Master of Divinity

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://192.168.0.29/handle/123456789/137

Browse

Browsing Master of Divinity by Subject "Ellen G. White"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Developing an effective strategy to evangelize the Soli people in Chalimbana District, Chongwe-Zambia
    (Adventist University of Africa, Theological Seminary, 2021) Namilonga, Makuni
    This thesis surveyed the evangelistic processes of the Seventh-day Adventist church among the natives of Chongwe in Zambia. Statistics and observations indicated that public and rally evangelizations were not very successful in Chongwe. This challenge was partly because of the perception of the people about Seventh-day Adventist Church, its beliefs and the church’s seemingly ignorance of the word view of the people. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the perceived hindrances to Adventist evangelization of Chalimbana, the evangelistic approaches Suitable to the Solis population of non-SDA develop, and implement and evaluate an effective method to evangelize the indigenous Soli people of Chongwe in Zambia. Towards this agenda the researcher used a descriptive method for the research process. Following an investigation of the problem through survey, group’s discussion, interviews and observations, the research designed a friendship evangelism programto build a bridge to drive the gospel message. The program was carried out with a team of five (5) members and it ran from November 5, 2020 to January 19, 2021 in Chalimbana Mission District (CMD) Chongwe. A number of relational activities were carried out so as to establish friendship for a favourable environment to evangelize. These included embarking on community service program, distribution of relief items, entrepreneurship seminars, education seminars, health seminars and screening program. These activities were carried out alongside home to home Bible studies and prayer. The study found that the most suitable method for evangelizing the population is through building bridges. This is what we call friendship evangelism. This was demonstrated by the change of perception of the people about the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the baptism of thirty-eight persons into the church. The study concluded that that people who are hard to reach can be reached through friendship by creating close relations. Thus study recommended the church should train members on the importance of relationship as an essential component of Christian mission and evangelism, be sensitive in the way they disseminate information either formally or informally, devise programs that will interest the locals to the church, have a consistent plan or system for helping new believers grow spiritually and invest in social amenities such as boreholes, education and health Centre’s which can both directly and indirectly help witnessing.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Perceptions of polygamy and treatment of polygamous male converts: a Mozambican context
    (Adventist University of Africa, Theological Seminary, 2021-03) Muabsa, Silas B.
    Different treatment of polygamous male converts within Christendom, the existence of a first wife and non-defined stances in the absence of explicit local and worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church policy pose a challenge in treating polygamous male converts. Moreover, varied perceptions among members about polygamy and polygamous wives’ legitimacy exacerbate the challenge in a country where 19.5% of married women live in polygamous relationships. Ascertaining which wife ought to remain and understanding members' and polygamous converts’ perceptions regarding wives’ legitimacy in polygamous marriages and polygamy concerning adultery, the sole biblically sanctioned reason for divorce, is the aim of the research. Answering these questions is crucial in the debate towards a framework to better disciple polygamous men. The researcher surveys the biblical treatment of first and subsequent wives, the roadmap to any course of action in missions. Also, a literature review, a survey of Pentateuch laws and a study of Abrahams, Jacob’s, Elkanah’s and royal polygamy aid in forming a holistic understanding of the phenomenon. Besides, 481 church members from Tete, Sofala, and Maputo responded to a questionnaire. A non-probabilistic, purposeful sample of four polygamous male converts share their perceptions of polygamy and polygamous converts’ treatment through an interview. The research concludes that, in contexts permissive of polygamy, none of a polygamous man’s wives commits adultery, and all are equally legitimate. Both the first wife and the non-defined stances violate no biblical principle, and neither infringes local legislation. Although the former stance is more prevalent among questionnaire respondents, interview participants base their choice on factors other than the chronological order of acquisition. Additionally, God’s treatment of polygamous wives and Ellen G. White’s dealing with unbiblical marriages demand a treatment that transcends chronological order. Such treatment calls for flexibility whenever the first wife’s stance is unfeasible, assessing and mitigating negative social and missional implications of any stance and follow an adequate cultural exegesis of polygamy in specific communities. Furthermore, this treatment requires effective education and training of church members and guidelines making the wife’s choice a results of a contextualized discipleship process.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A program to promote spirituality in family life in the Jabe Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Bujumbura District
    (Adventist University of Africa, Theological Seminary, 2021-04) Irakoze, Paul
    This research set out to examine the level of spirituality in the families of the Jabe Seventh-day Adventist church. Information was collected from Christian literature, the spirit of prophecy, and a thorough examination of biblical principles on families’ spirituality. The data collection and analysis on the realities of spirituality dynamism in families of the Jabe Seventh-day Adventist church was carried out using a quantitative approach, with a survey, a questionnaire, the data were analyzed using correlation and the results showed that there is a need for spirituality revival in the families of the Jabe SDA church. And the program was designed and implemented to address these issues. The evaluation of the implementation showed positive and the program was effective for improving the spirituality of the Jabe SDA church.