correctives to those misunderstandings. Chapter three. The temporal and the temporary. Contributions which religious life makes continually in a fallen world. The temporary contributions made at different times. Chapter four. The eternal and the inward. Eternal aspects of the threefold vow and of the worship of community life. Contribution of religious throughout the ages to ascetic and mystical theology, which builds on inner life of the Christian. Chapter five. Conclusions and speculations. Re-examination of definition of the religious life. Side developments of the religious life. Three protestant communities. The religious life and present-day problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
- Authors: Clucas, Robert Stephen
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Religion , Christian life , Anglicans
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1291 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014701
- Description: The positive contribution of the religious life to the life of the church as a whole. Chapter one: presuppositions of an Anglican, with particular views of ministry, Bible, church and sacraments. Presupposition as regards friendship acknowledgement of influence of C.S. Lewis. Prejudices from outside. The old prejudices, their causes and historical foundation. New prejudices in the present-day world. Chapter two. Misunderstandings from within. The religious life as a higher way of perfection. False view of detachment. Celibacy of the priesthood. Correctives to those misunderstandings. Chapter three. The temporal and the temporary. Contributions which religious life makes continually in a fallen world. The temporary contributions made at different times. Chapter four. The eternal and the inward. Eternal aspects of the threefold vow and of the worship of community life. Contribution of religious throughout the ages to ascetic and mystical theology, which builds on inner life of the Christian. Chapter five. Conclusions and speculations. Re-examination of definition of the religious life. Side developments of the religious life. Three protestant communities. The religious life and present-day problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1954
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1954
The South African anaphora: the development of the anaphora of the South African Eucharistic rite
- Authors: Hinchliff, Peter Bingham
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Church of the Province of South Africa. Book of common prayer -- History -- Sources Eucharistic prayers Eucharistic prayers -- Anglican Communion Anglican Communion -- Liturgy -- History -- Sources Anglican Communion -- South Africa -- Liturgy -- History -- Sources.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1260 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012293
- Description: The Prayer Book of the Church of England reached South Africa as a part of the establishment of the British Administration at the Cape. In its new environment it obviously required some revision. The Book of 1662 reflected the political and social conditions of its time. lt was designed for a Church not immediately concerned with missionary work amongst heathen peoples but directly established under the Crown. The circumstances of a Church in the colonies, particularly when the colonies became self-governing, required some modernisation of language, some omission and adaptation of old prayers and some addition of new ones. Yet the Church appears to have been wary of attempting anything more than this, and it was especially reluctant to make any revision which might imply a doctrinal change. The consecration prayer in the liturgy -'our incomparable liturgy' - was particularly sacrosanct by virtue of long use and the accretion of sentimental associations. Revision of this part of the book would naturally be slow and hesitant and this is the revision with which we are concerned - the most interesting and important part of the history of the South African Prayer Book. Chapter 1, p. 6.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1958
- Authors: Hinchliff, Peter Bingham
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Church of the Province of South Africa. Book of common prayer -- History -- Sources Eucharistic prayers Eucharistic prayers -- Anglican Communion Anglican Communion -- Liturgy -- History -- Sources Anglican Communion -- South Africa -- Liturgy -- History -- Sources.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1260 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012293
- Description: The Prayer Book of the Church of England reached South Africa as a part of the establishment of the British Administration at the Cape. In its new environment it obviously required some revision. The Book of 1662 reflected the political and social conditions of its time. lt was designed for a Church not immediately concerned with missionary work amongst heathen peoples but directly established under the Crown. The circumstances of a Church in the colonies, particularly when the colonies became self-governing, required some modernisation of language, some omission and adaptation of old prayers and some addition of new ones. Yet the Church appears to have been wary of attempting anything more than this, and it was especially reluctant to make any revision which might imply a doctrinal change. The consecration prayer in the liturgy -'our incomparable liturgy' - was particularly sacrosanct by virtue of long use and the accretion of sentimental associations. Revision of this part of the book would naturally be slow and hesitant and this is the revision with which we are concerned - the most interesting and important part of the history of the South African Prayer Book. Chapter 1, p. 6.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1958
In community in Christ: a study of theological setting of the sacraments in the New Testament
- Authors: Moore, Basil S
- Date: 1971
- Subjects: Sacraments Sacraments (Liturgy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1240 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007688
- Description: Introduction: Neville Clark has rightly warned against the attempt to approach the theology of the sacraments from a broad and general definition of a 'sacrament' from which we 'read off' a Christian doctrine of the sacraments without paying due regard to the biblical statements. Such an approach could not but obscure the essential differences between the sacraments, and the fact that they stem from historical roots. On the other hand, the specialist treatment of the sacraments which begins by making a detailed analysis of the biblical material fails to do justice to the wholeness of biblical theology and tends to treat the sacraments in isolation not only from each other but also from other aspects of Christian theology with which they are inalienably connected. Bearing in mind the difficulties inherent in both of these approaches, a fresh and more systematic approach is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1971
- Authors: Moore, Basil S
- Date: 1971
- Subjects: Sacraments Sacraments (Liturgy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1240 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007688
- Description: Introduction: Neville Clark has rightly warned against the attempt to approach the theology of the sacraments from a broad and general definition of a 'sacrament' from which we 'read off' a Christian doctrine of the sacraments without paying due regard to the biblical statements. Such an approach could not but obscure the essential differences between the sacraments, and the fact that they stem from historical roots. On the other hand, the specialist treatment of the sacraments which begins by making a detailed analysis of the biblical material fails to do justice to the wholeness of biblical theology and tends to treat the sacraments in isolation not only from each other but also from other aspects of Christian theology with which they are inalienably connected. Bearing in mind the difficulties inherent in both of these approaches, a fresh and more systematic approach is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1971
Aspects of the cosmic Christ in the spirituality of Dom Bede Griffiths
- Authors: Forster, Dion Angus
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Griffiths, Bede, 1906-1993 , Catholic Church -- India -- Clergy -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018212
- Description: Alan 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Forster, Dion Angus
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Griffiths, Bede, 1906-1993 , Catholic Church -- India -- Clergy -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018212
- Description: Alan 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
The exodus theme in the Old and New Testament
- Authors: Sheriffs, Deryck C T
- Date: 1967
- Subjects: Bible , Exodus, The -- History of doctrines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1274 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013180
- Description: The best starting point for an examination of the theme and theology of the Exodus in the Old Testament is the Psalter, for here is recorded the living faith of Israel over a long period. The compilation of the Psalter from its earliest poems to its latest additions and final editing spans several centuries. It is a collection of collections, revised and edited more than once. Most scholars today agree that its material ranges in date from pre-exilic to late post-exilic, there being a swing away from an extravagant preference for a Maccabean dating of many Psalms. The Exodus theme to be found in the Psalter thus falls within a broad historical sweep. In the Psalter, individual and communal expressions of faith both have their place. Personal Psalms lay bare the human heart with the gamut of its emotions from despair to deep joy and praise. Psalms which were used corporately draw together the worshiping community in a way which reveals the unity of Israel, the nation, to be founded upon their relationship to Yahweh. Into the fabric of individual and national life, the thread of the Exodus faith was woven. Our task is to follow this thread, and discover the pattern which it weaves against its background. In the analysis which follows, each of the five Books of the Psalter will be examined in turn, the important passages being dealt with first, then the oblique references to the Exodus, and, lastly, those which may be described as conjectural. There are some nine Psalms which deal directly with the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings ... Chap. 1, p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1967
- Authors: Sheriffs, Deryck C T
- Date: 1967
- Subjects: Bible , Exodus, The -- History of doctrines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1274 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013180
- Description: The best starting point for an examination of the theme and theology of the Exodus in the Old Testament is the Psalter, for here is recorded the living faith of Israel over a long period. The compilation of the Psalter from its earliest poems to its latest additions and final editing spans several centuries. It is a collection of collections, revised and edited more than once. Most scholars today agree that its material ranges in date from pre-exilic to late post-exilic, there being a swing away from an extravagant preference for a Maccabean dating of many Psalms. The Exodus theme to be found in the Psalter thus falls within a broad historical sweep. In the Psalter, individual and communal expressions of faith both have their place. Personal Psalms lay bare the human heart with the gamut of its emotions from despair to deep joy and praise. Psalms which were used corporately draw together the worshiping community in a way which reveals the unity of Israel, the nation, to be founded upon their relationship to Yahweh. Into the fabric of individual and national life, the thread of the Exodus faith was woven. Our task is to follow this thread, and discover the pattern which it weaves against its background. In the analysis which follows, each of the five Books of the Psalter will be examined in turn, the important passages being dealt with first, then the oblique references to the Exodus, and, lastly, those which may be described as conjectural. There are some nine Psalms which deal directly with the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings ... Chap. 1, p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1967
John Wesley's means of evangelism
- Authors: Gribble, James
- Date: 1974
- Subjects: Wesley, John, 1703-1791 Evangelistic work Methodist Church -- Doctrines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1255 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012096
- Description: This essay is an attempt to evaluate the methods of evangelism used by John Wesley during the course of his long ministry in the eighteenth century. Wesley's methods are important, since by their use he exercised a remarkable influence upon the religious and social life of eighteenth-century England. They have a continuing importance, too, for a Church that wants to carry out her Lord's "Great Commission" effectively. In the history of the Church Wesley stands in the front rank of those who have significantly carried forward the mission of the Church. Therefore we do well to pause and learn what we can from his example and experience. Intro., p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1974
- Authors: Gribble, James
- Date: 1974
- Subjects: Wesley, John, 1703-1791 Evangelistic work Methodist Church -- Doctrines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1255 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012096
- Description: This essay is an attempt to evaluate the methods of evangelism used by John Wesley during the course of his long ministry in the eighteenth century. Wesley's methods are important, since by their use he exercised a remarkable influence upon the religious and social life of eighteenth-century England. They have a continuing importance, too, for a Church that wants to carry out her Lord's "Great Commission" effectively. In the history of the Church Wesley stands in the front rank of those who have significantly carried forward the mission of the Church. Therefore we do well to pause and learn what we can from his example and experience. Intro., p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1974
Towards a spirituality for authentic liberation in South Africa
- Authors: Pretorius, Jacques Gerhard
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Church of the Province of Southern Africa , Liberation theology -- South Africa , Latin American -- Church history -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1214 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001543
- Description: A spirituality which facilitates authentic liberation is one which intuits the evolutive nature of human development. Justice and compassion are biblical descriptions of a liberation effected by the Holy Spirit in and through persons. The development of persons towards being able to embrace such qualities is set within three interconnected paradigms: a theological paradigm, a psychological paradigm, and a socio-historical paradigm. The theological paradigm sees the creative process as continuing an evolutive movement towards the wholeness of persons, society and the cosmos. Within this, persons are defined as created co-creators with God, and are given the responsibility of participating in the process which will achieve this goal. This paradigm is reflected in the works of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin concerning the evolution of consciousness within each material form, towards union in God. The psychological paradigm suggests that the evolution of consciousness within persons gives rise to the probability of the emergence of levels of consciousness capable of initiating and sustaining the manifestation of justice and compassion. In this evolutive process a boundary is perceived by persons between the ego-body as 'self' and the environment as 'not-self'. This boundary prohibits the emergence of the qualities of justice and compassion in human consciousness. The developmental process is constituted by the integration of the 'not-self' into the 'self' at each stage, facilitating the emergence of a consciousness which takes responsibility for the environment as 'self'. The socio-historical paradigm is defined by the perspectives on the world held by the poor. The spirituality emerging from within this paradigm is initiated through encounter with Jesus. It is concretized in a preferential option for the empowerment of the poor, which facilitates and sustains the integration of 'self' and the environment. An examination of the Latin American base Christian communities shows the characteristics of Church life and structure which facilitate the Church becoming the locus of development towards authentic personal and social liberation. The structure of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa is evaluated in this light, in order to encourage clergy and laity to rise towards their full personhood in God.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
- Authors: Pretorius, Jacques Gerhard
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Church of the Province of Southern Africa , Liberation theology -- South Africa , Latin American -- Church history -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1214 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001543
- Description: A spirituality which facilitates authentic liberation is one which intuits the evolutive nature of human development. Justice and compassion are biblical descriptions of a liberation effected by the Holy Spirit in and through persons. The development of persons towards being able to embrace such qualities is set within three interconnected paradigms: a theological paradigm, a psychological paradigm, and a socio-historical paradigm. The theological paradigm sees the creative process as continuing an evolutive movement towards the wholeness of persons, society and the cosmos. Within this, persons are defined as created co-creators with God, and are given the responsibility of participating in the process which will achieve this goal. This paradigm is reflected in the works of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin concerning the evolution of consciousness within each material form, towards union in God. The psychological paradigm suggests that the evolution of consciousness within persons gives rise to the probability of the emergence of levels of consciousness capable of initiating and sustaining the manifestation of justice and compassion. In this evolutive process a boundary is perceived by persons between the ego-body as 'self' and the environment as 'not-self'. This boundary prohibits the emergence of the qualities of justice and compassion in human consciousness. The developmental process is constituted by the integration of the 'not-self' into the 'self' at each stage, facilitating the emergence of a consciousness which takes responsibility for the environment as 'self'. The socio-historical paradigm is defined by the perspectives on the world held by the poor. The spirituality emerging from within this paradigm is initiated through encounter with Jesus. It is concretized in a preferential option for the empowerment of the poor, which facilitates and sustains the integration of 'self' and the environment. An examination of the Latin American base Christian communities shows the characteristics of Church life and structure which facilitate the Church becoming the locus of development towards authentic personal and social liberation. The structure of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa is evaluated in this light, in order to encourage clergy and laity to rise towards their full personhood in God.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
The determination of God's action in history with special reference to Herbert Butterfield
- Authors: Fourie, Stephen
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Butterfield, Herbert, 1900-1979 Christianity -- Philosophy -- History God -- History of doctrines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1242 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009438
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
- Authors: Fourie, Stephen
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Butterfield, Herbert, 1900-1979 Christianity -- Philosophy -- History God -- History of doctrines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1242 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009438
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
The human soul (jivatma) and its ultimate goal (moksa) in the context of Taittiriya Upanisad (3.10.5): a study in an aspect of Hindu eschatology
- Authors: Saradananda, Swami
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Upanishads -- History and criticism , Hindu eschatology , Soul -- Hinduism , Suicide -- Religious aspects -- Hinduism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016396
- Description: This research was stimulated by pastoral concerns regarding the high rate of suicide in the South African Hindu community. On the one hand it was found that traumatized individuals contemplating suicide were woefully ill-equipped with helpful religious guidelines and on the other it is known that the primary and authoritative scriptures of Hinduism possess a wealth of information that can promote healing. This work uses the Taittiriya Upanishad (3.10.5) to address this challenge. The early Vedic writings are not systematized nor are they fully explicable except through commentaries. This research surveys the early Vedic and Upanisadic Writings in order to show the literary, social and philosophical conditions under which the texts were produced. The Taittiriya Upanisad is the culminating part of several strands of thought that emerged from the earlier Taittiriya School. In order to interpret the text of this Upanisad it was necessary to link its key concepts with other Upanisads of this period. Further interpretations emerged from later Upanisads. These texts were viewed in the light of several commentators - Shaukara (medieval period), and Vivekananda, Aurobindo and Radhakrishuan of the Neo-Vedanta movements. In the early Vedic period the soul is a metaphysical entity. Upon death it is judged and in accordance with its good or bad actions, heavenly rewards or the punishments of hell are meted out to it. Heaven and hell are final eschatological goals for the soul in the Vedic period. In the later Vedic or Upanisadic period it is found that heaven and hell are temporary eschatological goals. The ultimate goal becomes Liberation which implies the cessation of duality and the realization of non-duality. Correspondingly the Taittiriya Upauisad defines the soul in a manner in which its components have the potential to achieve this later goal. Here the soul is a formulation of five sheaths: body, vital energy, mind, intellect and bliss with an immortal consciousness as its focus. Functioning under the effects of ignorance each sheath binds the soul to suffering and rebiiths either on earth or on other planes (heaven or hell). However, each sheath also possesses an intrinsic capacity to liberate the soul from suffering. Tills work explores these negative and positive capabilities of the sheaths and points out the path by which the soul's divine potential may be realized. The ultimate healing or liberation occurs when the 'focus-consciousness' of the soul is intuitively realized. This consciousness is one with the universal consciousness. This achievement produces the 'liberated soul' who experiences ecstasy at this knowledge of oneness. This research also points out that the Neo-Vedanta movements, unlike their medieval counterparts, have a life-affirming and positive social attitude that seeks to draw from ancient texts for the purposes of healing and social upliftment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
- Authors: Saradananda, Swami
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Upanishads -- History and criticism , Hindu eschatology , Soul -- Hinduism , Suicide -- Religious aspects -- Hinduism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016396
- Description: This research was stimulated by pastoral concerns regarding the high rate of suicide in the South African Hindu community. On the one hand it was found that traumatized individuals contemplating suicide were woefully ill-equipped with helpful religious guidelines and on the other it is known that the primary and authoritative scriptures of Hinduism possess a wealth of information that can promote healing. This work uses the Taittiriya Upanishad (3.10.5) to address this challenge. The early Vedic writings are not systematized nor are they fully explicable except through commentaries. This research surveys the early Vedic and Upanisadic Writings in order to show the literary, social and philosophical conditions under which the texts were produced. The Taittiriya Upanisad is the culminating part of several strands of thought that emerged from the earlier Taittiriya School. In order to interpret the text of this Upanisad it was necessary to link its key concepts with other Upanisads of this period. Further interpretations emerged from later Upanisads. These texts were viewed in the light of several commentators - Shaukara (medieval period), and Vivekananda, Aurobindo and Radhakrishuan of the Neo-Vedanta movements. In the early Vedic period the soul is a metaphysical entity. Upon death it is judged and in accordance with its good or bad actions, heavenly rewards or the punishments of hell are meted out to it. Heaven and hell are final eschatological goals for the soul in the Vedic period. In the later Vedic or Upanisadic period it is found that heaven and hell are temporary eschatological goals. The ultimate goal becomes Liberation which implies the cessation of duality and the realization of non-duality. Correspondingly the Taittiriya Upauisad defines the soul in a manner in which its components have the potential to achieve this later goal. Here the soul is a formulation of five sheaths: body, vital energy, mind, intellect and bliss with an immortal consciousness as its focus. Functioning under the effects of ignorance each sheath binds the soul to suffering and rebiiths either on earth or on other planes (heaven or hell). However, each sheath also possesses an intrinsic capacity to liberate the soul from suffering. Tills work explores these negative and positive capabilities of the sheaths and points out the path by which the soul's divine potential may be realized. The ultimate healing or liberation occurs when the 'focus-consciousness' of the soul is intuitively realized. This consciousness is one with the universal consciousness. This achievement produces the 'liberated soul' who experiences ecstasy at this knowledge of oneness. This research also points out that the Neo-Vedanta movements, unlike their medieval counterparts, have a life-affirming and positive social attitude that seeks to draw from ancient texts for the purposes of healing and social upliftment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
Prayer in the Old Testament
- Authors: Russell, Douglas Godfrey
- Date: 1972
- Subjects: Bible -- Prayers , Worship in the Bible , Prayer
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1271 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013100
- Description: As "Prayer in the Old Testament" is a very wide subject, I have restricted myself to outlines on certain themes. In a sense the whole Bible can be described as "prayer" since it is a dialogue of man with God, and God with man. Obviously the word with which to attempt any definition of prayer is the Hithpa'el verb (?)and its noun (?). It describes speech with God. As the Hebrew poetic device of parallelism offers us synonyms to (?) we examine those words with much the same general definition. There are other words which the Hebrew concordance reveals as being translated as "prayer", or as describing prayer. Most of these words are the ordinary words for speech. The words for prayer, in general, describe speech before God. With this wide definition Chapter Two groups the various kinds of speech before God, and attempts to describe each. Prayer is seen as dialogue, as asking, and as praise and thanksgiving. Prayer, however, does not exist in a vacuum. It cannot be separated from the people who pray and the God who makes prayer possible. Personalities of prayer give prayer meaning, purpose and dynamic. Looking at their prayers in context enables us to grasp a little more fully the role of prayer in life itself. As God provides the framework of prayer we must also look at that framework. He determines what kind of prayers are acceptable. He gives direction and power to the words of prayer. Without God, prayer is either magic or meaningless words. In the final chapter I try to tie up some of the loose ends. Prayer is not just an isolated and individual thing it exists within the cult and the community. Certain disciplines accompany it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1972
- Authors: Russell, Douglas Godfrey
- Date: 1972
- Subjects: Bible -- Prayers , Worship in the Bible , Prayer
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1271 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013100
- Description: As "Prayer in the Old Testament" is a very wide subject, I have restricted myself to outlines on certain themes. In a sense the whole Bible can be described as "prayer" since it is a dialogue of man with God, and God with man. Obviously the word with which to attempt any definition of prayer is the Hithpa'el verb (?)and its noun (?). It describes speech with God. As the Hebrew poetic device of parallelism offers us synonyms to (?) we examine those words with much the same general definition. There are other words which the Hebrew concordance reveals as being translated as "prayer", or as describing prayer. Most of these words are the ordinary words for speech. The words for prayer, in general, describe speech before God. With this wide definition Chapter Two groups the various kinds of speech before God, and attempts to describe each. Prayer is seen as dialogue, as asking, and as praise and thanksgiving. Prayer, however, does not exist in a vacuum. It cannot be separated from the people who pray and the God who makes prayer possible. Personalities of prayer give prayer meaning, purpose and dynamic. Looking at their prayers in context enables us to grasp a little more fully the role of prayer in life itself. As God provides the framework of prayer we must also look at that framework. He determines what kind of prayers are acceptable. He gives direction and power to the words of prayer. Without God, prayer is either magic or meaningless words. In the final chapter I try to tie up some of the loose ends. Prayer is not just an isolated and individual thing it exists within the cult and the community. Certain disciplines accompany it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1972
The work of the Reverend James Cameron of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society from 1829 to 1835
- Authors: Van Heerden, Gary Paul
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Cameron, James, 1800-1875 Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society Methodist Church of Southern Africa -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1245 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009726
- Description: The name James Cameron is not a familiar one. Despite being one of the missionary pioneers of Methodism in southern Africa, serving for more than forty-six years in various districts and being elected as chairman of two of these districts, very few people have ever heard of James Cameron. Barnabas Shaw says of Cameron that he "excelled in preaching the great truths of the gospel, and applying them to the heart of sinners".¹ Whiteside describes Cameron as a "remarkable man ... well read in most things".² W.B. Boyce pays Cameron an even greater tribute: In my day, as a preacher and as a theologian, he was unequalled in South Africa; and I do not think that he was second in these respects to any of his brethren in England.³ Notwithstanding the high esteem in which he was held by prominent peers, Cameron is mentioned only in passing in a few secondary sources, and to date has not been the subject of academic research. The reason for this is not clear. He was well educated, read and wrote extensively, and most of his correspondence has been preserved. Cameron's Journal is very well written, containing some beautiful poetic sections. It is a personal record of a missionary coping with peculiar and difficult circumstances, and a record of how determination, courage and faith enabled Cameron to overcome seemingly insurmountable difficulties. Cameron's recording of his struggles help fill out our understanding of missionaries and their tasks and problems in the nineteenth century. I believe that so important a figure in South African Methodism should be examined and deserves a definitive study. The aim of this thesis has been to provide a reference to his work in the western Cape, possibly to form a basis for closer historical scrutiny. ¹ Shaw 1840:232 ² Whiteside 1906:374 ³ Boyce 1874:179-80.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1993
- Authors: Van Heerden, Gary Paul
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Cameron, James, 1800-1875 Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society Methodist Church of Southern Africa -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1245 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009726
- Description: The name James Cameron is not a familiar one. Despite being one of the missionary pioneers of Methodism in southern Africa, serving for more than forty-six years in various districts and being elected as chairman of two of these districts, very few people have ever heard of James Cameron. Barnabas Shaw says of Cameron that he "excelled in preaching the great truths of the gospel, and applying them to the heart of sinners".¹ Whiteside describes Cameron as a "remarkable man ... well read in most things".² W.B. Boyce pays Cameron an even greater tribute: In my day, as a preacher and as a theologian, he was unequalled in South Africa; and I do not think that he was second in these respects to any of his brethren in England.³ Notwithstanding the high esteem in which he was held by prominent peers, Cameron is mentioned only in passing in a few secondary sources, and to date has not been the subject of academic research. The reason for this is not clear. He was well educated, read and wrote extensively, and most of his correspondence has been preserved. Cameron's Journal is very well written, containing some beautiful poetic sections. It is a personal record of a missionary coping with peculiar and difficult circumstances, and a record of how determination, courage and faith enabled Cameron to overcome seemingly insurmountable difficulties. Cameron's recording of his struggles help fill out our understanding of missionaries and their tasks and problems in the nineteenth century. I believe that so important a figure in South African Methodism should be examined and deserves a definitive study. The aim of this thesis has been to provide a reference to his work in the western Cape, possibly to form a basis for closer historical scrutiny. ¹ Shaw 1840:232 ² Whiteside 1906:374 ³ Boyce 1874:179-80.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1993
Examination of the theological education of Africans in the Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregational and Anglican churches in South Africa from 1860 to 1960
- Authors: Gqubule, T Simon N
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Theological -- Study and teaching Theological seminaries -- South Africa Theology -- Study and teaching -- Protestant churches
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1254 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012082
- Description: This is in many ways a limited study. The first limitation is that only four denominations, the Anglican, Congregational, Methodist, Presbyterian, are considered and nothing is said about the work of the Moravians, Lutherans, Roman Catholics and the Dutch Reformed Churches in the field of theological education. The second limitation is that it is a study of theological education as distinct from general, industrial and other forms of education. All the forms of theological education considered here were run at missionary institutions that offered other forms of education and prepared their students for public government examinations with certain government conditions to be met. Moreover, a certain standard of general education was required before candidates were admitted to the theological course. Therefore, theological education was constantly dependent upon and was influenced by secular education and government regulations concerning secular education. For that reason the first chapter is a very brief survey of White Education in the Cape and African education in all four provinces from the beginning to 1915, the year before Fort Hare opened its doors to students seeking 'higher' education. The second chapter discusses the educational programme of Lovedale because Lovedale generally determined the whole of African education in the Cape. When Lovedale and the Methodists transferred their training to the South African Native College at Fort Hare, theological students had to abide by educational and other regulations of the university College. Chapters III and IV deal with the Methodist theological schools and the courses followed at Fort Hare. The third limitation of this study is that it is a study of the theological education of Africans, which category includes Coloureds and Indians because in the four churches under review they were trained together with Africans. In all churches under review here the theological education of whites was done in an unsatisfactory and ad hoc way. Many men were ordained without a satisfactory theological education. They were given some training by their superintendents, bishops or other men appointed to do the job in addition to their own normal duties. A few were sent overseas and many went through some arrangement within this country. St Paul's Theological College for Anglicans was opened in 1902. A start was made with the training of white Methodist Candidates for the ministry in the buildings of the Wesleyan High School for Girls in Grahamstown, in July 1928, under the Rev. James Pendlebury, B.A. (a supernumerary). Dr. William Flint who started the Methodist College as Principal, at Bollihope, Cape Town, in 1929, was seventy-five years of age when he opened the new Sbllege. From 1948 white theological students of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches have been trained at Livingstone House, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. .The final limitation is that this study ends at the close of 1960 and thus omits some of the exciting developments in theological education that have taken place since then. These limitations and demarcations were, however, necessary in order to focus attention on a small area where the main problems could be seen clearly, unencumbered by lesser issues. Where the training was run on denominational lines, it seemed necessary wherever possible to give a chapter to each denomination, and to attempt to pull the threads together in a concluding chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1977
- Authors: Gqubule, T Simon N
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Theological -- Study and teaching Theological seminaries -- South Africa Theology -- Study and teaching -- Protestant churches
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1254 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012082
- Description: This is in many ways a limited study. The first limitation is that only four denominations, the Anglican, Congregational, Methodist, Presbyterian, are considered and nothing is said about the work of the Moravians, Lutherans, Roman Catholics and the Dutch Reformed Churches in the field of theological education. The second limitation is that it is a study of theological education as distinct from general, industrial and other forms of education. All the forms of theological education considered here were run at missionary institutions that offered other forms of education and prepared their students for public government examinations with certain government conditions to be met. Moreover, a certain standard of general education was required before candidates were admitted to the theological course. Therefore, theological education was constantly dependent upon and was influenced by secular education and government regulations concerning secular education. For that reason the first chapter is a very brief survey of White Education in the Cape and African education in all four provinces from the beginning to 1915, the year before Fort Hare opened its doors to students seeking 'higher' education. The second chapter discusses the educational programme of Lovedale because Lovedale generally determined the whole of African education in the Cape. When Lovedale and the Methodists transferred their training to the South African Native College at Fort Hare, theological students had to abide by educational and other regulations of the university College. Chapters III and IV deal with the Methodist theological schools and the courses followed at Fort Hare. The third limitation of this study is that it is a study of the theological education of Africans, which category includes Coloureds and Indians because in the four churches under review they were trained together with Africans. In all churches under review here the theological education of whites was done in an unsatisfactory and ad hoc way. Many men were ordained without a satisfactory theological education. They were given some training by their superintendents, bishops or other men appointed to do the job in addition to their own normal duties. A few were sent overseas and many went through some arrangement within this country. St Paul's Theological College for Anglicans was opened in 1902. A start was made with the training of white Methodist Candidates for the ministry in the buildings of the Wesleyan High School for Girls in Grahamstown, in July 1928, under the Rev. James Pendlebury, B.A. (a supernumerary). Dr. William Flint who started the Methodist College as Principal, at Bollihope, Cape Town, in 1929, was seventy-five years of age when he opened the new Sbllege. From 1948 white theological students of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches have been trained at Livingstone House, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. .The final limitation is that this study ends at the close of 1960 and thus omits some of the exciting developments in theological education that have taken place since then. These limitations and demarcations were, however, necessary in order to focus attention on a small area where the main problems could be seen clearly, unencumbered by lesser issues. Where the training was run on denominational lines, it seemed necessary wherever possible to give a chapter to each denomination, and to attempt to pull the threads together in a concluding chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1977
The early history of Blythswood Missionary Institution
- Authors: Rodger, Alastair
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Blythswood Missionary Institution -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1269 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013075
- Description: The Mfengu, or Fingos, of the Transkei were a mixed group of refugees. Originally driven from Natal during the Mfecane, they moved into the Transkei and then the Ciskei. In the 1860's some were allowed by the Cape government to settle in an area in the Western Transkei which it had recently seized. The majority of those who moved were opposed to mission work and education. When therefore the government agent for Fingoland, Captain Blyth, and a Free Church of Scotland missionary, Richard Ross, gained the support of a few headmen for an educational Institution in the Transkei, and approached Dr James Stewart of Lovedale to found such an Institution on the lines of Lovedale, they had very slender support. Mfengu subscribe £10.00 towards the cost. Stewart agreed on condition the support for this somewhat startling and, to some, unpalatable request was gained mainly because it was known that the government intended introducing a hut tax which would be far more onerous than the levy which, it was estimated, would be required to find the sum Stewart was asking. Blyth was able to use the agreement to a voluntary levy for an institution to persuade the government to postpone the tax. The Institution was built on a larger scale than had been planned, for the Mfengu made two subscriptions, each larger than the total requested, and Stewart raised money in Scotland.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1977
- Authors: Rodger, Alastair
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Blythswood Missionary Institution -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1269 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013075
- Description: The Mfengu, or Fingos, of the Transkei were a mixed group of refugees. Originally driven from Natal during the Mfecane, they moved into the Transkei and then the Ciskei. In the 1860's some were allowed by the Cape government to settle in an area in the Western Transkei which it had recently seized. The majority of those who moved were opposed to mission work and education. When therefore the government agent for Fingoland, Captain Blyth, and a Free Church of Scotland missionary, Richard Ross, gained the support of a few headmen for an educational Institution in the Transkei, and approached Dr James Stewart of Lovedale to found such an Institution on the lines of Lovedale, they had very slender support. Mfengu subscribe £10.00 towards the cost. Stewart agreed on condition the support for this somewhat startling and, to some, unpalatable request was gained mainly because it was known that the government intended introducing a hut tax which would be far more onerous than the levy which, it was estimated, would be required to find the sum Stewart was asking. Blyth was able to use the agreement to a voluntary levy for an institution to persuade the government to postpone the tax. The Institution was built on a larger scale than had been planned, for the Mfengu made two subscriptions, each larger than the total requested, and Stewart raised money in Scotland.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1977
The development of theology at Stellenbosch from 1859-1919
- Authors: Thom, Gideon
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk , Stellenbosch Theological Seminary
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001544
- Description: This study seeks to give an exposition of the development of theology at the Stellenbosch Kweekskool from 1859 until 1919, a period that coincided with the formative years of Afrikaner nationalism. John Murray (1826-1882) was nurtured in evangelical Calvinism but received his theological training in 'moderate' Utrecht. As Calvinist he emphasized salvation by grace and Christian obedience, as evangelical, union with Christ, and as kenoticist he emphasized the relevance of the humanity of Christ. N.J. Hofmeyr (1827-1909) was converted under an evangelical Lutheran and received his training in Utrecht, in the heyday of Dutch ethical and German mediating theology. He was fascinated by the historical Jesus. In his view, the 'religion of Jesus' was not the moralistic one imagined by the modernists, but an experience of sonship, continually challenged by severe temptations. The central theme of his theology was the huiothesia, the sonship of Jesus being the prototype of our sonship. As he was the spiritual father of many generations of Stellenbosch students, his Christocentric emphasis and his doctrine of huiothesia played an important role in the development of NGK spirituality. Other themes in Hofmeyr's theology bore the marks of mediating theology: The idea that the conscience is the voice of God, the 'natural' compatibility between the human and the divine, the importance of experience in the theological enterprise and the idea that grace must accommodate itself to nature. J.I. Marais (1848-1919) and P.J.G. de Vos (1842-1931), who received part of their training in Scotland, were more conservative in theology than Hofmeyr. By the turn of the century De Vos has fully accepted scholastic Calvinism and premillenniaIism; Marais accepted premillennialism around 1914. The experiences of the Anglo-Boer War precipitated the close relationship between the Afrikaner and the NGK, and the lack of a strong doctrine of the church in Stellenbosch theology added to the blurring of distinctions between church and people. The national church of the Scots and Dutch traditions became the volkskerk of the Afrikaner. Important biblical dimensions of Murray and Hofmeyr's theology were neglected after Hofmeyr's death. The conviction that God revealed himself completely in the human Christ was weakened by fundamentalism and the tendency to see God's will in the history of the volk. Their eschatology - which expected great success for the gospel - was replaced by premillennialism, which expected only limited success for missions before the parousia. Hofmeyr's social gospel, which was applied to the problem of the 'poor whites', was gradually replaced by a negative view of the social relevance of the gospel, especially in racial matters. This gradual change of theological direction involved a growing sympathy with fundamentalism and Kuyperianism, but did not consist in a full revival of reformation theology
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
- Authors: Thom, Gideon
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk , Stellenbosch Theological Seminary
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001544
- Description: This study seeks to give an exposition of the development of theology at the Stellenbosch Kweekskool from 1859 until 1919, a period that coincided with the formative years of Afrikaner nationalism. John Murray (1826-1882) was nurtured in evangelical Calvinism but received his theological training in 'moderate' Utrecht. As Calvinist he emphasized salvation by grace and Christian obedience, as evangelical, union with Christ, and as kenoticist he emphasized the relevance of the humanity of Christ. N.J. Hofmeyr (1827-1909) was converted under an evangelical Lutheran and received his training in Utrecht, in the heyday of Dutch ethical and German mediating theology. He was fascinated by the historical Jesus. In his view, the 'religion of Jesus' was not the moralistic one imagined by the modernists, but an experience of sonship, continually challenged by severe temptations. The central theme of his theology was the huiothesia, the sonship of Jesus being the prototype of our sonship. As he was the spiritual father of many generations of Stellenbosch students, his Christocentric emphasis and his doctrine of huiothesia played an important role in the development of NGK spirituality. Other themes in Hofmeyr's theology bore the marks of mediating theology: The idea that the conscience is the voice of God, the 'natural' compatibility between the human and the divine, the importance of experience in the theological enterprise and the idea that grace must accommodate itself to nature. J.I. Marais (1848-1919) and P.J.G. de Vos (1842-1931), who received part of their training in Scotland, were more conservative in theology than Hofmeyr. By the turn of the century De Vos has fully accepted scholastic Calvinism and premillenniaIism; Marais accepted premillennialism around 1914. The experiences of the Anglo-Boer War precipitated the close relationship between the Afrikaner and the NGK, and the lack of a strong doctrine of the church in Stellenbosch theology added to the blurring of distinctions between church and people. The national church of the Scots and Dutch traditions became the volkskerk of the Afrikaner. Important biblical dimensions of Murray and Hofmeyr's theology were neglected after Hofmeyr's death. The conviction that God revealed himself completely in the human Christ was weakened by fundamentalism and the tendency to see God's will in the history of the volk. Their eschatology - which expected great success for the gospel - was replaced by premillennialism, which expected only limited success for missions before the parousia. Hofmeyr's social gospel, which was applied to the problem of the 'poor whites', was gradually replaced by a negative view of the social relevance of the gospel, especially in racial matters. This gradual change of theological direction involved a growing sympathy with fundamentalism and Kuyperianism, but did not consist in a full revival of reformation theology
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
An historical survey of the Bethelsdorp station of the London Missionary Society, from its inception, and until the death of Doctor van der Kemp, in 1811
- Authors: Briggs, D Roy
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: London Missionary Society -- History , Bethelsdorp (South Africa) -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1290 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014609
- Description: In South Africa the small town or hamlet, nestling - as is so often the case - at the foot of a mountain, frequently proclaims its identity to the traveller by inscribing its name in great, white-washed letters of stone upon the side of the hill. If this were the case with Bethelsdorp, the temptation would be to write on those bare, rocky hills, that form the back-drop for the drama a century and a half have seen on its stage, the one word, "Ichabod." For the glory has departed. And some would even question whether any of its days had been glorious. Around this small outpost of Christendom have centred, from its earliest beginnings, both praise and contumely. It is the purpose of this investigation to attempt to judge between these opinions, in an attempt to arrive at the truth, by a survey of the years Bethelsdorp enjoyed under the direction of Johannes Theodorus van der Kemp. He has had many critics, many protagonists: perhaps of no other man in the short history of this land has there been such diversity of opinion. Before the judgments of historians and biographers can be assessed, however, the facts of his work must be appreciated, and the effort towards understanding must be preceded by a brief description of the circumstances antecedent to the foundation of that station, which marked the summt of his life and work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
- Authors: Briggs, D Roy
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: London Missionary Society -- History , Bethelsdorp (South Africa) -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1290 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014609
- Description: In South Africa the small town or hamlet, nestling - as is so often the case - at the foot of a mountain, frequently proclaims its identity to the traveller by inscribing its name in great, white-washed letters of stone upon the side of the hill. If this were the case with Bethelsdorp, the temptation would be to write on those bare, rocky hills, that form the back-drop for the drama a century and a half have seen on its stage, the one word, "Ichabod." For the glory has departed. And some would even question whether any of its days had been glorious. Around this small outpost of Christendom have centred, from its earliest beginnings, both praise and contumely. It is the purpose of this investigation to attempt to judge between these opinions, in an attempt to arrive at the truth, by a survey of the years Bethelsdorp enjoyed under the direction of Johannes Theodorus van der Kemp. He has had many critics, many protagonists: perhaps of no other man in the short history of this land has there been such diversity of opinion. Before the judgments of historians and biographers can be assessed, however, the facts of his work must be appreciated, and the effort towards understanding must be preceded by a brief description of the circumstances antecedent to the foundation of that station, which marked the summt of his life and work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952