Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-136).

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 113-118.

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. / Restricted until May 1998. Bibliography: leaves 146-150.

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 91-94.

Athanasius’ three letters to Serapion were the first comprehensive writings to discuss the divinity of the Holy Spirit. The letter written by Serapion bishop of Thmuis to Athanasius asked him how to deal with a group in the Nile Delta, the Tropici, who denied the deity of the Holy Spirit. Athanasius was in his third exile when he received Serapion’s request. The letters are replete with biblical references in order to support his defense of the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Particularly prominent are the Johannine texts; the Gospel of John and 1 John are cited more than ninety times. This dissertation demonstrates Athanasius’ reliance on John’s writings for the composition of his Letters to Serapion, as well as provides a preliminary exploration of the links between John and Athanasius’ pneumatology. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In Johannine studies, the interpretation of σημεία is diverse. Traditionally, scholars tend to support that seven signs are chosen in John’s Gospel to structure Jesus’ public ministry (John 1:20—12:50). Some scholars, influenced by Bultmann’s hypothesis of a signs-source, scrutinize the underlying source, redaction, or traditions about the Johannine σημεία; others employ the literary narrative approach using either a Western or an ancient literary framework. Still others examine σημεία through a theological thematic lens chosen from John or the Old Testament. However, two fundamental questions remain unresolved: (1) Does John mean to include only seven signs to structure the public ministry when signs are claimed in the conclusion to be the theme of the Gospel (John 20:30-31)? (2) What among the many things Jesus does in the account qualify as signs for John? From a new perspective, this research points out that the Johannine σημεία, as specified in the text, refer to Jesus’ body as the new temple (his death and resurrection, John 2:18-22) and the provision of manna as the signs (John 6:30-35) forming the foundation for interpreting the use and selection of σημεῖα in John. This indicates a relationship between Jesus’ signs and the tabernacle signs which involve complex metaphors and associations including non-tabernacle signs in the OT in structuring the Gospel in its final form (John 20:30-31). Using a comparative method adapted from Hasan’s sociolinguistic theory of contextual configuration, I argue that Jesus’ signs represent the functions of the four tabernacle signs (a pot of manna, Aaron’s staff, the bronze altar cover, and the bronze serpent) along with other metaphors and associations in three phases (John 1-5; 6-12; 13-21) through which to reveal his grace and life-giving power and to authenticate his identity. Ultimately, through Jesus’ “all inclusive” σημεΐον in his Passion—the self-sacrificial crucifixion, resurrection, and appearances—his believers become the children of God and their faith is built not by seeing signs but by following Jesus’ words (i.e. loving one another and caring for other believers’ needs) to love him daily so that they have life in him. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Chapter 9, interpreted in terms of its macro-micro structure, fits into the overall literary and theological framework of the Book of Signs. The controversy between Jesus and the Jewish leaders depicted in chapters 7-10 is taken up by Chapter 9 in a particular manner. This study employs the socio-rhetorical perspective to critically investigate the notion of discipleship. It differs from previous studies as they were undertaken from the historical, socio-scientific and narrative perspectives, and Robbins' sociorhetorical methodology is applied to the Chapter 9 in order to dissect the notion of discipleship as a theological problem. In Chapter 9, the blind man emerges as the paradigm of the disciple as he exemplifies the principle of John 8.12. The `Jews', concerned with their need both for self-definition and the survival of Judaism, attempt to contain the growth of Christianity. The conflict is conceived as a `conflict between darkness and light' and the healed man emerges as a hero of the community. His triumph over darkness contrasts him with the Pharisees who misguidedly follow the way of darkness and reject God's self-revelation. To summarize, by applying for the first time a multidimensional and comprehensive approach to John 9, three important characteristics of discipleship in the Fourth Gospel emerge: (1) it is not just simple enthusiasm and zeal, but rather a firm commitment, and strong and courageous determination to bear witness based upon an experience of the divine. Disciples are required to maintain their readiness for struggles, even death, for the sake of their faith; (2) discipleship is conceived as redefining the believer's covenant relationship with God which takes place through Jesus' identity and work. Therefore, the notion of `disciples of Moses' is no longer defensible; (3) discipleship is nothing less than a `discipleship into light' since it implies a duty to plead everywhere and always the cause of the Light in the sphere of darkness and in the world dominated by many kinds of ideologies (religious, cultural, political, etc.). The disciple must be prepared to be marginalized, not only by the dominant society, but also by his/her own family and familiar world. / NEW TESTAMENT / DTH (NEW TESTAMENT)

[pt] A dissertação apresenta um minucioso e atualizado estudo, com bibliografia ainda desconhecida no Brasil, acerca das relações entre os termos da titulação cristológica, que releva-se do v.12, e o desenvolvimento de uma teologia do Tempo, como experiência soteriológica cristã. As conexões com a tradição de Qumran e aquela dos Sinóticos insere o texto joanino no âmbito do proto-Cristianismo. / [en] The present dissertation shows, by means of an unknown bibliography in Brazil, a thorough and up-to-date study on the relations between the Christological terms which emerge from the verse 12 and the development of a Time`s Theology in the scope of the Early Christianity, as a Soteriological experience of the Apocaliptical johannine literature. The connections to the Qumran tradition and that from the Sinotic inserts the Johannine text on the scope of the Proto-Christianity.

Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-133).

Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-133).