The Theological Message of Isaiah Interpretive Essay

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny Davis
Keyword(s):  
Theological Message

Imagery in the Book of Revelation

2020 ◽  
pp. 52-67
Author(s):  
Konrad Huber
Keyword(s):  
Reception History ◽  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
Imperial Cult ◽  
Emotional Effect ◽  
Greco Roman ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Figurative Speech ◽  
Theological Message ◽  
Over Time ◽  
The Way

The chapter first surveys different types of figurative speech in Revelation, including simile, metaphor, symbol, and narrative image. Second, it considers the way images are interrelated in the narrative world of the book. Third, it notes how the images draw associations from various backgrounds, including biblical and later Jewish sources, Greco-Roman myths, and the imperial cult, and how this enriches the understanding of the text. Fourth, the chapter looks at the rhetorical impact of the imagery on readers and stresses in particular its evocative, persuasive, and parenetic function together with its emotional effect. And fifth, it looks briefly at the way reception history shows how the imagery has engaged readers over time. Thus, illustrated by numerous examples, it becomes clear how essentially the imagery of the book of Revelation constitutes and determines its theological message.

Politics and Kingship in the Historical Books, with Attention to the Role of Political Theory in Interpretation

2020 ◽  
pp. 186-200
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Parsons Miller
Keyword(s):  
Political Philosophy ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Distributive Justice ◽  
Political Theory ◽  
Hebrew Bible ◽  
Historical Narratives ◽  
Political Organizations ◽  
Abstract Ideas ◽  
Theological Message

This chapter explores the thesis that the historical narratives of the Hebrew Bible address abstract ideas about politics, government, and law. Taking issue with critics who view the Bible’s spiritual and theological message as incommensurable with political philosophy, the chapter argues that the stories of politics and kingship in the Hebrew Bible’s historical books set forth set forth an impressive political theory that rivals, in some respects, the work of Plato, Aristotle, and other Greek thinkers. The key is to bring out the general ideas behind the specific narrative elements. The chapter illustrates this thesis by examining the Hebrew Bible’s treatment of a number of classic problems of political theory: anarchy, obligation and sovereignty, distributive justice, and the comparative analysis of political organizations.

scholarly journals ’n Ondersoek na die teologiese boodskap en prediking van Psalm 117

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Snyman
Keyword(s):  
Structural Features ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Literary Genre ◽  
Critical Questions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sitz Im Leben ◽  
Theological Message

An investigation into the theological message and preaching of Psalm 117 Psalm 117 is at the same a well-known and an unknown psalm. It is well-known as the shortest psalm in the Psalter, but there actually is remarkable little theological reflection on the psalm. To answer the question about the theological message of the psalm, it is subjected to an exegetical investigation giving attention to matters such as the extent of the psalm, text-critical questions, structural features, literary genre, “Sitz im Leben”, dating, the use of traditional material, et cetera. The exegetical details lead to a theological conclusion where it was found that the steadfast love and faithfulness of Yahweh experienced by his people in history serve as the reason why foreign nations are called upon to praise Him. The psalm probably originated in an exilic situation, reflects on the past and motivates people towards a future where Yahweh’s love and faithfulness will once again be experienced by his people.

Sikh Traditions and Violence

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Keppley Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Religious History ◽  
Religious Violence ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Political Movement ◽  
Indian State ◽  
History Of ◽  
Resistance Movement ◽  
Theological Message ◽  
Holy Book

This chapter, which deals with the Sikh tradition within the context of the shifting sands of India's religious history, also discusses the reverence for certain Sikh gurus as being linked with martyrdom and violence, and relates this history of religious violence to the militant drive for a Sikh homeland—Khalistan—in recent decades. Sikhism is among the youngest of the global religions. The struggle for Khalistan was a resistance movement against the perceived injustices of the Indian state and a political movement aimed at sovereign rule, but it also provided an existential means of being a Sikh, independently of secular instrumental political goals. A conflation of “militancy” with “violence” in the Sikh tradition has resulted in a widespread misunderstanding of Sikhi in the modern world, has added to the unfortunate “Sikhs as terrorists” propaganda, and has distorted the theological message of the tradition. Many Sikhs have turned to their Holy Book to try to figure out when the kirpan is to be appropriately returned to its sheath.

Furcht vor Vernichtung und der ewige Bund: Das Buch Ester im Judentum und in jüdischer Theologie

2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-355
Author(s):  
Isaac Kalimi
Keyword(s):  
Hebrew Bible ◽  
Jewish History ◽  
Jewish People ◽  
Dead Sea Scrolls ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Historical Reality ◽  
Jewish Diaspora ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Biblical Sources ◽  
Theological Message

AbstractAlthough for some reasons the book of Esther is missing from among the biblical manuscripts of the Dead Sea Scrolls, it has a unique place in Judaism and Jewish theology and thought. A large number of exegetes, ballads, poems, essays, arts, etc. have been composed on it, in all times and places, alongside the Jewish history and culture. Esther expresses one of the worst fears of the Jewish people: fear for complete annihilation, which is also well documented in the Hebrew Bible as well as in some extra-biblical sources (e.g., "Israel Stele", Moabite Stone). Esther replies to that fear, and forwards the theological message that God never leaves Israel. He is the faithful God "who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments". Yet, the historical reality of the Jewish Diaspora shows differently. The article discusses, therefore, also this theology, history and us, as post-Sho'ah readers of Esther.

scholarly journals Intercultural musical dialogue in St John Passion by Sofia Gubaidulina

2020 ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
Magdalena Stochniol
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Intercultural Dialogue ◽  
Cultural Tradition ◽  
International Forum ◽  
Avant Garde ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Special Place ◽  
Universal Values ◽  
East And West ◽  
Theological Message

Sofia Gubaidulina is one of the most important composers living today. Among her many works acknowledged and awarded prizes on the international forum, the diptych St John Passion and St John Easter [The Resurrection of Christ according to St John], the opus magnum of that outstanding Russian composer, occupies a special place. This work focuses the most important features of her music, such as a profound theological message based on a compilation of fragments from the Old Testament, Gospels and the Apocalypse of St John, as well as her musical rootedness in the cultural tradition of the churches of both East and West. Gubaidulina adapts the achievements of the artistic avant-garde in new and original ways, while at the same time she is an ardent champion of traditional universal values grounded in the message of the Bible and Christian cultural tradition. This paper presents St John Passion by Sofia Gubaidulina in the context of its theological and intercultural dialogue, as well as attempting to characterise the phenomenon represented by this composer, who raises anew reflection on the fate of humankind in the context of existential questions, while remaining faithful to the idea of high art, exquisite and open to various understandings of the idea of beauty.

scholarly journals READING JEREMIAH 13:23 IN AN AFRICAN CONTEXT

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 500-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Tuesday Adamo
Keyword(s):  
Black People ◽  
Black African ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Ancient Israel ◽  
English Translations ◽  
African Context ◽  
High Esteem ◽  
The Military ◽  
Theological Message ◽  
Proper Translation

This paper examines the meaning and importance of Jeremiah 13:23 critically. The author argues that one of the greatest prophets of ancient Israel, having been familiar with the military might, wisdom and vastness of their African territories does not despise black African people but uses them as standards against which to evaluate Israel in Jeremiah 13:23 as did other biblical passages (Amos 9:7; Is 17:3, 11-15; 30:1-2; 31:1-3; 45:14; Ez 27:7; Dn 11:43). The reasons for using black people and nations as standards against which to evaluate Israel are: first, their vast territories, great military might and power, wealth and wisdom (Is 19:5, 11-15; Is 45:14; Ez 27:7; Dn 11:43); second, it makes their high esteem to be boosted when these nations are cited as paradigmatic. The central theological message of Jeremiah 13:23 is to address the question of Judah’s habituation of sin which leads to slavery that is irredeemable. Judah has an indelible stain and “her evil habits held her fast like bands of steel”. The various English translations of Jeremiah 13:23 in different English versions of the Bible are misleading and therefore a disservice to the black race all over the world. The proper translation according to this author should have been: “Would Black Africans change their skin or the leopards their sports? So also you who have learnt to do evil could do evil.”

scholarly journals The Iconographical cycle of the Eothina Gospel Pericopes in churches from the Reign of king Milutin

Zograf ◽  
2006 ◽  
pp. 95-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nektarios Zarras
Keyword(s):  
Theological Message

The paper deals with the examination of the iconographic cycle of the Eothina Gospel pericopes, in which are depicted not only the appearances of Christ after his Resurrection, hut also additional events, which have an expository function and give a visual rendering of the theological message of the Resurrection pericopes. During the Palaeologan period the Eothina were depicted in all possible detail, in order that as many scenes as possible could be produced. Thus, although there are only eleven Eothina pericopes in all, in a number of churches from the time of Milutin the cycle includes up to sixteen scenes, of a clearly narrative character. Several of the iconographic motifs of the cycle in the above churches are unique creations which mark a renewal of Palaeologan painting.

scholarly journals Die teksfunksie en boodskap van Jesaja 49:1-6

2002 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.A. Da Silva ◽  
A.P.B. Breytenbach
Keyword(s):  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Diachronic Analysis ◽  
Theological Message

The textual function and message of Isaiah 49:1-6The purpose of this article is to arrive at legitimate deductions about the textual function and the theological message of Isaiah 49:1-6. This goal is pursued by means of a method consisting of a synchronic analysis, a diachronic analysis, and a reception-critical analysis.

The Narratives about Isaiah and Their Relationship with 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles

2020 ◽  
pp. 94-110
Author(s):  
Shelley L. Birdsong
Keyword(s):  
Biblical Text ◽  
Complex Character ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Multiple Meanings ◽  
Intertextual Connections ◽  
Theological Message ◽  
Over Time

This chapter explores the narratives about King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah found in 2 Kgs 18–20, Isa 36–39, and 2 Chron 32. First it comments briefly on the historicity of Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in 701 bce. Thereafter, it responds to the stalled source and redaction debate by putting forth an entirely new proposal for the development of these texts. Finally, it interprets each of the resulting prophet-king narratives in their own literary settings in order to stress how context reshapes meaning. In the book of Kings, Hezekiah is a complex character whose reign is tainted by his intertextual connections to other kings; he is part of the monarchy that ultimately failed to save its people from attack and eventual exile. In Isaiah, Hezekiah functions as a moral warning for returning exiles to maintain purity and heed the prophets. In Chronicles, Hezekiah is exalted—over and against the kings before and after him—as a divine devotee who prays faithfully and cares for God’s temple. In each book, the characters are formed around a unique theological message rather than historical veracity. Highlighting these differences undergirds the conception of the biblical text as a didactic rolling corpus that evolved over time and produced multiple meanings for each new setting. As such, it invites readers to update the narratives for their own contemporary contexts rather than simply search for historicity.

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