D.Litt. et Phil. / A semiotic method, devised by Wolmarans (1994a) to analyse ideological shift in Biblical texts, is applied to Colossians. The method is simplified into two steps, (1) a structural analysis and (2) a pragmatic analysis. The structural analysis is divided into three steps: (i) delimitation of textual units utilised in the analysis (ii) syntactical and semantic analysis, and (iii) an analysis of the proposition and argumentation. The pragmatic analysis is also divided into three steps: (i) communicative strategy, (ii) a description of the unacceptable practical or epistemic situation, the textual actual world, followed by a description of the alternative proposed by the author, the world as it should be, the alternative possible world, and (iii) a description of how the author attempts to move his reader by means of certain transuniversal relations. The application of this method to Colossians delivers some exciting results: The epistle exhibits the classical partes orationis, namely a prologue (exordium 1:1-14) containing the narratio (reason why the epistle is written-1:3-8) and a propositio (position of the author-1:9-14); an argumentatio (1:15-4:1), consisting of a hymn (1:15-20) from which implications for a Christian belief system is drawn (con firmatio 1:21-2:5), an opposing system of belief is refined (confutatio 2:6-15) and practical implications for daily life are deduced (exhortatio 3:1-4:6). The third and final part of the epistle, an epilogue (peroratio 4:7-18), contains references to various Pauline associates serving as role models (or exempla). Colossians is shown to be a pseudepigraphic document, written round about 85 AD somewhere in the Western part of the Roman Empire. The content of the epistle displays development of basic Pauline doctrines. The unacceptable situation against which the author reacted, was caused by believers who lost hope in the early second coming of the Lord Jesus. They reverted to a syncretistic form of mystery cult. During certain feasts, they practised particular forms of asceticism (refraining from sexual intercourse; abstaining from certain kinds of food and drink) accompanied by purifying rituals, thereby hoping to attain some form of union with divine powers, like angels. This union would result in renewal or rebirth, climaxing in an epiphany. Finally, the . asceticism would be reversed and the flesh indulged. This type of religion led to exclusivism, social, ethnic and gender inequality, conflict, as well as to certain vices. As an alternative, the author argues the proposition that the readers must remain in Christ. He connects Christ to God, Paul and his school to Christ, and the believers to the body of Christ through the Pauline instruction. An ethical way of life is deduced based on principles of equality and inclusivity, and strengthened by a hope in the return of the Lord. To argue his proposition the author uses the authority of the Christian tradition, of non-Christian philosophy, of general tenets in the mystery cults, and of role models. He also uses analogical arguments, emotional arguments based on the fear of punishment and the expectation of reward, as well as rational arguments (implications deduced from the hymn of Christ).

This dissertation is a detailed analysis of the Epistle to the Colossians. The author uses rhetorical critical methods and recognizes that the New Testament epistles are greatly influenced by oratory. Also, the author demonstrates how rhetorical techniques assist Paul to express his thought that the central idea of Christianity - the divine nature and saving work of Christ - has unavoidable ethical implications. In the first chapter of his letter Paul cites Christological hymn; he uses Christological theme during the whole epistle; the apostle concludes his admonition with the Household code, in which social roles of the member of oikos are interpreted in relation to Christ. According to Paul's teaching in Colossians, the power of Christ has universal scope and, consequently, all aspects of human life, including everyday, societal relationships, must be brought into submission to Christ. / M.Th. (New Testament)

This dissertation is a detailed analysis of the Epistle to the Colossians. The author uses rhetorical critical methods and recognizes that the New Testament epistles are greatly influenced by oratory. Also, the author demonstrates how rhetorical techniques assist Paul to express his thought that the central idea of Christianity - the divine nature and saving work of Christ - has unavoidable ethical implications. In the first chapter of his letter Paul cites Christological hymn; he uses Christological theme during the whole epistle; the apostle concludes his admonition with the Household code, in which social roles of the member of oikos are interpreted in relation to Christ. According to Paul's teaching in Colossians, the power of Christ has universal scope and, consequently, all aspects of human life, including everyday, societal relationships, must be brought into submission to Christ. / M.Th. (New Testament)

Deur na die kriteria en uitsprake rondom die voorkomstes van die term 'Verborgenheid' in die Tweelingbriewe Kolossense en Efesiers te kyk, teen die agtergrond van die 'Toekomstige Dinge' (Jh 16.13) wat deur die Heilige Gees in die Progressiewe Openbaring van God aan die skrywers van die Nuwe Testament bekend gemaak was, word dit ontdek dat daar 'n splintemuwe skepping, die Corpus Christi, waarvan Christus die Hoof is, as hierdie Verborgenheid aan Paulus, na Handelinge 28 in die i gevangenis geopenbaar was, naamlik die Kerk wat daar I eers tot stand gekom het. Die Kerk, wat hoofsaaklik uit gelowige Heidene bestaan, het sedertdien as God se kanaal van heil tot die wereld gedien in die plek en onafhanklik van nasionale Israel, wat volgens Ou Testa- mentiese profesie, God se kanaal van Heil tot die wereld moes wees, onder en saam met wie die Heidene die Here moes dien. God het dus tot op Handelinge 28 steeds verbondmatig met Israel omgegaan om hulle tot bekering te probeer lei en het dit gevolglik tot op daardie stadium uitsluitlik gegaan om dit wat die Ou Testament geprofeteer het, naamlik die Koninkryk van God vir Israel. Maar weens hulle onboetvaardigheid, is Israel deur God verhard en in Handelinge 28 ter syde gestel as Sy kanaal en het Hy Sy Koninkryk program opgeskort en het God Hom tot die Heiden gewend. Daar was dus geen sprake van 'n 'Kerk' in die Handelinge tydperk gewees nie! / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M. Th. (New Testament)

Deur na die kriteria en uitsprake rondom die voorkomstes van die term 'Verborgenheid' in die Tweelingbriewe Kolossense en Efesiers te kyk, teen die agtergrond van die 'Toekomstige Dinge' (Jh 16.13) wat deur die Heilige Gees in die Progressiewe Openbaring van God aan die skrywers van die Nuwe Testament bekend gemaak was, word dit ontdek dat daar 'n splintemuwe skepping, die Corpus Christi, waarvan Christus die Hoof is, as hierdie Verborgenheid aan Paulus, na Handelinge 28 in die i gevangenis geopenbaar was, naamlik die Kerk wat daar I eers tot stand gekom het. Die Kerk, wat hoofsaaklik uit gelowige Heidene bestaan, het sedertdien as God se kanaal van heil tot die wereld gedien in die plek en onafhanklik van nasionale Israel, wat volgens Ou Testa- mentiese profesie, God se kanaal van Heil tot die wereld moes wees, onder en saam met wie die Heidene die Here moes dien. God het dus tot op Handelinge 28 steeds verbondmatig met Israel omgegaan om hulle tot bekering te probeer lei en het dit gevolglik tot op daardie stadium uitsluitlik gegaan om dit wat die Ou Testament geprofeteer het, naamlik die Koninkryk van God vir Israel. Maar weens hulle onboetvaardigheid, is Israel deur God verhard en in Handelinge 28 ter syde gestel as Sy kanaal en het Hy Sy Koninkryk program opgeskort en het God Hom tot die Heiden gewend. Daar was dus geen sprake van 'n 'Kerk' in die Handelinge tydperk gewees nie! / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M. Th. (New Testament)

New Testament / M.Th. (New Testament)

This dissertation is a detailed analysis of the Epistle to the Colossians. The author uses rhetorical critical methods and recognizes that the New Testament epistles are greatly influenced by oratory. Also, the author demonstrates how rhetorical techniques assist Paul to express his thought that the central idea of Christianity—the divine nature and saving work of Christ — has unavoidable ethical implications. In the first chapter of his letter Paul cites Christological hymn; he uses Christological theme during the whole epistle; the apostle concludes his admonition with the Household code, in which social roles of the member of oikos are interpreted in relation to Christ. According to Paul's teaching in Colossians, the power of Christ has universal scope and, consequently, all aspects of human life, including everyday, societal relationships, must be brought into submission to Christ. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)

New Testament / M.Th. (New Testament)

This dissertation is a detailed analysis of the Epistle to the Colossians. The author uses rhetorical critical methods and recognizes that the New Testament epistles are greatly influenced by oratory. Also, the author demonstrates how rhetorical techniques assist Paul to express his thought that the central idea of Christianity—the divine nature and saving work of Christ — has unavoidable ethical implications. In the first chapter of his letter Paul cites Christological hymn; he uses Christological theme during the whole epistle; the apostle concludes his admonition with the Household code, in which social roles of the member of oikos are interpreted in relation to Christ. According to Paul's teaching in Colossians, the power of Christ has universal scope and, consequently, all aspects of human life, including everyday, societal relationships, must be brought into submission to Christ. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)