The characteristics of traditional discipleship taught and practiced in Samoan society reflect the consideration of the church’s needs and demands which are more important than family. For example, one characteristic of becoming a disciple is that he or she is expected to abandon his or her family and follow Jesus. However, public criticism of this...

The purpose of this thesis is to study the intersection between the forms of Christianity introduced into Samoa, and traditional Samoan social patterns and values, in the period up to 1880. A long introduction lays the groundwork for the rest of the work, by setting out the conception of Samoan society that is the basis...

Following feminist critiques and challenges to the distinctive and discourse within the genre of public theology, this research further explores possibilities in feminist public theologies. By engaging with the work of Luce Irigaray and acknowledging the relational paradigm shift that her philosophy effects, this research explores a public theology of relationships. This exploration takes place...

This is a study of a particular religious group, 'conservative Christians';, and their reaction to cultural and legal change in recent decades. Their religious liberty is a key focus. Part I provides the background. Chapter 1 describes the conservative Christian "narrative" of New Zealand-a story of cultural or de facto establishment of a generic Christianity...

This dissertation seeks to understand the religious experience of Samoans in New Zealand. The research uses the framework and themes of phenomenology of religion to observe, describe and interpret the expressions of Samoan religious experience in the thoughts of Samoans, their actions and their communities.The major analysis is conducted on the basis of selected theoretical...