Arts and Humanities Commons^™

From Modernity To Post-Modernity: The Apologetic Legacy Of Paul Tillich, Michael W. Cunningham

Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal

Paul Tillich, dubbed an “apostle to the intellectuals,” was one of the twentieth-century’s influential and infamous theologians. Tillich’s apologetic of doubt, method of correlation, and non-traditional lifestyle challenged the cultural and religious norms of his day. The study of Paul Tillich’s theology provides perspective on the origins of subjective apologetics and process theology. His focus on ontology made his works accessible and famous. It put the human at the center of the process as they reasoned up to God instead of accepting unquestioned authoritative doctrines. By embracing existential doubt, he connected to the masses by appealing to the “being” and …

In The Wake Of Euthyphro's False Dilemma, Gregory S. Mckenzie

Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal

All moral apologists, at one time or another, engage with the Euthyphro dilemma and all theologians engage, at one point or another, the issue of continuity or discontinuity of the Mosaic Covenant and Torah in general. The general view among apologists is that correct theology can be determined by its logical consistency and explanatory power considering philosophical, existential, and scientific principles. This study examines how answering the Euthyphro dilemma as a false dilemma, which is a common position among apologists actually produces theological contradictions primarily in the realm of theology proper and specifically immutability, issues in hamartiology and an improper …

Heavenly Clothing Liturgically Worn: The Clothing Metaphor In The Book Of Revelation As Exegetically Performed In The Byzantine Liturgical Rite, Elias Issa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Problem

The subject of these hermeneutical and performative approaches to the biblical texts and the liturgical dimensions and metaphors in the Book of Revelation are of particular interest to this dissertation, whose ultimate goal is to ask how the Byzantine rites, as practiced in the Orthodox Church, actualize the liturgical dimensions of the Book of the Revelation. The question will focus on a case study of the clothing metaphor as used in Revelation and related apocalyptic texts.

Method

The question of this dissertation is framed within this context of the liturgical performative exegesis. The question will be approached in its …

Joy Beyond The Walls Of The World: How Christianity Ably Explains The Moral Facts, Jonathan Royce Pruitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

I argue that Christianity ably explains the moral facts of moral goodness, intrinsic human value, moral rationality, and moral transformation. Chapter 1 provides an explanation of the thesis, a historical overview of the moral argument, a defense of the method, a critique of William Lane Craig’s deductive argument, and a response to some challenges to abduction from a Christian worldview. In chapter 2, I explain how Christianity ably explains moral goodness. I first give some reason to think God should be identified with the Good, following Robert Adams. Next, I summarize some of the issues related to moral goodness. Then, …

A Theological Exploration Of Death, Benjamin F. Bruner

Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

The Lack Of A Theology Hood At The University Of The West Indies, Mitchell A. Nicholls

Transactions of the Burgon Society

Established in 1948, The University of the West Indies offers a course in theology but has no hood for those who complete it. This article examines the history of the programme and considers the reasons no hood has been approved.

Theology & Religion Online, Larry Sheret

Librarian Research

Theology & Religion Online (TARO) is a digital repository consisting of four library collections that focus on Protestant and Catholic doctrine, studies into the historical Jesus, and religion in North America (see Figure 1). It includes newly digitized primary texts by major theologians, multi-volume works, references, e-books, chapters, articles, an image library, peer-reviewed secondary readings on core topics, and commentary on lectionaries. This Christ-focused resource is rounded out with a library covering the diverse religious traditions of North America and the hot topics spawned at the intersection of ethics, social movements, and religion. This database is curated and presented in …

Pragmatism And Faith: A University Administrator’S Reading Of Reinhold Niebuhr, Jon Young

Government and History Faculty Working Papers

This paper examines university administration and theology based on the author’s growing appreciation for the writings of Christian theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971), while serving in the senior administrative roles of provost and chief of staff at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. One of the leading Protestant theologians of the twentieth century, Niebuhr is perhaps best known as the writer of the “Serenity Prayer,” but his analyses of political and social events of the early and midtwentieth century influenced Martin Luther King, Jr., Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama, among many others. Niebuhr’s writings enjoyed a resurgence of interest in the …

Proper Understanding Of Freedom In Christ: An Apologetic Tool In The Modern World, Cindy Casalis

Masters Theses

Modern Christian apologists employ a variety of tools designed to aid communities in their understanding of God and salvation via Christ's atonement. One of the ways defenders of the faith add to their field is primarily in discerning the real significance of the treasures found in Christ. The freedom His sacrifice has afforded us is one of those great riches. With proper appreciation of this freedom the apologist is well equipped to clarify many misconceptions surrounding Christianity. This work begins by dissecting the true meaning of freedom in Christ from a Judeo-Christian viewpoint. Building on that foundation, then this thesis …

Racial Reconciliation: A Theological Approach To Building Relationships, Calvin Glass

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Racism within the Christian community in America has resulted in social unrest and has plagued the Christian church in a way that mandates urgent solutions to this untamed malady. This research focus is centered on learning a practicable methodology based on biblical principles that address racial reconciliation (building God-approved relationships) that will combat racial disunity among Christians. The study method used BBR (Building Better Relationships) consisted of interviewing and teaching a focus group representing a Black pastor and five church participants on racial relations issues within the church context. From the recommendations of the senior pastor, a focus group from …

Maintaining A Biblical Worldview: Mitigating Emerging Syncretism With Worldly Philosophies Through Focused Instruction In Christian Theology, Scott Kendal Leafe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are granted a “new nature” that enables them to develop thinking, a worldview, based on the mind of Christ. Unfortunately, since every person’s worldview is continually being modified, it becomes ever more challenging for believers to keep their thinking consistent with Scripture. Therefore, this action research thesis assumes consistent participation in focused teaching on fundamental doctrines and theologies of the Christian faith is necessary to develop and maintain a cohesive biblical worldview. This research project comprised the teaching of a five-part Bible study course at a local church in eleven consecutive forty-five-minute classes on …

Bonhoeffer On The Interaction Of Theology And Philosophy: Christological Redescription, Joseph D. Carson

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

Setting an example of philosophical theology in his own writings, Bonhoeffer can help contemporary theologians navigate the interaction between theology and philosophy. Predominantly discussing Sanctorum Communio and Ethics, this essay outlines how Bonhoeffer offers a paradigm of Christian engagement with philosophy. Bonhoeffer utilized the insights of philosophy by (1) critiquing its idolatrous nature and (2) Christologically redescribing its creative concepts in service to theology. Giving an account of Bonhoeffer’s critique and positive use of philosophy, this essay argues that Bonhoeffer’s paradigmatic view of theology and philosophy is a helpful resource for contemporary Christians. Specifically, a dialectic of antithesis and …

Interview With Haven Wilvich On August 10, 2021, Haven Wilvich

Oral History Interviews

No abstract provided.

Review Of The Theology Of Louis Massignon: Islam, Christ, And The Church, Jon Armajani

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Rooted In The Heart Of Relationships A Personal Theology Of Ministry And Discipleship, Meghan Stretar

Obsculta

How is one expected to engage in ministry without having spent time reflecting on what ministry and discipleship are? This piece represents just one potential theology of ministry and discipleship, crafted after three years of studying theology and doing ministry here at St. John's.

On Revelation, Faith, And Justice, Joseph Penny

Obsculta

Defined as the relational self-disclosure of Godself, divine revelation has the potential to propel us ever deeper into the mystery of the crucified God. In a faith-filled response to the Paschal Mystery's salvific and liberating promise, we can traverse the ontological gap between humanity and divinity, but how does this embodied revelation influence the trajectory of social justice? This paper embarks on a methodological endeavor to articulate the purpose of divine revelation.

Theological Truths That Divide Us, David Westfall

The Voice

No abstract provided.

What Is The Nature Of God’S Progress?, Matthew Bowman

BYU Studies Quarterly

In the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the question of whether or not God progresses can be separated into two more precise questions, each of which has been the topic of strenuous debate. The first has to do with whether God has always been divine or achieved that state through eons of progression, passing through a humanity much like ours along the way. The second is whether God continues to progress—and crucially, whether that progression is qualitative or simply quantitative: whether God’s progress means that God learns new things and gains new powers or whether …

Was Jesus Married?, Christopher James Blythe

BYU Studies Quarterly

While the belief that Jesus was married during his lifetime has been popular among Church leaders and lay members since the nineteenth century, it has never been an essential of Latter-day Saint theology. Rather, belief in a married Christ prospered in the early decades of the Church with little controversy among members, until leaders in the early twentieth century discouraged its public discussion while never disparaging the concept. A century later, as FAIR, an independent apologetic think tank, states on its website, “Some [Latter-day Saints] believe that He was married; others believe He wasn’t. Most members are open to believe …

Introduction To A Byu Studies Quarterly Special Issue On Open Questions In Latter-Day Saint Theology, Eric A. Eliason, Terryl L. Givens

BYU Studies Quarterly

Through revelation, our knowledge of the Lord’s creations and his plan for us is gloriously multifaceted, and ever increasing. Revealed truth continually pushes back darkness, opening our eyes to ever-more expansive vistas. Joseph Smith’s revelations often came as answers to questions that occurred to him in the context of his current state of knowledge. But as insight increases, it may seem that each answered question precipitates three more. This is the natural condition for followers of a religion of continuing revelation.

Theological Questions, Todd R. Hanneken

Open Textbooks

No abstract provided.

Soteriology: Using The Classroom To Develop A Theology Of The Gospel, Charles R. Goodman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to confront and correct the level of gospel misunderstanding found within the project director’s ministry context at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College. Through Anonymously surveying a group of ministry students at CCBBC regarding their understanding of the gospel, their level of gospel misunderstanding was assessed. The project director constructed lectures to articulate a theology of the gospel curriculum that he presented to this same group of ministry students. Then, he anonymously surveyed this same group of ministry students again to determine the amount of growth the students acquired as a result of engaging with …

The Immaculate Conception Of The Blessed Virgin Mary, John Klapheke

Undergraduate Theses

This thesis seeks to highlight notable circumstances and schools of thought which led up to Blessed Pope Pius IX’s 1854 Proclamation of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Namely, this paper seeks to show how the Immaculate Conception transitioned from a tradition held by the faithful to official Catholic Church dogma functioning as a core teaching of Catholicism.

The Assumptionist Movement As Precursor To Vatican Ii: A Case Study On The Dogmatic Definition Of The Assumption Of Mary And The Teachings Of The Second Vatican Council, Eric Lafferty

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Assumptionist movement (1863–1950) was a theological movement within the Roman Catholic Church that worked to obtain a dogmatic definition for the Assumption of Mary. This study employs a form of reception theory to argue for the doctrinal continuity between the Assumptionist movement and Vatican II. The first chapter examines the Assumptionist movement’s overlooked history. It uncovers two major characteristics of the movement. First, it was a global movement. Support for the Assumption dogma emerged from every populated continent. Second, it was a movement that involved every rank in the Church. The laity, priests, religious, and bishops worked together towards …

A Lutheran Response To The Role Of Healing And The Healer In African Independent Churches, Jasper Olawo

Master of Art Theology Thesis

A conversation with a parishioner, who left the church when her son was suffering from epilepsy and claims he could not be healed even after a series of prayers from her Lutheran pastor, revealed the extent of the influence of African Independent Churches (AICs) among members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK). Many people in Kenya who are suffering from chronic illnesses find it difficult to maintain their faith in such moments of crises and are tempted to seek quick remedies from AICs’ healers. These healers claim that salvation and the healing of the body are not separate …

Holistic Transformation : The Importance Of Faith And Works In Major Christian Communities Of The Kathmandu Valley, Thakur Prasad Paudel

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Theology Built On Meritocracy: A Theological And Sociological Examination Of The Prosperity Gospel And The American Dream, T.E. Starman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In American megachurch Christianity there lies a paradox in the concept of wealth and blessings; many megachurch leaders take deliberate steps to distance themselves from the defamed and heretical label of prosperity gospel, while simultaneously using many of its theological tenets as foundational to their own theology of wealth, money, and success. This thesis examines the nature of this paradox from both a theological and sociological lens. Through content analysis and case study examples, this thesis assesses the theological tenets of American megachurch prosperity theology as well as the sociological reality of stratification and the ideology that buttresses it. This …

Faith And Work Pedagogy For The Twenty-First Century : A Consultation Of The Curriculum Of 210leaders, R. Matthew Schell

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Augustine Of Hippo: A Historical Theology Critique, Zachary Monte

Honors Program Projects

This study evaluates how current historical theology survey texts understand and present the theology of Augustine. The texts are examined to assess the following: accuracy of presentation on discussed topics, specific theological topics Augustine addressed excluded in the surveys, and theological bias on the part of the authors. The historical theology surveys include Gregg Allison’s Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine, Justo González’s A History of Christian Thought, and Alister McGrath’s Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought. The three major topics treated include Augustine’s Trinitarian thought, the Donatist Controversy, and the Pelagian Controversy. The findings …

One Creation: Examining Creation Myths Across Time And Culture, Scarlett Castleberry

Honors Theses

By looking at creation myths across various time, cultures, and languages, I was able to track similarities and find common threads between cultures that might not otherwise seem connected. What is remarkable is that these ancient texts often make connections before archeology or linguistics can.