Biblical Texts Research Articles

“David has Killed his Tens of Thousands, Saul his Hundred Thousands”: Troop and Casualty Numbers in Josephus and 1-2 Samuel

ABSTRACT In Josephus’ re-telling of 1-2 Samuel in Judean Antiquities, his quantifications of Saul and David’s battles, troops, and casualties have particular rhetorical effects. When the numbers in MT and LXX differ, Josephus often uses the numbers that most aggrandize Saul and David’s leadership. He also sometimes embellishes or supplies numbers when the biblical text lacks them. Josephus’ quantification of Saul’s battles specifically results in a somewhat different portrait of Saul than the biblical text paints—in 1 Sam 18,7, “Saul has killed his thousands, David his ten thousands,” but in Josephus, Saul kills more than a hundred thousand men. This article considers the numbers used to quantify Saul and David’s battles in the MT, the different numbers found in the LXX, and then discusses how Josephus chooses to quantify these two men in ways that sometimes depart from the biblical text.

Processo de aprendizagem na fé

The dialogue between theology and pedagogy builds the basis for the development of the learning process from the perspective of faith. It is not faith that grows, but rather people who mature in attitudes that correspond to the hope they confess, concrete attitudes in their daily lives. Considering the cognitive, affective and attitudinal dimensions of the human being, this research has as its main objective to describe learning that is integral, significant and continuous, from the perspective of faith. Therefore, in addition to bibliographical research, an exegetical analysis of biblical texts that support each of these learnings was carried out. It is important to consider the existential context of students, establishing the link between faith and life, promoting integral, significant learning and continuous formation in the faith, that is, in each phase of life. The task of continuous formation in the faith is the responsibility of all people who participate in life in the Christian community, evidencing the general priesthood of all people who believe in an effective and efficient way. The Church of Jesus Christ is concerned with the catechumenate, with ongoing discipleship, with the formation in the faith of children, adolescents and young people, as well as adults and the elderly, planning and implementing in a conscious and responsible way the integral and significant learning in the process of formation in the faith throughout life.

Hebrews 5:5–10: A synthesis for the hermeneutical challenge in Pentecostalism on suffering?

Pentecostals adopt a distinct hermeneutical approach when reading and interpreting the Bible, emphasising the New Testament more than the Old Testament and, when they do engage the Old Testament, are more inclined to focus on narratives of victory, success and triumph, which align with their emphasis on triumphalistic faith. Conversely, texts addressing lament, suffering, persecution and defeat receive less attention in Pentecostal hermeneutics. It is important to recognise the perplexity that not all prayers are answered, not all Christians succeed and sometimes believers endure severe hardships without expecting any change in their circumstances. Hebrews 5:5–10 is a passage that discourses the suffering of the Messiah and how he achieved perfection through suffering. This text may serve as an exemplum to challenge Pentecostals to consider a new hermeneutical approach when dealing with texts on suffering. Pentecostals often read the Bible with the expectation to share in the same spiritual experiences as the biblical characters, particularly focusing on breakthroughs and victories. However, the message in Hebrews 5:5–10, on the suffering Messiah, may invite Pentecostals to reconsider their emphasis on triumphalism and to engage with biblical themes of suffering and perseverance.Contribution: This article aims to provide Christian believers, particularly Pentecostal believers, with an alternative perspective on suffering. It emphasises that suffering does not necessarily indicate a deficiency in faith or prayer. By reconsidering their hermeneutical approach to biblical texts on suffering, Pentecostals can find meaningful insights and perspectives to help them navigate their experiences of suffering.

Frihet under ansvar? Bibelöversättning som institutionell praktik

In this paper, I discuss the relationship between structure and agency in institutional translation. My case is a Swedish retranslation of the biblical texts commenced in 1972. Against the background of the directives issued to the translators, and through a case study of how three Old Testament texts were translated by the team, I argue that the team members bypassed certain aspects of the directives. This, however, was not primarily because they exercised their individual agency, but because they collectively related their work to the abstract institution of biblical studies, which can be conceived of as a belief system which structured the interpretation and translation of the biblical texts. The case is hereby discussed to critically assess the relationship between agency and structure, and to suggest a non-binary way of understanding the relationship between the two.

Ascension of Jesus: Drawing from the thoughts of Andries van Aarde

This article stems from the author’s dialogue with New Testament scholar Andries van Aarde about the divinity of Jesus, during which the topic of Jesus’ ascension also arose. The author aims to focus on Van Aarde’s thinking about the ascension of Jesus. The article does not intend to provide a reflection on the exegetical and hermeneutical analysis of the biblical texts alluding to the ascension of Jesus Christ. Instead, it argues that these texts existentially emphasise a believer’s new life, theologically expressed as ‘personal ascension’, implying participation with God. In the New Testament, language expressing Jesus’ ascension was borrowed particularly from royal psalms in the Old Testament. The concept of ‘ascent to heaven’ to access the divine presence is central not only to Jewish Christian apocalyptic symbolism but it also became part of the church’s liturgy. Van Aarde contends that the modern church should preserve the reference to Jesus’ ascension in ecclesial confessional language, despite no longer affirming a three-tiered universe or adhering to the mythical language of ‘descended into hell’ and ‘ascended to heaven’.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article makes the case that Jesus Christ’s ascension serves as a liturgical celebration of victory over trauma. It demonstrates the need for a metaphorical interpretation of the ancient references to ascension. These mythological descriptions become anachronistic in our time if they are interpreted in a realistic, historical and literal sense. However, rich and meaningful victory poetry can still be communicated if the ‘ascension’ is interpreted metaphorically.

Shepherding with Love: Apostle Peter's Guidance from 1 Peter 5:1-4 for Christian Educators

Jesus Christ, as the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), serves as the primary model for spiritual leaders in fulfilling their pastoral duties. In John 10:11, Jesus is portrayed as a faithful Shepherd who lovingly cares for His sheep and is even willing to sacrifice His life for them. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and gave a special commission to Peter to undertake the pastoral task (John 21:15-17), emphasizing that this duty is a sacred calling entrusted by God to be carried out according to His will. This study aims to examine the Apostle Peter's advice on shepherding in 1 Peter 5:1-4 and its relevance for Christian Educators. The research employs a qualitative method using literature review and biblical text analysis to identify leadership principles in shepherding. The findings reveal that the Apostle Peter's advice includes four key principles for a shepherd's ministry: serving willingly, being sincere in devotion, exhibiting humility, and being a good example to the congregation. These principles are considered essential for cultivating the spirituality of service for a Christian Educator who acts as a lecturer or teacher. In conclusion, the Apostle Peter's advice on shepherding provides guidance for spiritual leaders to fulfill their roles as Christian Educators in accordance with Christ's example, characterized by love, integrity, and dedication.

Sophia: The Female Aspect of Christ in Origen of Alexandria

Abstract This article examines the feminine aspect of Sophia, a significant title for Christ in Origen of Alexandria’s theology. It investigates whether Origen recognized and utilized Sophia’s femininity to develop a Christology that incorporates female elements or if he downplayed this aspect to counter Gnostic interpretations, particularly those of the Valentinians, who sexualized the divine. The analysis begins with an overview of the Wisdom figure in Prov 8:22-25 and its representation in Valentinian Gnosticism, highlighting Origen’s reliance on biblical texts as foundational to his theological framework. Key passages from Origen’s “On First Principles” and “Commentary on the Gospel of John” are explored to reveal his understanding of Sophia as both a mediator in creation and an integral part of Christ’s identity. The article concludes that while Origen acknowledges Sophia’s femininity, he strategically avoids sexualized language and imagery, likely to prevent misinterpretation among simpler Christians and to distance himself from Gnostic thought. Ultimately, this nuanced approach reflects Origen’s complex engagement with the feminine in his theological discourse.

Hermenéutica de la identidad humana de Jesús

The article explores the humanity of Jesus from a theological and sociological perspective. The author challenges traditional positions that exalt the divinity of Jesus to the detriment of his humanity, and argues that his message is deeply linked to social commitment. Through the analysis of biblical texts and philosophical reflections, Jesus is presented as a revolutionary who reveals divinity through his humanity, highlighting the importance of social justice and the transformation of the material world.

Pit, Spirit, Necromancer or Instrument Used in Necromancy? The Problem of Finding the Correct Meaning of the Hebrew Word אוב (’ôḇ)

Various meanings are attributed to the word אוֹב: pit, spirit, necromancer, instrument for divining the future with the help of the dead. Thus, in some cases, it is difficult to decide on the right word to translate it. This article attempts a diachronic analysis of biblical texts and, based on it, traces the potential semantic development from the original sense of “pit”, “instrument used in necromancy” (1 Sam 28:7–8), through the sense of “spirit of the dead” (Isa 8:19; 19:3; 29:4) to the post-exilic use in the sense of “necromancer/medium” (Lev 19:31; 20:6, 27). Deuteronomistic narratives (2 Kgs 21:6; 23:24) and the later list of forbidden practices in Deut 18:10–11 may indicate the timing of this semantic transformation.

Psalm 72 in light of the psychological theories of poverty

Prior to the 1980s, various theories of poverty have been proposed by psychologists, ranging from, but not limited to, ‘naturalizing perspective’, ‘constitutionally inferior perspective’, or ‘nativist perspective’; to the ‘McClelland approach’ (McClelland 1961, 1965, 1973); to the ‘attribution theory’; and to Lewis’ (1975) culture of poverty theory. The theories tease out issues of the accumulated environmental deficits and psychiatric disorders, such as depression as well as the lack of ambition and mental drive to achieve success. However, from the 1980s, psychologists returned to the Lewis’ culture of poverty theory. The World Bank Development Report for 2000–2001’s expansion of Sen’s (1999) theory, which placed emphasis and/as three-pillars on ‘security’, ‘empowerment’ and ‘opportunity’ led for one, among other psychological bodies, the American Psychological Association to consider various conceptualisation of the theories of poverty. The paper tests the psychological theories of poverty against the background of the historical-literary read poetic text of Psalm 72. Does a poetic reading of Psalm 72 bear a psychological meaning when read within the framework of psychological theories of poverty? Firstly, the paper investigates psychological theories of poverty prior to 1980s to the present. Secondly, in a poetically and historically read Psalm 72, the psychological presuppositions are teased out. In the end, the paper submits with caution that when read within the framework of psychological theories of poverty, the poetically read Psalm 72 produces psychological meaning, which contributes value to the reading of Biblical poetic texts.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article draws on the discipline of psychology, employing the psychology theories of poverty to read an Old Testament poetic text of Psalm 72. The meaning of Psalm 72 is derived from the psychological reading of the historical-literary critically analysed poetic Hebrew Bible text.

Is God a Woman? Female Faces of God in Contemporary Cinema

Film, as a medium, serves not only as a significant source of entertainment but also as a powerful instrument in shaping attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, social norms, and identities. Since its inception, cinematic art has been closely intertwined with religious themes, with many film narratives drawing implicitly or explicitly from biblical texts and religious traditions. Consequently, theologians and ecclesiastical authorities were quick to identify film as a potential locus theologicus. Given film’s ability to spark debates on deeply ingrained views and beliefs, feminist theology, which critically reflects on gender power relations within religious communities and theological texts, finds it intriguing to explore how cinematic narratives can challenge the millennia-old depiction of God as a man. This article aims to examine how the art of cinema contributes to theological reflections on the female metaphors of God, particularly through female Christ-figures and God-figures, which occasionally appear in films such as Chocolat, All That Jazz, Always, Dogma, and The Shack. These characters defy traditional religious language, which often employs masculine imagery and metaphors for God, portraying female God as an independent chocolatier, a single mother, an elegant hairdresser, a beautiful young seductress, a curvaceous African American bread maker, and a witty, clownish girl. In these cinematic depictions, female God is compassionate, empathetic, kind, witty, forgiving, and profoundly in love with her human creations. At the same time, all of these female characters are powerful, assertive, strong, and self-confident.

Rethinking a fundamentalist literalist reading of Mark 16:18 by some new prophetic churches

Some of the New Prophetic Churches apply the fundamentalist literalist reading of the biblical text in their sermons and theology because of a lack of knowledge and application of proper reading and interpretation of scripture. The fundamentalist literalist reading of scripture particularly Mark 16:18 is linked here to the abuses by some of the pastors in New Prophetic Churches. In addressing these challenges, this article proposes a proper exegetical study of Mark 16:18 that pays attention to the context of the text, the historical background and the grammar of the text. This will be achieved by giving a background to a fundamentalist literalist reading of scripture in Pentecostalism particularly as practised by New Prophetic Churches in South Africa. The article will also highlight some of the challenges posed by the fundamentalist literalist reading of scripture. The final section is an exegetical study of Mark 16:18, which is interpreted by recognising the whole passage of Mark 16:9–20 even though some New Testament scholars do not recognise this longer ending. This article reflected on this passage in response to the fundamentalist literalist reading among New Prophetic Churches not necessarily to enter the debate between the short ending and longer ending.Contribution: This article challenges fundamentalist literalist reading of scripture in New Prophetic Churches. The article proposes a thorough exegetical reading of Mark 16:18 that recognises the exegetical tools such as history, grammar and the context of the text.

Venha a nós o reino do amanhã: uma análise da ideia de salvação e dos elementos religiosos presentes na graphic novel de Mark Waid e Alex Ross

It aims to analyze the religiosity and the idea of salvation present in Kingdom Come by Mark Waid (writer) and Alex Ross (artist). For this purpose, the cartographic-critical method developed by researcher Iuri Andreás Reblin will be employed. It analyzes the cited story based on other articles on the subject, especially those focusing on the relationship between the comic book with the biblical text of the Apocalypse of John, and based on relevant theological concepts such as salvation and redemption to identify how they are present in the graphic novel.

Jewish Elements in the Ancient Chinese Christian Manuscript Yishen Lun (Discourse on God)

This article identifies and analyzes four passages in the ancient Chinese Christian manuscript Yishen Lun (YSL) that exhibit distinct Jewish characteristics. The phrase “yizhong zuo shenghua” (lines 356–358) mirrors the Book of Acts’ theme of “sanctification of the Gentiles,” rooted in the Jewish dichotomous worldview, placing Jews, or Shihu Ren, at the center. The author’s use of this phrase distinguishes him from yizhong ren (Gentiles) and aligns him with Shihu Ren. In lines 256–263, YSL directly attributes messianic declarations to Jesus, a central issue in Jewish accusations of false Messiahship. In contrast, the Gospel accounts avoid making such direct accusations, as Jesus did not openly declare himself the Messiah. This distinction highlights YSL’s closer alignment with Jewish polemical traditions and legal concerns. Additionally, the use of “City of Judah” in lines 345–347 as an archaic designation for Jerusalem, predominantly found in Jewish traditions, contrasts with the more common “City of David” in other biblical texts. A philological analysis of lines 279–281 reveals imagery analogous to the synagogue parochet covering the Ark of the Scrolls. These four Jewish elements complement the one analyzed in the author’s earlier 2024 article, “The Parable of Wise and Foolish Builders in Yishen Lun and Rabbinic Literature.” That study concludes that the parable of wise and foolish builders in lines 146–156 of YSL aligns more closely with Jewish rabbinic traditions than the Gospel version. These new hermeneutical insights should provide interesting and fresh data for ongoing research into YSL.

Genre and Style Metamorphoses of German Choral Cantata of 18th-19th Centuries

The purpose of the work is to reveal the genre-stylistic and spiritual-content instructions of the German choral cantata and the peculiarities of its existence in the musical-historical tradition of the 18th-19th centuries. The methodology of the work has a complex nature and is based on a combination of the principles of interdisciplinary, historical-typological, hermeneutic, art history and genre-stylistic research methods. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that, for the first time, it offers a generalisation of the poetic-intonational specificity of the German spiritual cantata of the 18th-19th centuries and its genre-stylistic metamorphoses in the specified period. Conclusions. The genre specificity of the German spiritual cantata is determined by its contact with the liturgical practice of the German Protestant church. This genre is directly related to the church sermon and therefore was called "sermon music", "motet", "concert", "dialogue", summarised by the concept of Hauptmusik ("Main music of the day"). The contact of the German spiritual cantata with its Italian analogues and opera did not exclude the presence of original features in it, among which the Protestant chorale, based on traditional for the 18th-19th centuries, dominates. polyphonic forms, on the significant role of the instrumental beginning. An essential feature of the genre can be considered its figurative and semantic focus on the reproduction of the sacred aspects of a person's life path, their spiritual ascent-transformation, interpreted in the context of the instructions of the Lutheran faith. The German romantic cantata, represented in the works of R. Schumann, F. Mendelssohn, R. Wagner, and J. Brahms, on the one hand, reflected a wide genre and style spectrum of the creative searches of the named authors, within the framework of which the cantata was synthesised with the typology of various genres – from chamber a vocal cycle, a leader's play up to an oratorio, a dramatic scene (in the works of R. Schuman). On the other hand, the romantics' appeal to the poetics of the choral cantata symbolised the revival of the German spiritual and musical tradition, summarised by the name of J. S. Bach, which was directly reproduced in the cantata compositions of F. Mendelssohn, R. Wagner ("The Brotherly Meal of the Apostles") and works of Y. Brahms. Despite all the differences in the textual basis of the works of the named authors and their aesthetic guidelines (Y. V. Goethe, M. Horn, T. Moore, paraphrases of biblical texts), their unifying quality is the "memory of the genre", focused on the reproduction of the individual's spiritual path and the high didactic and ethical meaning of their inner transformation.

Distinctions: Uses of the Bible in Immigration Debates

This article considers and responds to some of the ways the Bible is used in US immigration debates, focusing on restrictive interpretations by conservative scholars. It highlights how biblical texts are often applied to support modern distinctions, such as legal versus illegal immigrants, by selectively interpreting passages like those referring to the “least of these” or the treatment of sojourners versus foreigners. The discussion draws on some complexities of theological history, including how Western Christianity’s colonial mindset distorted biblical teachings, leading to exclusionary practices. The article contrasts these views with more inclusive biblical interpretations that emphasize hospitality and justice.

A plea for vengeance in Psalm 35: 1-3 and its reflections in Africa (Yoruba) indigenous churches

Psalm 35 is one of the most popular, widely read and used Psalm among the African indigenous churches (Yoruba) in Nigeria. This article investigates why and how Psalm 35 vv. 1-3 is used as a plea for vengeance among the Yoruba Christians in African indigenous churches in Nigeria. The article explores how the plea for vengeance is understood and expressed in the African traditional context. African biblical hermeneutics with the view of providing a useful lens to reread biblical text in African context was adopted for the study. It was discovered that as early as the 3rd-century Christian era, the book of Psalms was used in the liturgy of the church. The notion of vengeance as found in Psalm 35 vv. 1-3 is a recurrent theme in African indigenous churches in Nigeria. This Psalm is used among the Yoruba Christians in African indigenous churches as a plea for divine intervention against their enemies. Through a synthesis of biblical and traditional African sources, this article demonstrates how the plea for vengeance is expressed in the cultural practices and beliefs of African indigenous churches. The plea for vengeance in this Psalm is a reflection of African indigenous churches’ understanding of key social issues such as justice, relationships between individuals and groups, and the need to maintain social integrity. Psalm 35 is usually read, sung, memorised, inscribed on parchment, and chanted by African christians and non-christians as expression of faith in God to intervene in the issues confronting them as he did for the Psalmist.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The Yoruba Christian readers of Psalm 35vv. 1-3 appeal to God for intervention against their enemies. The article emphasises that Christians should not take laws into their hands but trust in God for justice.

The Lexical and Syntactical Calque superaedificare in the Latin Tradition of the New Testament Epistles

Abstract The prefixed verb superaedificare, which is a calque of ἐποικοδοµέω, governs prepositional phrases and plain cases in the Latin New Testament Epistles. The Vulgate and Old Latin manuscripts feature constructions of superaedificare in agreement with the Greek source text. However, alternative translations are attested when the biblical text is cited by early Christian writers. In citations where the biblical passage is included in the author’s text, aedificare is frequently used instead of superaedificare. By contrast, when the biblical text is quoted for the first time and its source is acknowledged, superaedificare is employed and its construction matches that of the Greek text. These citation habits show that the construction of superaedificare is a syntactical calque of the Greek source text, which is attested when the citations are marked as such but is not used when the biblical text is embedded in the patristic text.

Analisis Psikospiritual Fenomena Relapse Bagi Kelompok ODGPZ di Loka Rehabilitasi BNN Deli Serdang Tahun 2024

Relapse is a relapse behavior that repeatedly occurs after undergoing rehabilitation characterized by the emergence of addictive mindsets, behaviors and actions after the withdrawal period. Drug cases create a sense of dependence caused by several factors, namely family factors, social factors, employment factors, psychological factors and spiritual factors. That's why the case causes uncontrolled emotions of wanting to collect. The focus of the research is to analyze in depth the psychospiritual of ODGPZ who experience continuous relapse in the Rehabilitation Workshop. The term psychospiritual refers to psychology and spirituality where the psychological dimension affects the spiritual experience and the spiritual dimension can affect psychology. Spirituality and psychology include the search for identity which raises various questions that can cause problems in oneself that make oneself anxious, depressed, unstable mood and feeling like they have no purpose in life. Psychospirituality is used as a tool or analytical knife for counselors to dismantle spiritual problems experienced by counselors and see patterns of relapsed behavior. The purpose of the study was to determine the pattern of relapse behavior for the ODGPZ group and analyze the pattern of relapse behavior using a psychospiritual perspective at the BNN Deli Serdang Rehabilitation Workshop. This study uses a qualitative research methodology with a case study method to clients who have experienced relapse. Data collection techniques were obtained by initial observation, interviews and documentation. The results of the analysis showed that the pattern of relapse behavior by ODGPZ was extraordinary enjoyment, suggestions from ODGPZ friends, increasing the spirit of activity, escaping from problems, and pressure and stigma from society. After the pattern was analyzed using a psychospiritual lens, the author found that there were clients who still found it difficult to refuse offers from ODGPZ friends, there were errors in interpreting the theological message of the Bible text, all problems were solved with drugs, finding meaning and purpose in life and social change. Therefore, psychospirituality is closely related to the intellectual and emotional of the individual which affects the mindset and behavior of individuals, especially drug user.

A Sociological-Ideological Approach to Interpreting 1 Corinthians 7:1-11: The Perspective on Marriage in the Corinthian Church

This article discusses the sociological-ideological interpretation of 1 Corinthians 7:1-11, where Paul responds to the Corinthians' questions regarding marriage and celibacy. In this analysis, the social and ideological context of Corinthian society serves as the basis for understanding Paul's views. By considering the moral conditions and social structure of Corinth, the article examines how the local worldview influenced the interpretation of the text, as well as how the biblical text impacts the social life of the church. The research findings indicate that Paul's decisions about marriage and celibacy were not based on absolute principles, but rather on the specific sociological circumstances in Corinth at the time. Paul's perspective on marriage is also closely related to the Christian teaching on the sacred relationship between Christ and His church. This article emphasizes the importance of considering the social context when interpreting biblical texts, particularly in understanding issues related to family and personal relationships within the church community.