<p>This thesis proposes a new reading of Romans 9:1–18. The history of biblical interpretation of the passage is explored with the purpose of mapping out the diversity of interpretations and noting points of agreement between these interpretations and that which is proposed. The main objective is the proposed reading of Rom 9:1–18. It is argued that when full weight is given to Rom 9:1–5 as Paul's fleshly desire, what follows in 9:6–18 is correctly understood as Paul's appropriation of Israel's Scripture to address his own desire and grief. This brings to the fore a recurrent theme in the pentateuchal passages that Paul evokes: the conflicting desire of significant figures in Israel's history – Abraham, Isaac, and Moses – with God's will. As Paul applies Scripture to his own situation, Paul's desire for the salvation of his fellow Israelites based on ethnic descent conflicts with God's will to harden Israel and call Gentiles. But in the end Paul's desire for Israel's salvation is granted (11:26).</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

Ever since the Reformation the providence of God has been variously applied in the doctrine of scripture. In the Reformed and Protestant Orthodox traditions, and in the context of polemic surrounding the nature of scripture that has prevailed down the centuries, providence has always played an important supporting role. In the case of inspiration, it is applied to the preparation of God’s spokesmen. In the case of canon, God is understood to have supervised the reception of just those books He intended for His church. In the case of textual transmission, ‘a singular act of God’s providence’ has preserved the scriptures through time. Thus, providence undergirds the Reformed doctrine of scripture. It functions almost at the level of presupposition. However, such usage is seldom justified, and this raises the question of warrant. The Bible itself must be revisited to determine if the application of providence to scripture in Reformed Dogmatics is legitimate by its own standard of Sola Scriptura. A survey and exegesis of a number of important passages confirms that it is. It shows that the application of providence in the doctrine of scripture is not only justified, but is also helpful to a better understanding of the nature of God and His written Word. / MA (Dogmatics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Ever since the Reformation the providence of God has been variously applied in the doctrine of scripture. In the Reformed and Protestant Orthodox traditions, and in the context of polemic surrounding the nature of scripture that has prevailed down the centuries, providence has always played an important supporting role. In the case of inspiration, it is applied to the preparation of God’s spokesmen. In the case of canon, God is understood to have supervised the reception of just those books He intended for His church. In the case of textual transmission, ‘a singular act of God’s providence’ has preserved the scriptures through time. Thus, providence undergirds the Reformed doctrine of scripture. It functions almost at the level of presupposition. However, such usage is seldom justified, and this raises the question of warrant. The Bible itself must be revisited to determine if the application of providence to scripture in Reformed Dogmatics is legitimate by its own standard of Sola Scriptura. A survey and exegesis of a number of important passages confirms that it is. It shows that the application of providence in the doctrine of scripture is not only justified, but is also helpful to a better understanding of the nature of God and His written Word. / MA (Dogmatics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

According to biblical record, diseases and illness have troubled individuals almost since the beginning of creation (Wilkinson, 1998: 7). To understand and make sense of sickness, mankind turned to religion. In the Old Testament health is seen as a gift of God, but illness is perceived as a punishment for sin (Leon-Dufour, 1962: 543). The preaching of Job argues against this view. The problem of evil still causes difficulties for the Christian today. God permits such challenges and, in responding to them, mankind is spiritually transformed: spiritual growth. God has given mankind a soul, and this soul is not part of an evolutionary process towards perfection: only Christ waslis perfect! However, through the crucifixion, God recognizes our suffering and we can recognize His suffering elsewhere (Fiddes, 1988: 11). The central question of this research is: How may one demonstrate the legitimacy and validity of miraculous healing through the charism of the Holy Spirit within the Catholic tradition? As healing miracles have an important place in Scripture, an examination is needed of the words used to describe miracles, tracing the English translation back to the original Greek or Hebrew words. Miracle stories are also attested to in secular sources such as the Antiquities of the Jews and the Babylonian Talmud. Scripture contains accounts of healing miracles, particularly in relation to the ministry of Jesus whose healing miracles are in accordance with His teaching. Such miracles were not simply stories spread by the disciples; they were signs, evidence of who Jesus is and that He had come in fulfilment of prophecy. These signs contained the quintessence of the Gospel itself, promoting faith, and that faith is a personal response to an act of witness. Healing is not dependent upon sinlessness, but is a gift of God to His creature: it can be mental, spiritual, emotional, involving relationships and the reconciliation of a person with God and his community through the receipt of the sacraments. Scriptural accounts of healing miracles contained a message that the Kingdom of God had arrived. They were a demonstration of God's truth to believers and non-believers alike and they continued to play an important part in the first Christians' experiences and mission. The church's healing ministry has its roots and authority in Scripture and the continuation of that ministry is through the action of the Holy Spirit. Both in the Early Church and the Church of today, restoration to health is implemented through the Mass and in the practice of a ministry that includes physical care through the establishment of hospitals managed by religious orders and latterly, through care homes staffed by lay volunteers. Consideration is given to Pasteur's (1822-1895) research into microorganisms and the consequent shift in focus to the avoidance of infection and to the development of effective cures. Understandably, the medical profession has concerns about the healing ministry: why are some healed and others not and why cannot healings be tested scientifically in the laboratory? In the Roman Catholic Church tradition shrines have always played an important role as places of pilgrimage and healing and, in spite of the existence of medical committees made up of scientists, doctors and priests to test all claims of healing before the Church acknowledges these as genuine, scepticism remains (Theillier, 2000: 3). Historically inseparable, a gap has developed between science and religion; this thesis attempts to demonstrate the reasons for this and to show that, since both are concerned with aspects of human suffering and death, the wall of separation between medicine and religion can be demolished (Larson and Matthews, 1997 (2): 3-6). As well as modern medical, technological advancements, which have provided exciting developments in the treatment of diseases like cancer, universities such as Edinburgh and Lancaster have established programmes that focus on how a person's faith may influence the progress of illness in a beneficial way. By considering the apparently opposing views of Hume and Lewis (1953: 51), questions arise concerning the extent to which the Laws of Nature are indeed fixed and unchanging; and concerning the contention that when God acts He does not suspend the Laws of Nature, but works with and through them. The researcher's views are either partially or fully endorsed by Boswell (1992), Brown (1984) and Wilkinson (1998); however, it is necessary to research the understanding of those whose scientific expertise prevents them from conceiving of the possibility of miraculous healing (Dawkins, 1997; Hume 1980; Williams, 1992; et al). The thesis addresses contemporary issues: the extent of modern research into the healing ministry and the fact that this is not reflected comprehensively in the training programmes of the Catholic Church for those preparing for the priesthood or as monks and nuns (Hocken, 2001: 54); and the current debate on euthanasia, which demonstrates clearly that the Bible continues to influence not only medical ethics but also, our society as it debates and determines its evaluation of human life. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Church and Dogma History))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus in cooperation with Greenwich School of Theology, U.K., 2007

This study examines the validity and reconcilability of the Scriptural view of Sakkie Spangenberg with regard to Reformed Dogmatics. Spangenberg questions the fundamental truths of Christianity, including the descent of Jesus to hell, his resurrection, ascension, the doctrine on the Trinity and the fall of man. The focus of this study will answer the question: "How does the Scriptural view of Spangenberg compare to the traditional Reformed point of view"? The research will start with a comprehensive literature study, aided by computer assisted database searches, archives of newspapers and journals, as well as earlier publications of Spangenberg. Various factors that gave rise to the Scriptural view of Spangenberg, as well as the fundamental principles thereof, will be examined. The consequences of the Scriptural view of Spangenberg regarding the traditional doctrines are also determined. As a second leg of the study, the validity of the Reformed Scriptural view in a postmodern era is also examined. A conclusion is formed that the authority of the Reformed doctrines are set in the authority of the Word of God and is therefore also valid in a postmodern society. Research also indicated that there are various similarities between the Scriptural view of Spangenberg and the Scriptural view of the postmodernists. Before an evaluation of the Scriptural view of Spangenberg can be performed, an attempt is also made to provide a pure definition and formulation of the Scriptural view of Spangenberg. The paramount differences between the Reformed view of Scripture and that of Spangenberg are also indicated. A conclusion is formed that the view of Scripture of Spangenberg is not reconcilable with the Reformed view. It is also indicated that the view of Scripture of Spangenberg questions both the authority of the Word of God, as well as the salvation that Christ brought to the world. / Thesis (M.A. (Dogmatics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011

Le principe de diversité culturelle ouvre bien des perspectives concernant le statut de la littérature et de son objet. Singularité littéraire, connaissance érudite ou pratique engagée, le rôle de la littérature peut se démultiplier au fil du temps et des époques, à travers les auteurs et leurs écritures respectives. Une seule constante conduit l’unicité de l’étude en lettres : la base linguistique qui fonde l’unité du moment littéraire autour d’une langue dite littéraire. / Cultural studies are dedicated to new literatures. How to distinguish practical sciences from cohesion underlying within subtexts when it implies and engages global orientalist meanings … Few linguistical drawings deserted had set upmodern influences. The ideal matrix is not yet engaged : how should literatures have one particular rule to end up with minorities when basics interpretative still misrepresent its singular patterns. Modernized, the linguistics structure have been instrumentalist. Developing relationships and exchanging transferal traditions was increasing the scientist attraction level ; thanks both to contacts in‐between some other european languages the whole modernity that was crossing cultural literaturies made unity (currents are in merged nations).

Investigamos os caminhos percorridos por Cy Twombly até a constituição de uma escritura que se tornou marca autoral. No desenvolvimento de sua poética, destacamos, como referências relevantes, seus professores do Black Mountain College Charles Olson, Robert Motherwell e John Cage e seu amigo Robert Rauschenberg. A escritura em Twombly é abordada a partir de várias referências teóricas, com ênfase nas noções de Roland Barthes, embora não deixemos de considerar as implicações semânticas dessa escritura. Procuramos justamente evidenciar as relações ambíguas entre acaso e controle, e entre sentido e não sentido, presentes em sua obra enigmática. Mary Jacobus, que nos mostra um Twombly erudito e engajado politicamente, é a principal referência no que se refere às relações do artista com a literatura. Procuramos ainda inscrever a obra de Twombly nas variações do imaginário artístico, explicitando suas afinidades com diversos artistas contemporâneos. Destacamos também a sua relação conflituosa com a crítica norte-americana, investigando as razões de seu inexpressivo reconhecimento na América, se comparado à sua acolhida pela crítica de arte europeia, em particular francesa. / We investigate Cy Twombly\'s paths up to the constitution of a writing that became a signature. In the development of his poetics, we highlight, as relevant references, his Black Mountain College professors Charles Olson, Robert Motherwell and John Cage and his friend Robert Rauschenberg. The scripture in Twombly is approached from several theoretical references, with emphasis on Roland Barthes notions, although we do not neglect to consider the semantic implications of this writing. We seek precisely to show the ambiguous relations between chance and control, and between sense and non sense present in Twomblys enigmatic work. Mary Jacobus, who shows us a scholarly and politically engaged Twombly, is the main reference in the relation of the artist to literature. We also try to inscribe Twombly\'s work according to the changes in the artistic imaginary, explaining its affinities with several contemporary artists. We also highlight his conflicting relationship with American criticism, investigating the reasons for his unimpressive recognition in America, compared to his acceptance by the critics of European art, in particular French.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2017-12-01T10:58:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Enilton Caiana dos Passos.pdf: 551394 bytes, checksum: 975751863fd137f5e304f6ba52f89cb3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-01T10:58:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Enilton Caiana dos Passos.pdf: 551394 bytes, checksum: 975751863fd137f5e304f6ba52f89cb3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-08-02 / This treatise is concerned with question of superstition in Spinoza (1632-1677), it is inserted in the rationalistic context of the seventeenth century and extends to the political theological foundations of the same century. It is thus that Spinoza´s opus radically breaks with the theological-metaphysical tradition of Western culture founded upon a superstitious and delirious image of God. In respect to this problem, Spinoza establishes a very strict order, he sustains that Scripture has nothing rigorously in common with Philosophy and that Revelation has only obedience as its scope. Consequently, there is no relationship as well as any affinity between faith and science according to Spinozian thought. For Spinoza, the goal of Philosophy is truth, and in the case of faith, specifically, obedience. In conclusion, Spinoza the philosopher, points out that liberty of thought cannot be threatened without also threatening the freedom of the State since the renunciation of liberty of thought would entail reductio ad absurdum of one´s nature. / Esta dissertação se ocupa da questão da superstição em Espinosa (1632- 1677), cuja abordagem se insere no contexto racionalista do século XVII e se estende aos fundamentos teológicos da política seiscentista. Deste modo, o opus espinosano rompe radicalmente com a tradição teológico-metafísica da cultura Ocidental, fundada numa imagem supersticiosa e delirante de Deus. A respeito desta problemática, Espinosa estabelece uma ordem bem estrita, sustentando que a Escritura não tem rigorosamente nada em comum com a filosofia e que o conhecimento revelado só tem por escopo a obediência. Conseqüentemente, entre saber e fé não há, segundo o pensamento espinosano, nenhuma relação e nenhuma afinidade. Para ele, o objetivo da filosofia é a verdade, e o da fé é exatamente a obediência. Por fim, o filósofo Espinosa aponta que a liberdade de pensar não pode ser ameaçada sem que a liberdade do Estado também o seja, visto que renunciar à liberdade de pensar levaria ao absurdo de renunciar a sua natureza.

Prior research on text collections of religious documents has demonstrated that viable recommender systems in the area are lacking, if not non-existent, for some datasets. For example, both www.LDS.org and scriptures.byu.edu are websites designed for religious use. Although they provide users with the ability to search for documents based on keywords, they do not provide the ability to discover documents based on similarity. Consequently, these systems would greatly benefit from a recommender system. This work provides a framework for evaluating recommender systems and is flexible enough for use with either website. Such a framework would identify the best recommender system that provides users another way to explore and discover documents related to their current interests, given a starting document. The framework created for this thesis, RelRec, is attractive because it compares two different recommender systems. Documents are considered relevant if they are among the nearest neighbors, where "nearest" is defined by a particular system's similarity formula. We use RelRec to compare output of two particular recommender systems on our selected data collection. RelRec shows that LDA recommeder outperforms the TF-IDF recommender in terms of coverage, making it preferable for LDS-based document collections.

This thesis examines the use of scripture by religious education teachers with their students in Victorian Catholic secondary schools in late 1999. The aims of the research were: to present a picture of the incorporation of scripture into the religious education program of Victorian Catholic secondary schools in 1999, and in particular the incorporation of the historical-critical method of modern biblical scholarship (focus will also be placed on the purpose for which scripture is used, the extent to which it is used and the methods employed in its use); to investigate how and to what extent VCE Texts and Traditions1 Units 1 to 4 have been adopted by senior Victorian Catholic secondary students and its influence on Years Seven to Ten religious education curriculum; and to extend the work of Stead (1996b) into the use of scripture in Victorian Catholic primary schools. This study is built on an understanding of religious education based on an educational rationale, and it examines the use of scripture in the light of modern critical biblical scholarship, particularly the historical-critical method. Religious Education Coordinators from 67 of the 99 Victorian Catholic secondary schools and 61 teachers of Years Seven to Ten religious education in these same schools completed self administering questionnaires in this area. The research demonstrated that while there is an extensive range of good modern biblical scholarship material present in these schools, there is no policy concerning how scripture is to be used in the curriculum, questionable translations of the bible are used, and there is a limited use of many sections of the bible. A key finding of the research is that a thematic, proof-texting use of scripture is prevalent in these schools. This thematic use can lead to a literal, fundamentalist use of scripture within Catholic secondary religious education. This approach is linked with many religious education teachers. predominantly catechetical understanding of the nature of religious education. The self administering questionnaires asked for an indication of the personal practice of respondents in their own religious education classrooms. The data indicated the presence of the historical-critical method in the classrooms of Victorian Catholic secondary schools, however there was an over-reliance on the student text and the predominance of a thematic, literal, non-critical use of scripture. This thesis indicates that this misuse of scripture comes about from teachers. catechetical understanding of the nature of religious education. In particular the study of scripture in Years 11 and 12 is an area of concern. Except for a small percentage of students studying Texts and Traditions (13%), the use of the historical-critical method of biblical studies is almost non-existent.