Religion Commons^™

The Lord's Providence To Work Evil For Good - Genesis 50:15-21, Elisabeth Nieshalla

Biblical Studies Student Projects

Genesis, the great first book of the Bible, concludes with a redemptive and reconciliatory scene between Joseph and his brothers that strikes the heart of those. Joseph had endured much hardship at the hands of his brothers, having been sold by them into Egyptian slavery and then thrown into prison when he was falsely accused of sexual assault by Potiphar’s wife. Through it all, however, he remained faithful to God and was entrusted with authority over all of Egypt to lead them through a famine that would have otherwise devastated the entire region. This scene in Genesis 50 testifies to …

Christ The Preeminent, Firstborn, And King - Colossians 1:13-20, Elisabeth Nieshalla

Biblical Studies Student Projects

Who is the Son of God? Jesus Christ is the obvious central figure in the New Testament, which consists of four distinct accounts of his life and ministry and numerous other books and epistles pointing others to follow and give their lives to him. Reading through the Old Testament, however, Christ the Son, the second person of the Trinity, seems to be strangely absent, at least upon first glance. In Colossians 1:13-20, though, the apostle Paul helps us to see the creative and redemptive role of Christ from the beginning, displaying his divine nature, supremacy and authority over all of …

Christ In The Covenant Curses? Deuteronomy 28 And The Gospel, A. Rahel Wells

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Creating Community: Rhetorical Vision And Symbolic Convergence In The Book Of Hebrews, Judith Odor

The Asbury Journal

Since the introduction of social identity theory to the field of biblical studies, the Epistle to the Hebrews has become something of a proving ground for depicting the intergroup relations that are key to understanding relationally-oriented identity dynamics and community identification. However, while social identity theory is a valuable tool for describing how communities self-perceive as unique social entities through the use of in-group and out-group language, social identity theory does not describe the rhetorical process by which such language and communication develops or why this development is so key to creating a distinct community. Symbolic convergence theory, with its …

Election And Israel: Following Paul’S Thought Through Romans 9-11, Colton Lee

Senior Honors Theses

Paul’s dealings with Israel in Romans 9-11 have long been viewed as some of the most theologically controversial teachings in the New Testament. Throughout these three critical chapters located in the middle of his greatest theological treatise, Paul teaches both on the doctrine of individual election and on the future of ethnic Israel. In this paper, the text will be approached using the discipline of biblical theology with the hope of interpreting the text using a literal hermeneutic with the whole of Scripture in mind. The doctrine of unconditional individual election will be affirmed by this research, and both a …

Formulating A Communal Covenant For The Elders And Ministers Of South Fork Church Of Christ, Drew Baker

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This project addressed the lack of a communal covenant for the elders and ministers of South Fork Church of Christ. The purpose of the project was to formulate a covenant that would promote the spiritual discernment and leadership of the elders and ministers. For the theological framework, I relied upon Mark’s portrait of Jesus. I looked at Jesus’s lived example as well as his teachings to discern values and practices that defined his leadership and should therefore be normative for Christian leaders. These values and practices were analyzed according to three relational categories—relationship with God, with each other, and with …

Covenant Peoples, Covenant Journeys: Archetypal Similarities Between The Noah, Abraham, And Moses Narratives, Jeremy Madsen

Studia Antiqua

The stories of Noah, Abraham, and Moses display remarkable similarities. All three follow a narrative pattern where God appears in theophany to a prophet-patriarch figure, God forms a covenant with this prophet-patriarch and his people to bring them to a new land, and God guides them on a divinely-assisted journey until they reach that land. Rather than being the result of typological shaping or historical resemblance, the narrative similarities between these three stories are most likely indicative of a common narrative archetype, which this paper titles the covenant journey archetype. The thrice-fold repetition of this archetype within the Pentateuch attests …

“Visiting Iniquity Of Fathers Against Sons” In Exodus, Thomas Egger

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Egger, Thomas J. “‘Visiting Iniquity of Fathers against Sons’ in Exodus.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2018. 665 pp.

In two of the most important passages in Exodus (20:5 and 34:7), Yahweh describes himself as “visiting iniquity of fathers against sons, even against members of the third and fourth generations.” Missing in nearly every treatment of this phrase has been any sustained consideration of the phrase within the context of the Exodus narrative itself. Apart from such interpretive grounding, “visiting iniquity of fathers against sons” has shown itself susceptible to widely varied and contradictory readings and, especially, maximally problematizing readings which …

100 Of The Most Important Or Well-Known Old Testament Events, Harold Willmington

100 Old Testament Events

No abstract provided.

All Kindreds Shall Be Blessed: Nephite, Jewish, And Christian Interpretations Of The Abrahamic Covenant, Noel B. Reynolds

Faculty Publications

A review of current and traditional scholarship regarding the covenant God made with Abraham combined with a thorough review of Book of Mormon references shows that the Nephite understanding varies in important ways from traditional Christian and Jewish interpretations. However, some of the insights of contemporary scholarship are more compatible with the Book of Mormon perspective.

The Covenant Of Deuteronomy And The Study Of The Ancient Israelite Jurisprudence, Kenneth C. Anyanwu

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

“Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart,who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. (Psalm 119: 1 – 3)

All through the ages, law and justice has been a condition for a smooth, egalitarian and peaceful society. A society devoid of law and justice is not only unthinkable but a bedlam of chaos, anarchy and disorder. No wonder the ancient Greek philosopher and sage, Aristotle said, “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; …

Understanding The Abrahamic Covenant Through The Book Of Mormon, Noel B. Reynolds

Faculty Publications

Interpretation of God's covenant to Abrahamic and its promised fulfillment varies across scholarly and religious writings. The Book of Mormon emphasizes this covenant and the promise that through Abraham all the kindreds of the earth will be blessed. It also features a unique interpretation--that the covenant will be fulfilled as the Book of Mormon itself, a record of the seed of Joseph, is given first to the Gentiles, and then to house of Israel.

Formulating A Covenant Of Discipleship For The Membership Of The Gwinnett Church Of Christ, David Chisholm

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This project addressed the lack of a covenant of discipleship for the membership of the Gwinnett Church of Christ (GCC). The purpose of the project was to develop such a covenant document to help all the members of GCC better live out the process of becoming more like Jesus. To provide a theological foundation for this project, I explored discipleship in the exhortation sections of the book of Hebrews, which specifically addresses the need for greater commitment and intentionality amongst a community of faith. I also explored the theoretical framework of how formulating a discipleship covenant document could create progress …

Keeping Sabbath During The Week, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

Would Sabbath-keeping be less meaningful if, on the other six days, our work disrupted human well-being or otherwise failed to honor the Sabbath Giver? This article is an abridged version of the longer peer-reviewed article "Sabbath: The Theological Roots of Sustainable Development" published in the Journal of Biblical Integration in Business available at http://cbfa-jbib.org/index.php/jbib/article/view/108/108 .

Covenant, Kingship, Grace, Sacrifice, And Prophetism In The Old Testament, Rickie S. Scott

The Kabod

This essay examines the major themes of covenant, kingship, grace, sacrifice, and prophetism that reoccur throughout the Old Testament and contribute to a proper understanding of the ancient biblical text. Through covenant, God reveals his divine nature and relates to his people. Through kingship, God reveals his plan for Israel. Through grace, God loves his chosen people and shows them mercy, and through sacrifice, God cleanses and sanctifies the Israelites. Finally, through prophetism, God discloses his divine calling for the Israelites. Each of these themes exposes God’s self-revelation and contributes to an enhanced understanding of the Old Testament.

The Five Main Themes Of The Old Testament, Laura E. Mumme

The Kabod

Definition and history of the Old Testament themes of covenant, kingship, grace, sacrifice, and prophetism.

Luke's Legato Historiography : Remembering The Continuity Of Salvation History Through Rhetorical Transitions, David Brack

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Transfiguration • 2 Corinthians 3:12–13 (14–18); 4:1–6 • February 15, 2015, David Lewis

Concordia Journal

As Paul uses this image of the veil to describe what happens with unbelievers when they hear God’s word, this image should not be directly applied to believers today as if they are still impeded by such a veil.

Reading Zechariah With Zechariah 1:1–6 As The Introduction To The Entire Book. Contributions To Biblical Exegesis And Theology, 59. By Heiko Wenzel, Reed Lessing

Concordia Journal

Those who preach and teach from this, the longest of the Minor Prophets, will find Wenzel’s study to be invaluable.

Proper 10 • Isaiah 55:10–13 • July 13, 2014, James Voelz

Concordia Journal

From Promise to Triumph

“Daddy, Will Animals Be In Heaven?” The Future New Earth, Paul Raabe

Concordia Journal

A New Heaven and a New Earth or a recreated Heaven and Earth as God had always intended.

Transfiguration Sunday • Exodus 24:8–18 • March 2, 2014, Jeffery Gibbs

Concordia Journal

If OT Israel needed a mediator, the one named and appointed to approach the presence of God on behalf of the people, how much greater is our mediator, the Son of God.

Proper 28 • Zephaniah 1:7–16 • November 16, 2014, Andrew Bartelt

Concordia Journal

In sum, this is the basic biblical narrative in a nutshell, with the new creation brought about in the presence of King Yahweh incarnate in Jesus, who establishes the new Zion wherever he is present, no longer in the “land” of Judah.

God's Getting Married: The Wedding At Cana As A Dramatization Of Covenantal Fulfillment, Rachael M. Mcgill

The Hilltop Review

This paper offers a new approach to interpreting the miracle at Cana by drawing connections to other events in the Old and New Testament. This paper also examines other elements to the passage such as cultural and historical background, the nature of signs in John's gospel, and Johannine language. This article suggests a literary interpretation of the Cana passage, concluding that it is not just an allegory but a dramatization of the process of the commencement and fulfillment of the new covenant.

Sabbath: The Theological Roots Of Sustainable Development, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

It is the thesis of this paper that, in general, the points of emphasis by the UN Commission on Sustainable Development are in close, but not perfect, alignment with the concept of Sabbath-shalom in Scripture. Some differences also exist. Sabbath begins at Creation and is the substance and symbol of God’s care for this earth. In Sabbath we rest in God’s sustaining power. Sabbath also is integral to covenant relationships. This means that Sabbath is not merely about care for the environment but also about care for all relationships envisioned by the concept of shalom. Both the creation roots and …

To The Jew First: A Socio-Historical And Biblical-Theological Analysis Of The Pauline Teaching Of `Election' In Light Of Second Temple Jewish Patterns Of Thought, Anthony Thornhill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Paul's "doctrine" of election has remained a controversial and enigmatic topic for centuries. Few studies, however, have approached Paul's doctrine through the context of Second Temple Judaism. This study examines Paul's view of election through the lens of Second Temple Jewish texts written prior to 70 CE. In doing so, it is argued that the best framework through which to view Paul's discussion of election is through a primarily corporate model of election. While such a model is rooted in Judaism, Paul departs from his Jewish contemporaries in arguing that the locus of election is in God's Messiah, Jesus.

Covenant, Eucharist And Commandment Of Love, Lawrence E. Frizzell D.Phil.

Reverend Lawrence E. Frizzell, S.T.L., S.S.L., D.Phil.

Cycle C liturgical readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, April 28, 2013: Acts 14:21-27; Ps 148:8-13; Rv 21:1-5; Jn 13:31-35.
This article was previously published in The Catholic Advocate.

Experiences Of God's Presence, Lawrence E. Frizzell D.Phil.

Reverend Lawrence E. Frizzell, S.T.L., S.S.L., D.Phil.

Cycle C liturgical readings for the Second Sunday of Lent, February 24, 2013: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27; Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28-36.This article was previously published in The Catholic Advocate.

To The Jew First: A Socio-Historical And Biblical-Theological Analysis Of The Pauline Teaching Of `Election' In Light Of Second Temple Jewish Patterns Of Thought, Anthony Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

Paul's "doctrine" of election has remained a controversial and enigmatic topic for centuries. Few studies, however, have approached Paul's doctrine through the context of Second Temple Judaism. This study examines Paul's view of election through the lens of Second Temple Jewish texts written prior to 70 CE. In doing so, it is argued that the best framework through which to view Paul's discussion of election is through a primarily corporate model of election. While such a model is rooted in Judaism, Paul departs from his Jewish contemporaries in arguing that the locus of election is in God's Messiah, Jesus.

Sabbath & Management, Theology & Application, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

Without detracting from the importance of setting aside one day of worship each week some scholars believe that the meaning of Sabbath contains broader principles. This paper presents a summary of Sabbath theology based on two biblical themes: Creation and Covenant. It provides support for why managers should consider applying Sabbath principles in their work. Part III shows some of the ways in which this might play out in managerial work.