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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.

The Revelation Of God In The Revelation To St John, Williard Mueller

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The question to which this present paper addresses itself is that concerning the nature of revelation as this is reflected in the Revelation to John. It asks whether God's revelation in that writing is of Himself or of facts concerning Himself; what the source of the revelation is and in what manner it takes place; and whether revelation is an event of the past, the present, or the future. The Apocalypse is examined first to determine if its message can be clearly enough understood today to provide evidence for this investigation. The investigation then turns to the language describing revelation …

Ephesians 4:8-10- A Reexamination, Colin M. Liske

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This investigation will indicate that views which interpret the descent in verses 9 and 10 as a reference to Christ's descent to hell or as a reference to the descent of the Holy Spirit are to be rejected. The descent is rather to be taken as the descent of Christ to the earth, that is, in terms of his incarnation. Also to be rejected is J. Cambier's theory that Eph. 4:9-10 is to be interpreted in a functional sense, referring not to historical events. but rather to Christ's universal presence and action.

A Student Of The Old Testament Proclaims Jesus As Messiah And Lord, Erwin Brese

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This paper proposes to examine the stance of Peter both in his position toward the Old Testament which he quotes and toward the people before him on Pentecost. It is the contention of this writer that Peter was a man with "both feet in the world." Moreover, Peter's world consisted of two separate but often merging spheres of life. There is the orb of the past, full of history and tradition, but there is also the sphere of a living present with its dynamic reality in the living Christ and His Spirit.

Rom 1:1-7- The Christology Of An Early Christian Church Formula And The Apostle Paul's Reinterpretation, Kenneth Neumann

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this investigation is to determine the extent and text of the pre-Pauline tradition or formula generally acknowledged to be cited in this passage, secondly, to discuss the Christology embedded in the formula, and finally, to compare this earlier Christology with the Pauline reinterpretation of it. This study does not claim to exhaust the Christology of Rom. 1:1-7 but rather focus primarily on the verses which have possible pre-Pauline tradition. The questions concerning Christ's person which are raised in this passage demand much more space, particularly the questions of adoptionism and pre-existence, and the relation of resurrection, ascension, …

Luther's Hermeneutical Approach And Principles As Determined By An Inductive Examination Of His Lectures Of Romans, Clifton Bruland

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this study, then, is to observe a Biblical Interpreter at work, and from his writing discover the salient methods 'With which he worked and those emphases which indicate his basic stance toward the Word.

Pauline Paidology: The Use Of The Suffering Servant Of God Image Of Isaiah 52-53 For Jesus Christ In The Pauline Corpus, Robert Kolb

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis is the result of an investigation of the Pauline epistles which sought to determine whether Paul did use Isaiah 53 in the formation of his Christology, and if he did, to determine the purpose of his uses of that chapter. This presentation seeks to demonstrate that Paul's use of the image of the suffering Servant of .God taken from Isaiah 53 is infrequent at best and difficult to determine assuredly in most cases. It further seeks to demonstrate that most possible references to Isaiah 53 are found 1n formulations which at least may be pre-Pauline. However, the implication …

The Concept Of Παρρηξια In The New Testament, Frederick Naumann

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis is primarily a word study of παρρηδία as it is used in the New Testament. This study seeks to discover some of the meaning and significance of παρρηδία for the New Testament and for the church today.

Romans 3:24-26: An Evaluation Of Form Critical Studies, Ronald Lehenbauer

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Our purpose in this thesis is to evaluate the form critical studies of Rom. 3:24-26; we also intend to compare these studies with some suggested alternative interpretations. Form analysis, as we shall see, offers some unique solutions ·to the problem. We do not expect that all of the questions will be answered; the suggestion that Paul in these verses is citing and correcting or commenting on an earlier formula, however, explains some of the puzzling features which have not been adequately explained before.

Kosmos In John, Donald Heinz

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this study is to determine what John aims to say with the word kosmos . What understanding of man underlies John's semantic signal kosmos? Why did John choose this particular word to signal the thought he wanted to convey? What role did this term play in the Umwelt of John? Is the idea behind the term kosmos effectively and accurately signalled by the English term "world"?

Cosmology And Soteriology In Alexandrian Judaism And The Christology Of Hebrews, Jonathan Grothe

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of the Christology of Hebrews to Hellenistic Jewish thought. Both in Hebrews and in the writings of Alexandrian Judaism intermediary figures play an important part in the relationship of God to the world as creator and as savior. In both writings there is an agent of creation and a mediator of salvation. This thesis will compare and contrast the description of the agent of creation and the mediator of salvation in the writings of Alexandrian Judaism with the Christology of Hebrews. In this way we hope to achieve a greater …

Exegesis And History: A Comparison Of The Concepts Of History In Rudolf Bultmann’S And Oscar Cullmann's Exegesis Of Matthew 16:17-19, Romans 5:12-21, And John 3:9-21, Stephen Carter

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This paper offers a case study of two modern exegetes who use the historical-critical method, Rudolf Bultmann and Oscar Cullmann. An introductory statement of their methodology will serve to emphasize their similarities and their differences.

Principles For The Development Of Adult Premembership Instruction, Robert Conrad

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The responsibility of preparing interested persons for membership in the congregation is a task that faces every parish pastor. In carrying out that responsibility, he needs to make decisions as to what his goals for such instruction shall be and how those goals shall be attained. There is nothing in writing in The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod that will help a pastor think through what the goals of the premembership process should be and what is the best way of attaining those goals. There are manuals available for the instruction of adults but there are no studies which investigate the underlying …

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 Christian Under Grace, According To Romans 6:1-14, Walter Maier

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis proposes to discuss one of the basic New Testament passages dealing with baptism and its significance for baptized believers, Romans 6:1-14. In this section the Apostle Paul speaks of one of the mighty, saving effects of the sacrament, the fact that it establishes spiritual union of the baptized with Christ. This is sometimes referred to as the "mystical union" of the believer and his Lord. Because of the union with Jesus, the child of God participates spiritually in Christ's crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and continuing life. As a result, the Christian is a new creation in Christ and, …

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.

John The Baptist And Elijah: A Study Of Luke 1 In Relation To The Rest Of The Gospel With Special Reference To Conzelmann's Theory, Donald Abdon

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis purposes to serve as a test of Conzelmann’s theory. If Conzelmann is correct, Luke's Gospel modifies the eschatological scheme of two ages, replacing this eschatological scheme with a three stage history of salvation, If it can be shown that the first two chapters of Luke do contain eschatological thinking, Conzelmann’s theory is seriously weakened, If it can further be shown that Luke's conception of "redemptive history" is closely tied to eschatology and the distinction between the Old Age and the New Age, Conzelmann’s definition of Heilsgeschichte must be modified.

The Eschatological Significance Of Paul's Collection For Jerusalem, David Young

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Paul's collection has always been looked upon for its functional value. It relieved the needs of the Jerusalem poor, and it was an ecumenical venture embracing Jews and Gentiles. Other minor functional explanations have been suggested. Such explanations usually treat the collection as a small event in the history of the early church.

The scope of our investigation is devoted to the eschatological significance Paul attached to the project. Paul's understanding of the end-time seems to provide the only explanation that can justify the time and effort being spent on this matter. Our inquiry may be formulated as follows:

The …

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 …

The Comparison Of Tao In Tao Teh Ching And The Word In The Bible, Andrew Chiu

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It is the purpose of this study to compare and contrast Tao with the Word in their respective connotations, features and functions. This study, however, is concerned only with the Tao in Tao Teh Ching and the Word in the Bible.

Titus 3:5 And Baptismal Regeneration, Adrian Leske

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The aim of this thesis, therefore, is to review the various interpretations of Titus 3:5 and baptismal regeneration throughout the history of the Church, to examine them in the light of their environments, and finally to reach a conclusion as to the meaning of Titus 3:5 and baptismal regeneration on the basis of an exegetical study or the text in its historical background. It is contended that once a true understanding of baptismal regeneration has been reached other problems dealing with baptism will be readily resolved. It is also contended that with a right understanding or baptismal regeneration the danger …

Pauline Eschatology In 2 Corinthians 5_1-10, Robert Hausman

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this paper, then, is to compare and contrast the various interpretations in an attempt to discover their strengths and weaknesses. If possible, some guidelines will be suggested for the interpretation of this passage and probabilities will be noted where answers are unavailable. The complex question of historical background will be discussed as it relates to the various interpretations, but it cannot be treated in depth.

St Paul's Concept Of Joy, Kenneth Rogahn

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This study seeks to discover some of the meaning and significance of "joy” for St. Paul and his readers. This basic New Testament concept had significance in his theology and thought as well as in his personal life, and this paper intends to seek that significance for St. Paul und for the church today.

The Use And Procedure Of Fraternal Admonition According To Matthew 16:15-17, Karl Schmidt

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The basic purpose of this study of Matthew 18:15-17, as is the case with the valid study of any portion of Holy Scripture, is to determine the message which the Lord here speaks to His people today. More specifically, this study seeks to determine two things: (l) whether or not our Lord here lays down an explicit procedure for dealing with the sinning brother, and (2) whether this particular section of Scripture speaks only of personal relationships among Christians, or also of formal ecclesiastical discipline and excommunication.

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.

Τελειοξ In Paul And Hebrews, Robert Rickus

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This study is intended to analyze and explain the use of Τέλειος and cognates primarily in the thirteen Pauline Epistles and Hebrews, with specific reference to the problem of semantic uniformity in these epistles. / Although much has been written about individual occurrences of Τέλειος , / the question of the over-all role of Τέλειος terminology has received less attention than it deserves, and where treated, has too often been considered under the category of "perfection," which is not always an appropriate category for understanding individual passages, or recurring themes associated with Τέλειος. The findings of this study will be …

An Examination Of The Logic Of Religious Discourse With A View To Ascertaining The Impact Of Linguistic Analysis Upon Contemporary Philosophy Of Religion, John Groh

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This paper proposes to examine how linguistic analysis, together with its precursor logical positivism, has provoked a reassessment of the nature of religious discourse. The problem is accurately stated in two questions: (1) What are the challenges which analysis directs to the philosopher of religion in the area of religious language? (2) In what ways do the replies of the philosophers of religion relate to and illumine these challenges?

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 Curses Of Deuteronomy 27 As A Sanction In The Covenant Form Of Deuteronomy, Elmer Flor

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The pericope of curses found in Deut. 27:15-26 presents several striking problems. The word for cursing as used in the pericope has a connotation of terrible doom. The passive form of the verb leaves the agent of the curse undetermined. Therefore it becomes necessary to establish the exact meaning of the word in the Hebrew and other Semitic languages in order to draw the significance of invoking a curse in the ancient world. The question then arises regarding the relationship between the practice of cursing in the Bible and in the ancient Near East.

Besides these problems, the present study …

The Literary Background Of The Epistile Of Jude, Trenton Ferro

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This writer felt that this study was necessary and worthwhile for two reasons. First, he desired to reach some reasonable conclusion for the problem stated above on the basis of an objective scrutiny of the material, influenced neither by ·preconceived conclusions about the problem nor by emotional concerns which would have, and often have, answered the question without a fair study. This latter concern arises from the fact that many commentators have argued against Jude's use of apocryphal literature on the basis of their view of inspiration, revelation, and canonicity rather than on the basis of an objective handling of …