The goal of this dissertation is to provide a framework for examining the metaphor of Jesus as king throughout the Fourth Gospel. This dissertation argues that the theme of Jesus as king provides one of the unifying themes of John's overall message, blending familial, pastoral, sensory, and judicial metaphors with the metaphor of Jesus as king. This allows for a cohesive depiction of Jesus' kingship that begins in John 1 as Jesus is introduced as king and leads to the climactic vision of Jesus' "exaltation" as king on the cross. This dissertation uses an interdisciplinary theory of metaphor that incorporates elements of cognitive and systemic functional linguistic approaches with literary approaches. This examination assesses the place of the Old Testament metaphors of Messiah, "eternal life/life of the age," shepherd, and exaltation in the conceptual metaphorical network of the kingship metaphor and addresses how these metaphors function in John's Gospel to provide a cohesive and dynamic depiction of Jesus' identity as king, the just character of his kingship, the subversion of power implicit in his crucified form of kingship, and the necessity of response to Jesus as king and his reign. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Georgia State University, 2008. / Title from file title page. Philo Hutcheson, committee chair ; Phill Gagne, Susan Talburt, Wayne Urban, committee members. Description based on contents viewed Sept. 28, 2009. Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-175).

No description available.

This thesis explores the histories of mild to moderate depression and the use of over the counter (OTC) St. John’s wort (St. John’s wort) during the 1990s. In doing so it not only investigates the diagnosis and definition of mental illnesses, it also raises questions about the interface between conventional and alternative medicine. Using a variety of printed sources, including popular media articles, scientific and medical journal publications, and St. John’s wort self-help books, a number of historical themes are explored. This thesis takes issue with existing medical historical studies of depression. Firstly it is argued that they have presented progressive depression histories. Secondly, it is suggested that they have retrospectively diagnosed depression on the basis of similar symptoms. It is therefore argued that illness is specific to the time in which it exists and should be understood within its own historical timeframe. During the 1990s standardised St. John’s wort was promoted as a natural and safe remedy. Adverts and media reports also highlighted the fact that it had a long medical history. Although this thesis establishes that the plant has been traditionally used to treat physical illnesses, it seems that a growing distrust of conventional antidepressants, combined with an established interest in alternative medicine, encouraged some lay people to use the remedy to treat mild mood disorders. It is further argued that lay people have a history of self-treating minor mental illnesses using preparatory and OTC remedies such as preparatory nerve tonics. Not only did lay people desire autonomous treatments, it also seems that standardised St. John’s wort provided a functional role as an OTC remedy. By the 1990s the concepts of responsible self-care and self-treatment were being actively encouraged by medical authorities. Therefore this thesis reclassifies the passive mild to moderately depressed patient as an active consumer. Following an analysis of the popular media it is suggested that the 1990s coverage of depression and its treatments was confusing. Indeed, depression and its treatment with conventional medicines and St. John’s wort were sometimes presented as part of a wider life style choice. Finally, it is argued that by the 1990s standardised St. John’s wort received the same scientific and medical scrutiny as conventional medicines. It is therefore suggested that the remedy represents a situation in which the boundaries between conventional and alternative medicines have become increasingly indistinguishable.

No description available.

This thesis explores Karl Barth's use of John's Gospel in the Church Dogmatics. It seeks to read John with Barth, tracing the roles which the Fourth Gospel plays in his theology, while identifying gaps and distortions in Barth's use of John. Another interpreter of John, Rudolph Bultmann, is also significant: despite early parallels, much of Barth's theology is shaped by his deep disagreement with Bultmann. The first two chapters therefore discuss the beginnings of dialectical theology. Bultmann and Barth retreat from systems of thought which have overwhelmed theology and have changed its subject matter. They look to the scriptures in seeking to develop theology which is genuinely about God, but hold different assumptions about the place and form of revelation. Chapter 3 considers Bultmann's existentialist interpretation of John. Chapters 4 to 9 examine a series of different aspects of Barth's use of the story of Jesus in John's Gospel. Although Barth emphasises the picture of Jesus Christ shown through his actions, he is more of a strategist than a story-teller. He presents the Word made flesh in a way which allows him to restructure the whole of theology so that it looks towards Jesus Christ rather than fitting in with human systems of ideas. His emphasis on divine decision and his exploration of the content of theology contrast with Bultmann's focus on individual human decisions. The role of other characters is diminished, and the narrative sequence of the story is compressed and distorted by Barth's emphasis on the paramount significance of God's decision to be incarnate. The dualism of John's Gospel, which becomes a dualism of human decision in Bultmann's theology, becomes a dualism of knowledge and falsehood in the Church Dogmatics, in which the real drama of the story is not the interactions between the characters but the struggle to proclaim the truth. Chapter 10 contains some concluding reflections on the wider implications of John's Gospel, showing how Barth's retreat and restructuring could be followed by a process of reengagement with all areas of truth and experience.

Thesis (M.M.S.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2000. / Bibliography: p. 58-59.

Thesis (M.M.S.), Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999. / Bibliography: p. 71-75.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. / Bibliography: leaves 90-100.

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. / Bibliography: leaves 168-173.