Doctoral Degrees (Practical Theology and Missiology)

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“… as we sing …” Lex canendi as the practical-theological mode of doing liturgy
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03 ) Kwon, Yongjun; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A study on various conflicts in worship (e.g. traditional vs. contemporary, reason vs. emotion, and rituals vs. life) is not new. However, existing studies have often treated various liturgical conflicts as individual problems which are incommensurable with each other. This research aims to find the common factors which organically bind liturgical conflicts and to suggest a liturgical formula which helps solve them holistically. In order for this, this research adds lex canendi (the musical dimension or pattern of singing) to the existing liturgical formula of lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi, which refers to a hermeneutical circle of reciprocity between the ritual dimension, theological dimension and living dimension. The expanded formula is then as follows: Lex canendi, lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi (i.e. COCV). Thus, this research suggests the musical dimension (lex canendi) as the practical (lex vivendi)-theological (lex credendi) mode of doing liturgy (lex orandi). Lex canendi consists of the following elements that are needed by music, and thus, exhibit a strong family resemblance to each other: music, singing, art, aesthetics, beauty, body, human beings as God’s artworks, imagination, understanding, ambiguousness, metaphor, symbol, the senses, feeling, emotion, affection, play, contemporary, freedom, pop culture, and transcendence, etc. The research begins with the assumption that the false interaction between lex canendi and the existing members of the lex (lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi) makes lex canendi narrowly excluded or uncritically accepted, and as a result, it causes the following three major liturgical conflicts (or, in its broad sense, worship wars): 1) a conflict between what is traditional, serious and sublime (lex orandi) and what is contemporary, entertaining and popular (lex canendi), i.e. the dualism between traditionalism and contemporary-ism; 2) a conflict between what is intellectual, conceptual, manifest and doctrinal (lex credendi) and what is emotional, existential, ambiguous and empirical (lex canendi), i.e. the dualism between dogmatism and sentimentalism; and 3) a conflict between what is immanent, realistic and practical (lex vivendi) and what is transcendent, imaginative and aesthetic (lex canendi), i.e. the dualism between anti-aestheticism and aestheticism. To confirm this assumption, the researcher observes the specific problematic phenomena of the three liturgical conflicts that are related to the false lex canendi, and cross-disciplinarily traces the direct and indirect reasons for them. As a result, this study shows that diverse problematic phenomena of the liturgical conflicts (or, in its broad sense, worship wars) are not incommensurable with each other but they have common features (i.e. the false relationship between lex canendi and the existing three members of the lex), and thus, they can be understood and solved organically and holistically. Therefore, the researcher concludes by providing a wholesome hermeneutical circle of reciprocity between lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi and lex canendi, i.e. the COCV model, as an integrated solution to the liturgical conflicts. More specifically, this research proposes that the COCV model can be useful in the quest for solving the liturgical conflicts by making the following three types of liturgical coexistences (or tensions): 1) the coexistence between the ritual dimension and the musical dimension (lex orandi, lex canendi) which implies liturgical tensions between what is divine and what is human, between order and freedom, and between diverse tastes in music/culture; 2) the coexistence between the theological dimension and the musical dimension (lex credendi, lex canendi) which implies liturgical tensions between the body and the mind, between concepts/explanation and existence/understanding, and between manifestness and ambiguousness; and 3) the coexistence between the living dimension and the musical dimension (lex vivendi, lex canendi) which implies liturgical tensions between worshippers’ autonomy from reality and their society, and between the transcendence of God’s kingdom and the immanence of the kingdom.
Authority in Korean Presbyterian preaching : a practical theological investigation
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-12) Kim, Dong-Choul; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Korean society has experienced more severe changes in the last 50 years than in the last 500 years. The pulpit has also faced the challenges created by the socio-cultural revolution following the collapse of Korean traditional values, while authoritative and hierarchical cultures are rapidly changing as a result of westernization and political transformation. This situation has led to an acute crisis in the relationship between the hearer and the preacher in Korean services, where the Korean Presbyterian preachers still pursue an authoritarian style of preaching based on hierarchical, logical or proposition-centred preaching and argumentcentred preaching. Since the 1990s Korean Presbyterian homileticians have accepted narrative preaching as an alternative to the traditional manner. However, this narrative preaching aggravates the problematic relationship - extending the gap, falling into theological relationalism, and neglecting the identity of Jesus Christ - between the preacher and the hearer. The preaching should propose the face-to-face relationship, a participatory role in the preaching process, and interactive persuasion. In order to overcome both authoritarianism and subjectivism in the authority of preaching, this research studies the theology and homiletics of three homileticians, namely Rose, McClure and Campbell, who propose the functional community as an alternative, suggesting face-to-face relationships, fostering the congregation to participate in the whole process of preaching, and support to interpret the truth being the task of the whole community. Afterward, preaching is defined to explore the blending of the four elements (God, Bible, preacher and audience) to create a living voice, so that the four elements of preaching are reassessed and re-interpreted in terms of the “Spirit-guided community authority” in the Korean Presbyterian homiletics. Hence, Korean Presbyterian preaching, lastly, needs to consider the purpose of the preaching as “building up the functional community” homiletically, applying the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers into homiletics theologically, turning from rhetoric to theo-rhetoric, and exercising the way of power that Jesus Christ practised.
A critical evaluation of the audience-oriented preaching theories of Fred Craddock and Eugene Lowry
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-04) Lee, Woo Je; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology & Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation aims to evaluate the Audience Oriented Preaching (AOP) methods of Fred Craddock and Eugene Lowry. Though no one can deny that AOP provides a new and creative method for participation of the audience in the whole sermon process, in my view, it has many theological and homiletic problems. But before asking how we can use their method skillfully in our preaching ministry, it is necessary to scrutinize their theories with theological reflection. Chapter 2 explores the relation between the text and the listener (context) in the light of contextualization and rhetoric, in which we can find the present place of AOP, as developed by Craddock and Lowry. This chapter functions as a guide map for the direction and argument of subsequent chapters. In Chapter 3 we review the inductive preaching theories of Craddock, and the narrative preaching theories of Lowry. Here our concern is first to find the theological, historical and cultural background of AOP. Following this, we examine AOP theories themselves, which propose preaching methods that differ radically from the more traditional ones. In Chapters 4 and 5 this dissertation considers and evaluates both positive and negative aspects of AOP. AOP provides several benefits that have so far been ignored in traditional preaching methods. Primarily, it is closely related to active participation of the audience in the sermonic process. A less favourable view of AOP is that it fails to proclaim the identity of Jesus Christ and as a result of this, to build up the community of Jesus in the church. Campbell's Christological-ecclesiological approach, based on post-liberal theology, has been one of the most important theological critiques of AOP theories and their roots in western individualism. Although Campbell argues persuasively in his criticism of AOP, his arguments are not wholly adequate in addressing the issue of congregation-oriented preaching. Chapter 6 is mainly focused on an alternative congregation oriented preaching method. I argue that this can be accomplished in a vision of collaborative preaching, which incorporates the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This dissertation suggests Bohren's pneumatological-ecclesiological approach as the most effective method for congregation oriented preaching beyond the individualistic trend of AOP. Where Campbell's critique, though articulate, overlooks the pneumatological perspective, Bohren's is significantly more comprehensive than Campbell's. Therefore, the approach that I develop in this thesis acknowledges the contributions of both Campbell and Bohren in shaping a truly congregation-oriented preaching. If we are to overcome the limitation of AOP, my argumentation is that AOP must be interrogated and complemented by both the Christological-ecclesiological approach of Campbell and the pneumatological-ecclesiological approach of Bohren.
Defamiliarizing preaching : a homiletical investigation into the renewal of preaching in the South Korean context
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-11-23) Lee, Seungwoo; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The preaching ministry has been facing the crisis of boredom and banality in sermons. Although homiletics scholars have tried to overcome this problem, especially scholars who lean towards the New Homiletics, the problem of boring preaching seems to remain. Having this in mind, the researcher has tried to find a way towards the renewal and refreshing of preaching, especially in the Korean church context, through overcoming and complementing the limitations of the New Homiletics. The research has resulted in presenting “defamiliarization”, the theory of Russian Formalism, as a solution to the problem. Boredom resulting from preaching occurs for several reasons. In this dissertation, familiarity and repetition are presented as among these reasons. In the preaching context as a long-term ministry, familiarity and repetition are structurally incurred. It means that the situation is as follows: a preacher delivers a sermon to the congregation based on the Bible text – from just one textbook – for a long time. In other words, it is the same preacher, the same hearers and the same text. In addition, the Bible presents similar stories, as in the Gospels. And many preachers have favourite parts in the Bible from which they preach. In these contexts, occurrence of familiarity and repetition cannot be avoided. Therefore, to refresh and make the sermon ‘strange’ is an essential need. Defamiliarization may provide a good method. To clearly apply defamiliarization to preaching, the researcher investigated the notion of “impeding perception” and tried to find various ways to apply defamiliarization in preaching, with the focus on both the device and the content of preaching. The reason was the need to overcome and complement limitations and weak points identified in both the New Homiletics theory and in Russian Formalism. The suggestion is that a preacher who wants to refresh preaching to escape the problems of boring preaching should not focus on aspects of techniques for defamiliarization only, but should also attend to aspects of the content of preaching. In addition, the preacher would need to alternate various means to achieve the effect of impeding perception to prevent the methods he uses from also becoming familiar to the congregation through repeated use. In this sense, the essential aim of preachers who seek to refresh preaching should be to focus on the story of the Bible, which is strange and mysterious in itself, while using the methods of defamiliarization.
The divine presence in preaching : a homiletical analysis of contemporary Korean sermons
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-12) Lee, Seung-Jin; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology & Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The presence of God in preaching is one of the most important Reformed homiletical themes. However, contemporary homiletics and preaching ministry do not pay due attention to this theme. More specifically speaking, contemporary Korean preaching also asks for a more comprehensive homiletical foundation for the homiletically appropriate witness of the divine presence in preaching. Based upon Dingeman's practical theological methodology, this study thus aims to describe and examine the practical realities of the witness of the divine presence in contemporary Korean preaching, and to make further some comprehensive normative and strategic suggestions on this homiletical theme. In chapter 1, in order to prepare to analyze and explain the practical reality of the witness of the divine presence in Korean preaching, we constructed an appropriate sermon analysis frame that consists of the following three components: analysis norms (God, the preacher, the Scriptures, and the audience), analysis targets (the five representative Korean preachers and their sermons - Yune-Sun Park, Yong-Gi Cho, Sun-Hee Kwak, Han-Hum Oak, and Dong-Won Lee), and analysis variables (the religio-sociological background of the Korean corporate personality in relation to the four indigenous Korean religions - Shamanism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianism). Based upon this analytical frame, from chapter two till six, this study analyzed in detail five sermons of representative Korean preachers with the guidance of the analytical questions: Yune-Sun Park (ch. 2), Yong-Gi Cho (ch. 3), Sun-Hee Kwak (ch. 4), Han-Hum Oak (ch. 5), and Dong-Won Lee (ch. 6), and observed several homiletical aspects of the witness of the divine presence in contemporary Korean preaching. Through this detailed analysis of the five representative Korean preachers' sermons, we noted the fact that God-images implemented by the preacher cannot help being confined by the specific pastoral interests or theological emphasis that the preacher has in mind, as raised from the existential experience of the preacher, the theological emphasis, or pastoral context. However, without an appropriate consideration of the four components of preaching, the witness of the divine presence cannot achieve the desirable sermonic results. With this homiletical necessity in mind, we discussed the normative foundation of the witness of the divine presence in relation to the four components of preaching: God (ch. 8), the Scriptures (ch. 9), the preacher (ch. 10), and the audience (ch. 11). After establishing a normative understanding of how each component is to be involved in the witness of the divine presence, we have also made several strategic suggestions in relation to Korean preaching. In chapter 8, based upon the pneumatological dimension of preaching, we confirmed that the witness of the divine presence should be rendered in a linguistic and ecclesial frame, and suggested that God-images should be used based upon Christian narrative that brings about a linguistic and ecclesial collision between the identity narrative of the Christian community and the individual's narrative in preaching. In chapter 9, in connection with the question of how the voice of the Bible can be involved in the witness of the divine presence, we discussed the sacramental character of the Bible to mediate the divine presence to the Christian reader, and suggested that the reading of the Bible should make the transformative encounter with God happen to the reader. In chapter 10, we examined the question of how the voice of the preacher can be harmoniously involved in the witness of the divine presence, and paid attention to the three factors which the preacher is aware of in preaching: God (spirituality), the audience (integrity), and self (subjectivity and conviction). In chapter 11, we tackled the question of how the audience can be involved in the witness of the divine presence. Here we firstly defined the audience in relation to the other three components of preaching: in relation to God (theological, pneumatological, and eschatological being), to the Bible (hermeneutical being), and the preacher (communicative being). In addition to these definitions, we also defined the audience according to the reception axis of the Word: as an individual being (human heart and paradigmatic imagination), ecclesial and communal being (the divine presence through the pastoral ministry), and as one who is engaged in the world (socio-political responsibility to reflect the divine presence to the world). Based upon these definitions, we further suggested an appropriate communicative strategy for the witness of the divine presence, which consists of the image of God who is present in suffering, the communicative frame of the poor in spirit, and the four linguistic dimensions of confessional, evocative, hermeneutic, and imaginative witness. Through these normative and strategic suggestions, we confirmed and suggested that the witness of the divine presence should involve comprehensively all four components of preaching: God, the Scripture, the preacher, and the audience so as to sound like a sermonic symphony in which all four voices harmoniously take part in the witness of the divine presence, while retaining their own homiletical value.
Ethical preaching in contemporary Korean Protestantism : a critical reflection
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-12) Park, Sungwhan; Cilliers, Johan; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of our study was not merely to recount the ethical problems of the Korean Protestant Church and its members, but to suggest a new ethical preaching mode for resolving these problems. Thus, in order to research the subject of our study, we used two methodologies: Dingemans’s practical theological methodology and the Heidelberg method of sermon analysis. In chapter one, we stated the question why the Korean Protestant Church’s growth is declining, and described the current social situation in which the Korean people are starting to turn their backs on the Korean Protestant Church, and also mistrusting the morality of this Church as its members do not seem to act in accordance with their stated beliefs. Their ethical behaviour does not correspond with the content of their confession. In order to show exactly the practical and problematic phenomenon of the Korean Protestant Church and its members, we used the results of six surveys conducted recently by several institutes. Furthermore, in order to expose exactly the Korean Protestant Christian’s ethical problems in terms of homiletics, we suggested that our study focuses on the following three issues: political, triumphal and narrative, as these three sermon patterns flow like rivers into the Korean Protestant Church and its American theological connection. By doing so, our study hoped to contribute ultimately towards the rediscovery and revalidation of ethical preaching in contemporary Korea. From chapter two to chapter seven, we thus strived to explain the content of, and relationship between, the three preaching modes as described above (political, triumphal, and experiential), and we analysed the sermons of three representative Korean Protestant preachers in detail, by using the framework of the Heidelberg method. In chapter eight, we evaluated the ethical situation of the Korean Protestant Church and its members in contemporary Korea as follows: “Consequently, in contemporary Korea, the Koreans no longer believe and trust the Korean Protestant Church. Thus, since the 1990s, the present Korean Protestant Church is experiencing a decline in the attendance of its members because the present Korean Protestant Church has lost its dignity due to its ethical problems. In our opinion, it is true that the Korean Protestant Church needs to discover Christian ethics; thus, the Church must especially focus on its lack of social ethics and political responsibility in the Reformed theological views. In order to promote the public’s trust in the Korean Protestant Church and its members, it is inevitable that Korean Protestant ministers must focus more on Christian ethics than on the outward development of the Church in contemporary Korea. Thus, in order to establish Christian ethics in Korea, the Korean Protestant preachers must consider ethical preaching, through which naturally, Christians will try to follow Jesus’ life and teachings before God by faith in the world.” In chapter nine, we explained in detail what ethical preaching is, i.e. we introduced the necessity for ethical preaching, and defined it as well as components thereof. In particular, we emphasized that the world’s position and function are unique, as evil controls the world in terms of ethical preaching because human beings have been captured by the multiplicity of the powers or related them to contemporary social realities, and they cannot but produce Christian ethical problems in the world. Furthermore, we suggested the following: “We obviously need the harmony of Campbell and Long’s homiletical views in order to create the best framework for ethical preaching for contemporary Korea.” In chapter ten, we critically compared and reflected on the homiletical views of Campbell and Long in terms of ethical preaching. Furthermore, we created a new ethical preaching mode for contemporary Korea. In chapter eleven, we introduced some suggestions as regards the way ethical preaching could be done in contemporary Korea, i.e. we strived to compose a sermon’s synopsis of ethical preaching with the newly formed framework. Thus, with Luke 8:22-39, we dealt with “the division of Korea into North and South” and, with Luke 10:25-37, “racial prejudice toward coloured foreign workers” by using the newly formed ethical preaching mode. In chapter twelve, we summarized and concluded our dissertation. As regards the homiletical field of Korea, we introduced four benefits our study can offer. On the other hand, we pointed out the shortcomings of our study as follows: “Jesus Christ and ethical issues from the Old Testament” and “the relationship between our ethical preaching mode and Christian worship, especially liturgy.” In this chapter, thus, we emphasized the abovementioned points as suggestions for future research.
Die gemeente as interpreterende gemeenskap in die preekmaakproses
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008-03) Van der Westhuyzen, Albertus; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
In the Reformed tradition the autonomy of the local congregation - as the concrete community of people who interpret the Gospel with their words and deeds - as well as the maturity of the ordinary believers, rest precisely in the fact of their knowledge of and in their being formed by, as well as having been brought up by the Gospel, and that they not stay dependent on the clerical office for ever. It was exactly against any form of sacerdotalism that the Reformation aimed their protest, because they saw that that would estrange ordinary believers from their God-given task to take up their office as believers in God’s interpretative community in the world. It is therefore regrettable in the Dutch Reformed Church19 to have to admit that - after so many centuries - the official church has for the greater part still failed its members in this regard, and are still not trusting them enough and engaging them fully as theologians in their own right into the congregation’s discerning process in general, and the sermon making process in particular. It is our belief that the stagnation of the congregation as the primary hermeneutic of the Gospel20 arises to a great extent from the church's inherited style of pastorship as well as it's process of sermonmaking, being solely the responsibility of the all-knowing and all-doing pastor. The pastor centered homiletical situation exclusively holds the dominee responsible for inter alia the whole sermon making process, the exegesis of the Biblical text, the understanding of the message of the Scriptures, to even discerning the will of God for the congregation! This leads the ordinary church members to sit passively and eventually loose their confidence to personally engage with the Scriptures as a whole. Their participation as theologians in any conversation usually ends up in “the sharing of ignorance by well-intentioned but ill-informed people”21. There is still today, to a great extent, a total lack of handling skills of, as well as a wisdom perspective on the Bible as a whole, although many would be most competent in reciting a number of impressive Bible verses. While biblical scholars have moved into a postmodern and post-structuralistic phase, we find that many ordinary members are still stuck in a pre-modern phase, which makes teaching with regard to their equipment as interpretative community extremely difficult. ...
Heling van die familie : 'n kritiese ondersoek na pastorale dimensies van die liturgie
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2009-12) Du Plessis, Johannes Cornelius; Cilliers, Johan; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die een en twintigste eeu word onder andere gekenmerk deur ‘n snel veranderende samelewing, wat implikasies inhou op makro gebied (filosofies, tegnologies en teologies) sowel as mikro gebied (daar word veral gefokus op die impak van eersgenoemde veranderinge op die gesin / familie struktuur). Verandering gaan gepaard met spanning en onsekerheid en stel ons voor die uitdaging om óf te groei óf te stagneer. Verandering en die impak daarvan het ook ‘n effek op ons verstaan van die ekklesiologie. Die kerk (spesifiek die NG Kerk waarvan die navorser deel is) bevind haar tans voor groot uitdagings. Aspekte soos Skrifgesag, Kerkeenheid, morele verval, misdaad, geweld, regstellende aksie, marginalisering van tradisioneel NG Kerk lidmate, emigrasie, onsekerheid oor teologies-etiese kwessies ensovoorts bring onsekerheid en gevoelens van magteloosheid by baie lidmate. Verskeie strukture in die kerk probeer om die effek van hierdie veranderinge aan te spreek. Die navorser is egter van mening dat die invloed van verandering op die psige van die gelowige ook sinvol binne die ruimte van die erediens geakkommodeer kan word. Om dit te kan doen word die kreatiewe spanning in die verhouding tussen erediens en pastoraat ondersoek. Die navorser is van mening dat beide hierdie velde en hulle snypunte in die erediens oor die potensiaal beskik om die onseker gelowige in ‘n dinamiese ontmoeting met God te begelei. Om hierin te slaag bepleit die navorser onder andere ‘n herwaardering vir die verhouding tussen erediens en pastoraat, aangesien hierdie verhouding om verskeie redes oor die jare verwater het. Daar word ook klem gelê op spesifieke pastorale elemente in die Gereformeerde liturgie en die helende effek wat dit het op die psige van die mens. ‘n Duidelike omskrywing van wat teologies met laasgenoemde bedoel word, is veral noodsaaklik aangesien die gevaar bestaan dat die pastorale sorg bloot net kan vervlak, verflou en verval in die nabootsing van die nuutste psigoterapeutiese teorieë. Die studie wil graag ook aantoon dat die ruimte van die erediens oor ‘n korporatief-helende dimensie beskik waar die pastor / liturg in samewerking met die gemeenskap van gelowiges (famila Dei) as “medeterapeute” kan funksioneer en heling van die familie bewerk.
The homiletical appropriation of biblical passages in the light of speech act theory : preaching as a performance of the biblical text
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-12) Kim, Duck-Hyun; Cilliers, Johan; Muller, B. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research has suggested an alternative homiletical appropriation of biblical passages by utilizing the Speech Act Theory (SAT). In the light of SAT, the preached text is not to be viewed simply as the basis of timeless principles, meanings, and ideas from Scripture or as emphasizing a human experience in the modern world that serves as a re-narration of the text. Rather, the performance of the movement from text to sermon in SAT has to be considered as the performative action of the text itself. The essence of interpretation in preaching is therefore to recognize the biblical illocutionary forces (BIF) in Scripture in order to perform the perlocutionary homiletical response (PHR) in the preached text. This forms the centre of the use of preaching as a performance of the biblical text in a broken world. The study shows that the SAT is in accordance with the Reformed Confessions in their emphasis on the living Triune God, still speaking through the Scripture in the present. The Trinitarian archetype of the SAT stance is that the communicative agent is God (locution level); the communicative action is by the Son (illocution level); and the communicative result is from the Holy Spirit (perlocutionary level).According to this determinative view, the Holy Spirit is the enabler of a revealed and continuous biblical illocutionary force in the text being available on the perlocutionary level in the preached text. The Holy Spirit has continually enabled the Christian community to understand and enact the Scripture in the context of theological discernment and its practical responsibility in the modern world. The movement from text to sermon in the SAT therefore not only relates to the treble movement of the grammatical and literary structure within the text, the movement of a creative hermeneutic, the movement of the performed interpretation of the community, or a combination of all three. The three movements have to merge together in the movement of the text to the sermon, and then to the worship service, before it gets to the congregation, in the movement towards a meeting with Godin modern worlds. The homiletical triad of identity, teleology and responsibility will offer practical guidelines for promoting human dignity and generating theologically responsibility in the broken world. That is to say, the homiletical appropriation of biblical passages generate in the SAT an unexpected ethical reality through the totality of the triune God’s authoritative speech act in which the Holy Spirit gives the energy to accomplish the alternative reality.
The IBIBIO concept of peace and its implications for preaching: a practical theological study within the AKWA Synod of the Presbyterian church of Nigeria
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-04) Ekong, Ivan; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The topic of this research is the Ibibio concept of peace and its implications for preaching: A practical theological study within the Akwa Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN). Conflict and violence are phenomena that are common to every human society. It would not be an overstatement to say that conflicts, war and various forms of violence are clear indications of a lack of peace in any given society. Numerous studies have been done by scholars of peace and international relations as well as social anthropologists political scientists, etcetera on themes related to peace-making, peace negotiation, peace-building, conflict resolution, and conflict transformation, especially in terms of national and international peace. International organizations, various nations, non-governmental organizations, as well as faith-based organizations have invested so much in the way of resources and energy in the search for peace, yet, the attainment of peace in our human society remains a mirage. On a daily basis, media reports indicate that, all over the world, violence is on the increase, sending thousands of innocent people to early graves. In Africa, the story is even worse. Different approaches towards achieving peace have failed to yield the needed positive peace. Yet, little or nothing has been done in terms of searching for peace within the indigenous African context. In other words, indigenous initiatives, ideas and approaches towards peace and peace-building have been ignored in the field of scholarship. The question is: What could be the role of the Church, its theology as well as its preaching towards the development of peace initiatives that are both theological and indigenous to the Ibibio people of Nigeria, given the volume of different forms of violent conflict that the people experience daily. This study is based on the assumption that, if the Church critically examines indigenous Ibibio peace approaches, it may discover a missing link that could make this become effective in preaching peace among the Ibibio people who live in pain, hurts and poverty as a result of violence, thereby closing a gap in knowledge. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine critically whether the PCN’s Akwa Synod and its leaders do in fact understand the Ibibio concept of peace, or not, and what the Church could draw from indigenous peace initiatives in order to make its preaching, as well as its peace-building practice, effective and relevant within the Ibibio social context. Indigenous Ibibio people, both Church and community leaders and lay members of three congregations of the PCN’s Akwa Synod were included as respondents. Using a mixed method approach, through a questionnaire, focus groups and individual interview; data under review were obtained for the study. The interdisciplinary nature of this study informed the use of both theoretical and methodological triangulation. The empirical findings of this research reveal: Firstly, Ibibio people understand peace as the absence of violence. Secondly, the lack of peace has physical, psychological, economic, social, as well as political consequences in people’s lives which, basically, result in deaths, suffering, injustice, poverty and the human person’s loss of dignity. Thirdly, justice and peace are significant elements for the well-being of society. Fourth, religiosity could influence the way the Ibibio people act and do things. Fifth, the leaders of the PCN’s Akwa Synod do understand the Ibibio concept of peace, even though the Church is yet to articulate a standardized peace-building procedure and training in a detailed document. Yet members and leaders, being mostly Ibibio natives, know what the Ibibio peace is all about. This study has offered suggestions on how the PCN could integrate indigenous peace initiatives in order to become more effective in preaching peace within the Ibibio context.
The identity of the preacher : a homiletical-critical study in Korean Presbyterian church
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2010-12) Kim, Kyoung-Hoan; Cilliers, Johan; University of stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation deals with the relationship between the problems of the Korean Presbyterian Church and the identity of the Korean Presbyterian preachers. The study offers guidelines for the future by analyzing and evaluating the Korean Presbyterian Church context related to the Korean history according to Thomas Long.s guidelines. Chapter 1 is a statement of the problems faced by the Korean Presbyterian Church such as the blessing of success rather than the blessing of suffering, false success and a distortion of the preacher.s identity, the idolization of the preacher, secularization during the period of economic growth, and the inheritance of authority, fame, and status. Through an analysis and evaluation of these aspects, we are able to suggest guidelines for the future. Chapter 2 is the analysis of the Korean context, which shows us that many foreign missionaries dedicated themselves to the Korean people, led the Korean Presbyterian preachers to hold a herald image though theological, social, political, economical, and cultural factors made the Korean Presbyterian preachers choose between three positions, viz. conservative, progressive, and centralist. In addition, this chapter shows that the difference of theological, political, and social opinion, localism, and the problem of WCC joining, and so forth positioned Hyung-Nong Park (1897-1978), Jae-Jun Kim (1901-1987), Sang-Dong Han (1901-1976), and Kyung-Chik Han (1902-2000) at the centre of the split of the Korean Presbyterian Church. Chapter 3 is the homiletical evaluation of the identity of four Korean Presbyterian preachers according to Thomas Long.s guidelines. This evaluation shows that Hyung-Nong Park and Sang-Dong Han had a herald image, Jae-Jun Kim a pastoral and storytelling image, and Kyung-Chik Han a witness image as regards their respective lives and theological views. Chapter 4 analyzes and evaluates the identity of contemporary Korean Presbyterian preachers based on 145 Korean Presbyterian preachers. question sheets according to Thomas Long.s guidelines. In addition, the chapter shows that these preachers have a positive idea concerning the relationship between God, the preacher, the Bible, and the congregation and are trying to maintain the merits of the four metaphors. Chapter 5 offers guidelines for the future, which suggests the role of the Holy Spirit and prayer as an alternative to overcome the Korean Presbyterian Church.s problems such as an identity distortion, idolization, and secularization of the preacher based on a relationship between God, the preacher, the Bible, and the congregation. The Holy Spirit is the greatest Preacher, the co-worker with the preacher and vindicator of the preacher.s authority. Prayer invigorates, strengthens and energizes the preacher. In conclusion, this chapter suggests the acceptance of ¡°the unity of diversity¡±, preachers. sincere, faithful, and devotional life, and the restoration of the power of God.s Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit as guidelines for the future.
Lament in liturgy : a critical reflection from an URCSA perspective
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-03) Mahokoto, Marlene S.; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa faces many challenges, as a country. Our communities are struggling with many issues such as poverty, inequality, rape, abuse, violence, corruption and many more. Yet, our faith community seems reluctant to lament these issues during their worship services. This research looks specifically at the practice of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. The question that this research wrestles with is: “Given the challenging times that we live in, in what way could a re-discovery or a re-claiming of lament in liturgy, against the background of healing and hope, obtain new meaning in our congregations?” The assumption of the research is that if the church wants to be relevant in the lives of their members today, she would need to revisit and reclaim the process of lament in the liturgy. It could further be argued that a re-thinking and a re-introduction of lament in liturgy could have far-reaching and enriching implications in the life of the faith community, especially where the healing of memories is concerned. Part of the research was a literature study while another section consisted of empirical studies. Congregations from the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa, in the Western Cape, took part in the studies. The main focus of the research was descriptive empirical and the information gathered had to be interpreted. Through the normative task, theological reflections could be carried out and finally possible criteria could be deduced in terms of how lament could be re-integrated into existing liturgies of our church.
The liturgy of conversion : evangelism praxis in the Methodist churches of Cape Town
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) Mostert, Martin; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The problem addressed is why the Methodist Churches of Cape Town do not expand vigorously through evangelism and conversion. The hypothesis is that a careful listening to church leaders and observation of the Methodist Church should establish a clear understanding of the current theory and praxis of evangelism in the Methodist Churches of Cape Town and then, by bringing Wesleyan writings and the thought of relevant theoreticians into critical conversation with those findings, it should then be possible to establish helpful “best practice” criteria for effective evangelism. This abductive reasoning is tested in various ways. Firstly, ethnographic data was assembled through interviews with eleven Methodist ministers currently working in Cape Town. They were both men and women, representing various South African ethno-cultural backgrounds and age groups. These interviews are transcribed and subjected to ethnographic analysis. The general outlines of a contemporary Capetonian Methodist theory of evangelism and conversion emerges. At this point the ethnographic process of iterative discussion is suspended, for reasons of manageability. The second data source is John Wesley’s Journal which is also subjected to ethnographic analysis. Arguments are made for the Journal to be granted greater weight in the interpreting of Wesley’s life and work by the Methodist Church. A parallel Wesleyan theory of evangelism and conversion emerges. In synthesising a grounded theory from these sources, the theory of a “liturgy of conversion” is developed. Agreements and disagreements between the two sets of data are discussed and the liturgy of conversion theory is then aimed at conceptually extending the locus of ordinary, regular liturgy to include the alternatively faithed in spaces between the churches. Based on Wesley’s model, conversational contact with those with other faith commitments is then proposed as becoming part of the ongoing, geographically seamless “work of the people” (λειτουργια). I argue that liturgical processes that occur inside church buildings can also happen outside of them, and that conversions to Christian faith is unlikely if Christians do not attempt to persuade the alternatively faithed to consider converting to it. “Evangelism” is distinguished from “evangelisation”. The ministers mostly seem to view “evangelism” as the formation of Christian disciples to live in ever-increasing conformity to Gospel values. I refer to this as “evangelisation”. However, this study is confined to a subsection of that process, which I refer to as “evangelism” – the persuasion and decision making that initiates the convert into the road of “evangelisation”. I limit my focus to the conversion experience that energises the subsequent process. The issue of the ethics of persuasion turns out to be critical, due to manipulative and coercive tactics used by many Christian communicators. A model of ethically responsible, culturally relevant persuasion is developed, and applied to the processes of a liturgy of conversion. Lastly several pragmatic possibilities are suggested for enabling and enhancing persuasive liturgical contact between the churches and those in their surrounding micro-cultures. Numerous further questions are raised about the process which would require further investigation and testing through the praxis of individual Methodist churches.
Meningsvorming in die hoofartikels van die Kerkbode in die Suid-Afrikaanse oorgangsperiode (1994-2003) : 'n interdissiplinere ondersoek
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-03) Du Toit, Andries Francois; Cilliers, Johan; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Through the ages, the gospel of Jesus Christ calls on believers to witness to their faith and hope and to be obedient in word and deed to the love commandment of the Holy Trinity. This implies, among others, that the implications of the gospel should be effected in politics, economics and civil life. The shaping of a public meaning on corporate values and general well-being is a necessary result and is generally known as public theology. One of the communication channels through which the formation of public opinion can be shaped is the mass media. The Kerkbode (Afrikaans for the messenger of the Church) is the official newspaper of the Dutch Reformed Church and in that capacity it is an important public theological instrument of communication. During the years of change following the first democratic election of 1994 in South Africa, members of the Dutch Reformed Church felt a particular need of leadership and guidance. The Church leadership had a focused need of effective communication to members and non-members. Due to the loss of “governing members”, the church had to rely on public witness on concept legislation and other matters of public interest. Under the circumstances the importance of the newspaper of the church as a mouthpiece stands to reason. Because the shaping of opinions is one of the primary functions of a newspaper, the question with the researcher is as follows: whether the theories of opinion-shaping have been used in writing the leading articles of the Kerkbode during the years of change (1994 – 2003). The focus is on the leading article because it is the most important opinion- shaping column in any newspaper. The research of the leading articles was limited to articles concerned with the “Role of the Church” during the years 1994 – 2003. On completion of an inter-disciplinary study of theories of opinion-shaping from the subjects of Theology, Sociology, Social Psychology and Communication Studies, theories suitable for use in written mass media and in compliance with theological ethical principles were identified. Main principles of these theories were identified and the main articles were then studied in light of these principles. The conclusion was reached that it might be possible that the principles of identified theories were kept in mind when the articles were written. In view of the importance of effective opinion-shaping communication in, inter alia, the mass communication of the Church, recommendations were done on the use of main principles of opinion-shaping theories.
"Om te word wat ons sien en te ontvang wat ons is" : 'n praktiese-teologiese studie van die verhouding tussen die nagmaal en menswaardigheid in 'n stryd van rasseskeiding
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-12) Havenga, Elizabeth Angelique; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsingstuk is ‘n praktiese-teologiese studie van die verhouding tussen die nagmaal en menswaardigheid waarin die praktyk van die nagmaal in die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid-Afrika ondersoek word. Dit word gedoen met die doel om vas te stel op watter wyse die teologiese teorie en vervolgens die teologiese praktyk van die viering van die nagmaal verstaan, verander en verbeter kan word om sodoende die menswaardigheid van alle deelnemers aan die sakrament te bevestig. In die studie word die tema aan die hand van die vier sleuteltake van praktiese teologie wat deur Richard Osmer in sy boek Practical Theology: An Introduction uiteengesit is, onder die loep geneem. ‘n Eerste diskoers, as die beskrywende-empiriese taak, word ingelei deur ʼn teologiese en geskiedkundige agtergrond van die nosie van menswaardigheid om sodoende vanuit hierdie agtergrond ʼn raamwerk van menswaardigheid daar te stel om as die lens te dien wat deurlopend in hierdie studie ingespan sal word om die effek van uitsluiting op die menswaardigheid van individue – hetsy met die viering van die sakrament van die nagmaal, in die kerk, of in die samelewing – duidelik te maak. Hierdie eerste diskoers word opgevolg met die interpretatiewe taak, waar die historiese agtergrond van die 1857-sinodebesluit van die NGK aangaande die skeiding van aanbiddingsruimtes en vervolgens die nagmaalstafel ondersoek word. In hierdie gedeelte word ook aandag geskenk aan die rol wat ʼn sekere beskouing van die persoon en teologie van Johannes Calvyn in die 19de-eeuse NGK gespeel het, waarna ʼn alternatiewe beeld van die hervormer daargestel word. ʼn Derde diskoers as die normatiewe taak van hierdie studie stel ʼn alternatiewe beeld van Johannes Calvyn voor: die beeld van Calvyn as vlugteling en Christelike humanis met ʼn besondere fokus op die mens en die welstand van die gemeenskap. In die lig van hierdie beeld word sy teologie en veral sy nagmaalsteologie aan die hand van die raamwerk van menswaardigheid uiteengesit. Die studie word met die finale, pragmatiese taak afgesluit waar praktiese voorstelle vir ʼn alternatiewe nagmaalspraxis vir die huidige NGK gegee word. In hierdie verband word daar ondersoek ingestel na die wyse waarop ʼn verantwoordelike beskouing en gebruik van die nagmaal in die lig van Johannes Calvyn se teologie die menswaardigheid van alle lede van die liggaam van Christus kan herstel en genees.
An oral hermeneutics within the lay preaching context of the Nkhoma Synod of the church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) : a critical evaluation
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-12) Chifungo, Davidson Kamayaya; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation aims at recording, evaluating and analysing sermons of the lay preachers in the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Nkhoma Synod in Central Malawi. Basically, these preachers have an oral culture. This analysis reveals the inherent ability of the oral lay preachers to communicate effectively using their indigenous knowledge system and modes of communication which are characteristic of an oral culture. Secondly, the analysis also reveals some lack in these sermons in terms of biblical understanding. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to develop a homiletical theory and praxis which will regard the biblical text and the people’s context - Word and world – as serious. Finally, the research proves that, if the strategy of implementing a training process in the congregations for all lay preachers, in order to empower them to use both their traditional modes of communication and an understanding of the Bible, could be realised, the spirituality of the people would improve and Christianity would have a greater impact in the society. To achieve the foregoing, we use Osmer’s practical theological interpretation methodology and the Heidelberg method of sermon analysis. Chapter two provides a general overview and description of the historical context, and cultural worldview of the people. The contextual challenges that affect the Church and the phenomenon of oral lay preacher are also described. In Chapter three, we analyse lay preachers’ sermons using the Heidelberg method of sermon analysis which has a strong Reformed foundation. The rhetorical strategy of using stories, retelling, parables, myths, fables and other strategies are exemplified. The critical evaluation of the context and detailed analysis of the sermons are done as we try to answer the question: “What is going on?” Chapter four uses the findings of the analysis and begins to develop the homiletical theory, theology and praxis of the oral lay preaching context. In so doing we explain why the oral culture understands, arranges and communicates indigenous knowledge in preaching. We also ask why the lay preachers preach the way they do and react to this question: “Why is this going on?” In Chapter five we develop an oral hermeneutics within the lay preaching context of the Malawian Church (CCAP); the art of doing theology in context is demonstrated using several examples of sermons. The Process of Reading and Re-reading of Texts as a means of interpretation is suggested. Furthermore, in this section, we respond to the question, “What ought to be going on?” And finally in chapter six, we make recommendations and suggestions for the implementation of lay leadership development using a model of the indigenous knowledge system found in the context. A strategy of training pastors who in turn will train local preachers is exemplified. Finally, we answer the question, “How may we respond?” The researcher believes that through this study many lay leaders will be trained in the CCAP Nkhoma synod and that there will be transformation in people’s lives.
A practical theological study of the preacher's ethos in Korean context
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-10) Jeong, Woo-Sung; Cilliers, Johan; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: a reasonable foundation for their authority is needed. Lastly, it is argued that within the Korean context, the preacher’s “reasonable authority” should have the Word of God as its foundation. Chapter 5 demonstrates three key aspects of the preacher’s ethos by highlighting the following: firstly, three kinds of proofs for structural principles, i.e. persuasion by moral character (ethos); persuasion by putting the hearer into a certain emotional frame of mind (pathos); and persuasion by the speech itself, when the truth or apparent truth(logos) is established. Secondly, an important rule for the preacher’s ethos, namely that listeners must trust and feel connected with the speaker. Thirdly, the attitude of the audience as an important element that influences and even constructs the speaker’s character. Chapter 6 presents four key aspects of preaching in crisis as related to the preacher’s ethos by pointing out the following: firstly, preachers cannot be separated from their preaching. Secondly, a large part of preparation for preaching is the preachers’ own personal preparation–the impact from the pulpit is indeed tied to their own moral character and ethos. Thirdly, the most importance aspect of the preachers’ ethos in preaching is the danger of their possible inconsistent lifestyle .Preachers’ talk should be supported and balanced by their walk. Lastly, the key point of the preachers’ ethos related to their congregations is that, in their minds during reparation of the sermons, there should always be recognition of the reality of a listening audience. Chapter 7 focuses on ethos related to two areas: firstly, the development of the preachers’ ethos. Secondly, some suggestions for the development of their ethos concern five aspects, such as their vocation, spirituality, reading, prayer and “glory”.
Preaching as discipling in an authoritarian Korean context : towards a hermeneutics of hearing
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03) Kim, DaeJin; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ministry of preaching is related not only to speaking, but also to hearing, as faithful preaching is dependent on faithful listening, which means listening to both the Scripture and a sermon. Although faithful listening is very important, the field of homiletics seems to focus more on the study of speaking than on the study of listening. However, through the rapid development of the communication technology, contemporary hearers’ way of hearing is changing as never before. Thus, contemporary preachers need to consider the changed way of hearing and faithful listening to the ministry of the Word. The new hearing or contemporary people’s new way of communication is caused by the secondary orality or audiovisual culture. Contemporary people, especially the younger generation, are affected by the secondary orality culture rather than by the Gutenberg system or the print culture. However, most Korean preachers belong to print culture era as regards communication because of a synergy between the Korean authoritarian context and the characteristics of cognitive propositional preaching. On the other hand, contemporary hearers’ patterns of thought and ways of communication belong to the secondary orality culture. Consequently, hearers struggle to listen to a sermon. The contemporary church, especially the Korean Church, has undergone a crisis because of the problem of the hearkening to a sermon. Nevertheless, the secondary orality culture can offer contemporary preachers a good opportunity for preaching because there is a greater resemblance to the aural orality culture of the early Christian community than to the Gutenberg era. According to Romans 10:17, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” but many preachers have overlooked the importance of this “hearing.” As a result, preachers’ readings of Scripture concentrate on self-centred information and human selfish experience. Preachers would preach without hearing the Word of God, thus, from time to time, hearers cannot hear the word of God in the preaching. In order to solve the problem, the preachers’ text readings need to move toward a hermeneutics of hearing so that they can learn from the early Christian community and the Reformation. Moreover, contemporary hearers, as individual consumers, need to change from hearers of a sermon to hearers as disciples, who have Christopraxis in the community of Christ. Hearers, as disciples, need to be trained in holistic small groups as the framework of cultural linguistic preaching, so that they may listen faithfully to a sermon as the words of God. Furthermore, hearers’ faithful listening can lead to good preaching, so that the listening and preaching mutually edify each other. Thus, contemporary preachers need the integration of preaching and discipling for faithful listening to the words of God.
Preaching as homecoming : a practical theological study of proclaiming belonging and identity in the South African Anglican context from 1990 to 2017
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-12) Davis, Sharon; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The notion of ‘home’ is a complex concept that, in the light of contemporary society, requires further exploration. Modern developments have impacted social constructs as global trends influence contemporary lifestyles. This continuous effect of change upon modern life has left many feeling overwhelmed and disillusioned. Furthermore, the experience of displacement has added to the despair of homelessness. The South African context from 1990 to 2017 not only illustrates these modern tendencies but also reveals the unique transitions experienced by a new democratic society that remains in search of ways to find purpose and meaning to enhance its way of life. This study explores the role of preaching as a significant communication channel of the Anglican Church in South Africa and inquires to what extent proclamation may contribute towards a sense of belonging and identity for the community of faith in its longing to return home, to a place and space of wellbeing. Preaching that seeks to offer the Kingdom of God as an alternative reality may therefore assist the faith community to live in liminal spaces, despite the ever-present reality of uncertainty. Preaching may offer an imaginative revelation of the future in which hope is experienced as a tangible encounter rather than an escape from reality. Following the theoretical framework of a four-phase approach to practical theological investigations, this study has sought to evaluate the problem of homecoming in relation to the intention and practice of preaching. A total of 12 sermons by three Anglican Archbishops were analysed using the Heidelberg Method that combines linguistic techniques and theological reflections as a means to evaluate the formation of the preachers’ sermons. The findings of the analysis of these 12 sermons have revealed the correlation between linguistic and theological reflections and substantiated the need for biblical authenticity and the contemporary congregation’s need for relevance. The results have indicated that the use of imaginal language assists in igniting the imagination of the faith community with new perceptions of reality. The theological outcomes of presenting the preaching event as an unfolding narrative have demonstrated God as both present and participating, and have endorsed the identity of the congregation who, being made in the image of God, remains equal in worth and value. This demonstrates Kingdom principles and reveals new ways of being communal in the contemporary context. It is evident that, as a communicative event, preaching encourages the congregation towards perceiving a renewed perception of an alternative reality. Imaginal language therefore contributes toward empowering the community to create open and flexible spaces that may be renamed as ‘home’, sacred spaces that equip congregations to live fully. This study also adds to the ongoing homiletical discourse and literature that seeks to renew the intention and practice of preaching. Preaching as ‘Homecoming’ is thus a vulnerably authentic practice that addresses both the spiritual and social concerns of the Kingdom of God and offers the community of faith place and space to experience the good news of God as a present reality and a future hope.
Preaching God within the Korean Context? : a practical-theological investigation
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03 ) Jung, Sung Ji; Cilliers, Johan; Vosloo, Robert; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In Christian sermons, we tend to grasp the infinite God through human language. Inevitably, preachers form certain kinds of God-images in their minds. These can either serve a positive or negative function when preaching about God to the congregation. Other factors come into play in this process that should not be neglected, such as the surrounding socio-cultural elements, which too impact on the preacher’s God-images. This study therefore set out to uncover the dominant God-images in Korean sermons; investigate the socio-cultural causes for these commonly held God-images; and lastly, it aimed to provide theological perspectives/suggestions as a way forward. Osmer’s (2008) practical theological approach was employed as the theoretical framework underpinning this study. Each chapter focused on a specific task, namely: the descriptive-empirical task, the interpretive task, the normative task, and the pragmatic task. Chapter 2 explored the 24 selected sermons and performed the analysis through the Heidelberg Method. Three predominant God-images emerged from the analysis, namely: “powerful”, “vacated”, and “cliché-lised”. Chapter 3 then scrutinised three social contexts (economic materialism, religious activism, and rapid modernisation) and six cultural elements (bok, Che-myen, Confucian moralistic trends, karma, utilitarianism, and ppalli-ppalli) that have particularly impacted on the churches’ features (ki-bok-shin-ang, functionalisation, and McDonaldization) and the preachers’ God-images. Chapter 4 explored alternative theological aspects, such as local theology, the function of worship, and liturgy of space. Lastly, Chapter 5 provided suggestions on how preachers can proclaim appropriate God-images based on the insights of the research.

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