In this thesis I argue that the letter of Ephesians contains a coherent argument and that this argument is animated by the ideology of divine warfare. This ideological tool was utilized throughout the ancient world to assert and defend the cosmic supremacy of national deities, and appears throughout the Old Testament in texts that declare the exalted status of Yahweh over all other gods and over the forces of chaos that threaten creation. This ideology is applied to Ephesians with the result that what many regard as the central portion of the letter-Ephesians 2--contains a complete cycle of this mythological pattern. Here, within a context of praise and worship (1:1-19), the cosmic Lordship of Christ is asserted (1:20-23) and the triumphs of God in Christ over the powers that rule the present evil age are elaborated (2:1-22). God in Christ has triumphed over the powers that hold humanity captive to death by raising believers to life and seating them in the heavenlies with Christ. Further, Christ triumphs over the powers and their divisive effects within humanity by creating a new unified humanity that shares in the life of God in Christ by the Spirit. I then attempt to demonstrate that reading Ephesians through this lens provides satisfying solutions to a number of problems in subsequent sections of the letter. The 'autobiographical' remarks in Eph 3:2-13 are not intended as an apostolic defence, but rather are an explanation of how Paul's imprisonment, which would appear to be a devastating argument against the cosmic Lordship of Christ, actually serves to epitomize and reinforce that exalted status. I also argue that the difficult quotation of Psalm 68 in Eph 4:8 finds a satisfying solution through the application of divine warfare ideology. Finally, I argue that this reading demonstrates that the two halves of Ephesians are integrally related-that the exhortatory portion is a call to the New Humanity to engage in divine warfare against the evil powers, embodying the triumph of God in Christ in their corporate life.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2018-11-12T10:56:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafael Ferreira da Silva.pdf: 794941 bytes, checksum: dbcb9172741a3129cba76364cc1aa65f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-12T10:56:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafael Ferreira da Silva.pdf: 794941 bytes, checksum: dbcb9172741a3129cba76364cc1aa65f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-09-18 / Objective: Approach in a theological way the Rite of Roman Exorcism. Allowing for greater dissemination of this important sacramental in the Church. Justification: There is more and more exposure on the subject of exorcism, whether in the media or in the assemblies of the faithful. However, this exhibition is full of folkloric, cultural and fanciful exaggerations. With this the need to scientifically approach the exorcism understood as a real combat that the Church assumes. Hypothesis: The Devil's action is real and he begins a battle with humanity that had already begun in the angelic field. Thus the Roman Rite of Exorcism exercises the mandate of Christ on the Apostolic Church, the power given by Christ to men to expel evil from the world. Methodology: Work divided into three chapters. In the first moment one seeks to know the evil nature of the devil, a fallen angel. As the development of the Holy Scriptures and Tradition recognizes the presence of the evil one and will show Jesus as the great exorcist. In the second chapter, the Church conscious of her ministry as an exorcist will develop the ritual over the centuries, from the apostolic age to the Second Vatican Council. In the third chapter an analysis of the Exorcism Ritual, observing its liturgical activity and how it is a true instrument of Spiritual Combat / Objetivo: Abordar de forma teológica o Ritual de Exorcismo Romano. Permitindo uma maior divulgação deste sacramental tão importante na Igreja. Justificativa: Existe cada vez mais uma maior exposição sobre o assunto do exorcismo, seja na mídia, seja nas assembleias dos fiéis. Todavia, essa exposição vem carregada de exageros folclóricos, culturais e fantasiosos. Com isso a necessidade de abordar cientificamente o exorcismo entendendo como um real combate que a Igreja assume. Hipótese: A ação do Demônio é real e ele inicia um combate com a humanidade que anteriormente já havia iniciado no campo angélico. Assim, o Ritual Romano do Exorcismo exerce o mandato de Cristo sobre a Igreja Apostólica, o poder dado por Cristo aos homens de expulsar o mal do mundo. Metodologia: Trabalho dividido em três capítulos. No primeiro momento busca-se conhecer a natureza maligna do demônio, um anjo decaído. Como o desenvolvimento das Sagradas Escrituras e da Tradição reconhece a presença do maligno e mostrará Jesus como o grande exorcista. No segundo capítulo, a Igreja consciente do seu ministério de exorcista desenvolverá o ritual ao longo dos séculos, da era apostólica ao Concílio Vaticano II. No terceiro capítulo uma análise do Ritual do Exorcismo, observando o seu agir litúrgico e como ele é um verdadeiro instrumento de Combate Espiritual