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Narrative Seam Antics In Luke's Gospel, James Waddell

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

By presenting the above seven text models at the beginning of this study my intention is to recreate a reading experience I once had. You might say, it is intended to recreate the experience of reading the Magnificat again for the first time.

Vanity In Human Life-A Comparative Study Of The Role Of Hebel In Qoheleth And Wu In The Philosophical Thought Of Wang Bi, Samuel Hsiao-Yung Liu

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The aim of this study is to increase the mutual understanding between the Old Testament and ancient Chinese thought. The methodology is both cross-cultural and exegetical. Without the effort of exegesis, an understanding of hebel would be colored by one's own assumptions and prejudices. The same thing is true of ancient Chinese philosophy. The concept of wu was first discussed not by Wang Bi but by Lao Zia (in about the fifth century B.C.E.), the founder of Daoism. A$ a re-interpreter of wu, Wang-Bi developed the original meaning of Lao Zi and increased a new spirit for Daoism, Confucianism and …

"The People Of God" In The Old Testament: The View Of Eichrodt And Gutierrez As Evaluated By Confessional Lutheran Hermeneutics, Acir Raymann

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

This dissertation is about the concept of People of God in the Old Testament in late Academic Theology and in Liberation Theology as evaluated by Lutheran Hermeneutics.

The Usage Of A Κατ Ω Formula In The Book Of Revelation, Shiu Ming Lau

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

In this paper I will first describe the background and usage of the "Alpha and Omega" formula. Next, I will evaluate all these possibilities. Finally, I will explain the meaning and significance of this formula in the Book of Revelation.

Suspended Endings In Ancient Literature-A Context For The Evaluation Of The Ending Of Mark's Gospel, David Lewis

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

In response to this second, literary level argumentation, this paper will attempt to provide evidence which will support the view that Mark 16:1-8 can be properly interpreted on the literary level as the ending intended by the author. In addition, in response to the objection that the use of a sudden, unexpected, inconclusive ending (such as 16:8 would be) demonstrates a modern literary device which would be foreign to ancient authors, this paper will consider the endings of other ancient literary works and examine how these endings function in relationship to the narrative as a whole and to the expectations …

How Can The Ancient Greek Translations Of The Song Of The Suffering Servant, Michael Walther

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

The ancient Greek Translations of The Song of the Suffering Servant 1n Isaiah 52.13-53.12 provide and interesting example of the way 1n which people of the past have struggled with difficult texts. This particular study draws from the septuagint (LXX) as well as the later Greek versions produced by Aquila, Theodotion, and Symmachus. Following a brief review of these four important Greek translations, I will examine the important variations and offer my conclusions regarding the meaning of the Song and the task of translation.

Feminism And The Major Female Characters Of Exodus, Scott Ashmon

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The scope of this thesis is feminist interpretations of the major female characters of Exodus: Shiphrah, Puah, Moses’ mother (Jochebed), Moses’ sister, Pharaoh’s daughter, Miriam, and Zipporah. I will demonstrate that feminists interpret the major female characters of Exodus in three general ways. First, some feminists interpret the major female characters of Exodus in proper contextual, grammatical fashion and end up with a more accurate portrayal of the women. For this thesis, the term “exegetical” will be the shorthand term for this type of interpretation. Second, other feminists interpret the major female characters in exegetical fashion, but then exaggerate the …

Literary Approaches To The Book Of Jonah, Thomas Engler

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

"Kein Buch des Alten Testaments, abgesehen von den Psalmen, ist so oft erklart worden wie daskleine Buch Jona."1 It is even common to see disclaimers for one more book being written on Jonah. Hence the disclaimer that this investigation is not on the Book of Jonah per se, but falls into "the almost legendary category of analysis of analyses."2 That is, this investigation will not attempt to make an original literary analysis of the Book of Jonah. It will look at what others have discovered, analyze their purpose and methods, and seek to learn from them the contributions "literary approaches" …

The Enemies Of God's People-A Comparison Of Pauline And Jewish Exegesis, Charles Schulz

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

In light of the current re-evaluation of points of identity and divergence between Pauline Christianity and Judaism, this thesis presents a study of how each religion applied a single motif from the Psalter: the enemies of God's people. We start from the obvious common ground, the Old Testament shared by both Paul and the Jew as their sacred text. The work focuses on the unique opportunity afforded by the text of Romans 3:9-20, where Paul cites the Old Testament depiction of the wicked enemies. Next, we survey how apocalyptic and rabbinic Judaism developed and employed the enemy theme. Our conclusion …

Suffering And Eschatology In Light Of An Exegetical Study Of 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, Richard Shields

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

This paper examines suffering in light of an exegetical study of 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5.According to rhetorical analysis the exordium includes 1:1-12, with three major parts: epistolary prescript (1: 1-2); thanksgiving (1:3-10); and intercessory prayer (1: 11-12).2 Thus, this text occurs near the beginning of Paul's introductory thanks giving. 3 Many commentators appear to rush through this section in anticipation of examining the heart of the letter, chapter2.Recently, deSilva, commenting on 1 Thessalonians, "proposes that the thanksgiving section [of 1 Thessalonians 1] functions as much more than a captatio benevolentiae ....Rather, it addresses a real concern for the congregation(s)." Even more …

The Function Of The Questions "How Long?" And "Why?" Addressed To God In The Lament Psalms, Robert Shreckhise

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

The issue under consideration in this paper is the meaning and purpose of the questions How long? and Why? addressed directly to God in the lament psalms. The psalms which contain these questions are a subset of the larger body of psalms classified as laments or prayers for help. These particular question-psalms are comprised of nine individual laments, five community laments, one each of a kingly lament and an individual lament in behalf of the community. Of over one hundred and fifty questions in the entire Psalter, these psalms contain the majority of the questions addressed directly to God. The …

“Have You Never Read?” The Significance Of Old Testament Citations In The Plot Of Matthew’S Gospel, Carl M. Hanson

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The primary purpose of this thesis is to begin to make a narrative critical examination of the use of explicit Old Testament formula citations in Matthew as they relate to the plot of the story. As an introductory study into the problem, a number of skills will be developed in this study. One prerequisite will be to explore and develop a better understanding of the narrative critical method. This means gaining the skills necessary in using this method to analyze the question above. Ancillary to this will be to gain an appreciation for the study of plot in general, and …

Eb-Pacificadores-Superar Conflictos, Ted Kober, Ken Sande

Estudios Bíblicos

EB-Pacificadores-superar conflictos

An Examination Of The Theology Of Blessing As Found In The Book Of Job, Charles Fox

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

The true blessing that we find in Job, as we will see, is a far different matter! In this paper on blessing as revealed to us in the book of Job I will examine the Hebrew words used there for blessing; the conveyor, content, cause, and purpose of blessing; Job's theological shift; and finally the theology of blessing as revealed to us in the book of Job.

Ransomed/Redeemed - At What Price A Study Of The Λυτρον Group Of Words, Frederick Schmitt

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

A major problem in word studies is how much of the meanings and implications found in earlier word usage carries over into later usage, or in moving from one language to another. Today when we use the words "ransom" or "redeem" many of the aspects common to their usage 200 years ago will not be inferred or understood by today's average hearer. Nor is it likely that most of the nuances of the corresponding biblical Greek and Hebrew terms for "ransom" and "redeem" would be picked up by today's audience. But was there a significant change in understanding in these …

The Reign Of Christ And The Mission Of The Church, William Eickhoff

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

This paper will explore the reign of Christ and the mission of the Church in the Book of Revelation. Specifically, it will be a study of Revelation 11:3-13. In the exegetical study of those verses, the great theme of the Church's mission will then be related to the book as a whole. First, the situation of the churches in mission will be discussed. Then a word study of the word μάρτς will be presented. The specific study of Revelation 11:3-13 will follow and finally the conclusion will draw out implications for the Church in mission today. The Church of John's …

Orality As The Key To Understanding Apostolic Proclamation In The Epistles, Thomas Winger

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

Redaction criticism and its modern successors in the literary field, while they give more credit to the text and the author, have at the same time mired the academy again into a modern mud of sources and manipulation. There is promise in certain new paths—rhetoric, reader-response, speech-act theory, methods which we will note briefly in the first chapter. But finally we must move out of the "academy" and into the church. For the orality of Scripture is not just about its origin but also about its use and purpose. The Scriptures are a liturgical piece. They belong not on the …

The Tearing Of The Temple Veil And The Death Of Jesus In The Gospel Of Luke, Douglas Stowe

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Luke's presentation of the death of Jesus is markedly different from that of Matthew and Mark. Both Matthew and Mark, on the one hand, follow the same narrative sequence. Unnatural darkness covers the land at noontime. At the ninth hour Jesus cries, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" After this the observers around the cross offer him sour wine, and he dies with a great shout. Then, the temple curtain is tom from top to bottom, and a centurion makes a confession (Mt 27:45-54; Mk 15:33-39).1On the other hand, Luke's narrative orders the events this way: first, …

Hermeneutical Approaches To The Isaiah Apocalypse: An Examination Of Form- And Redaction-Critical Interpretive Principles And Foundations For A New Study Of Isaiah 24-27, William Carr Jr

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis is an exercise in detecting these underlying hermeneutical principles in the secondary literature as they have been applied to Isaiah 24-27, in relation to the three areas of investigation mentioned above: literary coherence (unity), date, and genre. Of primary interest are works produced since Anderson's watershed essay; however, since itis presupposed that the more recent researchers have relied considerably on an earlier scholarly tradition, it will be necessary to trace present principles to previous principals, especially of Isaiah studies, Bernhard Duhm, and of form criticism, Hermann Gunkel.

The Arrest Of Jesus: An Exegesis Of Matthew 26:47-56, Michael Schmidt

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

This paper will examine Matthew 26: 47-56, the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Only the larger context of Matthew and what Matthew had available to him (i.e., the Old Testament) will be drawn upon to understand this pericope. This paper has been divided into the following parts: I)Translation and Notes, II) Limits, Structure, and Themes, and III) Genre and Literary Setting, IV) Concluding Thoughts.

Isaiah's Damascus Oracle: Responding To International Threats, Harald Schoubye

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

I propose the following theses: (1) since Isaiah 17-18 fit under the same superscription we therefore should and can interpret them as one unit;(2) and that Isaiah 1-16 supplies the reader with the necessary information to interpret Isaiah 17-18 sufficiently. I believe we will find a unity supported by the composition of Isaiah 17-18, by the themes and metaphors in Isaiah 17-18, and through the events that Isaiah 17-18 describe.

The method that I will use to prove this thesis will be to study the information both external to the text and internal to it. First, I will seek to …

Use Of Ek Πι∑Τεω∑ In Romans And Galatians: The Significance Of Paul’S Choice Of Prepositions With Πι∑Τει∑ As Object And Its Bearing Upon Justification By Faith, Andrew John Spallek

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

In addressing the current debate concerning Paul's explanation of justification by faith as it pertains to Jews and to gentiles, the present study will examine the meaning of ὲκ πίστεως in Paul and its bearing on justification by faith. The approach to this examination will be rather complex. In order to arrive at a precise meaning for ὲκ πίστεως, it is essential that the word πίστις be thoroughly examined, especially its connection to the Old Testament concept of faith (אכזד). In order to differentiate between ὲκ πίστεως and other prepositional phrases with πίστις it will be necessary to examine the …

Genre And Outline: The Key To The Literary Structure Of Hebrews, Harald Tomesch

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

The primary purpose of this dissertation is to outline the relationship of the opening periodic sentence (Figure 3.1) and its syntactical, grammatical, semantic, exegetical and hermeneutical relationship to the Sermon in Miniature found in Figures 3.2 and 3.3. With this as the primary focus the ground will have been laid for the ongoing appraisal of the sermon as a whole (Figure 3.4). The overall outline of the sermon will be examined briefly so that the reader may understand that the schematic does function in a simple fashion for the rest of the epistle. As we move through the veil of …

The Lord's Prayer-Its Interpretation And A Reassessment Of An Eschatological Orientation, Favoring The Prayer's Primary Application As Being For The Present Gospel Age, David Fielding

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

"The Lord's Prayer: Its Interpretation and a Reassessment of an Eschatological Orientation, Favoring the Prayer's Primary Application as Being for the Present Gospel Age"

This dissertation (633 pp.) by David Fielding, Th.D., 1995,NT Exegetical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO., defends the applicability of the LP for the present Gospel age on the basis of its seven imperative verbs understood as typical "prayer aorists." Therefore a strictly future eschatological interpretation restricts the rich meaning of this Prayer, taught by Jesus on more than one occasion. The orientation of the LP primarily to the present is also supported by its context …

Marriage Beyond Hierarchy-How To Keep Building A Better Partnership Marriage, George Zoebl

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The debate over the statue of women represents a large clash between venerable religious beliefs and social movements that have affected the understanding of what a "true Biblical marriage” should be. This paper explores "Marriage Beyond Hierarchy...How To Keep Building a Partnership Marriage."

Chapter one deals with an exegetical study of Ephesians 6:22-33, I Peter 3:1-7, I Corinthians 7 and looks at the Lutheran Confessions and what they say about marriage, roles, responsibilities, submission and headship. Chapter two examines the "chain of command" model of marriage in comparison with the "equal partnership" model. Finally, chapter throe presents a method for …

When God Becomes Your Enemy- The Theology Of The Complaint Psalms, Ingvar Floysvik

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

The experience of being forgotten, rejected or even attacked by God has been very real for people of all times. An untimely death in the family, prolonged sickness, unfair treatment in the community or in court, or on the larger scale, natural disasters, war and persecution, these and other catastrophes may make individuals or whole communities experience God as an enemy. Readers of the Bible recognize that income psalms the psalmists share these experiences. They complain to God that he has abandoned them or that he is angry with them. The present dissertation is an investigation into the theology of …

Marriage And The Image Of God As It Is Reflected In Paul's Understanding Of Women And The Ministry In Four Passages: 1 Cor. 11:2-16; 14:33b-36; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Tim. 2:11-15, Lane Burgland

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

This study proposes to examine the Pauline texts which bear most directly upon the subject of women and their involvement in the ministry of word and sacrament. Several evangelical feminist6writers will be engaged in the study at specific points in the interpretation. The primary goal of this paper, however, is to produce an exegesis of these four passages which identifies the basis of Paul's comments and demonstrates their unity. This work is intended to answer the question: "how does what Paul's says about women in four passages reflect his understanding of the image of God and Christology?"

The contribution this …

Hebrew Narrative: Theory For Proclamation, Alan Toenjes

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

While acknowledging (enthusiastically!) the close relationship between homiletics and exegesis, this paper will approach Hebrew narratives from the vantage point of the exegete, specifically, that of the Lutheran exegete who confesses Scripture as God's Word of both Law and Gospel. From this point of view, this thesis will posit a hermeneutical understanding of Hebrew narratives as Scripture that will be of value for the preacher.

A fundamental presupposition that this paper shares with the likes of Thompson, Gowan and others, is that it is important to preach on Old Testament texts. It is no secret that this assumption has not …

Reading 2 Corinthians 3:4-18: An Exercise In Exegesis, Vilson Scholz

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

Paul's letters have a reading history of almost two millennia. It is a history of readings and misreadings, of grasping the general drift of the texts and of being puzzled when it comes down to the details. Readers have felt this ever since the New Testament era. Already in the first century Saint Peter writes that some things in Paul’s letters are "hard to understand" (2 Pet. 3:16).

He Will Baptize You With The Holy Spirit And Fire, Luther Esala

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The phrase, Αύτός ύμȃς βαπτίσει ε̍ν πνεύματι α̍γι̍ψ καί πυρί has puzzled me for years. This thesis is an attempt to solve the puzzle. The first half of the thesis will be a history of the interpretation of this phrase. An essay by James D. G. Dunn will provide the outline for this historical review. The second half of the thesis will be the interpretation of the phrase.