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Communication enables us to share our ideas, feelings, beliefs and opinions with others. Therefore it constitutes the very root of our civilization. However, in order for communication to be meaningful, it must initially be understood. To be understood, the message must be communicated in a language we know, with reasoning based on what we already understand (as knowledge). Definitions often function as such premises, and starting points, for our reasoning. Definitions can be explicit, but mostly appear as implicit argumentative perspectives, which is why this essay intends to investigate the argumentative nature of definitions. More specifically I have chosen to examine the definitions Amnesty International use in defense of their decision to advocate for the decriminalization of sex work more closely. The theoretical framework consists of rhetorical theories about argumentation. The results show how one, by analyzing definitions as argumentative perspectives, is able to alert problematic and questionable premises that went unnoticed in the overall examination of Amnesty Internationals argumentation.

In this dissertation the author seeks to present a holistic theology proper (hereafter, simply "theology") for the first epistle to Timothy, with special regard to the letter's doxologies (King) and divine title, Savior. Chapter 1 identifies the problem, includes a history of research, and describes the method and procedure of the dissertation. The method of inquiry consists of determining the meaning and function of the letter's theology. Thus, the author seeks to understand the background and character of 1 Timothy's theology, while also wishing to discern why the author of 1 Timothy chose to emphasize these peculiar theological themes. Chapter 2 explores the meaning and function of the theological descriptions found in the doxologies of 1 Timothy 1:17 and 6:15-16. By thorough comparison to Greco-Roman, early Jewish, and OT literature, the author suggests a basically OT-informed view of God. The doxologies depict God as the only Sovereign who rules over all. The writer then determines that the doxologies function as a support and encouragement for Timothy to heed Paul's charge. This conclusion is largely based on the positioning of the doxologies and the macrostructure of the letter. Chapter 3 examines the meaning and function of the divine epithet Savior. After comparing this term to its occurrences in Greco-Roman, early Jewish, and OT literature, the author again favors an OT background for Savior. This term depicts God as one who mercifully and indiscriminately reconciles sinners who trust in Christ. While also recognizing other functions, the author suggests that God as Savior may have been aimed at the primary implied reader, Timothy, as well. Accordingly, the idea of Savior informs and strengthens Timothy, so that he might continue to labor in presenting the life-giving gospel of God. Chapter 4 considers every remaining theological description in 1 Timothy, as well as themes that significantly relate to the letter's theology, such as Christology. The author suggests that the entire theology of 1 Timothy either coheres with or supports the predominant ideas of God as King and Savior. Chapter 5 summarizes the dissertation's findings and concludes with suggested implications for NT studies. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

Amen is the Hebrew word best known and most widely used in world religions even today. Its importance as a meaningful expression throughout biblical texts is given thorough study as well as its transmission throughout religious history. It has been transliterated and integrated into the prayers and liturgy of about every Christian church. In this thesis amen is traced down to its usage in Old Testament texts selected according to their liturgical setting. After examining the three sets of texts, progressive development stages have been produced. The first text of Deuteronomy 27 was basically a ceremony of civil nature for a Covenant commitment. All tribes of Israel were present and the amen response was stipulated to confirm their allegiance to Yahweh and to acknowledge the curses threatened. The second stage in the development of amen in Old Testament worship is an expected, not stipulated response to answer a doxology or a prayer. At this stage amen was pronounced by the worshipping congregation in cultic situations in general, particularly in the Psalms. A third and more developed liturgical response can be found in the spontaneous double amen spoken by the returnees from exile gathered for the reading of the Law session at Nehemiah's time. Amen had become a thriving force and a joyful outburst - not demanded, not simply expected, but spontaneous in the believers' response to Yahweh's guidance and love. The New Testament and Christians of all times inherited and adopted the same Hebrew word and sound of amen as confirmation and praise. A proposal is made in this study to set amen as a causal connection with the One who loved mankind first. The proposed derivation of amen from the Hiphil Imperative remits its origin to a causative plea, and persuades people to believe in what they have just heard or said, namely, that Jesus Christ is God's amen for the salvation of all mankind. Christians of all times and places should join in the praise of God through the same faith in His Amen. Thus amen becomes a binding concept for ecumenical understanding. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / D. Th. (Old Testament)

Aquest estudi versa, en l’àmbit de la poesia lírica i, especialment, elegíaca, sobre el rol del poeta i de la seva obra com a portadors de glòria i d’immortalitat, amb especial deteniment en el context d’execució de la poètica elegíaca històrico-commemorativa i els seus vincles amb la realitat dels cultes i de les pràctiques civico-polítiques contemporànies. / The subject of this work is directly related to the goals of the Network for the Study of Archaic and Classical Greek Song. It tries to achieve an interdisciplinary approach to Greek Elegy focusing the laudatory and heroic aspects. It consists in a study on the role of the poet and his poetry as vehicle for glory and immortality to the new heroes of the late archaic and classical polis.

In this study it is assumed from a central theoretical argument that the Bible based, scripturally true liturgical song, possesses an exceptional bonding structure. The set literary archetypes of the dramatic, epic and lyric - or the dramatical, epical and lyrical - are woven together to form the canvas for the hymnical praise of the worshipping community. The aim of the study is to dissect the relationship in which the archetypes stand to one another and to establish which trans–generical phenomena and movements can be detected in order to determine what their meaning is for liturgical songwriting. This is done on the basis of an analysis of the Book of Revelation, specifically pertaining to the hymnographical corpus in the book. To do this the most obvious meta–theory of this study is the literary theory, while the basis, principles and guidelines of the hymnographical basistheory are determined by theological biblical science. In the first main chapter (meta–theory) of the study the questions of what literature is and whether the Bible is literature, are explored and answered. The conclusion to this is that the Bible is true literature and that this religious script plays a central, unique and prominent role in the progression of the christian–western cultural world. In the process of determining the different approaches to the study of literature, note was taken of the various theoretical assumptions and theories and of the influence that each has and can have on theological biblical scientifical research. In the second main part (inter–disciplinary theoretical aspects) the investigation proceeds from the study of meta–theoretical literary terrain identification to the determining of the connection, link, sym–biosis and synergy between the literary meta–theory and the theological basistheory of this study. Shared and partly overlapping study terrains of the literary sciences and the bibilical sciences are explored. This leads to the demarcation of both an inter–disciplinary and multisubdisciplinary field of study, for which an approach and a method to further explore had to be developed. In the third main part (basistheory) the perspectives gained in the first two parts are unlocked to the advantage of the biblical scientifical study of Revelation. The last book of the Bible is analysed macro–structurally by means of a narratological reading and accompanied by a cursory–exegetic explanation, after which the meaning of the corpus of hymnical microtexts in their context within the macro–structure are further unlocked by means of detailed exegesis. In this way basis–theoretical hymnographical priniciples in Revelation can be identified. These are integrated in the fourth and last main part and are then concretised, using a song as example, in guidelines for hymnography. In this final main part (the outcome of the study) the investigation reaches its set aims as well as the overall goal in that it could be verified that the canvas of the liturgical song should be integrated successfully not only wordperfect, but also Wordperfect in all its facets through literary quality and biblical–principled motivation. This should allow the flame (= liturgical song) of the sacrifice of thanksgiving (= worship) to burn brightly in a time of diverse positions on church song. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Liturgics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

In this study it is assumed from a central theoretical argument that the Bible based, scripturally true liturgical song, possesses an exceptional bonding structure. The set literary archetypes of the dramatic, epic and lyric - or the dramatical, epical and lyrical - are woven together to form the canvas for the hymnical praise of the worshipping community. The aim of the study is to dissect the relationship in which the archetypes stand to one another and to establish which trans–generical phenomena and movements can be detected in order to determine what their meaning is for liturgical songwriting. This is done on the basis of an analysis of the Book of Revelation, specifically pertaining to the hymnographical corpus in the book. To do this the most obvious meta–theory of this study is the literary theory, while the basis, principles and guidelines of the hymnographical basistheory are determined by theological biblical science. In the first main chapter (meta–theory) of the study the questions of what literature is and whether the Bible is literature, are explored and answered. The conclusion to this is that the Bible is true literature and that this religious script plays a central, unique and prominent role in the progression of the christian–western cultural world. In the process of determining the different approaches to the study of literature, note was taken of the various theoretical assumptions and theories and of the influence that each has and can have on theological biblical scientifical research. In the second main part (inter–disciplinary theoretical aspects) the investigation proceeds from the study of meta–theoretical literary terrain identification to the determining of the connection, link, sym–biosis and synergy between the literary meta–theory and the theological basistheory of this study. Shared and partly overlapping study terrains of the literary sciences and the bibilical sciences are explored. This leads to the demarcation of both an inter–disciplinary and multisubdisciplinary field of study, for which an approach and a method to further explore had to be developed. In the third main part (basistheory) the perspectives gained in the first two parts are unlocked to the advantage of the biblical scientifical study of Revelation. The last book of the Bible is analysed macro–structurally by means of a narratological reading and accompanied by a cursory–exegetic explanation, after which the meaning of the corpus of hymnical microtexts in their context within the macro–structure are further unlocked by means of detailed exegesis. In this way basis–theoretical hymnographical priniciples in Revelation can be identified. These are integrated in the fourth and last main part and are then concretised, using a song as example, in guidelines for hymnography. In this final main part (the outcome of the study) the investigation reaches its set aims as well as the overall goal in that it could be verified that the canvas of the liturgical song should be integrated successfully not only wordperfect, but also Wordperfect in all its facets through literary quality and biblical–principled motivation. This should allow the flame (= liturgical song) of the sacrifice of thanksgiving (= worship) to burn brightly in a time of diverse positions on church song. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Liturgics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Amen is the Hebrew word best known and most widely used in world religions even today. Its importance as a meaningful expression throughout biblical texts is given thorough study as well as its transmission throughout religious history. It has been transliterated and integrated into the prayers and liturgy of about every Christian church. In this thesis amen is traced down to its usage in Old Testament texts selected according to their liturgical setting. After examining the three sets of texts, progressive development stages have been produced. The first text of Deuteronomy 27 was basically a ceremony of civil nature for a Covenant commitment. All tribes of Israel were present and the amen response was stipulated to confirm their allegiance to Yahweh and to acknowledge the curses threatened. The second stage in the development of amen in Old Testament worship is an expected, not stipulated response to answer a doxology or a prayer. At this stage amen was pronounced by the worshipping congregation in cultic situations in general, particularly in the Psalms. A third and more developed liturgical response can be found in the spontaneous double amen spoken by the returnees from exile gathered for the reading of the Law session at Nehemiah's time. Amen had become a thriving force and a joyful outburst - not demanded, not simply expected, but spontaneous in the believers' response to Yahweh's guidance and love. The New Testament and Christians of all times inherited and adopted the same Hebrew word and sound of amen as confirmation and praise. A proposal is made in this study to set amen as a causal connection with the One who loved mankind first. The proposed derivation of amen from the Hiphil Imperative remits its origin to a causative plea, and persuades people to believe in what they have just heard or said, namely, that Jesus Christ is God's amen for the salvation of all mankind. Christians of all times and places should join in the praise of God through the same faith in His Amen. Thus amen becomes a binding concept for ecumenical understanding. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / D. Th. (Old Testament)

In the Old Testament there are many references to musical instruments and each one performs its own specific function. Especially in the Psalms we come across quite a few musical instruments. What is very obvious is the vast amount of references to musical instruments in Psalm 150. In the entire Psalms the most references are made to musical instruments in Psalm 150. The question of this study is: What role did the musical instruments play in the composition of the Psalms? The many references to musical instruments in the Psalms are compared to the other references made to them in the rest of the Old Testament. The psalms in which the musical instruments are mentioned, are discussed and sheds light on how the musical instruments are dispersed in the Psalms’ composition. Recent studies on the composition of the Psalms are also discussed. Every musical instrument that occurs in the Psalms is discussed and with the help of iconographic illustrations it is shown how the musical instruments might have looked. A literary analysis of Psalm 150 helps to argue that this psalm is the final doxology and grand finalé of the Psalms. The studies about the musical instruments’ role in the Psalms shows that the musical instruments build up to a crescendo in the Psalms. The Psalms end with a tremendous grand finalé in Psalm 150. The Psalms is regarded in this study as a great musical composition (a symphony) and the entire symphony orchestra is spread throughout the whole of Psalms. At the end of Psalms the whole symphony orchestra plays together and every one and everything that is created by God is called upon to praise and worship the Lord. / Dissertation (MA (Ancient Languages))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Ancient Languages / unrestricted

Text in German, summaries in English and German / In dieser Forschungsarbeit werden Aspekte für die Partizipation älterer Menschen in gemeinwesendiakonischer Jugendarbeit im Sozialen Brennpunkt erforscht, um Wege aufzuzeigen, wie Seniorinnen angesichts demografischer und gesellschaftlicher Her-ausforderungen (Interkulturalität, Generationskonflikte und Milieuunterschiede) Kir- che mitgestalten und das gemeinwesendiakonische Profil der Kirche stärken können. Aufbauend auf sozialwissenschaftlichen und missionswissenschaftlichen Vor-überlegungen bildet eine empirisch-theologische Studie unter engagierten älteren Menschenimgemeinwesendiakonischen Projekt Richtsberg Mobil in einem Sozialen Brennpunkt das Zentrum der Untersuchung. Es wurden zehn problemzentrierte quali- tative Interviews geführt, die auf Grundlagedertheoriegenerierenden Methode der Grounded Theory ausgewertet wurden. Als Ergebnis der Typenbildung nach Kelle und Kluge können sechs grundlegende Aspekte festgehalten werden. Daraus werden Handlungskonsequenzen für die missi- onarische Praxis und die Missionswissenschaft gezogen, die sowohl in die unmittel- bare Praxis des untersuchten Projektes als auch vergleichbare generationsübergrei- fende und gemeinwesendiakonische Projekte zurückgeführt werden. / The research topic of this thesis are aspects for the participation of elderly people in a welfare-oriented youth ministry in a deprived area in order to identify how elderly people can help shape church in the face of demographic and social challenges (in- terculturality, generation conflicts and milieu differences) and strengthen its profile of community diaconia. Based on social-scientific and missiological prolegomena the center of this re- search is an empirical-theological study on commited elderly people in the welfare- oriented youth ministry Richtsberg Mobil in a deprived area. Collecting data through ten qualitative, problem-centered interviews the phenomena are evaluated by using the Grounded Theory. As a result of the data analysis six basic variables can be assumed that have an impact on the participation. The study is then utilized regarding its implications for missionpractice and missiology that can both assist the studied project Richtsberg Mobil as well as comparable intergenerational and welfare-oriented projects. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)