Articles
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Item A grammatical exposition of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 9, Issue 03, Mar 2010, p. 95 - 105(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.The most definitive biblical text on the nature, function, and purpose of scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, contains several difficulties that have made it the subject of much scholarly debate. The purpose of this article is to examine the Greek text phrase by phrase, exploring the difficulties and evaluating possible solutions. Concerning the nature of scripture, the first three words are best translated 'all scripture is God-breathed', although 'every scripture is God-breathed' remains possible. The inspired nature of the scriptures is presupposed by both these translations, and even by other interpretive options. Furthermore, it is proper to consider both copies and translations as inspired scriptures, while recognizing that in so doing we are referring to their true character rather than their absolute character. The function of scripture is represented by four prepositional phrases, which portray its functions as guiding believers towards correct belief and behaviour, while exposing wrong beliefs and behaviours. The ultimate purpose of scripture, however, is conveyed not by the four prepositional phrases in verse 16, but by the hina clause in verse 17 - the word of God is given to prepare the man of God for every good work.Item The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary - Retaining An Apostolic Approach to Church Life Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 5, Issue 03, Mar 2008, p. 39 - 65(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Peppler, Christopher; Black, Malcolm M.This article briefly examines the current return to apostolic Christianity in various parts of the world and references three earlier Christian movements that came into existence at approximately 100-year intervals, beginning with the Methodist movement in the 1700s, culminating with observations of a current apostolic movement that began in the early 1980s, known as New Covenant Ministries International, in an attempt to ascertain how they embraced early apostolic principles. The article highlights the strengths of several movements but also makes observations about how these movements lost their initial effectiveness by becoming institutional and, in many cases, forfeited their initial vision of impacting the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We examine possible reasons why these movements lost their fervour and discuss possible ways of how current movements could learn from their mistakes not only maintain their spiritual fervency but sustain their vision and momentum of reaching the nations with the gospel to succeeding generations.Item The Role of the Doctrine of Trinitarian Worship in Paul’s Dispute with the Judaizers: Galatians 4:6 and Philippians 3:3 as Test Cases (Conspectus Volume 14 September 2012)(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Asumang, AnnangAbstract Paul’s dispute with the Judaizers primarily centred on the soteriological implications of the ‘works of the law’, specifically, whether the circumcision of males, participation in Jewish festivals ,and eating of kosher food were a prior preconditions for salvation. However, several aspects of Paul’s arguments indicate that there were secondary areas of divergence from these Jewish opponents, which, when taken together with the primary issue, have important implications for understanding the theological bases of the ‘parting of the ways’ between Christianity and Judaism. One such secondary issue is reflected in Paul’s appeal to Trinitarian worship as part of his denunciation of the Judaizers. After a brief summary of the dimensions of Paul’s dispute with the Judaizers, this article sets out definitional criteria for identifying references to Trinitarian worship as Paul conceptualized it in his letters. It then demonstrates that Galatians 4:6 and Philippians 3:3 are test cases describing the role of the doctrine of Trinitarian worship in the dispute. It concludes by enumerating the implications of the findings to the Trinitarian distinctiveness of Christian worship.Item Mindfulness and the Brain : A Christian Critique of Some Aspects of Neuroscience Conspectus : The Journal of the South AfricaTheological Seminary, Volume 12, Issue 09, Sep 2011, p. 59 - 87(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Joubert, Callie W. T.The aim in this paper is to critique some aspects of neuro-scientific studies on mindfulness and mindful practices. Firstly, because of the often mistaken assumption that it is something totally new; its roots in fact lie in religious and philosophical views which are the antithesis of a Christian worldview. Secondly, because of opposing views of what the mind is, and how the mind relates to the brain, Christians have come under pressure to show how their claims about God are different from those of epileptics and atheists. In order to deal with these issues, this study commences with a brief introduction to the concept of mindfulness, its historical roots and the scientific claims in support of mindful practices. A philosophical critique of physicalism and panpsychism is then offered from a biblical perspective, followed by a discussion of some of the dangers lurking in the neighbourhood of mindful practices. The conclusion is that the philosophical and religious assumptions that underlie scientific views of ourselves and spiritual growth matter enormously; they deserve continual scrutiny.Item New Creation Theology in 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 17, Issue 03, Mar 2014, p. 53 - 87(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Lioy, Dan T.This analytical essay deals with the theme of new creation theology in 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2. The major premise is that new creation theology is a defining characteristic in Paul's teaching. The biblical and theological analysis of this passage indicates that the Lord Jesus is the beginning, middle, and culmination for all of physical and spiritual reality. More specifically, Paul disclosed that the Son's atoning sacrifice at Calvary makes reconciliation possible between the Creator and repentant, believing sinners. In turn, the Messiah's redemptive work has inaugurated a new era in which the conversion of individual believers is part of God's larger plan to bring about the renewal of the entire universe, concluding with the new heavens and new earth.Item From Zenith to Zero : A Historical-theological Analysis of the Demise of the Kingdom of David and Solomon Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 9, Issue 03, Mar 2010, p. 69 - 94(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Lioy, Dan T.This journal article undertakes a historical-theological analysis of the demise of the kingdom of David and Solomon. Fresh insight into this investigation is obtained by making modified use of the five stages of decline appearing in Jim Collins's study titled How the Mighty Fall. Concededly, the author's evidence-based research deals with the underlying reasons why major corporations implode. That said, when the conceptual framework put forward by Collins is used to assess the collapse of the Davidic-Solomonic kingdom, it helps to shed light on what brought about the defeat and captivity of God's chosen people, as reported in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. This essay affirms that the nation's journey from zenith to zero approximately corresponds to the five successive stages delineated by Collins. First, the kingdom experienced arrogance as a result of its unparalleled power and wealth. Second, this hubris emboldened the nation to plunge into an undisciplined pursuit of seizing even more worldly success. Third, the kingdom's obsession to prolong its greatness clouded the moral judgment of its leaders and resulted in them denying they were taking the covenant community down a treacherous path. Fourth, as the storm clouds of disaster began to appear on the nation's horizon, the civil and religious centers of power resorted to desperate measures to save the kingdom. Fifth, due to a series of God-ordained misfortunes and reversals, the covenant community became dispirited, lost all hope, and were eventually brought down by external forces they could neither control nor defeat.Item Put On the Lord Jesus Christ, Put on the Last Adam : The Background of Paul's Ethical Instructions in Romans 13 : 11-14 Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 4, Issue 09, Sep 2007, p. 1 - 22Asumang, AnnangThe background of Paul's ethical instructions in Rom 13 : 11-14, that, in view of the imminent return of Christ, Christians should eschew sinful behaviour and instead live righteously, have been assumed by several commentators to have derived from a cluster of disparate images. This approach however results in an irregular and unsatisfactory appreciation of the powerful rhetorical effects of the passage. In this paper, by exploring elements of Paul's doctrine of the ""Last Adam"" and its associations, especially the ""Divine Warrior"" motif, I propose that the images in the passage are derived from this Last Adam doctrine. Christians must be motivated to live godly lives because they will imminently inherit the incorruptible and glorious nature of the Last Adam by sharing in the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.Item What Did You Go Out To See? A Demon Crazed Ascetic? Light on Matthew 11:7b From an Aramaic Reconstruction Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 8, Issue 09, Sep 2009, p. 26 - 34(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Day, Charles RIn Matthew 11:7, Jesus asks the crowd a question concerning John the Baptist : what did you go out into the wilderness to see; a reed shaken by the wind? There is a depth to this question which has remained unexplored. Far from being a poetic image meant to convey something prosaic, this question probably alludes to an actual term of contempt used by the enemies of John. A proposed Aramaic reconstruction reveals not only the pun behind this, but may also allows exegetes a greater glimpse at the way Jesus uses this image to force the crowd to acknowledge him as Messiah. The story starts in Matthew 11:1-6, when the disciples of John the Baptist come to Jesus with a question from their master, who was at that time in prison. They ask on his behalf: are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another? Jesus sends them back to John suggesting that the signs and wonders performed provided the self-evident answer. It isn't that these displays of miraculous power in themselves proved anything. Jesus is claiming that his ministry is the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. The list Jesus gives is an allusion to a conflated version of Isaiah 61:1-2, which seems to have encapsulated the messianic expectations of the time.Item A New Kind Of Liberalism a Review of ‘A new Kind of Christianity ’By Brian McLaren Conspectus Volume 11 March 2011(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, South Africa) Peppler, ChristopherBrian McLaren has recently published his most definitive work to date, in which he comes closer than ever before to clearly stating what he believes. The book is subtitled, Ten Questions that are Transforming the Faith, and the book is structured around two sets of five of these questions. He doesn't state that the design is intended to contrast with the Ten Commandments, but the connection seems obvious - Ten Commandments on two tablets, versus ten questions in two 'books'. McLaren states that the first book contains the 'profound and critical questions that are being raised by followers of Christ around the world' (xi). The second set of five are, according to McLaren, 'less profound or theologically radical' (xi) and are more practical in nature. Each of the ten questions will be dealt with individually, but first, a couple of general comments.Item Stage Development Theory and the Use of Elementary Exegesis in Bible Teaching to Children : A Child-focused and Bible-Orientated Pedagogical Approach Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 14, Issue 09, Sep 2012, p. 57 - 80(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Brodie, RobertThis paper advocates the use of a child-focused and Bible-orientated stage development approach to the teaching of the Bible to children. Piaget's theories on the cognitive development of children and the adaptation of those theories to religious education by Goldman and others provide the overall framework for an evaluation of aspects of a presentation of a Bible story compiled from assignments submitted by South African theological students. The evaluation identifies several shortcomings in the presentation. The article then considers two major difficulties in teaching the Bible to children before proposing how the shortcomings in the students' presentation can be addressed.Item Review of BibleWorks 8 : An Introduction for SATS Students Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 9, Issue 03, Mar 2010, p. 117 - 126(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Jabini, FrankThe South African Theological Seminary (SATS) has students who come from a variety of backgrounds. They are studying for different purposes and ministries. Some students study for personal enrichment, others to become pastors. Some are already pastors, who want to equip themselves to be more effective in the ministry. Several of our students have recently completed training to serve as Bible translators, while others are experienced translators who need a postgraduate degree with a focus on Bible translation or biblical languages. With these students in mind, I will introduce BibleWorks 8 (BW8). I have been using BibleWorks (BW) since its infancy. I have used it for Bible study and sermon preparation, for exegesis leading to Bible translation, and for research culminating in both popular and academic publications.Item Be Filled With the Spirit and Not with Wine : Echoes of the Messianic Banquet in the Antithesis of Ephesians 5:18 Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 5, Issue 03, Mar 2008, p. 21 - 38Asumang, AnnangEphesians 5:18 contrasts wine drinking with being filled with the Holy Spirit. There are a number of reasons, both in the text and the socio-cultural context, to suggest that Paul is not primarily addressing an ongoing problem of alcohol abuse in the congregation. Instead, this article will suggest that he is using the antithesis as a double-edged theological foil to descriptionbe the practical inauguration of the Messianic Banquet in the life of the church. Collaborating evidence for this interpretation, which highlights the celebratory mood of the passage, will also be found in Ephesians 2 & 4. Christian worship and mutual submission that is fuelled by the liberating power of the Holy Spirit is a practical foretaste of the forthcoming Messianic Banquet.Item The Garden of Eden as a Primordial Temple or Sacred Space for Humankind (Conspectus Volume 10 September 2010 )(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, South Africa) Lioy, Dan T.Abstract This journal article considers ways in which the Garden of Eden functioned as a primordial temple for humankind. An examination of the creation narrative points to Eden as the earliest-occurring sacred space. Because it is a prototype and archetype of future temples, Eden provides a conceptual framework for understanding and appreciating their purpose. Moreover, an analysis of the biblical data indicates that God intended Adam and Eve to serve as His sacerdotal vice-regents in the garden. Indeed, Eden is regarded as the starting point for fellowship between God and redeemed humanityItem Jesus' Resurrection and the Nature of the Believer's Resurrection Body (1 Cor 15:1-58) Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 12, Issue 09, Sep 2011, p. 89 - 127(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Lioy, Dan T.This journal article undertakes a biblical and theological analysis of 1 Corinthians 15, in order to discern what Paul had to say about Jesus' resurrection and the nature of the believer's resurrection body. The essay first considers Paul's theology within the context of Second Temple Judaism and Adamic motifs in ancient Jewish literature. Then, the essay highlights Paul's teaching that the Messiah conquered death so that believers could have new life in Him. The apostle revealed that the resurrection body would not die or engage in sin, and it would share in the resurrection power of the Messiah. Furthermore, Paul declared that this transformation would not be slow and gradual; instead, when the Saviour returned, believers - whether dead or alive - would be instantly changed. They would receive incorruptible bodies, and this transformation would display the Son's complete and final victory over deathItem Opposing Satan, the Counterfeit Word Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 18, Issue 09, Sep 2014, p. 2 - 34Lioy, Dan T.A primary goal of this journal article is to explore how Satan (especially through his minions) strives to undermine the will of the Saviour (particularly through his followers). A correspondent aim is to deliberate how to oppose the devil's attacks. One major finding is that Lucifer uses spurious forms of verbal communication to tempt, deceive, and accuse people, including believers. Also, Satan's decision to operate in this way is a deliberate perversion of how God used his powerful, creative decree to bring the entire universe into existence and sustain it in all its manifold wonder. A case study analysis of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness (cf. Matt 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-11) indicates that he relied on the Word of God to thwart the devil's attacks. Similarly, an examination of Ephesians 6:10-20 (the premier Pauline passage dealing with the subject of spiritual warfare) shows that Jesus' followers should make full use of scripture to parry the attacks made by Satan, the counterfeit word.Item Those Who Are Persecuted Because of Righteousness, are Those who Pursue Righteousness : An Examination of the Origin and Meaning Matthew 5:10 Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 9, Issue 03, Mar 2010, p. 25 - 32(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Day, Charles RStandard renderings of the eighth beatitude, Matthew 5:10, such as the NIV's 'Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven', fail to convey the subtlety of Jesus's point adequately. In Aramaic, that saying contains a pun based on the fact that the Hebrew / Aramaic word for 'persecute' also means 'pursue'. The article begins by attempting to reconstruct the beatitude in Aramaic, and then draws on evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Targums to support the contention that Matthew 5:10 contains allusions to Deuteronomy 16:20 and Isaiah 51:1. The key to understanding and translating the beatitute lies in appreciating the double meaning of the Hebrew verb נבף, which helps us to appreciate that being persecuted for righteousness' sake is the result of pursuing righteousness. The idea can best be captured in translation by paraphrasing the verse, such as 'Blessed are those whose pursuit of what God requires causes them to become persecuted, for they receive the kingdom of heaven.'Item ‛Resist him’ (1 Peter 5:9): Holiness and Non-retaliatory Responses to Unjust Suffering as ‛Holy War’ in 1 Peter Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 11, Issue 03, Mar 2011, p. 7 - 46Asumang, AnnangAbstract 1 Peter exhorts readers to respond to unjust suffering with nonretaliatory righteous behaviour, while looking forward to vindication at the Lord‟s return. Although several literarytheological and sociological approaches to the epistle have shed considerable light on this exhortation, a number of interpreters maintain that ultimately, the epistle engenders a paralyzing sense of passive victimhood in believers. This article examines the theological significance of several military metaphors throughout the epistle, to show that the exhortation to resist the devil in the final chapter is a climax to a consistent theme in the epistle, aimed at galvanizing spiritual warriors whose weapons are peaceful nonretaliation, hope, and holiness through Christ‟s redemptive work. It also argues that Peter‟s approach is in line with the New Testament‟s transformation of the holy war motif of the Old Testament. Rather than being paralyzed into helplessness, the first readers of the epistle would have been emboldened by the call to holy resistance.Item From Dignity to Disgrace : A Comparative Analysis of Psalms 8 and 14 Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 15, Issue 03, Mar 2013, p. 207 - 241(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Lioy, Dan T.Item Checkmating the Human Drive for Life : A Biblical-theological Examination of Genesis 5, Ecclesiastes 1, and 1 Corinthians 15 : 50-58 Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 2, Issue 09, Sep 2006, p. 1 - 22(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Lioy, Dan T.The major premise of this essay is that since the dawn of time, the human drive for life has been checkmated by death. A Biblical-theological examination of Genesis 5 and Ecclesiastes 1 indicates that despite the efforts of people both individually and collectively to extend the realms of human existence, their efforts are ultimately ambushed (in a manner of speaking) by the end of life. Moreover, while each generation appears to be making incremental strides - sometimes even laudable gains - the reality of death neutralizes these advances and in some cases entirely wipes them out. An examination of 1 Corinthians 15 : 50-58 informs people of faith that only in Christ can work and leisure be enjoyable, beneficial, and fulfilling.Item Interpreting parables : One Point or Many? Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 10, Issue 1, Jan 2010, p. 5 - 24(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Erdey, Zoltan L.Two modes of parable interpretation have dominated much of church history. The first and most dominant was allegorization, in which each element in the parable narrative was contrasted with a real life referent, thought to communicate an enigmatic or spiritual truth. In contrast to the allegorical exegetical method is the single-lesson interpretive model, which advocates that parables teach a single lesson. None of these interpretive models are adequate, for they either oversimplifying or unnecessarily allegorising the parables of Jesus. The model recommended by Blomberg, which views the parables as teaching one, two, or three lessons, contingent on the number of main characters in the parables, avoids the pitfalls on the two extremes, and ought to be adopted as the standard evangelical model.