A Study of Orphans, Widows and Strangers in the Book of Deuteronomy

• Main Authors: ZHANG, YI-QUAN, 張益詮
• Other Authors: LIU, KWANG-CHI
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/87k5zb

碩士 === 基督教台灣浸會神學院 === 基督教神學研究所 === 104 === The thesis is a research of six passages about orphans, widows, and strangers in the book of Deuteronomy. By taking advantage of the analysis on the Hebrew texts and sentence structure, explanation of words, and context, it discovers the meaning of these passages. According to the exegetical outcome, the research tries to find the meaning on an ethical level by discussing “the character of God’s people,” “the social economics under God’s sovereignty,” and “justice and righteousness” with Christopher J. H. Wright’s paradigmatic approach. The research probes the applicability of the Old Testament laws and concludes by proposing the contemporary application of the charity laws in Deuteronomy. The practice of “care for the poor” in the book of Deuteronomy includes the motivation provided by God, the foundation of God’s redemption for the Israelites, and the covenant between God and the Israelites. God gave these laws not merely for the care of the poor, but also for Israel’s commitment to Him. Furthermore, He wanted the Israelites to make knowing Him their motivation for obeying His commandments, to follow the commandments based on their relationship with God, and to practice them with correct attitudes. Both the helpers and the poor had the responsibilities to devote themselves to the pursuit of a righteous society expected by God. Nowadays, Christians make a covenant with God through Jesus Christ. They have the same obligation to observe the principles of these laws. On the issue of care for the poor, Christians should pursue with all their hearts the righteous society that God expects.