Theses and Dissertations

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://dlibrary.aiu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/631

Browse

Filters

20142

Settings

Subject: search.filters.subject.missiological

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An assessment of perceptions and attitudes of christians towards cremation and how these attitudes and perceptions affect missiological education
    (2014-04-10) Itegi, Grace
    The research study focused on cremation of the dead and the attitudes and perception of Christians towards it. Cremation is quite a rare practice among Kenyan Christians who view it cautiously and with apprehension. The study sought to establish the perceptions and attitudes of Christians with regard to cremation as well as to determine their knowledge concerning the subject. It was also the researcher's intention to find out how the doctrine of resurrection relates to cremation and some of the theological views that arise from the topic. The role of Christian education in the matters of cremation was also pointed out. The researcher also focused on how these perceptions and attitudes affect missiological education. It also aimed at enlightening Christians on cremation matters so that they in return are helped in making informed decisions. In addition, the study looked at the cultural beliefs and values that are held by Christians and how these values affect their view about cremation. The study population included congregation members of the Anglican Church of Kenya, Nairobi Baptist church, Pentecostal churches and other mainline churches in Nairobi as well as pastors from the same churches. The researcher used two questionnaires to collect quantitative data from the sampled churches. One tool targeted congregation members while the other collected data from pastors. A total of 359 members and 54 pastors participated. An interview guide for the individual in-depth interviews was formulated and administered. The researcher held two focus group discussions one with church workers and the other with a few friends. The researcher also interviewed two people who had cremated their loved ones. The researcher hypothesized that there is a relationship between respondents' attitudes toward cremation and their willingness to cremate a loved one. The study also endeavored to contribute towards highlighting and creating awareness within the Christian fraternity in Kenya so as make informed decisions in matters pertaining to cremation practice. The results indicated that respondents strongly felt that cremation does not hinder the doctrine of resurrection. It was found that knowledge about cremation was lacking in the churches. The members are in need of church teachings about cremation. The results point out how Christians' perceptions and attitudes affect missiological education especially due to the discontentment when some Christians opt for cremation while others are opposed to it.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A missiological study of prayers for Hindu evangelism in Nairobi
    (2014-04-10) Oyugi, Billy Odindo
    This study describes the different types of Prayers for evangelism to Hindus employed by Christian ministers whose ministries' focus is reaching the Hindus in Nairobi. A phenomenological research methodology supplemented by slight ethnographic method has been used in this study. Data was collected through participant observation and ethnographic interviews, then recorded and transcribed. The findings reveal that ministers to Hindus in Nairobi employ personal prayers and prayer walks more than spiritual warfare and prayer nights. There are various manners in which these prayers are employed. Many employ conversational approach as well as simultaneous praying. Prayers are often employed silently in the presence of Hindus and strangers. Fasting is relatively employed while praying in tongues is the least manner in which the ministers pray. In regard to places where the prayers are employed, homes, churches and Hindu temples are most common. Less common are prayer retreat centers and other natural environments such as mountains. Praying in the temples as well as Prayer-walking where there are Hindus prove to be enriching to prayers. Praying in such places enable people to see their objects of prayer and as such have more passion in their prayers. Claims of results to prayers employed prove that prayer enhances the efforts of evangelizing Hindus. In addition to direct praying for Hindus to convert to Christianity, praying for health and economic welfare of Hindus is common and has proved to be a means of witness to the Hindus of God's love and power leading to conversion from Hinduism to Christianity. Prayers are also employed for the ministers to be empowered and the new converts to grow in the Christian faith. Since prayer has proved to be beneficial in enhancing evangelism, for more fruit in Hindu evangelism ministers to Hindus should employ more of prayer warfare. More ministers should also engage in more protracted prayer sessions by going to pray in prayer retreat centers as well or engage more in all-night prayers. Fasting while praying should also be practiced by more ministers involved in Hindu Evangelism. There is little understanding of what spiritual warfare entails in the context of Hindu evangelism. More research should be done to ascertain what spiritual warfare is in the context of Hindu Evangelism. There is little if any aspects of Hinduism that influence prayer employed. This is because the ministers to Hindu do not spend much time studying about Hinduism. To make their prayers more effective they should study about Hinduism to identify how that can aid their prayers.