Doctoral Degrees (Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology)
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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology) by browse.metadata.advisor "Muller, Retief"
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- ItemAbbot ʿĔnbāqom and Islam : the historical-theological significance of Anqäs’ä Amin’s contribution to Christian-Muslim engagement in sixteenth century Ethiopia(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-08) Bekele, Yohannes; Muller, Retief; McRoy, Andrew; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Abbot ʿĔnbāqom (1470-1565) was a Yemeni convert to Christianity. He witnessed Ethiopia's Islamic conquest by Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi (Ahmad Grāñ) in the sixteenth century. Many churches and monasteries were destroyed during the military incursions, and Christians were confronted with the choice of conversion or death, with many apostatising. ʿĔnbāqom addressed this threat by writing to Grāñ to refrain and convert to Christianity, resulting in considerable correspondence with the Imam. One of the letters evolved into a Christian edition entitled Anqäs’ä Amin (The Door of Faith). This pastoral work was a call to the remnant of Christians to persevere in their faith in Christ, including a plea to those who had left the Christian fold to return. ʿĔnbāqom additionally played a prominent role in translation projects and the restoration of ecclesiastical and other literature destroyed during the invasion. This study attempts to evaluate ʿĔnbāqom’s impact on, and contribution to, Christian-Muslim engagement in sixteenth century Ethiopia. This is a historical research with a focus on ʿĔnbāqom’s magnum opus work Anqäs’ä Amin. The second chapter provides a background to the Christian-Muslim engagement before and during ʿĔnbāqom’s time in Ethiopia, followed by a chapter outlining an intellectual biography of the Abbot through the primary use of a hagiographical source in the reconstruction of his life, by creating a distinction between the ʿĔnbāqom of history and Saint of faith. Chapter four focuses on ʿĔnbāqom’s writings, especially Anqäs’ä Amin. Chapter five and six examine selected themes of the pre-modern monk's theological approach to Islam and Christian-Muslim engagement. In the past Anqäs’ä Amin has been unwarrantedly dismissed as an insignificant work. This research not only analyses Anqäs’ä Amin, but also highlights its significance, and the substantial contribution ʿĔnbāqom made. His reflections on Islam were quite ahead of his time, as attested by the most recent scholarship on the Qur’an. He had constructed his argument by starting with the Qur’anic witness of previous Scriptures and Christian doctrines, and he had explained Christian theology through the use of, and in contradistinction to, Islamic Scripture. He raised the superior position of Jesus as portrayed in the Qur’an in his engagement with Muslims. In addition, this research focuses on the neglected missiological dimensions developed by ʿĔnbāqom during his response to the military Islamic conquest. ʿĔnbāqom pioneered Christian reading of the Qur’an in sixteenth-century Ethiopia, and was the first to translate the Islamic Scripture into Ge’ez. Finally, ʿĔnbāqom’s writings had a two-fold pedagogical role: • translating Christianity to Muslims • interpreting Islam to Christians
- ItemCalvinistic baptists in Jamaica? : a historical-theological study of the relationship between the theology and work of five pioneering missionaries in Jamaica(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03-04) Campbell, Sheldon; Muller, Retief; Forster, Dion Angus; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept of Systematical Theology and Ecclesiology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the theology and work of five Baptist missionaries (George Liele, John Rowe, William Knibb, Thomas Burchell, and James M. Phillippo) who came to Jamaica during the 18th and 19th century. It purports that there has not been any previous collective study of Calvinistic Baptist missions from 1782 to 1879 in Jamaica. Furthermore, it argues that these men’s theology was largely influenced by Calvinistic theology, which they affirmed and that this in part was responsible for the resilience they had despite the many challenges and trials they had in Jamaica. To test the validity of his claim, the author examines each of the five men’s lives, including their birth, family of origin, education, teachings, speeches, publications, work, character and death. Additionally, he discusses the origin, history, and theology of Calvinistic Baptists to examine how widespread it was during the late eighteenth and late nineteenth century to demonstrate the likelihood that all five men held to this view. He also analyses if they affirmed God’s sovereignty and providence through Arminian, Calvinist, General Baptist and Particular Baptist confessions to locate where they were theologically. This analysis seeks to ascertain whether their views were more in keeping with Calvinism to deduce if they were Particular Baptists or not. Thus, he surveys if they affirmed God’s providence in salvation through Arminian, Calvinist, General Baptist and Particular Baptist confessions and the acronym TULIP (total depravity, unlimited election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and the perseverance of the saints) for each of the four confessions. The reason for this approach is that the Calvinistic doctrines which are usually more emphasised or distinguishable in the lives of believers would be in terms of how they view God’s sovereignty, providence and God’s providence in salvation (namely through the acronym TULIP). The author also highlights the positive impact that these five Baptist missionaries made in missions, education, health care, social and economic development and character development too, and partially attributes it to their Calvinistic convictions. Finally, he argues that learning Church History has many advantages. For instance, it can help Christians to avoid mistakes in the past (such as being suspicious of Calvinism). Also, it can assist in informing denominations which unintentionally excluded important areas of their history regarding their origins and the reasons why they did what they did in the past and how that knowledge may benefit them going forward.
- ItemThe character of the purse : analyzing tax records and administrative policy from the perspective of Christology in 7th-8th century Egypt(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Schimke, Kurt Gustav Peter; Muller, Retief; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation is a qualitative study of literary and documentary evidence driven by a proposition: “Did Historical-Contextual Christological perspectives in seventh and eighth century Egypt have a direct impact on the economic and political relationship with Arabs, specifically as it relates to taxes, and if so, how, and to what extent?” This is a study of historiographical and papyri evidence that answers this question via ecclesiastical discourse involved with the economic (tax) policy of Arab rule from 641 to ~720 with the hope of making the connection between theology and practice. This is a logical expectation, as theologians and administrators of this time period were classically trained in Christology, and so have an identifiable logic or pattern so as to connect ideas to practice. Therefore, the progressive development of both Chalcedonian and Miaphysite Christologies are examined in this study with their direct relationship to the State both before and after the Arab conquest of Egypt. Then in turn the administrative policy of tax administration is evaluated in structure and documentation, with a view towards discovering internal Christological language that indicates motive for action. To further develop the comprehension of this work, case analysis in comparative historical method is used with contemporary Syrian experience. With a holistic view of the internal comparison of available data, I pursue secondary sources in order to analyze primary evidence with extant papyri available. What was also anticipated by looking at this evidence was path dependence, for there was evidence of a persistent administrative structure for government taxes/finances. This study further utilized the construct of idealtype narrative comparison, by comparing Syria as a value-rational ideal type. This method is used for testing the hypothesis in order to determine the original meaning in context of Egyptian Christology and taxes. Religious statements are indicators of a state of political conflict, as well as for both continuity and change. By observing the conflict via the interaction between disparate theological communities, the precise points of Christological debate identify a points of contact between Christology, the State, and practice. Internal evidence of Syria and Egypt point to a sacerdotal focus of the Eucharist as the point of contact in conflict between Christological confessions. There is also an implied connection from this sacrament to the political world encountered, for resistance in its many forms to a heavy tax burden is passive in nature. The question then remains as to why. The study concludes in the findings that the majority Miaphysite Christology did not have a world and life view (Weltanschauung) which provided an ethic for self-defense in direct opposition to the State, for the Muslim State continued to be viewed as a divine sanction for the activities of the church and its members. The point of resistance then was in seeking political change via the power of the Christ encountered in the sacrament.
- ItemFrom disengagement to engagement : interrogating the political hermeneutics of Neo-Pentecostals in Kenya (2000-2022)(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-02 ) David, Stephen Kioko; Muller, RetiefENGLISH ABSTRACT: Neo-Pentecostalism is the new face of Christianity with global and local manifestations. Studies on Christianity in Africa have shifted their focus from mainstream Christianity to Pentecostalism. This study contributed to the discourse on Pentecostalism specifically on Pentecostal engagement in the public sphere. Therefore, the study interrogated the political hermeneutics of Neo-Pentecostals explaining the shift from disengagement to engagement in politics in Kenya (2000 -2022). Towards this end, the study was guided by the following objectives: To analyse the history and the theology of Neo-Pentecostals in Kenya; to examine the theological shift of the Neo - Pentecostals from disengagement to engagement in Kenyan politics; to discuss the biblical-political hermeneutics of Neo-Pentecostals and its impact on the Neo-Pentecostals involvement in Kenyan politics; to analyse the nature, extent and the prophetic role of Neo-Pentecostal’s engagement in Kenyan politics. While studies have been done on Neo-Pentecostals and public engagement, this study delved into the Neo-Pentecostal aspect of biblical interpretation regarding political involvement. On methodology, the study used a descriptive research design employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. To arrive at the appropriate study sample purposive, simple random, and stratified sampling procedures were used to sample bishops, pastors, and Church members from three Neo-Pentecostal Churches in Nairobi County and Nakuru County in Kenya. The study included two members of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), which is a representative body of Pentecostals on social matters. In total, the study sampled 221 respondents. Questionnaires, interview schedules, Focus group discussions, and personal observations were utilized in data collection. The field data was integrated with library research in analysing Neo-Pentecostal’s political hermeneutics, especially the shift from disengagement to engagement. The study data revealed that Neo-Pentecostalism finds its emergence within classical Pentecostalism through a period of growth within the story of the church. That Neo-Pentecostal theology is pneumatic, and although initially borrowed from evangelicalism, with time their theology has become more experiential with an emphasis on the lived experiences of the adherents. Further, the study found that while historically, the Neo-Pentecostal shift from disengagement to engagement was situated in eschatological contexts, eschatology with the quest of understanding the millennium and its place in the church was not purely what informed the shift. Besides, eschatology was the different hermeneutics that accompanied the Neo-Pentecostal emphasis on the Third person of the trinity; Holy Spirit. With a pneumatic posture in theology, Neo-Pentecostals interpret the Bible from a spiritualized orientation; what this study labelled spiritualized-selective-literal hermeneutics Concerning the Neo-Pentecostal nature and extent of involvement in Kenyan politics, the study established that Neo-Pentecostals are not normally active in terms of being prophetic. However, with a pneumatic theology and spirituality, demons and evil spirits are interpreted as the cause of individual and national problems. Consequently, their involvement in politics is spiritualized in the sense that prayer takes the centre stage. This is accompanied by a theology of deliverance, exorcising the demons which destroy the nation and its citizens. The findings of the study put together formed this thesis. The thesis will later be a source of scholarly articles and research papers on Pentecostal political hermeneutics.
- ItemThe missionary women in the Huguenot Seminary : a case study in vocational formation through education(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Pascal, Pienaar; Muller, Retief; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation is written with the goal of examining the influences and motivations behind the decisions made by some of the 19th-century women at the Huguenot Seminary in Wellington, South Africa to follow a missionary vocation. The Huguenot Seminary and the environment which it created had a substantial impact on the vocational formation of the women who attended the institution. However, when one examines the primary accounts of these women, for the most part only spiritual motivations for becoming missionaries are given. In the light of this, this study seeks to “uncover” the largely overlooked history of the Seminary as well as the South African missionary women who studied there. An investigation into these women’s vocational development is needed to construct a more nuanced and comprehensive image of the influences which motivated them. These include spiritual factors, but are, in fact, comprised of an amalgamation of factors both secular and religious. In order to achieve this, this dissertation firstly, after having presented the history of the Huguenot Seminary and the development of missionary interest at the institution, employs a framework to categorise the various identified influencing factors extrapolated from various primary sources, for easier further examination. The study then engages with Social Cognitive Career Theory and Calling Theory. Through this, new perspectives on the various identified influencing factors are brought to the fore. An examination of the spiritual and theological influences on missionary vocational development at the Huguenot Seminary is then presented, as well as an investigation into the way in which these influences coexisted and intertwined with the previously discussed secular impacting elements of the women’s decisions to become missionaries. Finally, the dissertation examines all the preceding information and outcomes of the study from a critical standpoint. Within this critical reflection, identifiable areas of caution with regards to the research as well as proposals for avenues of future research, are presented.
- ItemSocialisation of the Early Church and Roman culture : a church-historical enquiry with particular consideration of Constantine, Ambrose, and Augustine(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-11) Lee, Joowan; Muller, Retief; Punt, Jeremy; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematical Theology and Ecclesiology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis constructs a narrative about socialisation in the early Christian community as connected to the social culture of Rome. It seeks to elucidate the meaning of church history in relation to the paradigm shift in Christian community formation. The socialisation of Christianity shows how each Christian community produced an integrated Christian culture suitable for that particular society to adequately explain the identity and values of Christianity to non-Christians and extend the sociocultural influence of the kingdom of God and the gospel in a secular society. Thus, the Christian community paradigm of an era created through socialisation can be viewed not simply as a sociocultural form of Christianity, but as a Christian mechanism that interpreted sociocultural values through their correlation with characteristic values of Christianity and synthesised such values in their lives. In particular, the church-historical cases considered in this study, those based on mutual understanding found among Christianity and Roman society, relate the character and form of the Jesus movement as a process of re-socialisation that occurred when the Christian community that originated from the sociocultural background of Judaism encountered Roman social culture. In other words, the transition witnessed in the Christian community paradigm reveals the sociocultural expectations of Christianity during that period, and early Christians’ understanding of a community ruled by God in secular society and, conversely, the way Christian communities used secular social culture. Christianity, as it developed in the Roman Empire, pursued the same characteristic values as the historical Jesus movement. However, it was not limited to any one particular sociocultural form or value but secured a multi-layered and comprehensive form in connection with various sociocultural values. In addition, historical Christian communities were differentiated in various forms according to the sociocultural characteristics of a region, but at the same time tried to form a fully Christian community as a Jesus movement through the universal Christian community paradigm. In other words, the historical Christian communities tried to closely match the constantly changing social cultures of the secular world to with central Christian values, rather than simply highlighting the gap between the essence and form of Christianity in relation to the interrelationship between Christianity and social culture. In that respect, the basic meaning of the socialisation of early Christianity can be said to have enabled the secular world to experience Christian faith by exposing the essential values of Christianity to the values of the world.