Doctoral Degrees (Old and New Testament)

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The crucifixion and death of Jesus in Mark 15:21-41, from the perspective of its redaction history in the New Testament gospels
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-03-02) Hombana, Mphumezi; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation investigates how the passion narrative tradition (crucifixion and death) of Jesus is redacted in the four New Testament gospels. In other words, how Matthew, Luke, and John interpreted the Markan passion narrative for their unique contexts. To answer this research question adequately, the issue of the four gospels’ relationships has been researched extensively. This study accepts Markan priority as the credible position in the synoptic puzzle. It also assumes that the Fourth Gospel has some form of a relationship with Mark, unlike Matthew and Luke. In this regard the question is seen to be not if John used the Synoptic Gospels as a literary source but if he responded to them or the tradition that had arisen from them. Hence, this study first attempted to investigate how the passion narrative developed from tradition into the Markan narrative account. The goal of this exercise was to provide the background for the entire study. Since Mark was the first canonical gospel that was written, this study shows how Matthew, Luke, and John redacted Mark 15:21-41. The research methodology employed in this study is redaction criticism. It is guided by the notion that a redaction-critical examination of Matthew, Luke, and John (the first existing sources to interpret Mark) can provide key details about how Jesus’ disciples read Mark 15:21-41 in the first century. As a result, this in-depth examination of these events (i.e., Jesus’ crucifixion and death) may yield a plausible understanding of Mark 15:21-41. This project contributes to the ongoing debate about the relationship between John and the Synoptic Gospels that is central to the fourth quest for the historical Jesus. Even though the study largely reaffirms the findings of various studies that have worked on segments of the text analysed, the approached is novel in that it combines the analysis of three canonical Gospels as redactors of Mark 15:21-41. It is hoped that this study, which has been undertaken on African soil by an African scholar will encourage other African scholars to work on the Greek text itself.
Die interpretasie van die vervullingsitate in Matteus aan die hand van ironie as pragmatiese taalkomponent
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12) Conradie, Jacobus Petrus; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
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Identity formation and the Gospel of Matthew : a socio-narrative reading
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12-02) Negewo, Tekalign Duguma; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the assumption that texts have identity-forming roles, this study attempted to answer the question: Why does the author of the Gospel of Matthew include non-Judean characters in his narrative? To explore a possible answer to this question, I coined and used the socio-narrative reading method, which merges socio-scientific criticism, narrative criticism, and semiological reading through social identity, characterisation, and semiotic theories as a heuristic interpretive tool. I contend that the implied author of Matthew used the non-Judean characters to form the identity of the ideal readers’ community. This community is not a specific, isolated community, but an imagined 1st-century group of people, i.e., an ideal readers’ community, who could read, grasp, and accept the ideology1 propagated by the Gospel of Matthew as it was expressed by the implied author in the narrative. Many Matthean scholars have pointed to the role of the non-Judean characters in the Matthean narrative as having implications for the mission to the non-Judeans, but without providing a theoretical basis. I argue that Ronald Barthes’ semiological reading method, specifically the second order meaning of stories, fills this lacuna in Matthean scholarship. Furthermore, most of the studies on the non-Judean characters in the Gospel of Matthew considered them as a reflection of the addressed community. However, I contend that these characters have an identity forming role. I argue that, on the one hand, the implied author used the negatively stereotyped non-Judeans in the Matthean Jesus’ teaching (i.e. Matt. 5:47; 6:7; 6:32; 18:17; and 20:19), which are exemplified in the stories of the negatively characterised non-Judean individuals such as the Gadarenes (Matt. 8:32-34), Pilate (Matt. 27:1-6; 27:62-66), and the Roman soldiers (Matt. 27: 27-28:15), to demonstrate the “otherness”, the “outsiderness” of the non-Judeans. On the other hand, the positively characterised non-Judeans in the genealogy account (Matt. 1:1-17), the Magi (Matt. 2:1-12), the centurion (Matt. 8:5-13), and the Canaanite woman (Matt. 15: 21-28) are used in the Matthean narrative to form the identity of 1 In this disseretation ideology has the meaning of what the implied author wants to promote, shuch as in the first century context in which the idea of non-Judeans being a part of God’s people and rightful beneficries of the kingdom blessings was contested, the implied author promote the possibility of the non-Judeans being a part of such people. the ideal readers’ community. If the positively characterised non-Judeans were shown to be rightful beneficiaries of the messianic blessings, the social boundary that excluded non-Judeans, who were perceived as others and outsiders in relation to God’s people, is either compromised or demolished. Therefore, the positive and negative characterisations of non-Judeans in the Matthean narrative have a role in forming the identity of the ideal readers’ community.
The implications of honour and shame in Matthew 5:38-42 and in Unhu philosophy as a response to the political violence in Zimbabwe
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-11) Gusha, Tapiwa Huggins; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research sought to understand how honour and shame are defined in both Matt. 5:38-42 and Unhu Philosophy, and how they can be analysed alongside each other as a possible way of curbing political violence in Zimbabwe. To explore the possibility of how the Matthean Jesus’ context illuminate the Zimbabwean context the researcher used Social Scientific Exegesis to answer three critical questions; how are the values of honour and shame defined in Matthew 5:38-42?, what is Unhu philosophy and how do the concepts of honour and shame feature within it?, what are the differences and similarities between understandings of honour and shame in Jesus’ ethics as reflected in Matt. 5:38-42 and the way honour and shame feature in Unhu Philosophy? This research contains six chapters. Chapter one is the introduction providing the aim and focus of the study, research questions, the importance of the study and the methodology. Chapter two focused on honour and shame in Matthew as well as the understanding of honour and shame in the Jewish and Greco-Roman world behind the text. Chapter three gives an overview of the Sermon on the Mount and undertakes the Social-Scientific exegesis of Matt. 5:38-42. Chapter four provided a general overview of the African context and investigated how the Bible should be interpreted from a Postcolonial perspective. Chapter five focused on honour and shame in Unhu Philosophy and chapter six concluded the research by indicating similarities and divergences between the Matthean Jesus’ context and the Unhu Philosophy oriented Zimbabwean context. The research identified some similarities in the role played by the values of honour and shame in the Matthean Jesus’ community and the Zimbabwean community in as far as violence was/is concerned. This research established that the Matthean Jesus’ approach to violence as captured in Matt. 5:38-42 was different from his contemporaries. While the Matthean Jesus participated in the game of honour and shame he also changed the game’s rules. This research concluded that if the custodians of Jesus’ ethics i.e., the Church adopt the Matthean Jesus’ approach she might contribute effectively to the stopping the vicious circle of political violence in Zimbabwe and contribute positively to the dialogue of national healing and reconciliation.
Luke’s use of Abraham as a social identity marker in Luke-Acts
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03 ) Van Groeningen, David ; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation aims to explore the significance of the figure of Abraham as a social identity marker in the Gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. The study analyses each passage in which Abraham is presented in Luke-Acts in order to understand how he is used as a social identity marker in each passage. The verses in which Abraham is present are the following: Luke 1:55, 73; 3:8; 13:16, 28; 16:19–31; 19:9; 20:37; Acts 3:13, 25; 7:1–8; 13:26. In each passage, that Abraham functions in some ways as a uniting figure and in others as a dividing figure. In some cases, he shows that those who act against the well-being of the group “Children of Abraham” are actually outside of this group, even though they thought themselves to be part of the group. In other cases, the boundaries of the group are widened to include people who were previously beyond the boundaries of the group. Abraham is thus used to make clear who is part of the social group “Children of Abraham” and who is not. Questions regarding the relationship between Jewish people and Gentiles, and about how Abraham speaks to these questions, are also raised in the dissertation. As will be discussed in the dissertation, scholars have raised questions regarding Luke’s relationship with Judaism, with one suggesting that Luke reaches a mostly Jewish audience almost to the exclusion of Gentiles while another suggests that Luke intends to do away with Judaism entirely, with other views in between. Because of the importance of the figure of Abraham to Judaism, the researcher believes that analysing Luke’s use of Abraham as a social identity marker can contribute to answering these questions. In the final chapter, the dissertation will summarise the content that has been discussed, discuss how the research question has been answered, and suggest areas for further research.
Reconciliation in the Gospel of Luke : a socio-historical study
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-08-18) Etukumana, Godwin Akpan; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the concept of reconciliation in the Gospel of Luke by using a sociohistorical approach. The interaction of Luke with both the Greco-Roman and the Jewish worlds necessitated that both be studied. The investigation of the concept of reconciliation in Greco-Roman society revealed that it occurred in all aspects of society. Giving a sacrifice, praying, sharing a meal, drinking from the same cup, exchanging a gift, and healings were identified as enactments of reconciliation. Gods and humans acted as mediators of reconciliation, which sought the common good for the empire and restored the wellbeing of everyone. The Jewish concept of reconciliation encompasses two intersectional expressions: a vertical reconciliation with God and a horizontal reconciliation with other people. The dichotomy between the sacred and the profane created a gulf which separated humanity from God. Rituals such as offerings for atonement, through which the profanity was removed, played an important part in restoring the relationship between God and Israel. In the prophetic tradition listening to the voice of God, as revealed by the prophets, became the means through which Israel could reconcile with God. In chapter 4 the Greco-Roman and the Old Testament understandings of reconciliation were compared. It was ascertained that actions like prayers, healings, giving sacrifices, sharing meals and exchanges occurred in both. In the Jewish world priests and prophets were mediating agents on behalf of the people, whereas in the Greco-Roman world the mediating agents were primarily the priests. In Greco-Roman society, the gods themselves acted as mediating agents. The motivations for reconciliation were also similar. Chapter 5 focused on Jesus’ missio reconciliatio in Luke 1:1-4:13; 4:14-9:50 and 9:51-19:27. It argued that Luke did not use any of the common terms of his time for reconciliation in order to develop an ethic of reconciliation. Luke 15:11-32 was analysed as an example of the teaching of Jesus. This parable reiterated that Luke indeed speaks about reconciliation even though he does not use the common Greek terms for reconciliation. The chapter also focused on Jesus’ enactments of reconciliation through the healing of those with leprosy (Luke 5:12- 16; 17:11-19). The final aspect of the Lukan understanding of reconciliation discussed was his narrative of the passion of Jesus (Luke 19:28-24:53). Chapter 6 argued that in the remembrance meal that Jesus carried out with his disciples, the cup he shared was a symbol of his blood. This was an allusion to the Old Testament practice of reconciliation through blood. The suffering of Jesus in the Passion Narrative depicts Jesus as the fulfilment of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah, who was to take the transgression of his people on himself in order to reconcile them with God and to inaugurate the era of reconciliation through suffering. In terms of the research problem that this study set out to address, it is clear that Luke’s Gospel has a theology of reconciliation that is evident in its description of the actions and words of Jesus. For Luke, reconciliation implies the removal of the underlying cause, sin against God, and its effect on humanity. Jesus demonstrated to humanity through his teachings and actions what it means to be reconciled.
The role of genealogies in the antiquities of the Jews and the Gospel of Matthew : a comparative study
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-02 ) Amante, Motuma Badassa; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the genealogies in the Gospel of Matthew and Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews to understand their role in shaping identity within specific religious and historical contexts. The introductory chapter of the study highlights the relevance of genealogies in the Ethiopian Church, the two texts’ historical backgrounds, and the research method used in the study. Chapters Two and Three include a detailed analysis of genealogies in the Old Testament, focussing on Genesis, 1 Chronicles, and Ruth to lay the groundwork for understanding Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. Chapter Three focusses on Matthew’s genealogy, emphasising its intertextual connections with the Old Testament and its theological focus on Jesus’ Messianic identity and the inclusion of both Jewish and non-Jewish persons in the lineage of Jesus. Chapter Four shifts focus to Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews, exploring his use of genealogical material. It highlights Josephus’ portrayal of Jewish identity through genealogies and the differences in its emphasis compared to Matthew, notably the absence of a direct genealogical line from David to Jesus. Chapter Five consists of a comparative analysis between the genealogies in Matthew and Josephus’ works, unveiling divergent aims and approaches. While Matthew emphasises Jesus’ role in God’s redemptive plan and inclusivity of both Jews and non-Jews, Josephus focussed on constructing Jewish identity around a common ancestor, Abraham, to garner favour from the Romans. The study’s main research question, formulated in Chapter One, addresses the multifaceted role of genealogies in these texts, transcending biological constructs to encapsulate relational, historical, and contextual/theological dimensions. The study reveals the distinct approaches of Matthew and Josephus, showcasing their intentions and the divergence of their audiences. The secondary questions focus on the differences in their use of genealogical concepts, the unique roles of figures like Abraham in establishing group identity, and the significance of genealogies in shaping identities in a particular society. Overall, this dissertation provides a comprehensive examination of genealogies in the Gospel of Matthew and the Antiquities of the Jews, revealing their intricate roles in shaping group identities, theological implications, and historical contexts in the ancient world.
The Synagogue as locus of ministry in Luke-Acts : a socio-historical study of Luke 4:16-30
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04) Silas, Dogara Turrang; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
ENGLISH ABSTRACTS: ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focused on three interrelated matters. The first is the synagogue as an ancient institution, the second is Luke’s depiction of the synagogue as a locale for ministry in LukeActs and the third is the pivotal role Luke 4:16-30 plays in Luke’s depiction of Jesus’ ministry. The synagogue is one of the most important institutions of antiquity in that it was not only central to Judaism, but also left indelible marks on both Christianity and Islam. The gospel writers provide us with some information on how the synagogue as an institution played an important role in Jesus’ life and ministry. It is also clear that attending the services of the synagogue was customary for both Paul and Jesus and that for both of them it served as an important locale for their teaching and preaching. An overview of recent studies indicated that there are new approaches to the origin of the synagogue that covers its spatial, liturgical, non-liturgical and institutional aspect. While reference was made to all four aspects of the synagogue, attention was given primarily to the non-liturgical aspect of the synagogue, which focusses on the religio-political life of the people. The study of the origin and function of the synagogue has shown that it is shrouded in mystery and may never be fully known. However, the synagogue was clearly a well-known institution in both Palestine and in the Diaspora in the 1st century and the intertestamental period. The survey of the origin of the synagogue indicated that it addressed the religious, social and political needs of the people. The study also undertook a survey of the synagogue in the New Testament which revealed that the New Testament understanding of the synagogue aligned with the practices of the ancient synagogue. However, some functions of the ancient synagogue as analysed are not found in the New Testament while others that are mentioned in the New Testament are not found in the ancient synagogue. This indicates just how contextual the function of the synagogue was. A description of the socio-historical context of Luke-Acts as well as how it is structured as a literary work, was also considered. In terms of the literary structure of Luke-Acts, the research determined that it is legitimate to treat them together; and that the synagogue is a key aspect in both. The synagogue in Luke-Act was also considered. It is clear that both Jesus and Paul used the synagogue as a locale for preaching the message of the Kingdom. The study has also shown that the role of the synagogue described in both Luke and Acts aligns with the rules of the synagogue as discussed in Chapter Two, but that not all the roles discussed in the ancient synagogue are replicated in Luke. The socio-historical study of the synagogue in Luke-Acts, and particularly Luke 4:16-30, showed that the beneficiaries of Jesus’ message were the socially and economically disadvantaged people in his society. In the conclusion the results of the study were briefly applied to Nigeria where poverty has ravaged the lives of many people. The study indicated that Jesus wanted to reform the synagogue as a religio-political institution to again fulfil its role in addressing the needs of its community. The Nigerian church needs to replicate this. However, while the Nigerian churches operate similarly to association synagogues, the need is to implement Jesus’ strategy of transforming public synagogues. Thus, an ecumenical approach is needed to affectively address the needs of the faith communities Nigeria.
The Torah and community formation : a comparative study of Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 22:34-40
(2017-03) Mekonnen, Endale Sebsebe; Punt, Jeremy; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. Old and New Testament.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Previous studies on Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 22:34-40 have indicated the centrality of love therein while downplaying the role of the Law in the two documents. These studies also did not consider the role of Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 22:34-40 within the overall arguments of the two books and in respect to their specific communities of Jesus followers. To date, there has also not been a study specifically devoted to comparing these two texts in order to investigate the role of the Law in their different communities of Jesus followers. This research aims to fill this lacuna in New Testament studies. This study analyses the respective rhetorical units in Romans and Matthew in order to examine the role of the Law in the identity formation process of the Jesus followers as they saw it. It attempts to answer two specific research questions: (1) What is the role of the summary of the Law in Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 22:34-40? (2) What are Paul’s and Matthew’s positions in regard to the role of the Law according to the letter to the Romans and the Gospel of Matthew? This study utilised the socio-rhetorical method developed by Vernon Robbins. However, only two aspects of his multidisciplinary approach, namely the study of the inner- and the intertexture are used. A text-focused hermeneutical approach is employed due to the length of the respective books and the complexity of the issues they raise. The argumentative texture of Romans 13:8-14 focusses on the underlying assumptions of the argument, the presupposed audience and the relationship between the Law and love. The study of Matthew 22:34-40 investigated the repetitive texture, the topical progression of νομός and ἁγάπη, the narrative pattern, and the opening, middle and closing argumentative texture of Matthew 22:34-40. The intertextual study investigated the intertexture of Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 22:34-40 to the Hebrew Bible, LXX, and Second Temple Jewish and Greco-Roman literature. The texts were also compared to discern the convergence and divergence of the two books (Romans and Matthew) on specific topics. Finally, the role of Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 22:34-40 was investigated and analysed. The research findings on Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 22:34-40 is that for Jesus followers, Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 22:34-40 present the commandments of the Law under the name of love to shape their perceptible identity. To love God or one’s neighbour means ultimately to obey the commandments of the Law. It is the commandments of the Law that are actually practised under the name of love, for love is avoiding evil and doing good as prescribed in the commandments of the Law. Furthermore, the research concluded that the Gospel of Matthew is not an anti-Pauline text, instead the two texts converge in important aspects of the Law while the divergence is accounted for in their specific genre and concern.

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Old and New Testament) by browse.metadata.advisor "Nel, Marius Johannes"

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