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Timothy Keller: Champion For The City: Keller's Philosophy Of Urban Contextualization, Michael W. Cunningham

Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal

Timothy Keller's 2023 passing serves as an occasion to consider his ministry legacy. His magnum opus, Center Church, encapsulated his philosophy of contextualization. This philosophy was rooted in a robust theology that informed and balanced missions, evangelism, and church planting. Keller's passion for city missions defied current ministry trends that favored suburbia and avoided urban contexts. His ministry conviction overcame cultural opposition and ministry bias and grew a thriving ministry in an unlikely ministry setting. Keller’s ministry captured the imagination of rising generations of pastors, missionaries, and ministry practitioners and provided the needed theological framework and training for successful …

Review Of Dr. Beth Felker Jones’ Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction To Thinking And Living Theologically, Caleb Gordon

Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal

This review of Practicing Christian Doctrine provides a helpful overview of Dr. Jones’ articulate survey through major Christian doctrines and related Christian practice. This resource serves as a succinct, formative primer to Christian theology with an aim at orthopraxy for the maturing Christian.

Fostering Self-Efficacy For Biblical Learning And Doctrinal Awareness With Micro-Teaching In A Brief Course On Bible Study, Robin K. Henson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Self-efficacy for biblical learning was explored in the context of a small group experience focused on how to study the Bible. After first developing a new instrument to measure self-efficacy for biblical learning in a pilot study, ten church attendees participated in a seven-week course designed around the hermeneutical principles of understanding a Scripture passage in textual and historical context, placing the passage in the grand story of God, and relating it to relevant doctrine. The small group process employed micro-teaching as a mechanism to facilitate challenge and mastery experience in learning. Micro-teaching places the student in the role of …

Best Practices In Lcms Congregational Mergers Into Multisite Ministries, Brian Hesse

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Hesse, Brian J. “Best Practices in LCMS Congregational Mergers into Multisite Ministries.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2018. 171 pp.

In this MAP the process of a church merger is evaluated for the development of Best Practices in LCMS Congregational Mergers into Multisite Ministries. These best practices aredeveloped with special considerations towards LCMS ecclesiology, missiology and Martin Luther’s Distinction of God’s Two Kingdoms. Best practice recommendations are included for LCMS church mergers, especially for those congregations considering multisite ministry.

Talking To Jesus, Dale Meyer

Concordia Journal

If the beginning of the twenty-first century is marked by “Epicurean indifference,” the temptation to doctrinally focused people is, quoting Melanchthon again, “Pharisaic pride.” What Jesus said to the ancient Pharisees can help us resist this subtle temptation to imagine that we own the truth.

Seeking A Comprehensive Worldview: The Religious Seeker In The Modern World, Michael Gregory

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Anecdotally, the casual observer of anthropological phenomenon may be led to believe that every human is basically the same. Indeed, many may assume that groups of people possess identical beliefs, religions, and expressions that hardly vary across different cultures and generations. Throughout the plethora of different cultures and the countless varieties of religious expression and experience it may seem that all of humanity is merely following the same lifestyles and worldviews as their parents and ancestors with very little change save for the gradual evolution in society. A religious studies scholar, or any scholar of the humanities, however, may notice …

A Comparative Study: Traditional Evangelical Friends Pastors With Contemporar Evangelical Pastors For Twenty-First Century Application, Thomas Crawford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This is a study of the dominant views of traditional evangelical Friends pastors and contemporary evangelical pastors. A comparative study of lifestyle, methods of ministry, and primary doctrinal beliefs is used to discover areas of agreement, differences, and points critical to successful leadership for Evangelical Friends pastors. Being a pastor and denominational leader in the Evangelical Friends Church-Eastern Region for the past 32 years gives the author a critical interest in this study. Every church and denomination wants to effectively reach people for Christ. The author and Evangelical Friends are no different. Academic research is combined with interviews of evangelical …

Celebrating God's Grace: An Adult Information Course Which Teaches The Doctrine Of The Church As It Is Expressed In The Worship Of The Church, James Heining

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The writer did a thorough study of the ongoing relationship of worship and doctrine as an influence in the formation of Lutheran worship practices.

He developed a class entitled "Celebrating God's Grace," which summarized the basic teachings of the church as they are expressed in the worship of the church. This was part of a revamped adult education program in his congregation.

In addition to the obvious benefits for those attending the class, the writer came to better understand the centrality of grace in the Christian faith and is now better able to plan and lead worship.

The Preaching Of Clovis G Chappell- A Study Of The Published Sermons In Light Of The Proper Distinction Between Law And Gospel As Articulated By C. F. W. Walther, William Carpenter

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

Walther persistently asserted that the understanding and proper distinction between Law and Gospel is vital to correct or orthodox preaching even to the point of holding this understanding up as the "supreme art among Christians." If a person is to be a serious practitioner of the Word of God, he must aspire to this skill or ability.

The value of this study then is twofold: our hypothesis was that C. F. W. Walther's classic work could be distilled into a pithy corpus and from this digest a set of criteria could be drawn from which objective judgments could be made …

The Doctrine Of Man In William Golding's Lord Of The Flies, Howard W. Kramer

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Since Lord of the Flies is so frequently found on the required reading list of English literature courses, it is to be expected that the theme of the novel is the subject of frequent discussions in literary circles and perhaps even in gatherings of much less sophisticated readers. One would, then, be inclined to examine seriously the theme of a novel as widely read and discussed as is Lord of the Flies. Since the theme of the novel involves so fundamental a concept as the doctrine of man, one may surmise that the average reader finds an unusual attraction in …

The Gospel And The Theological Task, John H. Tietjen

Concordia Theological Monthly

"I'm no theologian, but …. " You have heard the statement many times. After a learned presentation by a theological professor at a pastoral conference a parish pastor rises to add his wisdom to the discussion and begins with those words, most often to take exception to something the professor has said. A delegate to a church convention utters them to convince his fellow delegates of the practical, down-to-earth advice he is about to offer, usually stated in very specific theological terms in spite of his introduction.

Missouri Synod's Practice Of Fellowship With Non-Lutheran Christians, Albert Neibacher

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It is the purpose of this paper to investigate the implications of recent Missouri Synod statements on the church for the practice of fellowship with non-Lutheran Christians. In this connection, it should be pointed out that the term, "Missouri Synod statements, “does not refer only to the official pronouncements and resolutions of synod. The term is also used to denote books, printed essays, reports, and periodical articles written by various members of Missouri Synod.

Preaching And The Recovery Of The Church, Richard R. Caemmerer

Concordia Theological Monthly

In the first section, we dealt with the language of preaching. Can it be understood? Does God speak and act in it? In the second we dealt with the method of finding and conveying Biblical truth in preaching. Have current Biblical studies a contribution to make to the pastor as he sets about on his task of preparing and delivering sermons? The third article does not turn away from these questions and processes, but it locates them in their setting: the Christian church. Ours is a time of rediscovery of the meaning of the church.

An Analysis Of Clericalim In Some Philippine Church Bodies As An Obstacle To Lay Activty In The Lutheran Church In The Philippines, Norbert Becker

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The present study is born out of the conviction that, humanly speaking, the future of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines, and that of any Christian body for that matter, lies in a vitally active laity. It is also born out of a bit of experience that has seen what laymen can do when properly stimulated and guided. The study is made also in the belief that the clergy themselves to a large extent hold the key to a genuinely active laity and that they can be a tremendous influence either positively or negatively.

The Will Of God In The Life Of A Christian, Eugene F. Klug

Concordia Theological Monthly

In what has been called "the greatest piece of theological writing" to come from his pen, The Bondage of the Will, Luther scores his contemporary Erasmus very sorely because of his unwillingness to assert plainly and forthrightly each and every truth which the Scriptures contain. Erasmus took a stance frequently duplicated today when theologians contend that Scripture does not contain propositional truth. Although we grant, of course, that it does not embrace formulations like a dogmatics textbook, the fact is that Scripture, as Luther reminded Erasmus, contains many doctrinal assertions which must be expressed and defended. "Take away assertions," Luther …

The Devotional Use Of The Bible, James G. Manz

Concordia Theological Monthly

Our topic suggests that there is another use of the Holy Bible. This is the study of Holy Scripture which is traditionally associated with the discipline of theological seminaries and the work of Biblical scholars and ministers. Its technical term is exegesis and has as its task to get out of the sacred text what God put into it. To achieve its purpose an exegetical study of Scripture involves knowledge of the ancient tongues. Martin Luther had a high regard for that language study which had as its aim the understanding of the meaning of the Scripture. He said, "As …

Bible Study In The Life Of The Church, Oscar E. Feucht

Concordia Theological Monthly

At its 44th regular convention (1959) our church resolved "that the Synod reemphasize to its congregations the central place which the Bible has in Lutheran theology and the importance of Bible study in parish life and work." While in its theology our Synod has always emphasized the doctrine of Holy Scripture, the corresponding practice in the life of the church (as also in other ages) has left much to be desired. Bible use has not always reflected the church's teaching on Holy Scripture. It is for this reason that in every generation the church needs to ask itself: Is the …

Walther, The Preacher, Henry Eggold Jr

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

Together with all of his other achievements, Walther is remembered today also as a preacher of the first rank. And it is to an examination of Walther's preaching that this thesis addresses itself. In the course of the following pages I shall endeavor to demonstrate the validity of the thesis suggested by Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, Jr. that Walther as preacher represents a synthesis of Orthodoxy and Pietism.

Walther And Church Polity, August R. Suelflow

Concordia Theological Monthly

When the Saxon immigrants of 1839 elected their spiritual leader, Martin Stephan, their bishop, they adopted the episcopal form of polity. They pledged full obedience to him.

Justification In The Theology Of Walther, Erwin L. Lueker

Concordia Theological Monthly

"A person who wishes to describe Walther as a theologian must above all explain his position on the doctrine of justification." This view of Pieper is in harmony with Walther's own evaluation of theology.

Contributions Of The Confessions To A Lutheran Philosophy Of Education, John Mager

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Because of the central place which the Confessions give to the doctrine of justification we feel that we can do nothing less than make this doctrine the unifying principle in this thesis. We do so for this reason that the unifying principle or a Lutheran philosophy of education cannot be much diverse from the material principle of its theology. If theology is the basis or the foundation upon which the superstructure of a Lutheran philosophy of education can be built up, then the two and their unifying principles are more closely related than we might assume.

Brief Studies, G. M. Krach

Concordia Theological Monthly

Preaching Doctrine on the Basis of the Standard Gospels

Are We Preaching A Gospel Free From Law?, Everard Hinrichs

Concordia Theological Monthly

Let us state the question which heads this paper more specifically: When we speak of the Gospel (grace, forgiveness of sin, Cross of Christ, Christ Crucified), is it permissible to mix elements of the Law into this concept? One would like to view this question as rhetorical, having for its answer the strongest possible negative. In view of its subject matter, however, one is left with a sense of that kind of interrogative which anticipates a negative answer yet searches deeply for whatever reason may motivate it.

An Experimental Course For Adult Confirmation Structured By The Nicene Creed, Paul Malte

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Through involvement as an instructor in the adult confirmation process of the Missouri Synod, and being aware of the obvious openness of the American citizen to religious conversation, the writer has undertaken a study of the needs and opportunities om this area. Specifically, the research and creative activity embodied in this thesis has been worked out in the direction of materials and course outlines for the adult confirmation process. An attempt has been made to survey representative courses shaped by pastors in the Missouri Synod and popular presentations of the basic Gospel written by men of other denominations. This exploration …

Faith With Works, Frederic W. Danker

Concordia Theological Monthly

The fact that Christianity's message has spread far and wide may lead to the easy assumption that knowledge equals understanding and that in place of doctrinal emphases the practical aspects demand primary consideration. It is the purpose of this paper to show that Christianity cannot be functional unless its message is presented with a constant doctrinal emphasis and that if this doctrine is faithfully presented, the message will be functional. As in the preceding paper, "Faith Without Works," St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians will provide the basic material for the subject "Faith with Works."

The Critical Study Of The Doctrine Of Baptism In The Catechism Of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, Richard George Maassel

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this study included an exegetical examination of the validity of the Scripture passages cited as proofs for the answers, a systematic examination of the questions and answers as to their doctrinal accuracy, and, to a lesser degree, a pedagogical study of the presentation as to its effectiveness.

The Soteriology Of The Lutheran Chorale Of The Sixteenth And Seventeenth Centuries, Norbert Mueller

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

There may be, and probably are, a variety of reasons why the chorale has not become popular in America. However, one of the more serious which has come to my attention, and I cannot say how wide spread this charge is, is that the chorale doesn’t contain enough Gospel if it contains Gospel at al1. The study which this paper embraces is a result of this charge.

Are We Really Preaching The Gospel?, Elmer A. Kettner

Concordia Theological Monthly

With all of our glorying in the Gospel and our striving to retain purity of doctrine, is it possible that there is too little preaching of the Gospel in The Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod? It's not only possible; I fear that it's highly probable. This is not a blanket accusation against every pastor in Synod. One can judge only from the sermons that one hears and reads. Nor is this written to be sensational or critical. In this respect I am perhaps "the chief of sinners"; I have sometimes by-passed the Gospel. The Scriptures remind us to "exhort one another …

The United Testimony On Faith And Life, F. E. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Lutheran Church bodies making up the American Lutheran Conference have now walked and worked together for a period of more than twenty years. They have learned to know one another both as to doctrine and as to manner of life. They have been associated as brethren serving the Lord. Coming out of varying backgrounds as to national origin and as to distinctive trends in church life and practice, they have learned to cherish one another's contributions to the fulness of the Church's life in Christ. Through closer acquaintance and deepening fellowship they have found that the common roots of …

Foreword, F. E. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

1900-1950: the end of the first half of the twentieth century brings mankind to an important milestone in the history of the world. The pastor will take time out to review the events of the past five decades and to evaluate correctly the signs of the times. But more important still, mindful of the fleeting of time and the approaching end of all time, the pastor will employ this opportunity to review his work not in terms of years, decades, centuries, millennia, but sub specie aeternitatis.