Decline-Presenting – Evangelical Theological Society

Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity and the Transition from Communism in Hungary

Despite growing international interest in Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity, detailed English-language studies on the movement’s history in Hungary remain scarce. Existing sources are predominantly published by the denominations themselves and tend to focus on internal narratives of faith and growth. To date, no comprehensive academic account in English has traced the development of Hungarian Pentecostalism … Read more

Justice and Hope for Egypt: Patterns of Judgment and Restoration in Ezekiel’s Egyptian Oracle

After conceding that Nebuchadnezzar did not receive any wages from Tyre, YHWH promised to hand over Egypt to the Babylonian king as compensation. Stated simply, YHWH promises to repay Nebuchadnezzar for his tireless work against Tyre. Although unaware, Ezekiel declares that the Babylonians “worked for [YHWH]” (אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ לִי). As such, he promises to hand … Read more

The Function of Divine Christology in Acts: Luke’s Narrative Strategy and Theological Purpose

This paper explores Luke’s emphasis on divine Christology within the Acts of the Apostles, focusing on both its narrative significance and theological implications. It addresses the central question: What function does divine Christology serve in Acts? The study argues that Luke intentionally depicts Jesus as divine not only to affirm his Christological convictions but also … Read more

“Looking for the Unblemished Priest!: An Literary/Theological Analysis of Leviticus 21:16-24”

The text of Leviticus 21:16-24 proscribes the blemished priest from serving in the Sancta. Combining theories like Mary Douglas’ early perception of holiness=wholeness and Schipper and Stackert’s perception of the blemished priest as an affront to YHWH, the great king, both biblical and disability scholars understand this priest as an unappealing representative due to their … Read more

Rewriting the Rewritten Tradition: The Reception of Genesis 6 in 1 Enoch and Jubilees

The close relationship between the “watcher traditions” of Jubilees 5:1–12 and 1 Enoch 6–11 on the one hand and the sons of God narrative of Genesis 6:1–4 on the other is well documented. Early in the modern study of Jubilees, Charles observed the affinity of the watchers’ punishment in Jubilees 5 with that in 1 … Read more

The Disciples’ Power to Still the Storm

Jesus’s stilling of the storm (Mt 8:23-27; Mk 4:35-41; Lk 8:22-25) is often seen as one of clearest demonstrations of his divinity. To support this view, scholars typically appeal to OT passages that assert YHWH’s authority over the sea (e.g., Job 26:12; Ps 104:7) or even portray a similar situation of stilling a storm (Ps … Read more

Gospel Roots of Nicene Christology

Faithfulness of the Nicene formulation to the canonical Gospels in its confession of the full deity and full humanity of Jesus Christ as the second person of the Trinity is surely assumed and affirmed by every orthodox believer who rises to the call in worship, “let us say what we believe.” Less sure is the … Read more

“For Wisdom and Power Belong to Him:” The Themes of Wisdom and Power in Daniel and Job

This paper will argue that the themes of wisdom and power are central to the theological message and purpose of the book of Daniel, and have been under-appreciated in both exegetical and theological treatments of the book. The argument will be advanced along three lines. First, the theological message of the book, expressed by these … Read more

Re-examining the Adultery test in Numbers 5:11-31 in light of aNE accounts of adultery

Numbers 5:11-31 provides a detailed account of a test for a woman suspected of adultery, even in the absence of evidence. The text outlines a process where the husband, feeling a spirit of jealousy, is instructed by God through Moses to bring his wife to the priest to determine her guilt or innocence. The priest … Read more

Antithesis as Cornerstone: Schaeffer’s Framework for Christian Public Theology

In Francis Schaeffer’s theological architecture, the principle of antithesis functions not merely as a rhetorical device but as the epistemological foundation of his public theology. For Schaeffer, the very structure of truth necessitates antithesis—the clear delineation between truth and non-truth—with significant implications for Christianity’s engagement in public discourse. Schaeffer contends that diminishing the antithetical nature … Read more