Papers by Donald C. "Mac" McIntyre
Demonology: What Does the Bible Say about Demons
Word by Word, 2024
A brief introduction to demonology in conversation with Gilhooly and Heiser.
What Does the Bible Say about Sexual Immorality: 3 Key Questions
Word by Word, 2023
A brief and conservative treatment of biblical sexuality which attempts to avoid legalism.
Why Verbal Aspect Improves Preaching, Part 3: Case Study
Word by Word, 2021
An application of the principles from the preceding articles on integrating verbal aspect with pr... more An application of the principles from the preceding articles on integrating verbal aspect with preaching.
Why Verbal Aspect Improves Preaching, Part 2: Emphasis
Word by Word, 2021
Part 2 of a series on integrating verbal aspect into sermon preparation.
Why Verbal Aspect Improves Preaching, Part 1: Apprehension
Word by Word
Part 1 of an extended argument to integrate verbal aspect into sermon preparation.
The Doctrine of the Resurrection and the Reorientation of Philosophy
Word by Word, 2022
A brief examination on how the resurrection impacts every major branch of philosophy.
JMAT, 2024
This article examines the proposed interpretations of Matthew 26:24 and its lack of a clear OT re... more This article examines the proposed interpretations of Matthew 26:24 and its lack of a clear OT referent. After performing a brief exegesis and analysis of previous interpretations, a new solution will be offered whereby Matthew 26:24 finds its referent in the next identical introductory formula (26:30–32), quoting from Zechariah. This solution clearly explains the lack of referent as a rhetorical device that points the reader forward in the narrative to resolve the deliberate tension created by the absence of a clear referent. It is less ad-hoc than previous interpretations and is consistent with Matthew's previous usage of the γέγραπται formula.
Eleutheria, 2023
This paper will seek to interpret one of the most problematic passages in intertextual studies. M... more This paper will seek to interpret one of the most problematic passages in intertextual studies. Matthew 2:23 does not have a clear Old Testament referent, and this presents a problem. How can an unknown prophecy be fulfilled; where is the text cited to be found? However, by keeping the original in mind during interpretation, it seems that Matthew was intentionally creating a hermeneutic of suspicion creating a deliberate rhetorical effect. This paper will seek to determine how Matthew artistically arranged and derived the significance of the Old Testament for his contemporary readership in light of the Christ event. It will be argued that the unknown citation of Matthew 2:19-23 can be found in the next identical citation formula resolving the suspense created by the allusion citation of Matthew 2:23 highlighting the narrative material between the two passages as a sort of inclusio.
Eleutheria, 2021
This paper will evaluate Matthew 2:13-15 analyzing Matthew’s questionable use of Hosea 11:1. Turn... more This paper will evaluate Matthew 2:13-15 analyzing Matthew’s questionable use of Hosea 11:1. Turner has noted that, “Those who think that Matthew saw a prediction of Jesus in Hos. 11:1 must either disparage Matthew’s hermeneutic . . . or attribute to Matthew revelatory insight into the sensus plenior of Hosea” (Turner, 2008). While the majority of commentators have found Matthew to be practicing typological interpretation, there has been a neglect to analyze the structure of Matthew’s particular introductory formula since Stendahl (1968), which have led many to see a pesher employment by Matthew in these formulas. This paper evaluates the form of Matthew’s quotations in light of persher forms, ultimately finding that Matthew has inverted the form. This inverted form shows that Matthew was seeking to interpret his current situation in light of the scriptures, and not to interpret scriptures at all. This difference is pivotal to see, since it validates Matthew’s use of the Old Testament in πληρόω formulas because he is giving a contemporary significance of how a text affects his current situation, and not reinterpreting meaning into that text from his new situation. This confusion between meaning and significance has proliferated interpretations, and has been a problem that Walter C. Kaiser and E. D. Hirsch have sought to remedy, but has not yet been fruitful for interpretations in Matthew’s use of the Old Testament.
Eleutheria, 2021
This article will seek to interpret Matthew 4:1-11, commonly referred to as the "temptation accou... more This article will seek to interpret Matthew 4:1-11, commonly referred to as the "temptation account" by taking into consideration issues from Old Testament Textual Criticism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Historical and social contexts, as well as theory on inter-textuality. This article will seek to show how Jesus is seeking to prove his Divine Sonship through creating a comparison between himself and the Second Generation of Israel who inherited the Promised Land after their parents' failures despite satanic harassment. This will be accomplished through an examination of Matthew's main argument for the book, and move towards grammatical and syntactical issues within the text of Matthew before proceeding to issues involved with the Dead Sea Scrolls, apotropaism, and intertextuality. It is the author's hope that after an examination of this article that the reader might come to a fuller understanding of how one can know that Jesus has divine prerogatives at his disposal, but that He can be trusted to use those prerogatives in a way that is pleasing to the Father.
Demons, DSS, and Jesus: Psalm 91 and the Need for Text Critical Pastors
An examination of apotropaism in the temptation account.
What if We Got the Temptation of Jesus Wrong? Part II
Word by Word, 2020
The divine sonship emphasis of the Temptation narrative.
Did We Get the Temptation of Jesus Wrong? Part I
Word by Word, 2020
An article examining divine sonship in the temptation account.
Eleutheria, 2022
This article will examine the Good Shepherd discourse attempting to analyze whether the Pharisees... more This article will examine the Good Shepherd discourse attempting to analyze whether the Pharisees were in purview as false-shepherds as commonly assumed and finding that interpretation lacking. Given the events of inter-testamental history, septuagintal usage of μισθωτὸς, and the setting of the discourse occurring during the feast of dedication, this article will find that Jesus is drawing a contrast between the foreign false-shepherds found in the political rulers, as well as the hireling pharisee and himself as the true shepherds. Through a careful reading of the text, it becomes apparent that Jesus is not solely disappointed in the Pharisees actions, but that he is also offering a kingdom that contrasts to the foreign oppression that Israel had been subjected to for centuries by the political powers of the day. This slight nuance will aid the exegete in finding the root cause of the Pharisees eventual rejection of Jesus, as they seek to preserve their own office, abandoning the sheep by conspiring with the false-shepherds to kill the Good Shepherd in the remaining narrative of the Gospel.
Eleutheria, 2022
Previously, Donald C. McIntyre has argued for a reappraisal of the typology of the Old Testament ... more Previously, Donald C. McIntyre has argued for a reappraisal of the typology of the Old Testament Well scenes contrary to popular interpretations espoused by Alter and Sailhamer.[1] This reappraisal has implication for John 4:1-45 with the meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Evangelical theologians have typically failed to apply their understanding of the Old Testament well scenes consistently to the text of John 4:1-45 because of the implications that would have on Christ's marital desires. Other theologians, particularly feminist theologians, have been more consistent in their application of the type scenes of the Old Testament to the text of John 4, but have created other theological problems for the understanding of the marital status of Christ. It is this very tension which has necessitated a reappraisal of the well scenes in total. The similarities between the accounts of Old Testament well scenes and the well scene in Samaria are too apparent to be accidental; and therefore, one must assume a rhetorical purpose for John's inclusion of this story for his account. This article will seek to show that the understanding of well scenes as a hero-narrative, where the well scene identifies a deliverer of the Abrahamic line from imminent danger, best satisfies the textual evidence of John 4, while offering a consistent interpretive method for all of the well-scenes.
Eleutheria, 2022
Psalm 8 serves as the first creation hymn of the Psalter, and as such is worthy of an exegetical ... more Psalm 8 serves as the first creation hymn of the Psalter, and as such is worthy of an exegetical and theological analysis. This analysis will begin with an exegesis of the text, since exegesis rightfully precedes theologizing.[1] The exegesis will include a translation, examination of the historical and literary contexts, the genre classification, structure, and discussion of the literary features with special attention given to parallelism and conclude with a brief exposition. After the requisite exegetical analysis has been completed, a theological synthesis will be commenced progressing from the psalms location in its microstructural setting to its use in the New Testament before giving some concluding remarks about systematic usefulness. It is the goal of this examination to invoke praise from the reader so that they too might join in worship of the Creator יהוה for His special relationship with His vice-regent-mankind. [1] Ken Gardoski. "Steps to Doing Theology." Clarks Summit, PA: Unpublished Class Notes from Doctoral Seminar TH1: Seminar in Theological Methods at Baptist Bible Seminary, Fall, 2020.
An Argument to Reclassify Psalm 2 as "Prophetic Rebuke"
Word by Word
Preliminary studies on Psalm 2's form according to a lesser known form of Gunkel.
JMAT, 2022
This paper will seek to perform a Biblical Theological analysis of Psalm 2 through employing a ri... more This paper will seek to perform a Biblical Theological analysis of Psalm 2 through employing a rigid methodology. Through a structured analysis the mediatorial role of the Israelite king will become apparent showing the intercessory role of the Israelite king as a conduit of the Abrahamic blessing. This psalm will also show, through an intertextual analysis, that suffering of the righteous King, serves a mediatorial role and is only temporary until the valiant return of the king to inflict judgement upon the nations should they not repent. As such, it will encourage the church to pray for wicked governments repentance, knowing the God answers prayers of His people, and to persevere in hope knowing that God's plan cannot be thwarted.
BibSac, 2024
While narrative themes of trickery, incest, death, and humiliation are unsettling, a typological ... more While narrative themes of trickery, incest, death, and humiliation are unsettling, a typological reading of the incestuous narratives of Lot and Judah divulges a redemptive arc. This article argues that the Judah-Tamar narrative (Gen 38) serves as a corrective lens to the Lot-daughters narrative (Gen 19) through an escalation in the antitype. These narratives evince a God who cares for widows and who can redeem even the worst of situations.
Describing Diatheke: Covenant in the Bible
Word by Word, 2023
A Biblical theology of covenants in the Bible. Originally a two part article later combined by pu... more A Biblical theology of covenants in the Bible. Originally a two part article later combined by publisher.
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Papers by Donald C. "Mac" McIntyre