Confrontation within covenant: A study relating old testament covenant practice(with special emphasis on David) to Filipino culture and church practice (with special focus on pakikisama)

Abstract

This dissertation by Marcia R. Anderson, entitled, "Confrontation Within Covenant, A Study Relating Old Testament Covenant Practice (with Special Emphasis on David) to Filipino Culture and Church Practice (with Special Focus on Pakikisama)" begins with a survey of Old Testament covenant practice (berith) and confrontation (riv). Particular focus is upon the Davidic materials, both the Psalms and narrative. This survey becomes the backdrop for the author's study of Filipino covenant practice and confrontation and finds practical expression in a series of interviews undertaken by the author in the Church of God, Philippines. These interviews sought to discover how Filipino cultural values, particularly pakikisama, were seen to influence confrontation, or the absence of it, within the church. The author then integrates both positive and negative examples from the Davidic materials with Filipino church practice, in light of current sociological studies of conflict and making application to the New Testament covenant practice of confrontation as spelled out in Matthew 18:15-17.