1. January 28, 2005 (Don Bromley)

			Dear Drs. Nolland and Green, I’ve attached a document named ‘dissertation-questions.pdf’, which summarizes the questions I’m interested in exploring in my dissertation. This is part of the first step I outlined in my last meeting with Dr. Nolland. I'd like any input you have on my selection of questions. If they look appropriate for a dissertation, my next step will be to outline the procedures (and methodologies) I'll use to answer them. I've already done some exploration of what methodologies I might use. At this stage I have some very different kinds of questions, requiring very different methodologies, and many of them are very broad. I realize I won't be able to answer them all (or even attempt to), so your thoughts on how I might narrow the focus would be helpful. I've also attached a copy of my current working bibliography ('dhb-bibliography.pdf'). If you know of any particular books or articles I'm missing, I would appreciate your guidance. Thanks much, Don Questions for Dissertation Donald Howard Bromley What was the function of miracle in the early church? 1. How is ‘miracle’ defined? a. Does the modern, Western concept of ‘miracle’ have meaning in the first-century Greco-Roman world? b. What is the origin of the English word ‘miracle’ (explore Latin miraculum). c. How does ‘miracle’ relate to the Greek words/concepts: du,namij, shmei/on, e;rgon, and te,raj. d. How were the NT concepts of miracle/wonder influenced by OT concepts (e.g. alp, tpeAm, tAa) e. How does the conception of ‘miracle’ differ across time, cultures, and religions? f. Did the modern, western distinction between nature and super-nature exist in the ancient world? How does this distinction impact the understanding of ‘miracle’? 2. What was the purpose(s) of Jesus’ miracles? a. Authentication of his message. Evidence of his transcendence and/or divinity. b. ‘Signs’ of the kingdom of God (e.g. John’s gospel). c. Demonstrations of mercy and compassion. i. Did Jesus always heal upon request? 3. What was the nature of Jesus’ miracle-working ability? a. What was the source his miracle-working power, according to the Bible? i. He possessed power due to his inherent divinity. ii. He had access to the Father’s power, due to his unique relationship with him. b. Was his miraculous ability limited? i. What about Mark 6:5; Mark 8:22ff; John 5:19? c. Concept of du,namij as miracle-working power (esp. in Luke). 4. What is the psychological effect of miracles on human beings? How does miracle-working impact the establishment of religious figures and the development of religious communities? 5. Is the miracle-working of Jesus and the Apostles normative for the church, or was it unique? a. If the purpose of the miracles is the authentication of Jesus’ (and the Apostles’) message, did that purpose expire? b. Was the command to heal and exorcise, given to the Twelve and to the Seventy (Matt 10; Luke 9; 10) implied in Jesus’ Great Commission (Mark 16; Matt 28)? c. What do we make of the miraculous spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12; 14)? 6. How does the portrayal of miracle-working in Luke-Acts shed light on the early church’s understanding of their function? a. How is the miracle-working of the Apostles, portrayed in Acts, different than that of Jesus, portrayed in Luke? i. Is the function of miracle-working in Acts the same as that in Luke? ii. Is the miracle-working ability of the Apostles equal to that of Jesus? b. What are the effects of miracle-working on its witnesses in Luke-Acts? c. How does miracle-working play into the overall themes of Luke-Acts? i. The kingdom of God. ii. Fulfillment of prophecy; Jesus the Messiah iii. Their relation to the opposition to Jesus, and his eventual trial and execution. 7. What do the early sources outside of Luke-Acts say about the function of miracle in the early church? a. In the NT b. Non-canonical writings and Apostolic Fathers c. Other extra-biblical writings 8. What is the function of miracle in the church today? a. Missionary purposes in the authentication of the gospel b. An expression of God’s love and mercy c. The impact of the Pentecostal and charismatic movements 9. To whom is miracle-working ability available today? a. No one b. Missionaries and/or ‘gifted’ Christians c. All Christians d. Everyone