Research Articles (Practical Theology)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/2563

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Violent protest actions during COVID-19 in South Africa : a practical theological response
Buqa, Wonke (AOSIS, 2025-06-05)
South Africa is rated as one of the highest in violent crimes that result in murder, standing at number four in the world. In 2023, there were 27 000 people reported murdered, which amounts to 45 people per 100 000. Violent protest actions are also a contributor to the number of deaths. One particular protest in July 2021 claimed more than 300 lives during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has been met with strikes, violence, and protests despite policies against such crowd gatherings. The study argues that violent protests are a result of the corruption system, mismanagement, and poor service delivery in the post-apartheid government. The study seeks to investigate the phenomenon of violent protest action during the intense COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the study argues that political instability, social injustices, economic stress, societal uncertainty, and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing toxic social norms and inequalities in South Africa. Therefore, this study affirms that violent protest is a forceful demonstration of an underprivileged group protesting for 'salvation' and 'liberation' from economic struggles. Furthermore, this study proceeds to a transversal interdisciplinary approach where practical theology and psychology as sciences can share their critical concern and voices through a literature review. In this situation, contextually, practical theology must contribute constructively to listening to people's needs and respond to violence cautiously by presenting hope and reconciliation to the devastated communities. CONTRIBUTION : This study contributes to the interdisciplinary discourse of theology and psychology on violence among the underprivileged of South Africa, who through their protest action, demonstrate that indlala nomsindo zinamanyala [hunger and anger are obscene], and they know no boundaries. This study is relevant for practical theology and psychology because both disciplines are concerned with the social welfare and well-being of the people.
Joining the Spirit : missio Dei and artificial intelligence in digital missional praxis
Niemandt, Cornelius Johannes Petrus (Nelus); Niemandt, Doret (AOSIS, 2025-05-31)
As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the digital landscape, can we discern the movement of the Spirit within this transformation? This research argues that AI developments, often seen as alien to spiritual mission, fall within the Triune God's realm and align with the missio Dei. By tracing the Gospel's historical adoption of evolving technologies - from the Incarnate Word to the Written, Proclaimed and now Digital Word - we propose AI as the latest iteration in God's unfolding mission. The study first examines the compatibility between missio Dei and AI, asserting that AI, as part of creation, invites missional engagement rather than retreat. Using Heyns' framework of various expressions of God's Word - creation, sustenance, redemption, incarnation, Scripture, proclamation and now the Digital Word - the research shows that AI is a natural extension of God's revelatory presence through innovation, and presents a way to participate in the mission of the Spirit. Next, the article explores AI's role in a rapidly globalising digital culture. This paradigm shift transforms self-perception and communication, creating opportunities and challenges for contextualised missions. The Gospel must be incarnated in ways that resonate with digital cultures, reflecting theology's ongoing adaptation to cultural shifts. Attention is given to Digital Ecclesiology, investigating how AI is reshaping church practices, virtual communities and online worship. The study also examines AI's intersection with mission and creativity, arguing that AI should serve rather than replace human creativity, fostering deep connection, beauty and truth. Artificial intelligence's potential as a tool for discipleship and formation is explored, assessing its role in personalised theological education, virtual fellowship and global outreach. CONTRIBUTION : The concept of mission from the margins provides a critical lens, calling for humility and attention to often overlooked voices. Those on society's edges offer insights into exclusionary structures, challenging AI's potential centralising tendencies.
Disciple-making : what is it all about?
Nel, Malan (AOSIS, 2025-09-05)
Many theologians, pastors included, are deeply aware that the church is challenged in many ways. It often looks like we have lost the script for being church. And sociologically it may very well be a dead-end road. Theologically, many agree that before that dead-end, there is a fork in the road. A choice to continue as is or go back to the original plan: ‘Go, make disciples of all the nations …’ (Mt 28:20). This article explores some of the reasons why, should we not see the choice of this fork, we may end up at the dead-end. And should we see the fork in good time and make the right choices, what would that imply? Or differently said: how did we lose the plan and what was the plan all about? The article refers to literature whose authors attempted to show the original plan and suggested transformational processes to get back what we have lost. A central departure point is a remark by Bonhoeffer that ‘Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship, and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ’ (see p 2 below). The article also focuses on what is meant by disciple-making1– accepting that churches in the reformational tradition would certainly, at the fork, choose the road leading to ‘Go, make disciples …’. CONTRIBUTION : In this article, the departure point is a practical theological one. The Biblical Sciences are presumed and so is Mission Studies. The importance of the Biblical Sciences, Systematic Theology and Congregational Studies is easy to recognise.
Roland reflects on the implications of generative artificial intelligence on homo-digitalis
De Bruin, Dieter (AOSIS, 2025-07-16)
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked theological debates about its potential to achieve consciousness and personhood. This article critically evaluates these claims, arguing that consciousness cannot emerge from computational systems as an intrinsic quality of living beings. Through philosophical analysis and theological reflection, it examines the fallacies in attributing agency or personhood to AI. CONTRIBUTION : These reflections are offered in a playful reflective tone, drawing on the form and content from two creative works by David Bentley Hart, where persons other than human beings are given voice to critique an algorithmic and mechanistic development of consciousness.
Reconciliation as mission : a classical Pentecostal reading of Isak Burger’s leadership in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa
Mundhluri, Zephania (AOSIS, 2026-01-21)
BACKGROUND : The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa, although rooted in early classical Pentecostal revivalism, developed within a context marked by apartheid, segregation and theological polarisation. As a result, the church faced deep structural fragmentation and racial separation that mirrored national socio-political inequality. The presidency of Dr Isak Burger (1988–2016) marked a decisive turning point in which the AFM entered a process of reconciliation, cultural integration and ecclesial restructuring. This study examines how Burger’s leadership reflects a classical Pentecostal ecclesiology where spiritual empowerment, relational leadership and cultural plurality are understood as integral to the church’s mission. OBJECTIVES : The article analyses Burger’s ‘missiology of life’ and its role in transforming the AFM from a racially divided institution into a unified, diverse Pentecostal community shaped by reconciliation and shared identity in Christ. METHOD : A historical-theological and missiological research design is used. Primary sources – including AFM synod reports and Burger’s publications – are analysed alongside secondary scholarship to trace how his ecclesial reforms emerged and were implemented within post-apartheid realities and classical Pentecostal theological commitments. RESULTS : Findings of this study reveal that Burger’s leadership facilitated structural unification, intercultural leadership development and participatory worship grounded in Spirit-led relationality and the missio Dei. CONCLUSION : Burger’s presidency demonstrates that classical Pentecostal mission is not solely evangelistic but also deeply reconciling, communal and transformational. Contribution: This study offers a framework for leadership and mission in historically divided African Pentecostal churches, contributing to Practical Theology and global Pentecostal scholarship.
Publishing world Christianity locally and globally : opportunities and ethics
Ross, Kenneth R.; Crichton, Angus (Edinburgh University Press, 2025-11)
Publishing on World Christianity depends heavily on research completed in the Global South. Yet making the fruits of such research available to Global South communities through accessible publications has proved to be challenging. Either such scholarship is published in the Global North and rarely returned to the countries of origin, or scholarship is published within the country, but rarely makes it beyond its borders. One attempt to address this challenge is the work of the Kachere Series and Mzuni Press in Malawi. A striking example is The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 1924–2024: A Centenary Assessment, edited by Kenneth R. Ross and Mwawi N. Chilongozi and published by Mzuni Press in 2024. Through co-publication arrangements, it has a print edition widely available in Malawi, another print edition available in the southern African region, a print-on-demand edition available in the Global North and an open access edition available worldwide. Taking inspiration from this example, we explore in this article ways and means by which research originating in the Global South can be published so as to become available to the communities from which it arises.
Framework for churches' response to pandemics : based on a case study on impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on Christians in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe
Matsveru, Florence; Matsveru, D. (Taylor & Francis Group, 2025-01-30)
Following the sudden lockdown measures taken by governments all over the world due to COVID-19, churches, as well as other institutions, were caught unprepared to deal with the pandemic. This study was conducted when Zimbabwe was under Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown to investigate its impact on Christians and propose a framework for responding to future pandemics. Using SurveyMonkey, twenty-one Christian residents of Ward 5, Zvishavane, Zimbabwe voluntarily participated in the study through WhatsApp. Results showed that during the lockdown, most participants accessed church services online, mainly via WhatsApp. Participants mostly missed physical praise-and-worship-related activities and pastoral visitations. Participants failed to access physical support from the church, especially when their family members died or fell ill. Most participants preferred a church building to other church settings. The results indicated that participants experienced spiritual, emotional/psychological, and social challenges due to the physical gap created by the lockdowns; thus, physical church attendance plays an important role in the well-being of Christians. Based on these findings, we propose a framework for use by churches in response to future pandemics. This study is significant as it provides a framework for churches to respond to future pandemics.
The struggles of imanyano yamadodana as a movement for evangelism : a case study of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
Buqa, Wonke (AOSIS, 2025-09)
Imanyano yamadodana [fellowship of men {FOM}] was both an evangelistic movement and a sodality within the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA), established to evangelise and reach out to black people within their cultural context. This study aims to examine struggles that emerged within the FOM following the 1999 union between the black Reformed Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa and the predominantly white-dominated Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Drawing on primary sources from the UPCSA, a literature review, and academic articles, the study investigates these struggles as premised on former denominational lines. It argues that the incessant struggles within the FOM stem from the instability of the UPCSA union, a condition of spiritual acedia, and a crisis of black consciousness. Ultimately, the argument raised a challenge about the traditional values of the evangelistic movement and highlights the need to equip the contemporary generation of amadodana [men]. CONTRIBUTION : This study contributes to the mission of the UPCSA by calling imanyano yamadodana to re-centre African ecclesial identity and to reconstruct the evangelistic movement. It advocates for revitalising the black church’s mission through black consciousness and spiritual revival [imvuselelo].
How do religious icons read-and-write?
Lombaard, Christoffel Johannes Stephanus; Joubert, Lisel (University of Stellenbosch, Department of Old and New Testament, 2025)
This contribution starts off with a broad understanding of icons and their communication, and the implications this has for religious discourse today. The focus then moves to icons within the Christian Orthodox traditions to indicate aspects of the interaction of text, image and presence. The final part returns to the implication of "seeing" icons for reading texts and hence for the possibility of again in our age encountering God in texts. Analysing the communicative dynamics of icons from the Reformed strand of Protestant Christianity, a tradition which exhibits a stronger inclination to biblical hermeneutics than to icons as operative faith impulses, combines these two interpretative traditions as a service to the unfolding post-secular intellectual and societal climate unfolding internationally.
Empowering challenges of missional ecclesiology and leadership at the grassroots level
Knoetze, Johannes Jacobus (AOSIS, 2025-06)
This article examines the work of Nelus Niemandt within both the academy and the church, with a particular focus on his understanding of missionality as shaped by his perspectives on spirituality, ecclesiology and leadership. It also explores key elements of discernment and service leadership. To have a better understanding of service leadership, attention is given to the diak- word-group in the New Testament. While some critiques suggest that Niemandt’s writings on ecclesiology and leadership lack practical application, this article highlights the tangible impact of his work at the grassroots level. Specifically, it considers outcomes within the Dutch Reformed Church, such as the adoption of a missional ecclesiology and the development of new ministerial pathways to equip and empower missional leaders. This article concludes with two examples from the development of the additional ministerial tracks. Two members who did the studies witness of how a missional ecclessiological understanding in the Dutch Reformed Church has made it possible for them to live their calling. It is also clear from these witnesses that in many congregations we still have a long walk in obedience and discernment to become more missional than institutional. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The article represents a critical engagement with the model of missional leadership in the field of missiology, focusing on church ministry at the grassroots level.
‘In step’ with the living God : rhythms and habits for churches faithful to their calling
Smith, Thomas Jacobus (AOSIS, 2025-07)
This article reflected on the development of a congregational prototype called In pas met die lewende God [‘In step’ with the Living God], that aids congregations in the process of missional transformation. Although this prototype was developed and implemented by a diverse team, the influence of Nelus Niemandt in shifting the denominational culture towards a participation in the missio Dei was significant and was a precursor to the development. My own journey with this process has been deeply shaped by Niemandt’s theological imagination and mentorship, which continue to echo through the practices and movements described here. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The article outlined the origin of ‘In step’ and then described the structure of the instrument, with particular attention to its emphasis on cultivating rhythms and practices that embody the missional theology as well as the holding environment for ‘In step’. Finally, the article reflected on lessons learned in partnering with local congregations as they engage with the habits and rhythms proposed in the In step process. These lessons can be used for further research for missional ecclesiology and transformation.
Future(s) for the church on the corner : a proposed praxis of spatial justice for South African congregations
Powell, Caroline Jane (AOSIS, 2024-11-20)
South Africa, is a racially, economically and spatially divided nation, a legacy of our colonial and apartheid histories. Thirty years into democracy, discourse across all spheres of society around land, spatial and housing justice continues to provoke questions about the political and societal will for making access to land ownership and space for dignified, humane living an accessible reality for all who live in South Africa. All denominations are not and should not be separated from this discourse as they are an integral part of the colonial and apartheid land, spatial history and current reality of contestation. A study focusing on suburban churches in previous whites-only southern suburbs of the City of Cape Town was conducted in the few months before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdowns of 2020. An emancipatory approach explored the praxis of these churches in relationship to South Africa’s ongoing concern with land reform within the context of urban land (in)justice and put this into conversation with the questions of church-owned land and property usage. This article revisits the key findings of the study incorporating two key elements of a praxis-based approach: theological reflection and action towards transformation. The article connects the findings to the authors’ autoethnographic reflections and research on the unfolding praxis of (sub)urban churches during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. To conclude, South African churches are invited into an ongoing emancipatory approach to address the issues of urban land injustice, and embrace a praxis of spatial justice, which includes concrete steps towards creating faith-based ‘Just Housing’. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/ INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : This article presents a conversation on church and spatial histories, and current realities alongside emerging theologies that ’foster inclusive and just social imaginaries‘ and ’make room for utopic possibilities to play out‘.
Building welcoming and inclusive congregations : biblical hospitality as a theological paradigm
Shirley, Timothy Wade; Nel, Malan; Meyer, Esias E. (AOSIS, 2024-04-04)
This article addresses the question, ‘how can congregations that exhibit prejudice toward LGBTQQIA+ persons (different expressions of nonheterosexuality), overcome bias and discriminatory practices to become missionally holistic, hospitably welcoming, and inclusive of these individuals?’. The answer can be found in engaging an alternative biblical hermeneutic that emphasises the socio-historical context of a given narrative, thus creating a broader and deeper understanding of the principle of biblical hospitality as a fundamental theological premise inherent within the Judeo-Christian scriptures. Accomplishing transformative change demands intentionality by clergy equipped to engage the issues effectively. Pastoral ministers must cultivate the exegetical skills needed to guide local missional churches towards greater inclusivity, with the goal of creating more hospitably welcoming and inclusive faith communities. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/ INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : This article engages a dialogue between biblical and practical theology as missional praxis supporting congregational development as ecclesial reformational transformation to enable local churches to become hospitably welcoming and inclusive.
The Nicene Creed, the church, and Christian mission
Knoetze, Johannes Jacobus (Wiley, 2024-11)
This article critically examines the significance of the Nicene Creed for mission within the evolving missional context of 2025, particularly in Southern Africa. In an era defined by the globalized nature of mission, the church is no longer viewed as the sender but as the one being sent, reflecting the missio Dei framework. The article explores the role of the Nicene Creed in light of current shifts in mission: the dissolution of a binary view of Christian and non-Christian worlds, the inherently missionary nature of the church, and the importance of partnerships in mission. From a decolonized perspective, the author questions the ongoing relevance of the trinitarian God as professed in the creed, particularly within the diverse ecclesiastical landscape of Southern Africa, where independent churches are prominent. The article argues that the Nicene Creed, while not explicitly missional, remains foundational to the church's mission as it affirms the church's unity, catholicity, and apostolicity. In conclusion, the article advocates for a continued reflection on the Nicene Creed, recognizing its central role in shaping the mission, faith, and unity of the church, particularly in a decolonized and ecumenical context.
Returning the king and the women to the beginning of the song of songs
Fernandes, Gavin (Society of Biblical Literature, 2024-03)
The male lover portrayed in Song 1:2–4 was once ubiquitously considered to be a king. Recent interpreters, however, have understood the word “king” to be either a hypocorism (a nickname of affection) or an epithet for a “bridegroom.” Earlier interpretation also recognized a group of women in the opening scene, but this too is disappearing today. To address these exclusions, I present a close analysis of the grammar and offer an alternative perspective to what is identified as enallage (a substitution of one grammatical form for another) but which also inadvertently suppresses the women’s presence. Next, I investigate how the Song’s “king” became denuded of his royal meaning, including through a reliance on some dubious interpretations of Akkadian poetry. I also explore literary themes in the Hebrew Bible—women’s celebratory praise and a hitherto undiscovered case of subtle soundplay called “hidden paronomasia”—to show why the Song’s “king” should be understood as a royal personage. Finally, by comparing this scene in the Song to the Sumerian love poem Dumuzi-Inanna G, I show how the Song opens with a prominent ancient Near Eastern motif of love literature—the entrance or bringing of the royal consort into the palace, lauded by a group of rejoicing women.
What we can learn about mission from the conversion stories of unchurched seekers in Germany
Dreiling, Nils (AOSIS, 2024-12-12)
This article deals with the special challenges of Christian mission in an increasingly secular environment in Germany. The churches are facing new social groups, such as the growing groups of secular and religiously indifferent people, on whom the classic missionary methods of both mainline and free churches have little effect. This qualitative study examined 20 previously unchurched converts to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in West Germany to better understand how their conversion process unfolded and what conclusions can be drawn for future missionary efforts. The conversion process for the participants usually took place in four steps: (1) a biographically determined receptivity was addressed by a (2) suitable trigger, this match triggered (3) a study phase, and finally, it led to (4) a longing for community with like-minded Christians. It is striking that, contrary to many existing models of conversion, it was not usually other Christians who triggered and drove the conversion process, but instead about half of the participants experienced the process alone. While Christians were not essential for the beginning of the conversion process, it was the community of Christians that made faith firm and lasting. Finally, it became clear that conversion was a phenomenon of middle age. Apparently, a kind of critical self-reflection seemed to take place in this phase of life, which in some participants created a receptivity for conversion. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : This work can contribute to the development of new missiological approaches for a rapidly changing society.
The garden city as a commons : social-ethical perspectives on the new housing question
Meireis, Torsten; Johrendt, Lukas (AOSIS, 2024-11-20)
Europe faces a severe shortage in affordable housing. Even though the situation is less dire than in many cities of the Global South, rising rents and real estate prices affect the poorest hardest. Faith-based organisations, especially Christian churches, have monitored and tackled this problem for more than six decades. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The paper discusses this issue from a social-ethical perspective featuring the example of Germany. It depicts the role of the churches, scrutinises the causes of the shortage, explains the situation as a problem of justice and presents an urban vision inspired by Christian tradition, namely the garden city as a commons. In a mixed motives approach, it presents concrete policy suggestions to improve the situation.
Sustainable development goals through the lens of local churches
Msebi, Mawethu; Beukes, Jacques (AOSIS, 2024-12-10)
This article reports on the findings of the local churches' involvement in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Tembisa in Gauteng province of South Africa. The article employed Richard Osmer's model of the four tasks of practical theological interpretation, focussing on narrating and examining the situation in the Tembisa community. The article relied on documentary analysis and in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study findings revealed that local churches could significantly promote the SDGs within their local communities. The study identified essential factors such as human rights, gender equality, peace and justice, and biodiversity conservation as crucial for achieving developmental outcomes. The challenges that local churches face in implementing the SDGs were also discussed. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The study outlined principles for ensuring improved quality of life for all through effective implementation of the SDGs. Additionally, the study recommended further empirical research on the role of local churches in promoting SDGs, as well as similar studies in different regions or sectors.
Prokhanov’s missiology : a forerunner to Bosch’s emerging paradigm
Knoetze, Johannes Jacobus; Lazuta, Dzmitry (AOSIS, 2024-11-13)
This article examines the hypothesis proposed by missiologist Johannes Reimer that Ivan Prokhanov, the founder of the missionary movement in Russia in the early 20th century, anticipated and, to some extent, embodied the emerging missional paradigm articulated by David Bosch in 1991, approximately 60-70 years later. The article argues that Reimer's intuition was largely correct, as Prokhanov significantly aligned with at least 9 of the 13 elements identified by Bosch. Furthermore, it suggests that the correlation between the views of Prokhanov and Bosch can be explained by their shared epistemological orientation towards the New Testament missional paradigm, particularly the paradigm of Matthew, Luke and Paul, as described by Bosch. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : According to this hypothesis, Bosch's analysis of the historical development of missional theology traces the deviation from the apostolic paradigm established by these New Testament authors, with the emerging missional paradigm representing a partial return to that original framework. For Prokhanov, New Testament missiology was the foundational basis of his mission theology.
Size and the good life : tiny houses, social housing and the role of social imaginaries
Wabel, Thomas (AOSIS, 2024-11-20)
Among the key figures of global housing inequality is the average living space per person. Thus, it comes as no surprise that during the past decade, tiny houses have become an attractive option for some who want to set an example in an affluent society of the global north: free-standing, two-storey building with a total floor space of less than 30 m2. At the same time, in many countries of the global south, people are confined to a similar floorspace – not out of choice but out of need. In bringing together these two very different contexts, I am arguing that from a perspective of capability justice, the concept of home is more than just the need for shelter. In order to enable people to participate in societal life, housing solutions require processes of urban transformation, as well as careful planning and design for social housing. Even in a situation of hardship, living in a small-scale house can be a step towards a realisation of concepts of the good life within the given circumstances. Taking up Charles Taylor’s concept of social imaginaries and presenting architectural examples from the Mexican context (Apan housing laboratory and work done by Tatiana Bilbao), I am drawing some unlikely parallels between the effects that tiny houses, on the one hand, and suggestions for social housing, on the other hand, might have within their respective societies. In this, the concept of social imaginaries helps to see parallels between architecture as a medium of the social and the role of religion. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The article argues that in questions of housing justice, architectural solutions can fruitfully supplement considerations of justice.

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