O'Donoghue MTh_Thesis-FinalCopy.pdf - South African Theological ...

would not have ever found such a link unless he has set out to find it.Thirdly, adopting Guelich’s approach is to ignore the thematic consistency foundbetween 6:19-24 and 6:25-34 (Allison 1987: 425). The teachings of Matthew 6:19-34raise questions for the disciple regarding material possessions that are thenanswered in 6:25-34. Guelich disregards this link by claiming that 6:25-34 is linkedwith 7:1-5 and 7:6 as part of the elaboration of the “we” petitions found in the Lord’sPrayer, as opposed to being linked with 6:19-24 which would form part of the “Thou”petitions found in the Lord’s Prayer (Allison 1987: 425).The consensus seems to be that 6:19-34 can be split into two parts, 6:19-24 and 25-34. Blomberg (1992b:75) echoes this when he argues that 6:19-34 is split into twomajor sections, 6:19-24 and 25-34. The division is made by a difference in subjectmatter, in so far as 19-24 talks about wealth and 25-34 talks about worryHowever, Blomberg (1992b:75) does note that the two sections are held together byan overarching theme. For Blomberg, the theme being the endorsement of believersto reject things that challenge devotion to Christ in favour of uncompromiseddevotion to Christ, and a trust in God’s care for believers who are devoted to Hiskingdom .Blomberg’s (199b2:75) division of the text breaks down further as follows;a) First Major Section divides into three units• 6:19-21- “contrasts earthly and heavenly treasures”• 6:22-23 – “contrasts people of light with those of darkness”• 6:24 – “contrasts two masters”Blomberg (1992b:75) believes that a formal structure for 25-34 is unclear. He goeson to comment briefly on each verse with out identifying and unifying structuralelements.Allison (2004:98) falls into the camp of scholars who believe 6:19-7:12 forms a unitwithin the SOM. This unit breaks down into 6:19-34 and 7:1-12. Allison and Davies(1988:625) say, as is common, that 6:19-34 breaks down into the following four30