This article will propose a meta-hermeneutical approach that could help to uncover the deeper ass... more This article will propose a meta-hermeneutical approach that could help to uncover the deeper assumptions and epistemic horizon of a given biblical author. Firstly, the logic of the biblical beginning story will be examined and assessed in terms of its worldview horizon, a horizon that might constitute the larger perspective within which the subsequent authors might be thinking. Secondly, the article will engage in a broad analysis of the subsequent covenant narratives, tracing their plotlines in terms of anticipating the future, a future that the apostolic stories perceive as the fulfillments. Finally, there will be a brief sketch of some hermeneutical principles that may serve as guidelines for the reading and applications of the biblical materials in terms of doctrine and religious practice.
This article will propose a meta-hermeneutical approach that could help to uncover the deeper ass... more This article will propose a meta-hermeneutical approach that could help to uncover the deeper assumptions and epistemic horizon of a given biblical author. Firstly, the logic of the biblical beginning story will be examined and assessed in terms of its worldview horizon, a horizon that might constitute the larger perspective within which the subsequent authors might be thinking. Secondly, the article will engage in a broad analysis of the subsequent covenant narratives, tracing their plot-lines in terms of anticipating the future, a future that the apostolic stories perceive as the fulfillments. Finally, there will be a brief sketch of some hermeneutical principles that may serve as guidelines for the reading and applications of the biblical materials in terms of doctrine and religious practice.
The Subversive Sabbath, as the subtitle indicates, is mostly a semi-popular and pastorally writte... more The Subversive Sabbath, as the subtitle indicates, is mostly a semi-popular and pastorally written book which aims to suggest to readers the surprising power Sabbath observance can bring to busy 21st century Christians. "How is the Sabbath subversive?," asks the author, and answers by effectively giving the gist of the book: "Sabbath is an alternative lifestyle that goes against every-thing our world knows" (p. xi). Thus, the pragmatic orientation of the book is established from the beginning.
The Doctrine of God is an introductory textbook aiming to provide a clear and concise introductio... more The Doctrine of God is an introductory textbook aiming to provide a clear and concise introduction to the doctrine of God by addressing some big questions concerning divine attributes and the God-world relationship in mainly recent Christian theology. More precisely the book provides an issue-focused presentation on selected contemporary perspectives. The book in its coverage is however not limited only to recent Christian debates, but frequently features also philosophical and historical voices which complement the debates. The book is therefore not a book in historical theology, or philosophical theology, but rather a book in systematic theology proper covering the contemporary debates relating to major questions surrounding the doctrine of God. Since the book is framed as an introductory textbook its readership is assumed to be mostly students of theology. Given the level of the presented material, its dense and detailed nature will primary be most beneficial to graduate level (p...
Right from the outset, it has to be said, that Divine Attributes is a follow up volume to Peckham... more Right from the outset, it has to be said, that Divine Attributes is a follow up volume to Peckham's The Doctrine of God, published last year, which was pitched at the level of an introductory textbook for the study of the doctrine of God. His current volume takes the discussion further into constructive space and as such moves his overall project forward in a logical and perhaps expected direction. This will be very much welcomed by all readers of his previous book.
The present thesis is the first of its kind in attempting to produce a comprehensive systematic a... more The present thesis is the first of its kind in attempting to produce a comprehensive systematic analysis and synthesis of the biblical, theological and hermeneutical aspects of the ongoing debate about the role of women in Adventist theology. While studies have investigated already the sociological aspects of the debate no study has yet systematised and investigated in depth the debate with special attention to hermeneutical matters. The thesis is divided into four chapters. After an Introduction which defines the basic elements of the study and provides a literature review, Chapter One provides a historical introduction into the topic of women's ordination in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Particularly historical and ecclesial developments are reviewed from the perspective of the early Adventist situation and the modem context. Chapter Two and Chapter Three are two parallel chapters which analyse and synthesise opponents (Chapter Two) respectively proponents' (Chapter Th...
This article proposes that Seventh-day Adventist confession of faith (or any Christian confession... more This article proposes that Seventh-day Adventist confession of faith (or any Christian confession for that matter) can and even should be framed as story, worded and structured following the Scripture's own meta-narrative. Only then confessions deserve to be called "Biblical".
The eschatological speeches of Jesus about His Coming (Parousia) recorded in the synoptic Gospels... more The eschatological speeches of Jesus about His Coming (Parousia) recorded in the synoptic Gospels (Mat 21, Mk 13, Lk 21) highlight particular signs which become indicative of the time of the end. While most of the signs are well known even in larger society and while many Christian interpreters have extensively dealt with their significance, it will be argued, that there is an underlying literary and thematic framework of progression from ‘beginning,’ through ‘urgency’ to ‘immediacy’ of Parousia that has largely been overlooked. The presentation will propose that such a framework is indeed discernible in the eschatological speeches of Jesus in all three synoptic Gospels.
This paper intends to propose basic principles towards defining a method of Biblical theology. Th... more This paper intends to propose basic principles towards defining a method of Biblical theology. The study will argue for what could be termed a 7-stage Theistic-narrative approach which will be introduced alongside with some of its constitutive elements and basic structures. It will be argued that any attempt to define a methodological approach in Biblical theology needs to take into account the following elements: (1) the first principles of the Canonical grand-story presented in the first two chapters of Genesis. These are God, creation and the dependency of creation on God. These first principles then provide both the authors and the readers with the universal theistic worldview horizon within which the various stages of the grand-story of the Bible appear to be shaped; (2) the central theme that is running through the biblical grand narrative and which unites the individual stages and sub-stages is the anomaly of human evil introduced in Genesis 3 in conjunction with God’s double response; a response which implies that the theme of human evil does not stand alone in the biblical narrative but is intertwined with the motifs of God’s responses. (3) the narrative structure, arises from the double motifs of God’s historic responses to the problem of human evil in terms of Blessing and Curse. In this context the biblical narrative appear to emerge in seven major stages and several sub-stages. This paper will argue that the seven major stages are best defined as: Creation, The Fall, The Promise and the OT People, The Fulfillment and Jesus, The Fulfillment and the NT people, The Day of the Lord, The New Creation. The interconnection between the central theme of evil and the double motif regarding God’s response to the human problem would form the grand narrative plot- line or master narrative around which the various biblical stories revolve and which advances such a plot-line through the individual stages in the Biblical Canon.
In the latest administrative push the General Conference (2010) has laid down a worldwide roadmap... more In the latest administrative push the General Conference (2010) has laid down a worldwide roadmap for solving the most painful “thorn” of disunity today – ordination of women. By involving all 13 divisional research committees as well as providing its own study committee on ordination (TOSC), the administration demonstrates a clear desire for a solution by 2015. However, with the recent “independent” moves of some unions to ordain women into pastoral ministry at the present time, the tension is the highest it has been for several decades. Can, however, the political effort bring an end to the disunity this time? In this paper I will try to address this question in the following 4 steps: In the first section (1), I will briefly look at the present roadmap by the GC and reflect about its potential to provide a solution to the issue of women’s ordination. In the second section (2), I will address the issue of women’s ordination itself and use it as a window on the nature and depth of the disunity problem. Then in the third section (3), I will begin to explore more closely the issues arising from the hermeneutical dialogue, and in the last section (4), I will suggest a specific proposal for continuing the hermeneutical dialogue.
This article will propose a meta-hermeneutical approach that could help to uncover the deeper ass... more This article will propose a meta-hermeneutical approach that could help to uncover the deeper assumptions and epistemic horizon of a given biblical author. Firstly, the logic of the biblical beginning story will be examined and assessed in terms of its worldview horizon, a horizon that might constitute the larger perspective within which the subsequent authors might be thinking. Secondly, the article will engage in a broad analysis of the subsequent covenant narratives, tracing their plotlines in terms of anticipating the future, a future that the apostolic stories perceive as the fulfillments. Finally, there will be a brief sketch of some hermeneutical principles that may serve as guidelines for the reading and applications of the biblical materials in terms of doctrine and religious practice.
This article will propose a meta-hermeneutical approach that could help to uncover the deeper ass... more This article will propose a meta-hermeneutical approach that could help to uncover the deeper assumptions and epistemic horizon of a given biblical author. Firstly, the logic of the biblical beginning story will be examined and assessed in terms of its worldview horizon, a horizon that might constitute the larger perspective within which the subsequent authors might be thinking. Secondly, the article will engage in a broad analysis of the subsequent covenant narratives, tracing their plot-lines in terms of anticipating the future, a future that the apostolic stories perceive as the fulfillments. Finally, there will be a brief sketch of some hermeneutical principles that may serve as guidelines for the reading and applications of the biblical materials in terms of doctrine and religious practice.
The Subversive Sabbath, as the subtitle indicates, is mostly a semi-popular and pastorally writte... more The Subversive Sabbath, as the subtitle indicates, is mostly a semi-popular and pastorally written book which aims to suggest to readers the surprising power Sabbath observance can bring to busy 21st century Christians. "How is the Sabbath subversive?," asks the author, and answers by effectively giving the gist of the book: "Sabbath is an alternative lifestyle that goes against every-thing our world knows" (p. xi). Thus, the pragmatic orientation of the book is established from the beginning.
The Doctrine of God is an introductory textbook aiming to provide a clear and concise introductio... more The Doctrine of God is an introductory textbook aiming to provide a clear and concise introduction to the doctrine of God by addressing some big questions concerning divine attributes and the God-world relationship in mainly recent Christian theology. More precisely the book provides an issue-focused presentation on selected contemporary perspectives. The book in its coverage is however not limited only to recent Christian debates, but frequently features also philosophical and historical voices which complement the debates. The book is therefore not a book in historical theology, or philosophical theology, but rather a book in systematic theology proper covering the contemporary debates relating to major questions surrounding the doctrine of God. Since the book is framed as an introductory textbook its readership is assumed to be mostly students of theology. Given the level of the presented material, its dense and detailed nature will primary be most beneficial to graduate level (p...
Right from the outset, it has to be said, that Divine Attributes is a follow up volume to Peckham... more Right from the outset, it has to be said, that Divine Attributes is a follow up volume to Peckham's The Doctrine of God, published last year, which was pitched at the level of an introductory textbook for the study of the doctrine of God. His current volume takes the discussion further into constructive space and as such moves his overall project forward in a logical and perhaps expected direction. This will be very much welcomed by all readers of his previous book.
The present thesis is the first of its kind in attempting to produce a comprehensive systematic a... more The present thesis is the first of its kind in attempting to produce a comprehensive systematic analysis and synthesis of the biblical, theological and hermeneutical aspects of the ongoing debate about the role of women in Adventist theology. While studies have investigated already the sociological aspects of the debate no study has yet systematised and investigated in depth the debate with special attention to hermeneutical matters. The thesis is divided into four chapters. After an Introduction which defines the basic elements of the study and provides a literature review, Chapter One provides a historical introduction into the topic of women's ordination in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Particularly historical and ecclesial developments are reviewed from the perspective of the early Adventist situation and the modem context. Chapter Two and Chapter Three are two parallel chapters which analyse and synthesise opponents (Chapter Two) respectively proponents' (Chapter Th...
This article proposes that Seventh-day Adventist confession of faith (or any Christian confession... more This article proposes that Seventh-day Adventist confession of faith (or any Christian confession for that matter) can and even should be framed as story, worded and structured following the Scripture's own meta-narrative. Only then confessions deserve to be called "Biblical".
The eschatological speeches of Jesus about His Coming (Parousia) recorded in the synoptic Gospels... more The eschatological speeches of Jesus about His Coming (Parousia) recorded in the synoptic Gospels (Mat 21, Mk 13, Lk 21) highlight particular signs which become indicative of the time of the end. While most of the signs are well known even in larger society and while many Christian interpreters have extensively dealt with their significance, it will be argued, that there is an underlying literary and thematic framework of progression from ‘beginning,’ through ‘urgency’ to ‘immediacy’ of Parousia that has largely been overlooked. The presentation will propose that such a framework is indeed discernible in the eschatological speeches of Jesus in all three synoptic Gospels.
This paper intends to propose basic principles towards defining a method of Biblical theology. Th... more This paper intends to propose basic principles towards defining a method of Biblical theology. The study will argue for what could be termed a 7-stage Theistic-narrative approach which will be introduced alongside with some of its constitutive elements and basic structures. It will be argued that any attempt to define a methodological approach in Biblical theology needs to take into account the following elements: (1) the first principles of the Canonical grand-story presented in the first two chapters of Genesis. These are God, creation and the dependency of creation on God. These first principles then provide both the authors and the readers with the universal theistic worldview horizon within which the various stages of the grand-story of the Bible appear to be shaped; (2) the central theme that is running through the biblical grand narrative and which unites the individual stages and sub-stages is the anomaly of human evil introduced in Genesis 3 in conjunction with God’s double response; a response which implies that the theme of human evil does not stand alone in the biblical narrative but is intertwined with the motifs of God’s responses. (3) the narrative structure, arises from the double motifs of God’s historic responses to the problem of human evil in terms of Blessing and Curse. In this context the biblical narrative appear to emerge in seven major stages and several sub-stages. This paper will argue that the seven major stages are best defined as: Creation, The Fall, The Promise and the OT People, The Fulfillment and Jesus, The Fulfillment and the NT people, The Day of the Lord, The New Creation. The interconnection between the central theme of evil and the double motif regarding God’s response to the human problem would form the grand narrative plot- line or master narrative around which the various biblical stories revolve and which advances such a plot-line through the individual stages in the Biblical Canon.
In the latest administrative push the General Conference (2010) has laid down a worldwide roadmap... more In the latest administrative push the General Conference (2010) has laid down a worldwide roadmap for solving the most painful “thorn” of disunity today – ordination of women. By involving all 13 divisional research committees as well as providing its own study committee on ordination (TOSC), the administration demonstrates a clear desire for a solution by 2015. However, with the recent “independent” moves of some unions to ordain women into pastoral ministry at the present time, the tension is the highest it has been for several decades. Can, however, the political effort bring an end to the disunity this time? In this paper I will try to address this question in the following 4 steps: In the first section (1), I will briefly look at the present roadmap by the GC and reflect about its potential to provide a solution to the issue of women’s ordination. In the second section (2), I will address the issue of women’s ordination itself and use it as a window on the nature and depth of the disunity problem. Then in the third section (3), I will begin to explore more closely the issues arising from the hermeneutical dialogue, and in the last section (4), I will suggest a specific proposal for continuing the hermeneutical dialogue.
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(1) the first principles of the Canonical grand-story presented in the first two chapters of Genesis. These are God, creation and the dependency of creation on God. These first principles then provide both the authors and the readers with the universal theistic worldview horizon within which the various stages of the grand-story of the Bible appear to be shaped;
(2) the central theme that is running through the biblical grand narrative and which unites the individual stages and sub-stages is the anomaly of human evil introduced in Genesis 3 in conjunction with God’s double response; a response which implies that the theme of human evil does not stand alone in the biblical narrative but is intertwined with the motifs of God’s responses.
(3) the narrative structure, arises from the double motifs of God’s historic responses to the problem of human evil in terms of Blessing and Curse. In this context the biblical narrative appear to emerge in seven major stages and several sub-stages. This paper will argue that the seven major stages are best defined as: Creation, The Fall, The Promise and the OT People, The Fulfillment and Jesus, The Fulfillment and the NT people, The Day of the Lord, The New Creation.
The interconnection between the central theme of evil and the double motif regarding God’s response to the human problem would form the grand narrative plot- line or master narrative around which the various biblical stories revolve and which advances such a plot-line through the individual stages in the Biblical Canon.
In this paper I will try to address this question in the following 4 steps: In the first section (1), I will briefly look at the present roadmap by the GC and reflect about its potential to provide a solution to the issue of women’s ordination.
In the second section (2), I will address the issue of women’s ordination itself and use it as a window on the nature and depth of the disunity problem. Then in the third section (3), I will begin to explore more closely the issues arising from the hermeneutical dialogue, and in the last section (4), I will suggest a specific proposal for continuing the hermeneutical dialogue.
(1) the first principles of the Canonical grand-story presented in the first two chapters of Genesis. These are God, creation and the dependency of creation on God. These first principles then provide both the authors and the readers with the universal theistic worldview horizon within which the various stages of the grand-story of the Bible appear to be shaped;
(2) the central theme that is running through the biblical grand narrative and which unites the individual stages and sub-stages is the anomaly of human evil introduced in Genesis 3 in conjunction with God’s double response; a response which implies that the theme of human evil does not stand alone in the biblical narrative but is intertwined with the motifs of God’s responses.
(3) the narrative structure, arises from the double motifs of God’s historic responses to the problem of human evil in terms of Blessing and Curse. In this context the biblical narrative appear to emerge in seven major stages and several sub-stages. This paper will argue that the seven major stages are best defined as: Creation, The Fall, The Promise and the OT People, The Fulfillment and Jesus, The Fulfillment and the NT people, The Day of the Lord, The New Creation.
The interconnection between the central theme of evil and the double motif regarding God’s response to the human problem would form the grand narrative plot- line or master narrative around which the various biblical stories revolve and which advances such a plot-line through the individual stages in the Biblical Canon.
In this paper I will try to address this question in the following 4 steps: In the first section (1), I will briefly look at the present roadmap by the GC and reflect about its potential to provide a solution to the issue of women’s ordination.
In the second section (2), I will address the issue of women’s ordination itself and use it as a window on the nature and depth of the disunity problem. Then in the third section (3), I will begin to explore more closely the issues arising from the hermeneutical dialogue, and in the last section (4), I will suggest a specific proposal for continuing the hermeneutical dialogue.