Doctoral Degrees (New Testament)

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/11660/486

Browse

Browsing Doctoral Degrees (New Testament) by Subject "Bible. N.T. Epistles of Paul -- Criticism, interpretation, etc."

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Die negative Konnotation des Heidenbegriffes: Fehldeutungen und Übersetzungsfehler im NT anhand der paulinischen Schriften
    (University of the Free State, 2007-04) Vindigni, Giovanni; Tolmie, Donald Francois
    English: The topic of this Doctor's thesis is “The negative connotation of the concept heathen/pagan”. Misinterpretations and translation errors in the NT illustrated by the Pauline writings”. It is an attempt to examine in a more differentiated fashion those parts of the New Testament, which have a long history of theological discussion, and protect them against one-sided and narrow interpretation. Upon closer examination of present academic research of the New Testament it can be noted that the German, French, Netherlands, Afrikaans and Anglo-American translations of the Greek term e;qnh are very irregular. Various commentaries ignore a full discussion of this term. The decision in favor of a specific translation appears to be made without careful consideration. Often non-Jews are labeled as heathen or pagan without considering the connotations of these terms under lexematic aspects, or the change in linguistic usage. The effects of the negligent rendering of the term e;qnh can be seen in the various fields of theology and its disciplines, particularly missiology and religious studies. The purpose of this doctor thesis is to provide a systematic, theological and hermeneutical contribution to this field of study. This is evident in the expression that is preferred in this study The Pauline understanding of non- Jewish non-Christians, which does not automatically bestow theological reflections on foreign religions. Besides the historical-philological consideration of the terminologies, which Paul uses to refer to non-Jewish non-Christians, the author analyzes basic theological concepts and semantic problems. The semantic examination of non-Jewish non-Christians can be divided into three main aspects. The terms Paul uses to determine this group of people, a;dikoj, a;pistoj and e;qnh have a negative connotation, i.e., lawlessness, unbelief, sin, idolatry, enmity with God and ethical demoralization. In analyzing the term a;dikoj, it can be determined that Paul himself disposes of certain patterns of judgement also known to the ekklesia, which he chooses. With avkrobusti,a Paul adopts the Jewish classification of humankind, which anticipates ethnic-religious collectives, and maintains the predestination of Jewish people symbolized by circumcision of the praeputium and the law corpora. However, Paul balances this polarity by Abrahamic sonship and the promises of salvation originally given to Israel as something which is available to all believers. This is based on Christ's death and resurrection for all humankind. It is no longer man's relationship to the law, i.e., the law-corpora, that distinguishes the sinners from the righteous, but man's position to the kerygma of the Kyrios1588 that determines salvation. Because the act of reconciliation through Christ includes and applies to non-Jewish non-Christians, Paul sees himself as an apostle to the non-Jews, the apostle of the Gentiles, who is committed to preach the gospel despite the imminent dangers of death. Unlike the rabbis, he no longer proclaims separation, but inclusion, for example instead of fearing defilement he sits at the table with non-Jews. The results of this doctor thesis offer a carefully analyzed modification of the traditional Jewish treatment of non-Jews in the context of mission. Paul himself being a Hellenist reflects the Hellenistic classification of humankind by using the terms ba,rbaroj and {Ellhn. He does not defame or polemize the hellenistic culture with his use of the term pagan. The presentation of Paul's view of the pagans would be incomplete without referring to the knowledge of God's law outside of the Thorah as seen in the context of Romans: “19 dio,ti to. gnwsto.n tou/ qeou/ fanero,n evstin evn auvtoi/j o` qeo.j ga.r auvtoi/ j evfane,rwsenÅ 20 ta. ga.r avo,rata auvtou/ avpo. kti,sewj ko,smou toi/j poih,masin noou,mena kaqora/tai( h[ te avi