[pt] A hermenêutica bíblico-teológica situada na metodologia teológica de Joseph Ratzinger, nomeada por ele hermenêutica da fé, é o tema principal dessa dissertação. Busca-se através desse aspecto do pensamento de Ratzinger encontrar perspectivas que proporcionem, no fazer teológico, uma relação saudável e frutífera entre Sagrada Escritura e teologia sistemática, tendo em vista o contexto da teologia contemporânea e os desafios hodiernos. Para analisar esse aspecto do pensamento de Ratzinger, foi necessário estudar e apresentar o que é o método histórico-crítico, pois a formulação da sua hermenêutica bíblico-teológica se deu no diálogo com ele. Posteriormente se analisou a importância da Constituição Dogmática Dei Verbum na sistematização da hermenêutica bíblico-teológica de Ratzinger. Buscando verificar esse aspecto de sua metodologia em uma área específica de sua teologia, optou-se pela cristologia, em especial no primeiro volume de sua obra Jesus de Nazaré. Nesse capítulo busca-se evidenciar a maneira como Ratzinger interpreta as Sagradas Escrituras no fazer teológico, com o objetivo de verificar se ele pratica sua hermenêutica bíblico-teológica. Também é dedicado um capítulo à apresentação das diversas análises feitas por alguns autores à proposta metodológica de Ratzinger para a composição do Jesus de Nazaré. Nessas análises, buscou-se focar a metodologia usada por Ratzinger. Foram apresentadas as recepções positivas, e também, algumas críticas. / [en] The main theme of this Master s Thesis is about biblical-theological hermeneutics based on Joseph Ratzinger s theological methodology, which he calls the hermeneutics of faith. Through this aspect of Ratzinger s thought, we seek to find perspectives in the theological making that provide a healthy and fruitful relationship between Sacred Scripture and Systematic Theology, which considers the context of contemporary theology and current challenges. Therefore, in order to analyze this aspect of Ratzinger s thought, it was necessary to study and present the meaning of historical-critical method, because the formulation of his biblicaltheological hermeneutics took place in the dialogue about this method. After this, the importance of Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum in the systematization of Ratzinger s biblical-theological hermeneutics was analyzed. In order to verify this aspect of his methodology in a specific area of his theology, Christology was chosen especially in the first volume of his book Jesus of Nazareth. In the first chapter, we try to highlight the way Ratzinger interprets the Holy Scriptures in his theological work. It has the aim of verifying if he practices his biblical-theological hermeneutics. There is also a chapter dedicated to present many analyzes made by some authors about the methodological proposal of Ratzinger to compose his book Jesus of Nazareth. In these analyzes, we sought to focus on the methodology used by Ratzinger. Positive receptions were presented, as well as some critical ones.

[pt] O objetivo deste trabalho é evidenciar as interpretações teológicas mais expressivas sobre a Descida de Cristo à mansão dos mortos (vitória, pregação e solidariedade). Com os principais elementos contidos na reflexão teológica deste artigo de fé, tentaremos apresentar a descida de Cristo aos infernos como um modelo para a atuação e práxis libertadora da Igreja, mostrando como um antigo artigo de fé pode ser traduzido, de modo a fazer sentido para o fiel do séc. XXI. Assim sendo, se Cristo desceu aos infernos, Ele desce até a nossa realidade e aos nossos desafios sociais. Por analogia poderíamos dizer que aquilo que seria mansão dos mortos como Sheol, Hades, Inferos e Refaim, Cristo também teria descido a nossa condição humana, muitas vezes desprovida de esperança, invisível socialmente ou incapaz de agir por um sistema de opressão. A atuação da Igreja seria a mesma daquela promovida por Cristo quando pregou levando uma nova oportunidade de salvação na morada dos mortos ou quando o Cristo se fez solidário de corpo e alma para que toda a obra criada pudesse participar da graça de Deus. É a tentativa em dar uma práxis eclesial a partir das interpretações cristológicas e soteriológicas sobre o Descensus, fazendo com que a descida de Cristo à morada dos mortos se insira dentro do contexto latino-americano. / [en] This project objective is to highlight the most expressive theological interpretations about Christ s descent to the death manor (triumph, preaching and solidarity). With the main features contained in the theological reflection in this scientific faith article, we will try to present Christ s descent in to hell as a type for the Church liberator performance and praxis, showing like an old faith article can be translated in order to make sense to the believers from the XXI century. Therefore, if Christ descended in to hell he would descend until our realities and our social challenges. By the analogy, we could say that it would be the death manor such as Sheol, Hades, Hell and Rephaim, Christ would have descended to our human condition, often without hope, socially unseen or incapable to act because of an oppression system. The church performance would be the same as the one promoted by Christ. When he preached taking a new redemption opportunity to the deceased abode or when Christ was body and soul solidary for every accomplishments that could take part of God’s grace. It s an attempt to give an ecclesiastic praxis by the Christological and soteriological interpretations about the descensus, which Christ s descent to the deceased abode gets inserted into LatinAmerican context.

According to the research, emphatic "Greek text" tells about confidence of Nicodemus in possession of trustworthy criteria, which allow him to judge what might be from God and, hence, what might not be from God. Epistemological premise of Nicodemus is the starting point for the whole conversation in Jn 3:1-21. Analysis of the Jewish literary tradition that used dualistic couples of antonyms to denote "otherness" of the divine sphere 1ms shown that ontological difference (v. 6) makes it impossible for human ("flesh") to know the divine sphere ("spirit"). This results in the fact that manifestations of the divine sphere (effect) are falsely taken by human for the divine sphere itself (cause). In other words, just verification of the divine sphere manifestation without initiative act on behalf of God does not allow human neither to correctly value this sphere, nor to enter it. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)

The sufficiency of Jesus Christ in the African Church is challenged by the widespread spiritual insecurity in African Christians, prompting them to hold on to ATR. The wholistic securing power of ATR challenges the sufficiency Christ's salvation to Africans. Proposing African Christological motifs alone is inadequate to induce confidence upon Christ. The African worldview must further be transformed inline with the implications of the victory of the Cross over Satan. Indeed, Christ has fully liberated African Christians from Satan's authority, placed them in his kingdom, and transformed them into a glorious state. However, because of the Fall, salvation, before the eschaton can never result in the utopian order envisioned in ATR. Suffering does not necessarily indicate satanic harassment. It is a fact of the fallen world. African Christians stand secured in Christ; therefore, they must hold on to their faith. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / M.Th. (Systematic Theology)

In transmitting the Gospel, Western missionaries passed on their portrayal of Christ as a European. Conversion to Christianity was aimed more at promoting Western cultural, moral and spiritual issues. Western culture has thus been an obstacle or hindrance to effective cross-cultural communication of the Christian message. Batswana believers are challenged to peel the Western cultural layers off Christianity, in order to reclaim Christ. Batswana Christians will have to dress Christianity in the Tswana cultural heritage if it is to be of any lasting significance to them. Christian spirituality is centred on Jesus Christ, in the worldview of all Christians. Jesus joins faith and culture together. If Christianity is truly universal, then every culture should surrender to Jesus Christ and not to any other culture. Jesus’ question “who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8: 29), challenges Batswana Christians to write their own fifth Gospel. / Christian Spirituality Church History & Missiology / Thesis (M. Th. (Christian Spirituality))

Atonement theories have great implications for the soteriological paradigms associated with them, but their significance has not always been recognized in the formulation of theological systems, the lack of dogmatic definition by ecumenical council encouraging diversification and isolation from other doctrinal loci. The strongest coherence between an atonement model and soteriology can be seen in the reformed tradition, and its theory of penal substitution has become the standard accepted by many non-reformed protestant groups, including classical pentecostalism. Tensions persist in the theological system of pentecostalism because of its pairing of penal substitution with the soteriological paradigm of its foundational symbol of faith, the full gospel of Jesus as savior, sanctifier, baptizer with the Spirit, healer, and coming king. This vision of salvation is broader than that of protestant orthodoxy, which through its atonement theory deleteriously separates the death of Christ from his work in life and strictly limits the subjects and nature of salvation, specifically to addressal of elect individuals’ sins. It is proposed that this tension within the pentecostal system be relieved not through a reduction of its soteriology but a retrieval of the Christus victor model, the atonement theory of the ancient and Eastern church. As reintroduced to the Western church by G. Aulén, this model interprets the saving work of Christ along two lines: recapitulation, the summing up and saving of humanity via the incarnation, and ransom, the deliverance of humanity from the hostile powers holding it in bondage. In a contemporary, pentecostal appropriation of this model, aid is taken from K. Barth’s concept of nothingness to partially demythologize the cosmic conflict of the Bible, and pentecostalism reinvigorates the Eastern paradigm of salvation as theosis or Christification via the expectation of the replication of Christ’s ministry in the Christian. The study shows Christus victor can give a more stable base for a broader soteriology that is concerned with the holistic renewal of the human person. To demonstrate the developed model’s vigor and applicability beyond pentecostalism, the study closes by bringing it into conversation with the concerns of three contemporary theological movements. / Philosophy & Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Systematic Theology)

The Jesus of history and the Christ of faith are two different figures. Two centuries of search for the historical Jesus has led to greater awareness and better use of New Testament criticism, had salutary effects on proper historical biblical research and the desire to look beyond the paucity of material about Jesus in the canonical gospels. Despite proven difficulties the historical Jesus is an endless enterprise eliciting an equally endless fascination. The solution to the Jesus mystery appears better linked to Paul who has never been subjected to the same degree of historical research as Jesus. The figure, character, preaching, and teaching of Jesus was fashioned by the gospel authors not just to fit in. with the primitive church but to provide a natural linkage with Pauline Christianity. Christian faith is only loosely intertwined with Jesus of Nazareth and has everything to do with the Christ de"-ised by Paul. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

This study seeks to examine the precise way it may be said that God takes risks in creating and governing this world. In order to articulate this model of providence various texts of scripture are studied which have either been overlooked or interpreted differently in discussions of divine providence. These texts reveal a deity who enters into genuine give-and-take relations with creatures, a God who is genuinely responsive and who may be said to take risks in that God does not get everything he desires in these relationships. Furthermore, the traditional texts used to defend the no-risk view of providence are examined and shown that they do not, in fact, teach the idea that God is the cause of everything which happens in the world such that the divine will is never thwarted in the leas detail. The biblical teaching of God in reciprocal relations with his creatures is then discussed in theological and philosophical terms. The nature of God is here understood as loving, wise, faithful yet free, almighty, competent and resourceful. These ideas are explicated in light of the more traditional theological/philosophical understanding of God. Finally, some of the implications of this relational model of God are examined to see the ways in which it may be said that God takes risks and whose will may be thwarted. The crucial watershed in this regard is whether or not there is any conditionality in the godhead. The no-risk view denies, while the risk model affirms, that some aspects of God's will, knowledge, and actions are contingent. In order to grasp the differences between the two models the doctrines and practices involved in salvation, the problem of evil, prayer and guidance are examined to see what each model says about them. It is claimed that· .the relational or risk model is superior to the no-risk model both in terms of theoretical coherence and the practice of the Christian life. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / Th. D. (Sytematic Theology)

Michael Servetus (1508 - 1553) and Emanuel Swedenborg (1688 - 1772) are both considered heretics. They share many concepts about the nature of God, especially their rejection of orthodox Nicene and Chalcedonian theology. This thesis explores their respective theologies relating to the Trinity and Christology, with speculation of what sources they may have had in common. While attention is paid to Ignatius, Irenaeus and Tertullian, particular attention is paid to Tertullian, whose work Adversus Praxean lays the foundation of Servetus' ideas and has much in common with Swedenborg's theology. In light of their similarity to Tertullian, the question is asked if Servetus and Swedenborg would have been called heretics prior to Nicaea. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Church History)

My thesis offers a comparison of the Minor Prophets commentaries of Theodore of Mopsuestia and Cyril of Alexandria, isolating the role each assigns (1) the Twelve Prophets in their ministry to Old Testament Israel and (2) the texts of the Twelve as Christian scripture. While the two produce radically different commentaries in terms of quantity and detail of christological interpretation, the source of their divergence cannot be reduced to Cyril's admitting messianic prophecy whereas Theodore does not. Rather, I argue that Theodore does acknowledge christological prophecies, as distinct from both retrospective accommodation and typology. Further, a careful reading of Cyril's Commentary on the Twelve limits the prospective christological revelation he ascribes to the prophets and reveals the positive role he grants the Mosaic law prior to Christ's advent. My thesis secondly explores the Christian significance both Theodore and Cyril assign to Israel's exile and restoration, the pivotal event to which the Twelve bear witness. I here argue that Theodore's reading of the Twelve Prophets, while not attempting to be christocentric, is nevertheless self-consciously Christian. Cyril, unsurprisingly, offers a robust Christian reading of the Twelve, yet this too must be expanded by his focus on the church and concern to equip the church through the ethical paideusis provided by the plain sense of the prophetic text. Revised descriptions of each interpreter lead to the claim that the label “christocentric” obscures more than it clarifies and polarizes no less than earlier accounts of Antiochene/Alexandrian exegesis. I advocate rather for an approach that takes seriously Theodore's positive account of the unity and telos of the divine economy and the full range of Cyril's interpretation, in order to move beyond a zero-sum assessment and offer instead a positive account that appreciates the strengths of each Christian reading of the Twelve.