Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Storied Discipleship: Nine Practices For Jesus-Shaped Living, David Bach

Doctor of Ministry

This project germinated out of the observation that many evangelical congregations are facing the malaise of a profound lack of true faith formation, which is creating a wide gap between authentic Christ formation and secularization, and is further exacerbated by the genuine blind spot of denial in the minds of Christians that this is problematic. In a distracted and frenzied world, faith formation is becoming less of a priority, which is caused by an inherent bent toward selfish independence. Changing the narrative on these observations would mean Christians prioritize and cultivate their relationship with Jesus Christ, propelling them outwardly towards …

To The Glory Of God Evaluating Origen’S Exposition Of The Scripture In His Leviticus Homilies, Andrew Johnson

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Johnson, Andrew M. “To the Glory of God: Evaluating Origen’s Exposition of the Scripture in His Leviticus Homilies”. Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2022. 237 pp.

Origen has been called “Adamantine,” an impossibly hard metal. Many have found his work to be strong and powerful and equal in its density. Origen’s preaching is almost impenetrable to the Evangelical preacher. This dissertation seeks to offer an entry for modern evangelical preachers to engage with the historic practice of figural exposition in Origen’s Leviticus homilies. The dissertation investigates the interpretative, homiletical and rhetorical histories which intersect in Origen’s homilies. It unpacks Origen’s use …

Prosodic And Deictic Features As Performance Markers In Southern Baptist Sermons, Matt Nelson

Student Research Submissions

This paper examines sermons taken from Southern Baptist churches in Virginia to study how the forms of sermons contribute to the message of the sermons. The data for the study comes from publicly posted recordings of sermons on websites of churches registered with the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia. I took five sermons, transcribed, and analyzed them using methods of discourse analysis. I find that Southern Baptist pastors change their tempo mid-utterance, pause often, change pronouns between themselves and the congregation, and refer to the weekly sermon as a reference point in time. I argue that these discourse features mark …

Comparing Two Christian Sermons: Morrison’S Song Of Solomon And Beloved, Christopher Connell

Masters Essays

No abstract provided.

When Ye Are Assembled Together: Congregational Patterns And Worship Practices Of The Early Latter-Day Saints 1829-1846, Matthew Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The worship experience in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inextricably linked to the ward or branch. This thesis examines the development of the Latter-day Saint congregation at the church centers from 1829 to 1846: Palmyra and Fayette, New York; Harmony, Pennsylvania; Kirtland, Ohio; Independence, Liberty and Far West in Missouri; and Nauvoo, Illinois. This work not only documents the creation and development of congregations, but also gives attention to the other important elements developed during the early years that are still associated with modern Latter-day Saint wards: meeting and worship patterns, physical locations where meetings took …

Preaching Styles: Honey & Vinegar, Logan Tavelli

Communication Studies

A look into different preaching styles.

Utilizing H.M.S. Richards' Sermons And Writings In The Development Of Sermons That Focus On The Unique Aspects Of Seventh-Day Adventist Preaching As Implemented At The Kress Memorial Church In Winter Park, Florida, Eric M. Doran

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

H. M. S. Richards maintains that Seventh-day Adventist preaching should be distinct from the preaching of others. What guidelines does Richards provide for determining what should be included in Adventist preaching, and how can those guidelines be integrated into the preaching at the Kress Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church?

Method

The books, articles, and sermons of H. M. S. Richards were researched for guidance on what Seventh-day Adventist preaching should include. On the basis of the principles developed from Richards, twelve sermons preached prior to the research were evaluated. Twelve new sermons following Richards’ principles were then written and preached …

A Comparative Analysis Between A Preacher's Practice And Homiletic Theory, Curtis Castillow

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This qualitative research compared the practice of an expert preacher to core concepts in homiletic theory (the art and craft of preaching), searching for discrepancies between what theory suggested and what the preacher practiced. It also sought to validate that the preacher practiced what homiletic theorists prescribed and to inform homiletic theory by describing strategies he employed unlike those espoused in homiletic theory.

To discover whether the participant's practice was congruent with theory, I first identified seminal theories. They were classified into the following modified version of Broadus's categories of ideal preaching: (a) content, (b) arrangement, (c) introduction,transition, and conclusion, …

Humor In Preaching: Its Effects And Guidelines For Its Beneficial Use, Antonin Troup

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This project examined the effects that humor in sermons has on hearers, particularly how humor affects their understanding and retention of Biblical truths. After exploring humor's effects on listeners and which types of humor are more beneficial in the task of preaching through theoretical research, the data was investigated through the use of questionnaires, personal interviews with church members, and a focus group. After analyzing the participants' responses, the researcher developed a list of guidelines for the beneficial use of humor in his preaching. These guidelines offer suggestions that other preachers may find helpful in using humor in their sermons.

Contemporary Preaching To A Non-Contemporary Society: Nineteenth-Century Reformed Theology Comes To Non-Nineteenth-Century Brazil, Jorge Luiz Patrocinio

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Patrocinio, Jorge Luiz. “Contemporary Preaching to a Non-Contemporary Society: Nineteenth-Century Reformed Theology Comes to Non-Nineteenth-Century Brazil.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2009. 241 pp.

When Presbyterian missionaries came from America to nineteenth-century Brazil, they encountered a society strongly marked by a Roman Catholicism that was both tugged in several directions and also marked by a spirit more attuned to the later Middle Ages. In planting and then cultivating the Presbyterian Church, first the missionaries and then indigenous Brazilian pastors responded by spreading a message strongly rooted in Reformation theology, approaching their task almost as if the Reformation were unfolding again in …

The Effectiveness Of Illustrations In Preaching: Understanding And Retaining Biblical Truths, Ronald Rall

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This project explored how illustrations function in sermons to facilitate the understanding and retention of Biblical truths. Personal interviews with members of the congregation and focus groups that evaluated sermons provided feedback and insights related to the effectiveness of illustrations in preaching. The researcher compiled responses from the interviews and the focus groups to draw some conclusions about how illustrations function most effectively in aiding comprehension and facilitating an effective hearing of the message. On the basis of this study the researcher offers recommendations that preachers may find helpful in using illustrations in their preaching.

El Modelo Foto Eco-Narrativo: Elaboración, Implementación, Y Evaluación De Sermones Narrativos En La Iglesia Hispana Adventista Del Séptimo Día Vista, California, Haroldo Guizar-Whittemore

Professional Dissertations DMin

The task of this project is narrative preaching in the context of the Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Vista California. It is a present reality that different voices compete for its attention, and in such an environment God’s Word frequently goes unheard, and is not necessarily understood by the different generations of Hispanics in a given church. Thus it is of critical importance that the gospel be heard in a language this culture readily understands. Because it is specifically attuned to the contemporary sensibility of human beings, narrative and narrative forms of preaching have particular power to assist individuals in …

A Series Of Sermons And Growth Experiences In Marital Covenant Love Relationships In The Ottawa East Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Vaudré Pierre Jacques

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

In my interactions with my church members or more precisely with married couples, I have become aware of their idiosyncrasies in the realm of marital conflicts. It is hoped that this project will help to salvage marriages. However, this project is written from a preventive stance.

Method

In this project, a theological basis for marital covenant relationship was developed. Second, a series of five sermons and five growth seminars were conducted with some married couples and persons contemplating marriage. Third, pre- and post-questionnaires were distributed in order to assess the understanding of what is being discussed.

Results

From the …

The Heart Of Lutheran Pentecost Preaching: A Comparison Of Luther, Walther, And Spener, John Lukomski

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis was prompted by the desire to aid Lutheran Pentecost preaching. It was hoped to do that both in a positive way, determining what are the good things to be said in a Lutheran Pentecost sermon, and in a negative way, determining what are the errors to be avoided.

The Preaching Of Clovis G Chappell- A Study Of The Published Sermons In Light Of The Proper Distinction Between Law And Gospel As Articulated By C. F. W. Walther, William Carpenter

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

Walther persistently asserted that the understanding and proper distinction between Law and Gospel is vital to correct or orthodox preaching even to the point of holding this understanding up as the "supreme art among Christians." If a person is to be a serious practitioner of the Word of God, he must aspire to this skill or ability.

The value of this study then is twofold: our hypothesis was that C. F. W. Walther's classic work could be distilled into a pithy corpus and from this digest a set of criteria could be drawn from which objective judgments could be made …

Two Early Church Homilies Compared, Russell Sommerfeld

Master of Divinity Thesis

Thus, it becomes the purpose of this paper to examine the two earliest extant homilies of the Early Church in order to glean from them an import of assistance in doing the homiletical task today. The two early sermons to be examined, compared and used as homiletical tools are the, so-called, second Epistle of Clement and Passion Homily of Melito . Bishop of Sardis.

An Evaluation Of Selected Seventh-Day Adventist Sermons In Mexico Against Certain Criteria For Biblical Preaching, Samuel Donald Schmidt

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem.

Some of the Seventh-day Adventist sermons preached in Mexico appear to offer limited biblical content. It has been observed that overtaxed ministers often present material that does not correspond to some of the members' expectations. Since the word of God is central in the praise and adoration of God and constitutes the message to be proclaimed, it is important for preachers to understand better ways to preach the Good News.

Method

The purpose of this project was to explore current Seventh- day Adventist preaching in Mexico with respect-to sermon content. The theology of God's proclamation places great responsibility upon …

An Evaluation Of Selected Seventh-Day Adventist Sermons In Taiwan In The Light Of Criteria For Biblical Teaching, John Chun-Ming Lu

Professional Dissertations DMin

Task

The project's, first task is to gain a view of the nature and purpose of preaching with special emphasis on the relationship of the Bible to preaching. Then it proceeds to survey- Seventh^-day Adventist preaching in Taiwan with respect to its strengths and weaknesses. And, finally, it makes an attempt to design materials for the teaching of preaching in Taiwan, keeping in mind the expressed needs and special situations confronted there.

Method and Organization of the Study

Chapter I is a theoretical study of a view of the nature and purpose of preaching based on an examination of the …

Evangelistic Preaching In The Missouri Synod, Donald Ehlers

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

I decided, therefore, to look further into this matter of evangelistic preaching. What is evangelistic preaching? After arriving at my own definition of evangelistic preaching, I want to determine if evangelistic preaching, so defined, has Biblical precedent. I also want to determine how my definition squares with Lutheran theology on conversion. Based on my definition, I want to develop criteria for evaluating Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod preaching as to its evangelistic nature. Using these criteria, I propose to study sermons written and preached by Missouri Synod pastors.

A Comparison Measurement Of Law And Gospel In Selected Sermons Of Saint Augustine, Bernard Of Clairvaux, Jonathan Edwards, Phillips Brooks, And Walter A. Maier, David Gunderlach

Master of Divinity Thesis

Our study has borne out the fact that Law and Gospel are indeed inherent in Scripture and not just a product of the Reformation, in that we have seen them both actively at work in the sermons we have studied. To a man, all five of our preachers, over a time span of some sixteen hundred years, have preached both Law and Gospel in their sermons.

The Plight Of Man: A Study In Contemporary Preaching, Lary Misner

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This study comprises an examination of sermonic material for clues to the plight of man. Initially the research involves an assessment of the signs of man's plight and places these signs into significant categories of man's existence. After locating and classifying the plight of man, the analysis shifts to the meaning of the plight of man in all of the plight's dimensions. After summarizing various aspects of man's plight and its meaning, the analysis moves to detect the implications of plight and meaning for man and for the preaching task. Finally, several areas for further study are suggested on the …

A Study Of Applications Used In The Sermons Of The Concordia Pulpit Of The Years 1955-1964, Erwin Kolb

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

The reason for the interest in undertaking a study in homiletics has two sources, which are, however, intimately related. The first source of interest grows out of a concern for the church and the second out of practical work as a pastor in that church. The first grows out of charges that the church is irrelevant, that its message and program are suited only to the stained glass shelter of its buildings, and the second from a desire to preach and teach a Gospel message which is relevant, timely, and effective. A further explanation of these two sources of interest, …

An Analytical Study Of Selected Sermons Of Billy Graham From The San Francisco Crusade Of 1958 With Reference To Techniques Of Persuasion, Melvin Roy Nickerson

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

It is the purpose of this investigation to (1) review the background of Graham’s early training and environment to determine what factors may have influenced him; and to (2) analyze six televised sermons of May 10, 17, 25, 31, and June 7, and 14, 1958 respectively to determine the persuasive speech techniques employed.

Preaching The Law And Persuasion, Paul Boecler

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The second chapter of this thesis describes in full the problem which has stimulated this investigation. Stated briefly here, it involves man's natural rejection and refusal of the .fact to confront and confess his guilt. Man most generally defends himself from the truth of God's Law in order to protect his own ego. This, of course, makes it difficult, for- the Gospel to have its .full effect and application. This problem also emphasizes the importance of this study in that it tries to discover techniques whereby the Law may be preached so that it is not defended against by the …

A Comparison Of The Frequency And Effectiveness Of Contemporary Preaching In The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod And Protestantism On Selected Social Issues As Represented In The Concordia Pulpit And The Pulpit Digest, Paul Philip Krueger

Bachelor of Divinity

It is not the purpose of this paper to establish the ideal frequency for directly dealing with social issues from the pulpit. The purpose is rather to compare objectively the instances of preaching on social themes found in the Concordia Pulpit and the Pulpit Digest and to allow the reader to determine the ideal frequency for himself. It may be helpful, nevertheless, to present another's opinion on the matter. One man may say it is never necessary to preach on social themes because, if the Gospel is preached, the Kingdom of God is established and the problems of society are …

An Investigation Of The Factors Of Persuasion In The Sermons Of Dr Walter A Maier, Lester Zeitler

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The scope of this investigation, however, is confined only to the preaching on the program; more exactly, the preaching of Dr. Walter A. Maier. The specific purpose is to search out those factors of persuasion in the radio sermons of Dr. Maier which may so largely help to account for his success in preaching the Gospel. The object is to figure out the secret of his effectiveness as Andrew Blackwood suggests: "Study the methods of the radio preacher whom your thoughtful laymen enjoy, and figure out the secrets of his effectiveness. You will find that he depends mainly on being …

Luther’S Preaching Of Good Works, Robert Heckmann

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this thesis is to examine Luther's preaching of good works and evaluate his work somewhat on the basis of the standard layed down in the next section. It will include a short study of his preaching style and habits in general, an examination of his definition of good works and his description and use of the power of the Gospel to enable the people to live the life in Christ.

The Use Of The Old Testament In The Sermons Of Acts, Robert C. Schultz

Bachelor of Divinity

The Church’s attitude toward Scripture is reflected in its use of Scripture. This thesis is an attempt to discover the principles which controlled the early church’s use of Scripture. The investigation centers on three points: 1) the text of the Old Testament used by the early church; 2) the early church’s purpose in quoting Scripture; 3) generea1 principles of interpretation followed by the early church. The investigation is restricted to the use of the Old Testament in five sermons recorded in the book of Acts. Since the scope of the investigation is limited, only tentative conclusions can be obtained.

A Survey Of Representative Lutheran Preachers Concerning Technical Language In The Exposition Of Selected Doctrines, Theodore W. Schubkegel

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this paper is to show that simple language is basic to all the excellencies of effective speech. Particular reference is made to the work of the preacher in the pulpit. The preacher must use language commonly understood, if he is to make himself understood, if he is to persuade, and if he is to move to action.

English Homilies And English Miracle Plays, Anthony J. Achee

English Language and Literature ETDs

A priest who is also a student of English literature is naturally interested in the manifestations of the religious spirit as it has appeared in our literature. Acquaintance with a few finely poetic passages in the homilies of Aelfric led me to suspect that perhaps our ancient homiletic literature was worthy of more attention than it seemed to have received at the hands of scholars. Consequently, when the opportunity for producing an original study presented itself, the field was waiting for me; that of the early English homilies.