Theses

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    Back to the Garden: Paul’s Appeal to Adam and Eve as an Illuminating Allusion to 1 Timothy 2:11–15
    (Johannesburg South African Theological Seminary) Churchill, Sarah; Smith, Kevin G.
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    The Pauline Doctrine of Adoption: Implications of the Trinitarian Accomplishment of Adoption for Christian Spiritual Formation
    (Johannesburg South African Theological Seminary) Uliana, Marco Antonio 1976
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    Die Dringlichkeit der strategischen Konsolidierung junger Christen/Gemeinden bei Paulus exemplarisch im 1. Thessalonicherbrief (2,17-3,10), mit möglichen Implikationen für die Gemeindegründungs-, bzw. Gemeinderevitalisierungsbewegung: Eine exegetisch systematische Untersuchung.
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Luz, Edgar 1972; Vogt, Titus; Vogt, Titus
    In dieser Arbeit wird die Frage untersucht, welche Priorität der Apostel Paulus der Nacharbeit mit seinen jungen Konvertiten einräumt. Es wird erforscht, welche Dringlichkeit und Strategie hinter den uns offenbarten apostolischen Maßnahmen und Aktivitäten in seinen neuen Gemeinden stehen. Als Modell wählen wir die Gemeinde in Thessaloniki. Darin wird zuerst allgemein die Frage nach der Existenz einer Strategie bei Pls. aus verschiedenen Perspektiven erörtert. Anschließend werden die gängigen Ansätze in der aktuelleren biblisch-theologischen Fachliteratur auf die letztlichen Ambitionen des Apostels für die jungen Konvertiten in Thessaloniki analysiert und die Resultate in einer kurzen Synthese vergleichend aufgearbeitet. Hierbei sehen wir, dass die Ansätze weniger Alternativen als Komplementierung zueinander darstellen. Eine längere Einführung in den 1 Thess.-brief versucht, neben den allgemeinen Einleitungfragen, vor allem die Länge des Erstaufenthaltes und die genaue Abfolge der Nacharbeitsinitiativen festzulegen. Dieser folgt eine intensive Auseinandersetzung mit dem curricularen Inhalt der katechetischen Erstunterweisung, die Pls. der Gemeinde bei seinem ersten Aufenthalt in Thessaloniki gab. Dieser wird nachfolgend richtungsweisend in einen kurzen ersten Fazit zusammengefasst, wobei hier ein Schwerpunkt auf die „parakaleo“ Wortfamilie im 1 Thess.-brief gelegt und unter den drei Aspekten des integrierten Dienstes, inhaltlichen Dichte und intensivierten Dynamik kategorisiert wird. Hierauf folgt eine kurze textkritische Untersuchung unseres Modelltextes aus 1 Thess 2,17-3,10 mit dem Ziel, sich zu familiarisieren mit dem weiteren Kontext, inneren Aufbau, Sprache und Stil. Einer detaillierten dreiteiligen Einzelexegese folgt ein längeres Fazit mit der Analyse der in der Forschungsfrage wichtigen Aspekte auf dem Hintergrund der Details des Textes und seiner Auslegung. Diese wird tabellarisch aufgearbeitet und mit einem kurzen Schlussplädoyer abgerundet. Abschließend wird versucht, die erarbeiteten Prinzipien in einigen kurzen Thesen für die Missions- und Gemeindearbeit des 21. Jahrhunderts fruchtbar zu machen.
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    An Evaluation of Job Creation Programs in Alexandra Township by Two Sandton-Based Churches in Light of 2 Corinthians 8
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Meulenberg, Alef 1987; Joynt, Shaun; Joynt, Shaun
    This research study was undertaken to determine what the appropriate contemporary response was for Sandton-based churches in light of Paul’s challenge to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, where he asks them to contribute to the Jerusalem collection. While Paul uses a monetary collection in support of the poor in Jerusalem, churches in Sandton can mainly assist the poor in Alexandra by being involved with job creation programs. South Africa is the most economic unequal country in the world and the relationship between Alexandra and Sandton provide for a microcosm of this inequality. The apostle Paul urges his congregations to contribute towards a clear need amongst the poor in Jerusalem with the following aims (1) to alleviate poverty and (2) to create fellowship across racial and social lines. Within the current context relating to both economic and socio-economic inequality, combined with significant racial tensions, the most effective way to alleviate poverty is for Sandton based churches to participate in job creation programs in neighbouring township communities. The two churches that participated in this research study, namely, Rivers Church and Rosebank Union Church, have long-standing initiatives in Alexandra township. These interventions include several current job creation programs that are operated with limited success. One outcome of this research study is that both churches adopt a job creation methodology called Market Creating Innovations, where through innovation, complex and expensive products and services are simplified and therefore offered at a cheaper rate. This process makes products and services accessible to a larger quantity of people. Within the framework of Osmer’s practical theological reflection qualitative research was undertaken to determine what strategies and methodologies can be adopted by both churches to participate in job creation programs in Alexandra. Current stakeholders, participants of programs, and industry experts were interviewed, the selected biblical text analysed, and social sciences consulted, to provide a sustainable recommendation to both churches.
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    ΛΟΓΟΣ ΓΝΩΣΕΩΣ as a Prophetic Speech-Act: A Theological and Biblical Evaluation of the Gift of the Word of Knowledge
    (South African Theological Seminary) Goosen, Hugh Ralph; Asumang, Annang
    This systematic-theological study has sought to provide an account of the nature and purpose of λόγος γνώσεως (logos gnōseōs), the spiritual gift variously translated as a word, message, or utterance of knowledge in 1 Corinthians 12:8. It was shown that throughout history, there has never been a time where there has been a unified understanding of the gift. Broadly defined, it has been interpreted in one of three ways, namely, as a gift that provided either (1) academic insight into the Scriptures, (2) an ability to teach, or (3) supernatural knowledge that allowed the recipient to minister effectively within a particular context. The study argues that while this third understanding comes close to accounting for all the data in the text, it is not sufficiently distinctive to warrant classifying it as something separate from prophecy, a defining characteristic of which is the miraculous provision, and subsequent utterance of special knowledge. The study employs speech-act theory as an exegetical tool, examining the locutionary and illocutionary acts within three select biblical passages where prophecy features. It argues that there were three knowledge components common to prophecy–reception, comprehension, and transmission components–and that it is the transmission component where the spiritual gift of λόγος γνώσεως finds expression. More specifically, the study argues that λόγος γνώσεως is an informative-assertive component of the broader prophetic speech-act that articulates supernaturally revealed information about matters past, present,or future, for the purpose of edifying, or motivating the hearer(s) to conform or adhere to the will of God. This contribution is unique in that it provides a comprehensive account of how the gift has been understood and practiced throughout history, demonstrating not just its ongoing relevance, but also how varying contexts have affected the ways in which it has been interpreted. Furthermore, it is the first systematic and inter-disciplinary study into this elusive gift, employing speech-act theory to comprehensively define, analytically clarify, and theological exemplify its distinctive features, showing how it relates to the widely practised spiritual gift of prophecy, and demonstrating its continuing relevance for church praxis.
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    Der Brief an Philemon: Ein Kommentar
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg) Kubsch, Timon 1993; Kinker, Thomas; Kinker, Thomas
    The Letter to Philemon is the shortest and probably the most personal letter written by the apostle Paul. Yet because of its very specific and personal topic concerning the conflict between Philemon and his escaped slave Onesimus, it seems to be neglected by a lot of Christians. The aim of this thesis was to show the meaning and great importance of the Letter to Philemon for Christians at all times and all places by writing a commentary on it. Besides answering the introductory questions and taking a deep look at the Greek text, a crucial step for understanding Paul’s letter was to get historical insight into what the life of an ancient slave looked like. Another important question to answer was if Paul is demanding Philemon to release his slave and if not, why not. The Letter to Philemon is remarkably good in showing us how our faith in Christ is the key to our dealing with each other. In this specific case, Paul wants Philemon to forgive his slave and adopt him as his brother. By doing this, he will witness Christ, who himself gave up his life to reconcile the lost with his father in heaven. The letter also shows us that there is hope for hopeless people like Onesimus. God can change a useless man into his useful servant. Surprisingly, Paul also connects this personal concern with the whole church and in doing this, he shows us how the church as a whole can reflect God’s kingdom in this world. The church is to live as a family of brothers and sisters, welcoming anyone who sets his trust in Christ alone.
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    Ephesians 1:15–2:10as a deterrent to rural Serer Christians in Evangelical Baptist Churches of Senegal reverting to the Pangool (ancestral spirits) in times of life stress.
    (South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, 2022) Campbell, Charles C.; Churchill, Timothy
    The main research question of this exegetical thesis is “How might rural Serer pastors in the Association of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Senegal (AEEBS) employ Ephesians 1:15–2:10 as a deterrent to the practice of rural Serer Baptist Christians reverting to the Pangool (the ancestral spirits) during times of life stress”? Chapter 2 looks at the religious background of Ephesus, suggesting in part that the Ephesians relied on their goddess Artemis to protect them from invisible spiritual threats. Chapter 5 shows how the rural Serer rely on their Pangool (ancestral spirits) for protection against invisible spiritual threats. Thus, the first hypothesis of the thesis is that if the Ephesian and Serer worldviews concerning the threatening nature of the invisible world are similar, then would not the application of Paul’s teaching be similar also? The second hypothesis is that Paul in this passage use his knowledge of the Ephesians’ cultural and religious background, especially their quest for spiritual protection, to convince them to totally commit themselves to Christ for their spiritual protection. The exegesis in the third chapter looks for evidence of this hypothesis. The exegesis focuses on the power of God that is available to the Ephesians, and the contrast/comparison between God’s power that raised Christ physically from the dead to the heavenly realms, and God’s power that raised the Ephesians spiritually from the dead to the heavenly realms. The exegesis attempts to answer two important questions: How is this power available to the Ephesians? What are the implications of being seated in the heavenlies with Christ? Chapter 4 takes a closer look at the different perceived types of spiritual threats to the Ephesians, confirming their overwhelming dependence on Artemis. Chapter 5 explains the domination of the Pangool (ancestral spirits) in all of the rural Serer life-transition ceremonies, and chapter 6 suggests that Serer Baptist pastors could use the exegeted passage to create a confession of faith to be used during all those ceremonies, so that believers would not revert to the Pangool in times of life stress. Chapter 7 conclusion highlights the validity of the hypotheses.
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