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Item Human Freedom and God's Providence : Is There Conflict? Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 8, Issue 09, Sep 2009, p. 62 - 76(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Pretorius, MarkHow can we reconcile human freedom with God's providence? The key, in my view, is bottom-up and top-down causality. These particular terms state that all events in the world are the result of some previous event, or events. Accordingly, all of reality is already in a sense predetermined or pre-existent and, therefore, nothing new can come into existence. But how does this impact on our actions? Are we predetermined to walk a specific path and, if so, how is this accomplished by God without violating our human freedom?Item Homosexuality : Legally Permissible or Spiritually Misguided? Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 5, Issue 03, Mar 2008, p. 135 - 167(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Lockard, Anna-MarieOne of the most divisive issues facing the Christian church today is the ubiquitous issue of the acceptance of homosexual behaviour within the parameters of church leadership. Revisionist theologians contend that the church must redress her stance on this issue to keep in step with the prevailing culture of the day, which favours the acceptance of homosexual behaviour due to its proposed biological determinism. This article analyses this divisive issue from four perspectives: (a) historical attitudes towards homosexuality in a variety of cultures across time, (b) empirical studies regarding the causation of homosexual orientation, (c) the witness of scripture and (d) the implications for pastoral ministryItem 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 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 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 Divine Wisdom Versus Human Wisdom : An Exegetical-theological Analysis of 1 Corinthians 1:10-2:16 Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 8, Issue 09, Sep 2009, p. 35 - 61Lioy, Dan T.This journal article undertakes an exegetical-theological analysis of 1 Corinthians 1:10-2:16 in order to distinguish between divine wisdom and human wisdom. It is maintained that human wisdom is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic in orientation. In contrast, divine wisdom is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and Spirit-led. It seeks to glorify the Lord, not oneself, by focusing on the eternal sagacity of Jesus' atoning sacrifice. Furthermore, human wisdom uses empty rhetoric and deceptive arguments to snare its victims. Conversely, divine wisdom heralds the truth of redemption in plain language so that the cross is not emptied of its power to save. Religionists and sophists consider the teaching about Jesus' death and resurrection to be utter nonsense; yet God uses the message of the cross to annihilate the erudition of the worldly wise and thwart the understanding of those who imagine themselves to be clever. Regardless of whether they are young or old, rich or poor, powerful or weak, famous or unknown, everyone must trust in Christ for salvation. Moreover, they must rely on the Holy Spirit for insight and understanding into the will of the Father.Item Justification as it Relates to Adam and Christ Within the New Covenant Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 1, Issue 03, Mar 2006, p. 43 - 64(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Pretorius, MarkHow does one grasp the ramifications of sin without first understanding its source and how it was transmitted to all mankind? How does one understand the depth of Christ's redemptive act without first understanding the depth of sin within man? The significance of this concept in explaining the work of Christ should not be underestimated in any way. Therefore Paul teaches that all people stand in relationship to one of two men, whose actions determine the eternal destiny of all who belong to them. By the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, and by the obedience of the other, many shall be made righteous.God's plan for man's redemption can be seen through the eyes of two covenants. The one, made with Adam and broken by him, resulted in man's death. The second covenant, through Jesus Christ, resulted in man's redemption.Item An Evaluation of Contemporary Challenges to Evangelical Orthodoxy Posed by Toon's Four Basic Types of Theology : a Christian Response Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 12, Issue 09, Sep 2011, p. 217 - 240(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Woodbridge, Noel B.Abstract Contemporary theology is a maze of conflicting beliefs and approaches. The present situation poses unique challenges to evangelical orthodoxy. Using typology (as developed by social scientists), this article surveys a limited variety of intellectual constructs around which the greater variety of contemporary theologies are built The article analyses Toon’s four basic types of theology and evaluates their dangers, especially when their research methods are applied in a total manner. The article concludes with an appropriate Christian response to the contemporary challenges to evangelical orthodoxy posed by these approaches to theologyItem Conspectus The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary(SATS Seminary Press Johannesburg South Africa) Erdey, Zoltan L.; Smith, Kevin G.African Conspectus is a refereed theological e-journal published biannually by the South African Theological Seminary (www.sats.edu.za). The journal is a scholarly theological publication in the fields of Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology and Practical Theology.Item Interpreting Parables: One Point or Many (Conspectus Volume 10 September 2010)(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Erdey, Zoltan L.Abstract 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 lifereferent, 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 mode