Karl StelzerFollow

Date

4-2013

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Charlie Davidson

Primary Subject Area

History, Ancient; Religion, General; Religion, Biblical Studies; Language, Ancient; Anthropology, Archaeology; Theology

Keywords

Clay, Potter, Pottery

Disciplines

Anthropology | Biblical Studies | Christianity | History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology | Islamic World and Near East History | Near Eastern Languages and Societies | Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

God, the Master Potter, uses clay-potter imagery to explain spiritual truth. These passages are ignored, explained superficially, or misinterpreted and have not had the divinely intended impact. Theologically, doctrines of Theology Proper, Bibliology, and Anthropology have been compromised. Practically, the Holy Spirit has been hindered. To demonstrate the need for clay-potter instruction, research will include a comparative analysis of information gathered through questionnaires to churches that have held a clay-potter conference and those that have not, and an examination of written material and popular presentations. This author combines professional pottery expertise and biblical training to present accurate exposition. This thesis vindicates God as Master Potter, sensitive and skilled in working with man, recovers the integrity of Scripture's use of the clay-potter metaphor, and provides a balanced view of man, mere clay but fashioned by God. Practically, this thesis frees the Holy Spirit to use the clay-potter metaphor in believers' lives.

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