Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Program: Featured Lecture, "We Shall Assemble On The Mountain.", John Mark Hicks

William M. Green Distinguished Christian Lecture Program

Program for the Thirty-Fourth Annual William M. Green Distinguished Christian Lecture Program with featured lecturer Dr. John Mark Hicks, Professor of Theology, Lipscomb University.

Morality Without God, Jeffrey Freelin

Conference on Philosophy and Theology

Commentator: Laurence Rohrer (Lincoln University)

No Meaning Without God, Chris Gadsden

Conference on Philosophy and Theology

Commentator: Bruce Ballard (Lincoln University)

Do You Have To Be Religious To Find Meaning In Life, David Holley

Conference on Philosophy and Theology

Featured Speaker

Confronting Cultural Difference In The Establishment Of A Global Zen Community, Joshua A. Irizarry

2013 New England Association for Asian Studies Conference

As a commercial phenomenon, Zen is recognizable throughout the world as a lucrative brand name that communicates harmony, simplicity, and cosmopolitan elegance. In contrast, the Japanese Zen institution’s attempts to develop Zen into a successful global religion have proven more problematic. Despite initial successes by Japanese clergy in establishing centers of Zen practice throughout Europe and the Americas, the past fifty years have seen the dream of a global Zen community descend into a legacy of controversy, scandals, and schisms over conflicting claims of authority.

Looking specifically at the internationalization efforts of the Japanese Sōtō Zen sect, this paper will …

Not So Doubtful: Traditions Of The Apostle Thomas From The Beginning Of The Common Era Through 600 Ce, Janna Strain, Kevin Sullivan, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

Historically, Thomas has a rich identity. Much of the apocrypha was named for the “doubting” disciple, such as The Infancy Gospel of Thomas, The Book of Thomas the Contender, The Acts of the Apostle Thomas, and The Gospel of Thomas, yet these traditions do not address Thomas’s doubting story from The Gospel of John. In fact, Thomas becomes the favored disciple in The Book of Thomas the Contender and logion 13 of The Gospel of Thomas. In The Acts of the Apostle Thomas the disciple leaves Rome to evangelize in India where he is eventually martyred. Today, …

Instances Of Religious Roles Of The Anglo-Saxon Warrior Class, Jessica Mcgillivray

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

Abstract unavailable.

In Your Wildest Memes: Toward A Cooperative Methodology Of Pre-Religion And Ritual, Jordan Anthony Burich

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

At the risk of slipping into “unscientific” territory, archaeology tends to frequently avoid building theory and methodology capable of discussing the role, intent, and function of prehistoric ritual and religion, all the while vacillating between rival secular models of power and ideology within groups. This paper contends that discussion of power and ideology must invariably include hypotheses regarding ritual and religion and offers both Göbekli Tepe and Çatalhöyük as interesting case studies in that they seem to contain not only symbolic connections to each other, but also represent temporal and spatial advancement within a “pre-agriculture” and “pre-religion.” This paper attempts …

St Cuthbert's Deathbed Speech: Why Did Bede Write A Second Prose Life?, Christopher Hamilton

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne was a massively important saint in medieval Europe—his cult following flourished for over 500 years. Four different hagiographies concerning his life and miracles, and over 50 manuscripts still in existence bear witness to his popularity. The first account was written in prose by an anonymous monk of Lindisfarne at around 702 A.D.—about fifteen years after St Cuthbert’s death. The remaining three accounts were all written by the Venerable Bede: a metrical Life completed around 710, a prose Life in 721, and a miniature hagiographical account within the famous Historica Ecclesiastica, which was completed in 731. …

Public Health In The Mellah Of Merrakesh From 1879-1912, Dana Lovrek

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

Health Outcomes in the Mellah of Merrakesh from 1879-1912, observes public health outcomes in Jewish mellahs in Morocco, how Jewish traditions prevented greater devastating impacts on the community, and local and global responses, using accounts from the journals of travelers to Morocco, records from the Alliance Israelite Universelle and from medical professionals, and secondary sources that focus on mellahs.

The first mellah was created in the 15th century during the Mirinid dynasty as a means of protection for the Jews, who played vital roles in Moroccan society and economy, from the attacks of intolerant Arabs. The mellahs, near the sultan …

The Truth In History, Samantha Wanta

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

The search for the historical Jesus began with the modern historians: the men of the twentieth century, the scientists of the industrial revolution, and the authors of our text books. Their noble quest was to find empirical truth: pure, objective history. It has been a seemingly infinite search: each foundational fact exposes a crack in another. As students, we are often asked to “be” the modern historians: to read what they wrote and think what they thought and struggle as they struggled. But in learning about Jesus it seems that we (and our modernist forefathers) aren't exactly sure what we …

The Positive And Negative Reactions To The Jewish Question, Emily Brzezinski

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

For the Jews, their lack of equality and social control in European countries has led to an array of movements and political stances demanding their rights as equal citizens. What is interesting is the mixture and chain reactions to different events throughout history related to the Jewish Question. There are two such responses to this issue that have marked their place in history as both positive and negative towards the Jews, while also blending the two responses to religious Zionism to make the main argument towards the greater Jewish Question. One response is the Jewish Emancipation which signifies a want …

Sacrifice: Dining With The Divine, Logan Mcdermott

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

The title of my research paper is Humanity: Coping with Divinity. By studying several documents from Ancient Near East civilizations, including; The Epic Of Gilgamesh, The Hebrew Bible, The Odyssey, Egyptians and Babylonian documents, it appears that humanity has been using this idea of a Divine Power as a means of coping. This coping mechanism appeals to a handful of basic human needs; food, leisure, sex, answers, protection, and guidance.

Holding large worship banquets by practice of sacrifice and festivals, humanity can live vicariously with the Divine. Feasting can bring people together and help to distract them from their daily …

Purpose And Order, Travis Buechner

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

In the study of religion there is major emphasis put on how religion works and what religion is, but less emphasis on why religion exists at all. I use the work of Emile Durkheim and several examples to explain my own ideas on why religion exists. I theorize that religion is a survival tool for human beings to find order and meaning in the complex and chaotic environment we inhabit. Durkheim also believes religion brings order and meaning to humans. I argue that as humans progress, we are able to find order and meaning without conventional religion.

Durkheim believes that …

The Art And Artifacts Associated With The Cult Of Dionysus, Alana Koontz

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

Abstract unavailable.

The Portrayal Of Constantine In Art And Architecture, Taylor Wyman

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

Constantine I was the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire from 306 to 337 AD. On the eve of an important battle, Constantine was confronted with a vision of the Chi-Rho, the first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek. Confident that this was a sign from the Christian God, he had his troops bear this sign on their standards as they marched into battle. This vision and victory in battle engendered Constantine’s conversion to Christianity. Scholars have disputed over how to interpret the accounts of Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, such as whether his conversion was authentic or the …

The Crucial Role Religion Played In The Conquests Of Alexander The Great, Tomi Vandergriff

Religious Studies Student Organization Undergraduate Research Conference

Religion in the ancient world was a very important factor in every aspect of life. It was even more pronounced in the life and campaigns of Alexander the Great. He ensured that he was not only doing enough to keep the gods appeased but he sacrificed above and beyond what was normally done even by a king. The religious aspect of his life strengthened his campaigns as well as his empire and seemed to greatly aid Alexander. Alexander would have to have been very aware of the good consequences his actions in regards to his religion and religious practices would …

Narrative Paradigms In Muslim Identity: A Qualitative Investigation Of Seven Atlanta Case Studies, Sonia Jamani

Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Planning Worship With Hymnary.Org, Greg Scheer

Symposium on Worship Archive

In recent years, an explosion of resources and music styles has made worship planning an almost overwhelming task. Hymnary.org can help tame this process, allowing planners to search for songs by scripture, meter, lectionary, etc, and then narrow searches by denomination or year, and even restrict results to those hymnals in your own collection. This session will review the basics of using Hymnary.org, highlight new developments such as “featured hymns” and a streamlined user interface, and show how Hymnary. org can kickstart your worship brainstorming.

Forgiveness: Matthew 5:38-38, Carolyn Gordon, Paul Thé, Ben Dykhouse, Randall Buursma, Todd Farley

Symposium on Worship Archive

Worship Service on Forgiveness based on Matthew 5:39-43. Carolyn Gordon preaching.

Baptism And The Lord's Supper Renewal Stories, Betty Grit

Symposium on Worship Archive

Worship Renewal Grant recipients from diverse congregations will describe what they are learning about sacramental practices that nurture and strengthen faith in people of various ages and cultures.

Different Views Of The Christian Sacred Meal In The Early Church, Robin M. Jensen

Symposium on Worship Archive

This workshop will look at the richness and diversity of models of the meal that Jesus instituted on the night he was betrayed, evident in the New Testament narratives as well as in the history of the church: 1) Communion Meal; 2) Memorial Meal; 3) Covenantal Meal; 4) Thanksgiving Meal; 5) Sacrificial Meal; and 6) Eschatological Meal.

Moving Worship: How To Create Movement, Julia Start Fletcher

Symposium on Worship Archive

We will study different ways to choreograph and create movement for specific parts of a worship service that could include entire congregations, children, pedestrians (non-dancers), as well as dancers.

Navigating Worship Conflicts With Grace And Truth, Syd Hielema

Symposium on Worship Archive

Leadership inevitably evokes conflict. St. Paul advises us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom 12.18). In other words, we cannot eliminate conflict, but we can deal with it wisely. This workshop will ponder the dynamics of worship conflicts, and suggest steps for navigating through them.

How People Change, Duane Kelderman

Symposium on Worship Archive

Anyone working with congregations knows that change is difficult and deep change in people and organizations is rare. How do people and organizations change? This workshop describes four things that take place whenever people or organizations have significantly changed, and gives practical advice for leaders trying to facilitate such change.

Happy Birthday, Heidelberg!, Cornelius Plantinga Jr.

Symposium on Worship Archive

2013 marks the 450th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism. We will explore the unique qualities of this beautiful Reformed expression of the Christian faith and introduce new tools by which the Heidelberg Catechism can continue as a vital tool for faith formation in the church today, including M. Craig Barnes’ new book on the Catechism, Body+Soul.

Soul Recreation: Enjoying God With Heart And Mind, Tom Schwanda

Symposium on Worship Archive

This workshop will explore ways to integrate both the intellectual and affective nature of experience of personal devotional life, public worship, and Christian service. Our guide will be Isaac Ambrose (1604-1664), an English Puritan pastor who examined the dynamics of knowing God through the heart and mind, including his celebration of the Lord¹s Supper.

The Sermon On The Mount: Preaching, Teaching, And Living In Righteousness, Kenneth E. Bailey, Cornelius Plantinga Jr., Christine Pohl

Symposium on Worship Archive

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount contains some of the most famous verses in Scripture. Even people without a Bible have heard of the golden rule, the Lord’s Prayer, and, possibly, the Beatitudes. Even libertines quote one verse from the Sermon: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” But the Sermon on the Mount yields its greatest riches when good scholars and teachers dig them up for us and help us estimate their value. Kenneth E. Bailey and Christine Pohl are excellent diggers and their seminar will help participants to understand themes from the Sermon and to consider their …

Inviting Children To The Table, Jill Friend, Syd Hielema, Patricia Nederveld, David Schuringa, Howard Vanderwell

Symposium on Worship Archive

Many Christian traditions are exploring ways to strengthen children’s faith development through participation in the Lord’s Supper. This session, led by members of the Christian Reformed Faith Formation Committee, will explore their approaches and will provide guidance and resources for congregational leaders who seek to have the sacraments be more richly nourishing to young and old.

Beatitudes: Matthew 5:1-12, Marva Dawn, Cornelius Plantinga Jr., Kathy Smith, John Ferguson, Julia Start Fletcher

Symposium on Worship Archive

Worship service based on Matthew 5:1-12 with Marva Dawn preaching.