Behind The Numbers: A Traditional Church Faces A New America,
2023
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Behind The Numbers: A Traditional Church Faces A New America, Larry Vogel
Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation
The dissertation examines membership data for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) from the mid-1970s to the present. It considers the analysis of LCMS decline by two scholars, George Hawley and Ryan MacPherson, who independently proposed that LCMS membership decline was internal in causation due to diminished birthrates and fewer young families. While acknowledging the reality of such internal decline, this dissertation argues that the lack of external growth is a greater cause for LCMS decline. Its lack of external growth is due primarily to the racial and ethnic homogeneity of the LCMS and its failure effectively to evangelize the increasingly …
Congregational Vertical File,
2023
Abilene Christian University
Congregational Vertical File, Mcgarvey Ice
Center for Restoration Studies Vertical Files Finding Aids
No abstract provided.
Sex In The Bible: A Poetic Female Retelling,
2023
University of Pennsylvania
Sex In The Bible: A Poetic Female Retelling, Gabriella Raffetto
Crossings: Swarthmore Undergraduate Feminist Research Journal
In my poetic analysis, I tease out the differences between Biblical and modern conceptions of rape. Many of my ‘episodes’ feature rape narratives between a husband and wife or concubine/slave; in the Biblical narrative, these relations were not considered rape, because rape only constituted relationships outside of legal bounds. In this way, I attempt to diversify preexisting stories in the Biblical narrative, making monsters out of praised patriarchs; even God is not safe from becoming the villain. In this way, I paint the patriarchal system in the Bible as a gothic house disguised in tradition and spirituality that women must …
Interpreting The Intentional Inaccessibility Of The Early Modern Roman Catholic Church,
2023
Brown University
Interpreting The Intentional Inaccessibility Of The Early Modern Roman Catholic Church, Kristen P. Quesada
Swarthmore Undergraduate History Journal
Many may wonder why, in the modern day, the Roman Catholic Church continues to incorporate Latin, a now barely extant language, into its canonic religious rituals and public services. However, to understand whether there is a latently malicious intent lurking beneath this esoteric tradition, we must look back to the 1545 Council of Trent, in which these traditions were first canonized. This choice on the part of the Catholic Church helped incense the Protestant Reformation’s criticisms against the Church for exclusivizing the very religion its followers were practicing. This paper investigates the origins of the Catholic Church’s suppressive practices against …
Discovering The Means To Provide Mentorship For Post-Seminary Pastoral Formation From Apprentice To Craftsman: A Pastoral Journey,
2023
Concordia Seminary - Saint Louis
Discovering The Means To Provide Mentorship For Post-Seminary Pastoral Formation From Apprentice To Craftsman: A Pastoral Journey, Paul Hass
Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project
This project seeks to produce a distinct process for the discerning of who might best serve as mentors to those newly ordained. The process aims to allow for people in ecclesiastical leadership roles to discern which of the numerous available pastoral mentors might best be suited for fostering a long-term mentoring relationship to a newly ordained pastor. This project uses the results of qualitative research, drawn from interviews, to provide a matrix for evaluating potential mentors through the lens of the Adaptive Leadership model. The resulting evaluation process was ‘tested’ in a truncated format through the Office of the President …
The Theological Method Of Friedrich Schleiermacher,
2022
Liberty University
The Theological Method Of Friedrich Schleiermacher, Jordan P. Ballard
Eleutheria
What Friedrich Schleiermacher is most known for is his theological method of deriving doctrine from religious experience. He believed that religious piety is to be found in the “feeling of absolute dependence”, and all subsequent doctrines must be discovered through reflection upon religious experience. Understanding and critiquing Schleiermacher’s theological method requires examining his theological influences, his “feeling of absolute dependence,” and a few examples from his systematic theology. In the end, Schleiermacher’s theological method is ingenious but misguided because it is based on a faulty religious epistemology of human experience. What is needed instead is an objective standard of truth …
Shepherds And Hirelings In John 10: An Intertestamental Correction,
2022
Liberty University
Shepherds And Hirelings In John 10: An Intertestamental Correction, Donald C. Mcintyre
Eleutheria
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, …
The "Write" Stuff: The Plausible Capability Of Jesus’ Followers To Author The Gospels,
2022
Liberty University; Trinity Baptist College
The "Write" Stuff: The Plausible Capability Of Jesus’ Followers To Author The Gospels, Charles D. T. Miller
Eleutheria
It is common for critics of the New Testament to cite William Harris’ 10% literacy rate for first-century Greco-Romans as evidence for the implausibility of Jesus’ followers to write, publish, and circulate the New Testament. This “evidence” is often used to dismiss the entire New Testament as a second-century fabrication that cannot accurately represent the true teachings of Jesus. Is this an accurate portrayal of Galilee during the time of Jesus? The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that Jesus’ followers possessed the “‘Write’ Stuff”—the ability to read, write, and memorize, as well as, access to the technology needed …
The History Of Apologetics: A Collaborative Article Review,
2022
Liberty University
The History Of Apologetics: A Collaborative Article Review, Isaiah B. Parker
Eleutheria
In The History of Apologetics, the authors examine a variety of noteworthy Western apologists throughout seven distinct historical eras: Patristic, Medieval, Early Modern, Nineteenth Century, Twentieth Century (American), Twentieth Century (European), and Contemporary. Each chapter presents four essential elements relating to the life and work of one apologist: historical background, theological context, apologetic methodology and response, and critical contribution(s) to apologetics. They aim to provide an overview of influential apologists within their unique cultural contexts. This review structures its content in the same manner, albeit with some necessary minor changes to the elements for ease of reading. The historical …
Pastoral Care For National Guard And Reserve: Using Bible Study To Equip National Guard And Reserve To Navigate Through The Blessings And Burdens Of Civilian-Military Vocations,
2022
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Pastoral Care For National Guard And Reserve: Using Bible Study To Equip National Guard And Reserve To Navigate Through The Blessings And Burdens Of Civilian-Military Vocations, David Schleusener
Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project
Schleusener, David, S. "Pastoral Care for National Guard and Reserve: Using Bible Study to Equip National Guard and Reserve to Navigate through the Blessings and Burdens of Civilian Military Vocations" Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2022. 267 pp.
The researcher is a U.S. Navy Reserves chaplain and student at Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis, Missouri, in the Doctor of Ministry program. The researcher focused on the unique challenges, burdens, and significant stress our nation's reserve components face due to dual responsibilities in civilian and military sectors. National Guard and Reserve (NGR) is the term adopted for those …
The First Jesuits And The First Jesuit Universities,
2022
University of Toronto
The First Jesuits And The First Jesuit Universities, Paul Grendler
Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal
John W. O’Malley S. J. in The First Jesuits described well the basic principles of the Jesuit educational ministry that shapeed Jesuit schools and universities. He did not discuss what constituted a Jesuit university because that was not the purpose of the book. After assessing the major contributions that O’Malley made to define the principles of Jesuit education, this article will pick up where O’Malley left off by describing the first Jesuit universities. There was not a single model of a Jesuit university. Instead, the Jesuits taught in four kinds of universities: the all-Jesuit university, the civic-Jesuit collegiate university, the …
Evdokimov & CléMents' "Two Martyrs In A Godless World: Dietrich Bonhoeffer And Alexander Men" (Book Review),
2022
Gateway Seminary
Evdokimov & CléMents' "Two Martyrs In A Godless World: Dietrich Bonhoeffer And Alexander Men" (Book Review), Jonathan Mccormick
The Christian Librarian
No abstract provided.
Review Of The Routledge Handbook Of Pentecostal Theology,
2022
Oral Roberts University
Review Of The Routledge Handbook Of Pentecostal Theology, Tabitha Turpin
Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology
The Routledge Handbook of Pentecostal Theology. Edited by Wolfgang Vondey. New York, NY: Routledge, 2020. 464 pp.
Review Of Christianity And Depression,
2022
Oral Roberts university
Review Of Christianity And Depression, Robert D. Mcbain
Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology
Christianity and Depression. By Tasia Scrutton. London, UK: SCM Press, 2020. xvi + 236 pp.
Review Of Apostles & Prophets: The Ministry Of Apostles And Prophets Throughout The Generations,
2022
Oral Roberts University
Review Of Apostles & Prophets: The Ministry Of Apostles And Prophets Throughout The Generations, David Osei-Nimoh
Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology
No abstract provided.
Called, Empowered, And Sent, Known And Unknown: A Reflection On Missional Leadership,
2022
Oral Roberts University
Called, Empowered, And Sent, Known And Unknown: A Reflection On Missional Leadership, Wonsuk Ma
Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology
This issue of Spiritus focuses on Spirit-empowered mission and leadership, dedicated to the work and life of countless Spirit-filled “soldiers” of the kingdom. The movement has produced a host of dedicated leaders whose work is significant. Many publications introduce these figures.1 While Pentecostal-Charismatic “stars” receive both good and bad attention, the real heroes of empowered witnessing are often forgotten. They are the nameless “ordinary” believers who are in the same way called, Spirit-empowered, and sent by the same Lord.
S. B. J. Oschoffa (1909–85): The Miracle Of A Shared Life,
2022
Oral Roberts University
S. B. J. Oschoffa (1909–85): The Miracle Of A Shared Life, Samuel Olamiji Akibu
Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology
In the twentieth century, God raised many faith giants among Africans for Africans and the whole world. These faith heroes contributed immensely to the decolonization, indigenization, and expansion of Christianity in Africa and the Global South. Among these highly spiritually invested Africans was a Beninese-Nigerian carpenter, Samuel Biléou Joseph Oschoffa (1909–1985). He was educated in the Methodist tradition before the Lord called him to lead one of the most significant African prophetic-charismatic indigenous movements, the Celestial Church of Christ. This article explores his life, ministerial legacies, and theology.
A Critical Analysis Of Reinhard Bonnke’S Charismatic Leadership Paradigm,
2022
Oral Roberts University
A Critical Analysis Of Reinhard Bonnke’S Charismatic Leadership Paradigm, Charles Morara Obara
Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology
The study of leadership has evolved over the years, focusing on different approaches. In the early nineteenth century, leadership study focused on the traits, skills, and behavioral and situational approaches of leaders. In recent years the focus has emphasized servant leadership, authenticity, and charisma. This article focuses on the charismatic leadership theory propounded by Max Weber. This article aims at analyzing the charismatic leadership style of evangelist Reinhard Bonnke. The article starts with a definition of leadership followed by an overview of charismatic leadership and then delves into the life of Bonnke with a biographical sketch of his life. The …
Jimmy Swaggart: The Conflict Between Spirit-Empowerment And Human Weakness,
2022
Oral Roberts university
Jimmy Swaggart: The Conflict Between Spirit-Empowerment And Human Weakness, Robert D. Mcbain
Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology
This article explores how Jimmy Swaggart fits the profile of a Spirit-empowered leader. It summarizes Swaggart’s life and ministry, focusing on his calling, role as a defender of the faith, moral failure, and demise. The article then reflects on Swaggart’s story within the context of Spirit-empowered leadership, exploring how Swaggart fits Lee Roy Martin’s paradigm of a prophetic preacher while demonstrating various negative leadership traits. Stuck between the convictions of his calling and his weaknesses, Swaggart appears as a conflicted individual not immune from making serious errors. The article discusses this aspect of Swaggart’s life to consider how his story …
John Paul Ii: A Role Model Of Participative, Transformative, And Empowering Leadership,
2022
Oral Roberts University
John Paul Ii: A Role Model Of Participative, Transformative, And Empowering Leadership, Tomasz Bialokurec
Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology
This article sets out to revisit charismatic leadership theory through the concepts of servanthood, participation, transformation, and empowerment. We will argue that only servant and participative leadership reflects the relational nature of the Holy Trinity and has a potential to transform and empower followers, offering a remedy to the issue of power in Spirit-empowered Christianity. We propose that this emerging paradigm of charismatic leadership is exemplified by Karol Wojtyła (John Paul II). The assessment employs the criteria of personal and socialized charismatic leadership, as well the apostle and teacher/scholar paradigms of leadership derived from Ephesians 4:11. The study also features …