Doctoral Degrees (Old and New Testament)
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- ItemWealth at the end of the age : a comparative study of the function and nature of wealth and possessions in selected Pauline letters and Dead Sea scrolls(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03 ) Lamberti, Walter; Punt, Jeremy; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis I seek to determine how and why two first century communities differ in their economic expressions of a shared apocalyptic worldview within their respective social contexts? The two communities in question is the Pauline community represented by 1 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians and the Qumran Community represented by The Damascus Document and The Community Rule. In neither case do I view the communities mentioned as monolithic but, instead regard them as sharing enough of a conceptual identity so as to be treated as a whole for the purpose of this analysis. The rationale for the comparison is driven by their contemporaneity and their shared apocalyptic outlook on the world. The relevance of an apocalyptic worldview is that within the apocalyptic perspective wealth tends to be viewed with suspicion and calumniated as that which is held within the grasp of evil and utilized within a fallen world system—a perspective is epitomized in the writings of 1 Enoch. I therefore explore the ways in which such an apocalyptic or Enochic tradition is worked out in the contexts of these two communities. I determine that significant differences are observable in the way wealth is viewed and handled both intra-communally and with regards to the outside world. These differences extend beyond the mere outworking of differing social contexts and are primarily the result of differing controlling paradigms which serve to imbue their respective apocalyptic outlooks with their unique characteristics. This controlling paradigm in the case of the Qumran community is covenant fidelity and in the case of the Pauline community, the Christ-event. The result is not only a differing view of wealth simpliciter but consequently also a distinct approach to wealth and possessions in terms of praxis.
- ItemLuke’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.
- ItemThe Noah flood narrative within the context of cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe : an exegetical and hermeneutical study of Genesis 6:5 – 9:17(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-02 ) Chisango, Andrew; Jonker, Louis C.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research entails an investigation into the interpretation of the Genesis Flood story (Genesis 6-9) by Zimbabwean Christians in the Chipinge and Chimanimani areas. The special focus is on finding out the impact that the flooding during Cyclone Idai had on their understanding of the biblical flood narrative. A close look into most of Zimbabwean church leaders and ordinary readers’ appropriations of biblical narratives indicates that they tend to ignore historical-critical and social-scientific methods of biblical interpretation and prefer allegorical and/or literary self-projective reading methods. This kind of reading of the scriptures is applied to the Genesis flood story by most preachers and readers in the Chipinge and Chimanimani areas that had the most damage during Cyclone Idai in 2019. This has far-reaching implications both for how they make sense of the devastating event of the cyclone, as well as on how they may re ad the entire Bible in specific contexts. The research wants to study the methodological implications those Zimbabwean interpretations have for doing critical-scientific exegesis. There are several exegetical methodologies that are typically used in academic study to analyze the stories of the Old Testament and the Bible. These methods normally focus on the literary, historical, and theological dimensions of the biblical texts in order to reveal the intended meanings of a biblical passage, before the passage is interpreted in modern-day contexts. The question that stands central in this research is how, if at all, a combination of scientific methodological insights with lay readings of Genesis 6-9 can enrich our contemporary understandings, given the contextual experience of Zimbabweans during Cyclone Idai. The research therefore engages with the existing methodological tensions between Western and African readers of the Bible and asks how these could be integrated through communal and multidimensional approaches, for the benefit of both critical-scientific and lay readers’ understanding of the Bible within the context of the African continent.
- ItemThe 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.
- ItemUnmanned and unmade : uncovering violence, emasculation, and shame in Nahum 3(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-02 ) O'Malley, Mel Baars; Claassens, L. Juliana M.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation explores the intersection of cultural trauma and masculinity in the book of Nahum to better understand the sexual violence described in the text. God’s rape of Nineveh, and by extension, the king of Assyria and his army of warriors, is deeply problematic. However, avoiding and ignoring this text misses an opportunity to understand the book of Nahum as a survival narrative, written in response to trauma and disaster in the Judean community. This violent portrayal offers a glimpse into the real experience of emasculation of male survivors of sexual trauma, not only in the past, but also in the present. Exploring what male survivors endure in Nahum provides particular insight into the experience of male survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) today. This study seeks to illuminate the connections between warriors of the past and of the present who share common ground and to understand the loss of identity, both of maleness and of vocation, which ensues in the aftermath of rape. Nahum demonstrates the insidious power of patriarchy and the enduring problem of hegemonic masculinity. By exploring constructs of gender, it becomes clear that when a man, especially a warrior, is raped, either as a show of power or after being defeated on the battlefield, he undergoes an unmanning process. In essence, he is no longer a man. The experience of emasculation is traumatic and causes a male survivor to become isolated not only from God and others but also from himself. Neglecting Nahum’s story denies the reality concerning male rape, which remains hidden to this day. Consequently, survivors are often cut off from needed social support which could contribute to the recovery journey. Uncovering Nahum and its horrific violence is an opportunity to see spiritual and emotional wounds that have been buried for far too long. Interpreting the violence in this book through the lens of cultural trauma empowers the reader to better understand the male survivor’s journey including emasculation, shame, and isolation. With this knowledge unearthed, the journey of healing may become possible. For those with the courage to read it, Nahum’s survival story is, and has been, a teacher of trauma’s truths over the millennia. By reading Nahum and contemplating its implications for male survivors, the rarely discussed consequences of sexual violence against men can be more fully recognized and addressed.