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In the context of the continuity of Christology into ecclesiology, this thesis investigates the implications of a Docetic Christology and its consequences in the life of the church. Against the background of the development of orthodoxy and heresy in earliest Christianity it indicates a docetic Christological/ecclesiological parallel found in the Gnostic dualist tradition, countered by the catholic one of a growing orthodoxy, and the continuing influences and implications in Alexandrian theology. It notes in this setting the implicit docetic tendency in 'heretical' thought to undermine salvation history (t'eilsgeschichte), as well as the element of timeliness which could separate orthodoxy from heresy. It proceeds by looking at the exegesis of the New Testament and the Fathers of the church which indicates a Christological/ecclesiological continuity. From this context it examines the understanding of Christ as tradition and Christ as corporate which continues into the Middle Ages. It illustrates further, how concepts such as martyrdom and suffering bear an implicit relationship to Christology and ecclesiology. In considering the views of medieval movements in the context of more orthodox understandings of their age, it explores the continuity of themes found in them from early heresy, particularly dualism and its effects. It notes in particular the role of Platonism in theological interpretation, and considers the place of the establishment of the church in the legitimising of a Christological/ ecclesiological view. These themes and concepts combine to demonstrate the implications of dokesis within an alternative understanding of the church, with the rejection of an incarnational theology, and the development of new criteria for Christian life. In this respect it questions how the immediacy of mystical and spiritual experience relates to ecclesiology. Taking into account the appeal to primitivism as a motive for reform which undermined the medieval synthesis and its doctrine of society, it reviews the late medieval concept of the invisible church, which prepared the way for the Reformation. In this setting it examines the recurring themes which appear, and concludes by outlining the implications of ecclesiological docesis for the church of today.

Considerable misunderstanding has accompanied the life and doctrine of early nineteenth century British pastor and theologian, Edward Irving. Although commended for his noble character and ministerial excellence, his Christology aroused a st Preliminary tasks preceded our concluding assessment of Irving's doctrine in the context of controversy. After placing Irving and the controversy in historical perspective, we presented a careful study of the essential components of Irving's i We arrived at the following conclusion. From the writings of Irving's opponents, including the trial reports, we detected a definite docetic Christological tendency, particularly similar to the ancient Eutychean error.

The mystery of Jesus Christ's life in reflections of guests and staff of Radio Proglas The thesis is written at the Department of Dogmatic and Fundamental Theology of Catholic Theological Faculty of Charles University in Prague under the lead of prof. Ctirad V. Pospíšil, Th.D. The main source of author's research is the collection of 230 minutes of Radio Proglas programme called "Myšlenka na den" (The Thought of the Day). This collection is analyzed form the point of the view of Christology and soteriology. The second source is the theological literature, especially the prof. Ctirad V. Pospíšil's monography Jesus of Nazareth, Lord and Saviour, which is used as the theoretical base of the thesis. This theoretical base is illustrated by appropriate texts from the programme "Myšlenka na den". "Myšlenka na den" is the everyday programme: a reflection, where its author contemplates and comments the events of the civic and liturgical year. It is a personal reflection of people of Christian faith. The authors of "Myšlenka na den", guests and staff of Radio Proglas, are in 90 per cents of Roman Catholic confession. Among them are bishops, priests, laypersons with basic or higher theological education. Radio Proglas has the ecumenical dimension. Therefore the programme is also prepared - in appropriate proportion -...

The aim of this study is the analysis of social concepts of honor and identity in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In the first chapter, the research problem is formulated and the appropriate methodology, which could address the issue under investigation, is chosen. It was observed, that in the social studies of the New Testament texts, the key analytical categories – honor, identity and (social) values, – as well as the correlation between them, were not properly defined. At the same time, the text of the letter to the Philippians demonstrates that to aspire for honor is not totally rejected within Christian community (1:20; 2:29; 3:14). The discourse analysis (discovery of social patterns embedded in the text) was taken as main methodological approach; clarifying of social concepts and text analysis were main tools used to test the hypothesis: In his letter to the Philippians, Paul does not argue to reject honor as a social value, yet he promotes a new identity and new source of honor; aspiration to honor within one’s group remains the same for non-Christians and for “heavenly society.” In the second chapter, the main terminology is defined. So, “value” is an often non-verbalized, invisible conception, which determines one’s understanding of the desirable or rationality. The same values can have different embodiments in different cultures; the same values can be shared by different groups. Identity is based on the visible manifestations of a culture; people of different identities can share the same values. Honor is a positive evaluation of one’s behavior; it is very significant for every collectivistic society. The source of honor is at the same time the source of identity: the one whose opinion matters, whose approval is valuable is the one with whom a person associates/identifies him/herself. In the third chapter, the language of identity in the letter to the Philippians is analyzed. Paul pays a lot of attention to his readers’ new identity “in Christ.” He accentuates their distance from the non-members of the group (negative identity); he insists on their unity, mutual support, and call to leave aside any inner quarrel or competitiveness in order to concentrate on the survival and development of the “in-Christ” group. His own example of changed identity demonstrates that Christ gives Paul both a sense of belonging and a sense of worth. Strong orientation of the members of the Christian commune to their group reflects the common dependence of an individual on his/hew group in collectivist societies. In the fourth chapter, the issue of honor in the text of Philippians is investigated. The Christological hymn (Phil 2:6-11) and its context presents the only appropriate way of behavior and hence, gaining honor within the “in-Christ” community: God is the only honor-bestower; one must stay loyal to the community and obedient to its leaders despite suffering and death. Paul’s account of his own experience demonstrates that he is anxious about honor, yet he seeks it exclusively in terms of the “in-Christ” group: God is the only source of honor; hence honor must be achieved strictly via loyal service to God and his group. Any attempt to gain honor in competition with other members of the “in-Christ” group is interpreted as treason, as it denies the status of God as the only honor-bestower. In the fifth chapter, the findings of the research are summarized. It is concluded that social values of “heavenly society” are very much the same as those of a non-Christian society. Belonging to a group and positive evaluation of such a group (honor) – relational values common for Mediterranean cultures – are still most significant for the “in-Christ” group members. The only thing which is changed is identity (and hence, the source of honor): for Christians, God and Christ are an exclusive source of identity and an exclusive source of honor. Hence, the “in-Christ” group and the outer world both share the value of honor; the only difference between them is the source of that honor (i.e. identity). Values remain the same, identity is different. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

[pt] As igrejas batistas possuem características singulares, como o princípio da autonomia da igreja local. Cada congregação é uma unidade autônoma, ligada às demais pelo vínculo denominacional, através da Convenção Batista Brasileira, Convenções estaduais e Associações regionais. A autonomia da igreja local favorece a diversidade cúltica, pois cada igreja é livre para adotar o seu estilo. Embora seja um belo e essencial princípio batista, a autonomia favorece a pluralidade litúrgica, muitas vezes com a daninha influência de elementos que comprometem a centralidade cristológica no culto, como a liturgia neopentecostal, as literaturas de mercado e a ausência de reflexão teológica. O conhecimento da Teologia do Culto Cristão, mesmo em tradições diferentes, que até mesmo antecederam à tradição batista, é um caminho necessário para o resgate da centralidade cristológica no culto. Esse resgate das riquezas da tradição cúltica em diálogo com as igrejas batistas permitirá uma leitura justa e coerente da denominação batista, oferecendo respostas para os possíveis problemas de esvaziamento da centralidade cristológica no culto. Uma vez que o universo batista brasileiro, ou até mesmo fluminense, é muito amplo, para fins de análise da realidade litúrgica das igrejas batistas, com dados advindos de momento empírico na pesquisa, fez-se um corte geográfico na região litorânea fluminense, focando a pesquisa exclusivamente com as igrejas vinculadas à Associação Batista Litorânea Fluminense. A pesquisa, que alcançou membros de aproximadamente 90 por cento das referidas igrejas, além de pastores e seminaristas (estudantes de Teologia), revelou realidades que confirmam a necessidade da proposta de resgate da centralidade cristológica no culto, sendo fonte de pesquisa e reflexão para as igrejas batistas. Embora as igrejas batistas não adotem nenhum calendário ou manual litúrgico, mesmo diante do princípio de autonomia de cada congregação local, há uma fé batista , há uma tradição que perdura gerações. Seria um prejuízo às igrejas batistas e seus cultos virarem as costas ao assunto. O objetivo não é uniformizar o culto batista, até mesmo porque isso feriria frontalmente o jeito batista de ser . Pelo contrário, o objetivo é oferecer respostas, é dar subsídio para uma reflexão teológica consistente, capaz de fomentar valores imprescindíveis para o culto verdadeiramente cristológico e expurgar influências negativas. / [en] Baptist churches hold unique characteristics, like the autonomy principle of local churches. Every single congregation is an autonomous unit, bound to the other ones by the denominational tie, through Brazilian Baptist Convention, state Conventions and regional Associations. The local church autonomy benefits the service diversity since each church is free to adopt its own style. Although it may be a beautiful and essencial Baptist principle, the autonomy favors liturgical plurality, often with harmful influence elements that puts into risk the christological centricity at services, like the neopentecostal liturgy, the gospel literatures available on the market and the lack of theological reflection. The knowledge of the Christian service theology, even in different traditions, including those ones that preceded the Baptist tradition, is a necessary way to rescue the christological centricity at services. This rescue of the service tradition wealth together with the Baptist churches will allow a fair and coherent reading of the Baptist denomination, offering aswers to the possibles problems of the emptying in the service christological centricity. Once the Brazilian Baptist universe, or even the Rio de Janeiro one, is very wide, with the purpose of analysing the liturgical reality of Baptist churches, with data resulted from an empirical moment in the research, it was made a geographical cut in the coastal region of Rio de Janeiro, focusing exclusively on the churches linked to the Baptist Association of Rio de Janeiro coastal cities. The research, that reached members of nearly 90 percent of those churches, besides pastors and seminarists (Theology students), revealed realities that confirm the necessity of the proposed rescue of the service christological centricity, becoming source of research and reflection to Baptist churches. Although Baptist churches do not adopt any calendar or liturgical manual, even in the face of the autonomy principle of each local congregation, there is a Baptist faith , there is a tradition that lasts generations. It would be a loss to Baptist churches and their services to ignore the matter. The objective is not to uniform the Baptist service, even because this would completely harm the way of being Baptist. On the contrary, the objective is to offer answers, to give support to a solid theological reflection, capable of fomenting essencial values to a true christological service and expurgate negative influences.

This thesis examines the citation of Ps 68(67).19 in Eph 4.8. Following an introduction that introduces the problem of the altered wording in the citation in Eph 4.8, chapter 2 comprises a History of Research that is organised around the possible sources for the author’s citation in Eph 4.8. One of several conclusions made is that the proclivity of NT scholars to attribute the source text to particular Jewish traditions has contributed to overlooking the import of Ps 68(67).19 within a normal pattern of christological reading of the Psalms in early Christianity. Following these opening chapters, the thesis is divided broadly into Part One and Part Two. The first is deconstructive in nature; the second is constructive. Part One examines textual traditions of Ps 68(67).19 within Justin Martyr, the Peshitta Psalter, and Targum Psalms. Each of these sources share the reading ‘give’ rather than ‘receive’, raising the question of the relationship between these traditions and Eph 4.8. Chapter 3 examines Justin’s Dialogue with Trypho, which contains two citations of Ps 68(67).19 that strongly resemble Ephesians. Nevertheless, as nearly all interpreters acknowledge, Justin never refers directly to ‘Paul’ or ‘Pauline’ letters in any of his writings. Is the parallel wording of Justin’s citations evidence for an early Christian tradition that was also available to Ephesians? I argue that although unmentioned by name, a reasonable case can be made that Justin is familiar with the Pauline corpus, including Eph 4.8. Chapter 4 considers the evidence of Peshitta Psalms, which agrees with the reading of Eph 4.8 in a strand of its copyist tradition. After examining scholarly construals of the Peshitta MS tradition, I consider direct evidence for the influence of Eph 4.8 upon some Peshitta MSS as intimated by Theodore of Mopsuestia. Chapter 5 examines Targum Psalms, focusing on translation techniques and the targumist’s tendency to add, alter, or modify his source in various ways. I argue that when the targumist’s techniques and tendencies are taken into consideration, the targum’s reading ‘give’ is better understood as a typical targumic insertion. The proclivity of many scholars to link Targum Psalms to Eph 4.8 is a classic example of ‘parallelomania’. Part Two turns to make a constructive case for the citation found in Eph 4.8. Chapter 6 is a close examination of the author of Ephesians’ approach to literary borrowing. I consider both his citations from the Jewish scriptures and his use of Colossians as evidence. Chapter 7 examines how early Christians read the biblical Psalms as prophecies. Following a survey of Jewish readings of the Psalms, this chapter surveys how early Christians read the Psalms in light of the death and resurrection- exaltation of Christ. Drawing insights from this, chapter 8 turns to consider the phrases ‘he ascended . . . he gave gifts’ in Eph 4.8. I argue that an ambiguity of the addressee in the text of Ps 68(67).19 allowed for the application of this text to Christ. Moreover, the ‘ascent’ language could easily be applied to the resurrection- exaltation and this association naturally led to the language of gift-giving in Eph 4.8. Chapter 9 considers how the citation of Ps 68(67).19 fits into the context of Ephesians 4, focusing on several important factors such as the language of descent in Eph 4.9–10. Part One and Part Two are followed by a short conclusion that summarises the thesis and draws out several conclusions and implications based upon this study.

In this inquiry I pursue two tasks. First, I locate the roots of Heidegger's philosophical project historically within a specific theological discourse bent on redefining the relation between religion and politics. Heidegger's main, if covert, intent was to combat the egalitarian, pluralistic impulses carried by a tradition of critical Christology, which leads from F.W.J. Schelling's (1775-1854) Philosophy of Revelation to the work of the radical theologian-philosopher Paul Tillich (1886-1965). These egalitarian impulses spring from a broadened understanding of religious community as a material communication community unified through the use of shared symbols into a community of understanding, knowledge, and interests. The theoretical expansion and deepening of such a communication model, I detect in the writings of the renegade Neogrammarian, Hermann Paul, here considered in light of the "neo-Idealist" initiative of one of Paul's most prominent critics, the Romanist Karl Vossler. Prior to the advanced theological exposition of symbolically mediated communication, in works such as Tillich's book Dynamics of Faith (2001; Engl. orig.1957), the Neogrammarian movement in language studies, I argue, holds the key to accessing the cloaked Christological subtext of Heidegger's thought. Second, after thus locating Heidegger's philosophical agenda within its intellectual-historical context, I expose how Heidegger manipulates philosophical rhetoric to achieve the suspension of Schelling's theological legacy. My analysis of Heidegger's rhetorical behavior is focused on his Letter on Humanism (written 1946, published 1949), a text very overt in both its philosophical biases and its politics. The Humanismusbrief comes the closest to revealing Heidegger's own self-positioning within his generation. The work's conclusion provides a brief look ahead, or Ausblick, to indicate the main features of how these findings about the Letter can be brought to bear on Heidegger's masterpiece fragment, Being and Time. Through this approach, Heidegger's inherently political philosophy gains a much clearer profile in the context of its formative phase in the waning days of the Weimar Republic and opens a new perspective on later attempts by its author to "re-apply" his philosophical program to the cultural situation of postwar Germany, as well as to the ethical-epistemological problems remaining after twelve years of German isolationism. / text

The author of the Gospel of John recorded the seven miracle accounts in his book and named them distinctively as shmei/on (‘sign’), while in the Synoptics the miracles are usually called du,namij (‘mighty deed’). This particular term signifies that the miracles of Jesus in this Gospel are significant occasions which carry associative theological messages. Thus Johannine research has always had a great deal of interest in this specific field. The important interpretative point to note is that the individual sign does not exist on its own but reciprocates the influence to the associated discourses on the revelatory mentions of Jesus and/or operates together with other signs in the specific features of its macro context. Thus the delivery of the message is maximised. As a result of the comprehensive analysis of the whole signs, it is clear that the author of this Gospel elaborately arranges seven signs, and thus draws his theological messages most efficiently. The main concern of shmei/a in this Gospel is to expose the Christological portraits of Jesus and some related theological themes. The divine identities of Jesus that are exposed by the signs are, for example, ‘the eschatological bridegroom,’ ‘the provider of eternal life,’ ‘the bringer of the eschatological salvation,’ and ‘the Messiah/Christ/King.’ Some related theological themes that are conveyed through the signs are, for example, ‘the replacement of the Jewish tradition,’ ‘the significance of a faith in Jesus,’ ‘glorification of Jesus,’ ‘unbelief,’ and ‘the discipleship.’ It is thus clear that the Johannine signs are written so that people may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing people may have Life in His name (cf. 20:31). / Dissertation (MTh.)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

This thesis gives an overview of Jesus in the basic sources of Islam, the Qur'an and Sunnah. In a brief biography of Prophet Muhammad, it deals with the influence of Christians in his life. It follows the creation of the Qur'an and mentions some aspects of its doctrine. The thesis selects the Qur'anic verses about Christians and especially those which are related directly or indirectly to Jesus. It analyzes the meaning of the names, which the Qur'an assigns to Jesus. The selected Hadiths, in which some of the names of Jesus appear, are systematized into thematic areas. The thesis observe the role that this Islamic tradition assigns to him. It compares the differences between the view on Jesus in Islam and Christianity. It notes that there are different meanings in both religions under the same sounding names and titles of Jesus. The thesis brings reason why the image of Jesus in Islam is different. It shows whether the person of Jesus can be the object and starting point for interreligious dialogue. In conclusion, it offers the possibilities of inspiration for restoring Christian faith by Muslim Jesus.