| |
| author |
Chanyoung Choi
| | title |
Comprehensive Study of Ancient Empires : Reading Ancient Empires Through the Lens of the Book of Daniel
| | abstract |
This study aims to explore the historical context of ancient empires through the Book of Daniel and to develop a holistic Bible reading education method applicable to church Bible study programs. One of the primary reasons believers struggle with Bible reading is their lack of understanding of the ancient Near Eastern history, which hinders a comprehensive grasp of the biblical narrative. To address this, the study proposes an approach, based on the works of John Walton and Byungho Zoh, that connects the rise and fall of ancient empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece) with the Book of Daniel. The research methodology combines literature review with qualitative methods, including interviews and case studies, conducted with 20 adult believers from Richmond Korean Presbyterian Church in Virginia, USA from August to November 2023 over a 12-week program. The analysis revealed that holistic Bible reading improved faith understanding by 83% and contributed 40% to theological insights through historical context learning. However, time constraints and a lack of prior knowledge were identified as limitations. In conclusion, this study provides practical strategies for systematizing holistic Bible reading in church education and fostering spiritual growth through the Book of Daniel.
| | school |
The Theological School, Drew University
| | degree |
D.Min. (2025)
|
| advisor |
Byungho Zoh
Leonard Sweet
|
| committee |
Younglae Kim
|
| full text | CChoi.pdf |
| |
