D.Litt. et Phil. / A semiotic method, devised by Wolmarans (1994a) to analyse ideological shift in Biblical texts, is applied to Colossians. The method is simplified into two steps, (1) a structural analysis and (2) a pragmatic analysis. The structural analysis is divided into three steps: (i) delimitation of textual units utilised in the analysis (ii) syntactical and semantic analysis, and (iii) an analysis of the proposition and argumentation. The pragmatic analysis is also divided into three steps: (i) communicative strategy, (ii) a description of the unacceptable practical or epistemic situation, the textual actual world, followed by a description of the alternative proposed by the author, the world as it should be, the alternative possible world, and (iii) a description of how the author attempts to move his reader by means of certain transuniversal relations. The application of this method to Colossians delivers some exciting results: The epistle exhibits the classical partes orationis, namely a prologue (exordium 1:1-14) containing the narratio (reason why the epistle is written-1:3-8) and a propositio (position of the author-1:9-14); an argumentatio (1:15-4:1), consisting of a hymn (1:15-20) from which implications for a Christian belief system is drawn (con firmatio 1:21-2:5), an opposing system of belief is refined (confutatio 2:6-15) and practical implications for daily life are deduced (exhortatio 3:1-4:6). The third and final part of the epistle, an epilogue (peroratio 4:7-18), contains references to various Pauline associates serving as role models (or exempla). Colossians is shown to be a pseudepigraphic document, written round about 85 AD somewhere in the Western part of the Roman Empire. The content of the epistle displays development of basic Pauline doctrines. The unacceptable situation against which the author reacted, was caused by believers who lost hope in the early second coming of the Lord Jesus. They reverted to a syncretistic form of mystery cult. During certain feasts, they practised particular forms of asceticism (refraining from sexual intercourse; abstaining from certain kinds of food and drink) accompanied by purifying rituals, thereby hoping to attain some form of union with divine powers, like angels. This union would result in renewal or rebirth, climaxing in an epiphany. Finally, the . asceticism would be reversed and the flesh indulged. This type of religion led to exclusivism, social, ethnic and gender inequality, conflict, as well as to certain vices. As an alternative, the author argues the proposition that the readers must remain in Christ. He connects Christ to God, Paul and his school to Christ, and the believers to the body of Christ through the Pauline instruction. An ethical way of life is deduced based on principles of equality and inclusivity, and strengthened by a hope in the return of the Lord. To argue his proposition the author uses the authority of the Christian tradition, of non-Christian philosophy, of general tenets in the mystery cults, and of role models. He also uses analogical arguments, emotional arguments based on the fear of punishment and the expectation of reward, as well as rational arguments (implications deduced from the hymn of Christ).

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The study of Ephesians has been approached in multiple ways by scholars. The dominant scholarly debates on Ephesians center on the issues of authorship, to whom the letter was addressed, its comparison with Colossians, and the Jew-Gentile conflict. Scholars have discussed the theme of salvation in their textual and theological analysis and commentary. Most of these discussions do not adequately explain the meaning of salvation at the discourse level. Scholars have suggested a wide range of meanings of salvation in Ephesians: forgiveness of sins (1:7), deliverance from the grip of the evil supernatural powers that controlled them before their conversion (2:2; 6:11, 12), reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles (2:16), and reception of spiritual gifts to the service of the Church (4:7). Salvation in Ephesians is also explained as a rescue from death, sin, and disobedience; from this present world-age; from bondage to the ruler and principalities of the air; and from God’s wrath. It is being freed from the ways of the world and the ruler of the air (2:2-4); being seated with Christ in heavenly realms (2:6); being the workmanship of God; being made alive in Christ (2:5); being created in Christ Jesus (2:10). There is no consensus among scholars regarding the temporal meaning of salvation. The meaning of salvation in Ephesians must be studied in the context of the letter. There is no major study that has applied Systemic Functional Linguistic tools to the study of Ephesians. Halliday’s model of register analysis provides tools to analyze the context of situation of Ephesians, the study of field, tenor, and mode of Ephesians. These three components of register analysis, show that the linguistic choices made by Paul describe the context of situation in which the meaning of salvation is communicated. This study shows that Paul’s idea of salvation in Ephesians is one of his prominent topics. It explains that salvation is a divinely planned entity. God executes and achieves it through Jesus Christ. Salvation is the gracious gift of God. The mystery of God’s eternal plan of salvation in Jesus Christ reveals that God has incorporated the Gentiles in his plans through adoption in Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the meaning of salvation in terms of Gentiles’ deliverance from their former spiritual bondages. Paul’s Gentile readers’ former spiritual condition corresponds to the contemporary Hindu spiritual condition. They are under spiritual bondage through their magical practices and worshiping of idols. Thus a cross-cultural application to evaluate the meaning of salvation in a Hindu context is warranted. / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy

This dissertation is a detailed analysis of the Epistle to the Colossians. The author uses rhetorical critical methods and recognizes that the New Testament epistles are greatly influenced by oratory. Also, the author demonstrates how rhetorical techniques assist Paul to express his thought that the central idea of Christianity—the divine nature and saving work of Christ — has unavoidable ethical implications. In the first chapter of his letter Paul cites Christological hymn; he uses Christological theme during the whole epistle; the apostle concludes his admonition with the Household code, in which social roles of the member of oikos are interpreted in relation to Christ. According to Paul's teaching in Colossians, the power of Christ has universal scope and, consequently, all aspects of human life, including everyday, societal relationships, must be brought into submission to Christ. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)

This dissertation is a detailed analysis of the Epistle to the Colossians. The author uses rhetorical critical methods and recognizes that the New Testament epistles are greatly influenced by oratory. Also, the author demonstrates how rhetorical techniques assist Paul to express his thought that the central idea of Christianity - the divine nature and saving work of Christ - has unavoidable ethical implications. In the first chapter of his letter Paul cites Christological hymn; he uses Christological theme during the whole epistle; the apostle concludes his admonition with the Household code, in which social roles of the member of oikos are interpreted in relation to Christ. According to Paul's teaching in Colossians, the power of Christ has universal scope and, consequently, all aspects of human life, including everyday, societal relationships, must be brought into submission to Christ. / M.Th. (New Testament)

This dissertation is a detailed analysis of the Epistle to the Colossians. The author uses rhetorical critical methods and recognizes that the New Testament epistles are greatly influenced by oratory. Also, the author demonstrates how rhetorical techniques assist Paul to express his thought that the central idea of Christianity—the divine nature and saving work of Christ — has unavoidable ethical implications. In the first chapter of his letter Paul cites Christological hymn; he uses Christological theme during the whole epistle; the apostle concludes his admonition with the Household code, in which social roles of the member of oikos are interpreted in relation to Christ. According to Paul's teaching in Colossians, the power of Christ has universal scope and, consequently, all aspects of human life, including everyday, societal relationships, must be brought into submission to Christ. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)

This dissertation is a detailed analysis of the Epistle to the Colossians. The author uses rhetorical critical methods and recognizes that the New Testament epistles are greatly influenced by oratory. Also, the author demonstrates how rhetorical techniques assist Paul to express his thought that the central idea of Christianity - the divine nature and saving work of Christ - has unavoidable ethical implications. In the first chapter of his letter Paul cites Christological hymn; he uses Christological theme during the whole epistle; the apostle concludes his admonition with the Household code, in which social roles of the member of oikos are interpreted in relation to Christ. According to Paul's teaching in Colossians, the power of Christ has universal scope and, consequently, all aspects of human life, including everyday, societal relationships, must be brought into submission to Christ. / M.Th. (New Testament)

Among the twenty-seven books in the New Testament canon, there is an epistle addressed to the church which met at Golossae. This epistle isn't very large; in fact it barely consumes four or five pages in the entire Bible. Yet it is important; for with it there is left to the Christian world a remnant of history, both of the life of the church and of the life of her greatest apostle, which it would not have otherwise possessed. A great number of Christian communications which, if they would have been preserved, would have yielded many times over the information in the Colossian epistle. But because these are lost, there is even more reason to regard this work as one of the precious gems of the faith. It remains as one of the touchstones by which the Christian world of today can be connected with its early heritage.

New Testament / M.Th. (New Testament)

New Testament / M.Th. (New Testament)