Theology

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Browsing Theology by Author "Pitchers, A.L.M."

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    The Faculty of Theology of the University of Zululand: its contribution to vocational training, research and publication and spiritual support
    (University of Zululand, 2000) Kitshoff, Michiel Casparus; Pitchers, A.L.M.
    The thesis commences by describing the establishment of ethnic university colleges, including the University College of Zululand, during 1959. In more detail the establishment of a department of Theological Studies in 1964, followed by a faculty of Theology in 1970, is discussed. Chapter 2 discusses the professional training activities of the Faculty of Theology in co-operation with accredited theological institutions. The thesis relates how the Faculty moved from co-operation with Dutch Reformed Church institutions to practising an open door policy. Chapter 3 records and discusses the contribution of the Faculty of Theology to vocational training at the main campus, Durban-Umlazi campus and at the accredited colleges. It discusses the history and content of theological degrees, the position and impact of Biblical Studies and Method of Biblical Studies, extramural and extracurricular training as well as student unrest. The chapter also supplies details of the staff of the Faculty of Theology and finally gives a list of graduandi of the various years. Chapter 4 discusses in detail the research and publication activities of the Faculty. The discussion also covers the impressive work done by NERMIC, the University research unit for the study of New Religious Movements and Independent/Indigenous Churches. Chapter 5 highlights the spiritual support supplied by the Faculty through the Council of Supervision for the Ministry to Students, interdenominational services, the University chaplaincy, commemorative services, student societies, prayer meetings and individual Faculty members. Chapter 6 looks at the crucial question of the viability of the Faculty of Theology from a historical perspective, while weighing up its chances of survival in the light of the present situation. Chapter 7 rounds off the study with a resume and some concluding remarks.
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    Household livelihood: the church's coping strategies against the impact of HIV and AIDS on the female-headed households in the KwaDlangezwa Area
    (2006) Maduka, C.J.; Pitchers, A.L.M.
    The research concerns the role the Church can play in mitigating the impact of HiV and AIDS on the female-headed households in KwaDalngezwa. This is considered through the use of livelihood activities. The first chapter gives an overview of the whole research. The chapter shows the essence and importance of the research. In chapter two is the literature review on the impact of HIV and AIDS in general and KwaDlangezwa community in particular. In this chapter, the issues of a female-headed household, household livelihood activities and a household as a unit of the study were discussed. The chapter also considers the issues of livelihood systems and their components. In chapter three, the research addresses the research design and methodology. The chapter also deals with the framework for this research. Chapter four discusses the issues of a household profile and means of livelihood. Also included in this chapter are household structure, composition, division of labour, livelihood assets and resources. In chapter five, the focus is on the discussions and evaluation of the research. The chapter goes further to address the issues of death and funerals as they affect the female-headed household in KwaDlangezwa. The chapter then concludes with the constraints facing the female-headed household. In the final chapter, the research argues that a combination of agriculture [subsistence farming], empowerment, emancipation and education are alternatives to Black Economic Empowerment [BEE]. These will provide the most practical contribution the Church can make. Under agriculture, the issues of planting, processing and storage systems are discussed while micro-enterprises focus on beadwork and pottery. Under BEE the research pays attention to empowerment, emancipation and education as the alternative to Black Economic Empowerment only. These are the most practical ways of reaching the poor, especially women. The chapter goes further to address the issue of the Child Support Grant. This is because some people have adopted the Child Support Grant as their only means of livelihood, it concludes with a number of business opportunities the Church can use to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on a female-headed household in KwaDlangezwa.
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    A new creation in Christ
    (2005) Reddy, Randlee; Pitchers, A.L.M.
    The title "A New Creation in Christ" served as the basis for the examination of the definitive theological and Biblical concepts of the doctrines of creation, humanity, sin and salvation. It integrated the foci of these doctrines, in constructing a paradigm for establishing what is meant by the dissertation title, 'a new creation in creation.' To understand a new creation theology requires a composite structuring of these interrelated doctrines, since no doctrine can be understood vacuously. Humanity was not created in an abstract or theoretical world, and neither were they placed in isolation from creation. Instead, they were very much a part of the created order, and were endowed with specific function or purpose. They interacted with a living world and were accorded the responsibility as its stewards. The consideration of the facets of the doctrine of creation enabled an understanding of humanity’s placement in creation, their purpose and how sin affected creation. This informs the doctrine of humanity in highlighting the biblical emphasis on humanity as the special creation of God. God created humanity in his image, and this image is an intrinsic and indispensable part of humanity's uniqueness and existence. The constitutional nature of humanity lies in its conditional unity of the whole person. Man is a unity of the physical, the psychological and the spiritual, all of which are purposed to enable him, in fulfilling the intentions of the Creator. The doctrine of sin clarified how sin affected the conditional unity of man i.e. the physical, the psychological and the spiritual dimensions. It further demonstrated the domino effect on creation. This precarious position which humanity found themselves in, required the intervention of God, through the incarnation of Christ Salvation is the free gift of God in Christ in dealing with the problem of sin, and the consequences thereof This free gift requires that a human being appropriate salvation in Jesus Christ, through the acceptance of him in faith and repentance. This background established a contextual understanding of a new creation in Christ. The definitive text for our discussion was Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 5:17 "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come." Paul's statement incorporates two elements of salvation. "If anyone is in Christ" is suggestive of the first element, which is the subjective nature of salvation. This involves the believer's conversion through repentance and faith. The second element is the objective nature of salvation. This is suggested in the next part of the statement "he is a new creation", which is accomplished through the redemptive work of God in Christ. The resident implication of the reference 'a new creation in Christ', is the inauguration of a new humanity that has begun in Christ. A cyclic model for the practical outworking of a new creation theology has been advocated in a threefold consideration of person hood, community and discipleship.
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    A quest for historical traditions of the Apostle Paul in Nonpauline sources
    (2003) Comninos, Raoul; Pitchers, A.L.M.
    Two assumptions shape modem Pauline studies. They are that the Apostle Paul -wrote letters, and that his theology can be reconstructed from these letters. The problem is that one cannot decide which of the letters is authentic unless one first knows something about Pauline theology. Much of the modern picture of Paul is biased by the same theology it claims to discover. One way of bypassing this problem is to turn to sources not written by Paul. In Christian literature of the first and second centuries, Paul features prominently as the champion of various Pauline Schools. Scholars have previously ignored this literature for reconstructing historical traditions about Paul. Yet it contains valuable historical information that provides an objective basis upon which one can evaluate the modem approach to Paul's letters and theology.
University of Zululand