TD-Department of Biblical & Theological Studies (MST)

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    All Things Work Together for Good for Those Who Love God.” A Grammatical-Historical Analysis of Romans 8:28
    (PAC University, 2024-08-14) MAIANGUWA LIMAN MALAM YAYA
    This research focuses on the interpretation based on an exegetical analysis of the text to discover the text's original intended meaning by the author. The analysis of the text is to discover the original intended meaning by the author for the first readers. To verify the concept of the original meaning intended, the research considers the literary context of Romans 8:28 for its correct interpretation. “All things work together for good for those who love God” in Romans 8:28, this statement is a major concern to be considered. The grammatical-historical approach (GHA) is the model used in this research. The complex nature of words in the syntax grammatical-historical approach causes difficulty in the interpretation of a biblical text because of the distance of time and space. The most important aspect of interpretation is the original intended meaning of a text. However, the practitioners are often concerned with what suits their church tradition and philosophies, not the text’s original intended meaning. For example, when a nominal Christian is sick because of drunkenness infections, or immoral sexual diseases, pastors use Romans 8:28 to comfort the church members during terrible times. When a believer is not qualified for an appointment, he or she misses the opportunity to be appointed, and this verse is applied. Another aspect is that the verse is often used wrongly when the exegetes want to achieve his goal or her goal; he or she applies it to irrelevant situations The analysis of these two clauses “we know to them that who love God” (Οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγαπῶσι τὸν θεὸν and “all things work together for good” (πάντα συνεργεῖ εἰς ἀγαθόν), the researcher desires to interpret their concept of original meaning intended. The interpretation is in light of the text 8:28 and the literary context of Romans 8:18-36. In order to avoid fallacies or inerrancy interpretation and application of the text (scriptures) on the church in our current generation and even in the generation to come is a matter of concern in this thesis. The search finding affirmed that Rom 8:28 was an encouragement and strengthening to the suffering believers to persevere. Also, the true believers' suffering brings glory to God and blessings to the church of God as predestined by God
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    The Relationship Between Ritual Practices and Spiritual Gifts: A Critical Study on Pastors and Congregations in Selected Charismatic Churches in Nairobi County, Kenya
    (PAC University, 2021-07-06) Nadimo, Joseph Sanchez
    In recent past, Pentecostal churches have gone through a lot of evolution to a new brand of Pentecostalism called Charismatic Pentecostalism (Parsitau, 2014). However, this brand has endured a lot of criticism with claims of people being coached on what to do during live services for the display of miracles. Mwaura (2005) however notes that this has not stopped people from joining these churches because they seem to be providing solutions to the problems people are facing as compared to the mainline churches. The purpose of this study was to establish the role of ritual practices in the appropriation of spiritual gifts in the growth of Charismatic Pentecostals, to determine ritual practices carried out by charismatic Pentecostal pastors and lastly to discuss the role of pastoral ministry in re Spiritual gifts. The study sample size was 400 members from the churches, these were; 10 Pastors and 390 congregants across selected charismatic churches in Nairobi County. Sampling was conducted through purposive and systematic sampling. The study used questionnaires, group-focused interviews, semi-structured interviews, participant observation and available written records in qualitative research methods. The research plan, structure and strategy of investigation were designed to obtain answers to research questions and controlled variance by answering the questions objectively and accurately. The data was analysed using Nvivo qualitative data analysis method. The study revealed that ritual practices and spiritual gifts have positive implications on the growth of charismatic Pentecostalism and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, application of ritual practices and Spiritual gifts has in certain instances been appropriated by charismatic pastors for selfish gain rather than for the growth of the body of Christ. On believers’ side, the ritual symbols have been ritualized thus turn out to be a religiosity affair.
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    A Biblical Restorative and Retributive Justice: The church and State Conflict Resolution Approach According to 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 with Application to the Rwandan Case
    (PAC University, 2022-11) Gatete, Godfrey
    his thesis is about a biblical restorative and retributive justice with reference to the church and state conflict resolution approach, according to 1 Corinthians 6:1-11. It seeks to identify biblical principles in 1 Corinthians 6: 1 – 11 that define the restorative and retributive justice approach to address conflicts and divisions within the church and the community. The study has two objectives, namely, to conduct an exegetical deductive study of 1 Corinthians 6: 1-11 and to set biblical guidelines that define the complementarity of the restorative justice with the retributive justice. In this thesis, the researcher argues that Paul’s model of church conflict resolution, as found in 1Corinthians 6:1-11, is appropriate for adopting the complementarity of the state retributive judicial justice system with the restorative justice approach. The study deductively analyses the text of 1 Corinthians 6: 1- 11 to suggest judiciary principles that can address the conflicts destroying the spiritual and social life of both the church and state. This uniquely offers a biblical retributive and restorative “Gacaca”, justice informed by biblical principles from the deductive exegetical analysis of 1 Corinthians 6: 1- 11. The study employs historical grammatical criticism method with some aspects from Socio-scientific criticism to understand the original message of the text in its ancient Jewish, Greco-Roman world context. Based on these methods, the study brings out underlying biblical principles used to resolve conflicts and divisions within the church and state. Accordingly, the study makes three recommendations, namely (1) conflict between two believers should be handled by the wise church members; (2) the concept of conflict resolution and management model and provision of retributive and restorative justice according to 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 is applicable and should be adopted to the church and state justice system; and (3) the church should intentionally disciple members to maturity from whom wise believers are identified and appointed to serve. These wise believers serve to administer equitable retributive and restorative justice to church members, based on biblical principles as derived from 1 Corinthians 6: 1- 11.This leads to the “Biblical Gacaca”, a judiciary system that embodies the retributive and restorative justice in the church and state
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    The Surety for Justification by Faith in Galatians Chapter; Three: A Socio-Rhetorical Analysis with Applications in the African Context
    (Pacuniversity, 2021-10) Judah, John Onekwu
    Christians in the Galatians province had accepted the gospel and become disciples by the way of faith in that faith in Christ is sufficient for being justified. The emergence of that which seemed to be another gospel through the Judaizers deviated the believers to rely on legalism of the Torah and related practices. This astonishment drove the Apostle Paul to make a defense of the authenticity of his gospel and prove that faith is sufficient enough for the justification of the believers. This problem can arguably be seen as a replay in the African churches, where the faith of some believers in Christ is being astonishingly placed on other elements apart from Christ whom we profess. Looking into the arguments provided by Apostle Paul for the reasons why justification is by faith alone and not on any other elements or persons, the focal text for this research will beon Galatians chapter three. The underlying drive in this research is to uncover the biblical reasons that support the fact that justification is by faith alone and givecorresponding and contextual applications to the church in Africa. Interestingly, the author of the epistle to the Galatians implored a forensic rhetorical device in his day to make his arguments, and, this methodology will be considered in this research, especially in taking a look at the beauty of the precise judicial proceedings followed by the author in his argument in chapter three. This research revealed Apostle Paul’s evidences for justification by faith which are the experiential, scriptural and logical arguments. The social rhetorical criticism, as methodology is being followed in this research.
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    AN EXAMINATION OF LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION IN ANCIENT ISRAEL: THE CASE OF GENESIS 48:17-19 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR AFRICA INSTITUTED CHURCHES (AICS) IN KENYA.
    (PAC University, 2023-07-25) SANCHEZ, NADIMO JOSEPH
    When the church is in conflict, the members are affected especially when such conflicts end up either in splits or closure of the church (Gathuki, 2015). Succession conflicts are on the rise in Africa Instituted Churches (AICs) today. In instances where the founder of the church has retired or died, the traditional plan would be to consider the immediate member of the family or second in command to take over. However, the scripture in Genesis (48:17-19) brings out the picture of such a scenario. The traditional succession plan in the Ancient near East which Israel was part of favoured the first son, but the will of God through Jacob preferred the younger son. The researcher sought to explore the relationship between traditional succession practices in the ancient Near East and the Israelites, and to discuss leadership succession wrangles in Africa Instituted Churches in relation to Genesis (48:17-18) and lessons that Africa Instituted Churches can learn on leadership succession. Using Socio-Scientific method as methodology and Divine and Human Elements theory to understand the Ancient Near East, and the exegesis of Genesis (48:17-19), the study found out that conflict in church leadership succession is a failure by the church leaders to discern the will of God in their decisions. Africa Instituted Churches are influenced by African cultural practices on succession plans just like ancient Israel, which was part of the ancient Near East culture. Therefore, rather than applying African traditional patterns of successions in church leadership transitions, the Africa Instituted Churches should be keen to discern the will of God, just like what was happening in Abrahamic familial lineage, for posterity, and to avoid the bad picture painted about the church in Kenya. Text: Genesis 48:17-19; When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s 9 head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head. “But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.
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    Theology of Ḥērem Concept: An Exegetical Analysis of Deuteronomy 7:1-11
    (PACU, 2018/10) Sang, Gilbert
    The concept of ḥērem has narrowly been interpreted within context of warfare and its operationalization limited to the conquest period. Through exegesis of Deuteronomy 7 and other related scripture, this research examined ḥērem as a salvific concept that as divinely prescribed in the Torah with its purpose being the extermination of evil and purification of Yahweh’s worship. The research looked at how ḥērem is conceptualized in the Torah; how ḥērem concept is developed in the rest of the Hebrew Scripture; and it proposed how contemporary Christians should apply the ḥērem concept. This research used Social Scientific criticism and grammatical historical criticism method to examine the main text. Chapter One focus on the background to the study, problem statement, objectives of the research, significance of the research and theoretical method. Chapter Two looks at the literature relating to the ḥērem concept; Chapter Three discusses the cultural and historical context of the book of Deuteronomy focusing mainly on a general historical background of Deuteronomy; Chapter Four discusses the analysis of Deuteronomy 7:1-11 and the synthesis of the Biblical data; Chapter Five gives conclusion and recommendations.
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    A RHETORICAL AND PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF MARK 1:21-28 AS A REMEDIAL TO THE ABUSE OF BIBLICAL AUTHORITY “ἐξουσια” IN SOME AFRICAN INITIATED CHURCHES
    (PACU, 2023-07-25) CALEB, SSEMPIJJA KAJUNA
    The current hermeneutics approaches and applications applied to the text of Mark 1:21-28 have tried capturing the right understanding and use of biblical authority “ἐμνπζία.” The current hermeneutical approaches have not done enough in this case. There is no uniform hermeneutical approach that has been applied to the text that resonates with the issue of the abuse of biblical authority in some African Initiated Churches (AICs). This research exegeted the text of the study using rhetorical criticism, specifically the method of Pentadic Criticism,and Pragmatic Analysis, particularly the method of Speech Act Theory, and some textual analysis. This was done to provide a remedial to some witnessed abuse of biblical authority by the leaders in some of the AICs today. These abuses are evident in the manipulation of the congregants financially, spiritually, physically, sociologically, and psychologically as indicated in this document. The focus of this study is, therefore, directed to the interpretation and application of the text of Mark 1:21-28, to better understand biblical authority and also to correct the misuse of that authority by some leaders in some of the AICs. This will also reduce the misunderstanding of biblical authority by some leaders today, hence, achieving not only the development of biblical understanding of biblical authority and its application in some AICs by the leaders but also contributing to academia concerning the use of biblical authority.
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    JEWISH TRADITIONS AS AN OBSTACLE TO BELIEVING IN JESUS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO A CONTEMPORARY KIKUYU CHRISTIAN: AN EXEGETICAL EXAMINATION OF JOHN 8: 31-59
    (2023-07-25) WANYOIKE, SAMUEL KAMAU
    John, the apostle, uses the context in John 8:31-59 to show how Jewish traditions were an obstacle to believing Jesus. The selected text of John 8:31-59 deals with truth; liberty of true discipleship; the fatherhood of God, of Abraham, and of the devil; and the authenticity and divinity of Jesus. It relates true discipleship to the knowledge of the truth that sets free. By contrasting the fatherhood of God and the devil, it demonstrates how those Jews had subscribed to false discipleship akin to open rebellion against God. This was in contrast to the conduct of Abraham, whom they claimed to be their father. It addresses the question of truth by presenting falsehood as the reality of the devil and truth as the reality of God. This research, therefore, sought to critically interpret the text of John 8:31-59 so as to discover its original and intended meaning; with its theological significance and practical significance to a contemporary Kikuyu Christian in Kenya. The study found that the author used epideictic rhetoric to present the Jews being addressed by Jesus as a foil and Abraham as a mirror of true discipleship. The study highlights that the Jewish claim of Abraham as their father was an indirect justification for practicing their traditions against the teachings of Jesus, which they presumed was a threat to their values and customs. With this understanding, the study established parallelism and contrasts between the biblical Jews and the Kikuyu people’s contexts. These have the potential of making it easier or being a hindrance to the Kikuyu Christians in Kenya to appreciate the truths revealed in this text. This study recommends further research to be done on ways of further mitigating the hindrances and maximizing the advantage of the parallels. The study adopted a combination of rhetorical and historical-grammatical methods to interpret the text. The analysis of the text was organised into and presented in a complementary structure.
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    THE OPPRESSIVE ELEMENTS UNDERLYING REBUKING OF CHILDREN A CRITICAL READING OF MARK 10:13-16 THROUGH THE LENSES OF OTHERING IN SOCIO-SCIENTIFIC AND POSTCOLONIAL HERMENEUTICS
    (2023-07-25) KIPCHILIS, JACOB KIPLAGAT
    This study explores the oppressive elements underlying the othering elements in the pericope of Mark 10:13-16, which led Jesus Christ to tell His disciples, “Permit the little children to come to me; do not hinder them!” (‘Ἄφετε τὰ παιδία ἔρχεσθαι πρός με, μὴ κωλύετε αὐτά’) when analysed critically through the lenses of the othering in socio-scientific and postcolonial hermeneutics. The researcher uses both the socio-scientific theory of criticism and postcolonial criticism to identify the othering oppressive elements and submits an application of the findings in the contemporary African context. In the analysis, the researcher considers what the pericope of Mark 10:13-16 meant there and then that is the world behind the text, which is the Markan audience and what it means here and now to the current hearers and readers, referring to the world in front of the text. The researcher then proposes solutions to the oppressive elements especially when the pericope is re-read in the African context through the lenses of the othering in socio-scientific and postcolonial hermeneutics. The researcher is guided by the following objectives: First, is to identify the oppressive elements underlying the othering in the pericope of Mark 10:13-16 using the lenses of socio-scientific and postcolonial hermeneutics. Secondly, the researcher analyses the otherings in the pericope of Mark 10:13-16 critically through the lenses of othering in socio-scientific and postcolonial hermeneutics. Thirdly, the researcher determines the implications of the oppressive elements in the pericope of Mark 10:13-16 using the othering in postcolonial hermeneutics. Lastly, the researcher proposes an alternative reading/re-reading of the pericope of Mark 10:13-16 for the African context. In Chapter One: the researcher provides an introduction and background to the study by giving an overview of the whole research. As such, the chapter provides the statement of the problem, the objectives of the study and the research questions as well as the purpose, significance, scope and limitations of the study. In Chapter Two: This section contains literature review. The relevant existing literature on the oppressive elements underlying the otherings in the pericope of Mark 10:13-16. The chapter has been structured in line with the objectives and the research questions formulated for this study. Chapter Three: This chapter discusses the methodology of this research as well as the justification for the choices made. Chapter Four: This concerns the exegesis of Mark 10:13-16. This section deals with the results in meaning of words used in the biblical languages and, in this case, the Koine Greek, which is an in-depth exegetical analysis of the guiding pericope of Mark 10:13-16 from the original Greek language using the lenses of othering in socio-scientific and postcolonial hermeneutics and the deliberations of the oppressive elements categorized. The identified oppressive elements underlying the rebuking of the children in the pericope of Mark 10:13-16 are: Ambivalence, hybridity and mimicry; powerlessness of the children and economic oppression; domination and class oppression (classism); cultural imperialism and religious persecution; violence against children (ageism) GBV and marginalization and institutionalized oppression. The researcher suggests a re-reading of the pericope of Mark 10:13-16 through the lenses of the postcolonial and socio-scientific hermeneutics in the African contemporary society as a solution to curtail the oppressive elements. Chapter Five presents the conclusions and recommendations that can be made from this study, again potential areas of further study are highlighted in this chapter