Department of Human Sciences

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Browsing Department of Human Sciences by Subject "COVID-19"

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    A Reformed Theological Perspective on God’s Providence Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Thulamela Local Municipality, South Africa
    (2025-09-16) Nthakheni, Rendani Collet; Mudimeli, L. M.
    During challenging circumstances, people often find themselves contemplating inquiries such as, "What is the underlying cause for these events occurring in my life?" The question of the location of God has been a topic of philosophical and theological inquiry for centuries. And what is the rationale for his decision to permit this occurrence? Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of individuals experienced a loss of religious conviction as they saw a sense of divine abandonment. The comprehension of the Providence of God proves advantageous in times of adversity. The primary objective of this study was to present a theodicy of God's providence in relation to the epidemic and to disseminate information regarding the concept of the Providence of God. Additionally, it aims to educate individuals about the potential for finding solace in the Providence of God during times of adversity and to provide an academic understanding of God's Providence from a Reformed perspective. The study employed a qualitative methodology. Qualitative research is characterised by its aim to comprehend and interpret phenomena through the lens of the participant's perspective. The main population to be considered in this study are the Reformed Church Members in the Vhembe District Municipality. The target group of this study will were both male and female youth and adults of the Reformed Churches at Thulamela Local Municipality under Vhembe District Municipality in South Africa. The goal of this research was to shed new light on how important it is for people who identify themselves as Christians to have faith in God's providence to comfort them during difficult times.
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    Virtual Worship in the Full Gospel Church: Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Sunday Services in the Thohoyandou District
    (2026-05-19) Mulaudzi, Nkhuliseni Cedrick; Muthivhi, M. E.; Mudau, N.
    The COVID-19 pandemic introduced profound disruptions to religious practices globally, including within Pentecostal communities. This study will investigate the specific challenges faced by the Full Gospel Church (FGC) in the Thohoyandou District, where Sunday worship shifted from traditional, in-person gatherings to virtual services during the pandemic. The problem to be addressed in this research is the significant impact that this sudden shift has on the church's worship experience, congregational participation, spiritual engagement, and community cohesion. Many congregants, especially those in rural areas with limited technological access, struggled with this transition, raising concerns about inclusivity, spiritual fulfilment, and the long-term sustainability of virtual worship. It explores how popular social networks and digital tools were used to keep the community spirit of the church alive, including spiritual bonds, during the pandemic. This study is important in adding to the literature-in-motion on how COVID-19 has influenced religious life and practice, especially in Pentecostal rural contexts. Such findings would be informative for church leaders and religious communities in terms of virtual worship integration into practice, even beyond times of crisis. This study pursues the dynamics of spiritual expression, communal engagement, and how worship in the digital practice is sustained through qualitative means. The study will be a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews with church leaders and congregants will be carried out first to gain insight into experiences and perceptions of virtual worship. The study gives practical recommendations that might be helpful for other religious groups at similar junctures of change in their virtual worship experiences. Thus, this will place the study in the position of hopefully indicating the potentiality of digital platforms for maintaining spiritual communities in the face of unexpected challenges and ensuring continuity in worship.