Bachelor of Divinity
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1257
2024-03-29T11:28:44ZA follow-up study of Central Philippine University seminary graduates from 1950 to 1970 with emphasis on their length of service in church and church-related institutions in relation to recruitment patterns and other factors
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/2108
A follow-up study of Central Philippine University seminary graduates from 1950 to 1970 with emphasis on their length of service in church and church-related institutions in relation to recruitment patterns and other factors
Hervias, Romeo C.
In the book of the prophet Isaiah is inscribed the passage, "How beautiful upon the Mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ’Your God reigns.’"
These lines inspired the researcher to beat his way into the world of pastors and workers, especially those who have graduated from the College of Theology, Central Philippine University. These words have instilled in the researcher a deeper appreciation of church workers and a desire to study their responses to work opportunities following their graduation.
As far as the researcher has ascertained, there has not been any formal follow-up study conducted on the seminary graduates of Central Philippine University. There was an article written about the graduates published in the "Shalom," entitled: "Where They Are Now." However, such an article does not provide adequate or substantial information about the graduates. At any rate, should there be any study conducted along this line which the researcher has no knowledge of, it is probable that other studies involve other factors and different combinations of such factors.
Statement of the problem
The purpose of this study was to find out some patterns of recruiting students for the College of Theology, and to analyze the relationship between such recruitment patterns and the length of service the seminary graduates render in church or church-related institutions.
This study also aimed to discover the relationships between length of service and age; length of service and sex; length of service and attitude toward preaching.
The following subproblems were stated:
1. What are the patterns of recruiting students for the College of Theology from 1950-1970 and what is the relationship between these patterns of recruitment and the length of service the seminary graduates render in church or church-related institutions?
2. Does the age of a seminary student when he first enters the College of Theology have any relation to the length of service he renders in church or church-related institutions?
3. Is there any relationship between sex and the length of service a seminary student renders in church or church-related institutions?
Introduction and statement of the problem
1975-01-01T00:00:00ZThe Kingdom of God in the teachings of Jesus
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/2060
The Kingdom of God in the teachings of Jesus
Formilleza, Sammie Perez
This thesis deals with the topic, "The Kingdom of God in the Teachings of Jesus." It is a historical and biblical study of the term "Kingdom of God" which is considered the central theme of the message of Jesus.
The aim of the first major topic is to find a definition of the term "Kingdom of God." An attempt was made to trace its usage in the Old Testament, Greek, and Rabbinic literature. Its usage in Hellenistic Judaism and in the New Testament was also given consideration.
The Greek word for "Kingdom" is basileia. According to the author's study, the New Testament word basileia basically means "reign" rather than "realm" or "people." This is the sense in which Jesus usually used the term. When it is applied to God it always mean "kingly rule."
The second major topic traces the development of the idea of the Kingdom of God from the very first period of Israel's life to the advent of apocalyptic literature. This study is basic because it helps us understand its meaning when we come to the New Testament idea.
The third major topic discusses the Kingdom of God as future. Some of the teachings of Jesus about the Kingdom have eschatological meaning, referring to a decisive event in the future. However, the writer traces first the historical discussion about this idea of the Kingdom by including the thoughts of some theologians who in one way or another are defending the claim that the Kingdom of God is purely eschatological. The ideas of Johannes Weiss,
Albert Schweitzer, and Rudolf Bultmann are included here, followed by a detailed study of the Scriptural evidences of the Kingdom as future as found in the Gospels. In this portion it is particularly argued that to Jesus, the kingdom of God was primarily an eschatological event. Albert Schweitzer best described it with the term, "consistent eschatology," meaning that Jesus was primarily influenced by apocalyptic eschatological ideas when he used the term.
The fourth major topic deals with the Kingdom of God as present. Many portions of Jesus' teaching picture the Kingdom of God as a present reality. The pattern of presentation in this topic follows the same pattern as the preceding one. Given more emphasis among the three theologians who were representatives of this position was C. H. Dodd who made the most consistent attempt to present the Kingdom of God as wholly a present reality. Following this discussion there is a presentation of the Scriptural evidences from the Gospels for the Kingdom of God as present. All the discussions support the idea that the Kingdom of God is a present reality at work among men and not something in the future.
The last major topic takes into consideration the idea that the Kingdom of God is both present and future. This is an attempt to make a contemporary synthesis of the two major views and to know how can this be possible. In this discussion, the writer tries to reconcile the two opposing views in order to arrive at something which truly represents Jesus' teaching regarding the Kingdom of God. The first sub-topic discusses the Kingdom as God's decisive intervention in present history and human experience while the second presents the Kingdom of God as the final state of the redeemed to which God's intervention in history and human experience is designed to lead.
This study would lead us to the conclusion that the Kingdom of God is a single concept, the rule of God which is manifested in history through his divine intervention in and through Jesus Christ and which will also be eschatologically manifested in the future.
Abstract only
1973-01-01T00:00:00ZThe parables and the politics of the kingdom
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/2054
The parables and the politics of the kingdom
Diesto, Genaro Depakakibo Jr.
The question of the relevance of the teachings of Jesus in modern day situations has been one of the more important and oft-discussed subjects in Christian thought. Social conditions inevitably change, and each major change in the conditions present new problems or at least new dimensions to old problems with which the Christian, seeking to live out his faith is confronted. The Christian then, with every change, has to reckon with Christ's teachings in the context of the situation in which he finds himself.
One of the more urgent problems that confronts Christians and for that matter, the church today is the phenomenon of revolution. This is especially true of churches in poor, underdeveloped (some use the term "Third World") countries who face the grim realities of economic privation, social injustice, militarism and tyrannical rule on the one hand, and revolutionary movements and groups who seek to overthrow such oppressive conditions on the other. The church's reactions to this problem are varied, and in many cases, specific issues pertaining to the problem have divided and polarized the body of faith into two groups: one group seeing Jesus' life and his teachings as having political import and consequently posing a challenge to active political involvement; the other insisting on Christ’s apolitical attitudes toward civil society, seeing Christ as having stood above political realities, resulting in an uninvolved political stance.
The former group is further divided into two factions in terms of their active involvement. One faction has taken the option of armed revolution. Camilo Torres, a Catholic priest and one-time chaplain and sociology professor at the National University of Bogota, who perished in an armed encounter with Colombian troops on February 15, 1966, is a classic example of the many others who have taken that route. The other faction took the non-violent revolutionary stance. Such is the case of the Latin American Archbishop of the Catholic church, Dom Helder Camara who experienced imprisonment and other repressive measures taken against him and many others for their active participation in the struggle for liberation.
The latter group standing in opposition can also be further divided into two factions: one faction having nothing to do with politics or political issues at all, the other taking a stand against revolutionary politics but taking active part in status quo politics. But all groups and factions readily quote scriptures to support their stances, and insist on their interpretation of scripture as the proper interpretation which all the rest should follow. This has resulted in a divided witness and in many cases, a weakened ministry.
It is clear that for the church to arrive at the proper understanding of its mission and for the members to take a unified action, a closer look at the life and teachings of Jesus should be seriously undertaken.
This project is an attempt to answer the question of Christ's teaching on the phenomenon of revolution. While the socio-economic and political situation in Palestine during Jesus’ time was somewhat similar to the conditions of many Third World countries today, the answers gleaned from this study may not readily apply to modern-day situations. This is especially true because each individual environment has its own particular characteristics which are uniquely its own, hence what may apply to one may not necessarily apply to another.
The writer desires however to be able to indicate at least the fundamental elements in Jesus' teachings pertaining to the problem by which modern day Christians can derive guidance in their own particular situations.
The writer has limited the area of study to the parables which Jesus taught since the parables have been widely used by Jesus to communicate concepts, values and. truths about the nature of God's reign.
The examination of the question involves the consideration of three main heads:
I. Studies on the pertinent background material in Jesus' time.
II. The Messianic Hope
III. The Parables of Liberation
There are quite a number of references pertaining to the study and Interpretation of the Parables of Jesus, but since the writer does not intend to present an exhaustive study on the given subject, this project will deal more with the interpretation of the intent and meaning of the parables in light of their historical context, and whenever possible, an attempt will be made to correlate said. Interpretations with modern day situations.
Introduction
1976-01-01T00:00:00ZEighth-century prophets’ concepts of sin; and their implication for the Philippine situation
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1278
Eighth-century prophets’ concepts of sin; and their implication for the Philippine situation
Fabila, Samuel A.
This thesis deals with the topic, "The Eighth-Century Prophets’ Concepts of Sin and their Implication for the Philippine Situation." It is an historical and Biblical study of the term "sin" as found in the concepts of Amos, Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah, and attempts to get an implication for the present Philippine situation.
The aim of the first major topic is to find a definition of sin. An attempt was made to get a secular definition of sin. Old Testament background was also consulted, from the Early Narratives down to the Sinaitic Laws. The use of the term was also considered.
Sin in man’s relation to God is rebellion rather than transgression. According to the author’s study one can transgress any ethical laws without being religious and without sinning. But rebellion implies sin, for it con- notes one’s relationship with God, to whom he is unfaithful.
The second major topic deals with the Eighth-Century Prophets’ Concepts of Sin. It is the center of the work, for it aims to discuss the central purpose and heart of the work. One’s relationship to God is equated with his relationship to his fellowmen. Amos sees sins against God in the avarice, injustices, immorality, superficial and hollow worship of the people. To him, religion has to touch politics and purses. Together with him was Hosea, who went on to condemn the disloyalty of the people to Yahweh; he scorned the unfaithfulness of the people to their God in every sphere of life. He summoned them to return to God in sincere and deep repentance.
Isaiah, like Amos, attacks the idolatrous, shallow worship of the people, their luxurious living, their in- justice and oppression of the righteous. He urges the people to repent and to restore faith and quiet confidence in God. Micah joins with him in this attack on luxurious living at the expense of the poor, and summons the people to execute justice and love toward God. People have rebelled and sinned against God, because they have destroyed their right relation to other people.
The third major topic deals with the implication of the Eighth-Century prophet’s concepts of sin to life in contemporary Philippines. Christianity has its roots in the Old Testament; it is therefore proper and helpful that before exploring New Testament ideas one must study the corresponding Old Testament ideas. A Filipino is not only a Christian in the church, but he is also in the midst of a political and economic situation, and even living in a time of social unrest. His faith and obedience to God can be shown through his involvement in the ongoing activities and situation of the country. Like the prophets, a Filipino is summoned to do his duty toward his fellowmen as his duty toward his God.
This study leads us to the conclusion that sin is not only meant in the cultic sense of the word but in an ethical and moral sense as well. This will further help us in the making of our message on sin more specific by pointing out exactly where in this kind of world one sins.
Abstract only
1977-01-01T00:00:00Z