Copyright (c) 2009 All rights reserved. http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau Recent documents in David A. Croteau en-us Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:19:17 PDT 3600 http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau/5 http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau/5 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:20:13 PDT Chapter 1 summarized some of the methodological and hermeneutical issues and discussed the problem and history of tithing in Christianity. Various arguments through the centuries have been proposed that provided reasons for the abrogation and the continuation of tithing. The "Christian view" on this issue has not been monolithic.Chapter 2 discussed tithing in the Old Testament and concluded that (1) the pre-Mosaic period contained no tithing system and no command to tithe, (2) in the Mosaic law the Israelites gave well-beyond ten percent and only products connected to the land were liable to tithing, and (3) the Historical and Prophetic books contain no passage useful to argue for the continuation of tithing.Chapter 3 explicated the teaching of tithing in the New Testament. The passages that employ the word "tithe" in no way advocate the continuation of tithing for Christians.Chapter 4 analyzed three theological systems and concluded that arguments from these theological systems to advocate tithing fell short of convincing. The systems of dispensationalism and Non-Theonomic Covenant Theology do not contain principles that lead to the continuation of tithing. Theonomic Covenant Theology may possibly advocate the Charity Tithe, if they believe it is part of the civil law. Finally, traditionalism, pragmatism, and natural law furnished inconclusive arguments for the continuation of tithing.Chapter 5 discerned five categories for New Covenant era giving. The twenty principles elucidated are a foundation from which Christian giving can be faithfully observed. Above all, these principles require that one have an active relationship with the Lord for obedience to result. The standard has not been lowered, but neither has it necessarily been raised: it has changed.All Christians should give something, but there is not a universal amount or percentage required. Each believer must look at their situation in life, their church, and those around them to seek out possible needs. Furthermore, a mindset focused on eternity, and not the moment, will desire to give sacrificially to God's work on the earth. From some paychecks God may require one hundred percent, from others five percent. David A. Croteau http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau/4 http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau/4 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:20:13 PDT The thesis explores the meaning of the concept of believing in the Gospel of John. Chapter 1 provides a discussion of the relevance of the subject and the methodology employed in the research. The methodology is primarily a semantic field approach emphasizing the importance context adds to the interpretation process. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 follow the same basic outline. The goal is to provide an analysis of [Special characters omitted.] within its syntactical relationships and verbal forms. Any relevant conclusions are then integrated into an exegetical discussion. The Gospel of John is divided into three sections, one for each of these chapters: John 1-4, 5-12, 13-21. In Chapter 2 (John 1-4) the evidence for interchangeableness of the [Special characters omitted.] and [Special characters omitted.] + dative constructions is presented. [Special characters omitted] constructions do not refer to a superior belief. Typically, verbal forms of [Special characters omitted.] are not used formulaically. The crowd in 2:23-25 is portrayed negatively. The disciples, the Samaritans, and the royal official progressed in their belief.In Chapter 3 (John 5-12) the [Special characters omitted.] construction was determined to contain a different meaning than the [Special characters omitted.] and [Special characters omitted.] + dative constructions. John 5:12 can be characterized as, largely, many people rejecting Jesus. While four signs were performed by Jesus, there were seven negative reactions to them; the three signs performed in John 1-4 had mixed reactions. Three inadequate professions were made in John 5-12 (6:14; 7:31; 10:21) and four groups demonstrated deficient belief through poor actions (6:22-66; 8:21-47; 10:22-39; 12:42-43). Positive portrayals were placed in contrast to negative portrayals. The antecedent to "they" (in 12:37) are the negative portrayals of those believing in John's Gospel, not one specific group.In Chapter 4 (John 13-21) the [Special characters omitted.] absolute construction was in a synonymous relationship to a [Special characters omitted.] construction, demonstrating the flexibility of this construction in the Gospel. Eternal life, understood in both its qualitative and quantitiative aspects, was discussed in its relationship to believing. The relationship of knowing and believing should be understood as being reciprocal. John 13-21 begins with two pericopae in which Jesus calls his disciples into a deeper faith; later in the narrative they progress. All portrayals of believing were positive in this section. It appears that the beginning of the Gospel was more concerned with a question of whom belief should be placed in, while the latter part was more concerned with the content of this belief. Chapter 5 summarizes the conclusions while integrating them. Implications are drawn for Lordship Salvation and the doctrine of assurance David A. Croteau http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau/3 http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau/3 Fri, 22 May 2009 05:34:52 PDT There are various arguments for the date of composition of the Fourth Gospel. Forty-one lines of argument will be discussed below. The date of the Fourth Gospel will have significance for how one views the purpose statement, the occasion for writing, the author, and the location of origin (providence). At times one's interpretation may be influenced by how one decides on a date and vice-versa.The discussion will be broken into four sections: the argument for a pre A. D. 70 date, post-A.D. 70 date, pre-A.D. 100 date, and post-A.D. 100 date. In each section, the discussion will move from the external to the internal evidence and will be placed in the order of least persuasive to most persuasive. The conclusion will determine the most compelling evidence for each category and decide on a date of composition for the Fourth Gospel (FG) which appears to be most supported by the evidence. David A. Croteau http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau/1 http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau/1 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:44:48 PDT Is tithing, that is, giving ten percent of one's income, obligatory for Christians? This first in a series of two articles investigates this question by studying all references to tithing in Scripture. The discussion commences with OT references to tithing prior to the giving of the Mosaic Law, then in the Mosaic Low, the historical, and the prophetic books. This is followed by a study of the three major NT passages on tithing. This article concludes that none of the OT or NT passages can legitimately be used to argue for the continuation of tithing in the new covenant period. Andreas J. Kostenberger Articles http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau/2 http://works.bepress.com/david_croteau/2 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:44:48 PDT In a previous article the authors discussed all relevant references to tithing in Scripture and concluded that the continuation of a tithing requirement cannot be adequately supported by the exegesis of individual texts. In the present article, we assess the applicability of tithing in light of pertinent systematic issues. Following a discussion of the relationship between the Mosaic Law and the new covenant, larger systematic issues that have been used to argue for the continuation of tithing are analyzed and criticized. The article concludes with a survey of NT principles for giving. Andreas J. Kostenberger Articles