Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Wandering And Lamaze (Preface And Chapter 1 Of The Dusty Ones: Why Wandering Deepens Your Faith), A.J. Swoboda

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Excerpt: "This book is about wandering.

It wouldn’t be fair to say I make my final approach to the topic of wandering out of nowhere or free of baggage. I’ve checked some heavy bags for the flight. Indeed, I bring myself with a cargo load of luggage from my own story that’s sure to affect the way I reflect upon it. For one, I approach the topic of wandering as a preacher. Preaching is my trade, my vocation, and my life’s passion. Preaching is also my paycheck—it puts food on my family’s table. But my preaching isn’t entirely driven by …

Climatologists, Theologians, And Prophets: Toward An Ecotheology Of Critical Hope, Cherice Bock

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

As people of faith begin to recognize in larger numbers that our relationship with creation is one of the most important challenges facing us today, I find myself pondering what we have to offer the environmental movement. The Christian scriptures begin and end with stories of God and creation: the oft-mentioned creation stories of Genesis 1-2, and the eschatological reflections on the new heaven and earth, and the river and tree of life in Revelation 21-22. (1) In between are the stories of the people of faith, and how we interact with God in the midst of creation. These stories …

The ‘Evangelical’ Heart Of Pietist Anthony William Boehm, Daniel L. Brunner

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

German Lutheran Pietism, as represented by Philipp J. Spener and August H. Francke’s institutions at Halle, is one noteworthy outworking of the ‘spiritual’ revival during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The foremost proponent of Halle Pietism in England was Anthony William Boehm (1673–1722), whose literary activity became significant in English religious life. This chapter evaluates the ‘evangelical’ nature of Boehm’s Pietist voice in the ‘tunnel period’ between the Restoration and the Evangelical Revival. Using the lens of David Bebbington’s quadrilateral—conversionism, activism, biblicism, and crucicentrism—the article explore the similarities and dissimilarities between Pietism and evangelicalism at the nexus of …

Materiality, Beauty, And Space: The Eastern Traditions As A Ressourcement For Pentecostal Worship And The Arts, Steve Overman

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Excerpt: "Pentecostals have reason to feel some affinity with the more Eastern traditions....

Since liturgical worship is a central and highly developed aspect of Orthodox Church life and practice, this paper will focus specifically on the elements of materiality, beauty, and space in the tradition and worship life of the Eastern churches. To begin with, using the writings of Maximus the Confessor (d.662), a compendium of the early Eastern tradition and a foundational bridge into the full development of Byzantine theology, I will briefly sketch out some cosmological and soteriological accents which provide a context for the church’s views on …

The Spirituality Of Faith In The Gospel Of Matthew (Chapter In Matthew And Mark Across Perspectives), Nijay Gupta

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Excerpt: "In this essay, I wish to pay respect to Dr. Barton's important contribution to the theological study of the Gospels by looking at the Gospel of Matthew with a similar interest in the First Gospel's spirituality. In his chapter on Matthew, Barton rightly notes Matthew's interest in discipleship, righteousness, purity/integrity, and radical love. To this we will add Matthew's interest in 'faith'. In the study of the Synoptic Gospels in particular, despite the ubiquity of the language of faith, there has been little study of this subject. When it comes to the spirituality of the Gospels, though, there can …

Book Review: Social And Economic Life In Second Temple Judea/The Wealth Of Nations: A Tradition-Historical Study/The Sacred Economy Of Ancient Israel., Roger S. Nam

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Excerpt: "The study of Israelite economies has seen a surge of interest in recent years. Each of the three volumes under review here covers a distinct aspect of the economic world of the Hebrew Bible.

Adams provides a broad overview of social and economic life in Second Temple Judea through four chapters of descriptive themes and a cumulative ethical assessment of wealth and poverty. The book includes a bibliography and multiple indexes. A. states his hope: “By taking up topics like marriage gifts, borrowing and lending, and taxation, our discussion will provide an overview of economic life, with fresh insights …

Exploring Pietism As An Intermediary For Lutheran-Pentecostal Dialogue, Daniel L. Brunner, Leah Payne

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

The authors, a Lutheran and a Pentecostal, explore similarities and differences between their respective traditions using German Lutheran Pietism as a bridge. Parallels include conversionism, devotion to the Bible, practical holiness, missional activism, and opposition to the shortcomings of the religious status quo. Key divergences between the movements include the role of the sacraments, the place of manifestational gifts, and eschatology. The authors highlight how Pietism can be a useful channel and translator for dialogue.