School of Graduate Research Student Theses
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Browsing School of Graduate Research Student Theses by Subject "B - Biblical Studies"
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- PublicationFrom Eden to Interstellar Space: Thomas Nagel, biblical hermeneutics and the search for ‘the true extent of reality’(2022) 'Beattie, Sarah A.'The thesis critiques reductionist approaches to the interpretation of biblical narrative and explores a constructive, expansionist approach in which a biblical perspective of the human condition and our relationship to the world in which we live is complementary, rather than in opposition, to a scientific perspective.
- PublicationHomecoming in Haizi – A Dialogue between the Chinese Soul-Search and the Gospel of Luke(2015-06) Yang, XiaoliThis thesis a dialogue between the Chinese soul-search found in Haizi’s (1964–1989) poetry and the gospel of Jesus Christ through Luke’s testimony. It takes an interdisciplinary approach—literary study, inter-cultural dialogue and comparative theology, and creates a contextual poetic lens to appreciate a generation of the Chinese homecoming journey, and to explore its relationship with Jesus Christ.
- PublicationJoining the Conversation: An Exegetical Approach to Ascertaining Contextual Meanings for Low-Frequency Lexemes in the Peshitta Gospels as a Proposal to Benefit the Lexicography of the New Testament(2015) Lewis, TimThe thesis seeks to ascertain contextual meanings for several low-frequency lexemes in the Peshitta Gospels. It proposes that intratextual exegesis can benefit lexicography, especially in cases where meanings given in current lexicons are unclear in regards to the contexts upon which such meanings are based. An exegetical methodology is developed that defers the study of social backgrounds and instead prioritises narrative context for examining Gospel lexemes. The thesis grew from an evaluation of the ‘convulsive’ meaning given in KPG for the Peal of ܚܒܛ (Mk: 9:18, 20). Twelve low-frequency Syriac lexemes are examined: ܢܳܪܓܳܐ (Mt 3:10//Lk 3:9); ܝܘܽܕ (Mt 5:18); ܣܶܪܛܳܐ (Mt 5:18); ܩܰܛܺܝܢܳܐ (Mt 7:14); ܢܶܩܥܳܐ (Mt 8:20//Lk 9:58); ܡܶܕܪܳܐ (Mt 13:5); Peal of ܫܘܚ (Mt 13:5); Peal of ܥܨܒ (Lk 10:34); Peal of ܚܒܛ (Mk: 9:18, 20); Ethpaal of ܒܥܩ (Mk 9:20); Peal of ܫܚܩ (Mk 9:26; Lk 9:39); and Pael of ܡܥܣ (Lk 9:42).
- PublicationMarqus (Mark) Ibn al-Qunbur Commentary on the Book of Genesis (1-11) An Edition and Translation(2021) Malek, AmirMarqus (Mark) Ibn al-Qunbur was a 12th century Coptic monk and priest, a prolific teacher and writer. Of his surviving works is a significant commentary on the Pentateuch. This thesis offers a first edition with an apparatus of Ibn Qunbur's commentary on Genesis 1-11 together with a first English translation and commentary.
- PublicationNo place to stand: Bidirectional readings of biblical narratives through the lens of moral injury(2022) 'Shibaoka, Atsushi.'Moral injury emerged as a deeply debilitating experience among veterans of recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This interdisciplinary research is located at the interphase of military chaplaincy care, theological, and biblical studies. The thesis analyses moral injury as a war syndrome (i.e., deleterious impacts of war) associated with significant conflicts since 1861. Theological insights from Brian Powers contribute to building a ‘lens of moral injury’ which is then used for bidirectional reading of texts that places experience of veterans alongside those of biblical characters. The methodology differs from other approaches that typically diagnose moral injury in the biblical characters. Through the lens, a ‘force field of grace’ is discerned in God’s unfolding acts of mercy. This becomes the basis for hope for all who struggle with moral injury. An integrated approach towards moral injury and moral repair is proposed with emphasis on prevention and preparation for those sent into moral, as well as mortal danger.
- PublicationOmri in Context: An Israelite King Between History and Theology(2023-10) 'Brown, Kevin B.'The thesis explores the question of how the contextual approach developed by William Hallo illuminates a text against its wider linguistic, cultural, and archaeological background. The case studies examine the depiction of King Omri in 1 Kgs 16:21–28 in the light of extra-biblical traditions concerning the house of Omri. The research illuminates the similarities and differences between various methodologies, especially the “grammatical-historical method” and “historical criticism.” The thesis shows how textual, cultural, and archaeological data may be synthesised within a “contextual” methodology. To achieve this goal Hallo’s own contextual methodology is examined and modified. A new articulation of this methodology is proposed as a fruitful way to move beyond simplistic methodological contrasts between text and history. Among the key findings, I argue that the theology of 1 Kgs 16:25–26 provides a different perspective on Omri from the more positive tradition in 1 Kgs 16:24 revealed by contextual research.
- PublicationThe Scandal of the Scandal of Particularity: An Exploration of Early Church Understandings of Jesus as the Female Divine(2015-02) Douglas, SallyJesus’ status inflames debate. Central to debate is whether Jesus uniquely embodies the divine: thus “scandal of particularity”. Both those who affirm and those who reject this “scandal” regularly eclipse a central proclamation of who Jesus is in many earliest christologies. The scandal of the scandal of particularity is that in various Second Testament and early church texts Jesus is understood as the female divine. Insufficient attention has been devoted to why this is so. Through interdisciplinary research across biblical studies and systematic theology this thesis demonstrates that in the early Jesus movement Wisdom christology and Wisdom soteriology were ignited by collective experiences of “kinesthetic transformation”. The multivalent motivations for the eclipsing of Jesus-Woman Wisdom in the second and third centuries are excavated. The potential implications of this ancient understanding in contemporary context are assessed and it is demonstrated that this scandalous particularity continues to shimmer with vitality and provocation.
- PublicationThe Spirit, New Creation and Christian Identity in Galatians: Towards a Pneumatological Reading of Galatians(2021) Buchanan, GrantThis thesis identifies the creative and significant way Paul engages the Holy Spirit in Galatians 3:1–6:17. Placed strategically throughout the letter, I argue that the Spirit is an important lens to understand Paul’s argument, even if not always explicit; especially in his discussion of Christian identity in Galatians, culminating in the theme of New Creation in Gal 6:15.
- PublicationSuffering in Romans(2013-09-16) Wu, Siu FungSuffering is a significant theme in Romans 5:1–11 and 8:17, 18–39. Although it is not the main message of the letter, its importance for the argument in 5:1–8:39 cannot be ignored. The thesis explores the theology of suffering in this section of Romans. It proposes that Romans 5–8 describes how God has created a new humanity out of Adamic humanity. The vocation of this new humanity is to participate in Christ’s suffering, with the purpose that they may be glorified with him. Indeed, their identification with Christ’s suffering is an integral part of God’s project of transforming humanity and renewing creation. It is in their faithful suffering that Christ-followers participate in God’s triumph over evil.
- PublicationThe Integration of Spirituality in the Practice of Christian Counselling(2011-05-12) Chant, Vanessa A.Christian counselling is encouraged by churches and provided for by theological colleges who incorporate counselling training in some of their curricula. Registration is provided by Christian counselling organizations and some employment opportunities are provided by many not-for-profit Christian organizations and Churches. This research sought to comprehend the significance of Christian counselling and to gain an understanding of how training impacts the Christian counsellor. The literature and background information in Christian counselling was viewed, laying foundation for research. The research comprised four scales culminating with two client scenarios. It sought to determine the value of Christian training in counselling and to gain a better understanding of Chritian counselling. There was an expectation that Christian counsellors would be able to articulate what the distinctives were in relation to Christian counselling. There has been no known research in this pariculart area in Australia. The research included 128 Christian counsellors who were graduates of Christian colleges, counsellors employed in Christian organisations and members of the Christian Counsellors Association in Australia. The results of the research indicated that most participants, although enthusianstic in relation to Christian techniques in theory, did not always follow through with practical examples of this in the scenarios. The hypothesis, 'Graduates who are trained in theological institutions will be more likely to utilise Chritian spiritual issues in their profession of councelling' was not supported.
- PublicationThe Language of Love in the Song of Songs: Reading With/Into A Vietnamese Church Context(2010) Tran, Thi LyThe interrelation of the Bible texts with the culture of its readers has opened an important avenue for biblical interpretation in the Vietnamese context. In this thesis, the Song is studied by using grammatical, textual, literary and historical criticisms, and cross-textual studies and focusing on the primary meaning of the Song that is a human love relationship even though it has a rich interpretative tradition with diverse meanings throughout the past two thousand years. The study is necessary because it will demonstrate similarities between the love language of this biblical text and Vietnamese love language; hence show the relevance to contemporary Vietnamese life of studying the Song. It contributes important knowledge of how the bilical text can interact directly with a Veitnamese traditional culture, provides a model for how other Vietnamese readings might interact with oter biblical texts, and also aims to add to Asian hermeneutics and theology.
- PublicationThe Parable of the Persistent Widow: Luke 18:1–8 in Context(2019) O’Connor, JohnJohn’s project explores how a detailed exegetical treatment of Luke’s Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) can offer an insight into the Lukan portrayal of women characters especially in regard to their role in discipleship. The thesis takes into account concerns relating to current feminist hermeneutics and connects them to Luke’s characterization of female characters.
- PublicationThe Social and Corporate Dimensions of Paul’s Anthropological Terms in the Light of Discourse Analysis(2013-08-08) Chen, SunnyThis thesis examines Paul’s anthropological terms, σῶμα, ψυχή, πνεῦμα, and καρδία, using aspects of the method of discourse analysis. It argues these terms often connote social and corporate dimensions of the human person, pointing to communal relationship, social identity, and corporate unity. Although not every single occurrence of these terms carries a corporate and relational reference, many occurrences form a coherent thematic meaning and point in that direction. This thesis casts doubt on the grammatical category of the ‘distributive singular’, preferring to read key texts as examples of Paul’s relational anthropology. It indicates that Paul’s anthropology shows less concern for the ontological nature of the human person. Instead, he uses anthropological terms to focus on the place of the human person within the ecclesial community. This thesis therefore proposes that reflection on the nature and identity of the human person should take the notions of communal relationship and social identity into serious consideration.
- PublicationTracing Apocalyptic through Daniel and the Book of the Watchers(2011-04-03) Miller, Nicholas H.This thesis begins with a review of some of the key issues in defining apocalyptic literature, before moving on to more detailed analyses of Daniel and the Book of the Watchers. The insights gleaned from these case studies are employed to reflect upon terminological and methodological disputes surrounding the identification of genres and their social settings.