Date of Award
Summer 2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Theology
First Advisor
Dempsey, Deirdre
Second Advisor
Neujahr, Matthew
Third Advisor
Pace, Sharon
Abstract
In the Old Testament, the Israelite nation is identified as a chosen people of God and in a covenantal relationship with him. This thesis will argue that the Noahide covenantal relationship extends to more than just the Israelites such that all creation is in a covenant with the universal God. This is supported through an exploration of Ancient Near Eastern literature and its similarities with biblical stories. Exegetical analyses of Psalms and prophetic biblical literature will further demonstrate God’s universality and will elucidate what it means to be in a covenantal relationship with God. When there is relationship there must be clarity on the roles and rules of relationship which will be explored here as well.