Jurnal Ilmiah Tafsir Alkitab

Examining Divine Healing Through Nature and Human Agents in Exodus 15:22-27

2025-05-23T00:20:55+00:00

The Hebrew participial expression kȋ ՚ănȋ ʾădōnāi rōphĕ’kā (for I am the Lord who heals you), introduces God as a healer, in Exodus 15:22-27. This paper historically, rhetorically examines this narrative and theologically addresses the questions: What is Healing and who heals in this story and by what means? Does God’s healing of Israel from Egyptian bondage, and desert experiences exclude other healers and agents: Moses, water and the piece of the wood (v.25)? It concludes that although God is the ultimate healer, he heals human beings, Africans and non-Africans, through varied scientific means, skills and talents he has given to human agents.

Studi Teologis tentang Frasa “Injil Lain” dalam Galatia 1:6 dan Tantangan bagi Ortodoksi Masa Kini

2025-06-22T07:15:22+00:00

Amidst the numerous proclamations claiming to be the gospel of Christ, messages that deviate from the core of the Gospel of Christ while cloaked in the name of Christ and the Gospel itself, a proper understanding of the term “different gospel” becomes essential for the preservation of Christian doctrinal orthodoxy. This article explores the theological meaning of the phrase "different gospel" in Galatians 1:6 and its implications for contemporary Christian’s orthodoxy. The research employs a hermeneutical approach (contextual, historical, lexical) and patristic study, particularly focusing on the writings of Tertullian, John Chrysostom, and Vincent of Lerins. The findings indicate that "another gospel" includes any message deviating from the Gospel of Christ—whether by obscuring Christ’s redemptive work, adding legalistic requirements for salvation, or ignoring the call to repentance. The integration of biblical interpretation and patristic witness emphasizes the importance of upholding apostolic doctrinal unity to preserve the purity of faith. This study contributes to the understanding and defense of Christian orthodoxy in response to doctrinal deviations.

Kebangkitan Kristus Sebagai Dasar Teologis bagi Kebangkitan Orang Mati: Sebuah Analisis Biblika atas 1 Korintus 15:13

2025-06-13T03:04:56+00:00

The resurrection of Christ marks an important transition from despair to full expectation of the resurrection of the dead in the Christian faith. However, contemporary theology often views this resurrection as a myth, hallucination, or psychological experience, ignoring its historical basis. So this study aims to analyze the resurrection of Christ biblically to strengthen Christian faith, respond to reductive views, affirm the resurrection of Christ as the foundation of eschatological faith. In this case the author uses the method of biblical interpretation as described by Saparman, namely: exegesis to explore the meaning of the text, hermeneutics to explain the interpretation, and exposition to communicate the meaning of Christ's resurrection theologically. The results of this study confirm that the resurrection of Christ has a strong historical basis, proof of victory over death, and the foundation of faith in the resurrection of the dead. The implication of this research leads to the need for a full and deep theological understanding so that the resurrection of Christ remains the center of faith and hope of the church today.

The Theology of Marriage in Matthew 19:1-12: An Exegetical Response to Marital Instability in Contemporary Christian Communities

2025-10-06T02:50:22+00:00

This study investigates how Matthew 19:1–12 addresses marital instability in contemporary Christian communities through a text-critical and exegetical approach. While previous scholarship has examined this passage from historical and theological perspectives, limited attention has been given to the integration of textual variant analysis and the syntax of exclusionary clauses within an operational ethical-pastoral framework. The central research question is: How does the syntax and textual variant of the Matthean divorce clause inform a normative Christian ethic of marriage and divorce? Employing the grammatico-historical method, the study utilizes NA28 and UBS5 to examine the variant μὴ ἐπὶ πορνείᾳ (v.9), compares synoptic parallels (Mark 10:2–12; Luke 16:18), and follows a four-stage exegetical process: (1) establishing the critical text, (2) analyzing Greek syntax and semantics, (3) interpreting marital motifs in first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, and (4) engaging relevant Old Testament intertexts (Genesis 1–2; Deuteronomy 24:1–4). Findings show that Matthew’s exception clause maintains continuity with Jewish legal tradition while reaffirming the covenantal permanence of marriage. Accordingly, the study proposes a pastoral decision matrix that emphasizes covenantal fidelity, ethically conditional divorce, and reconciliation. This exegetically grounded ethic offers practical guidance for church leaders addressing divorce and relational instability amid changing cultural norms.

Worship in Spirit and Stream: Reinterpreting Psalm 100 for Digital Liturgy in Nigeria

2025-10-06T05:40:59+00:00

This study explores the theme “Worship in Spirit and Stream: A Digital Reinterpretation of Psalm 100:1–5 in Nigerian Liturgy.” Psalm 100, a classic hymn of thanksgiving, summons worshippers to “make a joyful noise” (hārîʿû, הָרִיעוּ), “serve the LORD” (ʿibdû, עִבְדוּ), and “enter His gates with thanksgiving” (tôdāh, תּוֹדָה). Traditionally rooted in temple-centered worship, these imperatives are reexamined within Nigeria’s emerging digital liturgical culture shaped by livestreamed services, virtual choirs, and social media-based worship. The paper argues that digital platforms now function as expanded “gates” (šaʿarîm, שְׁעָרִים), enabling access to communal praise beyond physical boundaries. Using exegetical analysis and digital theology, the research demonstrates how the psalm’s call to universal joy and covenantal gratitude aligns with contemporary Nigerian expressions of online worship. It highlights both opportunities—wider inclusion, democratization of liturgy—and challenges such as digital distraction, commodification, and unequal access. Ultimately, the study contends that Psalm 100:1–5 provides a biblical-theological framework for envisioning digital worship as authentic ʿavodah (עֲבוֹדָה, worship/service), fostering a spirituality that is both ancient and innovative. Thus, Nigerian churches are called to embrace digital liturgy not as a departure from tradition but as a Spirit-led continuation of the psalmist’s vision.

Divine Silence and Human Suffering in Lamentations: A Theological-Canonical Reading

2025-10-21T10:15:22+00:00

This article explores the phenomenon of divine silence as portrayed in the book of Lamentations, focusing particularly on Lamentations 3: 1-39. It argues that the silence of God in the text is not mere absence but a theological space that invites existential questioning, protest, and ultimately, the hope of the hidden presence of God. Employing a literary and canonical-theological approach, the study treats Lamentations as a final shape, attentive to its internal structure, canonical resonance, and poetic devices within the Hebrew Scriptures. It investigates how the poem’s imagery, repetition, and voice structure negotiate divine hiddenness and human suffering. The analysis demonstrates that rather than silencing human lament, divine silence intensifies the tension between trust and human questioning. The article contributes to biblical theology by showing how Lamentations models a posture of holy protest and waiting before a God who is hidden yet not absent.

The Meaning Behind "This Is a Sign for You": An Interpretation of Exodus 3:12

2025-04-17T06:30:32+00:00

The interpretation of the phrase “this will be the sign to you” (Exodus 3:12, NIV) has long been debated among scholars and translators. The ambiguity of the Hebrew text, particularly regarding tense and the referent of the word “this,” has led to diverse theological understandings. In the King James Version, the phrase “shall be” appears in parentheses, indicating uncertainty between present and future tense interpretations. This grammatical indeterminacy influences how translators and theologians perceive the passage’s meaning and its theological implications. Consequently, a precise interpretation is crucial for grasping the author’s intention and God’s purpose in this dialogue with Moses. This study employs a hermeneutical approach, integrating contextual and linguistic analysis, comparison of various Bible translations, and review of major commentaries. It examines the phrase from both divine and human perspectives to uncover the intention behind God’s statement and its theological significance. The findings suggest that the phrase reflects not only a grammatical or temporal nuance but also reveals a deeper theological truth—God’s assurance of His presence and His purpose that the Israelites might worship Him. This interpretation provides a framework for understanding how contemporary believers can apply the message of Exodus 3:12 in their faith and daily life.