D.Litt. et Phil. / This study began with a premise that there is a need to guide the Christian community in Mozambique to know and put in practice biblical principles to address the scourge of corruption. This is motivated by the belief that the functional moral concerns should be shaped in accordance with the New Testament vision of Christian discipleship. The Church of the Nazarene in Mozambique serves as case study to understand the views and needs of the Christian community in the area of teaching and preaching on issues of material possessions. The intent was to come to exegetical answer on the question posed in this study of the meaning and function of metadidonai and related concepts in the Lukan corpus, not only in theological terms but also in a broader economical framework. There are many people who live in dire poverty in Africa, many through no fault of their own. Most of the poverty is the result of systematic and structural evils. These evils result from human policies designed to increase the profit and power to controlling individuals and corporate bodies. Corruption is one of the major setbacks for alleviation of poverty in Africa. There is no greater scourge that affects the proper functioning of any economic system than corruption. The effects of corruption also have legal ramifications, often undermining the rule of law. But fundamentally, corruption falls squarely in the moral realm because it is symptomatic of the original sin that marks the heart of every person (Gregg and Schenone 2003). I argue in this study that these systematic evils (greed and corruption) are the result of depravation of the heart. Therefore, to address these issues it is necessary to interpret the biblical text with the soteriological agenda. To accomplish this I contend that social scientific approach is vital because it allows the current read to access meaning of the text that can only be understood in light of social context of the original audience and the author of the text. However, beyond the unveiling of the meaning within its canonical context the current exegete must reinterpret the meaning for today. This will require not only the understanding of the meaning of the text in its original context but also the understanding of the current social systems that influence and impact the lives of the people in a particular community. Furthermore the interpreter must be true to his/her theological heritage. Thus, as a Nazarene with a Wesleyan theological heritage I sought to reinterpret metadidonai principle as found in Luke-Acts from a Wesleyan perspective. I emphasise in the study that human kind can not free themselves from depravation of the heart, but by God’s grace humanity has hope for deliverance from sin and from the power of sin (original sin). This is what Africa needs to be freed from corruption. In Luke-Acts text salvation is central motif for discipleship. The soteriological tone sets the frame within which the metadidonai is to be done.

This dissertation ascertains the meaning of the Unjust Steward parable (Luke 16:1-13) by examining its language, historical background, and literary context. Chapter 1 introduces the parable's interpretive problems, acknowledges that it is perhaps the most difficult of Jesus' parables to understand, and offers a method for deciphering the meaning. Chapter 2 offers a detailed history-of-interpretation with special attention given to the work of Dennis J. Ireland ( Stewardship and the Kingdom , 1992) and the interpreters who have come after him, especially those who depart from the traditional interpretation. Chapter 3 first examines the text-critical concerns for the parable and then analyzes the language of 16:1-13 at the lexical, grammatical, and syntactical levels. Chapter 4 examines four historical background matters that some scholars have offered as interpretative keys for understanding the parable and determines that most of these background features have been overemphasized and are of limited help. Chapter 5 examines the literary concerns of the parable. This chapter first examines the nature of the "parable" genre, Luke's use of parables, and the history of parable interpretation in general. The chapter then examines the literary context of the parable, giving special attention to the relationship between the Unjust Steward and all of the major units in Luke 15 and 16. Finally, the chapter examines a few literary conventions that some scholars have proposed as interpretive keys. The conclusion is that some are of more value than others. Chapter 6 synthesizes the information and conclusions from Chapters 3, 4, and 5 to answer the nine most pressing questions that the parable presents to the reader. The dissertation concludes that the traditional interpretation, which perceives the parable to be about a dishonest transaction that serves as an exhortation about both the proper use of monetary possession and preparing for the kingdom of God, is still the most plausible. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Using social-rhetorical hermeneutics, this study examines Jesus’ statement “Do this in remembrance of Me” during the last meal He had with his disciples before He went to the cross – both in the light of the Lucan context and our/modern present context. A careful examination of the text in Luke 22:14-30 poses a challenge to Lucan scholarship as it delves into the reason of the insertion of the phrase in the context of this meal. In the first place, different views as regards the meal are examined so as to present the motif of the meal. It has been discovered that Luke wanted his community to use this meal as a medium of remembering what Jesus was to humanity during his time on earth. Socio-rhetorical analysis helps to appreciate Luke’s rhetorical nuances in presenting this meal scene to his audience. In Chapter two it is revealed that Luke used his sources rhetorically in different textures and patterns to present to his audience that Jesus was the Saviour and a servant-leader. The intertexture of Luke’s material of the meal shows that Luke appealed to his community using Ancient Near Eastern, Greco-Roman socio-cultural rhetoric in order to reiterate what his audience needed to know about Jesus. It reveals Jesus as a broker, patron, and benefactor to his community with the aim of restoring the dignity of humanity. The sacred texture of the Lucan meal shows the ever abiding presence of Jesus in the midst of the community whenever they meet due to the divine power of Jesus. Socio-rhetorical hermeneutics of Luke 22:14-30 explicates that the phrase “Do this in remembrance of Me” in the context is Luke’s rhetorical strategy of encouraging his audience to remember Jesus with the view to imitate his lifestyle and his inclusive approach to the marginalised and the outcasts of society. It is when the community eats the meal concomitantly with the imitation of his lifestyle, especially his approach to God and humanity, that the community will truly remember Jesus and thus restore human dignity in society. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ondersoek van die uitspraak tydens die laaste maaltyd wat Jesus met sy dissipels gehad het voor sy dood aan die kruis, met behulp van sosio-retoriese hermeneutiek, toon die belangrikheid van die stelling, “Doen dit tot my gedagtenis”, in die lig van die Lukaanse gemeenskap en die moderne konteks. ’n Deeglike ondersoek van die teks in Lukas 22:14-30 bied ’n probleem aan die bestudering van die Nuwe Testament, veral vir Lukas-spesialiste, as gevra word na die rede vir die invoeging van die frase binne die konteks van hierdie maaltyd. In die eerste plek word daar gevra na die motivering vir die plasing van die maaltyd binne die teks. Dit blyk dat Lukas sy gemeenskap wou motiveer om hierdie maaltyd te gebruik as ’n middel om te onthou wat Jesus vir die mensdom beteken het gedurende sy tyd op aarde. Sosio-retoriese analise help ons om te bepaal watter retoriese nuanses Lukas gebruik het in die aanbieding van hierdie maaltydtoneel aan sy gehoor. In hoofstuk twee word aan die lig gebring dat Lukas sy bronne in verskillende retoriese teksture en patrone aanbied aan sy gehoor om te toon dat Jesus die Verlosser en ’n dienaar-leier was. Die intertekstuur van die Lukaanse weergawe van die maaltyd toon dat Lukas met behulp van Ou Nabye Oosterse en Grieks-Romeinse bronne, asook sosio-kulturele retoriek ’n beroep op sy gemeenskap doen om Jesus regtig te leer ken. Dit toon Jesus as ’n bemiddelaar, beskermheer, en weldoener aan sy gemeenskap ten einde die herstel van die waardigheid van die mensdom te bewerk. Die heilige tekstuur van die Lukaanse maaltyd toon die ewigblywende geskenk van Jesus aan die gemeenskap en die feit dat die gemeenskap alles te danke het aan die goddelike krag van Jesus. Sosio-retoriese hermeneutiek van Lukas 22:14-30 maak dit duidelik dat die frase, “Doen dit tot my gedagtenis”, binne die konteks ’n retoriese strategie is waarmee Lukas sy gehoor wou leer om Jesus se leefstyl na te boots en sy inklusiewe benadering ten opsigte van die gemarginaliseerdes en uitgeworpenes van die samelewing te onthou. Dit is wanneer die gemeenskap die maaltyd eet en sy lewenstyl naboots, veral sy handelinge en benadering tot God en die mensdom, dat die gemeenskap werklik vir Jesus sal onthou en so menswaardigheid in die gemeenskap sal herstel.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-09-29T12:34:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Victor da Silva Almeida Filho.pdf: 1453247 bytes, checksum: 440494c02418fcfa50c70b51c2a54830 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-29T12:34:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Victor da Silva Almeida Filho.pdf: 1453247 bytes, checksum: 440494c02418fcfa50c70b51c2a54830 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-19 / Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo - PUCSP / This study is an analysis of the account of Luke 7, 11-17 better known as the resurrection of the son of the widow of Naim. In a first moment the work deals with general questions of the Gospel according to Luke, presenting the structural analyzes of the narrative. So, the pericope of Naim assumes a literary function, serving to complete the answer to the messengers sent by John the Baptist (Lk 7, 18-23) about the identity of Jesus. To prove this, Luke employs the Greek verb σπλαγχνίζομαι, to be moved with compassion, to a widowed woman who was in a situation of vulnerability. We studied the rule for the use of this verb in the pericope as well as its semantic root and its two other occurrences in the Lucan Gospel. For the analysis and interpretation of Lk 7,11-17, analytical elements of contemporary biblical exegetical methodology were used. The research valorized the diachronic studies by making the interface with the synchronic studies and intertextual analyzes, aided by texts of the Magisterium of Pope Francis. The results achieved were a better understanding of the Lucan account, because in using the verb σπλαγχνίζομαι the author does so in a conscious and coherent way towards those who are in a situation of vulnerability and uses their own literary criteria and their particular narrative style / Este estudo é uma análise do relato de Lc 7,11-17, mais conhecido como a ressurreição do filho da viúva de Naim. Em um primeiro momento, o trabalho trata de questões gerais do Evangelho segundo Lucas, apresentando as análises estruturais da narrativa. A perícope de Naim assume uma função literária, completando a resposta aos mensageiros enviados por João Batista (Lc 7,18-23) sobre a identidade de Jesus. Para demosntrar isso, Lucas emprega o verbo grego σπλαγχνίζομαι, “ser movido de compaixão”, para uma mulher viúva que se encontrava em situação de vulnerabilidade. Foram estudados os critérios para o emprego deste verbo na perícope, bem como sua raiz semântica e suas duas outras ocorrências no Evangelho lucano. Para a análise e interpretação de Lc 7,11-17 foram utilizados elementos analíticos da metodologia exegética bíblica contemporânea. A pesquisa valorizou os estudos diacrônicos, fazendo a interface com os estudos sincrônicos e análises intertextuais, auxiliados por textos do Magistério. Os resultados alcançados foram uma melhor compreensão do relato lucano, pois, ao empregar o verbo σπλαγχνίζομαι, o autor o faz de modo consciente e coerente para com os que se encontram em situação de vulnerabilidade e se vale de critérios literários próprios e de seu particular estilo narrativo

The thesis explored the story of the healing of the ten lepers by Jesus in Luke 17:11-19 for its potential to facilitate a conversation between the Jesus context and the Yoruba context, to bring about a new praxis in the attitude of Yoruba Christian to people living with HIV and AIDS. In view of the fact that the context is a major determinant in the interpretations that ecumenical theologians make with the Bible, it calls on the interpreter to re-read the text in the culture of the people. And in a bid for African biblical scholarship to locate itself within the social, political and ecclesiastical context of Africa in the age of globalization and the scourge of HIV and AIDS crisis, a contextual reading of Jesus’ attitude and compassionate response to the wish of the ten lepers as presented in Luke for healing and restoration is not only desirable in this research but an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of contextual exposition of the miracle story to the contemporary attitude of Christians in an HIV and AIDS era. HIV and AIDS is a disease which not only plunders human bodies but also invades the attitude and behaviour of societies generating a kind of social pathology. Hence the definition of social phenomena is culturally determined and therefore the explanation and the attitudes of health and illness is a function of culture. As a result this has great implications for the attitude and behaviour of people towards sick people especially people living with HIV and AIDS in this era. Drawing insights from the model of the body as social map by Mary Douglas in which the concern and fight around social boundaries are linked with purity rules and taboo; and the labeling/deviancy theory of Becker, this research reads the Gospel of Luke with a social-scientific lens selected texts in Luke’s Gospel depicting the attitude of Jesus to outcasts (lepers). It also raises the question, whether being a Christian, having the Bible as a resource in the Yoruba context does or can make a difference to the way Yoruba people respond to sick people in an HIV and AIDS era. The empirical study was carried out in the Yoruba community of Ijebu Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria employed research methods which include the Tripolar exegetical method, an ethnographic study through focus group discussions, non-participatory observation and the contextual Bible study method. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Assignment (M. Div.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This assignment deals with the question of whether and how it is possible to preach about texts on the last judgment in the New Testament under the premise of a merciful God. This question will be approached from a hermeneutical angle. Therefore the researcher will, after some introductory comments, deal with two different texts about the last judgment (Luk 16:19-31 and Rev 20:11-15) and investigate them exegetically. This will form a large part of the assignment. After the exegesis, a homiletical as well as a systematical reflection will be done on these specific biblical texts. Each of these chapters will conclude with a draft of a sermon on the texts, showing what a possible sermon on these texts may look like. In the last chapter, the researcher will summarize the approaches she used on her way from the biblical texts to the sermons. A general outline of different approaches depicting how a sermon on the last judgment in the New Testament can be done is followed. The researcher will come to the conclusion that it is possible to preach about the last judgment in the New Testament under the premise of a merciful God. She shows this in dealing with the biblical texts in exegetical and contextual, rhetorical and historical, theological and homiletical ways. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werkstuk handel oor die vraag of en inderdaad hoe dit moontlik is om te preek oor tekste wat handel oor die laaste oordeel in die Nuwe Testament vanuit die veronderstelling van ‘n genadige God. Hierdie vraag sal benader word vanuit ‘n hermeneutiese hoek. In hierdie verband sal die navorser, na ‘n paar inleidende opmerkings, handel met twee verskillende tekste oor die laaste oordeel nl. Luk 16:19-31 and Openbaring 20:11-15. Hierdie tekste sal eksegeties ondersoek word en dit sal ‘n groot deel uitmaak van hierdie werkstuk. Na die eksegese sal ‘n homiletiese sowel as ‘n sistematiese refleksie gedoen word oor hierdie spesifieke Bybeltekste. Elk van hierdie hoofstukke sal afgesluit word met ‘n preekontwerp van die teks wat sal dien as voorstel hoe ‘n moontlike preek oor die betrokke teks sal kan lyk. Binne die laaste hoofstuk sal die navorser ‘n opsomming maak van al die benaderings deur haar gebruik op haar weg vanaf die Bybelse tekste na die preke. ‘n Algemene raamwerk van die verskillende benaderings wat voorstel hoe ‘n preek oor die laaste oordeel in die Nuwe Testament gedoen kan word sal hierop volg. Die navorser sal dan tot die gevolgtrekking kom dat dit wel moontlik is om oor die laaste oordeel in die Nuwe Testament te preek vanuit die veronderstelling van ‘n genadige God. Dit dui sy aan deur op ‘n eksegetiese en kontekstuele, ‘n retoriese en historiese, en op ‘n teologiese en homiletiese wyse te handel met die Bybeltekste.

This dissertation develops a God-centered understanding of forgiveness based on the context of God's redemptive history and derived from His two great commandments. Chapter 1 surveys the forgiveness literature, points out the divergent views of twelve aspects of forgiveness, and builds a case for the need of an explicitly theocentric model of forgiveness. Chapter 2 begins with an overview of redemptive history and its implications for understanding forgiveness, and then provides a biblical and theological understanding of divine love. The intimate connection between love and forgiveness is demonstrated from Scripture and explained as a precursor to developing a theocentric definition of forgiveness. Chapter 3 starts with an overview of the major theological omissions of the prevailing clinical models of forgiveness---the centrality of God, doctrine of sin, and primacy of Jesus Christ. Then, the theocentric definition of forgiveness is used to address and develop the twelve aspects of forgiveness, looking also at the communal aspects of each issue. Chapter 4 develops a Christian psychology of unforgiveness and forgiveness by examining the dynamics within the soul. A model for moving from unforgiveness to forgiveness is offered, which focuses on developing a heart of love, and entails a growing intimacy with, identity in, and imitation of Christ. Chapter 5 offers concluding thoughts and reflections and recaps the theme that runs through the dissertation---the process of moving from unforgiveness to forgiveness is a primary process of sanctification. Implications of a theocentric understanding are briefly discussed for the areas of clinical research, Christian counseling, the body of Christ, and the life of the believer. Finally, significant areas for further research are highlighted. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

Zusammenfassung Diese Untersuchung besteht aus sechs Hauptpunkten. Nach der Einleitung (I.) zum Thema, werden unter II. verschiedene Begriffe definiert und die Inhalte gegenüber verwandten Gebieten abgegrenzt. Als dritter Hauptpunkt (III.) folgt eine Untersuchung zu den klassischen Typologien der Pflichtenkollisionen. Dieses Thema wurde in der Vergangenheit in der Theologie und Philosophie immer wieder breit diskutiert. Unter IV. werden die Pflichtenkollisionen im lukanischen Doppelwerk untersucht. Diese exegetische Analyse soll aufzeigen, wie Jesus und die Apostel solchen Situationen begegnen und damit umgegangen sind. In diesem Zusammenhang wird auch die Frage nach möglicher Schuld, als Konsequenz, untersucht. Der fünfte Hauptpunkt (V.) beschäftigt sich mit dem richtigen Verhalten in Pflichtenkollisionen. Einerseits wird die Position des Autors näher begründet und andererseits ein Vorschlag für eine Wertreihenfolge als Richtschnur im Konfliktfall angeboten. Im letzten Teil (VI.) werden die Erkenntnisse der Untersuchung auf sieben konkreten Fälle von Pflichtenkollisionen aus der Gemeinde und der Geschäftswelt praktisch angewendet. / This analysis consists of six main sections. Following the introduction of the theme (I), various terms are defined (II), and the contents are distinguished from related topics, with pertinent reasons given. The third (III) section consists of the results of my research on the classic typologies of conflicting duties. In the past, this subject has been widely discussed in the theological and philosophical circles. In the fourth (IV) section, conflicting duties are examined in light of Luke's writings. The goal of this exegetic analysis is to show how Jesus and the apostles met such situations, and how they dealt with them. In connection with this topic, the question of possible guilt, as a consequence, is researched. The fifth (V) section deals with proper behaviour toward conflicting duties. On one hand, the position of the author is established, and on the other hand a proposal is offered for a prioritization of values as a guiding principle in conflict situations. In the last section (VI), the findings of the research are applied practically to seven concrete examples of conflicting duties within the church and society. / Systematic Theology & Theological Ethics / M. Th. (Theological Ethics)

Text in German / Taking the plurality of methods in Biblical studies as starting point this dissertation shows a way to coherent interpretation message. An analysis of the current state and its long history identifies characteristics preventing clear interpretation results as well as ways to work out coherent interpretation messages. It is accompanied by five interpretations of Luke 10:25-37. An interdisciplinary excursus examines the legal interpretation with its claim of clarity. Three levels of interpretation are considered as essential for an adequate process of interpretation: 1. Clarification of the literal meaning on the basis of a historical exegesis. The author calls for the interdisciplinary cooperation of the methods and introduces a synthesis of methods. 2. Consideration of the reception history of texts. Special attention is given to the authority of interpretation in the Roman Catholic Church. The author regards "interpretive communities" as an alternative option. 3. The Holy Spirit's influence on the process of interpretation. Also in post-modern times interpreters need to "inhabit" the biblical texts. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M.Th. (New Testament)

This dissertation investigates the relationship between the Holy Spirit, ethnic identity and the ‘other’ in Luke-Acts. I argue that the Spirit is the central figure in the formation of a new social identity that affirms, yet chastens and transcends ethnic identity. The investigation is informed methodologically by social identity theory (discussed in chapter 2), a branch of social psychology that examines the effects of group membership upon human identity and intergroup relations. Chapters 3 and 4 investigate the relationship between privileged social identity, the influence of the Spirit and the allocation of group resources to the ‘other’ in Luke 1-4. I conclude that there is an identifiable relationship between the presence of the Spirit and the extension of in-group benefits to the ‘other’. Chapters 5 through 8 enquire into the role of the Spirit in Acts 1-15. In chapters 5 and 6 I identify the Pentecost narrative as the initial clue to the place of ethnic identity within the Jesus movement and the role of the early community in the formation of an allocentrically oriented social identity. In chapters 7 and 8 attention is directed to the role of the Spirit in both the orchestration of intergroup contact and the identification of those rightly related to God. Luke’s use of ‘ethnic language’ alerts us to the precision with which he approaches this topic. I conclude that Luke is convinced of an inseparable relationship between the Spirit and human identity that robustly affirms ethnicity nested within one’s identity as a member of the Jesus group. The existence of this Spirit-formed identity allows for profound expressions of interethnic reconciliation in Luke-Acts. This conclusion grants a broader role to the Spirit in Luke-Acts than the current scholarly consensus which suggests that Luke views the Spirit as the Old Testament/Second Temple ‘Spirit of prophecy’.