Digital Commons Network^™

The Historical Evolution Of The A.M.E. Church: Social Intervention To Advance Blacks Socio-Economic Position, Jasmin N. Graham

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Though it is well documented that the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) has been greatly involved in Black’s educational attainments; there is limited documentation on the connection between the educational efforts of the AMEC and its effect on the financial stability of Blacks. The objective of the study is to evaluate the AMEC’s tendency to intervene on behalf of its community. Tracing the different socio-economic initiatives of the AMEC through the lenses of education from the late 18^th century to the present has revealed the various meanings of the term freedom and how the church has adapted to acquire …

Non-Ownership Principles As Understood By Lay Practitioners Of Jainism And Quakerism, David St John

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how lay members of the Jain and Quaker traditions understand and navigate ideals of non-ownership. The tenets of aparigraha (non-ownership) and the testimony of simplicity are explored to show how interpretation of sacred texts leave open the possibility for financial success.

Through interviews with members of Jain and Quaker communities in the US, and textual research, I assert that proper methods for earning, maintaining and using capital in each tradition transcend prohibitions against excess accumulation. Following Foucault and Weber, I show that proper ethical ways of earning and spending money depend on community-based interpretations and self-policing.

My …

The Pneuma Network: Transnational Pentecostal Print Culture In The United States And South Africa, 1906-1948, Lindsey Brooke Maxwell

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exploding on the American scene in 1906, Pentecostalism became arguably the most influential religious phenomenon of the twentieth century. Sparked by the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, the movement grew rapidly throughout the United States and garnered global momentum. This study investigates the original Los Angeles Apostolic Faith Mission and the subsequent extension of the mission to South Africa through an examination of periodicals, mission records, and personal documents. Using the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa as a case study, this study measures the significance of print media in the emergence and evolution of the early Pentecostal movement. …

The Opposition To Latin American Liberation Theology And The Transformation Of Christianity, 1960-1990, Sonia M. Scheuren Acevedo

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to explore the political, social and religious opposition to Liberation Theology in Latin America during the 1960s to 1990s, and the transformation of Christianity. During this period, most Latin American countries underwent social struggles and political repression in which opposition and persecution arose from dictatorial and military governments who labeled those committed to the poor as communists. Liberation Theology emerged as an ecclesial and theological trend committed to the poor, in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s in Latin America. This thesis traces the origins, development, expansion and repression of Liberation Theology. This work maintains that under …