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Post-Holocaust Interpretations Of ’ΙεραήΛ In Romans 9:6–9 And 11:25–27, Joshua Lafeve

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis paper surveys various interpretations of Ἰσραήλ in Rom 9:6–9 and 11:25–27 during the post-Holocaust context of Jewish-Christian relations to determine the exegetical questions most frequently discussed within those passages.

Isaiah's Oracle Against Philistia: An Exegetical And Historical Study Of Isaiah 14:28-32, Paul Wenz

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Isaiah's oracle against Philistia in 14:28-32 presents some unique problems to the exegete. Itis the only oracle with a chronological marker in Isaiah, i.e., it is dated at King Ahaz's death (v. 28), which raises questions of authorship for some. Chapter 1 introduces Isaiah's use of “Oracles against the Nations" (OAN) and specifically how Isaiah's oracle against Philistia is a good example of the genre, yet points out some of its unique characteristics. The translation of the pericope, with its exegetical details, is treated in chapter 2. Chapter 3 gives comments on the oracle and its setting, which is Isaiah's …

The Priesthood Of All The Baptized:An Exegetical And Theological Investigation, Thomas Winger

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

For all the emphasis placed on the "priesthood of all believers" as an article of faith, very little critical research has been done into its exegetical, dogmatic, and historical foundations. In his monumental study, John Elliott notes that a detailed exegetical treatment of 1Peter 2 had never before been done in the history of Christianity. 2 Yet he declines any attempt to relate his conclusions to a "dogma" of priesthood. The most extensive historical study, undertaken in two volumes by Cyril Eastwood, attempts to trace the influence of this doctrine in the history of the church, but it fails to …

The Annals Of Obadiah: A Record Of The Wars And Peace Treaties In The History Of Its Interpretation, Joel Elowsky

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It is the contention of this thesis, that in the war over Obadiah's interpretation, the translator and the historian could, by and large, sign" peace treaties" of agreement. The theologian and the homiletician, however, were engaged in nothing less than a battle to the death. The questions regarding translation and isagogics were two areas where Jewish and Christian interpreters could find much agreement and even help from the other side. The questions regarding fulfillment, significance and application of the text, however, found little if any agreement. If anything, they only helped to fuel the anomysity between the two sides which …

Aspects Of The Calendar Of The Hebrew Bible And Its Theological Significance, Charles Blanco

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of the thesis is twofold. We endeavor to provide the exegetical base for the understanding of the calendar used by God's4people in the Old Testament. There is, of course, a certain heuristic value to our topic for Old Testament studies at large. Beyond that, we find our study to be unique in its approach. Apart from the confessional position outlined above, we came to the texts without any preconceived notions about the nature, structure, and use of the Hebrew calendar. Conversely, the vast majority of works on the calendar are undertaken to prove a particular point of view. …

Isaac As Preached By Luther, Ralph Rokke

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This study will trace Luther's exposition of the life of Isaac primarily as that exposition is found in his Genesis Commentary, although at times references will also be made to other writings of Luther in which Isaac is mentioned.

An Examination Of ΕαββατισμóΣ And ΚατáΠανσις In Hebrews 3:7-4:13 In Light Of Their Old Testament Background, Richard P. Belcher Jr.

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This paper will attempt to investigate and further define the two ideas of rest in Hebrews 3:7-4:13.

The Consummation Of The Exodus: A Study Of The Exodus Motif In The Revelation, Philip S. Haugen

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The study of the Exodus motif grew out of the author's curiosity concerning the clear reference to the Exodus in Revelation 15:3. The question which arose concerned the extent to which the Exodus motif is used in the Apocalypse, and its significance. Therefore, the purpose o this study is to examine and demonstrate the use of the Exodus motif in the Revelation.

The study will commence with a discussion in chapter one of typology and the unity of Scripture. Because the Exodus is a major source of Old Testament types, an attempt will be made in chapter one to illustrate …

A Study Of The Rhetorical And Thematic Structure Of The So-Called "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17- 26) In Order To Evaluate Unity And Authenticity, Roger Cotton

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

My purpose is not to disprove the critic3,1 assumptions, methods, or theories~, but to do a fresh, straightforward, and thorough literary .analysis of the canonical text of Leviticus 17- 26 o I want to investigate the rhetorical and thematic ·structural aspects of the text and consider how these affect the interpretation of its meaning. 7 I want to determine what organization, what structure, what unity and purpose, if any, there are in Leviticus 17-26, and if it is authentic to Leviticus as a whole.

Echoes Of Pauline Concepts In The Speech At Antioch, Paul E. Deterding

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The present study will examine the speech of Acts 13 in view of these denials of its genuineness. The vocabulary, methodology, and theological concepts of this address will be compared with the thirteen letters Of Paul. This comparison will center on five major topics: The use of the Old Testament, the use of rabbinic ideas and procedures, the ministry of John the Baptizer, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and the teaching of justification. Finally, we will review the arguments against the authenticity of the speech at Antioch in light of the findings of this study in order to …

Biblical Principles For Ministering In The Church: A Study Of The Priesthood Of All Believers, The Gifts Of Grace, And The Ministry, With Special Attention To Their Mutual Relationship, Magnus Sorhus

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It is not the intention of this paper to discuss the life and function of the church in all its aspects, but to concentrate on three areas, namely the priesthood of all believers, the gifts of grace, and the ministry. Each area will be discussed separately as to their nature, functions, and their relationship. It is intended · that the paper will be concluded with a summary of the findings and conclusions.

A Contemporary Application Of The Parables Of Growth, Victor Raj

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of our study is to look at the canonical text of the four parables of growth; namely, the Sower, the Mustard Seed, the Weeds among the Wheat, and the Automatic Action of the Soil. We will do so in order to interpret them for their application for us today. The second chapter is devoted to a textual exposition of these parables. In the third chapter some basic motifs from the parables of growth receive some further discussion with a view to finding the significance of these parables for the growth of the Church.

The point of the fourth …

The Role Of The Laity In The Church Today: A Theological Basis And Practical Implications, Murv R. Kentel

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

In the last ten to fifteen years, more has been written about the role of the laity in the church today, than during any other period in church history. Our purpose in this thesis, is to state, or rather, reexamine, the theological basis of the place of the laity today, in terms of a fivefold function of the New Testament Church, and then to blueprint some practical situations, in which these functions could and should find expression in the lives of God's people, both within the community of the Church, and the community of the world.

The Relationship Of Amos To The Cult, Alfred John Johnson

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis will examine the prophecy of Amos and attempt to show that Amos was not inimical toward the cult. Through an investigation of the background and vocation of Amos it will be shown that he did not live a life of isolation, but that he had frequent intercourse with his countrymen. Through an examination of the speech forms used by Amos, it will be shown that he had a broad acquaintance with the literary arts and skills of his culture and an intimate knowledge of the cultic system of the religion of Israel.

Israel And The Nations: The Mission Motif In The Old Testament With Reference To The Yahwistic Passages Of The Pentateuch, To Deutero-Isaiah And To The Book Of Jonah, Arockiam Rajaian

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The object of this study is to investigate the mission motif in the life and thought of the people of Israel in three different periods in the nation's history, namely, the early monarchical period, the exilic period, and the post-exilic period. The inquiry seeks to determine whether or not Israel had a mission to the gentile nations during the Old Testament period, the nature of that mission, and the ways in which that mission was to be carried out. An attempt will also be made to discern the difference in emphasis in the three different periods and how the situations …

Jewish And Historical Background To 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Offiong Udo Idiong

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The eschatology of 2 Thess. 2:1-12 has been a perennial problem for biblical interpreters. The language of the chapter is very different from that which Paul uses in his other epistles. He exhorts the Thessalonians not to be excited about the coming of the day of the Lord, "for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed …" (verse 3). When the appears, he will exalt himself "against every so-called god or object of worship, so that be takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God" …

The Concept Of The New Age In Certain Hope Oracles Of The Old Testament, Adam Cooper

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The object of this study is to investigate some of the factors which give rise to eschatological thought in Israel. Specifically we intend to test a hypothesis presented by Georg Fohrer in an effort to determine whether eschatological thought as he defines it developed only during and after the period of the exile or whether it has deeper roots.

Life And Death In The Prophets, Martin Buerger

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The study of the teachings of the prophets concerning life and death is of benefit to the Christian of the New Testament era. The same problems vex him in his daily life. Grief at times appears to overcome joys. Catastrophes ruin prosperity. Death takes away life. Political maneuvering in the world raises the question of its relationship with the intent of our God in the heavens. The Christian faith, however, confidently assures the believer that God's will is always done and that even the loss of physical life is not the final chapter, the absolute end of man. He will …

The Church A Covenant Community As Seen In The Jerusalem Council Implications For The Church Today, Edgar Copeland

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It will be our purpose to show to what extent the covenant shaped the life of Israel, and to what extent the life of Israel became a pattern for the life of the church. The length of the last section has been influenced by the fact that some of these elements of the covenant are lacking in some excellent studies, and the significance of the covenant concept to the understanding of the nature and action of the church has been somewhat neglected.

Suggested Criteria For Determining The Antiquity Of The Ancient Poems In The Old Testament, John Miller

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Within the Old Testament there is a group of poems which a majority of scholars believe is quite old. In most of the books and articles which have been written on these poems, the songs are designated "ancient" or "archaic" in a rather arbitrary manner. It is the contention of this thesis that the archaic poetry is different from later poetic writing with respect to style, form, and language, and that it is possible to isolate the distinguishing characteristics of ancient poetry and, using them, to form criteria and establish a balance of probability as to the antiquity of a …

Berith Olam- Studies In The Davidic Covenant Traditions, James Rimbach

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of the present study is to explore one of these covenants, the Davidic covenant, in the light of recent analyses of the Near Eastern treaties. This portion of the study will be the material in Chapter II.

The Hopes Of Israel, Roddy Braun

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis seeks to examine in detail Israel' s hopes for the future as they find expression in the Latter Prophets. More specifically, this thesis seeks to investigate the precise forms in which and by which Israel expressed her hopes. It attempts to isolate and to examine the many varying pictures which Israel used to portray her hopes and, to the degree that the material at hand permits, to bring these varying pictures together into something of an organized whole.

The Figure Of Marriage In Ephesians 5:21-33, Fredrick Wiese

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis is an investigation of the figure of marriage in Ephesians 5:21-33. The specific problem is to determine whether or not in these verses the figure exists as it does throughout Scripture. Thus this discussion necessitates establishing what characteristics, if any, are common to the figure of marriage in the Old Testament and New Testament. The ultimate question that results is are Christ and the Church regarded as husband and wife in these verses?" The answer will be determined in these verses by specific statements to that effect or by the description of the relationship between Christ and the …

The Relationship Of The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ To His Work Of Reconcilliation In The Light Of The Covenant Idea, Kenneth Block

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The problem which this thesis investigates is the relationship of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to His work of reconciliation. The study of this .question is significant because the relationship of these two articles of faith has central importance in God's redemptive acts of salvation.

The author contends that the relationship between resurrection and reconciliation can be seen in the key idea of a covenant. The concept of a covenant is significant in the Old Testament. The Mosaic covenant is the most explicit example. The New Testament writers were thoroughly imbued with Old Testament concepts. To understand the import of …

Matthew's Concept Of The Son Of God In The Context Of Jesus' Baptism And First Temptation, Paul Bretscher

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Like Cullmann, Fuller sees a close conceptual relationship between the language of sonship and that of the Servant in Deutero- Isniah.

It is to this kind of inquiry that the present study hopes to make a contribution. We shall not attempt, as others have done, to construct a total Christology, or even to trace our single term through the whole of the New Testament. We shall concentrate on one Book, the Gospel of Matthew, and within that book on one moment, the baptism of Jesus and His first (wilderness) temptation. Resources which contribute to this limited area of study we …

Πειραξμοξ In The New Testament Of The Gospels, Richard Jeske

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

What, therefore, is the meaning of Πειραξμóσ? What is the force and power behind it? Has the New Testament taken over older ideas connected with Πειραξμóσ or has it contributed new meaning to the word? How does the substantive relate to its verb form Πειραξω? These and other questions will be answered in the following thesis.

The Messiah In Exilic And Postexilic Eschatological Prophecy, Werner Wadewitz

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

We hope to have to have shown on the basis or the Messianic elements in these exilic and postexilic eschatological prophecies, that by the time the last books of the Old Testament canon were being written and added--of which these were the last prophetic books--the picture of the Messiah was such as God wanted to reveal in the time of "shadows," till the "body” would come. If the portrait of the Messianic Priest-King is not as clear nor complete as we would like to see it, perhaps the thinking behind this was that for this reason people would become more …

The Theological Background Of The Marcan Account Of The Baptism And Temptation Of Jesus, George Nickelsburg

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the Old Testament and intertestamental background of the words and concepts appearing in Mark 1:1-13. Our study will show that almost every word and phrase in these verses is charged with a complex of theological associations stemming from the Old Testament and the Apocrypha and Pseudopigraha. We will attempt to show what these associations are, the different nuances given to them by the writers of the Old Testament and the intertestamental literature, and the varying ways which they were combined in these writings.

Shalom In The Old Testament, Howard Tepker

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Thus from the outset one is impressed with the breadth and the significance of this versatile word. It shall be the purpose of this dissertation to study the noun shalom, the verb shalam, and the adjective shalem in order to discover the various shades of meaning that attach themselves to this rather complex concept. Our attention will be centered primarily on the use of the noun. We shall treat the verb and adjective only briefly.

The Solidarity Of The New Israel, Herbert Mayer

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The New Testament Israel, or ecclesia, has been the subject of exhaustive study in recent years. A pressing question in this field is that of the relationship between the solidarity of the Israel of the Old and New Testaments. Some have held that there is no particular significance in this relationship. They regard the New Testament Church as the pure product of the teachings of Jesus without any antecedents whatever. Others have found the New Testament Church to be the essential continuation of the Old Testament Israel. The truth, as usual, lies between these extreme positions. A proper understanding of …