Thesis (M.A.B.S.)--Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-111).

Thesis (M.A.P.S.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [59]-60).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA, 2005. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 208-211).

The first chapter introduces Dallas Willard, his place in 20th century thought and the necessity of research at this present time. The thesis's sources, approach and topic, i.e. an exposition of Willard's view of the kingdom of God, the gospel of the kingdom and Jesus as understood by Jesus' first listeners before his ascension, are discussed. The thesis's four principle chapters focus on two stages of the Jesus' first listeners' understanding of his gospel. The first of these, chapter two, is a digression which examines Willard's tenuous relationship to a few exegetical scholars who, like Willard, claim that the church's gospel ought to be Jesus' gospel. But Willard's differing conclusions about that gospel point to his differing approach to the Scriptures concerning which he says, “You have to be, in a certain manner, an ontologist if you're going to understand the Scripture.” The chapter concludes by laying some signposts to a full dress account of Willard's doctrine of God and the Bible, religious epistemology and hermeneutics. Chapter three starts with Willard's view of the basic mental framework of both Jesus and of his first listeners which enabled a first stage understanding of Jesus' gospel, namely that the eternal kingdom of God was available for Jesus. This gospel is analyzed in terms of its underlying Christology and soteriology. The effect that belief in this gospel has on people is discussed before concluding with Willard's view of the status of this gospel in light of Jesus' death and resurrection. A necessary digression is pursued in chapter four to consider Willard's view of the availability of the kingdom before Jesus' advent. Temporary and enduring elements of that divine arrangement are discussed before setting up the next stage by speaking of Willard's view of the transition to the new arrangement which is announced by and made possible in Jesus Having prepared the way in the previous chapters, chapter five covers the altogether new understanding of God's kingdom which is the hallmark of Willard's theology, namely that the kingdom of God is available through Jesus to everybody. As in chapter three, this “second stage” understanding is analyzed in terms of its assumed Christology and soteriology. A much longer digression is necessary in order to describe the effect that belief in this gospel has on people. The final points of the thesis concern the continuing relevance of this stage in light of Jesus' death and resurrection.

ABSTRACT THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS A FRAMEWORK FOR EVANGELICAL BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS Daniel Lane Patterson, Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2015 Chairman: Dr. Russell D. Moore This dissertation explores the theological relationship between the Word of God and the kingdom of God as it relates to biblical hermeneutics, arguing that the kingdom of God should function as a central organizing principle in the area of evangelical biblical hermeneutics—as it offers a unified theological vision of the relationship between the Bible, the interpreter, and biblical interpretation and has the explanatory power to inform and enrich evangelical theology at several key points. Chapter 1 introduces the topic of kingdom-focused biblical hermeneutics in the context of its emergence from the evangelical consensus on the kingdom of God. It offers the thesis of this study and highlights the uniqueness of the study—showing how, though much work has been done on the nature of the kingdom, the doctrine of Scripture, and the discipline of biblical hermeneutics, this project joins all three showing how each are interrelated and enriched by a thoroughgoing interaction with the kingdom of God. Chapter 2 examines the relationship between kingdom and Scripture. It explores the way in which the kingdom of God is a central theme in Scripture, the way in which Scripture functions to bring about the kingdom, and how integrating kingdom thought can enrich an evangelical doctrine of Scripture, especially with respect to Scripture’s authority, sufficiency, and trustworthiness. Chapter 3 considers the impact of the kingdom of God on the interpreter, standing in need as he is of redemption and renewal. Because both interpretation and the interpreter of Scripture are marred by sin, the redemption wrought through the victory of the kingdom has distinct implications for how one approaches the Bible in interpretation, especially with respect to one’s understanding of the impact of sin on the hermeneutic process, the nature of obedience in the interpretation of Scripture, the renewal of the interpreter, and the ecclesial context of interpretation. Chapter 4 discusses the relationship between the kingdom and the process of interpretation itself. It explores and evaluates a number of current approaches to biblical hermeneutics so as to show how a kingdom focus can inform and enhance these models. Additionally, this chapter argues that the kingdom forms the shape of Scripture and the act of interpretation, and also conceives of the interpretive task as an act of kingdom warfare. As such, it carries implications for the way the interpreter conceives of authorial intention, meaning, public and private reading, exegesis, and application. Chapter 5 concludes the study by summarizing the arguments of the dissertation and offering possibilities for future study. It reaffirms the importance of the kingdom focus this study proposes and suggests ways that biblical hermeneutics and evangelical theology can benefit from further research on the centrality of the kingdom of God in biblical and systematic theology.

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Cheung Pui Yee Albert. / Thesis (M.Div.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 論文摘要 --- p.iii / Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 1 --- The Kingdom of God/Heaven and Matthew's Church --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1 --- The Kingdom of God/Heaven --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- The Kingdom as Apocalyptic Eschatology --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- The Kingdom as Realized Eschatology --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- The Kingdom in the Present and the Future --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Situation of Matthew's Church --- p.9 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- The Kingdom Parables in Matthew 13 --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1 --- The Parables in Matthew --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- The Structure and Context of Matthew 13 --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3 --- The Parable of the Sower --- p.16 / Chapter 2.4 --- The Interpretation of the Parable of the Sower --- p.17 / Chapter 2.5 --- The Parable of the Tares --- p.20 / Chapter 2.6 --- The Interpretation of the Parable of the Tares --- p.23 / Chapter 2.7 --- The Parable of the Mustard Seed --- p.27 / Chapter 2.8 --- The Parable of the Leaven --- p.28 / Chapter 2.9 --- The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and of the Pearl --- p.29 / Chapter 2.10 --- The Parable of the Net --- p.31 / Chapter 2.11 --- Concluding Parable: Treasures New and Old --- p.33 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Matthew's Concepts of the Kingdom of Heaven and of the Church --- p.36 / Chapter 3.1 --- Matthew's Concept of the Kingdom --- p.36 / Chapter 3.2 --- Matthew's Church and His Understanding of the Church --- p.38 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Reflections and Applications --- p.42 / Chapter 4.1 --- Use of Parables --- p.42 / Chapter 4.2 --- Urban and Wealthy Church --- p.43 / Chapter 4.3 --- Making Disciples --- p.44 / Chapter 4.4 --- Handling of Offending Members and Forgiveness --- p.45 / Chapter 4.5 --- The Kingdom of Heaven and the Church --- p.46 / Conclusion --- p.47 / Bibliography --- p.48

Thesis (M.A.)--Johnson Bible College, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-92).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 1988. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [87]-94).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-114).