Research Articles (New Testament Studies)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/2559

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Paul’s guidelines for church leadership in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 as a template for churches in Nigeria
(Africa Journals, 2024-10) Olajide, Michael D.
The Apostle Paul has been an iconic theologian of the church. As a diverse society and a platform where there is expectation for excellence and orderliness, it is imperative for the church to be led by Christ-like, morally sound, and competent individuals. Based on media reports, most churches in Nigeria are mostly governed by individuals who have character deficit and lack leadership acumen. The church, as the body of Christ, must go back to the status-quo, which is the Holy Bible, for ethical direction. The study employed a socio-rhetorical method of studying 1 Timothy 3:1-7 towards developing theological and ethical guidelines for church leadership in Nigeria. In addition, the study made use of interviews as a research tool in gathering relevant information. The research reveals that Paul’s guidelines in 1 Timothy 3:1- 7 hinge on character, ministerial, spiritual, household, and social criteria which must be considered as standards for choosing anyone into ecclesiastical leadership positions. It is recommended that church leaders in Nigeria should appropriate the spiritual, ethical and social guidelines as stated in 1Timothy 3:1-7 as an evidence of faithfulness to God and excellence in Christian ministry.
Space and sonship : Paul’s familial metaphors in Rom 8
(MDPI, 2024-03-21) Potgieter, Annette; annette.potgieter@up.ac.za
Paul often uses metaphors as a method of persuasion. In Rom 8, Paul’s use of kinship metaphors such as “sonship” and being “heirs” is particularly ubiquitous. Paul writes to an audience situated in Rome where they would have been well aware of kinship metaphors as this inter alia formed part of the Julio-Claudio Caesars’ vocabulary and legitimation of their rule. Paul’s familial metaphors would have resonated with an audience in Rome au fait with the notion of adoption and its implications. The use of the images of “sonship” and “heir” also function as spatial metaphors indicating a vertical and horizontal understanding which the audience would have picked up on. The spatial metaphors contribute to an understanding of “in” and “out”, underscoring an alternative family identity found in Christ. These metaphors play a role in the formation and construction of what is later to be called early Christianity.
Prefigurative peace in Philippians
(MDPI, 2024-08-05) Smit, Peter-Ben A.
Paul refers to peace twice in Phil. 4:7 and 4:9. This paper argues that the peace of God is a prefiguration of the eschatological peace to come in God’s world. It is be proposed that as Philippians is dealing with a social order (i.e., that of life in Christ) that is distinct from the dominant social order of the Roman empire or that of the colony of Philippi, political implications are at the very least a corollary of what Paul is writing to the Christ devotees in this city. The main points that will be argued are that peace is best understood as a key dimension for God’s upcoming new world that is already present “in Christ”. The Philippian community is called upon to stand firm in Christ (Phil. 4:1), which is, due to devotional and ethical practices, to result in the experience of God’s peace or the God of peace. This must be understood as both a present and a future reality. Accordingly, the Philippian community can be seen as prefiguring God’s future world by inhabiting this world now already in their communal life.
Introduction to the special issue : exploring the complexity of identities and boundaries in the New Testament and related literature
(MDPI, 2024-07-22) Williams, H. H. Drake; Kok, Jacobus (Kobus)
No abstract available
An eschatological framework and social identity in 1QM 1:1-15 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
(MDPI, 2025-02) Van Appeldoorn, Gijsbert
In the Qumran War Scroll (1QM) 1:1–15 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11, almost the same eschatological interpretative framework is created with words from the semantic domains of light and darkness, kinship, war, ethics, divinity and time. Although the constructed frameworks in these texts look alike, their impact on the self-understanding of the respective Qumran and Thessalonian communities is different. This article aims to reconstruct these frameworks from the texts by using semantic dictionaries and to reconstruct the probable impact of these frameworks on the self-understanding of the communities by utilizing some insights from sociolinguistics. It shows that although communities around the beginning of the era used almost the same frameworks, the effect on group identities could be significantly different.
Isaiah's apocalyptic myth and the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria
(Routledge, 2024) Agbo, Paulinus O.; Uwaegbute, Kingsley I.; Okoye, Kingsley; Oji, Cyriacus; Anowia, Wilson
We argue that “Isaiah's apocalyptic myth,” (Isaiah 26:20) was a cushioning effort amidst the corona-virus (COVID-19) pandemic in Nigeria between March and May 2020. Informed conversations frame myths with unhealthy actions leading to the spread of COVID-19. Despite this, Isaiah's apocalyptic myth led to improved behaviours against COVID-19 in Nigeria within the period under study. We relied on a mixed-method approach of data collection and analysis to draw a relation between the “Isaiah” apocalyptic oracle' and the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria between March and May 2020. This discourse presents ways in which superstitions mitigate the spread of pandemic disease.
Exploring the responses of non-churchgoers to a cathedral pre-Christmas son et lumiere
(AOSIS, 2024-05-24) McKenna, Ursula; Francis, Leslie John; Village, Andrew; Stewart, Francis
Two conceptual strands of research within the field of cathedral studies have theorised the capacity of Anglican cathedrals to engage more successfully than parish churches with the wider non-churchgoing community. One strand has explored mobilising cathedral metaphors, and the other strand has explored the notion of implicit religion. Both strands illuminate the power of events and installations to soften the boundaries between common ground and sacred space. Drawing on a quantitative survey among 978 people who attended the pre-Christmas son et lumiere at Liverpool Cathedral during December 2022, the present study analyses the qualitative responses of 123 participants who never attend church services. Three categories of themes emerged from these data, concerning the Cathedral itself, the installation, and discordant experience. CONTRIBUTION : Situated within the science of cathedral studies, this article draws on original qualitative data to illuminate the experiences of participants who never attend church services when engaging with the pre-Christmas son et lumiere at a major cathedral. Conceptualised within the framework of implicit religion, these data confirmed how the son et lumiere succeeded in softening boundaries between the sacred and the secular and provided a deeply moving experience. As one participant said, ‘I am not religious, but I had the best experience ever’.
Assessing the sociological and Pauline insights to the quests for peace and security in Nigeria
(AOSIS, 2024-08) Ukeachusim, Chidinma P.
There are continued quests to achieve and maintain peace and security in the world, with special reference to Nigeria. However, in her history, sustainable peace and security have not been wholesomely consolidated. Nigeria is one of the crises-ridden nations in the world as indicated by the intensifying issues of insecurity, corruption, religious intolerance, multi-faceted ethnic groups, poor economy, poverty, poor education, unemployment, kidnapping cases, leadership, and political interests. Although, the federal and state governments as well as other external and internal agencies and Nigerian citizens may or may not be making adequate efforts to ensure peace and security in Nigeria, the bordering question is whether Nigeria, as a country, ever can achieve sustainable peace and security. The study adopted the exegetical design. This design involves descriptive, analytical, and hermeneutical research exercises related to the exegesis of the studied text, as well as the application of the lessons drawn from the exegesis to the theological and social issues being studied. The study employed the social-scientific method of biblical criticism to study 1 Thessalonians 5:3 and applied its findings to the issue of the world with special focus on Nigeria seeking peace and security, though worldly. This study explored the Nigerian quests for εἰρήνη and ἀσφάλεια, and unveiled the sociological and the Pauline theological insights to the causes and the theological implications of 1 Thessalonians 5:3 to the crises of peace and security in Nigeria. This study found that, like the rest of the world, Nigeria is one of the nations that is in desperate need for peace and security and hence, although worldly, is engaged in the quest for peace and security. In fulfilment of the prophetic utterance of Paul, the world has kept on questing for peace and security; however, achieving and consolidating sustainable peace and security appear to be an illusion. Although worldly, Nigeria is one of the nations in the world that is questing for peace and security. However, the disciples of Jesus should understand that it is in Jesus that they could be bequeathed wholesome, sustainable, and transcending peace and security. CONTRIBUTION: This study unveiled that the 1st-century social-context and Paul’s theology reveal the root causes of the crises of peace and security in the world, with particular reference to Nigeria. This study advances Paul’s theology that, although the world will keep talking about peace and security, εἰρήνη and ἀσφάλεια are obtained through identification with God through Jesus
Socio-rhetorical re-examination of Luke 9:51-56 : mission, migration, and nationalism
(AOSIS, 2024-07) Aryeh, Daniel N.A.
The conjoined themes of mission, migration, and nationalism are central issues in the Gospel of Luke. These essential motifs were amalgamated in a rhetorical composition to persuade implied readers to be mission-focused but accommodate the views of transiting communities or consular decisions and national pride. Luke 9:51–56 has been variedly interpreted on discipleship, media communication, Christological, and Elijah’s spirit tenets. Emphasising individual themes in the interpretation of Luke 9:51–56 is legitimate, but it leaves out a holistic understanding of the text as the opening narrative of Luke’s travel narratives, which concerns multiple issues. This study engages the socio-rhetorical criticism propounded by Vernon K. Robbins to reinterpret Luke 9:51–56. The objective is to respond to the questions: (1) what is the relationship between mission, migration, and nationalism in Luke 9:51–56? and (2) what is the relevance of mission, migration, and nationalism in Luke 9:51–56 for African migrants in the diaspora? CONTRIBUTION: There is a proximity between mission, migration, and nationalism in Luke 9:51–56. It prioritises mission over migration and nationalism. Mission is the key determinant for migration and nationalism. Migrant Africans emphasise migration for economic fortunes over mission and nationalism. This may be due to personal aspirations.
The labour alienation of civil servants in Zimbabwe : towards an ubuntu spirituality of work
(AOSIS, 2024-02) Manobo, Blazio M.
The alienation of labour is both classical and contemporary. In its classical form, it speaks to the potential dehumanisation of workers in capitalist societies. In its contemporary form, it manifests itself in the disenfranchisement of the individual because of changes in organised global workplaces. Over the years, Africa’s labour transition from traditional spirituality to contemporary organised global workplaces has fuelled new forms of public labour alienation. Civil servants, in some African countries, experience labour alienation reminiscent of work under capitalism. This is in contradiction to the pre-colonial and traditional view of work as a vocation. Zimbabwe is undergoing negative economic, social, and political growth that has resulted in the alienation of civil servants. The government reneges on its public role of providing space for individual growth and well-being in preference for ‘public capitalism’ and cultural alienation. The potential for an effective public service lies in changing the work culture. CONTRIBUTION: This article interrogates the impacts of the work culture within the public service in Zimbabwe in an attempt to proffer a return to the African traditional spirituality of work that was founded on the principles of ubuntu. It recognises the traditional symbiotic relationship between being and doing among the indigenous African communities as the panacea for the continent’s human capital development.
Fatherhood crisis : drawing inspiration from hunhu/ubuntu and Saint Joseph
(AOSIS, 2024-01) Rutsviga, Alois
The article seeks to purvey a moral philosophical foundation to the apostolic letter. The apostolic letter speaks pointedly of the fatherhood crisis as an issue that needs moral philosophical atrention. The research will use two methods: the philosophical (content) analysis and applied ethical theories. Philosophical analysis is a general term for techniques typically used by philosophers in the analytic tradition that involve breaking down philosophical issues in order to bring clarity, consistence, and coherence. The method is used to analyse concepts like parenthood, fatherhood and shepherdship. Applied ethics is a philosophical examination, from a moral point of view, of particular issues in private and public life which are matters of judgement. However, the punch line, ‘Children today often seem orphans, lacking fathers’, is a direct moral challenge that calls for the application of the ethical theory of hunhu/ubuntu because love is hunhu/ubuntu’s character, nature and responsibility. From hunhu/ubuntu’s view point, I argue that one must acquire personhood primarily first in order to be a father. In hunhu/ubuntu, personhood and fatherhood are dynamic concepts; morally achieved and acquired. Hunhu/ubuntu is not asking that we replace God as the author of our being, but rather that our being as persons in the world is substantially of our own making. As such, we have a victory to win, and the path to that victory lies in the part of our lived morality (hunhu/ubuntu). God created us, but we must mould ourselves into the persons that God wants us to be. CONTRIBUTION: The intention of this article is to encourage the 21st century generation to be good persons and hence be responsible fathers through drawing moral support and inspiration from hunhu/ubuntu and Saint Joseph.
Artificial intelligence and afrocentric biblical hermeneutics crossroads in Zimbabwe (Col 2:8)
(AOSIS, 2024-10) Chabata, Lovejoy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isset to revolutionise global knowledge domains and biblical hermeneutics is no exception. At face value, in Zimbabwe, AI has been stigmatised as a humanistic and profane technological system with an immense propensity to cause general religious backsliding, degeneracy, vain philosophising and secularisation of the Gospel of Christ. This article isolated Colossians 2:8 as a lens to investigate the congruency of Artificial Intelligence to the pericope’s scope of ‘philosophy, vain deceit, tradition of men and rudiments of the world’. The Zimbabwean setting was used to examine whether the Colossian Christian Church’s philosophical aspersions bear any semblances to how AI is viewed among the clergy, theologians, Christian believers and academics of religious studies. The qualitative methodological paradigms of African Biblical Hermeneutics and Exegetical Method were employed in the study. The study mainly established that AI, like a tool in the hands of a workman, can either build or destroy, enhance or adulterate biblical hermeneutics depending on how it is viewed and used. CONTRIBUTION: The article reflects on how the world’s most nascent technological development, Artificial Intelligence, impacts on biblical interpretation generally, but, more particularly, in the Zimbabwean context.
Understanding COVID-19 birth-pangs’ theological responses and the promised Parousia of Jesus
(AOSIS, 2024-02-29) Ukeachusim, Chidinma P.
Jesus in Matthew 24 presaged to his disciples about the eschatological birth-pangs that would be occurring in the world in the interim of his departure and his promised Parousia and the end of this age. It is a theological concern how the disciples of Jesus in every era are to be responding to eschatological birth-pangs in the light of Jesus’ promised Parousia. This study is based on the existential reality that many Nigerian professing Christians do not understand how they are to be responding to an eschatological birth-pang like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in relation to the promised Parousia of Jesus. How then are the elects in Nigeria to be responding to eschatological occurrence like COVID-19 and as well be preparing for the Parousia of Jesus? Therefore, using redaction criticism approach of conducting biblical exegesis, this study focusses on theologically interpreting the context of Matthew 24:15−51, to unveil and recommend pragmatic theological Christian responses that underline how Nigerian Christians are to be righteously responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as an eschatological birth-pang, and as well be preparing for the promised Parousia of Jesus. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : In the Olivet-discourse, Jesus in advance informed his disciples how they are to be responding to the birth-pangs, and also be preparing for his Parousia. This study explored Matthew 24:15−51 and unveils how the church in Nigeria is to be responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as an eschatological birth-pang in the light of Jesus’ promised Parousia.
The parable of the two mothers : an unhiding reading of the parable of the prodigal son
(AOSIS, 2024-08-30) Du Toit, Charel D.; u11291852@tuks.co.za
The parable of the Prodigal Son is traditionally viewed from an androcentric perspective, focusing on the male characters, such as the father and brothers. However, this article suggests that the original listeners may have perceived female characters as present and significant. It briefly explores the roles of the Prodigal’s mother and the father’s mother, proposing an alternative interpretation. Evidence indicates that a 1st-century audience might have envisioned a parallel narrative, termed ‘the Parable of the Two Mothers’, within the story. This imagined parallel parable could reflect the high-context understanding of the original hearers. The article aims to reconstruct this proposed parallel parable not only as a potentially imagined narrative within the Prodigal Son but also as a counter-narrative tool. This tool seeks to aid faith communities in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) by offering a narrative device that brings women’s voices to the forefront in congregational and social contexts. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The interdisciplinary nature of this article contributes to the debate on the roles and importance of women in the church by investigating the value that women had in the parables of Jesus. Furthermore, this article promotes an inclusive reading of biblical texts aiming to combat the pandemic of GBV in South African communities. By reading women as present in the text, emphasis is given to the voices of women in the Bible and the importance of their representation today. This research is also in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender equality and women empowerment.
Beyond a slave : support for the manumission of Onesimus from discourse analysis
(Sage, 2024-12) Arinder, Devin; devin.arinder@tuks.co.za
Did Paul intend for Philemon to manumit Onesimus? This article aims to present evidence in support of a manumissive view of Paul’s communicative intent to Philemon. Through a cognitive functional approach to discourse analysis, the sentence comprising vv. 15–16 is proposed to represent the peak of the epistle. Coincidingly, this central statement of the letter is precisely where Paul discusses the enslavement of Onesimus. There, through his linguistic choices, Paul construes emphatic discontinuity in Onesimus’s status, resulting in the most salient change in Philemon’s mental representation: Onesimus is no longer a slave, but beyond a slave, a beloved brother.
Unhiding the voices of women in the parable of the good Samaritan : a call for academic inclusion
(AOSIS, 2024-01-16) Du Toit, Charel D.
The parables of Jesus are often susceptible to patriarchal, androcentric interpretations. By using a realistic reading and social-scientific criticism, this article will investigate the voices, roles, and presence of women in the parable of the Good Samaritan, and how the 1st-century audience of the parable would most likely have understood women to be present, even if not mentioned in the parable. Women played critical roles in terms of hospitality, travel, innkeeping, and healing. These roles and voices of women are often ignored by modern interpreters and exegetes. This article not only emphasises the valuable roles that women fulfilled in the time of Jesus but also critiques the lack, or absence, of women as a point of discussion, acknowledgement, and study in most biblical commentaries and books concerning the parable of the Good Samaritan. The aim of this research is to contribute to the unhiding of women voices in patriarchal, androcentric texts thereby reconstructing and deconstructing gender paradigms within biblical scholarship. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The interdisciplinary nature of this article contributes to the debate on the roles and importance of women in the church by investigating the value that women had in the parables of Jesus. By reading women as present in the text, emphasis is given to the voices of women in the Bible and the importance of their representation today. This research is also in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender equality and women empowerment.
Justice and reconciliation in Luke 19:1–10 : a South African post-apartheid anti-imperial reading
(AOSIS, 2024-08-16) Motuku, Patson K.; Van Eck, Ernest
This article endeavours to offer an anti-imperial interpretation of the micro-narrative of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1–10, portraying it as a model for justice and reconciliation in postapartheid South Africa. This analysis stems from the perceived shortcomings of the outcomes of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) negotiations and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) efforts in nation-building, particularly in the realm of socio-economic justice, which remained unaddressed. The article proposes that an examination of the Greek verbs δίδωμι and άπoδίδωμι in Luke 19:8 within the broader context of the third Gospel – taking into account linguistic, structural and thematic considerations – reveals their inherent futuristic quality. This quality allows for their repetitive usage or usage with a futureoriented intent, seamlessly integrating them into the narrative and supporting an interpretation that depicts Zacchaeus as a repentant sinner committed to reforming his ways. Zacchaeus’s repentant stance, particularly in relation to economic justice, is seen as an essential model for addressing justice for victims of colonialism and apartheid and fostering reconciliation between black people and white people in South Africa. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The anti-imperial method of reading makes it possible to foreground the imperial narrative and social world(s) of the Bible, analysing the theological critique of the values, structures, institutions and systems of these world(s) by New Testament writers, and applying the same critique to the political and socioeconomic structures of colonialism, apartheid, and post-colonial South Africa today. Accordingly, this research intersects with imperial, colonial and post-colonial theories in the disciplines of sociology, history and political science.
Does the Genesis 4 narrative suggest some knowledge of psychopathy?
(AOSIS, 2024-07-08) Malan, Gert Jacobus
The depiction of Cain and his descendants in the Genesis 4 narrative aligns with the key characteristics of psychopathy and its hereditary nature. The purpose of this study is to examine whether this narrative reflects our current understanding of psychopathy. Cleckley’s description of the best-known traits of psychopathy includes a lack of conscience, empathy and social controls, which ultimately lead to deviant antisocial and criminal behaviour. These traits can be seen in Cain’s murder of Abel, as well as in his reaction when confronted. They may have also been present in his descendants, such as Lamech and those involved in the implied prostitution of Naäma. In this study, the narrative characters are assessed using Robert Hare’s Psychopathy Checklist: Shortened Version, which is examined within the context of Cleckley’s observations and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-V). The mark of Cain and the Kenites, as well as their nomadic existence at the fringe of the desert, are also explained, as well as how society safeguarded itself by setting strong boundaries. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The PSL-SV is proven to be an effective diagnostic model when applied to narrative characters in a literary text. Its effectiveness becomes apparent when considering the broader context of the DSM-V and Cleckley’s description. Sufficient information about the text and relevant reference works is necessary to utilise this model successfully. This diagnostic approach can be useful for any discipline interpreting narrative texts, for example literary analysis of characters in novels, historical studies of texts about characters in history, and criminal investigation and law, when interpreting narrative accounts of witness statements.
The received view and Revelation : a social-scientific reading of Revelation 2–3
(AOSIS, 2024-09-30) Van Niekerk, Robert J.; Van Eck, Ernest
This article aims to present a culturally plausible reading of Revelation 2–3. This will be done through the use of a social-scientific model focussing on the core values of honour and shame in the ancient Mediterranean world. Before describing this model, the article will present a cursory discussion on the currently received view of Revelation’s genre and Revelation 2–3. It is argued that while the received view provides valuable historical descriptions of the ancient Mediterranean world, this approach is inadequate to bring to the fore the underlying norms and values found in Revelation 2–3. Using the model of honour and shame as a lens through which to read Revelation 2–3, it becomes apparent that these seven letters are filled with honour claims that are either confirmed, challenged or denied. In addition, honour is also ascribed to specific communities, and in some cases, honour is redefined. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : Reading Revelation 2–3 through social-scientific models engages critically with the traditional approach to these texts, and provides a culturally sensitive and responsible reading thereof. This reading further promotes a constructive engagement with cross-cultural anthropology.
Calling and conscience : Paul as an example
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2024-07) Malan, Gert Jacobus
Paul’s calling presents a conundrum to which many have proposed varied solutions. Not trying to solve the conundrum in toto, this study investigates the existential dynamics of Paul’s calling as narrated to the Galatians within the context of their apostasy. The model used is Heidegger’s understanding of conscience as a call towards authenticity and away from inauthenticity. Rhetorical analysis assists in identifying Paul’s new understanding of authenticity, by analysing the propositio, especially its expositio, which contains soteriological peculiar existential first-person singular expressions. Paul’s preaching of his gospel and his letter to the Galatians are in turn also to them, a call to authenticity and away from inauthenticity. His preaching thus resembles the phenomenological idea of conscience. Thus, Paul’s gospel cannot be separated from his calling. Both are about the same understanding of authenticity. It is at the same time a new self-understanding: to have been crucified with Christ and therefore Christ living in him and the faithful (Gl 2:19–20). This is a concise formula of soteriology as symbolised in baptism. Such calling is never completed: it remains a dynamic process, a tension and movement between authenticity and inauthenticity. This is reflected in the Galatian apostasy and Paul’s letter calling them back to authenticity. The study underlines the crucial importance of soteriology for kerygma and baptism, but especially for understanding a person’s call to faith or ministry. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The model is suitable for studying the religious phenomenon of calling in religious texts and in life.

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