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Literature Study
The study will engage an intensive analysis of widowhood from various perspectives and schools of thought. This will be undertaken through literature review.
In the final analysis, for the benefit of the study undertaken, literature review calls for the discovery of new life best explained by Clinebell as follows: “Only those who have discovered new life in their own depths can become spiritual obstetricians, aiding the birth of new life in individuals and in the church” (Clinebell 1966:15). The author agrees with Clinebell that only those who have discovered their own depths can be best instruments to benefit others. Literature is the best tool to lead us to this discovery, hence the need to interrogate various kinds of literature in order to come up with an informed conclusion.
Within the church circles, the study and focus of the desired and aspired solution should find its pathway in the literature that teaches on the whole purpose for the being of the church. The rationale backing this reasoning is best echoed by Carr as follows: “Finally, therefore, believers are invited both by God and by their neighbours to accept without being distressed the often strange roles which people assign them. But this gives the believer the opportunity to embody the presence of God, thus losing himself and to finding life” (Carr 1989:96)
The approach which the author will use to interrogate literature is finally aimed at eliciting the very conduct depicted by Carr that the ultimate purpose for the being of the church; namely, the embodiment of the presence of God in such a way that the recipient of the mercies of the Christian service can glorify God.
The literature will engage various theological trends of thinking ranging from the Black Theology, Liberation Theology, Contextual Theology, Pentecostal Theology and the wealth of cultural knowledge incumbent in the African Traditional Theology.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
1. Introduction and Background to Study
2. Problem Statement
3. Research Methodology
3.1. Empirical Study
3.2. Literature Study
3.3. Epistemology
3.4. Relationship between Methodology and the
Epistemological Position
3.5. Research Gap
3.6. Aims and Objectives of Study
4. Target Population
5. Instrument of Data Collection
6. Classification of Chapters
6.1. Chapter one: Introduction to the study: Proposal
6.2. Chapter two: The Theology of Caring
6.3. Chapter three: Methodology of Caring
6.4. Chapter four: Samples of stories of five women
6.5. Chapter five: Integration of Methodology of How to Care
6.6. Chapter six: Proposal of the Theology of Caring
6.7. Chapter seven: Findings and Recommendations
7. Recapitulation of Chapter Classification:
Chapter 1: Introduction to the study: Proposal
Chapter 2: The Theology of Caring
Chapter 3: Methodology of Caring
Chapter 4: Samples of stories of five women
Chapter 5: Integration of the Methodology of How to Care
Chapter 6: Proposal of Theology of Caring
Chapter 7: Findings and Recommendations
8. Preliminary Conclusion
CHAPTER 2: THE THEOLOGY OF CARING
1. Introduction
1.1. The Theology of Caring
1.2. The First Point of Theology
2. Analysing Widows from Various Milieus
2.1. Widowhood Caused by God
2.2. Widowhood Caused by Others
2.3. Widowhood Caused by Self
3. General Understanding of Care
3.1. The Theology of Brokenness
3.2. The Theology of Comfort
3.3. The Theology of Anointing the Wounded
4. Specific Propositions of the Understanding of Care
4.1. The State of Widowhood
5. Distinct Understanding of the Theology of Caring
5.1. Care for Individuals
5.2. Love: The Indispensible Ingredient of the Theology
6. Preliminary Conclusion
CHAPTER 3: THE METHODOLOGY OF CARING
1. IntroductioN
2. Epistemology
3. The Reputable Way to Provide Caring
3.1. The Hermeneutical Shepherding Model
3.2. The Shepherd as a Guide
3.3. The Shepherd as a Healer
3.4. The Shepherd as a Comforter
3.5. The Shepherd as a Leader
3.6. The Three Imperative P’s of Shepherding
4. Uniqueness of the Minister’s offering
4.1. The Traditional Israelite Shepherding Model
4.2. The Afrocentric Shepherding Model
4.3. Where Does Gerkin Fit In?
4.4. Where Does the Author Fit In?
5. Love: The Pivotal Point of Departure
5.1. Understanding the Care for Widows
5.2. The Reformation Theology
5.3. The African Traditional Theology
5.4. The Stigmatization Accompanying Widowhood
6. Preliminary Conclusion
CHAPTER 4: SAMPLES OF STORIES OF FIVE WOMEN
1. Introduction
2. The Advent of the Western System
3. An Undisturbed Traditional System of Communalism among Aboriginal Africans
4. Redressing the Ills Created by Colonialism
5. Interviews
5.1. Interviews with Three Women from Pentecostal Church
5.2. Interviews with Two Women from Mainline Church
6. An Analysis of the Research Data
6.1. Analysing Clergy Widows’ Responses
6.2. Conclusive Evidence Drawn
7. Preliminary Conclusion
CHAPTER 5: INTERGRATION OF METHODOLOGY OF HOW TO CARE
1. Introduction
2. Analysis of Various Methodologies of Caring
2.1. Caring within the Pentecostal Church
2.2. Caring within the Mainline Church
3. Creating a Synergy of a Range of Methods
3.1. Methodology Proposed by the South African Council of Churches
3.2. Methodology Proposed by the South African
Government
4. Integration of the Caring System Currently Available within the Pentecostal Churches
5. Natural Endowment with Force and Power to Sustain Life
6. Preliminary Conclusion
CHAPTER 6: PROPOSAL OF THEOLOGY OF CARING
CHAPTER 7: FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
