| Summary: | The central theoretical argument of this study is that biblical mediation may be
a useful short-term method for use in pastoral care, specifically within the
bounds of reconciliation in troubled marriages.
The goal of formulating a basis theory was to explore what the Biblical
teaching is on marriage, marital conflict, mediation and reconciliation. In
general, a revelation-historical approach was followed. Specific cases of
marital conflict in the Bible were examined. In researching reconciliation the
role of Jesus Christ and pastors as mediator was explored. A grammatical-historical
exegesis was done on Mat. 59, Mat. 18:15-17 and Rom. 14:19. It
was concluded that marriage is a union of companionship based on a
covenant and ordained by God and foreshadowing the eternal joyous
relationship between Christ and the Church. God hates divorce, which is
permitted only in certain circumstances. It was found that biblical teaching on
conflict in general may be applied to marital conflict. It was concluded that
although not all conflict is caused by sin, sinful attitudes and behaviours,
including sinful desires or legitimate desires elevated to demands and
distortion of the husband - wife roles designed by God before the Fall, do play
a part in causing conflict. With regard to reconciliation it was concluded that
Jesus acted as Mediator on the cross, making possible reconciliation between
God and man, which also reflects God's will for the horizontal relationship
between his people, particularly in marriage. Several examples of informal
mediations and of calls to peacemaking were found in the Bible. It was found
that Mat. 185-17 allows for mediation or counselling by one or two others in
the church in certain circumstances.
For establishing a meta theory the goal was to examine biblical mediation as
a third party intervention in pastoral care for reconciliation in troubled
marriages. A literature study was conducted on mediation, biblical mediation
as taught by Peacemaker Ministries and on marital conflict and intervention
methods resembling mediation by a survey of the literature in the social
sciences. A qualitative empirical study was conducted, by doing biblical
mediation with three Christian couples. It was concluded that mediation, and
particularly the biblical mediation model used by Peacemaker Ministries, may
be used to advantage by pastors for reconciliation in troubled marriages.
The aim of establishing 'a practice theory was to propose a biblical mediation
model to guide pastors in working toward reconciliation in troubled marriages.
This was done by an analysis and synthesis of the basis - and meta theory in
hermeneutical interaction. === Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.
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