Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / As the title indicates, our study is focused on a theological interpretation of the city in Isaiah
24-27 from the point of view of God’s judgment and salvation. The main reason for the study
is that in Isaiah 24-27, the city plays a very significant role. The research therefore employs
the socio-rhetorical approach which is a method that explores a multi-dimensional way of
dealing with the text.
Applying Robbins’ (1966a & b) textural analysis to the text of Isaiah 24-27, the inner and
inter textures are examined in order to demonstrate the narrator’s rhetorical strategy. Through
the prophetic genre of judgement and salvation, the narrator challenges the audience/reader to
change their minds and attitudes, especially about the city. The challenge is that the fortified
city alone would never provide safety and peace but rather bring God’s judgment. In contrast,
God alone provides salvation and protection through God’s reign on Mount Zion/Jerusalem. It
is shown that this rhetorical strategy is deeply embedded in the social and cultural context.
The expectation was that the historical and political chaos which was triggered by
international pressures and Israel’s unfaithfulness and injustice might cause Israel to reflect on
what happened and what would happen to the city in God’s eschatological time. The
rhetorical strategy also highlights the eschatological-apocalyptic character of the text and the
author of Isaiah 24-27 uses it to focus on the ideological and theological textures by means of
which he warned that “Zion theology” could become “Zion ideology” if it became located
beyond prophetic voice and criticism.
Furthermore, it is shown that the theological texture highlights God’s theological viewpoint
that is symbolized by subjects such as universalism and the restoration of Zion/Jerusalem
through judgment and salvation both of which are dialectically reflected in the destiny of the
city of Zion/Jerusalem. At a deeper level, this theological engagement is based on God’s
steadfast covenant love and justice, through which, God as husband and king, makes a
demand on the city Jerusalem/Zion, the wife and the faith community. We have attempted to
show from Isaiah 24-27 that God’s kingship is expressed in an apocalyptic manner which is
beyond human power and intervention in order to emphasize God’s absolute sovereignty in
controlling human destiny, especially the city. In line with the odd literary genre of the text,
there still exist traditional prophetic thoughts which demand human responsibility on issues
such as repentance, execution of social justice and righteousness in life.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1111 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Kim, Jin-Hak |
| Contributors | Bosman, H. L., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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