Old Testament

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Browsing Old Testament by Subject "Bible -- Theology"

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    A biblical-theological investigation of the phenomenon of wonders surrounding Moses, Elijah and Jesus
    (University of the Free State, 2014-01) Van der Walt, John Stevens; Snyman, S. D.; Van Zyl, H. C.
    English: In the Canon of Scriptures, the phenomenon of miracles/wonders falls into three great Epochs. In the Old Testament there are two Epochs where decisive turning-points marked its course with an intensification of miracles/wonders. First, there are the wonders in the so-called plague narratives and during the “wilderness” in the Exodus tradition. Then, in the ministry of Elijah and Elisha (1 and 2 Kings), came the second Epoch. Both of them (Elijah and Elisha) did miraculous deeds. The third Epoch heralds the ministry of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. This study shows that there are similarities between wonders in the first and the third Epoch, and there are similarities between wonders in the second and the third Epoch, and even in all three. The researcher uses a narrative model which is a combination of existing narrative models, to point out the significance of the similarities between wonders in the three Epochs. Selected aspects used in the model, such as structures, settings, themes and motifs, highlight the fact that there must be a coherent Theological relationship between the three Epochs. Miracles in all three Epochs point to events (forwards and backwards) in the future and in the past, helping the reader to understand that the same God is at work, present, future and past. In all three Epochs the miracle stories give hope to people finding themselves in some kind of oppression. Their hope ultimately lies in God’s presence, shown in his miraculous acts through his agents, Moses and Elijah and his Son, Jesus. The thesis addresses the lack of a detailed examination on the theme of corresponding miracles in the miracle narratives surrounding the figures of Moses, Elijah and Jesus. In order to achieve the goal of a comprehensive narratological study, the model used by the researcher consists of two divisions: A. Preliminary reading and B. Closer investigation. The preliminary reading helps the researcher to get a grip on the narrative as a whole, but also to identify certain aesthetical elements such as structure, settings, themes and motifs, which the authors of the three different Epochs used to craft their miracle stories. The aesthetical “tools” of structure, settings, themes and motifs form the backbone of the study. They point right to the fact that there are similar aspects in miracle stories in the three Epochs. Hence, they show that, in the field of Biblical studies, a thematic approach opens up new possibilities to discuss the coherence between Old Testament and New Testament studies: The theme of “wonders” is one possibility. Hopefully, this dissertation will contribute to a debate (once more) which J.P. Gabler started way back in 1787 and which has been almost forgotten.
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    Die Verheißung der Beschneidung des Herzens aus Dtn 30,6 und ihre Aufnahme und Weiterentwicklung in den späteren Propheten
    (University of the Free State, 2014-03-07) Rühle, Hans Ludwig; Snyman, Fanie S. D.; Soltau, Kay
    English: This paper starts off with the prophecy of the circumcision of the heart from Deut 30:6. It is based on the thesis that this prophecy is very important for the structure and essential for the message of Deuteronomy as well as for the later prophets. Admittedly, the prophecy of the circumcised heart does not appear in any later book of the Old Testament as it does in Deut 30. Therefore, this paper proves how other prophecies and phrases made by the prophets hint towards or build upon this one. By analyzing key words and main topics of chapter 30, the outstanding meaning of the circumcision of the heart is laid out in the beginning. The reason for the people’s steady failure and disobedience was its uncircumcised heart. The people wasn’t able to know the LORD and to obey his law. Through the prophecy of the circumcision of the heart, God points out that only he is able to change men and that he is the one to do it. Deut 30:11-14 foreshadows the way in which God intends to transform the hearts. He wants to put his words into them and lead them to love and obey him. Through this fundamental change of the human heart, God will renew the covenant his people broke by sinning. The key words and main topics of Deut 30 give a pattern which was used to analyze the prophets. It became evident that this pattern was used differently. Even though the various prophets focus on different themes, it can be seen clearly that the three Major Prophets, as well as the book of the twelve coincide in their basic statement about the transformation of heart. The most important consensuses are in the characterization of the circumcised and uncircumcised heart, the inability of the people to repent, the major role God plays in repentance and the renewal of the covenant as well as the essential connection between the change of heart, repentance, and renewal of the Covenant. The prophets also agree on the consequences of transformed hearts. Furthermore, it can be seen that some statements in Deuteronomy are concretized and expanded on by the later prophets. These expansions include the prophecy of the Messiah, of Jerusalem and Zion, the salvation if pagans, and the forgiveness of sins. Taking together all the elements of the prophecies in the various books makes it now possible to describe the circumcision of the heart by God extensively: The circumcision of the heart causes men to love God and obey his word. It is done by being cleansed from sins and through the word and Spirit of God, which form the human character in a new and lasting way from the inside. Through this, the circumcision is made the basis of the coming renewal of the covenant, which will lead to an everlasting and unbreakable covenant fellowship between God and his people and later even to the pagans. The purpose of the circumcision of the heart is the glorification of God. He glorifies himself because he is the only Savior of his people and because he saves by grace. The people is going to glorify God because it loves God through the circumcision of the heart and lives in accordance to his laws. This paper shows the essential meaning of Deuteronomy for the later prophets. The prophecy of the future grace of God, and in accordance to that his glorification in the world, can be seen as what connects all of these books.