This study examines the biblical approach to the truth and inspiration of the Word of God in critical dialogue with Progressive Christian Theology (PCT). Using a qualitative-descriptive method and comparative biblical-theological analysis, the research explores the fundamental differences, points of convergence, and potential integration between the two approaches. PCT emphasizes the importance of socio-cultural context, moral development, and human experience in understanding faith. In contrast, biblical theology affirms the authority and unchanging nature of the Word of God as the foundation of absolute truth that undergirds church doctrine and practice. The findings indicate an urgent need to formulate a balanced synthesis between fidelity to the biblical text and sensitivity to contemporary cultural changes. This integrative approach is not intended to weaken the authority of Scripture but to enrich theological understanding so that it becomes more relevant to modern contexts without neglecting divine truth. This synthesis ultimately produces a model of church growth that is contextual, Scripture-centered, and capable of balancing love and truth in addressing contemporary theological, social, and ethical challenges. The model bears significant implications for shaping congregational spirituality, developing pastoral ministry, and guiding the church’s mission amid increasingly complex cultural shifts.

The heavenly title ‘I Am That I Am’ (Ex 3:14) signifies God’s self-existence and transcendence, which are essential to biblical theology and Christ’s ‘I am’ declarations in the Gospel of John. Modern pastors increasingly employ the phrase and other divine names for self-identification, dangerously overstepping theological boundaries. This pastoral appropriation creates substantial theological dilemmas: it endangers Christ’s singular mediatorial function, cultivates unbiblical spiritual hierarchies, blurs the Creator-creature distinction, and facilitates spiritual abuse by allowing leaders to claim divine authority without accountability. This article analyses the pastoral appropriation of divine titles via the Reformation’s Solus Christus premise, defining the boundaries of pastoral identity and recognising possible consequences. The study examines biblical passages regarding God’s self-revelation and pastoral functions, Reformation writings related to Solus Christus and ecclesiastical authority, and modern sermons that exemplify pastoral divine self-alignment. Exegetical research uncovers significant theological disparities between pastoral divine terminology and Reformed doctrines. ‘I Am That I Am’ refers solely to Yahweh. Reformation theology, which includes Luther’s concept of the priesthood of all believers and Calvin’s view of the ministerial office, rejected clerical claims of ontological distinctiveness. The contemporary pastoral association with the divine undermines Solus Christus and establishes an unbiblical hierarchy, reviving tendencies that reformers condemned. This technique conceals Christ’s sufficiency and may tether consciences to human rather than divine authority. Authentic Reformation healing upholds Christ’s exclusive mediation while seeing pastoral authority as functional and derived. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The manner in which pastors utilise names for God significantly diverges from the teachings of the Reformation, reflecting a misinterpretation of God’s self-revelation and the appropriate duty of a pastor as delineated in the Bible and theology. This practice reinstates hierarchical inclinations that Reformers criticised, obscures the sufficiency of Christ and may bind consciences to human rather than divine authority. Genuine Reformation recovery maintains Christ’s exclusive mediation while recognising pastoral authority as both functional and derived. This research examines contemporary church leadership through the lens of Reformation principles, elucidating disputes regarding ecclesiastical power and demonstrating the influence of theological shifts on the church’s vitality.

From the late seventeenth century onward, the central aim of missionary Christianity in the British Atlantic was to Christianize slavery; that is, to render the institution morally and theologically acceptable within a Christian framework. This work of “amelioration” was envisioned as a gradual process, with missionaries from both the established Church of England and a host of dissenting denominations playing a central role in its advancement. Collectively, they promoted a discourse of Christian slavery that aimed both to reassure slaveowners of the compatibility between slavery and Christianity and to frame the conversion of enslaved people as a means of producing a more obedient, industrious, and morally disciplined labor force. To be sure, in promoting a Christianized vision of slavery, missionary societies were deeply complicit in the exploitation of enslaved Africans. Yet, ironically, the very tools they employed to pacify and discipline (biblical instruction and literacy) were repurposed to articulate a platform of resistance, ultimately contributing to slavery’s undoing. This essay employs critical discourse analysis to examine how these dynamics unfolded in two pivotal uprisings in the British Atlantic world: the Demerara Rebellion of 1823 and the Christmas Rebellion of 1831 in Jamaica. In both cases, missionary endeavors contributed to the counter-discursive appropriation of biblical theology that played a critical role in transforming enslaved people into agents of political change. Still, reimagining scripture was only part of the story. Crucially, it was the alignment of a new religious consciousness with unfolding political events, that transformed simmering discontent into open revolt.

Abstract This article explores how neo-Calvinist Geerhardus Vos (1862-1949) and his Reformed biblical theology can inspire the Sino-Reformed community to develop its own biblical theology within the broader Reformed tradition. It examines Vos’s identity through his biographical background and assesses how his biblical theology, as a scientific discipline, has been received within the Sino-Reformed community. Vos is often referred to as the father of Reformed biblical theology, a title that shapes the understanding of his contributions. However, this designation overlooks Vos’s Dutch Seceder identity and the way he constructed his biblical theology by incorporating neo-Calvinist elements that reflect Reformed orthodoxy throughout its historical development. By examining Vos’s identity and the neo-Calvinist theological elements embedded in his biblical theology, this article explores how the Sino-Reformed community in mainland China might appropriate Vos’s insights to develop a biblical theology that remains faithful to the broader Reformed tradition while being meaningfully grounded in their cultural context.

This article explores the imprecatory psalms as responses to traumatic victimization, interpreting their intense death language and pleas for divine retribution through the lens of trauma-informed criminology and forensic victimology. The Psalter’s invocation of death upon the wicked is not merely theological rhetoric, but a deeply embedded response to moral injury, injustice, and communal breakdown. By integrating biblical theology with criminological theory (particularly restorative and retributive justice models) the study argues that the psalmists engage in symbolic litigation, invoking God as divine prosecutor in cases where human justice has failed. The Psalter thus serves as both a spiritual protest and a moral profiling of those who threaten covenantal order, and their use of death motifs functions as a ritual performance of grief, rage, and hope for restoration.

Book Review: <i>The Incomparable God: Readings in Biblical Theology</i> by Brent A. Strawn Edited by Collin Cornell and M. Justin Walker The Incomparable God: Readings in Biblical Theology.StrawnBrent A. Edited by CornellCollin and RapidsM. Justin Walker Grand, MI: Eerdmans, 2023. 508 pp. $59.99

This study aims to examine the concept of servant leadership based on Matthew 20:20-28 and its relevance to the leadership of pastors in the Pakpak Dairi Protestant Christian Church (GKPPD). The background of this research stems from the dynamics of church leadership, which still faces challenges in realizing the values of service, humility, and relational closeness as taught by Jesus Christ. This research uses a qualitative method with a literature review approach, focusing on the analysis of biblical texts and literature on biblical theology, Christian leadership, and pastoral spirituality. The results of the study show that Jesus introduced a leadership paradigm that is different from the world's pattern, namely leadership that is rooted in service, sacrifice, and love. This principle requires spiritual transformation in church leaders so that their ministry reflects the character of Christ. In the context of GKPPD, the application of servant leadership is important because of the influence of local culture, which emphasizes social structure, and the congregation's need for authentic, relational, and humble leaders. This research confirms that servant leadership is not only theological but also contextual in responding to the challenges of church life, as well as providing theoretical and practical contributions in building a leadership paradigm that is in line with the Gospel and relevant to the local church today.

The heightened glocalization of the contemporary world that has engendered the radical inter-contextuality of its societies and the irreversible interpenetration of local and global realities demands that Christian theologians, besides building aptitudes in constructing local theologies, should equally develop competence in constructing intercontextual theology. Drawing upon an eclectic methodology that merges narrative analysis, thematic analysis, and creative research, this article posits that engaging theology in a glocalized world requires the glocalization of theology. It proposes sunomilean theology (theology/ theologizing with others) as a model of intercontextual biblical theologizing that fits today’s glocal reality. Sunomilean theology is rooted in Peter’s conversation with Cornelius in Acts 10:27 and finds profound expression in the Council of Jerusalem’s narrative that Luke records in Acts 15. Its methodology leans on a three-step itinerary: (1) theological self-awareness, (2) other-theological awareness, and (3) intercontextual theological negotiation.

This study explores, from a chaplaincy perspective, the intersection of moral injury and military chaplaincy in the context of the politically charged Australian 2001 “Children Overboard Affair” (CHOA) involving HMAS Adelaide. The purpose of this research was three-fold: (i) it investigates how the Australian Government’s “detect and deny” asylum seeker policy may have contributed to a potential moral injury (PMI) among Navy personnel; (ii) it also explores Australia’s legal obligations under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the moral-ethical tensions generated by operational decisions made during the CHOA event, and (iii) it considers the role of chaplains in supporting personnel during and after a morally injurious event. The research initially undertook a systematic literature review to identify publicly available documents and publications relating to CHOA. Qualitative content analysis was subsequently used to examine the included literature and to discern common thematic categories for further exploration. The analysis revealed four major themes: (i) language framing of CHOA, (ii) power dynamics and moral silencing, (iii) spiritual and moral isolation and (iv) failure of institutional accountability. Grounded in moral injury theory, the biopsychosocial–spiritual (BPSS) paradigm, as well as practical biblical theology and the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (RCDVS), this study highlights the unique position of chaplains in companioning the morally injured. It advocates for a proactive, integrated chaplaincy approach to moral repair in military contexts.

The central doctrine of Christianity affirms that Jesus Christ is God, who in theological orthodoxy is understood to be identical with YHWH. However, this view has been challenged by groups such as the Logos Seminar, which argues that Jesus is not YHWH and is not equal to Him. Although several critiques of this minority position exist, systematic academic studies that compare their claims with intertextual exegesis of the Old and New Testaments remain scarce, leaving a gap in scholarly discussion. This article seeks to address that need by evaluating the thesis of the Logos Seminar through a qualitative method employing biblical theology and canonical hermeneutics. The analysis is conducted exegetically and comparatively in order to assess the core postulates of the Logos Seminar against the textual and typological witness of Scripture. The findings demonstrate fundamental differences between the claims of the Logos Seminar and the biblical data. Exegetical analysis of key passages such as John 1:1, John 8:58 (the ego eimi context), Philippians 2:9–11, and Hebrews 1:8 confirms that Jesus Christ bears divine titles, attributes, and roles that are identical with those of YHWH. Furthermore, intertextual analysis reveals consistent parallels both functionally and ontologically between YHWH and Jesus. The study concludes that the thesis “Jesus is not YHWH” lacks a solid exegetical foundation. The primary contribution of this article is to offer a comparative analytical framework for evaluating similar theological claims while enriching the discourse on Christology in Indonesia with more systematic biblical arguments.

Edward Hayes Plumptre (1821-1891) was an energetic and highly productive Church of England clergyman who served as Dean of Wells Cathedral and Professor of Theology at King’s College, London. His scholarly output included multiple works of Biblical theology, collected sermons, poetry, hymns, and new translations of important ancient Greek and medieval Latin texts. This 1865 sermon provides an example of his treatment of a difficult and contentious topic: justification by faith. Marked by historical sensitivity and Scriptural knowledge, this allowed him to consider the question in a less contentious and more irenic manner than might be supposed.

The study attempts to pursue the shifting focus of New Testament scholarship concerns from Biblical criticism models to contextualization perspectives of bible reading that reflect African contextual and existential challenges. Scholars have conceived the leper's narrative as reflective of either application of Jesus' divine power, or manifestation of God's empire, or, a pattern of service to God and humanity, which indicates a shift of focus from traditional biblical criticism toward modern contextualization of Biblical text approach. This contextualization shift compels the use of qualitative data collection and analysis methodology comprising grounded theory informed by oral narratives and biblical theology. Thus, this research poses the question: how can we contextualize the African cultural healthcare system in biblical narratives to procure a transformative evangelical engagement that resonates with the biblical theological significance of Jesus? Mijikenda healthcare practices, often involve traditional healing methods, can in ways be compared to Christian healing such as the role of one’s faith, prayer, and the use of spiritual and physical remedies. However, there are also very significant differences, especially concerning the source of healing power and the role of intermediaries such as ancestors. The thesis proposed for this study is that contextualizing African cultural practices to procure a transformative evangelical engagement, compels the use of biblical theological-based universal significance of Jesus Christ to evaluate the uniqueness of culture. The reading of the leper's narrative in the contexts of a biblical worldview and Mijikenda cultural HCS to procure an evangelical engagement in tune with biblical theological significance of Jesus Christ, points to interdisciplinary study of religion that blends cultural perceptions with Christian Christological perspectives. This approach imparts hermeneutical skills for using biblical narratives to effect inter-cultural church missions.

Malachi 2:1-9 contains God’s strong reprimand towards the priests as leaders of the congregation for living unrighteously, not honoring, and not listening to His word. This context is relevant today, where many church leaders have become stumbling blocks and there is deviation in service. The gap in previous research, with its diverse perspectives on Malachi 2:1-9, forms the background for this research. The aim of this research is to discover the principles or characteristics of church leadership from the perspective of Malachi 2:1-9, which can then be applied (made relevant) in modern church leadership. This research uses qualitative methodology with biblical theology and an exegetical approach to Malachi 2:1-9. The analysis focuses on constructing an interpretation of the prophetic literary text. This study evaluates and unearths two areas in Malachi 2:1-9: first, priestly characteristics in Malachi 2:1-9, which include attributes of a teacher, exemplary conduct and faithfulness; second, priestly characteristics relevant to contemporary church leadership, namely faithful devotion to God, guarded speech, doctrinally sound teaching and diligent preservation of knowledge.

This study aims to fill the interpretive gap in the Book of Job by analysing the use of yD:êv (Saddai) in the dialogues and debates in the Book of Job, and how this name becomes a bridge between the concept of divine justice and the human experience of suffering. The research method is qualitative with a hermeneutic approach, where the author compares the Masoretic and Septuagint (LXX) texts, where the author analyses the dynamics of the use of yD:êv (Saddai) by various characters in the book of Job. The results show that the name yD:êv Saddai reflects God's infinite power and permits suffering as a form of discipline. The discussion highlights the dynamics of dialogue between Job and his friends, as well as the theological implications of suffering as a space to experience God's love. The conclusion of this study asserts that an understanding of Saddai can provide new insights into biblical theology and human spiritual experience.

The Return of the Kingdom: A Biblical Theology of God’s Reign. By Stephen G. Dempster

This paper explores the impact of capitalism on political and economic development in Africa, with a particular focus on the ways it has contributed to inequality, dependency, and systemic underdevelopment. Despite being endowed with abundant natural resources, fertile agricultural land, and a rich cultural heritage, many African countries have struggled to achieve equitable growth. The capitalist system, characterized by private ownership and market-driven policies, has often prioritized profit over people, leading to exploitation of both resources and labor, weakening national sovereignty and marginalizing the poor. The purpose of this paper is to critically assess capitalism's role in shaping Africa’s developmental trajectory and to offer biblical and theological responses that can guide the continent toward a more just and inclusive future. Capitalism is evaluated not only as an economic model but also as a cultural and moral force that influences how societies distribute resources, exercise power, and define success. Development is understood holistically—encompassing moral, social, spiritual, cultural, and political dimensions, in addition to economic indicators. From a Christian perspective, development involves restoration of human dignity, justice, and stewardship. Biblical theology, centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, presents an alternative vision that prioritizes love, justice, integrity, and servant leadership. When applied to political and economic systems, these values call for a radical transformation of leadership and governance structures in Africa. This paper argues that such transformation must begin with a renewal of the human heart, guided by a relationship with God, and must extend to public policy, resource distribution, and community life. By grounding political and economic practices in biblical ethics, Africa can begin to overcome the destructive cycles of corruption, inequality, and poverty. This approach calls for leaders who are morally responsible, socially inclusive, and committed to the common good.

This paper explores the transformative role of biblical theology in addressing the pressing social, political, and economic challenges facing African society today. The central thesis posits that a genuine conversion to Jesus Christ and the application of sound theological principles can bring about moral regeneration and societal transformation. Drawing insights from African scholars the paper critically examines the current state of Africa—marked by identity crises, moral decay, political corruption, and economic inequality. Despite post-independence optimism, much of the continent continues to grapple with poverty, poor governance, social disorder, and moral decline. The paper argues that the root cause of these problems is a disconnection from God’s intended moral order, as revealed in Scripture and lived out through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It proposes that biblical theology should guide our ethics, social relationships, political engagement, and economic practices. The family, being the foundational unit of society, must reflect God’s design of love, harmony, and responsibility, as modeled in the Triune relationship. Political leadership must embody integrity, justice, and servant leadership, while economic systems should ensure equity, stewardship, and the common good. The study underscores the importance of discipleship, godly parenting, and theological education in shaping a new generation of leaders committed to transforming society from within. Through this theological lens, the paper presents a holistic model for societal healing, anchored in divine principles of justice, love, and righteousness.

The era of inevitable fragmentation and severance offamily solidarity, forcing people to take sides and break family bonds, is an essential prophetic motifin the Book of the Twelve. By means of intertextuality, this article examines the collapse of family solidarity and family reconciliation in the books of Micah and Malachi, where fragmented family conflicts are observed, together with several prophetic laments that describe situations of complete social polarisation, which have shattered the moral andfamilial fabric of society. Such collapse offamily solidarity and tranquillity, according to these prophets, is a symptom of society's moral degeneration. Since marriage and family life are significant issues in biblical, theological and moral discourse, this article probes the prophetic laments in the books of Micah and Malachi, providing contemporary readers with ethical insights within the larger domain of biblical theology and anthropology.

Abstract Despite significant contributions on the topic, remnants of colonialist and imperialist ideas continue to be materially, conceptually, methodologically, institutionally, and pedagogically present in biblical scholarship. The situation comes at a great cost to the so-called “minority” scholars, whose challenges lie beyond the production of good and reliable biblical scholarship. This article reflects on the social-epistemic challenges faced by these scholars and questions the helpfulness of this terminology. From an anthology of colonialist “advices” received by the author in the last five years, and using insights from the sociology of knowledge and decolonial thinking, the article reflects on the coloniality of biblical studies. Therefore, in conversation with Latin American critical thinking and under what Freire called “raiva justa” (righteous wrath), five pillars of injustice are unveiled from the pieces of advice, and suggestions for radical action are provided to inform new contributions to biblical theology.

The prophetic tradition is not only found in Judaism but also in various Ancient Near Eastern civilizations, such as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Canaan. This study aims to analyze the dynamics of Israelite prophecy in relation to Ancient Near Eastern prophetic traditions by highlighting patterns of inculturation and differentiation. This research employs a historical-comparative approach and theological hermeneutics by examining prophetic texts in the Bible and Ancient Near Eastern sources. The results show that Israelite prophecy shares similarities with Ancient Near Eastern prophecy in terms of revelation methods and the social roles of prophets but differs in its monotheistic theology and focus on social justice. The study concludes that Israelite prophecy functioned not only as a medium for divine revelation but also as an agent of social change. This research contributes to biblical theology, comparative religion, and its relevance to contemporary spiritual and social life.