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The Origin Of The Eschatological Feast As A Wedding Banquet In The Synoptic Gospels: An Intertextual Study, Phillip J. Long

Dissertations

The Problem. The problem this dissertation seeks to address is the origins of the wedding banquet imagery in the teaching of Jesus. Frequently, scholars will state that the image of a wedding banquet was a common messianic image in the first century. However, other than Isa 25:6-8, sources for the image of a banquet for the messianic age in the Hebrew Bible are sparse. Yet the image of a banquet clearly appears in the Synoptic Gospels in both the actions of Jesus as well as his teaching. Because the metaphor of a wedding banquet is not found in the literature …

Ezekiel 5:5-17 And Theodicy: A Theological Investigation Of The Character Of God, Paul Onyango Wahonya

Dissertations

The question of the character of God has been an issue of contention among many biblical scholars, particularly when considering the severe punitive actions that he unleashes upon humanity from time to time. This contention makes it imperative to reexamine the biblical corpus to ascertain its portrayal of YHWH's character in the light of his harsh and severe judgments.

The exegetical examination of Ezek 5:5-17 in the context of Ezek 1-24 has revealed that YHWH is a God who upholds the terms of the covenant. When his people breach the covenant stipulations, as the Israelites did, he takes appropriate disciplinary …

Katapausis And Sabbatismos In Hebrews 4, Erhard Gallos

Dissertations

Problem. Enthusiasm for the subject has not resulted in a general consensus regarding the meaning of “rest” in Heb 4. The dissertation studies the meaning of katapausis and sabbatismos in Heb 4 together with its relation to the neglected gatherings in Heb 10.

Method. The study consists of an analysis of those passages in which the rest motif is found explicitly (Heb 3-4) as well as the unit (Heb 10) which exhibits cohesion to the rest motif in Heb 4, giving special attention to the use of the term katapausis in the Septuagint, sabbatismos in Christian and non-Christian literature, and …

The Sabbath In The Pentateuch: An Exegetical And Theological Study, Mathilde Frey

Dissertations

Many studies have explored the seventh-day Sabbath in the Pentateuch from historical-critical, theological, and historical perspectives. However, systematic contextual exegesis and close reading of the pentateuchal Sabbath texts have been neglected. This dissertation investigates literary features of these passages in their respective contexts and develops an integrated Sabbath theology from the viewpoint of the Pentateuch as a whole.

In chapter 1, an overview of literature on the biblical Sabbath introduces the topic and describes the methodology of the study. Chapters 2 to 5 explore specific contextual, stylistic, and linguistic elements of the pentateuchal Sabbath pericopes, which contribute to expression of …

The Function Of Loipos In Contexts Of Judgment And Salvation In The Book Of Revelation, Leslie N. Pollard

Dissertations

Problem addressed. The function of loipos in the Apocalypse is the focus of this research.

Method. A close reading approach to the Apocalypse was employed in this study. Every occurrence of loipos as it applies to human entities in contexts of judgment and salvation in the Apocalypse is examined. First, comes textual and translation matters. Then the examination of the literary context and structure follows. Next comes the historical background to each passage. Finally, the interpretation of that passage is presented.

Results. Chapter 1 presents a review of the scholarly literature from the Old and New Testaments on the remnant …

Theology Of Judgment In Genesis 6-9, Chun Sik Park

Dissertations

The present dissertation seeks to develop a theology of judgment in Gen 6-9. Following an introductory chapter, the second chapter is devoted to analyzing the three main extrabiblical ANE flood stories (the Eridu Genesis, the Atra-Hasis Epic, and the Gilgamesh Epic) from the four aspects of judgment: date, cause and purpose, extent, and procedure. The analysis of those stories reveals that the ANE flood was a historical and local (global dimension is implied) event without moral cause, and that the judgment of the deities had a procedure of investigation, sentence, execution, and mitigation. The third chapter treats the theology of …

Paul's Apparent Reversal Of Concern For The Weak Brother In L Corinthians 10:29b-30: An Examination Of The Text In Light Of Greco-Roman Rhetoric, Moses Oladele Taiwo

Dissertations

Problem . In 1 Cor 8:1-10:29a, Paul has been consistently on the side of the brother in 8:11 whose conscience is weak to eat food offered to idols. But, in 10:29b-30, he seems to reverse himself, here suggesting that one should be able to eat anything, regardless of its provenance or the effect such eating may have on others. Or, what should be made of the two questions asked in the text that appear neither fitted to the context nor directly answered by what precedes and follows in the discussion of εἰδωλόθυτα in 8:1-11:17?

Approach . Scholars have employed various …

Creation In Isaiah, Wann M. Fanwar

Dissertations

This study investigates the role of creation thought in Isaiah in order to determine its relationship to Isaiah's concept of God as creator, especially as it pertains to his salvific work for and through Israel. This investigation is carried out in three steps. First, Isaiah's use of creation language, which involves specific explicit creation terms and implicit references (metaphors), is investigated. Second, selected creation texts, namely, 4:2-6; 43:1-7; 44:24-45:25; and 65:17-25, are exegeted. Third, Isaiah's creation thought is studied in relationship to other significant concepts in the book, such as salvation theology and redemption history, and God's salvific intention for …

The Cultic Motif In Space And Time In The Book Of Daniel, Winfried Vogel

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to study spatio-temporal elements that contribute to a cultic motif in the book of Daniel and to ascertain the impact of that motif on the theology of the book.

Chapter 1 investigates the following references and allusions to cult in the realm of space: mountain, sanctuary, temple, throne, and city. All of the texts where these references and allusions occur are examined by linguistic, literary, and contextual analyses, taking into account biblical and non-biblical traditions.

Chapter 2 investigates the following references and allusions to cult in the realm of time: time of theevening offering, …

The Michael Figure In The Book Of Daniel, Lewis O. Anderson

Dissertations

Problem. In the book of Daniel, The Michael figure, although mentioned only three times, occupies a prominent position in history and at the eschaton as the heavenly guardian prince of Israel. The Michael problem, although complex, may be understood as basically twofold: Who is Michael? What is Michael's function?

In the first question, a basic issue is whether Michael is a prominent angel, or a divine, messianic being. Another issue in this same question is the extent to which Michael is to be identified with other OT beings, within or outside the book of Daniel, such as the Son of …

The Use And Abuse Of Authority: An Investigation Of The Ἐξουσία Passages In Revelation, Laszlo I. Hangyas

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to carry outa linguistic, structural, and exegetical investigation of the term ἐξουσία as it occurs in the Greek text of the Apocalypse.

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the pertinent literature dealing with ἐξουσία. The review follows a chronological order to demonstrate a trend in the development of ἐξουσία studies. Earlier works put more emphasis on the meaning of power or authority, whereas recent studies point to liberty and right as the primary meaning of ἐξουσία. The current tendency emphasizes philosophical and socio-ethical aspects without due consideration of the etymology of the term.

Chapter …

Resurrection In Daniel 12 And Its Contribution To The Theology Of The Book Of Daniel, Artur A. Stele

Dissertations

This study attempted to investigate the resurrection passages of Dan 12. The main concern was to discover the nature, scope, timing, and purpose of the resurrection in Dan 12:2 and 12:13, to establish the relationship between these two passages, and to determine the contribution of the resurrection of Dan 12 to the theology of the book of Daniel.

Chapter 1 offers a review of literature that presents the different and often conflicting opinions regarding the kind, extent, timing, and function of the resurrection in Dan 12.

Chapter 2 provides an exegetical study of the two resurrection passages in Dan 12 …

Paul's Earliest Statement Concerning The Christian Church: A Review And Evaluation Of Research Into Paul's Association Of The Term Ἐκκλησία To Ἐν Χριστῷ In 1 Thessalonians, Roberto Pereyra

Dissertations

The purpose of the dissertation is to develop a deeper understanding of Paul's earliest statement concerning the Christian Church as expressed in the context of 1 Thessalonians. This understanding is gained through a review and evaluation of research into Paul's association of the term ἐκκλησία to the ἐν Χριστῷ motif in the context of 1 Thessalonians.

Chapter 1 reviews literature on the topic and introduces the study. Chapter 2 examines introductory issues of 1 Thessalonians such as authorship, date and place of writing, recipients, general situation, and purpose. Chapter 3 deals with the authenticity of 1 Thess 2:13-16, aliterary question …

The Background And Meaning Of The Sealed Book Of Revelation 5, Ranko Stefanović

Dissertations

The primary task of this study was to determine the background of the sealed βιβλίον of Rev 5 and its meaning and significance in its literary context.

The historical survey shows that the interpretation of the sealed βιβλίον has undergone significant modifications in the course of time. The earliest documented Patristic references to Rev 5:1-5 indicate that the early church interpreted the sealed βιβλίον most likely in the context of the exaltation of the resurrected Christ as the eschatological sovereign. From the third century on, however, numerous studies regarding the contents and meaning of the sealed βιβλίον have led to …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Creation Concepts And Themes In The Book Of Psalms, Gnanamuthu S. Wilson

Dissertations

This descriptive analysis provides a comprehensive and wholistic view of Creation in the Book of Psalms. It is viewed in the background of the rest of the Creation material found in the Old Testament and the ancient Near Eastern religious records. Hermeneutics and analytic induction have helped to create a synthesis of major concepts and themes about Creation.

After an introductory overview of the three categories of documents (chapter 1), a literature review on the Psalms (chapter 2) analyzes eleven major studies on Creation, then seven studies of individual Psalms, plus five minor studies. None of these provides acomprehensive, wholistic …

Scripture In The Theologies Of W. Pannenberg And D. G. Bloesch: An Investigation And Assessment Of Its Origin, Nature, And Use, Frank Hasel

Dissertations

Scripture has played an authoritative role in Christian theology for centuries and has been at the heart of Protestant theology from its beginning. The rise of modern historical criticism, however, has led to a crisis at this very foundation of Protestant theology. In this context this dissertation seeks to set forth, analyze, compare, and evaluate theconcept of Scripture in the theologies of two contemporary Protestant systematic theologians who represent significantly different concepts of Scripture: Wolfhart Pannenberg and Donald G. Bloesch.

Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction, delineates the objectives, research methodology, and delimitations of the study. This is followed in …

The Signs Of The Parousia: A Diachronic And Comparative Study Of The Apocalyptic Vocabulary Of Matthew 24:27-31, Ki Kon Kim

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to find continuity and discontinuity in the use of the apocalyptic vocabulary in Matt 24:27-31 with that of the apocalyptic literature by tracing its possible literary allusions or parallels.

Chapter 1 states the problems concerning Matt 24:27-31, as well as the purpose and limitation of the study; reviews relevant literature; describes methodology and procedures used; and surveys the ancient sources which witness to the apocalyptic traditions which may be assumed to be related to the passage.

Chapter 2 explores the term "Parousia" in order to grasp the meaning of the Matthean Parousia because it …

The Sodom/Egypt/Babylon Motif In The Book Of Revelation, Edwin Earl Reynolds

Dissertations

This study observes in the book of Revelation the motif of a Great City which was variously characterized as Sodom, Egypt, and Babylon. It sets out to determine the significance of this characterization by tracing the Sodom, Egypt, and Babylon traditions in the OT, the NT, and the relevant extrabiblical literature. Then it seeks to learn how John used the motif throughout the book of Revelation and to understand the implications of the motif for John's theology.

Chapter 1 is an introduction to the dissertation, to the book of Revelation, and to the literature relevant to the dissertation.

Chapter 2 …

The Composition Of Tripolar Announcement Stories In The Gospel Of Mark, Hans-Otto Reling

Dissertations

In the Gospel of Mark one finds narratives with three main characters. These stories, which belong to the category of pronouncement stories, I call tripolar pronouncement stories. These narratives have not been recognized, nor has their significance been examined.

I utilize in my study the principles of narrative criticism. Subsequently, I analyze the eight tripolar pronouncement stories of the Gospel of Mark according to the plot, characters, setting, and rhetoric of the story.

The tripolar pronouncement stories that can be identified in the Gospel of Mark are: (1) Mark 2:1-12 (The Healing of the Paralytic), (2) Mark 2:15-17 (Jesus' Company …

The Definition And Function Of Markan Intercalation As Illustrated In A Narrative Analysis Of Six Passages, Tom Shepherd

Dissertations

Intercalation of stories is a stylistic feature of the Gospel of Mark which has been recognized in scholarly research since the early twentieth century. However, two problems have not been satisfactorily solved in relation to intercalation in Mark. The first is obtaining a focused definition of this storytelling pattern. The second is to explain its function in the Markan story.

The purpose of the current research was to resolve these two questions by a narrative analysis of six passages commonly accepted as illustrating intercalation. The six passages are Mark 3:20-35; 5:21-43; 6;7-32; 11:12-25; 14:1-11; and 14:53-72. These passages were each …

The Latter Days And The Time Of The End In The Book Of Daniel, Gerhard Pfandl

Dissertations

This study attempts to investigate the two temporal expressions be'aharit hayyamim (the latter days) and cet qes (the time of the end) in the book of Daniel. Its main objective is to determine the precise meanings ofthese phrases and the relationship between them.

Chapter 1 presents an historical review of literature on the expression "the latter days" and "the time of the end." The four major schools of interpretation (Historical-critical, Preterist, Historicist, Futurist-dispensational) and their understanding of these phrases are outlined and the great divergence of opinions among scholars concerning them is noted. Furthermore, the issues and problems …

Clark H. Pinnock's Shift In His Doctrine Of Biblical Authority And Reliability, An Analysis And Critique, Ray C. Roennfeldt

Dissertations

This study investigates Clark H. Pinnock's shift in his doctrine of biblical authority and reliability.

A brief introduction, delineating the objectives, method, and delimitations of the study, is followed by an historical survey of developments inregard to biblical authority and reliability from the sixteenth century onwards. There were few doubts regarding scriptural authority and veracity until the rise of English Deism, biblical criticism, and religious liberalism. The resulting demolition of the traditional view of Scripture was protested by Fundamentalism, then by evangelicalism. Contemporary evangelicals, however, reveal little uniformity in regard to the doctrine of Scripture. Pinnock's own role in the …

The Resurrection Motif In Hosea 5:8-6:6: An Exegetical Study, Bertrand C. Pryce

Dissertations

This study investigates Hos 5:8-6:6 in an attempt to discover the mode and function of the resurrection motif. Chapter 1 surveys the interpretation of Hos 5:8-6:6 since the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. Previous discussion of this passage, notwithstanding a few careful exegetical and pointed treatments, is in the main cursory, not comprehensive and detailed, or engages in alteration of the MT. The studies reviewed support either a healing, historical/political, or resurrection viewpoint of Hos 6:1-3. These conclusions are for the most part not buttressed by a detailed and close scrutiny of each verse and similar contexts …

The Function Of Christ's Suffering In I Peter 2:21, Madelynn Jones-Haldeman

Dissertations

Problem. The phrase "because Christ also suffered for you" in 1 Peter 2:21b has been interpreted to suggest the vicarious death of Christ. The problem posed by this understanding results from the comparison made between Christ and the slaves who are invited to follow Christ's example. Therefore this study sought to determine the function of Christ's suffering in 1 Peter 2:21b and the nature of the example left to the slaves.

Method. The Greek grammar and literary style of the pericope were analyzed; documents that discussed the slave-master relationship in the first centuries B.C. and A.D. were studied; and books, …

Impeccability In 1 John: An Evaluation, Leon Eloy Wade

Dissertations

The First Epistle of John confronts us with a dilemma which, since its inception, has challenged many students of the Bible. On the other hand, the Christian must not deny his sinfulness -- for which, however, there is a ready solution in the expiation wrought by Jesus Christ. On the other hand, the one who abides in God and is born of him does not sin and, indeed, cannot sin.

Many solutions, discussed and evaluated in chapter 1 have been attempted to harmonize this apparent contradiction. Though some are more satisfying than others, a common weakness exhibited among them all …

The Son Of The Morning And The Guardian Cherub In The Context Of The Controversy Between Good And Evil, Jose M. Bertoluci

Dissertations

Problem. Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-19 have been used, since the times of the Church Fathers, to explain the origin of sin in the universe, and interpreted as depicting the fall of Satan from heaven. However, through the years--especially from the end of the nineteenth century and on--theologians have affirmed that those passages report historical events, making use of mythological material in their narratives; and therefore have not to do with the origin of sin or Satan. It is the aim of this dissertation to verify these claims.

Method and Results. Chapter 1 reviews the interpretations of the passages from …

Poor And Rich In The Epistle Of James: A Socio-Historical And Exegetical Study, Pedrito U. Maynard-Reid

Dissertations

This investigation attempts to break further away from the parochialism in dealing with the Epistle of James--moving away from the purely literary and theological orientation, and paying more attention to the social milieu out of which the document arose and how the ethos of the community impinged upon the thought of the writer.

Socially oriented studies in NT scholarship are not new. Since the 1930s, however, this emphasis has been largely neglected until its recent revival. Chapter I shows that the greatest problem with social orientation in NT studies is finding a satisfactory method. The majority of scholars who are …

Galatians As Dialogical Response To Opponents, Bernard Hungerford Brinsmead

Dissertations

This thesis seeks to discover the center of Galatians, its unique theological statement, by approaching the question from the perspective of the dialogical nature of the letter as a piece of literature, and the theology of the opponents with which it is dialogical. The context of a piece of literature is essential to its being understood. When a letter is as obviously disputative as is Galatians, a vital part of that context must be the opponents who have called it forth. The review of literature reveals that the identity of the opponents in Galatia remains "problematic." Two things in particular …

The Apocalyptic "Son Of Man" In Daniel 7, Arthur J. Ferch

Dissertations

This investigation studies the identity and nature of the manlike figure in Dan 7:13-14 (hereafter referred to as SM). In the first chapter we reviewed the interpretations of the SM in Jewish and Christian literature since the beginning of the second century of our era and noted that with the exception of the seventeenth century study by Carpzov, discussion of the Danielic figure was limited to passing comments. Throughout this period the SM was interpreted mainly messianically or christologically. During the nineteenth century more substantial inquiries attempted to find answers to the identity and nature of the manlike being primarily …