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.

Inviting Children To The Table, Syd Hielema

Symposium on Worship Archive

An exploration of ways to strengthen children’s faith development through participation in the Lord’s Supper. This workshop, a shortened version of Thursday Seminar 11, will explore approaches, guidance and resources for congregational leaders who seek to have the sacraments be more richly nourishing to young and old.

Songs Of Celebration And Contemplation From East Africa, Jean Ngoya Kidula

Symposium on Worship Archive

Many peoples in different parts of the world are usually introduced to the performance of Christian religious song that emanates from the cultural and other background of those who initially bring the gospel to them. In many parts of Africa, these were the songs of missionaries from Europe or the Americas. However new songs have also been composed that bear the ‘missionary’ style, or embrace the various other musical languages of the converts. Among the most utilized in East Africa are songs in Kiswahili language. In this workshop, we will examine and perform some Christian songs of contemplation and celebration …

Theological Issues In Popular Praise-Worship Texts, Bert Polman

Symposium on Worship Archive

This workshop will include a report and discussion of a theological analysis project of some 290 most popular Praise-Worship song texts and their relationship to the currently prevailing version of Christianity which sociologists of religion have called Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.

Global Resources For Integrating The Arts Into A Missional Life, Robin Harris, Brian Schrag

Symposium on Worship Archive

This workshop will feature resources to foster creativity and expand understanding of the intersection of worship, culture, and mission in your church or school setting. We’ll explore a new two-volume ethnodoxology handbook and manual (with DVD) for worship and mission in the global church. The authors/editors of these publications will offer ways you can benefit from them, whether planning and leading worship or teaching a Sunday School or college class.

Program Book, Calvin Symposium On Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

No abstract provided.

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.

Dramatic Presentation Of The Sermon On The Mount, Randall Buursma

Symposium on Worship Archive

led by Randy Buursma and drama team from First Christian Reformed Church

Ten Beatitudes And Ten Commandments, Randall Engle, Murial Van Dijke

Symposium on Worship Archive

led by Randall Engle, organist, with Muriel Van Dijke, liturgist

Beyond The Bamboo Curtain: New Asian Songs For Worship, Swee Hong Lim, I-To Loh, Joel Navarro

Symposium on Worship Archive

This singing and conversational session will introduce new Asian songs collected in recent years along with their background stories and how these might be used in the context of worship. The Companion to the Sound the Bamboo (GIA, 2011) as well as music handouts will serve as catalysts for the conversation.

What Can We Learn From The Early Church About Worship?, Marva Dawn

Symposium on Worship Archive

Those who were the closest to Jesus in time can teach us important things about worship. In this workshop we will look at the forms that were used in the earliest centuries of the Church to contemplate how we might use those elements in our worship today.

Baptism In Art, Ritual, And Symbol, Robin M. Jensen

Symposium on Worship Archive

Using the resources of ancient texts, architectural remains, and visual art, this workshop aims first at uncovering baptism’s meaning for the first generations of Christians who received it and then at how that information can enrich our teaching about, preparation for, and practice of Christian baptism today.

"Blessed Are The Persecuted": Planning Multiethnic Worship, Highlighting Resources Form The Suffering Church, Emily R. Brink, Josh Davis, Robin Harris, Tala Jarjour, Jean Ngoya Kidula, Swee Hong Lim, I-To Loh, Paul Neeley, Anne Zaki

Symposium on Worship Archive

This seminar will explore the use of visual art, scripture reading, video, responsive reading, story, poetry, drama, and song from our brothers and sisters in Christ who often find joy and hope in the midst of suffering. Resources from around the world will expand your vision and provide many resources and practical ideas for worship in your local contexts.