Stefanos Mihalios, Ph.D. 2009

Recipient of the Dr. and Mrs. H Wilbert, Jr, Fellowship

Professor of New Testament
Greek Bible College; Pikermi, Greece

My dissertation was entitled “The Danielic Eschatological Hour in the Johannine Literature” (Bloomsbury) supervised by Dr. G. K. Beale. In this research, I examine the uses of hour in the writings of John and argue for the existence of an allusion to the Danielic eschatological hour. The book of Daniel (Old Greek) is the only place in the Greek Old Testament where the notion of eschatological hour exists. The proposed connection illuminates the contribution of Danielic eschatology to John’s concept of the hour. Jesus has used the word hour to argue that the final hour of tribulation and resurrection as it is depicted in Daniel has arrived. Jesus’ death on the cross initiates the end-time affliction, both for him and the disciples; although God’s ultimate purpose is to lead his people to life.

I deeply appreciate the learning opportunities I received in the Ph.D. program at Wheaton College. During my studies here, I had the privilege to learn from well-informed scholars on different areas of study, who constantly exhorted me to excel. I can say with confidence that they have tremendously impacted my scholarly formation. The emphasis of the program on the integration of knowledge (epistēmē), applied to biblical-theological studies, has ideally prepared me for work in Greece—a culture that values the synthesis of various disciplines and holistic understanding of the world. In addition, the program’s successful combination of faith and critical thinking serves best for the employment of theological knowledge in the Church. Theological knowledge should not be pursued as an end in itself, but rather as an instrument for attaining eternal goals within God’s kingdom.