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Papers by Robert Osei-Bonsu
Asia-Africa journal of mission and ministry, Feb 28, 2021
ABSTRACT—This study discusses the difference that exists between Christian baptism and John’s bap... more ABSTRACT—This study discusses the difference that exists between Christian baptism and John’s baptism. John began his baptism as a precursor of the institution of Christian baptism (John 1:25-26, 33). While some theologians consider John’s baptism as inadequate because it was a baptism of repentance and not of the Holy Spirit, others posit that it was adequate since Apollos was never re-baptized by the Christian community (Acts 18:27, 28; 19:1). Thus, this paper sought to examine the two types of baptism in the New Testament and determine the differences and similarities between the two. From a review of baptism as understood in the Old Testament, and in Qumran and Rabbinic traditions, the paper further discussed baptism in the New Testament. It focused specifically on John’s baptism and Christian baptism as practiced by Christ’s disciples. This study concludes that there is a close relationship between John’s baptism and Christian baptism. Though the two share several similarities, there are also some significant differences. Thus, while John’s baptism locally prepared his people's minds towards Christ’s first coming, Christian baptism universally ushers the believer into the Kingdom of God. Keywords: Baptism, John, Rabbinism, Qumran, Christianity. I. Introduction
This book is a comparative, historical, and theological evaluation of the nature of the church an... more This book is a comparative, historical, and theological evaluation of the nature of the church and ministry in the theology of John Calvin and John Wesley, and its implications for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The study is significant in the sense that the impact of Calvin and Wesley concept of the church and ministry on the Adventist Church has not been explored. The introductory chapter examines the lack of consensus among Christians as to what ministry means and who the ministers are. The other chapters(chapter 2) espouses the nature of the church and ministry in the Bible and the history of the church to help ascertain why there was a need for a clearer ecclesiology and ministry from Calvin and Wesley. Chapters 3 and 4 expound the church and ministry in the theology of Calvin and Wesley. Chapter 5 compares Calvin and Wesley's views on the church and ministry to help identify views in their thoughts that can or have impacted the Adventist Church. Chapter 6 synthesizes the ecclesiological views of Calvin and Wesley and their implications for the SDA Church. Chapter 7 is a summation and conclusion of the study.
Infant baptism is a significant practice in the history of the Christian Church. This practice is... more Infant baptism is a significant practice in the history of the Christian Church. This practice is arguably said to have originated from the apostolic church. As to whether the ritual is biblical or not, has always been the bone of contention among theologians. John Calvin, based on some sporadic Bible passages, argues that infant baptism is biblical. However, arriving at such a conclusion seems to betray a misconstrual of the scriptural references in question. Upon a painstaking appraisal of Calvin’s arguments, this study contends that infant baptism is based on tradition rather than Scripture.
The word atonement has different shades of meaning and is presented in diverse terms in the bible... more The word atonement has different shades of meaning and is presented in diverse terms in the bible. Terms employed to describe the atoning death of Christ include: “ransom” (eg Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45; Eph 1:7); “substitute” (John 15:13; John 17:19); “propitiation or expiation” (Rom 3:25, 26; Heb 9:5), “substitution” (Rom 8:32; 5:2; Eph 5:2), “reconciliation” (1 Cor 5:10-11; Heb 2:17), and “example” (Phil 2:3-8; 1 Pet 2:21-23; Eph 5:2). In view of the diverse terms employed by the Bible to describe the atoning death of Christ, this study seeks to understand the various terms used to describe the atoning death of Christ. The study concludes that a better understanding of the various terms related to atonement is relevant for human salvation and also brings out the proper meaning of the death of Christ.
Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (JHSS), Jul 15, 2022
Work
BACKGROUND: Research is essential and necessary for those who love learning, whether they belong ... more BACKGROUND: Research is essential and necessary for those who love learning, whether they belong to a research institution or not. Numerous elements influence researchers’ attitudes towards good research work, but in this study we focus on the most significant ones: advisor support, intrinsic motivation, timing, and planning. OBJECTIVES: The current study aims at motivating readers to help improve students’ attitudes towards research work within the university context. METHOD: The target demographic of the current research comprises masters and doctoral students from three major public institutions in Xian, China. We aimed to examine the effects of the variables and the study employed correlation and stepwise regression. RESULTS: The results show that advisor support influences attitudes towards research positively and significantly (β= 0.20, p < 0.01). Likewise, intrinsic motivation has a positive and significant effect on attitude towards research (β= 0.18, p < 0.01). Time a...
Materials Research Society of Korea, 2008
International journal of innovative research and development, 2017
This paper aims at contributing to the ongoing debate as to whether tax avoidance is ethical or u... more This paper aims at contributing to the ongoing debate as to whether tax avoidance is ethical or unethical. Our approach is from the theological and ethical point of view, and we concluded that tax avoidance is unethical. Christians must be law abiding and not look for loopholes in the tax laws to reduce their tax liabilities to the State. Keywords: Tax avoidance, tax evasion, theological-ethical, utilitarian, deontological, Situationism, antinomianism
Different views on worship and music have been expressed by different Reformers. The Reformers re... more Different views on worship and music have been expressed by different Reformers. The Reformers rejected some aspects of medieval worship such as the Gregorian chant, the use of elaborate vocal and instrumental music, overly theatrical performances at worship, the unwarranted expense of elaborate ceremonies, enormous pipe organs and the uselessness of text unintelligible to the common man. The Reformers aimed at introducing simple forms of worship and music in the Church, and to restore the true worship of God and therefore introduce congregational singing and participation in worship. This paper surveys John Calvin’s views on worship and Music. Calvin held that the Word of God should be central to worship and that prominence should be given to the Bible over any other obsessions. He therefore prohibited many things in worship because he wanted God to be the focus of worship and devotion. The study concludes that although the Church today cannot limit itself to singing of the Psalms ...
Asia-Africa Journal of Mission and Ministry, 2021
Pedagogy and Pedagogical Challenges [Working Title], 2019
Asia-Africa Journal of Mission and Ministry, 2016
Frontiers in Psychology, 2021
This study explores how the scholarly accomplishments of students might increment due to specific... more This study explores how the scholarly accomplishments of students might increment due to specific fundamental causes. The academic performance of the student was prioritized as a dependent variable, and the independent indicators chosen were “information seeking, IT ability, reading/writing capacity, and resilience.” At the same time, age, gender, marital status, and family income were included in the control variables. The research subject samples were limited to (N = 288) postgraduate students from three mega universities in Islamabad, Pakistan. Forward regression analysis was performed in this research to decide the impact of the indicators. The results indicate that information seeking affects academic performance positively and significantly. Essentially, the study revealed that information technology (IT) skills make a fundamentally positive and significant impact on academic performance. Reading and writing influenced academic performance considerably. In addition, resilience...
The word atonement has different shades of meaning and is presented in diverse terms in the bible... more The word atonement has different shades of meaning and is presented in diverse terms in the bible. Terms employed to describe the atoning death of Christ include: “ransom” (eg Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45; Eph 1:7); “substitute” (John 15:13; John 17:19); “propitiation or expiation” (Rom 3:25, 26; Heb 9:5), “substitution” (Rom 8:32; 5:2; Eph 5:2), “reconciliation” (1 Cor 5:10-11; Heb 2:17), and “example” (Phil 2:3-8; 1 Pet 2:21-23; Eph 5:2). In view of the diverse terms employed by the Bible to describe the atoning death of Christ, this study seeks to understand the various terms used to describe the atoning death of Christ. The study concludes that a better understanding of the various terms related to atonement is relevant for human salvation and also brings out the proper meaning of the death of Christ.
The Bible uses different images for the Church and the common designation is the people of God (J... more The Bible uses different images for the Church and the common designation is the people of God (Judg 20:2; Heb 4:9). Different views have been expressed by scholars in relation to the meaning of the phrase people of God. Some scholars hold that people of God implies that some people are God’s people while others are not. Others consider all humanity as belonging to the people of God while others posit that only those who do the will of God are the people of God. Some Christians also are of the view that all OT promises to Israel will be fulfilled literally, therefore, just as the people of God refers to Israel in the OT (Deut 32:9; cf. Heb 11:25), in the NT it also applies to Israel (2 Pet 2:1). The image of the Church as the people of God is integral to an understanding that the Church is a community. While the idea of the people of God is integral to the concept of the church, some questions may be raised: In what precise sense should the church be viewed as the people of God? Wha...
Asia-Africa journal of mission and ministry, Feb 28, 2021
ABSTRACT—This study discusses the difference that exists between Christian baptism and John’s bap... more ABSTRACT—This study discusses the difference that exists between Christian baptism and John’s baptism. John began his baptism as a precursor of the institution of Christian baptism (John 1:25-26, 33). While some theologians consider John’s baptism as inadequate because it was a baptism of repentance and not of the Holy Spirit, others posit that it was adequate since Apollos was never re-baptized by the Christian community (Acts 18:27, 28; 19:1). Thus, this paper sought to examine the two types of baptism in the New Testament and determine the differences and similarities between the two. From a review of baptism as understood in the Old Testament, and in Qumran and Rabbinic traditions, the paper further discussed baptism in the New Testament. It focused specifically on John’s baptism and Christian baptism as practiced by Christ’s disciples. This study concludes that there is a close relationship between John’s baptism and Christian baptism. Though the two share several similarities, there are also some significant differences. Thus, while John’s baptism locally prepared his people's minds towards Christ’s first coming, Christian baptism universally ushers the believer into the Kingdom of God. Keywords: Baptism, John, Rabbinism, Qumran, Christianity. I. Introduction
This book is a comparative, historical, and theological evaluation of the nature of the church an... more This book is a comparative, historical, and theological evaluation of the nature of the church and ministry in the theology of John Calvin and John Wesley, and its implications for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The study is significant in the sense that the impact of Calvin and Wesley concept of the church and ministry on the Adventist Church has not been explored. The introductory chapter examines the lack of consensus among Christians as to what ministry means and who the ministers are. The other chapters(chapter 2) espouses the nature of the church and ministry in the Bible and the history of the church to help ascertain why there was a need for a clearer ecclesiology and ministry from Calvin and Wesley. Chapters 3 and 4 expound the church and ministry in the theology of Calvin and Wesley. Chapter 5 compares Calvin and Wesley's views on the church and ministry to help identify views in their thoughts that can or have impacted the Adventist Church. Chapter 6 synthesizes the ecclesiological views of Calvin and Wesley and their implications for the SDA Church. Chapter 7 is a summation and conclusion of the study.
Infant baptism is a significant practice in the history of the Christian Church. This practice is... more Infant baptism is a significant practice in the history of the Christian Church. This practice is arguably said to have originated from the apostolic church. As to whether the ritual is biblical or not, has always been the bone of contention among theologians. John Calvin, based on some sporadic Bible passages, argues that infant baptism is biblical. However, arriving at such a conclusion seems to betray a misconstrual of the scriptural references in question. Upon a painstaking appraisal of Calvin’s arguments, this study contends that infant baptism is based on tradition rather than Scripture.
The word atonement has different shades of meaning and is presented in diverse terms in the bible... more The word atonement has different shades of meaning and is presented in diverse terms in the bible. Terms employed to describe the atoning death of Christ include: “ransom” (eg Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45; Eph 1:7); “substitute” (John 15:13; John 17:19); “propitiation or expiation” (Rom 3:25, 26; Heb 9:5), “substitution” (Rom 8:32; 5:2; Eph 5:2), “reconciliation” (1 Cor 5:10-11; Heb 2:17), and “example” (Phil 2:3-8; 1 Pet 2:21-23; Eph 5:2). In view of the diverse terms employed by the Bible to describe the atoning death of Christ, this study seeks to understand the various terms used to describe the atoning death of Christ. The study concludes that a better understanding of the various terms related to atonement is relevant for human salvation and also brings out the proper meaning of the death of Christ.
Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (JHSS), Jul 15, 2022
Work
BACKGROUND: Research is essential and necessary for those who love learning, whether they belong ... more BACKGROUND: Research is essential and necessary for those who love learning, whether they belong to a research institution or not. Numerous elements influence researchers’ attitudes towards good research work, but in this study we focus on the most significant ones: advisor support, intrinsic motivation, timing, and planning. OBJECTIVES: The current study aims at motivating readers to help improve students’ attitudes towards research work within the university context. METHOD: The target demographic of the current research comprises masters and doctoral students from three major public institutions in Xian, China. We aimed to examine the effects of the variables and the study employed correlation and stepwise regression. RESULTS: The results show that advisor support influences attitudes towards research positively and significantly (β= 0.20, p < 0.01). Likewise, intrinsic motivation has a positive and significant effect on attitude towards research (β= 0.18, p < 0.01). Time a...
Materials Research Society of Korea, 2008
International journal of innovative research and development, 2017
This paper aims at contributing to the ongoing debate as to whether tax avoidance is ethical or u... more This paper aims at contributing to the ongoing debate as to whether tax avoidance is ethical or unethical. Our approach is from the theological and ethical point of view, and we concluded that tax avoidance is unethical. Christians must be law abiding and not look for loopholes in the tax laws to reduce their tax liabilities to the State. Keywords: Tax avoidance, tax evasion, theological-ethical, utilitarian, deontological, Situationism, antinomianism
Different views on worship and music have been expressed by different Reformers. The Reformers re... more Different views on worship and music have been expressed by different Reformers. The Reformers rejected some aspects of medieval worship such as the Gregorian chant, the use of elaborate vocal and instrumental music, overly theatrical performances at worship, the unwarranted expense of elaborate ceremonies, enormous pipe organs and the uselessness of text unintelligible to the common man. The Reformers aimed at introducing simple forms of worship and music in the Church, and to restore the true worship of God and therefore introduce congregational singing and participation in worship. This paper surveys John Calvin’s views on worship and Music. Calvin held that the Word of God should be central to worship and that prominence should be given to the Bible over any other obsessions. He therefore prohibited many things in worship because he wanted God to be the focus of worship and devotion. The study concludes that although the Church today cannot limit itself to singing of the Psalms ...
Asia-Africa Journal of Mission and Ministry, 2021
Pedagogy and Pedagogical Challenges [Working Title], 2019
Asia-Africa Journal of Mission and Ministry, 2016
Frontiers in Psychology, 2021
This study explores how the scholarly accomplishments of students might increment due to specific... more This study explores how the scholarly accomplishments of students might increment due to specific fundamental causes. The academic performance of the student was prioritized as a dependent variable, and the independent indicators chosen were “information seeking, IT ability, reading/writing capacity, and resilience.” At the same time, age, gender, marital status, and family income were included in the control variables. The research subject samples were limited to (N = 288) postgraduate students from three mega universities in Islamabad, Pakistan. Forward regression analysis was performed in this research to decide the impact of the indicators. The results indicate that information seeking affects academic performance positively and significantly. Essentially, the study revealed that information technology (IT) skills make a fundamentally positive and significant impact on academic performance. Reading and writing influenced academic performance considerably. In addition, resilience...
The word atonement has different shades of meaning and is presented in diverse terms in the bible... more The word atonement has different shades of meaning and is presented in diverse terms in the bible. Terms employed to describe the atoning death of Christ include: “ransom” (eg Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45; Eph 1:7); “substitute” (John 15:13; John 17:19); “propitiation or expiation” (Rom 3:25, 26; Heb 9:5), “substitution” (Rom 8:32; 5:2; Eph 5:2), “reconciliation” (1 Cor 5:10-11; Heb 2:17), and “example” (Phil 2:3-8; 1 Pet 2:21-23; Eph 5:2). In view of the diverse terms employed by the Bible to describe the atoning death of Christ, this study seeks to understand the various terms used to describe the atoning death of Christ. The study concludes that a better understanding of the various terms related to atonement is relevant for human salvation and also brings out the proper meaning of the death of Christ.
The Bible uses different images for the Church and the common designation is the people of God (J... more The Bible uses different images for the Church and the common designation is the people of God (Judg 20:2; Heb 4:9). Different views have been expressed by scholars in relation to the meaning of the phrase people of God. Some scholars hold that people of God implies that some people are God’s people while others are not. Others consider all humanity as belonging to the people of God while others posit that only those who do the will of God are the people of God. Some Christians also are of the view that all OT promises to Israel will be fulfilled literally, therefore, just as the people of God refers to Israel in the OT (Deut 32:9; cf. Heb 11:25), in the NT it also applies to Israel (2 Pet 2:1). The image of the Church as the people of God is integral to an understanding that the Church is a community. While the idea of the people of God is integral to the concept of the church, some questions may be raised: In what precise sense should the church be viewed as the people of God? Wha...