Diss. - Göttingen. / Lebenslauf. Bibliography: p. 61-62.

This thesis "investigates" prophecy according to the Old Testament. While the main focus is on matters leading to cessation, an analysis of the rise and nature of prophecy introduces the theme. Expressions of prophecy evident among ancient Near Eastern cultures are compared to determine prophetic origins. Prophecy is a dynamic force in Israel, and together with the priesthood, develops the theological and religious views of the nation. Prophets are active during major transition periods of Israel's history. Prophecy is an integral means of communication between Yahweh and his people. Through the prophets Yahweh elects, leads, directs, and helps the people of God. Furthermore, prophets were involved in the formulation of the Scriptures that were received by Israel. The reception of the Scriptures registers the acceptance of inspired writings and exposes other documents as apocryphal and pseudepigraphal. When the `Spirit of prophecy' was believed to add nothing new to Scripture, the canon was considered closed. Surprisingly, some texts indicate that prophecy ends in Israel. A few passages indicate potential problems in the mediation process that may include aberrations in the delivery, content, and motivation for presenting prophecy. Prophecy deteriorates from the kind of prophetic leadership that Moses exemplified. Some claim that prophecy arose with the monarchy and ended after the Babylonian exile. Other theories regarding its demise include matters related to false prophecy, theological and religious differences, the compilation of the Hebrew canon, inspiration and the quenching of the Spirit of God. At times, people long for a message from God, but find silence. Problems associated with prophecy that lead to its demise as well as the future anticipation of transformations to prophecy or its continuation are presented and analyzed. Prophetic utterances diminish and ultimately cease, but texts also imply that prophecy is a permanent feature for God's people. Prophecy will be transformed, renewed, or changed. Many texts foresee a period of restoration, salvation, and prophecy for all God's people. A period of dormancy and prophetic silence will be followed by the recurrence of prophecy when the Spirit of God will inspire prophetic utterance. God will pour out his Spirit and prophecy will continue indefinitely. / Biblical and Ancient studies / D.TH. (Old Testament)

This thesis "investigates" prophecy according to the Old Testament. While the main focus is on matters leading to cessation, an analysis of the rise and nature of prophecy introduces the theme. Expressions of prophecy evident among ancient Near Eastern cultures are compared to determine prophetic origins. Prophecy is a dynamic force in Israel, and together with the priesthood, develops the theological and religious views of the nation. Prophets are active during major transition periods of Israel's history. Prophecy is an integral means of communication between Yahweh and his people. Through the prophets Yahweh elects, leads, directs, and helps the people of God. Furthermore, prophets were involved in the formulation of the Scriptures that were received by Israel. The reception of the Scriptures registers the acceptance of inspired writings and exposes other documents as apocryphal and pseudepigraphal. When the `Spirit of prophecy' was believed to add nothing new to Scripture, the canon was considered closed. Surprisingly, some texts indicate that prophecy ends in Israel. A few passages indicate potential problems in the mediation process that may include aberrations in the delivery, content, and motivation for presenting prophecy. Prophecy deteriorates from the kind of prophetic leadership that Moses exemplified. Some claim that prophecy arose with the monarchy and ended after the Babylonian exile. Other theories regarding its demise include matters related to false prophecy, theological and religious differences, the compilation of the Hebrew canon, inspiration and the quenching of the Spirit of God. At times, people long for a message from God, but find silence. Problems associated with prophecy that lead to its demise as well as the future anticipation of transformations to prophecy or its continuation are presented and analyzed. Prophetic utterances diminish and ultimately cease, but texts also imply that prophecy is a permanent feature for God's people. Prophecy will be transformed, renewed, or changed. Many texts foresee a period of restoration, salvation, and prophecy for all God's people. A period of dormancy and prophetic silence will be followed by the recurrence of prophecy when the Spirit of God will inspire prophetic utterance. God will pour out his Spirit and prophecy will continue indefinitely. / Biblical and Ancient studies / D.TH. (Old Testament)

This thesis examines the use and interpretation of Revelation in the writings of the contemporary prophets Richard Brothers, Joanna Southcott and William Blake. Contributing to an emerging scholarly interest in the reception of biblical texts within marginalised interpretative traditions, the thesis offers a detailed exploration of how Revelation is incorporated into these authors' prophetic texts, and how it informs the identity of readers who see their activities as bringing about the fulfilment of the text's visions on the historical plane. This aim is achieved by engaging with extant comparative studies of Brothers, Southcott and Blake within historical and literary studies; a comparison with similar contemporary prophetic figures and the contribution of Revelation to their prophetic self-understandings; and contextualising these figures against contemporary constructions of Revelation as a prophetic text, and the recognition of the poetic nature of biblical prophecy in the eighteenth century. In particular, the thesis advocates for the continued exploration of "emic" approaches to these figures, a process started by members of Oxford's Prophecy Project. The thesis thus argues that "prophecy", rather than "millenarianism," is the most appropriate way of characterising these authors' scriptural engagement, and explores how prophecy is understood in their writings to delineate commonalities in their understanding of the prophet's role. Finally, it surveys how Revelation is interpreted within the respective works of the writers who are the focus of this thesis. The conclusion offers a hermeneutical reflection on the relationship between the prophetic interpreter and the texts they engage with. It suggests that the reader who claims to be "inspired" faces a tension between offering an interpretation of the authoritative text, and claiming an equivalent level of authority for their own works. The thesis makes three contributions to existing scholarly debates. Firstly, it demonstrates that attention to these three authors' interpretations of Revelation shows how attention to neglected voices illuminates the history of interpretation of this biblical book. Secondly, it justifies comparing these three authors under the framework of "prophecy", rather than the anachronistic terminology of "millenarianism." Thirdly, it explores their readings of Revelation to shed light on how interpretation of a scriptural text such as Revelation is key to the evolution of prophetic vocation; how Revelation’s images are developed and transformed in their own prophetic texts; and finally, their sensitivity to hermeneutical questions raised by Revelation’s relationship to other biblical texts and the problems posed by its eschatology.

Theses (MPhil (Ancient Studies. Centre for Bible Interpretation and Translation in Africa))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The so-called Isaiah Denkschrift (Isa 6:1-9:6) is seen by many scholars as the personal memoirs of the prophet during the time of the Syro-Ephraimitic war. The aim of this study is to investigate the related issues in this periscope within the framework of the Denkschrift. The aim of this study is to investigate the phenomenon of prophecy in the Ancient Near East and to study how this phenomenon manifests in Isa 6:1-9:6. This study examines the biblical and non- biblical literature relating to this phenomenon with the objective to gain an understanding of the text and the world behind the text. The exegetical process of the study also studied the historical background as it is found in the Denkchrift (Isa 6:1-9:6). The literature investigation of the study focuses on prophecy as it is found in the Hebrew Bible as well as in cross-cultural settings such as the West Semitic, Old Babylonian, Neo- Assyrian and Egypt cultures. It is eminent that in the Ancient Near East prophecy in the different cultures shows parallels and differences in the manifestation thereof. Within the corpus of the phenomenon of prophecy in the Ancient Near East, the study analyses the calling of Isaiah to become a prophet to the people of Judah. Isaiah 6 reports the prophetâ s vision of the heavenly divine council, his purification and the commission to prevent the repentance of the people and the resolve of Yahweh to punish them. Another unit within the Denkschrift addresses the symbolic action behind the naming of Isaiahâ s children within the Syro-Ephraimitic crisis. Chapters 7:3 and 8:1-4 records the circumstances surrounding the symbolism as part of Isaiahâ s prophecy when he prophecy to king Ahaz. The interlinking relationship between Isaiah and king Ahaz is visible in the Denkschrift as an issue in the understanding of Isaiahâ s prophecy and speeches. Chapter 7, 8 and 9 records the tension in the relationship and the study explores the significance thereof in the pending crisis. The literature study shows that this relationship can be interpreted in different ways and the aim is to compare these literary findings. The investigation of Isaiah 6:1-9:6 construe a prophetic message of disaster, judgement and doom but similarly also presents a message of promises, hope and future expectations. This message is still a message needed in a modern world today.