Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie is as doelwit gestel 'n nuwe benadering tot die verklaring van die boek Openbaring. Die rede hiervoor is dat sommige verklaringsmetodes nie by 'n duidelike formulering van die boodskap van Openbaring uitkorn nie. Sommige rnetodes is kunsrnatig, terwyl ander weer so ingewikkeld is dat dit die boek onverstaanbaar maak. In die werkshipotese van die studie word die hermeneutiese presupposisie gestel dat die boek self riglyne oor sy verklaring gee, veral in sy eerste hoofstuk. Die tema en die strekking van die boodskap wys uit hoe die boek verklaar rnoet word. Die heerskappy van God is die hoofmotif van Openbaring en die vertrekpunt van die uitleg daarvan. Dit word ontplooi deur Christus wat op aarde heers. Prinsipieel gesien beteken sy heerskappy dat Hy besig is om te kom as verlosser van sy uitverkorenes en as regter wat sy vyande oordeel en straf. Sy koms is nie slegs eindgebeure nie, maar dis nou reeds aan die gang (so is die hoofmotif dan ook 'n eskatalogiese motif) en sal die vooruitbepaalde voleinding dan gebeur soos God dit wil. Dit maak dat die boek nie as 'n suiwer apokalips geklassifiseer mag word nie, maar wel 'n egte profesie, hoewel met apokaliptiese trekke. Wanneer die struktuur van die boek wetenskaplik ondersoek word, word gevind dat hierdie wyse van verklaring as geldige een ondersteun word deur die struktuur. Eers word byvoorbeeld die nabyheid van Christus geleer, dan sy heerskappy oor die geskiedenis en die voleinding daarvan en hoe dit die kerk en die wereld raak. Die volgende aspek wat in die studie ondersoek is, is die begrip "heerskappy van God". Nadat die sisternaties-teologiese forrnulering van die begrip vasgestel is, word gekyk na wat Openbaring daaroor te se het. Ten slotte word 'n paar hoofstukke uit die boek Openbaring ondersoek om vas te stel of dit die aannames en persepsies oor die motif ondersteun. Aangesien die betrokke hoofstukke berekende capita selecta is wat 'n goeie oorsig bied oor wat in hoofsaak in Openharing gelees word, is dit belangrik om te let op hoe die inhoud van die boek telkens die hoofmotif van God se heerskappy uitspel en beklemtoon. In die laaste hoofstuk van hierdie studie word die boodskap van die boek Openbaring uiteengesit. Met die proklamering van die heerskappy van God wat deur Christus op aarde uitgevoer word, is die boodskap van die boek duidelik en verstaanbaar met die troos: God regeer en Christus beheer alles op die aarde tot aan die einde, daarom hoef die kerk nie te vrees nie, maar kan voortgaan om te groei en te lewe tot die eer van God die almagtige. / The objective of this study was to establish a new approach to the interpretation of the book of Revelation. This was undertaken because some of the methods used to interpret the book, did not succeed in delivering an acceptable or even a comprehensible message. Some methods are superficial, while others are so complicated that the book becomes more of a mystery. As a working hypothesis for this study the hermeneutical presupposition is posed that John's Revelation has its own guidelines as to its interpretation, as it is given primarily in its first chapter. The theme and message of the book clearly shows the way to its interpretation. The supremacy of God and his power as the Almighty proclaims his rule over this world and this forms the basis for the message to his people. Christ is given the authority as king of this world and He maintains the governing of this world till the end. This means that He as ruler over this world reveals his coming as happening in the salvation of his chosen people and in the judging and punishing of his enemies. His coming is already underway and now is the eschatological time in progress. He is already the Redeemer of his people and the judge of his enemies. But this motif is further developed in the fact that the end will come according to the will of God. In the light of this prophetic revelations the book is not a pure apocalypse in the apocalyptic tradition, but it is genuine prophecy although there are apocalyptic terms and trends used in the book. When the structure of the book is analysed, it is found that this method of interpretation is really plausible. The first overall message being the assurance of the presence of Christ in his church under all circumstances and his controlling of the history and bringing this world to its end according to God's will, thus revealing the effect this has on the church and the world at large, all this is sustained by the structure of the book. Another aspect researched in this study is the meaning of the term "the supremacy of God". First a survey of the systematic theological formulation of this concept is done and then a systematic summary of this concept in the book of Revelation is made. A selection of a number of chapters from the book of Revelation is studied with the purpose of showing how this motif is proved by the contents of the book. These capita selecta are specially selected for this purpose, but they do give an overall view of the book's message. The last chapter of this study formulates the message of the book of Revelation. With the proclamation of the supremacy of God as illustrated by the reign of Christ as Lord of this world, this paranesis is given to his people clear and simple: God is the Almighty and through Christ He has everything under his control, therefore the church must never fear but can continue serving Him and growing to his glory as his kingdom. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / Th. D. (Nuwe Testament)

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Gilligan, Perry, Belenky et al., and Baxter Magolda have spoken the loudest on epistemological development in past decades with numerous follow-up studies that sought to confirm and add to their ideas. Christian higher education has generally accepted or sought to integrate these models which include developmental prescriptions rooted in sub-biblical presuppositions—namely constructivism, feminism, and egalitarianism. This research asserts a series of competencies for redemptive development among women, one that is rooted in a thoroughgoing biblical-worldview and from a complementarian perspective. It employs David Powlison’s epistemological priorities as a trajectory for critically considering existing theoretical paradigms. Specifically, this project examines the developmental ideas of Gilligan, Belenky et al., and Baxter Magolda. This thesis proposes a series of developmental priorities and competencies, from an evangelical, complementarian perspective.

ABSTRACT THE REFORMED AND CELIBATE PASTOR: RICHARD BAXTER’S ARGUMENT FOR CLERICAL CELIBACY Seth DeShields Osborne, Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2018 Chair: Dr. David L. Puckett This dissertation explores Richard Baxter’s (1615-1691) argument for clerical celibacy. It argues that his teaching on clerical celibacy was a very controversial way of resolving tensions in English Protestant marriage doctrine. His argument was a product of a very stringent model of pastoral care developed in response to England’s ecclesiastical situation, was deeply influenced by his personal qualities and life experiences, and was rooted in his overarching ethical principles for Christian living. Baxter remained remarkably consistent, even when appearing to violate his convictions by marrying later in life. Chapter 1 details the importance of the study for scholarship, the state of research, and finally the methodology and sources to be used. Chapter 2 examines English Protestant attitudes toward marriage and celibacy in Elizabethan and Stuart England in order to demonstrate their struggle to reconcile the Bible’s praise of marriage in Genesis 1-2 with its teaching on celibacy’s expediency in 1 Corinthians 7. Chapter 3 analyzes Baxter’s theology of soul care in the church and the family; it argues that Baxter did not possess a negative attitude toward marriage and family life, but rather he realized that clerical marriage strained the ability of ministers to fully implement his burdensome pastoral model of soul care. Chapter 4 explores several internal and external factors in Baxter’s life that shaped “particularities” that would come to define him as a theologian and minister of the gospel. Chapter 5 studies Baxter’s practical divinity in order to show that his argument for clerical celibacy logically arose from themes repeated in his teaching on Christian ethics. The next two chapters explore Baxter’s seemingly contradictory marriage to Margaret Charlton. Chapter 6 argues that he did not violate his convictions, because the 1662 Act of Uniformity appeared to have closed off all opportunities for public ministry. Chapter 7 proposes a solution to the question of why Baxter continued to advocate for clerical celibacy, despite the great help Margaret was to him and his pastoral work during their marriage; it argues that even though Baxter received many blessings through Margaret, his experience of marriage also reconfirmed many of his arguments for why pastors should remain single. Chapter eight summarizes the conclusions of the study and its contribution to understanding both English Protestant Marriage doctrine as well as Richard Baxter as a pastor and theologian.

Christocentric spiritual formation approaches that incorporate the physical body are lacking in the literature base. The physical body plays a crucial role in spiritual formation; failure to recognize the significance of human embodiment in this way neglects a fundamental aspect of the imago Dei. This thesis researches the biblical view of human embodiment and assesses how the physical body relates to spiritual formation. Often, the soul⎯or spiritual dimension of believers⎯is elevated at the expense of the physical body within the Christian context due to insufficient theology of human embodiment. This is often rooted in a dualistic, compartmentalized understanding of humanity. The relationship between the physical body and spiritual formation is rooted in an evangelical theology of human embodiment founded in Scripture, which is necessary for a holistic understanding of the human person. The Bible demonstrates that God has created the whole person with the purpose of bringing glory to himself.

This dissertation presents a threefold thesis. First, Paul is presenting a parallel in Philippians 3:7-11 from his own life by echoing back to Christ’s life and ministry in Philippians 2:5-11. Second, the theme of conformity to Christ is foremost in Paul’s mind as he contemplates on Christ’s humiliation and exaltation. Third, it is common to pit the two main streams of interpretation (kerygmatic and ethical) for these two Philippian passages against each other. I argue that this is a false dichotomy and it is best to integrate both theology and ethics in interpreting both passages. Chapter 1 serves as the introduction to the dissertation. It states the problem that the relationship between Philippians 2:5-11 and Philippians 3:7-11 has not been given due attention. It provides an overview of the history of interpretation on the topic. It also presents the threefold thesis and the method of research. Chapter 2 consists of an exegetical study of Philippians 2:5-11. It also includes a preliminary discussion on the literary background of the hymn and the immediate and broader contexts of the pericope. The semantic analysis involves an in-depth study of four key terms which are crucial in understanding the concept of Christocentric perspective. The syntactical analysis examines the passage in detail with focus on the grammatical and syntactical relationship of words, phrases, and clauses in each verse. Chapter 3 presents the theological reflections from the exegetical analysis in chapter 2. The discussion centers on three important themes, namely, Christocentric ethics, conformity to Christ, and humiliation-exaltation motif. Chapter 4 focuses on an exegetical and theological analysis of Philippians 3:7-11. A brief overview of the issue of the letter’s literary integrity, immediate and broader contexts of the passage, and the correspondence between Philippians 2:5-11 and 3:7-11 is first presented. This is followed by an exegetical study of the passage. The theological reflections include three themes, namely, supreme lordship of Christ, conformity to Christ, power and participation in Christ. Chapter 5 integrates the theological reflections from chapters 4 and 5. It also gives the conclusion of the dissertation with suggestions for further areas of research.

M.A. / We live in a very complex society. Different cultures, languages, religions, and beliefs paint the picture of Southern Africa. Suffering has become the News headlines. Often we hear about civil wars, poverty, calamities, divorces, abuses. On the other hand the "Aids nightmare has already begun." (Naidoo 1999:1-2) In the midst of this pain the Christian church does not change her believe that God is a faithful God who never leaves His own. He has plans to prosper His children and not to harm them. But Christians are not exempt from suffering. In fact sometimes they suffer because they are followers of Christ. From time to time there is persecution of the Christian church by non—Christians. In the midst of suffering, Christians should rejoice. Throughout this paper I seek to understand the nature of this joy that goes beyond one's ircumstances. This study is based on I Peter. I Peter was written to encourage believers to endure suffering and to find meaning in their suffering. I Peter argues that Christians do not belong to this world they have new home in the Kingdom of God where they will experience everlasting joy. There shall be no more suffering. "Even so, how does this family relate to the governing authorities and social institutions with which they must deal everyday? And how does the church respond to a society that is making life miserable for Christians? (Cradock 1995:15). I argue throughout the paper that suffering is not Gods will for human kind. Suffering is caused by evil. Because of sin suffering has entered into the world. Sin subjected all human beings and entire creation to suffering. There is no joy in sin; the results of sin have always been unbearable. The effects of sin are painful. All kinds of suffering (physical, mental, and emotional) were introduced by sin. But Christians are more than conquerors for Christ is Lord. Christians have victory in Jesus Christ. Suffering cannot rob that victory. Therefore joy is possible for Christ's presence and comfort is always present in this life—His power sustains us. At the end of times it will be perfected. There is hope for now and for the future.

D. Litt. et Phil. / This dissertation is an exegetical study of the book of Ruth in which there is a clear indication that the concept of יראת יהוה is used in the book to function as a practical illustration of this particular wisdom motif. The investigation is mainly concerned with four text units from the book of Ruth, namely Ruth 1:16-17 (as part of pericope 1 and the unit 1:15-17); 2:12 (as part of pericope 2 and the unit 2:11-13); 3:9 (as part of pericope 3 and the unit 3:9-16a); and 4:11-13 (as part of pericope 4 and the units 4:3- 12 and 4:13).

M.A.

D.Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies) / Please refer to full text to view abstract