Symbolic Interactionism in the Gospel according to John

Symbolic Interactionism in the Gospel according to John

Author: Elia Shabani Mligo

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2014-06-12

Total Pages: 99

ISBN-13: 1625643985

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Symbolic interactionism is a social-scientific perspective that seeks to describe how human beings create meaning with one another in their daily lives. Since the world is populated by symbols that characterize all interactions among living beings, this book explores the importance of symbols and symbolic interaction while moving beyond the social sciences to theological studies. By examining the way symbolic interaction is portrayed among characters in the Gospel according to John in the "water narratives," this book argues that the Bible is a symbol that is itself full of symbols whose meanings are worthy of our study. Hence, the interaction of characters in the Gospel of John and the whole Bible, along with the symbols they use in their interactions, demonstrates that symbolism is directly linked to human life because symbols are major means of communication, and without symbols, human beings are in chaos.


Book Synopsis Symbolic Interactionism in the Gospel according to John by : Elia Shabani Mligo

Download or read book Symbolic Interactionism in the Gospel according to John written by Elia Shabani Mligo and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2014-06-12 with total page 99 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Symbolic interactionism is a social-scientific perspective that seeks to describe how human beings create meaning with one another in their daily lives. Since the world is populated by symbols that characterize all interactions among living beings, this book explores the importance of symbols and symbolic interaction while moving beyond the social sciences to theological studies. By examining the way symbolic interaction is portrayed among characters in the Gospel according to John in the "water narratives," this book argues that the Bible is a symbol that is itself full of symbols whose meanings are worthy of our study. Hence, the interaction of characters in the Gospel of John and the whole Bible, along with the symbols they use in their interactions, demonstrates that symbolism is directly linked to human life because symbols are major means of communication, and without symbols, human beings are in chaos.

The Symbol of Water in the Gospel of John

The Symbol of Water in the Gospel of John

Author: Larry Paul Jones

Publisher: A&C Black

Published: 1997-01-01

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 1850756686

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This study explores the meaning and function of water as a literary symbol in the Gospel of John. Jones first gives an account of symbol: it points beyond itself, it defies clear and definitive perceptual expression, and it in some way embodies that which it represents. Then he examines the narrative sections of John that involve water, plotting the expanding meaning and function of the symbol as the narrative unfolds. The study concludes that water serves primarily as a symbol of the Spirit and therein symbolizes Jesus. The symbol of water calls a wide variety of readers to a decision and functions as a bridge linking the new identity believers receive when they come to faith in Jesus with the traditions from which they came.


Book Synopsis The Symbol of Water in the Gospel of John by : Larry Paul Jones

Download or read book The Symbol of Water in the Gospel of John written by Larry Paul Jones and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 1997-01-01 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study explores the meaning and function of water as a literary symbol in the Gospel of John. Jones first gives an account of symbol: it points beyond itself, it defies clear and definitive perceptual expression, and it in some way embodies that which it represents. Then he examines the narrative sections of John that involve water, plotting the expanding meaning and function of the symbol as the narrative unfolds. The study concludes that water serves primarily as a symbol of the Spirit and therein symbolizes Jesus. The symbol of water calls a wide variety of readers to a decision and functions as a bridge linking the new identity believers receive when they come to faith in Jesus with the traditions from which they came.

Symbolism in the Gospel of John

Symbolism in the Gospel of John

Author: Paul Diel

Publisher: Harper San Francisco

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Symbolism in the Gospel of John by : Paul Diel

Download or read book Symbolism in the Gospel of John written by Paul Diel and published by Harper San Francisco. This book was released on 1988 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Pastoral Counseling for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Pastoral Counseling for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Author: Tuntufye Anangisye Mwenisongole

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2018-04-27

Total Pages: 278

ISBN-13: 1532648642

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The existence of orphans is as inevitable to most African cities and the world as it is death. These orphans are caused by the death of one or both parents due to various reasons, including the scourge of HIV and AIDS. Being orphans, most of them are vulnerable to difficult lives because they have nobody to fend for them and take care of their lives. They lack adequate food, living expenses, school fees, and care since their current guardians are also in adverse economic situations. In such situations, orphans end up living a life of hopelessness and trauma, which makes them deeply remember their dead parents and the care they received from them before death. Following the vulnerable situation of most orphans, this book, through a study done in the Tanzanian context, challenges churches to extend their counseling and caring ministries to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). It purports that the use of narrative approach is the most effective way to enter into the world of vulnerable children in order to provide pastoral counseling to them. This approach helps pastoral counselors to use life stories, proverbs, biblical narratives, plays, arts, songs, riddles, poems, symbols, and images as healing and coping mechanisms for OVC. Therefore, this book is helpful not only to churches and their ministry to orphans and vulnerable children, but also to those who care for orphans in their homes. Moreover, it will be helpful to children who live in adverse conditions worldwide to find ways to cope with their situations through the stories of children used inside this book.


Book Synopsis Pastoral Counseling for Orphans and Vulnerable Children by : Tuntufye Anangisye Mwenisongole

Download or read book Pastoral Counseling for Orphans and Vulnerable Children written by Tuntufye Anangisye Mwenisongole and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2018-04-27 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The existence of orphans is as inevitable to most African cities and the world as it is death. These orphans are caused by the death of one or both parents due to various reasons, including the scourge of HIV and AIDS. Being orphans, most of them are vulnerable to difficult lives because they have nobody to fend for them and take care of their lives. They lack adequate food, living expenses, school fees, and care since their current guardians are also in adverse economic situations. In such situations, orphans end up living a life of hopelessness and trauma, which makes them deeply remember their dead parents and the care they received from them before death. Following the vulnerable situation of most orphans, this book, through a study done in the Tanzanian context, challenges churches to extend their counseling and caring ministries to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). It purports that the use of narrative approach is the most effective way to enter into the world of vulnerable children in order to provide pastoral counseling to them. This approach helps pastoral counselors to use life stories, proverbs, biblical narratives, plays, arts, songs, riddles, poems, symbols, and images as healing and coping mechanisms for OVC. Therefore, this book is helpful not only to churches and their ministry to orphans and vulnerable children, but also to those who care for orphans in their homes. Moreover, it will be helpful to children who live in adverse conditions worldwide to find ways to cope with their situations through the stories of children used inside this book.

Kinship Relations in the Gospel of John

Kinship Relations in the Gospel of John

Author: Joan C. Campbell

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2023-12-06

Total Pages: 265

ISBN-13: 166678706X

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This monograph examines the relationships between the two "families" of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel. The first family is that of the mother, brothers, and sisters of Jesus; the second is the fictive family of the disciples. Using social-scientific criticism, Campbell proposes that the Gospel depicts a sharp division between these families, that is, between the biological family, the brothers and sisters of Jesus (adelphoi), and the discipleship family that includes the mother of Jesus.


Book Synopsis Kinship Relations in the Gospel of John by : Joan C. Campbell

Download or read book Kinship Relations in the Gospel of John written by Joan C. Campbell and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2023-12-06 with total page 265 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This monograph examines the relationships between the two "families" of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel. The first family is that of the mother, brothers, and sisters of Jesus; the second is the fictive family of the disciples. Using social-scientific criticism, Campbell proposes that the Gospel depicts a sharp division between these families, that is, between the biological family, the brothers and sisters of Jesus (adelphoi), and the discipleship family that includes the mother of Jesus.

He Descended into Hell

He Descended into Hell

Author: Elikana Asheri Lova

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2015-02-09

Total Pages: 74

ISBN-13: 1498206212

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The Apostles' Creed is one of the most prominent creeds in Christianity, perhaps even the most recited creed by normal believers in church services. However, the creed holds a clause that seems controversial to Christian mission in some contexts, especially African contexts. The clause, "He descended into Hell," is the main concern of this book. In African context, where ancestral cult is prominent in both people's worldview and practice, this clause poses a tangible problem of religious syncretism. The phrase suggests a life after immediate death, that a person can continue to live in a certain realm soon after death. Since the clause depicts Jesus descending into hell after death and burial, and preaching to the other souls of the dead in hell, it suggests the possibility of hearing a message of salvation after death, a doctrine hardly held by Christianity. The doctrine therefore becomes good news for those Africans who hold firm the ancestral cult, and those whose relatives had died in sin on earth. Therefore, this book critically examines the origin and use of this doctrine in the church and its validity in an African context.


Book Synopsis He Descended into Hell by : Elikana Asheri Lova

Download or read book He Descended into Hell written by Elikana Asheri Lova and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2015-02-09 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Apostles' Creed is one of the most prominent creeds in Christianity, perhaps even the most recited creed by normal believers in church services. However, the creed holds a clause that seems controversial to Christian mission in some contexts, especially African contexts. The clause, "He descended into Hell," is the main concern of this book. In African context, where ancestral cult is prominent in both people's worldview and practice, this clause poses a tangible problem of religious syncretism. The phrase suggests a life after immediate death, that a person can continue to live in a certain realm soon after death. Since the clause depicts Jesus descending into hell after death and burial, and preaching to the other souls of the dead in hell, it suggests the possibility of hearing a message of salvation after death, a doctrine hardly held by Christianity. The doctrine therefore becomes good news for those Africans who hold firm the ancestral cult, and those whose relatives had died in sin on earth. Therefore, this book critically examines the origin and use of this doctrine in the church and its validity in an African context.

The Symbolic Narratives of the Fourth Gospel

The Symbolic Narratives of the Fourth Gospel

Author: Dorothy A. Lee

Publisher: A&C Black

Published: 1994-01-01

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 1850754683

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The book examines six long narratives of the Fourth Gospel, arguing that they are best understood as 'symbolic narrative'. They display a unique cohesion of symbol and narrative: the narrative unfolds the symbol and the symbol draws out the narrative. This process occurs as the character struggles to understand the symbolic meaning. The structure develops in five Stages: the establishing of a 'sign', image or feast (Stage 1); misunderstood in materialistic terms (Stage 2); the struggle to understand the symbolic meaning (Stage 3); the acceptance or rejection of that meaning (Stage 4); a confession of faith or statement of rejection (Stage 5). The symbolic narratives reveal how material reality becomes symbolic of the divine. Just as the flesh of Jesus is the symbol of divine glory, so material reality now has the potential for symbolizing God. Flesh has no independent existence; its value lies in its symbolic role. This parallels the cohesion between form and meaning. Just as the flesh is given value in symbolizing the divine, so narrative form is of value in disclosing theological meaning. The implied reader is drawn into the drama of the symbolic narratives to make the authentic response of faith.


Book Synopsis The Symbolic Narratives of the Fourth Gospel by : Dorothy A. Lee

Download or read book The Symbolic Narratives of the Fourth Gospel written by Dorothy A. Lee and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 1994-01-01 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book examines six long narratives of the Fourth Gospel, arguing that they are best understood as 'symbolic narrative'. They display a unique cohesion of symbol and narrative: the narrative unfolds the symbol and the symbol draws out the narrative. This process occurs as the character struggles to understand the symbolic meaning. The structure develops in five Stages: the establishing of a 'sign', image or feast (Stage 1); misunderstood in materialistic terms (Stage 2); the struggle to understand the symbolic meaning (Stage 3); the acceptance or rejection of that meaning (Stage 4); a confession of faith or statement of rejection (Stage 5). The symbolic narratives reveal how material reality becomes symbolic of the divine. Just as the flesh of Jesus is the symbol of divine glory, so material reality now has the potential for symbolizing God. Flesh has no independent existence; its value lies in its symbolic role. This parallels the cohesion between form and meaning. Just as the flesh is given value in symbolizing the divine, so narrative form is of value in disclosing theological meaning. The implied reader is drawn into the drama of the symbolic narratives to make the authentic response of faith.

Imagery in the Gospel of John

Imagery in the Gospel of John

Author: Jörg Frey

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 528

ISBN-13: 9783161491160

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Revised and enlarged papers from a conference held July 30-Aug. 1, 2005, in Eisenach, Germany, with additional contributions.


Book Synopsis Imagery in the Gospel of John by : Jörg Frey

Download or read book Imagery in the Gospel of John written by Jörg Frey and published by Mohr Siebeck. This book was released on 2006 with total page 528 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Revised and enlarged papers from a conference held July 30-Aug. 1, 2005, in Eisenach, Germany, with additional contributions.

Jesus and the Stigmatized

Jesus and the Stigmatized

Author: Elia Shabani Mligo

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2011-08-01

Total Pages: 502

ISBN-13: 1630876119

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Biblical scholars often read the Bible with their own interpretive interests in mind, without associating the Bible with the concerns of laypeople. This largely undermines the contributions laypeople can offer from reading the Bible in their own contexts and from their own life experiences. Moreover, such exclusively scholarly reading conceals the role of biblical texts in dealing with current social problems, such as HIV/AIDS-related stigmatization. Hence, the lack of lay participation in the process of Bible reading makes the Bible less visible in various common life situations. In this volume Elia Shabani Mligo draws on his fieldwork among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Tanzania, selects stigmatization as his perspective, and chooses participant-centered contextual Bible study as his method to argue that the reading of texts from the Gospel of John by PLWHA (given their lived experiences of stigmatization) empowers them to reject stigmatization as unjust. Mligo's study shows that Christian PLWHA reject stigmatization because it does not comply with the attitude of Jesus toward stigmatized groups in his own time. The theology emerging from the readings by stigmatized PLWHA, through their evaluation of Jesus' attitudes and acts toward stigmatized people in the texts, challenges churches in their obligatory mission as disciples of Jesus. Churches are challenged to reconsider healing, hospitality and caring, prophetic voices against stigmatization, and the way they teach about HIV and AIDS in relation to sexuality. Churches must revisit their practices toward stigmatized groups and listen to their voices. Mligo argues that participant-centered Bible-study methods similar to the one used in this book (whereby stigmatized people are the primary interlocutors in the process) can be useful tools in listening to the voices of stigmatized groups.


Book Synopsis Jesus and the Stigmatized by : Elia Shabani Mligo

Download or read book Jesus and the Stigmatized written by Elia Shabani Mligo and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2011-08-01 with total page 502 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biblical scholars often read the Bible with their own interpretive interests in mind, without associating the Bible with the concerns of laypeople. This largely undermines the contributions laypeople can offer from reading the Bible in their own contexts and from their own life experiences. Moreover, such exclusively scholarly reading conceals the role of biblical texts in dealing with current social problems, such as HIV/AIDS-related stigmatization. Hence, the lack of lay participation in the process of Bible reading makes the Bible less visible in various common life situations. In this volume Elia Shabani Mligo draws on his fieldwork among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Tanzania, selects stigmatization as his perspective, and chooses participant-centered contextual Bible study as his method to argue that the reading of texts from the Gospel of John by PLWHA (given their lived experiences of stigmatization) empowers them to reject stigmatization as unjust. Mligo's study shows that Christian PLWHA reject stigmatization because it does not comply with the attitude of Jesus toward stigmatized groups in his own time. The theology emerging from the readings by stigmatized PLWHA, through their evaluation of Jesus' attitudes and acts toward stigmatized people in the texts, challenges churches in their obligatory mission as disciples of Jesus. Churches are challenged to reconsider healing, hospitality and caring, prophetic voices against stigmatization, and the way they teach about HIV and AIDS in relation to sexuality. Churches must revisit their practices toward stigmatized groups and listen to their voices. Mligo argues that participant-centered Bible-study methods similar to the one used in this book (whereby stigmatized people are the primary interlocutors in the process) can be useful tools in listening to the voices of stigmatized groups.

Valentinian Ethics and Paraenetic Discourse

Valentinian Ethics and Paraenetic Discourse

Author: Philip L. Tite

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2009-08-31

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 9047428528

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Offering a fresh assessment of the presence and function of paraenesis within Valentinianism, this book places Valentinian moral exhortation within the context of early Christian moral discourse. Like other Christians, Valentinians were not only interested in ethics, but used moral exhortation to discursively shape social identity.


Book Synopsis Valentinian Ethics and Paraenetic Discourse by : Philip L. Tite

Download or read book Valentinian Ethics and Paraenetic Discourse written by Philip L. Tite and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2009-08-31 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offering a fresh assessment of the presence and function of paraenesis within Valentinianism, this book places Valentinian moral exhortation within the context of early Christian moral discourse. Like other Christians, Valentinians were not only interested in ethics, but used moral exhortation to discursively shape social identity.