Date of Award

5-1-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Practical Theology

First Advisor

Richard Marrs

Scripture References in this Resource

Leviticus 13:45-46; 1 Samuel 1:6; John 1:46; 1 Corinthians 12:27; James 5:11; Matthew 1:22-23; Genesis 1:27; John 10:10; Mark 28:19; Mark 1:29-34; Genesis 4:1-16; Luke 10:30-37; John 5:1-18; 2 Corinthians 12:9; John 14:34-35; John 4:27; Titus 5:3; James 1:27; 1 Corinthians 12:25; 1 Samuel 1:11; Lamentations 3:19-26; Romans 8:25; Isaiah 58:12; Isaiah 1:6; Ezekiel 30:21; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9; Isaiah 43:1; Psalm 23:3; Ephesians 4:26; Galatians 6:2; John 14:1; Deuteronomy 8:2-5; Psalm 119:49; Psalm 130:5; Psalm 116:1-2

Abstract

Ouko, Christine Adhiambo. “Role of the Church in Fighting HIV-AIDS Stigmatization among Women in Kenya.” MA thesis, Concordia Seminary, 2015, 116 pp.

Practical Theology, a discipline under which this thesis is based, is the application of God’s word in real life problems. HIV/AIDS stigmatization is a persistent and pernicious problem to any effective response to the pandemic. It is, therefore, a perennial danger confronting the church. The peril is acute when women and children struggle in alienation and despair in familial, social, and religious places believed to be lifesaving stations. Apparently, it is not easy to bear the burden of secondary stigmatization because it inevitably exposes us to our own vulnerabilities since the pain of those people who are stigmatized resonates our own pain. However, it is in relating to those in pain that we become growth enablers in their lives. It is within this context that this thesis questions the role and response of the church to AIDS stigmatization. This thesis provides important insights and challenges Christian communities, not only in Kenya, but also in all situations where people are stigmatized and suffer from being treated as “others.” It is with the conviction that Christian community is a movement that provides refuge to the needs of those lying on contemporary Jericho Roads, robbed of their selfesteem, identity, and dignity, and beaten by the crises and tragedies of AIDS stigmatization that the church should be an active participant and not a mere observer or good speck removers in this movement. The church should address aspects of people’s lives that have been shipwrecked in their daily storms of living with AIDS stigmatization, broken in the hidden coral reefs of anxiety, lack of integrity, and guilt.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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