Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research aims to trace the exodus motif in the book of Revelation in general and Rev. 12-20 in particular, and to examine the socio-rhetorical function of the use of the exodus motif. Our hypothesis is that Rev. 12-20 constitutes a coherent unit in terms of narratology and that the exodus motif plays a significant role in forming the structure and the message of the book of Revelation, specifically of Revelation 12-20. Significantly, the song of Moses and the Lamb in Rev. 15 plays a pivotal role in the development of the thread of the chapter 12-20 as a plot. In the chapter 2, an overview of the history of interpretation of Revelation is provided and also the limitation of current studies of the song of Moses is highlighted. In addition, a new approach to the song of Moses in Revelation is suggested. The main goal of the chapter 3 is to examine Rev. 12-20 according to four narrative elements and from which Rev 12-20 can be deduced as a discrete literary unit constituting a plot. It will be argued that Rev. 12-20, as a plot, is highly stylized in the chiastic structure which has the song of Moses and the Lamb at the centre. Chapter 4 investigates Exod. 1-15 as a coherent story and explains how the author of Revelation adopts the exodus motifs in forming both the theme and the structure of Revelation. Moreover, it will be argued that the exodus motif generated certain sociorhetorical meanings to the audiences or the readers who were assimilated into the Roman Empire. For understanding the socio-rhetorical meanings, we examine the socio-rhetorical context, namely Asia Minor as part of the Roman Empire, and deal with the socio-rhetorical role of the exodus motif in the book of Revelation. In the chapter 5, firstly, drawing on the theoretical assumptions from social psychology, we build up a framework in which we can deal with Rev. 12-20 in terms of identity issues. Then, the covenantal identity based on the covenant in the book of Exodus will be suggested as an alternative identity. Thus, the exodus motif in Rev. 12-20 challenges the assimilated identity of the audiences or the readers to be renewed in the covenantal identity, so that they may be holy apart from the culture and the structure of the Roman Empire. The song of Moses and the Lamb reinforces the covenantal identity. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die gebruik van die eksodus-motief in Openbaring in die algemeen en in Op 12-12 in die besonder, terwyl dit ook die sosio-retoriese funksie van hierdie motief bestudeer. Die hipotese is dat Op 12-20 in terme van narratologiese analise ‘n koherente eenheid beslaan, en dat die eksodus-motief ‘n betekenisvolle rol speel in die struktuur en boodskap van Openabring, en Op 12-20 in besonder. Verder is dit betekenisvol dat die Lied van Moses en die Lam in Op 15 ‘n kernrol speel in die deurlopende lyn van Op 12-20 as plot. In hoofstuk 2 word ‘n oorsig oor die interpretasiegeskiedenis van Openbaring aangebied en beperkinge ten opsigte van huidige studies oor die Lied van Moses beklemtoon. In aanvulling daarby word ‘n nuwe benadering ten opsigte van die Lied van Moses in Openbaring voorgestel. Die hoofdoel van hoofstuk 3 is om Op 12-20 aan die hand van vier naratiewe elemente te ondersoek. As resultaat kan Op 12-20 as diskrete literêre eenheid sowel as die plot van Openbaring beskou word. As plot vertoon Op 12-20 ‘n noukeurige styl, met chiastiese strukture waarvan die Lied van Moses en die Lam die middelpunt vorm. Hoofstuk 4 ondersoek Eks 1-15 as koherente narratief en verduidelik hoe die outeur van Openbaring die eksodus-motief in die vorming van beide die tema en struktuur van die boek ingespan het. Die eksodus motief sou ook sekere sosio-retoriese betekenisse onder die gehore of lesers wat met die Romeinse Ryk geassimileer was, gegenereer het. Twv die beter verstaan van sulke sosio-retoriese betekenisse, word die sosio-historiese konteks naamlik Klein-Asië as deel van die Romeinse Ryk bestudeer. Vervolgens word die sosio-retoriese rol van die eksodus-motief in die boek van Openbaring behandel. In hoofstuk 5 word eerstens van teoretiese uitgangspunte binne die sosiale sielkunde gebruik te maak vir die konstruering van ‘n raamwerk om identiteitsake in Opn 12-20 te hanteer. Vervolgens word verbondsidentiteit soos dit voortvloei uit die verbond in Eksodus as alternatiewe identiteit voorgestel. Die eksodus motief in Op 12-20 daag die gehore of lesers van die boek uit om hul verbondsidentiteit te hernu, sodat hulle heilig en dus anders as die kultuur en strukture van die Romeinse Ryk kan wees. Die Lied van Moses en die Lam versterk Openbaring se gehore of lesers se verbondsidentiteit.

Thesis (MTh (Old and New Testament))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The aim of this thesis is to discern the trends in current scholarship on the concept of wisdom in Job 28. The trends differ according to methodological perspectives (literary, historical, and theological), depending on the relationship among the concepts of wisdom as the fear of the Lord, transcendent wisdom and traditional wisdom. However, in each perspective one can find some different interpretations which are also found in other perspectives. Most current scholars from the literary perspective consider Job 28 as a wisdom poem or song, anticipating the speeches of Yahweh. For them, the theme of Job 28 criticises traditional wisdom which entails the doctrine of retribution and suggests transcendent wisdom, which is inaccessible to human being. The fear of the Lord is the practical conclusion of transcendent wisdom. For the scholars working from the historical perspective, there are various opinions about the authorship, the date, the location, and the purpose of Job 28. However, for many scholars the concept of wisdom in Job 28 reveals only transcendent wisdom, which contradicts traditional wisdom that entails the doctrine of retribution. The concept of the fear of the Lord also belongs to traditional wisdom. For many scholars who work from the theological perspective, the concept of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord in Job 28 is the repetition of the Prologue and anticipation of the speeches of Yahweh. The fear of the Lord is the practical conclusion of transcendent wisdom and can coexist with traditional wisdom.

Thesis (MTh (Old and New Testament))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In general, we tend to see slavery through negative eyes, also in the first century C.E. The reason is that slaves were not treated as human beings, but as things in the first century C.E. Therefore Patterson (1982:38) describes slavery as social death. However, there were communities that treated slaves as human beings, not just as objects. An example is the Christian community in which Philemon’s household was located, and in which a slave called Onesimus lived. Various opinions are suggested concerning Onesimus’ slave identity, but scholars generally agree with the idea that he was indeed a slave. These debates are briefly considered in Chapter 2. Onesimus, who ran away from his owner, met Paul in prison. He then became a Christ-believer through Paul. Onesimus’ actual social status was still that of slave, even when he became a believer. Nevertheless, his spiritual status was that of a freedman in Christ. Then, could Onesimus actually become a freedman in the social sense? My answer is ‘Yes’, based on two different perspectives, viz. a theological and a social perspective. In Chapters 3 and 4, slavery is treated largely in a theological sense. According to a theological perspective, Onesimus could have spiritual freedom from God when he became a believer even though his current social status was defined as a slave. This dissertation introduces Paul’s three other letters which use the term ‘slavery’, namely 1 Cor 7:17-24, Gal 4:21-5:1 and Phil 2:6-11. These three letters show how Paul understands the term ‘slavery’ in his theological thinking. In terms of metaphor, the term ‘slavery’ can have various meanings in biblical contexts. Therefore these three letters provide a good idea towards an understanding of Onesimus’ identity as a freedman in a Christian community, and in particular, in Paul’s theological thinking. In Chapter 5, a more practical examination of slavery was provided. In the social perspective, the possibility of the manumission of Onesimus could be affected by the first century Greco-Roman slavery system. Two factors are focussed upon, namely the household and manumission, to suggest the possibility of a change of Onesimus’ status. Finally, the possibility of the change of Onesimus’ status can be fully assumed in both perspectives. In addition, the manumission of Onesimus could give hope to others who lived in slavery in Roman society. Therefore defining the identity of Onesimus gives us two important conclusions; slaves could live as freed persons in a social sense on the one hand; on the other hand, in a theological sense even slaves could receive spiritual freedom by Christ’s love regardless of their social status. This is because all people are one in Christ and there is no social discrimination between people in the Christian community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ons is geneig om slawerny oor die algemeen negatief te beoordeel, soos ook in die eerste eeu n.C. Die rede hiervoor is die feit dat slawe tydens die eerste eeu nie as mense behandel is nie, maar as dinge. Patterson (1982:38) beskryf slawerny daarom as sosiale dood. Daar was egter gemeenskappe waar slawe as menslike wesens behandel is en nie as blote objekte nie. 'n Voorbeeld is die Christen-gemeenskap waarin Philemon se huishouding was, en waar 'n slaaf genaamd Onesimus gewoon het. Verskeie menings word aangebied aangaande Onesimus se slawe-identiteit, maar akademici het dit eens dat hy wel 'n slaaf was. Hierdie debatte word kortliks opgeweeg in Hoofstuk 2. Onesimus, wat gevlug het van sy eienaar, het Paulus in die gevangenis ontmoet. Daar is hy deur Paulus bekeer tot die Christelike geloof. Onesimus se werklike sosiale status was steeds dié van 'n slaaf, selfs nadat hy 'n gelowige geword het, maar sy geestelike status was dié van 'n vrygemaakte in Christus. Sou Onesimus ook as 'n vryegemaakte eskou kon word in die sosiale sin? My antwoord is ‘Ja’, op grond van twee verskillende perspektiewe, nl. 'n teologiese en 'n sosiale perspektief. In Hoofstukke 3 en 4 word slawerny grotendeels in teologiese sin behandel. Hiervolgens sou Onesimus geestelike vryheid deur God verkry het toe hy 'n gelowige word, hoewel sy heersende sosiale status hom as slaaf gedefinieer het. Hierdie proefskrif betrek Paulus se ander drie briewe waarin na slawerny verwys word, naamlik Kor. 7:17–24, Gal 4:21–5:1 en Fil 2:6–11. Hierdie drie briewe toon Paulus se begrip van die term ‘slawerny’ in sy teologiese beredenering. Metafories kan die term ‘slawerny’ verskillende betekenisse hê in die bybelse kontekste. Die briewe bied daarom 'n helder omskrywing van Onesimus se identiteit binne 'n Christen-gemeenskap, en spesifiek, in Paulus se teologiese denke. In Hoofstuk 5 word slawerny in meer praktiese diepte ondersoek. Volgens 'n sosiale perspektief, sou die eerste-eeuse Grieks-Romeinse slawernystelsel 'n rol speel in die vrystelling van Onesimus. Twee faktore kom hier ter sprake, naamlik die huishouding, en vrystelling – om die moontlikheid van 'n statusverandering vir Onesimus te suggereer. Ten slotte kan die moontlikheid van 'n verandering van Onesimus se status binne beide perspektiewe aanvaar word. Daarby sou die vrystelling van Onesimus hoop verskaf het aan andere wat in die Romeinse samelewing in slawerny geleef het. Om die identiteit van Onesimus te definieer, bring ons tot twee belangrike gevolgtrekkings: slawe kon in die sosiale sin, as vrygemaakte mense leef ; in teologiese sin kon hulle ook geestelik bevry word deur die liefde van Christus, onafhanklik van hulle sosiale status. Dit is gegrond in die aanname dat alle mense een is in Christus en dat daar geen diskriminasie bestaan tussen mense binne 'n Christen-gemeenskap nie.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Men and masculinities have become so apparent and normative within the course of history and the social structuring of society, that they almost have become the invisible gender. Ubiquitous in positions of power everywhere, the paradox regarding men is becoming more evident by the day. This investigation aims to explore the notion of masculinity, as expressed in the text 1 Peter by means of its well-proportioned rhetorical structure and argument. The argument of the thesis will focus on 1 Peter 2: 11-4: 11 since this larger portion of the letter forms a textual unit. The investigation, Playing the system, not the man, consists of six chapters. Chapter 1 provides a brief synopsis of the basic aim, research problems and questions as well as hypothesis of this thesis, in conjunction with the clarification of methodology and basic core concepts used in the investigation. In Chapter 2 the text of 1 Peter 2:11-4:11 is exegetically analysed by means of a close reading of the text with a focus on core concepts which functions within the text but which are also deemed crucial for the ensuing discussion of masculinity in 1 Peter within the context of the 1st century social world. Chapter 3 continues the discussion by elucidating the 1st century social context, that constitutes the life setting of 1 Peter, in terms of the central ideological concepts of the Roman Empire, and the honour and shame culture, and in particular how these played out in terms of social structures such as the family or household. In Chapter 4 the emphasis shifts back to the text of 1 Peter, keeping with the aim of the investigation to both retain the focus on this letter but also to evaluate the text rhetorically, that is, to consider how the text construes and constructs masculinity. The discussion in the chapter focusses on the text’s construal of the community that is addressed as the οἶκος of God, and with attention to family language and brotherhood. Chapter 5 addresses masculinity according to a prominent theorist’s taxonomy of social masculine patterns. This interpretive model is then applied to 1 Peter, and used as lens with which to delineate varying constitutive forms of masculinity in the text. The concluding Chapter 6 ties the above discussion together and briefly elaborates on the possible value and impact of masculine patterns suggested in the text, and their possible influence and impact on Christianity today. Using an adequate and accountable hermeneutic, the text of 1 Peter can be enlisted in efforts to allow all men, the “man on the street” in all his various guises, to play within the system. Rather than blaming the system on the man, men are challenged to live in freedom not apart from the system as it is impossible, but free nevertheless and notwithstanding the system. In other words, the interpretation of 1 Peter in this thesis invite all men to assume the identity of “foreigners and exiles” regarding the system of male patriarchy! / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mans en manlikheid het binne die verloop van die geskiedenis en die sosiale strukture van die samelewing so normatief en onsigbaar geword, dat hulle byna die onsigbare gender word. Alomteenwoordig in posisies van mag orals, is die paradoks rakende mans deurgaans vandag nog meer duidelik te word. Hierdie ondersoek het ten doel om die idee van manlikheid te verken, soos uitgedruk in die 1 Petrus-teks met die netjiese retoriese struktuur en argument. Die argument van die tesis sal fokus op 1 Petrus 2: 11-4: 11 want die groter gedeelte van die brief vorm 'n tekseenheid. Die ondersoek Playing the System not the man bestaan uit ses hoofstukke. Die 1ste hoofstuk voorsien ’n kort opsomming wat die basiese doelstelling, navorsingsprobleme en vrae sowel as die hipotese van die tesis. Dít word dan in verband met die metodologie en basiese kern konsepte wat in die ondersoek gebruik word, opgevolg. In hoofstuk 2 word die Griekse teks van 1 Petrus 2:11-4:11 eksegeties geanaliseer deur ’n retoriese noukeurige-leesmetode op die teks toe te pas. Dié retoriese noukeurige-lees metode word gevolglik gebruik om die kern konsepte rakende manlikheid binne die 1ste-eeuse sosiale konteks na vore te bring. Die kern konsepte word in hoofstuk 3 verder binne die algemene sosio-historiese konteks van die 1ste-eeuse Mediterreense wêreld, bespreek. Aangesien die Mediterreense wêreld kompleks is, word die bespreking van die temas aangaande manlikheid binne die twee sentrale ideologiese sfere naamlik die Romeinse Ryk en die eer- en skande kultuur, beperk. Die fokus van hoofstuk 3 is om die sentrale manlikheidstemas byvoorbeeld die familie en huishouding in gesprek met die sosiale strukture van die 1ste-eeuse konteks, te bring. In Hoofstuk 4 word die klem weer op 1 Petrus geplaas deur te bespreek hoe die teks retories manlikheid vorm en saamstel. Die ondersoek fokus hoofsaaklik op hoe die teks die gemeenskap as οἶκος van God, aanspreek en hoe die retoriese konstruksie van manlikheid deur familie-en broederskapstaal daargestel word. In hoofstuk 5 word manlikheid vanuit ’n prominente teoretikus se klassifikasie van sosiale manlikheidspatrone aangespreek. Die interpretasiemodel word as lens op 1 Petrus toegepas deur aan te dui hoe die teks afwyk en bydra tot die ideale hegemoniese manlikhede van die 1ste eeu. In hoofstuk 6 word die bogenoemde gesprek opgesom en word daar kortliks op die moontlike waarde en effek van die manlikheidspatrone, soos dit vanuit die teks in hoofstuk 4-5 geïdentifiseer is, uitgebrei. Daar word gevolglik ook na die moontlike invloed en effek van dié manlikheidspatrone op hedendaagse Christenskap verwys. Die ondersoek maak van ’n toepaslike en verantwoordbare hermeneutiek gebruik. Die 1 Petrus-teks kan gevolglik van hulp wees om aan alle mans, die spreekwoordelike “man-op-die-straat” in al die verskillende vorms waarin hy voorkom, die geleentheid te bied om binne die sisteem te speel. Eerder as om die sisteem te blameer, word mans eerder uitgedaag om in die vryheid te leef, alhoewel nie apart van die sisteem is nie, maar eerder om vry te leef ten spyte van die sisteem. Met ander woorde, die interpretasie van 1 Petrus in hierdie tesis wil aan mans die ruimte te gee om hulself te identifiseer as “vreemdelinge en bywoners”, met betrekking tot manlike patriargie.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study we examine the role of spiritual identity awareness in communal reading from 1Timothy 5:1-16 with the marginalized women in the Zama-Zama informal settlement. A case study of the text was done amongst women from diverse contexts where they gather as a unique study group. The study focused on the meeting of different women to read, interpret and discuss the Biblical texts with one another. Communal reading creates a safe space for these women to take part in an intercultural conversation. Individuals from diverse contexts are given an opportunity to express themselves communally. This intercultural conversation space is theoretically based on the joint presuppositions of Feminism and African hermeneutics. The physical and sexual violence these women have experienced has a direct effect on their spiritual identity awareness and ordinary life. In chapter two the fundamental presuppositions of both Feminism and African hermeneutics are explored. These will serve as the hermeneutical framework of the study. The voices of the marginalized women will be heard. In Feminism we place the emphasis on the voice of the individual and a group within a certain context. African hermeneutics, on the other hand, highlights through the communal reading a save space in which these voices are heard. Within this safe space it was possible for the marginalized women of Zama-Zama to let their voices be heard both communally, but also as unique individuals. Chapter three discusses a multidimensional exegetical framework for the study. The focus is on communal reading and interpretation of the text. The intercultural conversation in this study is conducted in terms of communal reading and interpretation of 1 Timothy 5:1-16 with the marginalized women in Zama-Zama. The interpretation history of the text is also part of this chapter. The joint presuppositions of Feminism and African hermeneutics and their contexts are discussed here, with the position of women in the Mediterranean world and church. The dominant discourse in the texts is the role of the widows in the church and community with specific reference to the role of hospitality/caring, the interpretation of stories of hope and above all the incarnation in the body of Christ as identified by the women of Zama-Zama. With 1 Timothy 5:1-16 as conversation document and the dual hermeneutic framework as starting point, we discuss the empirical component and exegetical framework of the study in the next chapters. Chapter four focuses on the theoretical framework of the study. The hermeneutical model of intercultural Bible interpretation of Kessler (2004), Hofstede’s (2001) culture theory as well as MacDonald’s (2005) structural models on spiritual identity awareness and development, are investigated here. Some key terms are spotlighted and discussed in more detail, such as culture, identity, spirituality and spiritual identity awareness. In chapter five we focus on the methodology, in particular the research design and research approach. The participant selection for the diverse study group is also important. The research process and the data collection techniques are also discussed here. The data that are collected in the intercultural conversation are then analysed qualitatively. The analyses and research result are discussed in chapter six. The different appendices reflect the detailed information and data that were collected in the study. The summary and implications of the study are the focus of chapter seven. All the diverse voices, the literature study, the unique context of the marginalized women in the text as well as the women of Zama-Zama, are summarized here. The intercultural conversation space was theoretically based on the joint presuppositions of Feminism and an African hermeneutics. The physical and sexual violence against these women has a direct effect on their spiritual identity awareness and ordinary life, as shown by the study. In the conclusion to this study all the diverse discussions converge and an attempt is made to present a reflective interpretation of how spiritual identity awareness functions in the intercultural Bible reading process. We discover in the study that the women, usually the victims of physical and sexual abuse, engage in a positive way towards a new and creative lifestyle. They make a difference in their own lives as well as in the community as well-respected and passionate women. The intercultural conversation space is a valuable instrument for establishing social transformation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word die rol van spirituele identiteitsbewuswording deur kommunale lees ondersoek. ’n Gevallestudie van 1 Timoteus 5:1-16 onder vroue in Zama-Zama informele nedersetting word gedoen, waar gemarginaliseerde vroue uit diverse kontekste byeenkom. Die studie fokus op die bymekaarkom van die vroue en hul saam-lees en interpretasie van die Bybelteks. Daar word gefokus op die konsep van interkulturele Bybel-lees (kommunale lees) wat geproblematiseer word soos dit uit die saamgestelde raamwerk van Afrika en Feministiese-hermeneutiek ontwikkel word. Die fisiese en seksuele geweld teen dié vroue het moontlik ’n direkte invloed op hulle spirituele identiteitsbewuswording en alledaagse lewe. In hoofstuk twee word die Feminisme en Afrika-hermeneutiek bespreek. Dit dien as die hermeneutiese raamwerk van die studie. Die stemme van die vroue word hoorbaar. In die Feminisme word die belang van die stem van die individu binne ’n bepaalde konteks beklemtoon. “Afrika-hermeneutiek” stel die kommunale ruimte voor, waarin dié stemme tot hulle reg kan kom. Binne die veilige ruimte wat geskep word, kan die gemarginaliseerde stemme van die vroue en unieke stem van die indiwidu tot haar reg kom. Hoofstuk drie handel oor die kommunale (leesproses) van 1 Timoteus 5:1-16 onder vroue in Zama-Zama. Die interkulturele gesprek fokus op die saam-lees en interpretasie van die Bybelteks as gespreksdokument. Daar word na die teks en inhoud gekyk. Die fokus in die teks val op die weduwees en hoe hulle hanteer is. Die rol wat gasvryheid/versorging, die interpretasie van stories van hoop en “die inkarnasie” in die geloofsgemeenskap speel, is ook deur die vroue verreken in die leesproses. Deur die kommunale lees van die teks het die vroue hul eie, asook gesamentlike inhoud en betekenis daarvan, weergee. “Feminisme” en Afrika-hermeneutiese konteks word ook hier verreken asook die posisie van vroue in die Mediterreense wêreld en vroeë kerk. Met 1 Timoteus 5:1-16 as gepreksdokument en die tweeledige hermeneutiese raamwerk as uitgangspunt, word die empiriese komponent en die teoretiese raamwerk van die studie in die volgende hoofstukke beskryf. In hoofstuk vier word daar aan die teoretiese raamwerk van die studie aandag gegee. Die hermeneutiese model van interkulturele Bybelinterpretasie van Kessler (2004), Hofstede (2001) se kultuurteorie, asook MacDonald (2000) se strukturele modelle oor spiritualiteitsbewuswording en ontwikkeling word hier verreken. Daar word ook aandag gegee aan die omskrywing van sleutelterme soos kultuur-, identiteit-, spiritualiteit- en identiteitsbewuswording. Hoofstuk vyf handel oor die metodologie. Hier word daar aandag gegee aan die navorsingsbenadering en ontwerp. Daar word ook gefokus op die seleksie van die deelnemers. Die navorsingsproses en data-insamelingstegnieke word ook hier verreken. Die analise en bespreking van die navorsingsresultate word in hoofstuk ses aangespreek. Die kwalitatiewe data wat ingewin is tydens die konkrete interkulturele gesprekke, word hier geanaliseer en bespreek. Verskillende Bylae bevat die detail inligting wat ingesamel en verwerk is tydens die studie. Die gevolgtrekking en implikasies van die studie word in hoofstuk sewe hanteer. Al die stemme wat gehoor is, die literatuurstudie, die unieke konteks van die gemarginaliseerde vroue, asook hulle saam-lees en interpretasie van die Bybelteks word hier gereflekteer en saamgevat. “Feminisme” en Afrika-hermeneutiese konteks is verreken, asook die posisie van die vroue van Zama-Zama wat deur die kommunale saam-lees en interpretasie van die Bybelteks, nuwe perspektiewe ontwikkel het. Daar is bevind in die studie dat die vroue wat gewoonlik slagoffers van fisiese en seksuele geweld was, ’n positiewe belewenis en groei ervaring beleef het ten opsigte van hul spirituele identiteitebewuswording en lewensuitkyk. Die veilige interkulturele gespreksruimte wat ontstaan het in die navorsinsproses was ‘n besondere instrument wat ingespan was ten einde sosiale transformasie te bewerkstellig.

Thesis (MPhil (Ancient Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Recent studies, especially since the Nag Hammadi discoveries, indicate that “Gnosticism” often functions as a constructed “Other” in attempts to define Christian orthodoxy, as well as a catch-phrase for a range of diverse religious phenomena in late Hellenism. If the unity of Gnosticism is a construct, the search for a single origin of Gnosticism is probably also futile. Rather, the influence of several sources – Platonic, Christian, Iranian, existential and Jewish – to the Gnostic phenomena should be studied. Texts labled Sethian by modern scholars show strong traces of a Jewish cosmology, vocabulary and mythology. Five possible routes for the transmission of Jewish motifs to Sethian Gnosticism are pointed out: failed apocalyptic expectations (Grant); allegorical interpretations of the Law among Philo and Alexandrian Jews (Pearson); Christianity as vehicle for transmission (Pétrement); Palestinian and Samaritan speculation (Perkins); and the influence of the Jewish Wisdom tradition (Rudolph and MacRae). Traces of Judaism in Gnostic Sethian texts can be located using a motif study. Fallon has done such a study of the so-called Sabaoth pericopes. In this thesis a similar study is done of the “Gospel of Judas”. The study shows that this text is Christian, preoccupied with a sectarian Christian debate. The apostolic church is denounced and a Sethian Gnosticism (noticeably influenced by Judaism) is posited as alternative. To that end a Sethian cosmological sermon, with strong Jewish motifs, is attributed to Jesus in which he holds forth Sethian cosmology as an alternative to a discredited rival form of Christianity. The most prominent of Jewish motifs in the cosmological passage of the Judas text are the names, functions and descriptions of angels, but it also includes numerological speculation and figures such as Seth.

After the invasion of Spain by the Muslims in 711-A. D., Southern Spain and North Africa, from which the invaders had come, were linked in such a way that they could no longer be counted separate countries with separate cultures. There was a steady traffic between the two, not only in regard to people and merchandise, but in ideas, writings and translations. The Caliph resided sometimes in Andalusia, sometimes in North Africa. In 817, after a revolt of the Christians at Cordoba, Hakam massacred some and deported others to North Africa. Thirty years later, a famine in Spain drove many to emigrate and join the exiles. Later still, in 1126, Ali ben Yusuf beat back the king Alonso and, to punish those Christians of his realm who had been willing to join the king, had them deported from Granada to Morocco, where they were settled in Mequinez and Fez. It was in the latter city, in 1137, that a bishop Michael ibn abd-el-aziz had a copy of the Gospels made for a certain Ali ibn abd-el-aziz. A year after this copy had been made, a further deportation by the son of All ibn Yusuf swelled the ranks of the exiles and emigres. The Christians in North Africa fared quite well. They became soldiers and the Christian militia played no small part in North African history. Some were chosen by the Caliph to join his personal bodyguard and others held good posts at Court. Even the Almohades, strict Unitarians though they, were, allowed churches. to be built. In 1224, when Ferdinand's help was sought by the Almohades in North Africa to quell risings of local Moorish rulers, the Christian king asked in payment not only money and ten Andalusian fortresses, but that a Christian church should be built in Morocco and bells sound the hours of service.

Thesis (DTh (Old and New Testament))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This dissertation focuses on studying the relationship between humankind and nature in Psalm 8. The study of this relationship was triggered by Psalm 8 which, when closely examined, reveals a relationship suggesting an interrelatedness between humankind and nature. This research investigates the cause, nature, and result of that interrelatedness. The hypothesis that has guided this study has been that humankind and nature form a oneness or holism and partnership, and this oneness or holism and partnership lead to interrelatedness between these two entities. Our appreciation of this can be enhanced by approaching it from a Xhosa perspective. This approach also makes a contribution to Seventh-day Adventist theological reflection. In support of this hypothesis an exegesis of Psalm 8 is presented. Psalm 8 is one of the several Old Testament texts that seem to reflect this oneness and partnership, suggesting the interrelatedness between humankind and nature. In this exegesis a close reading approach was employed. The close reading approach refers to the studying of the language in the text, the style of the writing, the metaphors, and the relation of these to one another [Childs 1983:33, 34]. Xhosa and Seventh-day Adventist perspectives of the relationship between humankind and nature have been considered in this discussion: the Xhosa perspective because of my affiliation to these people, and also because Xhosas maintain that there is oneness or holism between humankind and nature. The Seventh-day Adventist perspective has been incorporated since I am a Seventh-day Adventist and have derived my theology from this tradition. Exegesis of Psalm 8 reveals a oneness or holism and partnership of humankind and nature, and this oneness or holism and partnership of these two entities leads to their interrelatedness. Moreover, this oneness and partnership that leads to the interrelatedness of the two entities is rooted in the creation of Genesis 1 of which Psalm 8 seems to be a development. In this relationship each party (humankind and other created beings) plays a role. Humans play the role of leading and representing the group in such a way that their actions or the results of those actions – good or bad - influence all members of the partnership. On the other hand, the other members of this partnership are there to serve the rest of the body, including humanity. In short, the emphasis on the relationship of Psalm 8 is that humankind and nature are so connected that they can hardly survive without each other. The benefit of this research is two-fold. First, it has provided an alternative perspective into the modern theological debate of the relationship of humankind and nature based on the Old Testament. This alternative is that humankind and nature form oneness or holism. Therefore, rather than separating humankind from nature and focusing the attention on humanity to the exclusion of nature, let the debate recognize this oneness and inseparableness.

Thesis (DTh (Old and New Testament))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It has been acknowledged in two recent studies that the translation of key biblical terms is an area that needs urgent attention. Many lexicons provide the meaning of a word by describing its etymology, hardly paying any attention to the socio-cultural contexts within which it is used. Thus, lexicons are often of limited value for Bible interpretation and translation. This dissertation argues that the meaning of a word can only be fully determined by taking into consideration the linguistic and socio-cultural contexts within which it functions. A basic assumption is that the biblical source text serves as a frame of reference for the semantic analysis of a particular word. The text provides an integrative semantic and pragmatic framework within which a biblical term must be investigated with reference to its wider socio-cultural setting. In the light of this framework, this study investigates the meaning of dsj in the book of Ruth from a Lomwe perspective. Although the word occurs only three times (Ruth 1:8, 2:20 and 3:10) with reference to Ruth, Boaz and Yahweh as subjects, respectively, the book is a “dsj story”, which represents the essence of the covenant between Yahweh and His people. The essence of this covenant is demonstrated by the main characters of the story, which unveil the theological depth that dsj brings to the understanding of this narrative. Since the aim of the study is to evaluate the suitability of the terms osivela, osivela combined with woororomeleya and ikharari in relation to others that are potentially available in Lomwe to convey the conceptual complexity denoted by dsj, a Cognitive Frames of Reference (CFR) approach was introduced for the translation. To bridge the cognitive gap between the socio-cultural worlds of the biblical audience and the target audience, the study used different dimensions of CFR namely the textual, socio-cultural, communicational and the organizational frames of reference. Using the book of Ruth as a starting point for the translation of the word dsj into Lomwe, it is argued that this approach offers a better understanding of the meaning of dsj in Ruth 1:8, 2:20 and 3:10. Since osivela waya woororomeleya does not do justice to the meaning of dsj in the three passages, the words ikharari (1:8 and 2:20) and oreera murima (3:10) have been proposed as exegetically and socio-culturally more appropriate alternatives. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In twee onlangse studies is aangedui dat daar dringend aandag geskenk behoort te word aan die vertaling van sleutel bybelse terme. Baie woordeboeke verskaf die betekenis van woord deur die etimologie daarvan te beskryf, met beperkte fokus op die sosio-kulturele kontekse waarin dit gebruik word. Gevoglik is die waarde van woordeboeke beperk met betrekking tot bybelinterpretasie en -vertaling. Hierdie proefskrif argumenteer dat die betekenis van woord slegs volkome bepaal kan word deur die inagneming van die literêre en sosio-kulturele kontekste waarin dit funksioneer. Basiese aanname is dat die bybelse bronteks as verwysingsraamwerk dien vir die semantiese analise van bepaalde woord. Die teks verskaf geïntegreerde semantiese en pragmatiese raamwerk waarin bybelse term ondersoek moet word met verwysing na sy breër sosio-kulturele milieu. In die lig van hierdie raamwerk ondersoek hierdie studie dus die betekenis van dsj in die Boek van Rut vanuit Lomwe perspektief. Alhoewel die woord slegs driekeer voorkom (Rut 1:8, 2:20 en 3:10) met betrekking tot onderskeidelik Rut, Boaz en Jahwe as onderwerpe, is die boek “dsj storie” wat die essensie van die verbond tussen Jahwe en sy volk verbeeld. Die wese van dié verbond word gedemonstreer deur die storie se hoofkarakters wat die teologiese diepte van dsj tot beter verstaan van die narratief blootlê. Aangesien die studie evaluering van toepaslike terme osivela, osivela, gekombineer met woororomeleya, en ikharari, in verhouding tot andere wat moontlik in Lomwe beskikbaar is, om die konseptuele kompleksiteit weer te gee, ten doel het, is Kognitiewe Verwysingsraamwerk (KWR) benadering vir vertaling voorgestel. Ten einde die kognitiewe gaping tussen die sosiokulturele wêrelde van die bybelse gehoor en die teikengehoor te oorbrug, het hierdie studie verskillende dimensies van KWR, te wete die tekstuele, sosio-kulturele, kommunikatiewe en organisatoriese verwysingsraamwerke aangewend. Deur die Boek Rut as vertrekpunt te neem vir die vertaling van dsj in Lomwe, word geargumeenteer dat dié benadering beter verstaan van dsj se betekenis in Rut 1:8, 2:20, 3:10 tot gevolg het. Aangesien osivela waya woororomeleya nie reg laat geskied aan die betekenis van dsj in hierdie drie perikope nie, is die woorde ikharari (1:8 en 2:20) en oreera murima (3:10) as eksegeties en sosio-kultureel meer toepaslike alternatiewe voorgestel.

The present study is a history of interpretation. In that sense it does not fit neatly into the category of Wirkungsgeschichte. Moving through successive periods of the Christian church’s history, we will select representative interpretations of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and theological works dealing explicitly with the question of true and false prophecy in an effort to present a sampling of material from the span of the church’s existence. This study seeks to function as a hermeneutical guide for the present interpretive problem of interpreting true and false prophecy in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible by displaying ways various interpreters have broached the subject in the past. In this way it may prove useful to the current impasse concerning the notion of false prophecy in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. Seeing continuity, or a family resemblance, in the Christian church’s interpretation of true and false prophecy in relation to the law’s role amongst exilic and post-exilic prophets, we will observe those ways in which a historically informed reading might offer an interpretive guide for subsequent interpretations of true and false prophecy.