New Testament Texts

The first verse of the temptation narrative contains the strange remark that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness in order to be tempted by the devil. Obviously the Spirit is the same “Spirit of God” who had just been mentioned in Matthew 3:16 and who descended on Jesus when he was bap...

The Book of Revelation has not only a rich theology-it focuses strongly on God the Father-and a strong Christology, but has also a lot to say about the church. John the apostle communicates a profound ecclesiology. In this essay I will examine the names of and images representing the church, as found in the Apocalypse. I will ask where in the book the church is found and what is the significance. I will examine characteristics of the ideal church and tasks for the church as well as appeals and promises to the church. In Revelation the church faces tremendous difficulties. These are internal as well as external challenges. The external difficulties include opponents and a system called Babylon, which stands in contrast to the church. God's relationship to the church and his care for the remnant are important. Finally, the church is pictured as being victorious. Because she belongs to the Lamb, the Lamb will guarantee a positive outcome of her struggles. Some practical implications will be drawn.

The New Testament writings express the conviction of the followers of Jesus that the Christian community supplanted the Jews as the special people of God. The apostle Paul speaks of Christians as "the Israel of God" (Gal 6:15), "Abraham's offspring" (Gal 3:29), and "the true circumcision" (Phil 3...

Our century has witnessed the phenomenal rise of the state of Israel in the Middle East. A multitude of questions of great importance are raised by these extraordinary events. The claim of the land of Canaan by Jews after almost two millennia of existence in the diaspora seeks a hearing. Indeed, ...

The basic content of 1 Tim 2 deals with prayer and worship. In vss. 1-2 Paul urges prayers for kings and all those in authority; in vs. 8 he exhorts men to pray without anger or disputing; in vss. 9-10 he counsels women to dress modestly with decency and propriety; in vss. 11-15 he forbids women ...