Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Black Liberation Theology In The Civil Rights Movement: Contextualizing The Works Of James H. Cone, Ella Cox

Honors Theses

In recent years, the need for racial reconciliation within the American Church has become increasingly apparent. In order to move toward justice and promote diversity, however, White Americans must first develop a greater understanding of the Black struggle for equality and equity, which has been largely shaped by liberation theology. James H. Cone, known as the Founder of Black Liberation Theology, has authored many books on this topic, but his works lack the understanding and attention they merit in predominantly White circles. This thesis seeks to shed light on the importance of liberation theology to the Black American experience by …

Rethinking Apologetics As An Entry Strategy For Missions In Europe, Katelyn Brown

Honors Theses

“Does apologetics play a role in modern-day missions at all?” When discussing this question with current missionaries, the answer became apparent: apologetics can be an effective tool to aid in missions, but it does not prove effective or even beneficial in every cultural context. This realization begs the following question: “In what kind of cultural context can apologetics help rather than hinder missions?” Through my research, I found that the post-modern, secular context of Europe provides a ripe harvest for apologetics in missions. Throughout my paper, I explore a broad biblical framework for apologetics in missions then expound specifically on …

The Trial Of Jesus: A Historical Look At The Jewish And Roman Trial Proceedings, Vivian Pryor

Honors Theses

The death of Jesus Christ is an event that sets Christianity apart from other religions. A blameless savior, believed to come and conquer all evil on earth, was killed before the eyes of his followers. At the seeming end of the story of Jesus’s life, there was unimaginable confusion. Though the Scripture foretold the fate of Jesus, many followers of Christ felt as if their Savior had been defeated. For Christians, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the source of salvation. The death of an innocent man paid for the sins of those truly guilty. For self-proclaiming 2.38 billion people …

Keeping The Heart: Contemporizing The Parables Of Jesus, Hannah Tullos

Honors Theses

One of the main teaching techniques of Jesus was his usage of stories, also known as parables. Although the power of his words never fades, the impact of the details of his stories inevitably gets lost when the stories are read in a different cultural context. This thesis provides a method that brings Jesus’s parables into a modern context. In being able to completely transform parables into a modern context, the message of the parables can reach wider audiences on a more personal level. The goal is to revive the heart of storytelling within the parables of Jesus and communicate …

How To Become A Butterfly, Jillian Parsons

Honors Theses

Few could naturally imagine how a lowly caterpillar can become a majestic butterfly. And yet, God uses the very parts that make up the humble insect to form and grow it into unequaled beauty. He works with what is available; the components are already present. My goal with this paper is to inspire you to think about what goes on inside that chrysalis from a perspective of God’s original purpose for humanity and how Jesus has renewed that original purpose. As you linger in these pages, try to imagine how God workshopped the butterfly and decided the transformation should come …

Mountains In The Deep, Andy Strauss

Honors Theses

When Evan, prince of the Fourth Quadrant, sees a vision of a ghost-like crown hovering over his father's head, he is sent on a dangerous mission to face the mystical shadow beast ravaging his kingdom--the same beast that has marked him as its prey and that will stop at nothing to hunt him down.

How Properly Contextualized Christianity Could Benefit Japan, Benjamin Highsmith

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to ask the question “how could Christianity, if properly contextualized, benefit Japan?” It does so through the use of academic sources, interviews, and personal observations. Topics covered include Japanese culture, its perception of Christianity, and the lifestyles of Japanese Christians. This thesis uses cultural concepts to explain how Christianity and Japanese culture might find themselves at odds, but also explains how Christianity could work in unison with Japanese culture in order to benefit Japanese society as a whole, defending its argument using Biblical concepts intertwined with Japanese values.

Short-Term Missions: Helping Or Hurting?, Hannah Rossell

Honors Theses

Every year, thousands of short-term mission teams are sent out all over the world. It is estimated that more than four million Americans take an overseas short-term mission trip every year. Most of these participants are youth and young adults. The American church is estimated to spend as much, or more, on short-term mission trips as they do on sending and sustaining long-term missionaries. The question is, with all these participants and resources being sent out, are short-term mission trips helping or hurting the long-term goal of missions? Short-term missions can be helpful if they are plugging in and supporting …

An Investigation Of Junia As A Prominent Christian Woman According To Romans 16, Lacey Pettigrew

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the role of Junia as mentioned in Romans 16:7, in both a historical and exegetical sense.

Why "Monotheistic" May Not Be The Best Description Of The Old Testament, Jacob L. Thomas

Honors Theses

Monotheism has been commonly claimed as the form of worldview the Old Testament authors held originally. Due to evidence present in several key passages, this is brought into question and can be disputed. A more full description of the original worldview must be pursued to understand the context of the Old Testament.

The Scribe, The Prophet, And The Monk: Three Archetypes For Pursuing God Through The Word Of God, Lucas Mccann

Honors Theses

Throughout the history of the world, there have been many individuals who have difficulty reading scripture. This may be because of a lack of access to the written word, a lack of ability to read the written word in one's language, or even just a predisposition against reading the written word. Thus, this paper explores how, though reading the word is vitally important, there are other ways one can pursue God, particularly through hearing and seeing the word.

"But The Spirit Himself Intercedes": An Exegetical On Romans 8:26-27, Carmen Alide Scott

Honors Theses

In two short verses, Paul communicates the deep dependency a believer must have on the Holy Spirit to be sustained through this age, specifically on the topic of prayer. The aim of this thesis is to give a fuller approach to the interpretation of Romans 8:26-27. Many sources have contributed to the interpretation of this passage and the purpose of this thesis is to bring together many of those contributions to shed light on the meaning of Paul’s words and produce an insightful and cohesive reading of the passage. The thesis will explore an array of material, including an analysis …

Sexual Ethics From A Biblical Perspective, Braylon Pilant

Honors Theses

This honors thesis paper is over the ethics of sexual conduct from a Biblical perspective. This paper aims to be theological, as it will examine God’s view, creation, and design of sex; anthropological, as it will view the human role in sexual conduct and ethics from a Biblical perspective; and Christological, as it will examine how Christ redeems the breaching of said ethics. With this goal in mind, the research for this paper will be twofold.

First, there will be an examination of sexual ethics through a Biblical, and particularly Old Testament, lens. This will be done through a reading …

Making The Bible Modern: How I Created A Retelling Of The Good Samaritan, Laura Beth Warner

Honors Theses

This thesis includes the process and methods employed in creating a modern-day retelling of the parable of The Good Samaritan for a first-grade audience and the final product of a children's picture book.

Meditation In Buddhism, Mbsr, And The Bible: Examining The Implications For Christian Counselors, Kara Delaune

Honors Theses

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has become a popular treatment in clinical settings for a variety of conditions. The term mindfulness was first used in relation to the Satipaffhana Sutta. 1 This passage from the Buddhist texts contains instructions regarding sati, which roughly translates from the Pali language to English as mindfulness. Mindfulness is a key component of the Buddhist religion, finding its place in both the Threefold Way and the Seven Factors of Awakening, or Enlightenment. Mindfulness falls under the umbrella of meditation. 2 Meditation takes several forms. Meditation is extremely useful for Christians, but not every type of meditation …

Spiders In A Window: How Dangerous Stories Lead To Dangerous Women, Mattie Mae Motl

Honors Theses

Christian women have been marginalized, suppressed, and forgotten by Christian men for centuries. In many cases, these actions are polite when compared to the horrors which self-proclaimed Christ-followers have afflicted on women. Countless sexual abuse cases have been discovered within the walls of the Southern Baptist Church, and the headlines have not stopped printing. Articles from major news outlets such as the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News have revealed that Southern Baptist pastors, youth leaders, and deacons have assaulted hundreds of women over the past twenty years—and those numbers only include the women who are confident enough to bring …

The Sermon On The Mount: A Call To Obedience, Rylee Roberts

Honors Theses

I recently went snorkeling in Hanauma Bay of the Hawaiian Island, Oahu. Coral reefs and big, brightly-colored fish fill the Bay. Without goggles, I could only float on top, unaware of the depth and beauty below. When I put them on, however, I could observe the life and beauty of the ecosystem for myself. I could dive under the surface and explore what I had not known was there. I could find firm places to plant my feet when I needed to stand. I have found studying Scripture to be a similar experience. Learning more about historical and particularly cultural …

Does God Change His Mind? An Old Testament View, Colton Sims

Honors Theses

God is changeless. That is perhaps the simplest way to define the doctrine of Divine Immutability. Such a definition is non-controversial in the Evangelical world. For the most part, such a definition is non-controversial in Christendom as a whole and has been readily affirmed by Christians for two thousand years.

Unfortunately, Immutability is not that simple. The three-word definition of "God is changeless" does not address an important and highly controversial issue. What does it mean for God to be changeless? Even among evangelicals, there is significant debate over what it means for God to be changeless. One of the …

Canada And Koinonia: Contextualization Of Koinonia For The Peoples Of Modern Day Canada, Alex Gianelloni

Honors Theses

The objective of this thesis is to further my own understanding of the meaning and process of contextualization, as well as utilizing what I learn in an attempt to perform contextualization myself. The topic of Koinonia was chosen because of its degree of importance within the Christian faith, its ability to be applicable to many different cultures, and my own desire to study and implement the subject. In order to better contextualize the topic, I would need to spend a decent amount of time within the specific culture into which I was interpreting. As such, Canada was settled upon because …

Anthiom: A Christian Ya Novel, Krystal Parker

Honors Theses

Kaelyn gripped tight at the silk sheets around her before her body settled into even breaths. In. Out. In. out. She could still see the shadowed faces in their dark hoods and the fires. There were always fires.

She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling above her, counting the number of tiles from the edge of her bed to the mahogany dresser. In. Out. One. In. Out. Two.

You are back in your room, she reminded herself. It was just a dream.

"Kaelyn?" her door creaked open and she jumped. "Are you okay?"

She rolled over and saw …

The Kodály Method And The Levels Of Biblical Learning: Teaching Theology And Hymns To Children, Kimberley Attaway

Honors Theses

Hymns have played a vital role in the church by reflecting the theology and worship practices of its congregation. This paper explores the Kodály Method and the Levels of Biblical Learning and their respective sequences for teaching music and theology, as well as how they could be effectively combined with hymns to educate children in the church. In doing this, children are provided with a strong foundation of theology and music while preserving an important aspect of the Southern Baptist heritage.

Exploring Paul As The Anti-Jonah In Acts, Collin Battaglia

Honors Theses

Biblical authors often employ literary techniques to communicate their messages with enhanced force. They were not, for example, interested in theology or historiography alone, but also in aesthetics. In other words, their focus was not directed solely on simply presenting information, but also on how the material was presented literarily. Authors would utilize many techniques in their writing such as repetition, chiasms, and typology to connect stories, to emphasize themes, and to flesh out nuanced truths. This paper will argue that Luke, in the Book of Acts, implements the aesthetic technique of allusion and typology to enrich his narrative. More …

The Blessings Of Being God's People: Election In The Book Of Isaiah, Adam Jones

Honors Theses

Over the years, the doctrine of election, or God choosing a people, has been a highly debated topic. Two thousand years of church history can attest to that, and even today churches split over disagreements about the topic. To begin to gain a clearer understanding of this doctrine, one must set aside common presuppositions, expectations, and even the understanding in church history. Often, election is seen as a New Testament doctrine. However, it is important to remember that the Old Testament forms the background for the New Testament and is often quoted in New Testament passages. Isaiah is heavily relied …

Effects Of Modern History On Welsh Theology Post-1904, Hannah Diaz

Honors Theses

The Welsh Revival of 1904 transformed the Welsh Church interdenominationally for an entire generation; however, the church has since been affected by global and local events, causing it to stray from conservative evangelical theology, and largely fragmenting believers between traditional and charismatic leanings. The principles of Welsh theology have been little studied since the revival other than isolated segments focusing on sermons, journals, or biographies of revival leaders. The Welsh Revival has become recognized as a definitive event in Welsh history but little work has actually been done to trace the effects of it until present day. This research merging …

Content And Character: Modeling Christian Communication After Jesus' Sermon On The Mount, Sophie Demuth

Honors Theses

In order to learn about Jesus’ communication method, I decided to study the Sermon on the Mount. After doing an in-depth study of Jesus’ method (how he taught, the devices he used, and his structure), I realized his method is only a part of his effectiveness as a speaker. Without credibility and integrity as well, Jesus’ teaching would fall flat and cease to have authority. This realization especially struck me because, in the field of communications, method is emphasized over integrity and character. I decided to compare Jesus’ method and character with what the communication field teaches about public speaking. …

Intergenerational Worship: Exploring Various Cultural Worship Environments And Their Effects On The Church, T.J. Bailey

Honors Theses

Until the most recent century, worship occurred in an intergenerational environment. Research indicated that today's Church may be making an effort fix this problem and to create a shared worship environment that reflects equally the many influences of the local church today.

Show Me A Story: The Creative Process Of Communicating Truth Through A Picture Book, Katie Hopmann

Honors Theses

After working at camp for six weeks during the summer of 2011, I was exhausted. I had great expectations to love the camp counselor life, but God was continuing to shape exactly how I would serve Him with my life. Driving home from camp, I was confused. I felt Called to minister to children and so badly wanted to be a "camp person." I wanted to be that awesome camp counselor, full of energy and fun, but I had discovered I was simply not. Like God often has, He spoke strongly to me when my pride was broken.

I had …

The Relationship Between Natural Law And Mosaic Law In Philo: His On Rewards And Punishments As A Case Study, Clark Whitney

Honors Theses

Living from around 20 B.C. to A.D. 50, Philo of Alexandria, Egypt contributed to the fields of philosophy and religion. In fact, Philo is one of the most significant contributors to our understanding of Hellenistic Judaism and Middle Platonism.. By extension, our understanding of the New Testament (especially the Pauline epistles) is indebted to Philo, because a plethora of the New Testament writings were composed by Jews into Greek language. According to C.D. Yonge, very little is known about Philo's personal life except that he lived in Alexandria, Egypt and came from a family who was wealthy and prominent among …

Freeflight: Conveying Christian Redemption In Realistic Literature, Anna English

Honors Theses

When I began writing Freeflight in 2008, I did not think of it as part of the "Christian fiction" genre. I intended to write a realistic novel1 containing ideas that interested me, such as unconditional friendship, the effects of fame, and the world of modern rock music. I wrote for a secular audience, envisioning my novel in the mainstream fiction section of a bookstore instead of on the one shelf of Christian fiction squeezed in the back corner. But finding the best balance between Christian themes and a non-Christian audience is a complicated matter. In this thesis, I attempt to …

At The Crossroads Of Biblical Studies And Linguistics: An Exegesis Of Genesis 10:1-11 :9, Trevor Huxham

Honors Theses

In the book of Genesis, one of the longest genealogies in the Bible is followed by a narrative about a city and a tower called Babel located in southern Mesopotamia. In this account. God confuses the original common language of humankind at Babel, and from there. people spread throughout the world speaking their diverse languages, however, archaeologists and linguists have found that languages change gradually over time and that people began migrating across the world some 50,000 years ago from eastern Africa. At first glance, there seems to be a conflict here between the Bible and the sciences. But when …