Klabat Theological Review

IF JESUS IS GOD IN THE FLESH, WHY DID HE NOT KNOW HIS COMING: MARK 13:32

Jones Ted Lauda Woy — 2025-02-28

This study explores the Christological and theological significance of Mark 13:32, where Jesus states that the timing of His return is known only by the Father. Mark 13, the Gospel's longest discourse, presents an apocalyptic vision centered on the destruction of the temple and final judgment. Scholars highlight the disciples’ reverence for the temple and Jesus’ prophetic response, linking historical events with eschatological hope. The passage raises critical questions regarding Jesus’ divine and human knowledge. Through a Historical-Grammatical analysis, this research clarifies the theological implications of Christ’s dual nature, offering insights relevant to pastors, church leaders, and theological studies.

Keywords: Christological, Theological, Judgment, and Temple.

The Understanding of Covenant in The Book of Jeremiah: An Exegetical Study of Jeremiah 11:2-5

Fellix Gosal — 2025-02-28

This study examines the theological, historical, and literary aspects of the covenant concept found in Jeremiah 11:2–5. Using the Mosaic Covenant as the backdrop for Jeremiah 11, the study highlights the covenant's provisions for benefits for obedience and punishments for disobedience, as well as its relationship to the book of Deuteronomy. The passage emphasizes how Judah's idolatry and disobedience caused the covenant to break down, resulting in unavoidable divine judgment. The study employs an exegetical methodology to examine the text's delimitation, literary structure, historical context, and theological implications. The results show that the covenant in Jeremiah 11 is a divine order based on an oath rather than just an agreement, and that disobedience will result in curses like calamity and unanswered prayers. The fact that God is still the covenant's creator and guarantor in spite of human failure emphasizes His power to renew it. According to the study's findings, the covenant establishes and preserves the bond between God and His people, with disobedience resulting in punishment and obedience bringing prosperity.

Keywords: Covenant, Jeremiah 11, Mosaic Covenant, Exegesis, Blessings and Curses, Divine Punishment, Oath, Idolatry, Disobedience, Theological Implications.

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE OF PRAYER

James Jonah Watopa — 2025-02-28

Prayer is an essential communication that relates to transcendence. Every religion in the world must practice prayer in their religious life. For this reason, this study seeks to explore how important prayer is for every religious believer. In this study, the method used is document research or library research. The discussion is based on some legitimate literature to support this issue. For Christianity, prayer is the breath or opening of contrite hearts to God. This discussion discusses explicitly Jesus' prayer in John 17, which consists of prayer for Himself, His disciples, and all believers. Furthermore, prayer brings all the burdens and purposes of life to God, who is trusted to provide solutions in the form of answers. Although the answer is not by personal request, it is with faith, believing it is God's answer. Those who pray diligently and unceasingly are proof of the faithfulness of their faith. For this reason, prayer is a must element for every religious believer, especially in Christianity.

Keywords: Prayer, Jesus’ prayer, unceasing, faithfulness, transformation and forgiveness

The Role of The Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8

Jones Ted Lauda Woy — 2025-02-28

This research explores the significance of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8, emphasizing Luke’s theological portrayal of the Spirit as the source of power for the early Christian witness. Through a detailed examination of the Acts narrative and engagement with scholarly perspectives, the study underscores the Holy Spirit’s essential role in equipping the disciples for gospel proclamation. The analysis centers on two key theological inquiries: (1) How does Luke define the identity of the Holy Spirit? and (2) What function does the Spirit fulfill within the early Church? Utilizing the historical-grammatical method of interpretation, the study draws on scriptural texts and academic resources. The research aims to contribute to a deeper theological understanding among pastors, church leaders, and congregants regarding the Holy Spirit’s role in the mission of the early Church as depicted in the New Testament.

Keywords: Holy Spirit, Equipping, Witness, Ministry, and Mission.

UNDERSTANDING “LYING SPIRIT” IN 1 KINGS 22:22

Fellix Gosal — 2025-02-28

This research examines the concept of the "lying spirit" in 1 Kings 22:23 with a focus on its theological meaning and implications for understanding God's sovereignty and justice. In this passage, God is described as allowing a lying spirit to mislead Ahab's prophets as part of divine judgment. This phenomenon raises various questions about God's holy character amidst the use of lies to achieve His will. Through a historical-grammatical approach, linguistic analysis of the word רוּחַ (ruach), as well as a thematic study of divine sovereignty in the Old Testament text, this research finds that God's actions remain consistent with His just and righteous nature. God is not the originator of lies, but remains in His absolute authority, allowing humans to reap the consequences of their rejection of the truth. In addition, this research connects the relevance of this event to the challenges of integrity in a contemporary culture hit by the "post-truth" phenomenon. This research contributes to the study of Old Testament theology by offering a new perspective on the relationship between justice, truth, and divine sovereignty in ancient and contemporary contexts.

Keywords: Spirit of Lying, 1 Kings 22:23, Sovereignty of God, Evil and Righteousness, Old Testament Theology

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS: ANALYZING THE CHURCH LEADERS’S ROLE IN MANAGING GOD’S WORK USING A BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

Mandla Lindsay Khumalo — 2025-08-31

This study examined Church leadership, mostly vividly the role of Church leaders in governing the work of God through a Christocentric lens. The Christocentric approach promotes a servant-hood mentality in leadership as opposed to a power and dominance style. This study argues that, true leadership is one that firstly involves a call of the Lord and secondly one that provides guidance, empowering and winning souls to Christ. A biblical and theological framework from a Christian perceptive was used to demonstrate how Church leaders should execute their leadership role in order to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. The findings of the study support the Servant-hood approach which was implemented by Christ in His ministry. Christ led and taught in humility and was submissive to authority. The role of Church leaders should emulate Christ’s approach in order to render effective and transformational service. The results also reveal that in following a Christ-centred approach, Church leaders can have a positive influence in the Church and in societies. The elimination of self-reliance and exercising full dependence on God can amplify the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Keywords: Leadership, biblical and theological approach, Church leaders, Jesus Christ, Servant-hood