Papers by Dirk van der Merwe
In die skriflig/In die Skriflig, Feb 29, 2024
This article investigates the theological concept Wisdom of God, which could appear vague to many... more This article investigates the theological concept Wisdom of God, which could appear vague to many Christians. Paul refers 17 times to the concept wisdom in the first epistle to the Corinthians. The first four chapters include 16 references to wisdom, and then again in 12:8, where Paul uses it with reference to a spiritual gift. The nine occurrences of wisdom in chapter one exposes a dialectical approach in which the 'Wisdom of God' is opposed to the 'wisdom of the world'. In the second chapter Paul compares the content and character of these two types of wisdom. This article predominantly focuses on chapter 2 by pursuing different perspectives for the concept of the wisdom of God. The investigation starts with a brief overview of the Corinthian circumstances to contextualise the reasoning of the research, followed by a discourse analysis of the Greek text to determine corresponding semantic networks. These networks provide headings for the research. Thirdly, Paul is assessed as protagonist of, and intermediary for, communicating this wisdom. Fourthly, the focus falls on the reception of the 'wisdom of God'. Fifthly, the article outlines the 'role' and 'function' of the Spirit in the revelation of the 'wisdom of God'. Sixthly, the focus is on how wisdom is received. Finally, the research examines features used by Paul to communicate the 'wisdom of God' as lived experiences. The concept, activity, and lived experience of the 'wisdom of God', is understood to be the epistemology to Christian existence, living and experience of God. This article investigates and highlights the 'presence of God' living in Christ as righteousness, redemption, and holiness (sanctification).
Verbum Et Ecclesia, Aug 6, 1998
In this paper it will be pointed out that Jesus did not commission his dis ciples with a new miss... more In this paper it will be pointed out that Jesus did not commission his dis ciples with a new mission, but instructed them to continue and extend his own mission. This implies that in their following o f Jesus ' virodELyiia they would adopt a new way o f life which related to Jesus ' way o f life. The departure o f Jesus gave his disciples the opportunity to take his place in the world. Through this new way o f life (discipleship) Jesus would live in them and they in him. 1 TaOra éXáXriaev IrjcroD?, 2 Kut é ir á p a q Toi>? ó<j>Oa\fiov(; aiiToii ei<; rbv ovpa vov Cluster A 3 bIt s v , 3 .1 H a r e p , é \r j\v 6 e i/ 'óipa' 3 . 2 S ó ^a a ó v aov tov vióv, 'ív(x b viog S o ^á a p a s , 3 . 3 ^KOiSiig eboiKag avTÍ^ é^ovaíai/ váarig aapKoq, ïv a Tr&ii o SÉSwKa:; ainCf Súajj atirol? a iiii'iop. 3 . 4 ^avTTi Sé éanp i) aiáycog 'íva yivúaK(j>aiv as to v iióvov akt)0ivov 6sov Kai ov áxsaTsiXa^ 'lijaovy Xpiaroi' 3 . 5 '*syd as é S ó íaaa é r i rijg yrj<; TO epyov T sksid a a g o SsSoixag iioi Xva Toirjau' 3 . 6 ^Kal vvv b ó ^a a ó v u s a v, r á r s p , ira p á asavTÍá r g á ó f n j b í\ ov Tcpo TOV Totf Koofiov slv a i xapof aoi. Cluster B 3 . 7 ^'Enjxxvépuiaá aov to bvoiia Toii ótvOpÚTOu; ov<; ë&ojKág not sk tov kóohov. 3 . 8 aoi ijoav 3 . 9 Koiiioi aiiTovg cStOKorc 3 . 1 0 KCil TOV \0 y o v aov TSTVpriKav. 3 .1 1 ''vvv e y v u x a v o n irávTa oa a Ss'S<jk0<; fio i icapdc aov s i a i v 3 . 1 2 ^OTi TCI p rinaT a a s&UKáí n oi SsSuko avToï(;, 3 . 1 3 Kal avToi sXaffov 3 . 1 4 Kai sy v ijia a v ctXr)9Sji; o n n a p a aov é^rfKBov, 3 . 1 5 Kai STÍaTsvaav o n a v u s 6nrsaTSika<;. Cluster C 3 . 1 6 ^êyHi T sp i avrCiv spitirSi, 116 JOHN 17: JESUS ASSIGNS HIS MISSION 3 . 7 oil T ep i Tov Koanov épuTCi áX X á T sp t ú v bébtjíKáq jioi, o n aoi s'laiv, 3 . 8 '® K ai r a f i / i á ravTot a á é a n v 3 . 9 Kai TO (já s /iá , 3 . 0 Kai SsSo^aff/ioii en a vro lg . Cluster D 3 .2 ^^Kal ovK en eitil s v T(^ KÓafií^, 3 . 2 Koii avToi é v Koojiif eiaiv, Kotyii trpoq ae epxoy.ou. 3 . 4 V la rep a y i s , rriprjaov avToix; i v tQ > ói> óiíoití aov (j) 6s &(i1k0<: h o i, Xva iia iv Ev KaOCig rjHEÏi;. 3 . 5 avTCiv é y i i erfipovv oivtoví; év rcj) o v d /ia n aov <Jj SéSiiJKáí; not, 3 . 6 Kai é<t>v\a^a, 3 . 7 Kai ovSeiq avrCjv aT oiX ero d fii) b vid<; ry< ; áitti)\eía< ;, 'Cva ij ypa<t>fi T\r]po>6fi. 3 . 8 Se Tpcx; ak ë p x o fía i 3 . 9 KOíï TavT a \ a \ C i bv tC/ KÓanif 'Cva exoiaii' tt]v xo ip a v tt\ v étífin irsir'kt]pu>iievr\v ev éavTÓi<;.
Hts Teologiese Studies-theological Studies, Jun 1, 2008
Acta patristica et byzantina, 2003
This article attempts to point out that John 17:18 ( ) does not refer to the historical sending o... more This article attempts to point out that John 17:18 ( ) does not refer to the historical sending of the disciples by Jesus, but rather the official appointment of the disciples as his agents to continue his divine mission in the world. The historical sending of the disciples will take place at a later stage, in 20:21 ( ), after Jesus' resurrection. In order to prove this hypothesis the following aspects are considered, namely: The two complementary themes (Jesus' approaching departure and discipleship) in the Last Discourses, also mentioned in Ch 17, point to the continuation of Jesus' mission and converge in 17:17-19; the 'agency' concept in the Fourth Gospel constitutes the theological context in which the continuation of Jesus' mission is to be understood; a semanticlinguistic account and the theological understanding and interpretation of 17:17-19 approves the legitimacy of the abovementioned hypothesis. Finally,21 also proves that 17:17-19 refers to Jesus' appointment of his disciples to be his agents in order to continue his mission, while 20:21 refers to the historical sending of the disciples by Jesus.
Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Nov 2, 2003
: … (2) Obedience /Acceptance: … and (3) Faith: … ( ) earthly ministry. (1) Revelation: … (2) Obe... more : … (2) Obedience /Acceptance: … and (3) Faith: … ( ) earthly ministry. (1) Revelation: … (2) Obedience / Acceptance: … and (3) Faith: … ( ) 1.
The Christ's faith : a dogmatic account, R. Michael Allen
Michael Allen's, The Christ’s faith: a dogmatic account, forms part of the Christian doctrine... more Michael Allen's, The Christ’s faith: a dogmatic account, forms part of the Christian doctrine series of monographs by T&T Clark Studies in Systematic Theology. It focuses particularly on constructive engagement with major topics through historical analysis or contemporary restatement. This monograph,The Christ's faith, and Are you the one who is to come? by Michael Bird (2009), are two important contributions at a time when there is a pronounced quest for the historical Jesus. In this monograph Allen argues for a subjective reading of pistis Christou. The result depicts the fullness of the humanity of Jesus. This is "an exercise in critical traditioning and a dogmatic argument meant to provide ontological and covenantal support for a contemporary exegetical possibility" (2). Allen's focus is on incorporating this theological exercise into both orthodox Christology and Reformed theology (4). To this end, he critiques Thomas Aquinas' understanding of Jesus...
Paul and the Gospels: Christologies, conflicts and convergences, Michael F. Bird & Joel Willitts
The publication, Paul and the Gospels is a compendium of essays published in the Library of New T... more The publication, Paul and the Gospels is a compendium of essays published in the Library of New Testament Studies (LNTS) book series, edited by Michael Bird and Joel Willitts who were both extremely interested in this topic. This compendium consists of 10 essays: two essays on each canonical Gospel and the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas in comparison with the Corpus Paulinum. Each essay deals with the issue of how Christianity is depicted in and represented by the individual Gospels as it relates to the image of Christianity presented by Paul and the Pauline writings. This raises the question as to what extent had Paul influenced the canonical and non-canonical Gospels?
Apocalypse and allegiance : worship, politics, and devotion in the Book of Revelation, J. Nelson Kraybill : book review
Kraybill, a Mennonite pastor, author and former president of the Associated Mennonite Biblical Se... more Kraybill, a Mennonite pastor, author and former president of the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary within the Anabaptist tradition, reveals how the historical Book of Revelation has invaluable insights to offer the contemporary Church. Apocalypse and allegiance (A & A) explains much of the language and symbols in this last book of the Bible. This is certainly not a traditional conventional commentary on the Revelation according to John. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a book that will cast light on the world that John was writing to and help explain how and why he composed his apocalypse the way he did, then this is the book to read. It is certainly a valuable commentary on Revelation.
Families and family relations (as represented in Early Judaisms and Early Christianities : Texts and fictions), J.W. van Henten & A. Brenner (eds) : book review
Old Testament spirituality in the gospel of John : original research
Jesus and Gospel, G.N. Staton : book review
Professor Graham Stanton, from Cambridge University, is a highly respected international scholar ... more Professor Graham Stanton, from Cambridge University, is a highly respected international scholar who has a huge reputation in New Testament studies.
Discipleship in the fourth gospel
Religion and Theology, 2010
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 2010
Verbum Et Ecclesia, Nov 29, 2023
The theological concept of righteousness is explored from various perspectives, integrating seman... more The theological concept of righteousness is explored from various perspectives, integrating semantic networks from biblical theologies, systematic discourses and Christian spiritualities to unfold the significance of the environment and foundation of righteousness, the love of God in the familia Dei, and the encouragement to live righteously.
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi, 2012
Verbum et Ecclesia, 2022
The epistle to the Ephesians is regarded as a circular letter, yet it also contains two specific ... more The epistle to the Ephesians is regarded as a circular letter, yet it also contains two specific intercessory prayers (1:15–23; 3:14–21) in which the Trinity concept features persuasively. On the one side, this research tends to point out how the divine attribute of love relates to all three the divine persons in cooperation and how the trinity concept features in the prayer in Ephesians 3:14–21. On the other side, the article also aims to identify conceived spiritualities (lived experiences of the divine trinity) that the hearers (readers) could have perceived and experienced when hearing this prayer or even praying this prayer themselves. Methodologically, the ‘hermeneutic research approach’, as proposed and developed by Waaijman and Iser, has been deductively applied for the investigation in this research. Firstly, the dynamic and relational character of the trinitarian God is briefly discussed. Secondly, an exploration of the appearance and inclusion of trinitarianism in Ephesia...
Jesus' emotions in the Fourth Gospel, S. Voorwinde : book review
Scant literary attention has been paid to the emotions of the Johannine Jesus, the Jesus of the F... more Scant literary attention has been paid to the emotions of the Johannine Jesus, the Jesus of the Fourth Gospel. But Stephen Voorwinde's book Jesus' emotions in the Fourth Gospel, subtitled "Human or divine?", pays tribute to both the human and divine qualities of the Johannine Jesus, and illuminates the current debate surrounding Christology in the Fourth Gospel. This rests on the Bultmann-Kasemann debate in the previous century over the humanity and/or divinity of the Johannine Jesus: "the Revealer is nothing but a man" (Bultmann, 6-9) as opposed to His being "the incarnate Logos as the 'only-begotten of the Father'" (Kasemann, 9-11). In other words, is Jesus "merely human" or is he "only divine"? Voorwinde's conclusions regarding the Johannine Jesus lean neither towards Bultmann's nor Kasemann's point of view, but seem to accord with the teachings of Schnackenburg (11-13). In his research Voorwinde draws ...
Towards a theological understanding of Johannine discipleship
Discipleship in the Fourth Gospel indicates a personal relationship between Jesus and his discipl... more Discipleship in the Fourth Gospel indicates a personal relationship between Jesus and his disciples. This relationship is modelled on the Father/Son relationship which is elucidated by the agency model. A descent-ascent schema farms the setting for this concept, with the Johannine dualism as the determining factor for this schema. The 'agency' motif constitutes the conceptual framework from which discipleship flaws. 
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Papers by Dirk van der Merwe