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The Power Of God’S Word: Jeremiah Speaks To Kenya Today, Jared Otieno Magero

Master of Art Theology Thesis

Magero Jared Otieno “The power of God’s Word: Jeremiah speaks to Kenya today.” Master of Arts Thesis. Concordia Seminary, 2018. 106pp.

This thesis searched what moved Jeremiah to keep proclaiming God’s Word when the people opposed it, when by proclaiming God’s Word Jeremiah himself went through a lot of suffering and persecution, and when the people instead heard and delighted in the words of false prophets. My research explored how the theology of the powerful Word of God and the task of its proclaimer speak to my church in Kenya where, even though we are a confessional church, we are …

The Hour Has Come-A Narrative-Critical Analysis Of The Use Of Ω̋Ρα In The Gospel Of John, Dennis Matyas

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

After summarizing eschatology in the Gospel of John, this STM thesis examines the use of, ω̋ρα in Greco-Roman Greek sources, extra-biblical Jewish sources, the LXX, and the New Testament. After this examination, the thesis argues that each and every use of ω̋ρα in the Gospel of John either refers directly to the hour of Jesus' suffering and death or bears a special relationship to it.

Beyond Justice: Death And The Retribution Principle In The Book Of Job, Varunaj Churnai

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Churnai, Varunaj., “Beyond Justice: Death and the Retribution Principle in the Book of Job.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2010. 232 pp.

In recent decades, scholars have tended to interpret what Job says about death either as part of the broader reading of the Old Testament about death, or by imposing ancient Near Eastern mythological concepts upon the text of Job, read apart from the Old Testament’s wisdom tradition. This dissertation attempts to redress the latter trend of interpretation by articulating that what Job says about death is related to Job’s struggle to understand his relationship to God in relation to …

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 …

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.

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 …

Leviticus 17:11 And The Theology Of Sacrifice, Robert Clancy

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It should be noted from the start that "objectivity” as it is commonly understood is not a goal of this thesis. The primary reason is that such objectivity is considered Tobe impossible. That is, if by "objectivity" one means that one reads and studies a text without presuppositions and without a hermeneutic, then one is striving after wind. No reader is a tabula rasa. All scholars read texts from within a given school of thought. Historical critics have certain presuppositions regarding texts, for instance, starting with the assumption that cultic material is late (post-exilic). Redaction critics assume the existence of …

The "I" In The Storm: Paul's Use Of The First Person Singular In Romans 7, Michael Middendorf

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

The purpose here is not merely "to spill more ink.” Rather, it is to address approaches to and facets of these issues which have not yet been adequately considered or appreciated. This thesis proposes to answer the questions surrounding the identity, the spiritual condition, and the purpose of the "I" in Romans 7. It will arrive at its conclusions by means of an exegetical study of Romans 7, through an analysis of Paul's use of the first person singular in his letters, and on the basis of Pauline theology as a whole.

In order to provide the necessary background for …

Paul's Portrayal Of Judaism: St. Paul's Critique Of Judaism In Romans 3:19-31 And Evidence From Judaism Which Validates His Assessment, Michael Middendorf

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis will address the current debate over whether St. Paul is being fair and accurate in his appraisal of first-century Judaism's teaching on the doctrine of justification. The Apostle is currently being accused of making an unfair caricature of Judaism, especially in regard to its conception of how a righteous standing before God could be attained.1 This first chapter will serve to document these accusations, to lay out the issues and arguments involved in this debate, and then to assess its significance.

Deus Absens-An Old Testament Judgment Motif, David Adams

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this study is to show that not only was the Deus Absens, the Absent God, an important part of Old Testament thought, but also that this motif was used by the various authors of the Old Testament as one means to express the judgment of God. This is not to say that every text in which God's absence is referred to must be understood as a judgment text. In some cases God's Absence is to be attributed to His transcendent nature rather than to His judgment. This is particularly true of the many passages in the Psalms …

Judgment And Grace In The Wilderness Narratives, Martin Buerger

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

It is ultimately the inclusion of the of Yahweh’s love toward Israel in the wilderness, and the contrasting judgment in times that closely parallel the saving acts, which prompt this study. In Lutheran terms this is known as gospel and law theology. The covenant made at Sinai seemingly distinguishes the way Yahweh approaches his people, and separates the narratives. The pre-Sinai narratives accentuate the gracious acts of Yahweh and the post-Sinai narratives emphasize his judgment and punishment. Considering this difference, the question is asked whether the murmurings of the people are the focal point for studies, as the emphases of …

The Material Principle Of Lutheran Theology As A Hermeneutical Presupposition, Ralph Blomenberg

Master of Divinity Thesis

The scope of this paper has been limited by suggestion of the advisor to a discussion of the material principle of Lutheran theology as a hermeneutical presupposition, although readings for the research elective included a much wider range of subjects related to contemporary hermeneutics. It is the purpose of this paper to demonstrate the theological background for the concept of the Lutheran material principle, to describe its function as a hermeneutical presupposition, and to demonstrate that certain presuppositions of some contemporary methods of interpretation contradict those underlying the material principle of Lutheran theology.

The Cosmic Christ Of Colossians, Victor Raj

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

This study was undertaken as an attempt to evaluate and possibly correct some recent interpretations of Christ's person and work. Much of theology today has left the impression that Christianity is just another agency of good will to fight against social, political and eco­ nomic injustice in the world. Accordingly, the motive behind much of contemporary theological discussions has been to challenge the church to join in what is often called the "humanization" of man.

It is our position that Christology occupies the pivotal position in any facet of Christian theology. In fact, it performs normative functions for the rest …

Covenant And Kingdom As Fulfilled In The Synoptics, Marvin Middendorf

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

The first chapter of this paper will concern itself with the covenant concept in the Old Testament and related literature. The second chapter will take up the kingdom concept in the same material. In Chapter III the kingdom concept will be considered on the basis of the Synoptic Gospels. Chapter IV will concern itself with the covenant concept in the Synoptics. Finally, in Chapter V a comparison will be made between the two concepts. Similarities, differences, and unique features of each concept will be discussed.

The Cosmic Powers In Paul’S Theology, Ebong Sam Ukpong

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis deals with neither the meaning of the terms nor with the exegesis of the passages in which these terms are found. Nor shall we attempt to re-interpret or relate what Paul said about "cosmic powers" to the modern thought-forms. The purpose of this work is rather to examine, first of all, the terms employed by Paul to describe the forces of evil in the light of his own Jewish background. We shall not be concerned so much with the question: What does Paul mean? as with the query: Where did Paul get the terms and ideas for what …

The Concept Of Marriage As Found In Doctrine And Covenants, Section 132:1-33 And Matt. 19:3-8 And 22:23-30: A Comparison Of Latter-Day Saint And Biblical Teachings, Thomas Burton

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose in writing this thesis is to attempt to objectively clarify and evaluate the Latter-day- Saint interpretation and application of the doctrinal revelation of marriage for eternity to determine whether it is biblical. The thesis will be divided into three major parts: Part I: The Latter-day Saint Concept of Marriage for Eternity as Derived From Doctrine and Covenants 132:1-33 and Matt. 19:3-8 and 22:23-30: Part II, The Biblical Concept of Marriage Based on Matt. 19:3-8 and 22:23-30; and Part III: A Comparison and Evaluation: of Latter-day Saint and Biblical Concepts of Marriage and Its State After Death.

The Return-To-Origins Motif In Pauline Theology And Its Significance For A Theological Interpretation Of Messianic And Millenarian Movements In Melanesia, John Gerhard Strelan

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

The thrust of the present study is not that the return-to-origins motif dominates Pauline theology to the exclusion of all other themes. It is, however, suggested that such concepts as "the body," "image of God," "in Christ," and "the last Adam," should not be treated as unrelated concepts. They should rather be seen as parts of a larger whole. This larger whole is the return-to-origins motif. The frequent use which Paul makes of this particular motif to answer some of the basic questions of human existence is a measure of the important place which the return-to-origins motif occupied in the …

The Theology Of Divine Anger In The Psalms Of Lament, Thomas Dixon Hanks

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

From our survey of the controversy over divine wrath in the history of theology it should be evident that we are not dealing with a matter of minor importance but one of great significance for the whole structure of theology and basic to our understanding of biblical teaching.

The Pauline Understanding Of "The Law Of Christ", Keith Arnold Gerberding

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

It is puzzling, then, to hear Paul affirming the validity of the law, as he does in his letter to the Romans (3:21,31; 7:12,16) and in the first letter to the Corinthians (14:34). It seems to be a contradiction in terms when Paul combines "law" and "Christ" in the expression "the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2). The purpose of this study is to find out what Paul means by this phrase and those phrases which are similar (1 Cor. 9:21; Rom. 3:27; 8:2), in view of his teaching on law and the revelation given in Christ.

The Implications Of The Cross For The Invisible Powers And The State Against The Background Of 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 And Colossians 1:15-20, Dean Zweck

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Our aim in this study is to discover the implications of the cross for the invisible powers and the State against the background of two Pauline passages which in our opinion are very relevant to the topic. In the first part of this study we shall trace the history of the discussion on invisible powers and the State in this century. Then we shall turn back the clock many centuries am examine the background relevant to our topic. With this general introduction and background material in mind, our task shall be to examine what each of the two passages that …

A Prolegomenon To New Testament Language In Light Of Contemporary Linguistic Analysis: A Look At Paul's Meaning And Use Of Theological Language In I Corinthians 2:6-16, John Stern

Master of Divinity Thesis

This, then, is the purpose of this study: to look more closely at what scholars in many fields have had to say regarding the matter of human language and its ability to make religious assertions. In an attempt to define this purpose more accurately, it will be necessary to: (a) examine the field of contemporary Linguistic Analysis in light of its historical setting;(b) describe the relationship between the phenomenology of language and religious language; (c) consider the work being done presently in the area of modern linguistic studies in biblical research and see its effect upon the formation of theological …

An Exegetical Study Of Romans 16:17-20 In Light Of Its Use In The Missouri Synod During The Last Thirty Years For The Question Of Fellowship, Roger P. Frobe

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis is designed to investigate the use to which Rom. 16:17-20 has been put in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, particularly within the last thirty years. At the same time this dissertation offers an objective and independent interpretation of that pericope. The purpose of the study is not merely to add one more interpretation of Rom. 16:17-20. Instead, it is an attempt to examine the passage in light of its use in the Missouri Synod in the past. Simply stated our intent has been to provide a setting for the proper use of Rom. 16:17-20 in contemporary American discussions on …

A Study Of Omoiωma In Romans 6:5, John Bauer

Bachelor of Divinity

It is the purpose of this paper to review some of the answers that theologians have proposed to these questions. A further objective, on the basis of the proposed solutions to the problem, is an attempt to formulate a statement of what St. Paul did mean by this word (if this is possible!),and then to suggest some further areas of study which appear’ essential for a satisfactory determination of the meaning and force of ὄμοίωμα.

The Church In Your House- A Study Into The Form And Function Of The Primitive Church, Paul Biegner

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

A search for new forms of church and new patterns of ministry and mission has occupied parts of the church in the western world for the past ten years or so. Both the concern for the doctrine of the church and for the cutting edge of mission dominate the search for new forms. That search has yielded varied patterns, many of which utilize face-to-face contact in smaller groups to meet the challenges of mass-man in a depersonalized society. Some of these new forms of church and church ministry and mission have claimed a relationship to “the church in your house”.

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.

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 …

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 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.

Christ As Creator: A Theology From Paul For Racial Integration In The Church Based Especially On Colossians 1:15-20, Herbert Schulze

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this thesis is to relate a New Testament theology to the explosive issue of race relations in the world today. If the Church of Christ is to be the light and leaven of the world, then it is safe to say that she should bear much responsibility for alleviating the current racial unrest. The writer will operate primarily in the field of exegetical theology, with complementary references to the fields of dogmatic and practical theology.

The Theology Of The Book Of Proverbs, William Macdonald

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Specifically, then, the purpose of this study is to discover and clarify the contribution of the שָׁלִיממְ to Old Testament theology. How does the theology herein reflected relate in general to the Law and Prophets? What are the distinctive emphases of the Book? What significance is to be derived from the palpable omissions? Does the theology inherent in the Book merely reflect that of the remainder of the Old Testament or does it contribute something new into the stream of truth?