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Exploring What It Means To Be A Faithful Christian In Twenty-First Century America, Scott Busacker

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Busacker, Scott, M. “Exploring What It Means To Be a Faithful Christian in Twenty-First Century America.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2018. 187 pp.

This Major Applied Project seeks to explore what it means to be a faithful Christian in Twenty-First Century America. It explores the Biblical and Confessional Lutheran understanding of faithfulness. It then surveys the unique history of religion in America, highlighting the importance of both religious zeal and individual liberty. Christianity in America is going through a period of change. It is no longer culturally established. Thus, Christians need to deliberately consider how to …

A Theology Of Religious Change, David J. Zehnder

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Zehnder, David, J. “A Theology of Religious Change.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2011. 218 pp.

This essay sets up a dialogue between the sociology and psychology of religious change (conversion’s human side) and conversion (theologically defined) to prove that empirical research into change experience, ideology as an attracting force to religion, and social networks’ influence on conversion does not threaten theology’s assertions but can help to clarify theology’s tasks in communicating to various audiences. Science helps theology through a correlational model of interaction developed in the study. The correlational method first asks of science: Why do people change religiously? Once …

No Beauty We Could Desire-A Lutheran Evaluation Of C. S. Lewis' Sehnsucht, Jonathan Graf

Master of Art Theology Thesis

Together, the experiences and glimpses of what Lewis called' Joy' or Sehnsucht served as the central thread of his life" and provided him with the ontological lens through which he viewed reality. 13 It is the plan of this paper to further examine Lewis' treatment of Sehnsucht" by engaging it in dialogue with a Lutheran theological perspective. In doing so, there are two main objectives that I hope to accomplish. The first objective is to demonstrate that the experience of Sehnsucht should not be merely dismissed or fully embraced; rather, it should be placed within a proper theological narrative that …

His Spear Through My Side Into Luther Calvin's Relationship To Luther's Doctrine Of The Will, Matthew Heckel

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Heckel, Matthew C. "'His Spear Through My Side into Luther:' Calvin's Relationship to Luther’s Doctrine of the Will." Ph.D. Diss., St. Louis, MO: Concordia Seminary, 2005. 307 pp.

In thesis thirteen of his Disputation Against Scholastic Theology (1518), Luther stated that free choice before grace was a reality in name only and when it does what it can it sins mortally. This statement had a significant impact as it was one of the sparks that ignited Luther's conflict with Rome, as Luther's thesis was singled out for condemnation as the thirty-sixth article of the papal bull Exsurge Domine (1520). Luther …

Bishop Bo Harald Giertz-Pietism And The Ordo Salutis-The Office Of The Holy Ministry, The Word, And Soul Care, Eric Andrae

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Though acknowledged as one of the most influential European churchman of the past century, and widely lauded in American Lutheran circles as the author of the acclaimed The Hammer of God, much remains to be learned in the U.S. of Bishop Emeritus Dr. Bo Harald Giertz (Gothenburg [Goteborg] diocese, Church of Sweden, served 1949-1970) and of his theology, especially concerning the specific doctrine which served as the foundation of the novel, the Order of Grace. Furthermore, interest in Giertz in America is increasing rapidly: several translation projects are underway, a film based on the first chapter of The Hammer of …

A Study In The Theology Of Carl Fr Wisloff With Particular Focus On Faith And The Means Of Grace In The Bestowal Of Salvation, Eugene Boe

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

The general topic for this work is the relation of faith and the means of grace in the bestowal of salvation. The Lutheran Church from her beginning has believed, confessed and taught that we are saved by grace through faith alone. This is stated briefly in the Augsburg Confession, Article IV.

Our churches also teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works but are freely justified for Christ's sake through faith 2 when they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are forgiven on account of Christ, who by …

A Model For Transition Of Ministry In Declining Congregations, Charles Snow

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

A model for transition of ministry in declining congregations: There are many congregations in changing communities that are declining in membership, resources, and ministry. I propose that a congregation that places priority on fulfilling the Great Commission, Prayer, Biblical Stewardship and the Means of Grace can stop the decline and transition ministry to an emphasis on discipleship and outreach to the local community. I will present a discussion of the understanding of the "Missio Dei," the role of the pastor, the struggle between ministry versus numerical membership, and the use of community resources. I will give the transitional history of …

The Organic And Dynamic Relationship Of Justification And Sanctification For Christian Faith And Life In Reformation Soteriology, Seon-Dae Chae

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

For this study of justification and sanctification, the writer divides the fallen state of human beings into three phases of life experientially: sin, sinful life, and eternal death, although they are already dead spiritually (Eph 2: 1) from the beginning in the first Adam Rom 5: 12-21). And the processes of our life in Christ are also distinguished experientially into three phases: forgiveness of sin and justification ("set free from sin"), sanctification (righteous life), and eternal life, as the Word of God says: "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the …

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 Theology Of Spiritual Gifts In Luther And Calvin: A Comparison, Robert Wetmore

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

This dissertation compares and contrasts Luther's and Calvin's theology of ministry because spiritual gifts are in some sense ministry gifts (using the broad definition of ministry as "every form of preaching the Gospel or administering the means of grace" as carried out by Christians in general) which are exercised by believers. Because spiritual gifts are not limited to the priests, this dissertation examines the understandings of both reformers concerning the priesthood of all believers. In turn, because spiritual gifts have often been understood as miraculous, so that it is necessary to explain what Luther and Calvin taught on the miraculous. …

An Analysis Of Justification By Faith, Laverne Janssen

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

A critical evaluation of this topic is practical today for a variety of reasons. Many Lutherans today earnestly desire a consensus on the gospel with the Roman Catholic Church. This desire is often misdirected by a lack of crucial information on the respective Lutheran and Roman Catholic teachings on justification today. The responsible pastor must provide the doctrinal information that is lacking. A restatement of the Roman Catholic position of Trent by the Lutheran pastor will not usually satisfy the questions of those who have witnessed what appear to be basic changes in the Roman Catholic Church in our generation.

Leviticus 17:11 And The Theology Of Sacrifice, Robert Clancy

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It should be noted from the start that "objectivity” as it is commonly understood is not a goal of this thesis. The primary reason is that such objectivity is considered Tobe impossible. That is, if by "objectivity" one means that one reads and studies a text without presuppositions and without a hermeneutic, then one is striving after wind. No reader is a tabula rasa. All scholars read texts from within a given school of thought. Historical critics have certain presuppositions regarding texts, for instance, starting with the assumption that cultic material is late (post-exilic). Redaction critics assume the existence of …

The Proclamation Of The Gospel In Word And Sacraments, Clifford Frederich

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The burden of this thesis is to demonstrate that when the Gospel is preached properly preaching functions as a means of divine grace. Furthermore, not only can preaching be a means of grace, but it should be.

Imputatio Iustitiae Christi, Liberum Arbitrium In Renatis, And Tertius Usus Legis In Melanchthon's Later Loci, Richard Osslund

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

It is the purpose of this study to investigate how forensic justification, the third use of the Law, and the free will of the regenerate Christian complement one another in Melanchthon's theology. The distinction of Law and Gospel, justification and sanctification, "old man and new man," sin and grace provide the pedagogical framework for this expression of evangelical theology. This study therefore focuses on the fundamental distinction basic to understanding the Scriptures and articulating Christian theology -- the distinction between Law and Gospel. In so doing, it underscores Melanchthon's great and continuing legacy as the pedagogue of the Lutheran reformation. …

Justification In The Eastern Orthodox Churches (A Comparative Study), Eshetu Abate

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The topic of this Thesis, Justification in the Eastern Orthodox Churches, is prompted by the document which recently came out of the U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue on the doctrine of Justification by faith alone, work which took more than five years ending in September 1983. To one who comes from the East, especially from Ethiopia, a country where half of the population is Orthodox, the reading of the publicity on this dialogue and its outcome raised the question: "How do the Orthodox Churches in the East think about justification by faith alone?" The incubation of this idea yielded the present …

Charismata Of The Spirit In The New Testament In Comparison With Hindu Religious Practices, M. Selva Gunalan

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

A renewed interest in the Spirit and charismata has increasingly resulted in a wide array of literature. The present state of the Charismatic Movement seemingly has created a new awareness among Christians of the need to discern the peculiar phenomena of the movement in the light of the Scriptures. Secular fields of study, such as sociology, anthropology and psychology also have been striving to investigate the cause and effect of the supernatural elements claimed by the Charismatic Movement.

The Charismatic Movement has received severe criticism as well as enthusiastic acceptance. This movement has grown rapidly and has left its effect …

The Mediation Of The Spirit Through The Word: A Critical Analysis Of The Theology Of Theodore Jungkuntz In The Light Of The Lutheran Confessions, Timothy Maschke

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

A critical analysis of any theology can be presumptuous at worst; unnecessary at best. This study was undertaken a number of years ago as the writer struggled to determine the critical area where the charismatic movement touches Lutheran theology most sensitively. To start with a premise that the Lutheran charismatic movement is heretical (as a few writers have assumed) did not seem scholarly or fair. To impose Lutheran terminology on charismatic and nee-Pentecostal concepts seemed equally unsound. After observing the growing pains of the Lutheran charismatic movement, the writer became aware that a study of one area--the mediation of the …

Biblical Principles For Ministering In The Church: A Study Of The Priesthood Of All Believers, The Gifts Of Grace, And The Ministry, With Special Attention To Their Mutual Relationship, Magnus Sorhus

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It is not the intention of this paper to discuss the life and function of the church in all its aspects, but to concentrate on three areas, namely the priesthood of all believers, the gifts of grace, and the ministry. Each area will be discussed separately as to their nature, functions, and their relationship. It is intended · that the paper will be concluded with a summary of the findings and conclusions.

The Christian Under Grace, According To Romans 6:1-14, Walter Maier

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis proposes to discuss one of the basic New Testament passages dealing with baptism and its significance for baptized believers, Romans 6:1-14. In this section the Apostle Paul speaks of one of the mighty, saving effects of the sacrament, the fact that it establishes spiritual union of the baptized with Christ. This is sometimes referred to as the "mystical union" of the believer and his Lord. Because of the union with Jesus, the child of God participates spiritually in Christ's crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and continuing life. As a result, the Christian is a new creation in Christ and, …

The Exegetical Basis For The Early Lutheran Doctrine Of Baptismal Regeneration, Martim Warth

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis was motivated by the question often raised in the classroom about the relation of faith to the regeneration in baptism. The question can be formulated in many ways. Is faith the presupposition for regeneration? What difference is there between faith and regeneration? Must faith precede baptism? What type of faith is given in baptism? What is faith without understanding of the Word of God? If baptism regenerates the infants who do not have preceding faith, what does baptism effect in the adult who already has faith? Can we still speak of regeneration in adult baptism? Or is baptism …

The Eastern Orthodox Doctrine Of Grace With A Lutheran Perspective, James Childs

Master of Divinity Thesis

The intention of this study is twofold: In the first place, we are attempting to isolate the meaning of "grace” in the Eastern Orthodox Church - if indeed it can be stated in comprehensive form. In the second place, we are attempting to view the Eastern doctrine of grace in a Lutheran perspective. The primary purpose rests in the first phase, the investigation of the Eastern teaching of grace. This purpose is probably best-defined in terms of the writer’s personal enlightenment on the subject rather than in terms of a contribution of new findings. The subsidiary purpose, then, is in …

Tapeinophrosyne, Praytes, And Makrothymia In Paul's Theology- With Special Reference To Ephesians 4:1,2, Robert Elosser

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Many have, indeed, described and defined humility, but they have not at all correctly defined the nature and characteristic of humility as it is set forth in Holy Scripture. The aim of this thesis, therefore, has been to set forth the Biblical teaching on humility, as far as possible, in harmony with the clear Word of God. Whatever value this thesis may have, therefore, will depend on the degree to which it has succeeded in realizing this aim.

The Relationship Between The Concept Of Charis And Santification In The Epistles Of Paul, Harold W. Scheibert

Bachelor of Divinity

This thesis is an attempt to find the correct New Testament relationship between this great indicative and this great imperative on the basis of St. Paul’s use of the Greek term, χάρις.

The Concepts Of Sin And Grace In Hinduism, Theodore A. Michalk

Bachelor of Divinity

There are two concepts which are very fundamental in the Christian religion. These are the concepts of sin and grace. In the realm of Hindu thinking these concepts are only vaguely known. The author became aware or this state of affairs to some extent during his first term of mission service in India. This awareness awakened a desire to learn, if possible, what ideas arise in the mind or a Hindu thinker when he hears these terms used by a Christian speaker. The author feels that this investigation will help him to render better service to his Savior and to …

The Conversion Of St. Paul As Reflected By Paul's Usage Of Charis, Marvin Middendorf

Bachelor of Divinity

It is the first word of greeting and the last word of farewell in Paul's letters. For Paul, Charis includes the sum of all blessings that come from God through Christ. Grace is for Paul the beginning and the end; the Alpha and the Omega. Robertson says in his “Word Pictures of the New Testament”, “Perhaps no word carries more meaning for St. Paul's message than this word."

The Prophectic Office Of Christ And The Power Of The Word, Ralph Fischer

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this thesis is to set forth that the power of the Word also lies in the prophetic office of Christ, as it is revealed in both the Old and New Testaments and in the oral and written word today. In order to show the power, which the Holy Spirit exerts through the Word, a short section will be devoted to His relationship to the Word. The concluding chapters will set forth the characteristics and the efficacy of the Word. In addition, each section of the outline will be considered as a separate chapter throughout the entire thesis. …

St. Augustine's Theology Of Grace, John Van Lierop

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

As a result of my study it is my conv1·ction that Grace is the heart of the Gospel - and that with all the talk about Ecumenical Christianity today, I believe it will be hopeless to strive for one great "World Church" unless there is first an agreement and unity about the Theology of Grace, which is the foundation-stone of all Theology.

Lutheran Sola Fide Vs Roman Catholic Ex Opere Operato Of The Basis Of The Confessions, John G. Deterding

Bachelor of Divinity

Opposed to the sola fide is the doctrine of ex opere operato, i.e., that the sacraments mechanically confer grace upon all who receive them. Faith is not necessary to receive this grace, but the mere outward ceremony effects it mechanically for all those who do not place an obstacle in the way.

Intercessory Prayer Its Nature And Efficacy, Robert Hoyer

Bachelor of Divinity

Prayer is one of the less controversial subjects, as far as logical sequence of its presentation is concerned. It has been divided on many fundamenta dividomi, private and public, personal and impersonal, for temporal and spiritual blessings, subjective and objective. For the purposes of this thesis, two of these fundamenta have been adopted; we are to treat of objective personal prayer. This has been given the convenient name: intercessory prayer, from the Latin inter: between, and cedere: to pass. To intercede is defined by Webster: To act between parties with a view to reconcile differences, to make intercession; to beg …

The Relationship Of The Universal Grace Of The Election Of Grace, Paul Juergensen

Bachelor of Divinity

A study of this subject will have its direct value for ourselves. After this study, we ought to have a clearer view of the matter than ever before, and if nothing else, we will have a better appreciation for the GRACE of God, one great distinguishing mark of the Christian religion.