Alfred R Brunsdon
Biographic Data
| ID | 6794741 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Alfred R Brunsdon |
| GIVEN NAMES | Alfred R |
| FAMILY NAME | Brunsdon |
| SIGNATURE | BRUNSDON A R |
| AFFILIATIONS | North-West University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-1509-4770 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 16 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 2 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2011 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
An appreciative reflection on the use of artificial intelligence in sermon-making from a South African perspective
Concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a resource for sermon-making prompted an appreciative reflection into its use, undertaken with an awareness of the longstanding historical role of resources in this spiritual task of preachers. This article offers an overview of four key areas: (1) early approaches to preaching and sermon-making; (2) later developments in sermon-making practices; (3) ministerial training as an inte…
Seeking phronesis from Indigenous knowledge for eco-pastoral care during the African Anthropocene
The article brings practical theology into dialogue with African Indigenous Knowledge (AIK). The conversation stands in service of informing eco-pastoral care during the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene is framed in the African context to arrive at the notion of the African Anthropocene which poses unique challenges to the continent. Eco-pastoral care is envisaged as the active engagement of faith communities in biodiversity conservation. As it is …
Are we there yet? Probing the notion of contextualising practical theology and pastoral care in a post Covid-19 glocal African context
The article is a concise rendition of the author’s inaugural lecture and tracks his academic journey with the contextualisation of practical theology and pastoral care in an African context. It latches onto the inter-contextual dialogue between Western and African notions of practical theology and pastoral care, and positions it in a post coronavirus disease (COVID-19) glocal African context. It is argued that the post COVID-19 era signalled sign…
Theological perspectives on re-imagining leadership in post-Covid-19 Africa
Post-corona disease 2019 (COVID-19) realities are challenging leaders in all spheres of society in many ways. From the onset of the pandemic, leaders on every level were challenged to provide appropriate guidance in the face of new and adverse realities. From the micro level of local congregations to the macro level of national governments, leaders were required to provide the type of leadership that would not only address immediate obstacles but…
Waging the green war
This article is an exploratory contemplation of practical theological and pastoral engagement in the so-called green war in the African context. It first provides an overview of eco-theology, the Anthropocene age, biodiversity, eco-practical theology, and eco-pastoral care to create a theoretical framework for the research. As it is aimed at the African context, the notion of the African Anthropocene is put forward in the second section. Consider…
Special themed issue
Resilience of Christian marriages in contemporary society as viewed through the lens of spirituality
The complex context of contemporary society with the dynamic element of digital technologies, challenges Christian marriages in several ways. This article aimed to identify theological resources that can help Christian marriages flourish in the given context. The objective of this study was to identify theological resources, that can be used to encourage Christian marriages to flourish amid the challenges brought by the context of the digital age…
Challenging childhood vulnerabilities from an ethical perspective in the South African context
No abstract available
The human dilemma of displacement
In this book social responsive theological research converges to provide practical theological and ecclesiological perspectives on the growing human dilemma of displacement. The book presents the research of practical theologians, a missiologist and a religious practitioner whose work pertains first and foremost to the (South) African context. The different fields of expertise of the contributors within the broader field of practical theology wor…
Partnering for development
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi is a theological and acclaimed Open Access journal that serves as the official journal of the Reformed Theological Society (Gereformeerde Teologiese Vereniging). It has a broad coverage that promotes multidisciplinary, religious and biblical aspects of studies in the international theological arena, aiming to further Reformational Theology on a scientific basis. It encourages research that challenges traditional disc…
Who are we online? The interplay between online identity formation and Christian marriages
Digital technologies have become an integrated part of everyday life, and this development has not left relationships untouched. A need exists for theological reflection on the interaction between the dynamic contexts of the digital age and Christian marital relationships. The relational implications of the digital age are quite vast; therefore the focus of the article will be limited to online identity formation as a particular challenge of the …
As we were or seeking what we ought to be? A practical theological rethinking of the communio sanctorum in the light of Covid-19
The focus of this article is on a 69 year old Dutch Reformed congregation in Lichtenburg (North West province), South Africa. It reflects on the congregation’s understanding of the communio sanctorum, the practice of which was halted due to COVID-19. Initial responses to the crisis suggested a deep longing for the communio sanctorum and a yearning among inactive church members to reconnect to the faith community. This created an expectation of a …
Fostering embracement, inclusion and integration of migrants in complex migration situations
This article identifies the complexities of migration situations that subject both host nations and native churches to a paradoxical position on whether to exclude or embrace migrants. This is because migrants are often linked to criminal activities that threaten citizens of the host country. In response to the perceived challenge, this article investigates Matthew 25:31–46 and Hebrews 13:1–2 to propose that the church as a community of God is no…
Practical theological considerations for a transformative theological education agenda in an African context
In light of the perceived slow pace of transformation of theological higher education since the fall of Apartheid in South Africa, this article approaches the issue from a practical theological paradigm with the aim of proposing an agenda for growth towards sustainable transformative practical theological education. At least three agenda points are identified in order to achieve this aim. It firstly accentuates the African identity of the South A…
A congregation-based pastoral care to the victims of shack fires in the African context
The focus of this article is on a congregation-based pastoral care to the victims of shack fires in the African context. Deviating from traditional individualistic notions of pastoral care, it argues that congregations can contribute significantly to the spiritual healing of victims of this growing phenomenon characteristic of informal settlements. The article offers a phenomenological perspective on shack dwelling in the (South) African context.…
Nostalgia as a pastoral–hermeneutical key for healing complicated grief in an Afro-Christian context
This research engaged complicated grief in an Afro-Christian context. The Afro-Christian context was described as one where traditional African beliefs form the bedrock of a unique strand of Christian faith. Christians within the philosophical and spiritual category of the African context harbour a unique outlook on death and, therefore, approach loss in a way that still embraces traditional views regarding the role of the departed. This provides…
A three musketeering approach to pastoral care
In the current times of change, deconstruction and ever-growing relativisation, pastoral praxis finds itself in methodological limbo. Pastoral practitioners currently face the challenge of effectively reaching postmodern people through the pastoral process. This challenge is intensified by the innate tension between revelation and experience in pastoral theology as well as the philosophical migration from modernism to postmodernism, which necessi…
Outo-etnografie as selfhulp vir predikante met bedieningsmoegheid
Auto-ethnography as self-help for ministers with ministry-fatigue: Exploratory remarks This article addressed the possible benefits of auto-ethnography as a form of self-help for ministers suffering from ministry-fatigue. Given the fact that the ministry is a vocation with little or no support for its workers, ministers must develop self-help skills to manage fatigue. Auto-ethnography is an exciting new development in the field of qualitative res…
Nostalgia as a pastoral–hermeneutical key for healing complicated grief in an Afro-Christian context
This research engaged complicated grief in an Afro-Christian context. The Afro-Christian context was described as one where traditional African beliefs form the bedrock of a unique strand of Christian faith. Christians within the philosophical and spiritual category of the African context harbour a unique outlook on death and, therefore, approach loss in a way that still embraces traditional views regarding the role of the departed. This provides…
Outo-etnografie as selfhulp vir predikante met bedieningsmoegheid
Auto-ethnography as self-help for ministers with ministry-fatigue: Exploratory remarks This article addressed the possible benefits of auto-ethnography as a form of self-help for ministers suffering from ministry-fatigue. Given the fact that the ministry is a vocation with little or no support for its workers, ministers must develop self-help skills to manage fatigue. Auto-ethnography is an exciting new development in the field of qualitative res…
A three musketeering approach to pastoral care
In the current times of change, deconstruction and ever-growing relativisation, pastoral praxis finds itself in methodological limbo. Pastoral practitioners currently face the challenge of effectively reaching postmodern people through the pastoral process. This challenge is intensified by the innate tension between revelation and experience in pastoral theology as well as the philosophical migration from modernism to postmodernism, which necessi…
Nostalgia as a pastoral–hermeneutical key for healing complicated grief in an Afro-Christian context
This research engaged complicated grief in an Afro-Christian context. The Afro-Christian context was described as one where traditional African beliefs form the bedrock of a unique strand of Christian faith. Christians within the philosophical and spiritual category of the African context harbour a unique outlook on death and, therefore, approach loss in a way that still embraces traditional views regarding the role of the departed. This provides…
Fostering embracement, inclusion and integration of migrants in complex migration situations
This article identifies the complexities of migration situations that subject both host nations and native churches to a paradoxical position on whether to exclude or embrace migrants. This is because migrants are often linked to criminal activities that threaten citizens of the host country. In response to the perceived challenge, this article investigates Matthew 25:31–46 and Hebrews 13:1–2 to propose that the church as a community of God is no…
Practical theological considerations for a transformative theological education agenda in an African context
In light of the perceived slow pace of transformation of theological higher education since the fall of Apartheid in South Africa, this article approaches the issue from a practical theological paradigm with the aim of proposing an agenda for growth towards sustainable transformative practical theological education. At least three agenda points are identified in order to achieve this aim. It firstly accentuates the African identity of the South A…
A congregation-based pastoral care to the victims of shack fires in the African context
The focus of this article is on a congregation-based pastoral care to the victims of shack fires in the African context. Deviating from traditional individualistic notions of pastoral care, it argues that congregations can contribute significantly to the spiritual healing of victims of this growing phenomenon characteristic of informal settlements. The article offers a phenomenological perspective on shack dwelling in the (South) African context.…
The human dilemma of displacement
In this book social responsive theological research converges to provide practical theological and ecclesiological perspectives on the growing human dilemma of displacement. The book presents the research of practical theologians, a missiologist and a religious practitioner whose work pertains first and foremost to the (South) African context. The different fields of expertise of the contributors within the broader field of practical theology wor…
Partnering for development
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi is a theological and acclaimed Open Access journal that serves as the official journal of the Reformed Theological Society (Gereformeerde Teologiese Vereniging). It has a broad coverage that promotes multidisciplinary, religious and biblical aspects of studies in the international theological arena, aiming to further Reformational Theology on a scientific basis. It encourages research that challenges traditional disc…
Who are we online? The interplay between online identity formation and Christian marriages
Digital technologies have become an integrated part of everyday life, and this development has not left relationships untouched. A need exists for theological reflection on the interaction between the dynamic contexts of the digital age and Christian marital relationships. The relational implications of the digital age are quite vast; therefore the focus of the article will be limited to online identity formation as a particular challenge of the …
As we were or seeking what we ought to be? A practical theological rethinking of the communio sanctorum in the light of Covid-19
The focus of this article is on a 69 year old Dutch Reformed congregation in Lichtenburg (North West province), South Africa. It reflects on the congregation’s understanding of the communio sanctorum, the practice of which was halted due to COVID-19. Initial responses to the crisis suggested a deep longing for the communio sanctorum and a yearning among inactive church members to reconnect to the faith community. This created an expectation of a …
Resilience of Christian marriages in contemporary society as viewed through the lens of spirituality
The complex context of contemporary society with the dynamic element of digital technologies, challenges Christian marriages in several ways. This article aimed to identify theological resources that can help Christian marriages flourish in the given context. The objective of this study was to identify theological resources, that can be used to encourage Christian marriages to flourish amid the challenges brought by the context of the digital age…
Challenging childhood vulnerabilities from an ethical perspective in the South African context
No abstract available
Theological perspectives on re-imagining leadership in post-Covid-19 Africa
Post-corona disease 2019 (COVID-19) realities are challenging leaders in all spheres of society in many ways. From the onset of the pandemic, leaders on every level were challenged to provide appropriate guidance in the face of new and adverse realities. From the micro level of local congregations to the macro level of national governments, leaders were required to provide the type of leadership that would not only address immediate obstacles but…
Waging the green war
This article is an exploratory contemplation of practical theological and pastoral engagement in the so-called green war in the African context. It first provides an overview of eco-theology, the Anthropocene age, biodiversity, eco-practical theology, and eco-pastoral care to create a theoretical framework for the research. As it is aimed at the African context, the notion of the African Anthropocene is put forward in the second section. Consider…
Special themed issue
Seeking phronesis from Indigenous knowledge for eco-pastoral care during the African Anthropocene
The article brings practical theology into dialogue with African Indigenous Knowledge (AIK). The conversation stands in service of informing eco-pastoral care during the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene is framed in the African context to arrive at the notion of the African Anthropocene which poses unique challenges to the continent. Eco-pastoral care is envisaged as the active engagement of faith communities in biodiversity conservation. As it is …
Are we there yet? Probing the notion of contextualising practical theology and pastoral care in a post Covid-19 glocal African context
The article is a concise rendition of the author’s inaugural lecture and tracks his academic journey with the contextualisation of practical theology and pastoral care in an African context. It latches onto the inter-contextual dialogue between Western and African notions of practical theology and pastoral care, and positions it in a post coronavirus disease (COVID-19) glocal African context. It is argued that the post COVID-19 era signalled sign…
An appreciative reflection on the use of artificial intelligence in sermon-making from a South African perspective
Concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a resource for sermon-making prompted an appreciative reflection into its use, undertaken with an awareness of the longstanding historical role of resources in this spiritual task of preachers. This article offers an overview of four key areas: (1) early approaches to preaching and sermon-making; (2) later developments in sermon-making practices; (3) ministerial training as an inte…
Sociology (17 works) · Philosophy (16 works) · Theology (11 works) · Environmental ethics (10 works) · Christian Theology and Mission (9 works) · Religion, Society, and Development (9 works) · History (8 works) · Political science (8 works) · Philosophy (7 works) · Epistemology (6 works)