| Summary: | The central premise of this dissertation is that a pastorally sympathetic assessment of cultural
bereavement healing approaches in the light of a biblically informed understanding of death,
bereavement and afterlife provide a basis for the bereaved to cope with the angst associated
with bereavement through death and engenders pastoral care among the Abaluyia. It is noted
that although many Abaluyia Christians consciously or otherwise lurch back to cultural
approaches for consolation and healing during bereavement, there is a lack of meaningful
engagement between the Abaluyia culture and the gospel. The result of this lack of engagement
has not been syncretism as commonly assumed but rather parallelism whereby, on the one
hand, the gospel is held as though it were alien and whimsical in contrast with traditional beliefs
and practices which are perceived as practical and consequential. On the other hand, cultural
approaches are dismissed as being part of ancestor worship or superstition and thus contrary to
the gospel. In view of these extreme perceptions, Abaluyia Christians often feel guilty for either
engaging in or shunning cultural approaches thus raising a pastoral concern in relation to caring
for the bereaved.
In response to the aforementioned pastoral concern, this dissertation firstly examines the role of
cultural beliefs and practices in mediating healing for the bereaved among the Abaluyia. It is
suggested that the persistence of cultural models is informed largely by their therapeutic value.
Consequently, attention is put on the efficacious beliefs and practices employed by the Abaluyia
which include community based approach to bereavement, rituals, systems of inheritance and
care, conduct of the bereaved, procedures for forgiveness and reconciliation, hospitality, acts of
benevolence and performances. Secondly, the identified cultural approaches are reflected upon
in the light of the normative biblical teachings. The reflection is done in order to expose and
isolate cultural beliefs and practices that are at odds with biblical teachings. The reflection
follows a systematic analysis undertaken to establish the biblical understanding of death and the
afterlife as well as a biblical hermeneutical analysis of pertinent biblical passages in order to
draw paradigmatic biblical practices in bereavement. It is argued that the biblical ministry of
healing in bereavement is rooted in the hope of resurrection and the conception of God as
compassionate in his character. Lastly, an integrated pastoral care model, namely, Circle for
Pastoral Concern, is proposed as a tool for bereavement healing among the Abaluyia. The
proposed integrated model is cognisant of local cultural milieu in engaging in pastoral care for
the bereaved. According to the Circle for Pastoral Concern model, the community of believers in
their local setting, under the Triune God, form the context for healing. === Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
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