Browsing by Author "Falconer, Robert D."

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A Critical Analysis of Christology in N.T. Wright and Wolfhart Pannenberg: Implications for a Christo-Centric Homiletic
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2023) Duffield, Devon 1988; Bartholomaeus, Michael; Falconer, Robert D.
The Christo-centric homiletic is considered one of the leading contemporary approaches within the evangelical hermeneutic and homiletic society. However, its popularity has not made this approach immune to criticism. This thesis seeks to point out that the Christo-centric homiletic is embedded in a Christology from above, which contributes to its strengths and weaknesses. It explores the implications of the from below Christologies of N.T. Wright and Wolfhart Pannenberg on the Christo-centric approach. A unique research methodology is employed that consists of five literary tasks to address the research problem. The research project begins with examining the from below Christologies of Wright and Pannenberg, which encompasses the overarching tenets of their Christologies and the influences of other scholars upon their presuppositions and Christological developments. Then, the strengths and weaknesses of their Christologies are identified, described, and evaluated through critical analysis. Subsequently, the Christo-centric homiletic is examined, and its underlying Christology and shortcomings are specified and assessed. It is argued that the Christo-centric homiletic is embedded in a from above approach to Christology and that the presuppositions of a Christology from above contribute to the homiletical approach's shortcomings. The implications of the strengths of Wright and Pannenberg's Christologies on the Christo-centric homiletic are then explored. These implications demonstrate that these two from below Christologies enrich and challenge the Christo-centric method in various meaningful ways. This thesis suggests that if the Christo-centric method takes the from below Christologies of Wright and Pannenberg seriously, it can address specific weaknesses and find resources to enhance some of its strengths without negating its central conviction of preaching Christ in every sermon. This thesis fulfils the profound need to place the current homiletical debate on Christo-centric preaching in dialogue with Christology. It defends the unique proposal that the Christo-centric method can address its criticisms without becoming more Theo-centric.
A Dialectic Inquiry Concerning Meredith Kline’s Covenant Theology as Architectonic Substructure of the Reformed Two-Kingdom Project
(South African Theological Seminary, 2021) Beck, Michael David Lockhart 1979; Falconer, Robert D.; Lioy, Dan T.
The emergence of the Reformed Two-Kingdom project has generated a great deal of discussion. However, in this discussion, it is often assumed that Kline was the founder and architect of the project. The problem is that there has been very little examination of this point. In response, the following study investigates Kline’s covenant theology as it stands in relation to the current proposals of the Reformed Two-Kingdom doctrine. Due to the nature of Kline’s contribution, this research falls within an overlap of systematic theology and biblical theology. The data to be evaluated is obtained through the means of a dialectic inquiry—a research methodology that allows for the legitimate exploration of Kline’s thought in the light of competing perspectives within the Reformed tradition. After presenting the preliminaries of the study, as well as a robust literary survey, Kline’s covenant theology is itself described. His system is then put into discourse with three differing covenantal models. The primary dialogists in view at this point are (1) Greg Bahnsen, (2) John Frame, and (3) Herman Dooyeweerd. These represent the Theonomist, Perspectivalist, and Dooyeweerdian schools, respectively. The responses to Kline from these differing schools are analysed according to their central concerns. As a right understanding of the cultural mandate is a central concern for all the above perspectives, this issue is examined separately through the means of a biblical-theological study. The collected data of the preceding chapters is used as the means of a final evaluation. The findings of this study show both that Kline is able to withstand the critique of his interlocutors and also that his covenant theology has a clear bearing upon current discussions between Two-Kingdom and transformationalist groups. His model not only challenges monocovenantal conceptions of Reformed thought, but in so doing, shows important connections between soteriology, missiology and culture engagement. Further, it is seen that Kline’s protological eschatology, along with his insistence upon a basic level of post-fall structural duality, prevents a conception of the cultural task that falls prey to triumphalism and over-realized eschatology. In regard to the above, while the key differences between Kline and his interlocutors are clarified, the often-overlooked points of nuance in these differences are also highlighted. As these nuances prove important in their potential to lessen frustration and impasse in the ongoing dialogue, it is here that the value of the study is most clearly observed. The study shows that while Kline’s work can be seen to support contemporary expressions of the Reformed Two-Kingdom doctrine, it is anachronistic to understand this as though he himself advocated all the details of these proposals. Further, although Kline is typically spoken of as the father of the Reformed Two-Kingdom project, it is not as readily acknowledged that Kline himself stood in tentative alignment with some important features of Kuyperian and Dooyeweerdian thought. By providing clarity on this point, this study assists in reducing facile and overstated argumentation. More positively, it takes focus off of simplistic labels and instead directs future inquirers to the more central substructural issues that are at play. Further, it suggests that intra-Reformed polemics will lack productivity if the undergirding covenantal elements of the discussion are not given greater attention.
A Kuyperian Theology of Living Under Christ as King: Towards Cultivating a Christian Transformative Cultural Engagement in Croatia
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Balint-Feudvarski, Miroslav 1980; Falconer, Robert D.; Falconer, Robert D.
Croatia has undergone manifold political changes in the last hundred years, from living in a monarchy through undergoing 45 years of Communist dictatorship and public contempt toward religion to the last 30 years of capitalism and religious freedom. Nevertheless, undesirable markings were left upon Croatian social mentality but also on the evangelical community, which yet has to dare to taste the newfound religious liberties. Indeed, evangelical Christians need to understand that they were released from the bondage of feeling oppressed and detached from the majority of society and can offer themselves as a transformative influence. Unfortunately, this partly transpired because of the influence of a particular form of Christian fundamentalism, which is prone to alienate believers from society. This thesis in systematic theology argues that a Kuyperian vision of living under Christ as King can address these challenges in a way that will cultivate a transformative cultural engagement in Croatia. It utilizes the modified Osborne method of systematic theology, which is integrative and encompasses historical, biblical, contextual, and, to an extent, practical theology. It shows that Christ’s present rule over the whole world, as presented by Kuyperian theology, is grounded in the historical views of Augustine and Calvin and was later developed by Abraham Kuyper and his theological successors. Kuyperian theology holds that God is not working in the human culture only through believers (special grace) but also through unbelievers (common grace). It is both preserving the world from the fall to total corruption and enabling human cultural achievements that align with God’s initial intention for humanity. Nevertheless, Christ’s ascension to heaven means that he is now the world's rightful King, pushing God’s plan even more decisively forward through the engagement of his body, the Church. It gives the impetus to believers and opens up many possibilities for their engagement with the culture in redemptive and transformative ways. The exegetical analysis of Colossians 1:15-20shows that the Kuyperian vision is grounded in the Bible, as the passage elucidates that Christ is the sovereign Creator. He became the Messianic King of the whole world and the Head of the church. He is now ruling and working on reconciliation of all things, which will be completed at his second coming. His Body, the Church, is called to vice-regency with Him and in Him and to be faithful in its proclamational, vocational, exemplary, and incarnational role in the world. Kuyperian theology of Christ’s kingship is then contextualized for Croatian evangelicals—as it is argued that Kuyperianism offers a balanced vision for cultural engagement that evades both the excessive enthusiasm of Postmillennialism and the cultural despondency of some sorts of Premillennialism—and applied to different sovereign spheres. Finally, this vision is applied to evangelical churches in Croatia, as it relates to their functions of formation through Word and Sacrament, exemplification of faith, hope, and love to the watching world, and prophetic proclamation of Christ’s Kingship through evangelism and dialogue.
A Theological and Biblical Examination on the Synthesis of Penal Substitution and Christus Victor Motifs: Implications for African Metaphysics
(South African Theological Seminary, 2013) Falconer, Robert D.; Jabini, Franklin; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.
The present disposition of atonement theology has been turbulent in light of recent disputes and criticisms. This dissertation seeks to acknowledge two seemingly distinct atonement theories, the penal substitution and Christus Victormotifs, and then explore how they harmoniously complement one another as a synthesis. This atonement synthesis is then applied to African metaphysics to demonstrate its efficacy in a verydifferent cultural context fromthat of the West.The research begins with a study of the interplay between atonement theology and socio-historical contexts and the influences that helped develop the theological concepts of atonement. Here the notable presence of atonement synthesis is highlighted throughout Church history. Atonement synthesis in biblical narrative is then examined. It is argued that a theology of penal substitution without Christus Victor, or vice versa,is inadequate, as both the Church‘s theology and biblical narrative present them as harmonious and complementary. The implications of atonement synthesis are then explored in light of African metaphysics, in which the atonement best finds its expression among Africans. An overview of African philosophy and spirituality and a study of African atonement prepare the way for exploring the implications of atonement synthesis in African socio-cosmology, socio-disharmony, socio-ontology as well associo-renewal and cosmic harmony. These implications demonstrate that Christ‘s atonement is more than capable in dealing with African metaphysic realities. This dissertation suggests that atonement synthesis ultimately offersthe African liberty and hope. It fulfils a profound need in African philosophy and spirituality which,without Christ‘s penal substitution and Christ as Victor,there would beno hope of redemption. viii| P a g e“It means”, said Aslan, “that though the Witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not know. Her knowledge goes back only to the dawn of time. But if she could have looked a little further back, into the stillness and the darkness before Time dawned, she would have read there a different incantation. She would have known that when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor's stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards”.C.S. Lewis
A Theological-Biblical Anthropology of Sin in light of a Kierkegaardian Philosophy of Human Subjectivity
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg) Magalhães, Eliézer 1979; Falconer, Robert D.
This thesis seeks to propose a new approach to the anthropology of sin from a rereading of the problem using the concept of subjectivity from the philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard. The mischaracterization of the theme of sin in society raises the need for the subject to be revisited by theology, seeking a self-evident approach, therefore, considering human subjectivity. This research begins by studying the anthropological insights in Kierkegaard’s writings, emphasizing what he wrote about the doctrine of sin. Consequently, a detailed study about his concept of anxiety, despair, untruth, and the relationship with his idea of self is performed. The research also evaluates historically and theologically the arguments raised by Kierkegaard. The concepts presented are especially examined in the biblical narrative. It is argued that theology should consider the human being as a theomorphism and a kinetic self. Moreover, the doctrine of original sin is revisited. A new approach to sin is elaborated, considering its aesthetics and ethical realities concerning human subjectivity. Some implications are explored for this anthropology of sin, helping theology present sin more effectively and providing a lens for understanding various issues related to anthropology. These implications show that biblical-theological anthropology needs to see the human as a multi-dimensional being to avoid producing an abstract and unidimensional understanding of the human and sin. This research argues for a “kinetic anthropology”, where the human being is conceived not only regarding his substances, as traditionally addressed, but also regarding the multiple ontological relations composing human selfhood, where the God-relation is the main one.
AN EVANGELICAL PROTESTANT THEOLOGICAL AESTHETIC: A RESPONSE TO HANS URS VON BALTHASAR’S CRITIQUE
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2023) Currie, Ryan 1986–; Falconer, Robert D.; Coon, George
In the development of his theological aesthetic project, the Swiss theologian and Roman Catholic priest, Hans Urs von Balthasar, critiqued Protestantism for lacking a theological account of beauty. Balthasar claimed that Protestants explore the relationship of theology and worldly beauty in its various forms, but do not deal with beauty itself as a theological category and have eliminated beauty from theology completely. This thesis responds to this critique from an evangelical Protestant perspective. The purpose of this work is to develop a theological aesthetic for evangelical Protestants that builds on the insights of historical theology and is consistent with the biblical witness. The methodology employed is Falconer’s Architectonic Theology, which applies architectural design principles for the construction of a systematic theology. Following this methodology, this work examines the concepts of theological aesthetics in current evangelical Protestantism, the development of theological aesthetic concepts in the history of theology, Balthasar’s articulation of theological aesthetics, and the Johannine corpus. I argue that even though evangelical Protestants have neglected a theological account of beauty, they have a tacit theological aesthetic that needs further articulation and development. However, evangelical Protestants have much to offer in the field of theological aesthetics. In this thesis, I seek to develop a theological aesthetic that is based on a theology of the cross. I claim that beauty is inherently related to the concept of glory. Glory emphasizes the objective aspects of God’s fullness and perfection, while beauty emphasizes perception and drawing power. The perception of God’s beauty is made possible through the spiritual sense, given at regeneration. The spiritual sense also transforms the physical senses so that all created beauty becomes a communicative event where the beauty of God is displayed. This is significant because it provides a solution to the felt tension between spiritual and created beauty. Further, the beauty of God is transformative. Theological aesthetics has profound implications for life as the believer perceives God through faith and generates a beautiful life in the theo-drama.
An Exegetical Study of Amos 5:10-15, with Particular Reference to Promoting Social Justice in Lesotho
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg South Africa) Tefo, Peter Koona; Falconer, Robert D.
Lesotho's stagnant economic growth, political instability, social corruption and appalling state of unemployment are signs of the wide-spread poverty that has plagued the country since her independence from Great Britain in 1966. This situation has remained a national challenge becoming even more critical in 2012, when, after the historic elections, the government was led by losing parties. Whenever corruption becomes common-place in the public service, when citizens are denied participatory rights and anti-corruption policies and accountability mechanisms fail, it is the masses that suffer the most. In an attempt to address the present socio-political corruption in Lesotho, this research seeks to find relevance in the biblical text of Amos 5:10-15. This passage highlights Amos’ indictment of Israel’s socio-political and religious evils during the eighth century B.C, Israel’s heyday of great wealth and luxury, the oppression of the poor and the moral decay. The research strategy reviews scholarship pertaining to social justice/injustice in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Amos, and also in the wider modern world context. It uses an exegetical approach to survey the historical and literary contexts of Amos 5:10-15, and the book’s overall theological themes. It also makes use of other features of critical study to determine its significance and original message. The relevance of the message of Amos is looked for in the notable incidents of social corruption in Lesotho following the inception of the coalition government in 2012. The mapping of the political situation that led to the establishment of coalition governments gives the background to the form and the trends of corruption currently found in all sectors. The perpetual suffering of the poor in Lesotho is a clear sign of a life-long crippled justice system and a rejection of human rights. A system where the wealthy and the VI socially powerful lord it over the poor has created a dilemma that can only be challenged by faith communities. Amos’ prophecy against the social injustices of Israel of his time is still relevant to the injustices of our time.
Conspectus Special Edition 2018
(South African Theological Seminary, 2018-12-01) Smith, Kevin G.; Manyika, Batanayi I.; Keener, Craig S.; Nel, Marius; Mzondi, Modisa; Banda, Collium; Kipimo, Jesse Fungwa; Falconer, Robert D.; Asumang, Annang; Pretorius, Mark; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Du Toit, Philip; Erdey, Zoltan L.
Conspectus Volume 21
(South African Theological Seminary, 2016-03) Boddy, Brenda Joy; Lioy, Dan T.; Ndhlovu, Gabriel Boitshepo; Falconer, Robert D.; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Du Toit, Philip; Zoltan, Erdey L.; Smith, Kevin G.
Conspectus Volume 22
(South African Theological Seminary, 2016-09) Asumang, Annang; Curle, Neville; du Toit, Philip; Lioy, Dan T.; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Asumang, Annang; Falconer, Robert D.; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; du Toit, Philip; Zoltan, Erdey L.; Smith, Kevin G.
Conspectus Volume 23
(South African Theological Seminary, 2017-03) Asumang, Annang; Curle, Neville; Irudayaraj, Dominic S.; Lioy, Dan T.; Falconer, Robert D.; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Du Toit, Philip; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Smith, Kevin G.
Conspectus Volume 24
(South African Theological Seminary, 2017-09) Asumang, Annang; Joubert, Callie; Maartens, Nick; Mzebetshana, Mzayifani H.; Asumang, Annang; Quayesi-Amakye, Joseph; Woods, David B.; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Asumang, Annang; Domeris, William R.; Falconer, Robert D.; Lioy, Dan T.; Penner, Peter; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Du Toit, Philip; Erdey, Zoltan L.
Conspectus Volume 25
(South African Theological Seminary, 2018-03) Aryeh, Daniel Nii Aboagye; Harold, Godfrey; Joubert, Callie; Maartens, Nick; Lioy, Dan T.; Manyika, Batanayi I.; Smith, Kevin G.; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Falconer, Robert D.; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; du Toit, Philip; Erdey, Zoltan L.
Conspectus Volume 26
(South African Theological Seminary, 2018-09) Cooper, Jordan; Lioy, Dan T.; Darko, Nicholas; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Domeris, William R.; Falconer, Robert D.; Joubert, Callie; Marsh, Allen Bythel; Pieterse, Genis; Smith, Kevin G.; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Du Toit, Philip; Erdey, Zoltan L.
Conspectus Volume 27
(South African Theological Seminary, 2019-03-01) Cooper, Jordan; Lioy, Dan T.; Dube, Elijah Elijah Ngoweni; Huovila, Kimmo; Johnson, Connie; Falconer, Robert D.; Kighoma, Eraston; Ngaruiya, David; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Lykhosherstov, Oleksandr; Domeris, William R.; Yu, Hui Er; Mpere-Gyekye, William A.; Brodie, Robert; Toga, James Partee; Asumang, Annang; Joubert, Callie; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Du Toit, Philip; Erdey, Zoltan L.
Conspectus Volume 28
(South African Theological Seminary, 2019-09) Woods, David B.; Domeris, William R.; Melles, Berhane K.; de Jager, Eben; Peltier, Robert; Lioy, Dan T.; Cox, Roland Paul; Lidorio, Ronaldo Almeida; Adasi-Bekoe, Joseph; Asumang, Annang; Gruenberg, Jeremiah; Falconer, Robert D.; Gorven, Jillian C.; Jun, Abraham; Atterbury, Vincent E.; Brodie, Robert; Domeris, William R.; Erdey, Zoltan L.; Jabini, Frank; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lessing, Pelham; Lioy, Dan T.; Mahlangu, Elijah; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Maré, Leonard; Peppler, Christopher; Pretorius, Mark; Smith, Kevin G.; Song, Arthur; Woodbridge, Noel B.; Du Toit, Philip; Erdey, Zoltan L.
Conspectus Volume 30
(South African Theological Seminary, 2020-10) Manyika, Batanayi I.; van Deventer, Cornelia; Wendland, Ernst R.; Domeris, William R.; Lioy, Dan T.; Connoway, Izaak J. L.; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Smith, Kevin G.; de Carvalho, José; Falconer, Robert D.; Domeris, William R.; Tysick, Jonathan; Banda, Collium; Cloete, Anita; Coetsee, Albert; Coon, George; Du Toit, Philip; Godfrey Harold; Henry, Desmond; Kabongo, Luc; Kunhiyop, Samuel W.; Lioy, Dan T.; Malherbe, Johannes S.; Manomi, Dougara Ishaya; Manyika, Batanayi I.; Mburu, Elizabeth; Mouton, Elna; Linzay Rinquest; Sindo, Vuyani; van Deventer, Cornelia; Wendland, Ernst R.; Long-Westfall, Cynthia; Wilson, Alistair; Manyika, Batanayi I.
An Exegetical Study of 1 Timothy 6:3-12 With Special Reference to Its Implications for the Prosperity Gospel
(South African Theological Seminary, 2018) Dlamini, Sifiso T.; Falconer, Robert D.
The prosperity gospel (PG) is a widespread theology among certain denominations of the Christian church. The essence of this theology is the teaching that Christians have a right to wealth and health through positive confession and is based on a selection of texts in the Bible. The prosperity gospel, on closer examination, is the result of a very particular view of the Bible. The Bible is primarily seen as a faith contract between God and believers. Along this way, God is manipulated by the believer to fulfill his or her wants or desires. Most have come to believe that whatever they desire from God, they must simply speak (claim) it by faith. Positive confession means, therefore, that believers are speaking in faith what they believe God has already promised to them. At the heart of the prosperity teaching lies the conviction that no Christian is destined to suffer and live in poverty on this earth. The prosperity gospel has been examined and analyzed in the light of what the Bible teaches about wealth and health. The study is limited to an exegetical study of 1 Timothy 6:3-12. The results, as well as the practical implications and warnings, are discussed. It concludes with a summary of the prosperity gospel, detailing its faithfulness or infidelity to the biblical text. Recommendations are suggested that, taken together, are considered to be an appropriate response to advocates of that gospel.
Justification in Douglas Campbell’s Apocalyptic Perspective: A Dialectical Inquiry
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg) Dyer, Kent 1984; Falconer, Robert D.; Falconer, Robert D.
Since the time of the Reformation, justification has been both a defining and essential doctrine of the church. Justification has been indispensable to the Protestant faith as it recounts how God declares sinners to be righteous on account of Christ through faith. Yet, within contemporary Pauline scholarship the New Perspective and the Apocalyptic Perspective have called into question whether the Traditional Protestant understanding of justification captures what apostle Paul taught and thought. At present there is a diversity of perspectives and much contestation over this key Pauline doctrine. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the topic of justification through engaging the scholarship of Douglas Campbell. Employing a dialectical enquiry, Campbell’s approach to justification is compared with the approaches found within the Traditional Protestant Perspective and the New Perspective. Campbell contends that Traditional Protestant approaches to justification should be rejected, and completely replaced. The Traditional Protestant Perspective has been captured by contractualism, foundationalism and a retributive portrayal of God. For Campbell, the New Perspective has helpful insights, but it cannot offer a solution to the underlying problems of contractualism and foundationalism. Campbell argues that it is only from within the Apocalyptic Perspective with its emphasis upon God’s unique revelation in Christ, the cosmic scope of Christ’s salvation and God’s unconditional benevolence towards humanity hat justification can be understood correctly. Justification in this apocalyptic key should be understood as referring to God’s liberation of humanity from the power of sin through Christ, rather than as God’s acquittal of guilty sinners to save them from his retributive wrath. Campbell’s proposal for justification’s future is bold and revolutionary. Positively, Campbell offers invaluable insights from his Apocalyptic Perspective. However, I contend that Campbell’s proposal is too swift in rejecting the insights of others and too slow to incorporate biblical themes such as God’s retributive wrath, the need for faith and the clear forensic context of Paul’s justification language. Finally, I propose that a synthesis of Pauline Perspectives is the best method for understanding and applying Paul’s doctrine of justification today.
The Shinto Purification Rites and the Concept of Sin in Mark 7:14-23: Towards a Contemporary Biblical Theology of Purification in and for the Context of Japan
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg South Africa) Meiring, Arnold Gideon; Falconer, Robert D.; Falconer, Robert D.
Japanese Shinto has for centuries influenced much of Japanese culture. One of those influences is found in the priority of purity, recognized in many Shinto purification rituals. This has inspired the development of a contemporary biblical theology of purification in and for the context of Japan. This paper begins with an exegetical study of Mark 7:14-23. In this passage, Jesus was confronted by religious leaders who placed a high priority on external purity maintained through ritual. Jesus declared that nothing outside a man’s heart makes him unclean. Jesus is presented as God’s purity agent and there is much to be learnt from Him regarding sin as impurity. The Japanese notion of sin as impurity will be discovered within the cultural-religious milieu of contemporary Japanese Shinto. Although some traditional Shinto beliefs have fallen away, the concepts of purity and impurity are still recognizable in many modern Japanese practices, especially their external rituals. Some modern rituals and practices will be identified to confirm this argument. The Jewish value for ritual purity as demonstrated in Mark 7:14-23 has developed out of Ancient Near Eastern religious culture. Sin as impurity will be examined within the Ancient Near Eastern milieu and be compared to the idea of impurity in Modern Japanese Shinto. This will highlight notable similarities and differences between the Jewish people of the Bible, and Modern Japanese Shinto people and their relationship with the concept of purification. This provides one possible narrative for sin as impurity that is both biblical and applicable to Japanese culture. Finally, a contextualized theology of purification is the outcome of this thesis and I demonstrate how this can be done without compromising biblical authority. Some contextualized tools will be developed that can assist the Japanese context.