Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [101]-106).

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie is as doelwit gestel 'n nuwe benadering tot die verklaring van die boek Openbaring. Die rede hiervoor is dat sommige verklaringsmetodes nie by 'n duidelike formulering van die boodskap van Openbaring uitkorn nie. Sommige rnetodes is kunsrnatig, terwyl ander weer so ingewikkeld is dat dit die boek onverstaanbaar maak. In die werkshipotese van die studie word die hermeneutiese presupposisie gestel dat die boek self riglyne oor sy verklaring gee, veral in sy eerste hoofstuk. Die tema en die strekking van die boodskap wys uit hoe die boek verklaar rnoet word. Die heerskappy van God is die hoofmotif van Openbaring en die vertrekpunt van die uitleg daarvan. Dit word ontplooi deur Christus wat op aarde heers. Prinsipieel gesien beteken sy heerskappy dat Hy besig is om te kom as verlosser van sy uitverkorenes en as regter wat sy vyande oordeel en straf. Sy koms is nie slegs eindgebeure nie, maar dis nou reeds aan die gang (so is die hoofmotif dan ook 'n eskatalogiese motif) en sal die vooruitbepaalde voleinding dan gebeur soos God dit wil. Dit maak dat die boek nie as 'n suiwer apokalips geklassifiseer mag word nie, maar wel 'n egte profesie, hoewel met apokaliptiese trekke. Wanneer die struktuur van die boek wetenskaplik ondersoek word, word gevind dat hierdie wyse van verklaring as geldige een ondersteun word deur die struktuur. Eers word byvoorbeeld die nabyheid van Christus geleer, dan sy heerskappy oor die geskiedenis en die voleinding daarvan en hoe dit die kerk en die wereld raak. Die volgende aspek wat in die studie ondersoek is, is die begrip "heerskappy van God". Nadat die sisternaties-teologiese forrnulering van die begrip vasgestel is, word gekyk na wat Openbaring daaroor te se het. Ten slotte word 'n paar hoofstukke uit die boek Openbaring ondersoek om vas te stel of dit die aannames en persepsies oor die motif ondersteun. Aangesien die betrokke hoofstukke berekende capita selecta is wat 'n goeie oorsig bied oor wat in hoofsaak in Openharing gelees word, is dit belangrik om te let op hoe die inhoud van die boek telkens die hoofmotif van God se heerskappy uitspel en beklemtoon. In die laaste hoofstuk van hierdie studie word die boodskap van die boek Openbaring uiteengesit. Met die proklamering van die heerskappy van God wat deur Christus op aarde uitgevoer word, is die boodskap van die boek duidelik en verstaanbaar met die troos: God regeer en Christus beheer alles op die aarde tot aan die einde, daarom hoef die kerk nie te vrees nie, maar kan voortgaan om te groei en te lewe tot die eer van God die almagtige. / The objective of this study was to establish a new approach to the interpretation of the book of Revelation. This was undertaken because some of the methods used to interpret the book, did not succeed in delivering an acceptable or even a comprehensible message. Some methods are superficial, while others are so complicated that the book becomes more of a mystery. As a working hypothesis for this study the hermeneutical presupposition is posed that John's Revelation has its own guidelines as to its interpretation, as it is given primarily in its first chapter. The theme and message of the book clearly shows the way to its interpretation. The supremacy of God and his power as the Almighty proclaims his rule over this world and this forms the basis for the message to his people. Christ is given the authority as king of this world and He maintains the governing of this world till the end. This means that He as ruler over this world reveals his coming as happening in the salvation of his chosen people and in the judging and punishing of his enemies. His coming is already underway and now is the eschatological time in progress. He is already the Redeemer of his people and the judge of his enemies. But this motif is further developed in the fact that the end will come according to the will of God. In the light of this prophetic revelations the book is not a pure apocalypse in the apocalyptic tradition, but it is genuine prophecy although there are apocalyptic terms and trends used in the book. When the structure of the book is analysed, it is found that this method of interpretation is really plausible. The first overall message being the assurance of the presence of Christ in his church under all circumstances and his controlling of the history and bringing this world to its end according to God's will, thus revealing the effect this has on the church and the world at large, all this is sustained by the structure of the book. Another aspect researched in this study is the meaning of the term "the supremacy of God". First a survey of the systematic theological formulation of this concept is done and then a systematic summary of this concept in the book of Revelation is made. A selection of a number of chapters from the book of Revelation is studied with the purpose of showing how this motif is proved by the contents of the book. These capita selecta are specially selected for this purpose, but they do give an overall view of the book's message. The last chapter of this study formulates the message of the book of Revelation. With the proclamation of the supremacy of God as illustrated by the reign of Christ as Lord of this world, this paranesis is given to his people clear and simple: God is the Almighty and through Christ He has everything under his control, therefore the church must never fear but can continue serving Him and growing to his glory as his kingdom. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / Th. D. (Nuwe Testament)

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The author has granted permission to link to the digital format of this thesis to his web site. Please contact the ICS library if you would like to view the print copy of this work.

Thesis (MA(N.T.))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-217) Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

This dissertation examines the doctrines of effectual calling and regeneration and argues that the biblical view is that God's saving grace is monergistic - meaning that God acts alone to effectually call and monergistically regenerate the depraved sinner from death to new life - and therefore effectual calling and regeneration causally precede conversion in the ordo salutis, thereby ensuring that all of the glory in salvation belongs to God not man. Stated negatively, God's grace is not synergistic - meaning that God cooperates with man, giving man the final determative power to either accept or resist God's grace - which would result in an ordo salutis where regeneration is causally conditioned upon man's free will in conversion and, in the Calvinist's opinion, would rob God of all of the glory in salvation. Chapter 1 introduces the monergism-synergism debate by placing it within the contemporary evangelical context. Chapter 1 not only introduces the debate between Calvinists and Arminians but also introduces the recent attempt of modified views to present a via media between the two. Chapter 1 also presents the thesis and explains the parameters and presuppositions of the dissertation. Chapter 2 examines the doctrine of monergism within the Reformed tradition. Rather than an exhaustive survey, chapter 2 selects some of the most important representatives from the Reformed tradition including: Augustine, John Calvin, the Canons of Dort, and the Westminster Confession. In discussing these figures and confessions, chapter 2 provides the historical and theological context in which the Reformed argued against the synergists of their own day. Chapter 3 turns to a biblical and theological defense of total depravity and effectual calling. Chapter 3 first begins with a biblical defense of total depravity and spiritual inability, as well as a brief discussion and utilization of Jonathan Edwards' understanding of free will (the freedom of inclination). Chapter 3 then seeks to argue for the thesis presented in chapter 1 by showing from Scripture that the Calvinist view of effectual calling is biblical. Chapter 4 continues the argument from chapter 3 by focusing in on the doctrine of regeneration. Chapter 4 argues that regeneration is monergistic rather than synergistic, meaning that God's grace in regeneration is not contingent on the will of man to believe but God's grace works alone. Therefore, faith and repentance are the result not the condition of regeneration in the ordo salutis. Chapter 5 seeks to give an accurate and fair presentation of the Arminian view(s), giving attention to the theological nuances among Arminians. Chapter 5 shows that there is diversity within Arminianism, so that there are those who hold to a "classical Arminian" view and there are those who hold to a Semi-Pelagian view. However, chapter 5 demonstrates that both views end up in the same place, namely, affirming the doctrine of synergism which makes God's grace contingent upon man's will. Chapter 6 is a biblical and theological critique of the Arminian view. Chapter 6 shows that the Arminian doctrine of synergism is not found in Scripture, contradicts Scripture, and robs God of all his glory in salvation. Chapter 7 turns from the Arminian view to examine recent modified attempts to pave a middle way between Calvinism and Arminianism. Chapter 7 shows specifically that attempts at a middle way borrow from Arminianism and consequently fall prey to an erroneous interpretation of Scripture. Chapter 7 shows that a middle way is biblically impossible and it also robs God of all his glory in salvation. Chapter 8 concludes the dissertation by restating the thesis, summarizing the biblical data, and arguing that only the Calvinist view can preserve the glory of God to save sinners. Three appendixes conclude the dissertation. Appendix 1 examines the Arminian and Calvinist views of the love of God and argues that divine love in Scripture is far more complex than the Arminian makes it out to be. God not only has a universal love for all people but a special, particular, and efficacious love only for the elect. Appendix 2 examines the Arminian and Calvinist views of the will of God and argues once again that the will of God in Scripture is far more complex than the Arminian makes it out to be. Scripture shows, it is argued, that God not only has a moral or preceptive will as well as a will of disposition but also a will of decree by which he effectually ordains all that comes to pass. Appendix 3 looks at the relationship between effectual calling and regeneration in the Reformed tradition and the diversity that exists among the Reformed as to how exactly describe this relationship. Appendix 3 presents and critiques each view, but pays particular attention to Michael Horton's recent proposal for "covenant ontology and effectual calling."

Habilitationsschrift--Bern, 1977. / Includes indexes. Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-162).

This dissertation concentrates on those factors which form the doctrine of G-dly reward and punishment. In other words, the philosophical approach amongst Jewish thinkers from the Middle Ages to the above subject, which taken together give expression to the doctrine of reward and ptmishment, or at least to the possibility of determining such a doctrine. The definition of correct behaviour is not of interest for pwposes of this dissertation, nor is human judgement of behaviour, even according to a G-dly doctrine; only the A-lmighty's judgement and implementation thereof The following points are of note. Research into the specific approach of one individual philosopher is not the aim of this dissertation, but rather a collective crystallised viewpoint according to various different Jewish philosophers, in order to reach a harmonious formation of the desir~ goal. Hence the details are also important since they assist towards the goal. The views of the philsophers are of interest and not their source, viz. from whom these views were received or by whom the philosophers were influenced, as is usually the case in research. Nevertheless, this aspect is elaborated upon in the introduction to this dissertation, in the style of the customary academic research approach. An analytical comparison is made between the opinions of various authors, taking into account the finer points of their words, as well as between the differing opinions expressed by a single author in his various writings, and conclusions are drawn, the results of which are highly significant. Besides the fact that it is not within our power to adjudicate between the views of the great Jewish thinkers, this is even more true here, due to the metaphysical nature of the subject, which makes logical, rational-realistic judgement very difficult. Nevertheless, some criteria have been established for making such a decision. In summary, this dissertation is an attempt to research many diverse opinions in the treasury of Jewish thought from the Middle Ages, and to extract those opinions from which a complete system of the doctrine of reward and punishment can be built. / Religious Studies and Arabic / D.Litt et Phil. (Judaica)

This dissertation concentrates on those factors which form the doctrine of G-dly reward and punishment. In other words, the philosophical approach amongst Jewish thinkers from the Middle Ages to the above subject, which taken together give expression to the doctrine of reward and ptmishment, or at least to the possibility of determining such a doctrine. The definition of correct behaviour is not of interest for pwposes of this dissertation, nor is human judgement of behaviour, even according to a G-dly doctrine; only the A-lmighty's judgement and implementation thereof The following points are of note. Research into the specific approach of one individual philosopher is not the aim of this dissertation, but rather a collective crystallised viewpoint according to various different Jewish philosophers, in order to reach a harmonious formation of the desir~ goal. Hence the details are also important since they assist towards the goal. The views of the philsophers are of interest and not their source, viz. from whom these views were received or by whom the philosophers were influenced, as is usually the case in research. Nevertheless, this aspect is elaborated upon in the introduction to this dissertation, in the style of the customary academic research approach. An analytical comparison is made between the opinions of various authors, taking into account the finer points of their words, as well as between the differing opinions expressed by a single author in his various writings, and conclusions are drawn, the results of which are highly significant. Besides the fact that it is not within our power to adjudicate between the views of the great Jewish thinkers, this is even more true here, due to the metaphysical nature of the subject, which makes logical, rational-realistic judgement very difficult. Nevertheless, some criteria have been established for making such a decision. In summary, this dissertation is an attempt to research many diverse opinions in the treasury of Jewish thought from the Middle Ages, and to extract those opinions from which a complete system of the doctrine of reward and punishment can be built. / Religious Studies and Arabic / D.Litt et Phil. (Judaica)

Scholarship has tended to depict John Owen as a “Reformed catholic” attempting a synthesis of Reformed principles with a largely Thomist doctrine of God. In this thesis, I argue that this depiction risks losing sight of those aspects of Owen's doctrine of God that are intended to support a distinctly Protestant account of the economy of grace. By an examination of the principles of divine government, I argue that Owen employs the theme of God's “dominion” in order to establish the freedom and gratuity of God's grace, and to resist theologies that might otherwise use the doctrine of creation to structure and norm God's government of creatures. In chapter one, I argue against prevailing readings of Owen's thought that his theology of the divine will is, in fact, “voluntarist” in nature, prioritizing God's will over his intellect in the determination of the divine decree. I show that Owen regards God's absolute dominion as an entailment of his ontological priority over creatures. Chapters two and three examine the character of God's dominion over creatures in virtue of their “two-fold dependence” upon him as both Creator and Lawgiver. Chapter four takes up Owen's theology of God's remunerative justice in the context of his covenant theology. I show here that his doctrine of divine dominion underwrites his critique of merit-theology and attempts to establish the gratuity of that supernatural end to which humans are destined. Finally, in chapter five, I examine the principles of God's mercy, expressed in the work of redemption, where I demonstrate how Owen's conception of divine dominion underwrites the freedom of God in election and his account of particular redemption.