Masters Theses

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13057/7

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Now showing 1 - 17 of 17

A Contemporary Understanding of the Relationship Between the Doctrine of the Incarnation and Human Healing, Particularly in Mental Illness.
(2012-05-03) Tan, Cecilia
This thesis is a practical application of Bernard Lonergan's transcendental method of theological discovery and M. Shawn Copeland's work in theological anthropology to investigate the relationship between the doctrine of the Incarnation and human healing within the specific Human context of mental illness. This research proposes that an authentic, meaningful experience of Jesus Christ with the possibility for healing and reconciliation is possible for the twenty-first beleiver.
A Pedagogy of Faith: A Narrative Critical Study of Selected Gospel Texts
(2011-05-12) Choi, Sangkyu
Abstract not currently available.
Aquinas on the Metaphysics of the Trinity
(2020-03) Chua, Reginald Mary
This thesis analyses St Thomas Aquinas’ Trinitarian theology, with reference to the objection that unity and plurality in God imply contradiction. Drawing upon recent developments in contemporary metaphysics, specifically in metaontology and truthmaker theory, it provides a new interpretation and defence of the coherence of Aquinas’ Trinitarian metaphysics.
Awakening and living the gift already received: An exploration of Rahner's theology of Grace applied to the life of faith today.
(2013-05-02) Son, Nguyen Thai
There is currently no abstract available.
Does John Paul II Present an Anthropology Capable of Forming an Adequate Theological Basis for Evangelization in Today's World?
(2009-05-08) Herd, John
This thesis explores John Paul II's philosophical and theological anthropology and tests it against two important contemporary issues, social justice and the search for meaning. The tests for social justice are given by liberation theologian Juan Segundo, the phenomenon of homosexuality and women's liberation. The tests for the search for meaning are taken from values ascribed to the human body, sexuality and freedom. This exploration shows that while John Paul's anthropology is securely founded on the personal it is not individualistic but broadens out to encompass social issues and is capable of promoting social justice. At the same time this understanding of the human person reponds to contemporary questions about the meaning of the body and human relationships not from abstract principles and authority but from experience and revealing the path to human fulfilment. John Paul's anthropology is shown as a rich basis for contemporary evangelisation.
How We Do Chaplaincy: A Case Study of South Australian Chaplains' Understanding About Their Way of Doing Chaplaincy
(2010) Aiken, Christopher C.
This aim of the research was to identify how Christian chaplains understand and practise their ministry in South Australian public hospitals. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used and a thematic analysis was applied to the quantitative data. A hybrid of inductive and deductive methods was employed. Chaplains were asked about the roles that they were involved in, those that were important to them and those from which they derived satisfaction. The research indicated that there was a clear understanding by chaplains that their role is relational with an emphasis on patient care and for some an engagement with hospital staff. A number embraced change and are integrated into the life of the hospital in which they work. The adoption of a more inclusive model of chaplaincy was suggested by a number. A Chaplaincy Practice Code was developed to describe chaplaincy by combining two existing chaplaincy codes which on their own proved inadequate for a complete analysis. Recommendations for the development of chaplaincy SA were included.
Kenosis as a Gift to Humanity of God's Grace, to be Lived Relationally
(2011-05-12) Reid, Kaye A.
In this thesis the concept of kenosis is considered as a divine gift of grace which can find expression and provide possibilities for restoration and right relationship in tangible communal contexts where competing rights perpetuate an impasse. Humanity is inevitably compromised but contains the possibility of being resourced through grace toward recognising our obligation to humanity beyond ourselves and our claim to power and rights. Kenotic theology is considered in light of fresh trajectories emerging from an understanding of Trinitarian sociality. The sovereign freedom in love of God is located within the Trinitarian perichoresis. This is depicted through God in Christ entering fully into the suffering of humanity. The suffering of God is understood as an excess of being, in freedom to love and be love. The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission is considered as an illustration of radical kenotic engagement in a contemporary communal context. This may necessitate a reconfiguration of ideas of justice, forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation.
The Known Spirit in Religious Pluralism: Christian Theology of the Holy Spirit in Islam
(2013) Hutagalung, Toar
This thesis constructs a pneumatological approach on theology of religions, specifically between Christianity and Islam. This work is an alternative discussion to a Christological mindset in order to have a common ground of an interreligious dialogue. At the same time, this thesis also specifies the importance of maintaining the singularity or particularity of a set of religious belief. In this area of discussion, it should not replace the further explorations on the Christological dimension. Redefining the term of embodiment, I offer an in depth way of accepting the possibility of knowing the Holy Spirit in various forms. The embodiment of God is usually known in the Incarnated Christ and a church is understood as the embodiment of Christ. Nevertheless, the embodiment of the Holy Spirit can also take place in other religions, because the Holy Spirit is free and does not belong to any religious belief. This way of thinking is endorsed through the discussions on symbols. A symbol is human language to communicate with something beyond the object that is symbolized. For instance, using symbols that are taken from contexts, human beings will be able to reach the unreachable God. The Spirit can be found through symbolization that human beings make within their own religious context. Pneumatological contributions on theology of religions, specifically from Gavin D’Costa and Amos Yong will help Christian theologians to say that there is the Holy Spirit in other religions. I will extend this thinking by using a specific case of finding the Spirit in Islam. In the end, there might be a better chance to develop a discussion that the Spirit who dwells in Christianity is actually presents in Islam.
Loving and Being Loved: A Social Trinitarian Evaluation of the Theory of Adult Attachment to God.
(2010) Innes, Patrick D. R.
This study explores themes from Social Trinitarian theology to evaluate Attachment Theory, particularly in relation to adult attachment to God. Attachment Theory conceptualises the formation of infant to care-giver bonds and how these form psychological structures that are used in relationships from infancy through to adulthood. While Attachment Theory is found to be verifiable, research in attachment to God is found to lack a coherent thological framework. Further, it suffers from possible methodological problems that make the data confused to some degree. Despite these problems, the research offers interesting insights about attachment to God. Social Trinitarian theology provides some strong evaluations, which support the idea that attachment to God is possible. Using a Social Trinitarian framework is shown to provide a plausible theological approach for using Attachment Theology in relation to adult attachment to God. It also opens up possible solutions for resolving the problems in the data by suggesting that research to date might be theologically inadequate when it measures converted and non-converted people in their attachment as the same. It also raises challenges for the formation of spiritual directors, particularly that formation that sees human experience as equal in status to Biblical revelation. Social Trinitarian theology challenges this equal status and places a priority on Christian Scripture. Finally, this study cautions against the teaching of Attachment Theory to Sprirtual Directors without careful trial first. It also suggests that future new resources for the supervision of Spiritual Directors could be developed to help directors to examine difficulties that they may encounter in their practice.
Preaching That Pierces Our Dragons: An account of preaching informed by Sebastian Moore's 'The Crucified is no Stranger'
(2011-05-12) Creed, Helen M.
This thesis investigates the way preaching participates in Christ's saving work and brings hearers of sermons to life. Arguing that the capacity of a sermon to bring us to life is directly related to its capacity to disturb, the thesis demonstrates the piercing quality of the preaching of John "Chrysostom" and two contemporary sermons. The Christology and soteriology of Sebastian Moore in 'The Crucified is no Stranger' are used to develop an account of authentic preaching as that which peirces the self-justifying and self-condemning thoughts that arise out of the human flight from God, understood by Moore as the religious quest. The thesis contends that when the piercing of such "dragons" occurs, we are exposed to what Moore decribes as "eschatological sorrow", a sorrow which may become the medium of our delivery to our true selves in Christ. A number of implications are noted for preachers, congregations, and theological education.
Suffering in Contemporary Wesleyan Theological Perspective: Shaping a Salvationist Response
(2016-02) Webb, Kalie
Understandings of sufferings by Melbourne Salvationists were explored in an online survey, and compared with editions of The Salvation Army's Handbook of Doctrine (1881-2010) and The Officer magazine (1989-2015). Themes emerged that, when informed by contemporary Wesleyan theology, consider God's sovereignty; explore doubt; reflect on scripture, experience, reason and tradition.
The Christian songwriter as theologian: giving voice to the converted heart and mind
(2014-04-02) Maher, James
This thesis explores the theological function of Christian song, and therefore of Christian songwriting, within the framework of Bernard Lonergan’s method in theology. It argues that Christian song serves its most important theological function within the functional specialty of foundations, whence the reality of conversion (primarily the songwriter’s) is objectified in the symbolic and artistic modes of poetry and music.
The Ecclesiology of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal
(2016-02) Cumbo, Frank
This thesis establishes that Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens sought to change the ecclesiology of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal to better align it with the ecclesiology developed at the Second Vatican Council and remove elements of Protestant Pentecostal ecclesiology. An assessment is provided of the merits and effects of Suenen's efforts.
The Eucharistic Semons of Ronald Knox
(2013-05-02) Hoctor, Shane P.
From 1926 Monsignor Ronald Knox preached an annual sermon on the Feast of Corpus Christi in Corpus Cristi Church, Maiden Lane, in London. Twenty-six of these sermons were originally published in two volumes: the first, Heaven And Charing Cross, contained nine sermons, and second, The Window In The Wall, contained twenty semons of which three of the first collection were republished. All the sermons were later collected by Fr Philip Caraman SJ who edited The Pastoral Semons Of Ronald A. Knox, one of three volumes of Knox's collected sermons published after his death. This paper will examine these Maiden Lane Semons. The brief biography which begins the discussion will show that from his school days, the Euycharist was firmly a part of his life and spirituality. Indeed he accepted the Catholic belief of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist while still an Anglican. In treating of the sermons, some background into Knox's preaching style, and the certain, and possible sources, for the Maiden Lane semons will be given. The individual analysis of each sermon, and then the general concluson, in the light of three Eucharistic themes which have not always been evident in Eucharistic theology, will show the depth and consistency of Knox's thought, his grounding in Scripture and Tradition, his practical and encouraging advice for spiritual development, and the relevance of the sermons for contemporary Eucharistic devotion.
The Liberation Theology of Gustavo Gutierrez
(2012-05-03) Connell, Brendan
This thesis is an investigation into the relationship between the Liberation Theology of Gustavo Gutierrez and eschatology. I will argue that Gutierrez' writings are a genuine sign of Christian hope not only for the poor, from whom this theology has risen, but for the universal Church. The Church's offical response through the Roman Curia was at best cautious. Though never condemned or silenced, Gutierrez was investigated and the tension between the two is examined. While acknowledging the originality of Liberation Theology I will attempt to place it within a historical framework of theological history. A brief summary on the current trends of Liberation Theology will also be discussed.
The Natural Phenomenon of Religious Faith and Human 'Depth of Meaning'
(2009-05-08) Crees, Mark
This thesis explores religious faith from an integrated interdisciplinary standpoint that draws heavily on Georges Bataille’s religious theory, Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalytical framework (as distilled through the lens of Slavoj Žižek), and Pascal Boyer’s evolutionary model of cognitive inference systems, in order to recast Paul Tillich’s faith dynamics in terms of a contemporary critical theory of religion. Focusing on Tillich’s understanding of faith as engaging with a depth of meaning, a hypothesis is presented that casts religious faith as a complex natural human phenomenon that functions as a species of generative human ‘depth of meaning’ engagement within particular hermeneutical frameworks with a focus on the ‘Other’ (transcendence / the infinite) that were born from the communal symbolic-linguistic system of meaning making that arose with human evolutionary development as a by-product of several cognitive inference systems and as a result of a lost intimacy with immanence. This hypothesis is explicated throughout the thesis in defence of a non-religious analysis of religious faith which is non-reductive and which avoids caricature. Tillich’s understanding of faith as the central phenomenon in the personal life of human beings is recast as one form of human ‘depth of meaning’ engagement, with religious faith understood as providing a mechanism for accepting a certain intra-systematic coherence and a volitional (trust) commitment to an intra-systematic being (God) or principle deemed extra-systematic but inscribed within the particular symbolic universe in which the interpretive framework operates. The historical dialectical hypothesis developed throughout the thesis is tested against contemporary manifestations of religious faith, particularly of a violent geo-political nature, and various implications are drawn out that demonstrate the fecundity and importance of the hypothesis, particularly in terms of a point of departure for further research.
Towards a Christian Ethic of Joy: Participating in the Joy of the Master
(2015-02-26) Abetz, Walter
Given the triadic ethical structure of individual, people and God displayed in 2 Chronicles 19:6-7 and John 8, Barth’s and McFague’s theological construals are evaluated for authentic joy through an obedience that leads to participation - beyond a sense of duty or obligation, in dialogue with Hauerwas’ concepts of compliance and obedience.

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Browsing Masters Theses by Subject "C - Systematic Theology"

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