Browsing by Author "Silas, Dogara Turrang"

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    A social-scientific study of the Parable of the Shrewd Steward in Luke 16:1-9
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-02-18) Silas, Dogara Turrang; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The understanding of the parable of the shrewd steward in Luke 16:1-9 has been problematic throughout its interpretive history. The main challenge is Jesus’ praise and commendation of the dishonest acts of the steward therein. In Nigeria, if not in most African societies, where there is a need for faithful stewards, one is left confused about how to understand that a master would praise the dishonest act of his steward in a context in which corruption has become a way of life. This study was undertaken on the assumption that, of the different genres used by Jesus during his earthly ministry, the most familiar and striking are the parables, which comprise one third of Jesus’ teaching. The importance of the parables in terms of understanding Jesus’ history, ethics and self-understanding cannot be overemphasised. The parables challenge their readers because, despite their superficial simplicity, they convey key insights into the nature of the Kingdom of God. In this study, the parables are understood in line with the meaning of the Hebrew Mashal and the Greek parabole, as referring to a proverb, a riddle or a metaphor used to convince and persuade hearers. In this study, the literary context of the parable of the shrewd steward was examined, as well as its demarcation. The study suggests that, even if the parable told by the historical Jesus may have ended in v. 8a, Luke has added a number of sayings that reveal his understanding of the parable as being about the correct use of wealth and possessions in the light of the coming Kingdom of God. An annotated translation of Luke 16:1-9 is also provided. Using a social scientific method in order to understand the text in terms of its social context, the parable was read verse by verse and the function of stewards in the first century was clarified. It is argued that a steward was an estate manager and thus someone in the position of a considerable amount of authority and trust. The steward in the parable under consideration was the responsible agent to whom the absentee master had entrusted a great deal. It thus is clear that a steward like the one in Luke 16 was highly placed in the household bureaucracy of the rich and powerful elite. The theological perspective of the text in question was also brought to light. The words of Jesus in v. 9, on the use of worldly possessions to make friends, necessitated considering Luke’s concept of wealth and possessions in the light of the coming Kingdom of God. It was argued that, in this parable, Luke intended to criticise the wrong use of wealth and possessions. The social system suggested in the text, which includes honour and shame, the patron-client relationships, benefaction, hospitality and the economic situation in the first century, was also investigated as explaining key values in the first-century Greco-Roman world. The application of the text in question to the contemporary Nigeria, and southern Kaduna in particular, was furthermore surveyed. The survey revealed that African scholars, like scholars on other continents, are also struggling with the interpretative problems posed by the parable under consideration. The African scholars also agreed with their counterparts on other continents that the focus of the parable is not on the dishonest acts of the steward, but on his shrewdness. The parable stresses that believers should be faithful stewards by responding appropriately to the coming kingdom of God by using their possessions to care for the poor.  
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    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.