This study investigates the reception of Isaiah 6:9-10 in the New Testament, in order to establish whether the interpretation of this authoritative text has remained stable, or has been altered through many hands and years. Furthermore, the question is posed, ‘what does this mean (if anything) for contemporary Biblical interpretation?’ It is clear that the New Testament authors (i.e. Mark, Matthew, Luke and John) employed Isaiah 6:9-10 in different contexts and for different purposes. However, it is argued that these various interpretations do not violate the original sense of the verses as they appeared in the context of the book of Isaiah. Instead, it appears that the New Testament authors have recognized in these verses a resemblance to their own respective circumstances and have subsequently adapted Isaiah 6:9-10 in appropriate and relevant ways to their own respective circumstances. This is similar to what contemporary Bible interpreters do. In the end, it is acknowledged that a Biblical text needs to be interpreted in light of its original setting, but also in light of new contexts, if we take seriously the fact that the Bible is the living word of God. Thus, it is recognized that the Biblical text is the product of both human and divine authorship. As such, the Biblical text has a particular interpretation related to the specific historical context in which it originated, but the Biblical text also transcends this context and offers truth that remains relevant for generations to come. / Dissertation (MTh)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / New Testament Studies / MTh / Unrestricted

Urban planning needs to address the future role of transport infrastructure in cities. Due to previous planning ideals, our cities consist of transport networks that stand in conflict with ambitions to create dense and multifunctional urban environments, decrease pollution, and create safe urban space. Here, the urban street is a measure that enables new multifunctional solutions for transport infrastructures. This thesis, therefore, investigates street redevelopment projects in relation to the Swedish planning process, which is assessed through five case studies of street redevelopment projects in Swedish cities. Interviews combined with a desktop study are utilised as methods. The theoretical framework of obduracy and socio-technical transitions is applied to understand the mechanisms behind the hindering- and enabling factors present in the projects.  Our results show that hindering factors exist on the interpersonal scale in the projects between planners and planning departments, internally within the municipalities between planning organisation and politics, and externally between different actor groups such as public and state actors. Hindering factors are also identified in the physical infrastructure and historical context of the streets where older planning ideals still influence the physical and societal preconditions of the street networks. These factors slowed down the planning processes and led to compromises in aim and vision. It is not evident that the formal planning process should change in order to overcome these obstacles. Rather, it is the cooperation and coordination between actors that mainly determines the functionality of the process. Successful strategies in the projects have been; anchoring projects in municipal goals, combining incorporating different urban planning aspects and departments, municipalities as main actors, carefully assessing the location and context and integrating street redevelopment projects with broader development projects.