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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Irruption: Placing Theology At The Centre Of The Discourse On Church Amalgamation, John Mackenzie
Irruption: Placing Theology At The Centre Of The Discourse On Church Amalgamation, John Mackenzie
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
When church attendance declines, congregational amalgamation is often looked to as a solution. To that end, institutional church bodies responsible for ecclesiastical governance offer guidance literature as a means of shepherding congregations through this complex process. As it currently exists, however, such guidance literature on how to proceed with amalgamation focuses on practical matters, and neglects a theological dimension. The aim of this paper is to highlight this paucity of theological foundation in matters of church amalgamation, and posits that this engenders sub-optimal conditions for successful congregational amalgamation outcomes. It looks primarily to Friedrich Schleiermacher for theological insights that may …
Rethinking Resurrection: Choosing Interdisciplinary Dialogue Over Dualism, Jesse Dymond
Rethinking Resurrection: Choosing Interdisciplinary Dialogue Over Dualism, Jesse Dymond
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Christianity is plagued by two dualistic concepts: first, an ontological dualism that divides the human person into body and soul, and second, an epistemological dualism that claims science and theology are incompatible. However, these polarized (and polarizing) theological frameworks are no longer sufficient, especially as scientific research provides new understanding about the brain and human identity. The existence of the nonphysical soul has long been called into question, thereby creating a theological crisis at the very core of Christian belief: the resurrection. This thesis will examine the crisis as it manifests itself in contemporary Christian society, pointing to the perpetuation …