| Summary: | This study attempts to develop Biblical guidelines to minister South African nationals in
a situation of xenophobia. The guidelines were developed from an interaction between
normative indicators from Scripture and literature describing the sociological and
psychological interpretative perspectives regarding the phenomenon of xenophobia with
the indicators of a descriptive empirical study as focus point.
Xenophobia in South Africa has been a result of people believing that they deserve
what they consider theirs but stolen by foreigners. Migrants tend to be blamed for crime,
corruption and other socioeconomic ills; they are seen as the source of illegitimate
competition for jobs, trade and houses.
The unfulfilled expectations lead to nationals taking out their frustrations and bitterness
on foreigners. The poor are perhaps now more conscious of their rights and that create
good ground for xenophobic sentiments.
In addressing the problem of xenophobia in South Africa the study attempted to answer
the following questions:
1. What does literature from human sciences indicate with regard to counselling in a
case of xenophobia?
2. What are the factors that bring about fear and hatred as they are expressed in acts of
xenophobia?
3. What is the Biblical view on xenophobia?
4. What pastoral counselling guidelines should be suggested that specifically
communicate and minister the full implications of the Gospel message of reconciliation
in the context under scrutiny?
This study has employed the research methodology described by Dingemans (1996:
62) as he reasons that most practical theologians in recent times distinguish three
aspects in a practical– theological research project:
· The analysing description of the practical– theological situation;
· research into normative viewpoints;
· the development of a strategy for change flowing from the description of the
normative viewpoints.
The interaction between meta–theory, normative perspective and the empirical findings
has led to four major pastoral guidelines for counselling South–African nationals
impeded by xenophobia:
· Perspective– renewing dimension: South Africans should show kindness to the
physical foreigners knowing that they are spiritual foreigners here on earth.
· Covenantal dimension: God wants South Africans to demonstrate grace and
social justice to those who are the vulnerable in the society (Poor, widows and
foreigners). God is love and those that find themselves connected to Him by
means of the covenantal relationship should also live in love.
· Eschatological dimension: South Africans should know that there is a day of
judgement and therefore they should know that the attitude against the foreigners
should be either punished or rewarded.
· Missiological dimension: South Africans should know that the world is at their
doorpost and take the opportunity to reach out to foreigners with the gospel. === Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.
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