The death of Jesus as atoning sacrifice : a study of the sources and purpose of New Testament soteriology, with particular reference to selected texts
This study attempts to provide a solution to the problem of the Sources and Purpose of the NT interpretation of Jesus' death within the category of atoning sacrifice. In the Introduction, we point out that although the language of sacrifice is often used in the NT interpretation of Jesus1 death, the question as to why the NT writers use the language has not been satisfactorily answered. In Chapter I we proceed on the conviction that the Christians inherited the OT as their scriptures. In view of this we look at the purpose and efficacy of the sacrificial system in the OT. Here we suggest that the purpose of the sacrifices was a four-fold one: to maintain a covenant relationship created by the exodus, to foster communion with God, to enhance worship, and to expose the seriousness of sin and the need for purity. We begin Chapter II with the question as to whether the concept underwent any change in meaning in the course of Israel's religious history, and if so, how and why. Literature covering both Palestinian and Hellenistic Judaism is examined in detail after which we conclude that, in the Apocrypha and the Pseudepigrapha the efficacy of the temple sacrifices is basically presupposed. We ask in Chapter III
Antwi, Daniel Jacobson
Philosophy
The death of Jesus as atoning sacrifice : a study of the sources and purpose of New Testament soteriology, with particular reference to selected texts. This study attempts to provide a solution to the problem of the Sources and Purpose of the NT interpretation of Jesus' death within the category of atoning sacrifice. In the Introduction, we point out that although the language of sacrifice is often used in the NT interpretation of Jesus1 death, the question as to why the NT writers use the language has not been satisfactorily answered. In Chapter I we proceed on the conviction that the Christians inherited the OT as their scriptures. In view of this we look at the purpose and efficacy of the sacrificial system in the OT. Here we suggest that the purpose of the sacrifices was a four-fold one: to maintain a covenant relationship created by the exodus, to foster communion with God, to enhance worship, and to expose the seriousness of sin and the need for purity. We begin Chapter II with the question as to whether the concept underwent any change in meaning in the course of Israel's religious history, and if so, how and why. Literature covering both Palestinian and Hellenistic Judaism is examined in detail after which we conclude that, in the Apocrypha and the Pseudepigrapha the efficacy of the temple sacrifices is basically presupposed. We ask in Chapter III
death_jesus sacrifice study source purpose new_testament soteriology particular_reference select text study_attempt provide solution_problem sources purpose interpretation jesus_death within category sacrifice introduction point although language sacrifice often use interpretation jesus_death question writer use language satisfactorily answer proceed conviction christians inherited scripture view look purpose efficacy sacrificial system suggest purpose sacrifice fold maintain covenant_relationship create exodus foster communion god enhance worship expose sin need purity begin question_whether concept underwent change mean course israel religious history why literature cover palestinian hellenistic judaism examine_detail conclude efficacy temple sacrifice basically presuppose ask iii