The Song of the Vineyard, Isaiah 5:1-7, portrays YHWH as a vinedresser who has carefully prepared land and planted a choice vine, a symbol of the people whom the deity has chosen. When the reasonable expectation that the vine produce good fruit is thwarted, the vinedresser destroys the vineyard. YHWH, the vinedresser, may seem to be characterised by these actions as a demanding god who will swiftly and harshly recompense any failure to meet expectations. This thesis poses the hypothesis that although this brief song may at first seemingly present a monochromatic characterisation of YHWH, it may actually present a spectrum of characterisations when viewed through multiple interpretive lenses. Socio-rhetorical criticism is the methodology used to examine this hypothesis. This methodology, developed by Vernon K. Robbins, encompasses diverse interpretive approaches, examining five aspects, or “textures,” of the text to obtain a broad interpretive spectrum. In this thesis, three of the textures, innertexture, intertexture, and socio-cultural texture, are considered in separate chapters. The chapter on innertexture examines the world of the text itself, in particular its progressive nature and emotive content. The next chapter examines the intertextural relationship between this Isaian song and two other ancient songs (The Song of the Reed Sea and the Song of Moses), associative references to Sodom, and parallels with the Song of Solomon. The chapter on the socio-cultural texture examines the portrayal of YHWH in light of the socio-economics and socio-cultural values of the world of the story, eighth century B.C.E. Judah. Through this interpretive lense, YHWH is seen as a patron or benefactor who has been dishonoured by his people. In socio-rhetorical criticism, ideology is often presented as a separate texture; in this thesis, it is considered as part of the act of interpretation of all textures, since readers’ ideologies interact with the text. The sacred texture, the last of Robbins’ proposed textures, is presented as the conclusion, with a summary of the spectrum of characterisations of YHWH that the multi-lensed interpretive approach uncovers. The conclusion also includes suggested implications of these finds for the community of faith. / Old Testament & Ancient Near Eastern Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies)

[pt] O livro de Joel poder ser considerado uma unidade teologicamente unificada dentro da literatura profética por causa da temática do yôm YHWH. O contexto de Jl 2,12-18 é de uma catástrofe natural que provoca a carestia e ausência dos produtos necessários para subsistência. Diante desta situação de crise, o povo de Judá-Jerusalém vive uma condição de apatia espiritual. Ainda há, no entanto, esperança de que por meio de uma ação litúrgica se possa mudar este contexto desfavorável. O profeta, então, seguindo a convocação de YHWH, interpela a comunidade para que ela possa fazer o processo de retorno a Ele. É neste contexto que se desvela o tema do yôm YHWH. Este yôm não é considerado uma ameaça para o bem estar da comunidade. Ao contrário, o yôm YHWH é interpretado como um dia de salvação para Judá-Jerusalém, porque YHWH é um refúgio e uma proteção para seu povo. O chamado do profeta para retornar a YHWH é interpretado como uma convocação para o povo honrá-lo, demonstrando uma renovada lealdade e confiança com gestos sinceros demonstrados por ritos religiosos. O sentido último deste retorno para YHWH não se refere aos pecados do povo. Este retorno expressa o desejo sincero de retornar e ouvir a palavra de YHWH, novamente, numa situação de aflição. Neste contexto, retomada a relação de comunhão entre a comunidade e YHWH, o povo aceita a oferta da graça divina e retorna para Ele, com todo seu coração. YHWH não somente restaura os bens materiais a seu povo, mas oferece seu coração e seu próprio ser. Ele retorna para Judá-Jerusalém, enquanto seu povo também retorna a Ele. / [en] The book of Joel can be considered a unit theologically unified within the prophetic literature because of the theme of yôm YHWH. The context of Jl 2:12- 18 is a natural catastrophe that causes famine and lack of necessary products for subsistence. Facing this situation of crisis, the people of Judah-Jerusalem live a condition of spiritual apathy. There is still, however, hope that through a liturgical action is to change this unfavorable context. The prophet, then, following the call of YHWH, calls out to the community to make the process of returning to Him. In this context that unveils the theme of yôm YHWH. This yôm is not considered a threat to the welfare of the community. Instead, the yôm YHWH is interpreted as a day of salvation for Judah-Jerusalem, because YHWH is a refuge and a protection for his people. The prophetic call to return to YHWH is interpreted as a call for the people honor Him, demonstrating a renewed loyalty and trust with sincere gestures demonstrated by religious rites. Ultimate meaning of this return to YHWH does not refer to the sins of the people. This return expresses a sincere desire to return and hear the word of YHWH, again, in a situation of distress. In this context, the retaking of communion relationship between the community and YHWH, the people accept the offer of divine grace and return to Him with all your heart. YHWH restores not only material goods to his people, but his heart and offers its own being. He returns to Judah-Jerusalem, while his people also return to Him.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-27T13:49:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ronaldo Manoel da Silva.pdf: 357568 bytes, checksum: f16b9cf3cca7cff6142ffe99ba5c4244 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-04-27 / In this research paper, I try to analyse the prophetic actions of Dom Antonio Ribeiro de Oliveira when he was Metropolitan Archbishop of Goiânia. The dissertation is divided into three chapters, the first presents historical elements of the Archdiocese of Goiânia, starting with the presence of the first colonizers who reached the region. In the second chapter, the theoretical references are presented: biblical and theological foundations and a sociological overview, using classics of sociology of religion, especially works of Otto Maduro. In the third chapter I try to define in detail why certain specific pastoral acts of Dom Antonio can be considered prophetical, using the references exposed in the previous chapter. Finally, in the conclusion I try to prove the hypothesis presented in the beginning. Considering the historical, social and eclesial circumstance of the Archdiocese, which influenced Dom Antonio in his pastoral activity it is possible to affirm that his action can be characterized as prophetic, using the referentials adopted. Those acts also influenced the historical, social and eclesial formation of the society in which he lived and worked as Archbishop. / Neste trabalho de pesquisa, buscou-se analisar as ações proféticas de Dom Antonio Ribeiro de Oliveira, enquanto arcebispo metropolitano da Arquidiocese de Goiânia. Dividida em três capítulos, a dissertação traz, no primeiro, elementos históricos dessa Arquidiocese, partindo da presença dos primeiros colonizadores que foram ocupando a região. No segundo, o referencial teórico: as mediações bíblico-teológicas e a ótica sociológica, valendo-se de clássicos da sociologia da religião e, particularmente, de Otto Maduro. No terceiro capítulo buscou-se definir, com detalhes, determinadas ações pastorais de Dom Antonio, e por que estas podem ser consideradas proféticas, valendo-se do referencial trabalhado do capítulo anterior. Por fim, na conclusão procurouse comprovar a hipótese apresentada inicialmente. E considerando as circunstâncias histórico-social e eclesial da Arquidiocese que influenciaram Dom Antonio em suas atividades pastorais e a partir do referencial adotado, pode-se afirmar que ações suas caracterizam-se como proféticas. Como tais, essas ações influenciaram também na formação histórico-social e eclesial da sociedade em que viveu e atuou como Arcebispo.

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This dissertation of limited scope explored via a qualitative reflective approach how pastoral therapy and care practices contributed to workplace transformation and ethics at a factory that had to be restored to profitability. In Chapter 1, the study's research curiosity questions how pastoral therapy and care practices could inform business in its resistance of workplace trauma and injustice. The epistemology of contextual theology and social constructionism is reviewed in Chapter 2 in its support of the research. Themes and ideas such as; participatory ethical care, ethics, the prophetic role, narratives, workplace culture, witnessing and participant awareness and empowerment are applied to workplace culture transformation. Chapter 3 explores the factory's dominant story of low morale, financial loss and feelings of no hope for the future in context of discourses of capitalism. In resistance to the dominant story, Chapter 4 focuses on practices and experiences that supported the factory's alternative story and Chapter 5 reviews the factory's alternative story in context of purposeful transformation practice. Chapter 6 concludes the study by reflecting on the research curiosity, the research aims and the researcher's development. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th ((Specialising Past Therapy) Practical Theology)

The paper is concerned with the synchronic analysis of two ancient texts, i. e. 2 Kings 3, and the Mesha´s stele. Both of them mention an Israelite-Moabite conflict, and it is said they contain two different reports of the same event. The purpose of this thesis is to reconsider this assertion. Both texts were analyzed and their respective literary genres were determined. Then the texts were compared with regard to the aforementioned conflict. At the end of the paper the author concludes, it is neither possible to affirm with any certainty, that both texts reflect the same historical event, nor to disprove it.

Consecrated life or religious life as it is sometimes called within the Catholic Church is almost as old as Christianity. All baptised persons are consecrated persons by virtue of their baptism, but the consecrated life to which some people feel called, is a special and fruitful deepening of the consecration received in baptism and confirmation.. This dissertation explores Christian spirituality as it is manifested in consecrated life with relation to inculturation and religious life. The scope has been limited to a study of one congregation, the Companions of St Angela as a case study. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Christian Spirituality)

This thesis evaluates the nature and role of `the glory of the Lord,' hwhy-dwbk, in Ezekiel 1-24. The introductory chapter will present the relevance of the topic as well as purview the scope of the thesis and the structure of its presentation. Chapter two lays an interpretive foundation for the glory pericope within a central theme in the book of Ezekiel. The intended impact on the exilic audience is discerned through examining the characteristic features of the hwhy-dwbk in Chapter 3. Chapter four identifies three functions of the hwhy-dwbk . A final function of the hwhy-dwbk is explored in its relationship to `the son of adam' in chapter five. A summary of the hypothesis is provided in chapter 6 along with a conclusion. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M. A. (Old Testament)

This study looks into Malachi’s emphasis on the offering aspect of the cult within Israel’s prophetic heritage. Malachi presents a different attitude toward offerings than his pre-exilic predecessors who spoke harshly against the cult focusing on religion’s ethical and spiritual aspects. The thesis of this study argues that pre-exilic anti-cultic statements do not diminish or reject the cult per se but a corrupted form of it conditioned historically and religiously. Malachi’s post-exilic pro-cultic emphasis presents a different context in which criticism of the cult’s corrupted usage takes place while remaining positive toward the cult itself. The key to understanding properly both anti- and pro-cultic attacks on different aspects of the cult is the covenantal relationship with Yahweh. Malachi’s positive attitude toward offerings balances the anti-cultic prophetic heritage of Israel showing that there was never a rejection of the cult, only misunderstandings and misuses of it. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M. Th. (Old Testament)

Through his personal spiritual growth process and Jesus’ teachings and life, Paul became acutely aware of the vast differences between Prophetic Judaism and the Mystical Traditions in relation to the Temple Cult and Temple-ism in general. Paul’s own “history of religion” centred on Abraham’s Covenant as the first and preferred, unmediated, spiritual and universal model, against Moses’ priestly mediated cultic system designed basically for Jews. Therefore, Paul follows Jesus teachings and mission to “rip the dividing curtain” of the Jerusalem Temple (Heb 6:19, 20); so that all nations can be reconciled to God (Eph 2:11-18). Jesus re-negotiated “a new and better covenant” of God’s mercy through repentance to all. Cultic “regulations” and Jewishness as being a special “religious”, covenantal “qualification” is now outdated and rather were now dangerous myths in Paul’s new religion. Paul knew that bridging concepts and new interpretations of metaphors will have to be part of the transition. God did not need a final special blood cultic sacrifice; to the contrary, only some people needed one so that they can make the mental transition from a cultic religion to a spiritual and personal religion.To Paul, God was the unknown Father and the Essence of all creation and Jesus-Christ was their leader and master or lord. In the mystical sense however, “Christ” represented the real Spiritual essence of mankind; the image of God in mankind. The core of Paul’s soteriology is his growth and participational aspects which constitutes the salvation process and are closely linked. The salvific process starts in the first phase with conversion from cultic Temple-ism and weaning from cultic and ethnic “laws” through the teaching of, and participation in, the spiritual growth process of the “physical” Jesus while the Spirit within us is awakening. The latter heralds the start of the “second” mature spiritual phase of the resurrected and vindicated Christ; sensitising our conscience as our moral identity and source of internal motivation from the real Self; one lives intuitively from loving-kindness; you honour this Gift in your earthly vessel with a fitting response to life. The behavioural element is central and an absolute necessity in the salvific process and he never views it as being secondary. Christianity will have to revise simplistic “faith” to salvation dogmas and broaden its functional scope by again honouring the second personal and authentic spiritual growth phase to be able to manifest a better Kingdom with the aid of Human Beings. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)