Christianity Commons^™

Seeing God’S Presence In Others And Ourselves: Telling Our Stories, David M. Johnstone

Publications from Student Life & Spiritual Life

One of the central (and delightful) pieces of what I do as a practitioner developing student leaders is listening to the myriad of stories that our students represent. I intentionally ask them to tell their stories because I think it provides a glimpse into how the spirit of God is working in their lives. Understanding their own background gives them insight into their identity and character as followers of Christ and leaders.

Boesak's "Dare We Speak Of Hope? Searching For A Language Of Life In Faith And Politics" (Critical Book Review), Andrew C. Stout

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Vandrunen's "Politics After Christendom: Political Theology In A Fractured World" (Critical Book Review), Andrew C. Stout

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Larson And Keeleys' "Bridging Theory And Practice In Children's Spirituality" (Book Review), Kyle D. Diroberts

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Holmes' "Mother To Son: Letters To A Black Boy On Identity And Hope" (Book Review), Kyle D. Diroberts

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Ford, Ford, And Randall's "A Kind Of Upside-Downness: Learning Disabilities And Transformational Community" (Book Review), Chip Wiley

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Foster's "A Life Of Alexander Campbell" (Book Review), Leslie R. Starasta

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Between Text And Sermon: Exodus 20:1-17, Sunggu Yang

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

The Ten Commandments might be understood as a moralistic list of “do’s” and “don’ts.” That is, many people see the Decalogue as a reminder of ancient religious legalism. Thus, the usual impression of the commandments is unfavorable, and no true “good news” of the gospel or joy of Christian faith seems to be found in these verses.

However, when we carefully consider the historical context, we may find the very opposite. We may instead recognize the real joy of discipleship embedded in the commandments. With the historical context in view, the commandments may be considered an anti-imperialist (or post- colonial), …

Smith's "Awaiting The King: Reforming Public Theology" (Critical Book Review), Andrew C. Stout

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Kreider's "A Practical Primer On Theological Method: Table Manners For Discussing God, His Works, And His Ways" (Book Review), Kyle D. Diroberts

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Howard's "Showing: What Pregnancy Tells Us About Being Human" (Book Review), Kyle D. Diroberts

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Duvall's "The Heart Of Revelation: Understanding The 10 Essential Themes Of The Bible's Final Book" (Book Review), Jaclyn Lee Parrott

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Heath-Dupre's "Be Thou My Guide: A Bible Study On Trusting God" (Book Review), Shannon Hawkins

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Koukl's "Tactics: A Game Plan For Discussing Your Christian Convictions" (Book Review), Noelle C. Keller

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Mayfield's "Unto Us A Child Is Born: Isaiah, Advent, And Our Jewish Neighbors" (Book Review), Craighton Hippenhammer

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

All Victims Matter. Reconciliation Of The Balkan Faiths And Peoples: An Assessment Of Recent Progress, Vjekoslav Perica

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Excerpt: "Overall, the recent progress toward reconciliation of the peoples and faiths in the Balkans is good news. The moderates within ruling nationalists’ ranks marginalized the extremists domestically and found support abroad, notably in the European Union, which is interested in fostering greater stability in the troubled southeastern periphery, as well as from the Vatican, both during the pontificate of John Paul II and under Pope Francis, with his ambitious ecumenical agenda concerning the Eastern Orthodox sister church."

Balderdash! A Dozen Critically Flawed Biblical Scholarship Views Destined Deservedly For The Dust Bin—Part I, Paul N. Anderson

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

It goes without sayings that biblical studies, and especially New Testament studies, comprise a field that isan inch wide and a mile deep. This is no accident. Indeed, the Bible is the most significant and widely readbook in human history, and it has served historically as the primary basis for much of western politics,philosophy, literature, art, and ideology over the last two millennia, let alone Christian theology and religion.This does not mean, though, that all readings of Scripture pass muster in terms of sound exegetical analysis.While an ancient text may indeed “speak” to a later reader or community in ways …

Frontmatter (Volume 40, Issue 10), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Religious Organizations In Belarus During Protests Against The Regime Of Aleksandr Lukashenko, Petro Kraliuk, Yuriy Plyska

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

After the presidential election in Belarus on August 9, 2020, which according to the official data, was won by the then President Alexander Lukashenko, mass protests against falsifications began in the country. Believers of various denominations joined these actions. Therefore, the leadership of the country’s religious organizations were faced with the question of determining their attitude toward these actions. The leadership of the largest religious organization in Belarus, the Belarusian Orthodox Church, initially expressed some dissatisfaction with the authorities’ violence. The then exarch of this church, Pavlo, despite congratulating Lukashenko on his election victory, still expressed some sympathy to the …

Justice And Grace: Investigating Sexual Misconduct On College Campuses, David M. Johnstone

Publications from Student Life & Spiritual Life

In the early eighties I was a junior at a large research university in British Columbia. One quiet Friday evening, in the century old residence hall, a friend and I were sitting in the empty hallway while she tried to teach me how to play poker. About an hour into her unsuccessful attempts, she leaned back onto the wall and sighed. She looked straight at my inquisitive face and spoke slowly. “Last weekend I was at a diving competition out of town.” “Yes, I remember.” “After the competition I was changing, when I was raped.”

The Lord's Leadership - Psalm 146, Paul N. Anderson

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

As I was praying for our divided nation and our God-beloved world, my eyes were drawn to Psalm 146, which begins with an invitation to praise the Lord. In the Hebrew, the combining of two words —one for praise and the other for Yahweh—exhorts people to lift up the name of the Lord. And that happens through what we do and say, as well as who we are. That is what the word, Hallelujah, means: “Praise the Lord.”

Experiences Of Divine Grace Among Christian Friends, Kyle T. Webster

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Though topics of prayer, forgiveness, and gratitude have received attention in the psychology of religion, there is sparse literature regarding the concept of grace. This study explored how Christians who identify as Friends (Quakers) experience grace from God. Thirty interviews were conducted with Friends in the Pacific Northwest, using a standardized semistructured interview developed for a larger study of how Christians from various denominations experience grace. Four organizing themes were derived from the interview questions and then grounded theory was used to uncover associated sub-themes within each organizing theme. The organizing themes include the nature of God, the nature of …

Frontmatter (Volume 40, Issue 9), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Christ’S Ethnonationalist Crucifixion: Sacralization Of Ethnonationalist Agendas Within Croatian Catholicism And Serbian Orthodoxy—Cases And Effects, Zoran Grozdanov, Branko Sekulić

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

In this article, the authors look into the theological background of the support that nationstates in the Western Balkans received during their formation at the end of the 20th century. Although many articles were written on the causes of the wars for national independence, and on the relationship between religious narratives and ethnic exclusion, very few were written on the theological support of the ethnic exclusion. The authors show that the roots of making ethnos and affiliation with certain nations in Eastern Europe can be found in the writings of late Pope John Paul II and Serbian Orthodox Bishop Nikolaj …

Ukraine Orthodoxy Autocephaly: Social And Value Challenges, Oleksandr Brodestkyi, Iryna Horokholinska, Mykola Lahodych

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article is devoted to the relevant aspects of the canonical autocephalous status acquisition process for Ukrainian Orthodoxy. The resonant events of the last two years are considered when crucial decisions had been made that led to the emergence of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as autocephalous on the basis of the Patriarchal and Synodal Tomos granted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its acting Primate Patriarch Bartholomew. Sociocultural, geopolitical, and moral aspects of the corresponding processes are conceived. The national and cultural role of the functioning of Ukraine Orthodox Church is considered. The authors analyze the current religious and political …

Christian Higher Education: The Global Context And A Russian Case Study, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

An account and analysis of the brief existence of Russian-American Christian University (RACU), a Christian liberal arts university in Moscow.

Architectural Features Of Protestant Churches From The 16th To The 21st Centuries In Ukraine, Valentyna Kuryliak, Petro Kotliarov, Mykhailo Fedorenko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article discusses the way the creeds of Protestants are reflected in their sacred architecture on Ukrainian lands. It investigates the evolution of the architecture of Protestant churches and religious buildings in Ukraine from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century. Three periods in the formation and development of Protestantism in Ukraine are distinguished: the magisterial reformation, the classical currents of Protestantism (Calvinism, Lutheranism), and late Protestant currents (Baptism, Pentecostalism, Adventism). The article establishes that the church architecture of Protestant denominations in each of these periods was influenced by the particular teachings of the Protestants themselves, the dominant political ideology, and …

Ukraine As A Religious Destination, Olga Borysova, Tetiana Huzik, Liudmyla Fylypovych

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article is devoted to the state, development, and prospects of religious tourism and religious pilgrimage in Ukraine. Based on the interesting and eventful history of this country, and the presence of many sites of spiritual and religious evolution of peoples on its territory, the authors suggest that Ukraine may become a religious destination under certain conditions. The article briefly describes the history of pilgrimage from the ancient Rus' to the modern Ukraine. After 70 years of communist bans on religion and pilgrimage, religious life as well as religious tourism has been restored significantly in independent Ukraine. But this industry …

Does Christian Faith Impact Loneliness?, Jeffrey M. Kelly

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Loneliness is on the rise within the United States, particularly within younger adults ages 18-37 (Bruce et al 2019). Although much is known about the negative dimensions of loneliness, and some about protective factors to help ease loneliness, the potential impact of religious and spiritual beliefs and behaviors on loneliness remains largely unexplored. This study focused on the relationship between a committed religious faith and perceived feelings of loneliness among university students. Participants include 1,182 undergraduate students from George Fox University who participated in the National College Health Assessment (NCHA). Religious commitment was evaluated using a supplemental 6-item self-report measure …

Belarus: Religious Freedom Survey, October 2020, Olga Glace

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Before the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Belarus on 2 November, Forum 18 notes continuing violations of freedom of religion and belief and of interlinked freedoms of expression, association, and assembly. These have worsened amid widespread continuing protests against falsified results of the August 2020 presidential election, and against the regime's other serious violations of the human rights of the people it rules.

This was originally published by Forum 18, reposted with permission. Glace, Olga (2020) "Belarus: Religious Freedom Survey, October 2020," Forum 18. Available at: http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2612