Browsing by Author "Scholtz, Jaco"

Now showing 1 - 11 of 11
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    Behold the glory of the King : the chiastic structures of Matthew 21−25
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2015) Scholtz, Jaco
    The Olivet Discourse is complex and difficult to interpret, but crucial to any preaching about eschatology. By identifying two chiastic structures that mirror each other, namely in Matthew 21:1−23:39 and 24:1−25:46, the relation and correspondence of the parts to each other and to the whole may be identified. Whereas the centre of the chiastic structure of Matthew 21:1−23:39 emphasises the authority and identity of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Son of David, the centre of the chiastic structure of 24:1−25:46 focuses on the sign and coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 21:1−25:46 could be a major literary unit that emphasises the King’s entrance into, rejection of and exit from the temple and Jerusalem during his first coming, juxtaposed with the sign and coming of the Son of Man to Jerusalem in glory. Until then, the Lord expects his followers to watch, to be ready and prepared as they labour faithfully for him in these last days.
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    Between the Mount of transfiguration and Jerusalem and beyond : the chiastic structure of Matthew 17:14–20:34
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2017) Scholtz, Jaco
    In this article, a chiastic structure in Matthew 17:14–20:34 is identified, evaluated and discussed. This structure highlights the movements of Jesus between the Mount of Transfiguration and Jerusalem as he is on his way to the cross to provide forgiveness of sins. However, this chiastic structure may also be considered in its wider, prophetic context. The structure of Matthew 17:14–20:34 fits into the larger thought or movement of Matthew 16:28–25:46. This shows Jesus’ movements from the Mount of Transfiguration to Jerusalem and beyond — not only during his first advent, but also at his second coming.
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    ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!’ : a chiastic structure for Matthew 21:1–23:39
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2014-11) Scholtz, Jaco
    The identity and authority of Jesus Christ is of fundamental importance. As Jesus’ public ministry is about to commence, God the Father attests to Jesus’ identity and the Spirit of God comes to rest on Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew, however, narrates the conflict over the Person and message of the King. As his public ministry is about to end, Jesus is involved in five controversies concerning his authority and identity. This article proposes a chiastic structure of Matthew 21:1–23:39, which focuses on the authority and identity of Jesus Christ, Lord and Son of David.
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    Collective meaning and specific, prophetic reference in the parables of Matthew 13
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-12) Scholtz, Jaco; Nel, Marius Johannes; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates whether the parables of Matthew 13 can be understood, both individually and collectively, when they are connected to specific, prophetic referents. After a review of parable research, hermeneutical guidelines are identified in order to interpret the parables of Matthew 13 (chapter 2). Novel guidelines identified include the identification of specific, prophetic referents, the possibility of using details already explained in Matthew 13 in a contextually consistent manner, focusing on the collective meaning of this parabolic discourse and identifying what is new and old in each parable. After considering the structure of Matthew 13 (in chapter 3), these hermeneutical guidelines are applied, focusing on the contextual background (chapter 4) before analysing the parables individually (chapter 5) and collectively (chapter 6). The time period covered by the parables of Matthew 13 as a group is from the days of John the Baptist until the second coming of Jesus Christ. The kingdom of heaven is understood to exist from Pentecost onwards but will only be established when Christ returns, that is, the kingdom of heaven “exists-but-is-not-yet-established”. In Matthew’s presentation, the parable of the sower covers the time period during which Jesus presents the word (or gospel) of the kingdom to Israel only. During that time, Jesus authenticates his Messianic claims to Israel and, by doing so, displays the authority and power bestowed on the Christ to them. But when Jesus is rejected, the treasure is hidden and he goes to the cross to provide the sign of Jonah. After purchasing the field, having received all authority in heaven and on earth, the Son of Man sends good seed not only to Israel, but to all the nations of the world. The sons of the kingdom first sent must include Peter and the other ten disciples who are commanded to go and make disciples. The surprising growth of the Church after the great commission includes, perhaps unexpectedly, also Gentiles, for the Son of Man commences his pearl ministry by baptising not only Jewish and Samaritan but also Gentile believers with the Holy Spirit. At the end of this age, the gospel of the kingdom will again be preached. This time, however, it will be preached not only to Israel, but as a witness to all the nations — and then the present age will end. After the tribulation and judgment of those days, the King returns to unveil the treasure in order to establish the Messianic kingdom on earth. It is submitted that, regardless of one’s eschatological view (this thesis is presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective), by focusing on specific, prophetic referents and by considering this series of parables in a collective and contextually consistent manner, the parables of Matthew 13 (and perhaps the Gospel of Matthew as a whole) can be understood differently. And it is about understanding all these things that Jesus questions his disciples.
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    Israelologie : ’n Bybels-teologiese perspektief oor Israel se verlede, hede en toekoms
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2017) Scholtz, Jaco
    Israelology: A Biblical-theological perspective of the past, present and future of Israel. Israelology, the study of Israel, is necessary for any theological system. In the past, God made unconditional covenants and other promises to Abraham and his descendants through Jacob. Not all Jews appropriate these blessings from God in faith. There has always been, however, a faithful remnant in Israel who believed the revelation and promises of God. Despite idolatry and repeated failure, even the unpardonable sin, God is faithful and has not cast away – not even temporarily – his people whom He foreknew. During the Church Age, the Jewish remnant is not only part of the Church but also of the nation of Israel. New Testament revelation does not cancel, change, transcend, spiritualise, or idealise unconditional and still-unfulfilled promises of God to Israel. The term ‘the seed of Abraham’ has multiple senses, and the fact that it can refer to the spiritual descendants of Abraham of non-Jewish descent does not change or cancel the promises that God made to the believing Jewish descendants of Abraham. Because God is faithful, Israel has a future. The present worldwide regathering of Jews to their homeland is happening in preparation for the judgement of the Tribulation Period. Christ will not return to the earth, however, until a future Jewish generation repent and call on the Lord. Then, a second worldwide regathering of faithful Jews to Israel will take place, this time for the blessings of the messianic kingdom. During the Millennium, God will fulfil all outstanding covenant promises and prophecies, and in the same realm where both the first Adam and seventy nations once failed, the Last Adam will successfully rule over Israel and the nations to the glory of God. Israelology, the doctrine of Israel’s past, present and future, is the missing link in Biblical and Systematic Theology.
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    The kingdom of heaven and Matthew 10
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2014-08) Scholtz, Jaco
    This article proposes that the mission discourse in Matthew 10 is a single mission assignment that covers two distinct time periods when the gospel of the kingdom is preached. This assignment commenced during Christ’s first advent when the 12 apostles preached the gospel of the kingdom only in Israel. However, as a result of ‘this generation’ committing the unpardonable sin, this assignment became postponed until it will be resumed in the Tribulation when the coming King will authorise Jewish messengers to preach the gospel of the kingdom again – this time as a witness to all the nations. Based on this view of the mission discourse in Matthew 10, this article proposes a chiastic structure for Matthew 9:36−11:1a. Each section of this text will then be briefly discussed. Although the Church can make applications from this discourse, it is argued that Matthew 10:5b−42 does not refer to the Church age.
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    Mark 4:1–34 : a simple structure for the mystery of the kingdom
    (AOSIS, 2018-04-24) Scholtz, Jaco
    Existing proposals regarding the structure of Mark 4:1–34 have not met with unqualified approval. This article proposes a simple structure for Mark 4:1–34, then highlights relevant presuppositions before providing an overview of the content of this passage. The structure elevates the parable of the lamp to a prominent position and it also pairs corresponding sections so that it becomes easier to identify the mystery that undergirds each of these parables. The collective message of Mark 4:1–34 may be that while the establishment of the Messianic kingdom has been postponed, God is sowing the word, not only in Israel, but all over the world. When the sowing of the word meets with a responsive ear and heart, God gives the believer the mystery of the kingdom and, viewed collectively, God will also bring a harvest of sons and daughters into the kingdom when it is established. It is important for all to hear, not only so that the hearers become believers and then to bear some fruit, but also because God will graciously bless to the extent that a person listens effectively. It is in this context that the parable of the lamp shines new light on Mark’s parabolic discourse.
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    Matthew 13 and the feasts of the Lord
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2015) Scholtz, Jaco
    After summarising the results of reading Matthew 13 as a prophetic discourse containing ‘new and old’ prophecies that have been, or will still be, literally fulfilled, this article links the parables of Matthew 13 to the prophetic and typological fulfilment of the feasts of the LORD.
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    One Messiah, two advents, three forerunners : the chiastic structure of Matthew 11:2–17:13
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2016) Scholtz, Jaco
    This article proposes and evaluates a large chiastic structure for Matthew 11:2–17:13, leading to a discussion about the one Messiah, his two advents, and three forerunners, namely John the Baptist, the prophet Elijah, and another forerunner, the Apostle Peter, during the Inter-Advent Period. The structure emphasises God’s kingdom programme, the Inter-Advent Period and the parables of Matthew 13. What may be theologically significant about this chiastic structure is that it may link Matthew 13 to the typological fulfilment of the feasts of the Lord by the Lord Jesus Christ and it also focuses attention on the roles of three forerunners.
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    Reading Matthew 13 as a prophetic discourse : the four parables presented in private
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2015) Scholtz, Jaco
    The task of Jesus’ disciples might be to juxtapose ‘new and old’ unconditional prophecies of the kingdom of heaven. After describing its setting, the four parables in Matthew 13, presented in private, are considered from a pre-millennial perspective. The parable of the hidden treasure may indicate how Jesus Christ first authenticates and then hides his authority and power to rule as King in terms of the Davidic Covenant over the literal Davidic kingdom – before he then goes to the cross. Having been to the cross, the parable of the pearl merchant may show how the first, spiritual phase of the kingdom commences when Christ Jesus starts his pearl ministry as High Priest in terms of the New Covenant. The parable of the dragnet has in view the transition from the spiritual phase of the kingdom into its future phase. An overview of the four privately given parables of Matthew 13 is then provided. After this a summary of the new and old prophecies contained in the eight parables of Matthew 13 is presented, followed by the conclusion.
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    Vooronderstellings wat die eskatologie beïnvloed
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2016) Scholtz, Jaco
    Presuppositions that influence eschatology. If one is to understand where different views about eschatology originate from, then presuppositions of different theological systems must be identified. This article starts such an investigation by focusing on the relation between the two testaments in biblical theology. If the Old Testament is read through the lens of the New Testament, there is a risk that Old Testament truth may be forced into that prior grid. Further analysis follows – for example an investigation into the covenants – leading to a comparison of how presuppositions of covenant theology and dispensationalism impact their views about eschatology. Ways in which the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament – direct, typological, analogical and summary fulfilment – are then considered and discussed. Guidelines for the relation between the two testaments in biblical theology are then proposed and illustrated with an example.