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Full-Text Articles in Comparative Methodologies and Theories

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism: A Classical Critique, Michael W. Cunningham Jun 2023

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism: A Classical Critique, Michael W. Cunningham

Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal

In 2005, American sociologist Christian Smith coined the term “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism” in his book, Soul Searching, The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers. At the time, this phenomenon was heralded as a new “religion” for emerging generations, yet it ascribes to no formal text, deity, or doctrine. It serves as a self-focused compilation of secular philosophy, politics, culture, and spirituality flavored with fragments from popular religions. While there is no formal MTD doctrine, there are five affirmations: (1) A God exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on Earth, (2) God wants …


Maimonides’ Yahweh: How His Via Negativa God Influenced Rabbinic Judaism And Its Subsequent Misunderstanding Of Incarnational Christian Theology, Amy Downey Jun 2016

Maimonides’ Yahweh: How His Via Negativa God Influenced Rabbinic Judaism And Its Subsequent Misunderstanding Of Incarnational Christian Theology, Amy Downey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The life of Moshe ben Maimon (Maimonides) remains a mystery to many within evangelical Christianity while he is lauded as a “Second Moses” within Modern Judaism. In many ways, Maimonides is deserving of the title as his understanding of the nature of God being that of via Negativa created a rationale for rejecting the Messiahship claims of Jesus in Rabbinic Judaism. However, and one of the purposes of this dissertation, is to illustrate that Maimonides in his desire to create an anti-Christian apologetic regarding the Incarnation fashioned a Judaism that does not reflect the truths of the Tanakh (Old Testament) …


Maimonides’ Yahweh: How His Via Negativa God Influenced Rabbinic Judaism And Its Subsequent Misunderstanding Of Incarnational Christian Theology, Amy Downey Jun 2016

Maimonides’ Yahweh: How His Via Negativa God Influenced Rabbinic Judaism And Its Subsequent Misunderstanding Of Incarnational Christian Theology, Amy Downey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The life of Moshe ben Maimon (Maimonides) remains a mystery to many within evangelical Christianity while he is lauded as a “Second Moses” within Modern Judaism. In many ways, Maimonides is deserving of the title as his understanding of the nature of God being that of via Negativa created a rationale for rejecting the Messiahship claims of Jesus in Rabbinic Judaism. However, and one of the purposes of this dissertation, is to illustrate that Maimonides in his desire to create an anti-Christian apologetic regarding the Incarnation fashioned a Judaism that does not reflect the truths of the Tanakh (Old Testament) …


An Inquiry In The Early Creed Of Romans 1:3-4: Does The Word Ὁριζω Support An Adoptionistic Christianity?, Nicholas Dodson, Brian Scalise Jan 2016

An Inquiry In The Early Creed Of Romans 1:3-4: Does The Word Ὁριζω Support An Adoptionistic Christianity?, Nicholas Dodson, Brian Scalise

Eruditio Ardescens

No abstract provided.


Common Sense Theology: An Analysis Of T. L. Carter's Interpretation Of Romans 13:1-7, Joshua Alley Nov 2014

Common Sense Theology: An Analysis Of T. L. Carter's Interpretation Of Romans 13:1-7, Joshua Alley

Senior Honors Theses

Common sense theology has been a part of American theology since the time of the Revolution when Evangelicals incorporated ideals from the Scottish didactic Enlightenment into their thought. This paper deals with the work of one particular author, T. L. Carter, and his interpretation and exegetical work on Romans 13:1-7. It deals with the two major presuppositions of his common sense theology, namely that interpretations of any passage of Scripture will adhere to common sense and will result in a value-based ethic. Following this is an analysis of both the strengths and weaknesses of Carter's methodology.


Confidence In Christ And The Sin Unto Death -- When Should A Believer Not Pray? 1 John 5:13-21, Leo R. Percer Jan 2012

Confidence In Christ And The Sin Unto Death -- When Should A Believer Not Pray? 1 John 5:13-21, Leo R. Percer

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Love In A Fallen World: Further Toward A Theology Of The Song Of Songs, A. Boyd Luter Jan 2012

Love In A Fallen World: Further Toward A Theology Of The Song Of Songs, A. Boyd Luter

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


“Read, Hear/Heed” (Rev. 1:3): Obeying An Exegetical Clue To Understand The Overall Practical Messages Of The Apocalypse, A. Boyd Luter Jan 2012

“Read, Hear/Heed” (Rev. 1:3): Obeying An Exegetical Clue To Understand The Overall Practical Messages Of The Apocalypse, A. Boyd Luter

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


The Meaning And Fulfillment Of The “Preaching Texts” Of The Apocalypse (Daniel 7:13 And Zechariah 12:10), A. Boyd Luter Jan 2012

The Meaning And Fulfillment Of The “Preaching Texts” Of The Apocalypse (Daniel 7:13 And Zechariah 12:10), A. Boyd Luter

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Review: The Facilitator Era: Beyond Pioneer Church Multiplication, Edward L. Smither Oct 2011

Review: The Facilitator Era: Beyond Pioneer Church Multiplication, Edward L. Smither

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Lessons From A Tentmaking Ascetic In The Egyptian Desert: The Case Of Evagrius Of Pontus, Edward L. Smither Oct 2011

Lessons From A Tentmaking Ascetic In The Egyptian Desert: The Case Of Evagrius Of Pontus, Edward L. Smither

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

In this article, an invitation is given to modern practitioners and thinkers on missionary tentmaking - especially those from the majority world- to reflect on the apparent tentmaking approach of the fourth-century monk Evagrius of Pontus (c. 345-399). Though not a missionary himself, Evagrius proved to be innovative in his approach to work, which sustained his primary spiritual calling- monasticism. After exploring the necessity and context for his manual labor, his theology of work and the relationship between physical and spiritual labor will be considered. Finally, some suggestions for applying Evagrius' tentmaking principles will be offered.


The Identity Of The Διψυχος In The Shepherd Of Hermas, Jeremiah Mutie Mar 2011

The Identity Of The Διψυχος In The Shepherd Of Hermas, Jeremiah Mutie

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.


Bridging The “Excluded Middle”: The Case Of Brazilian Evangelical Missionaries Serving Among Arab-Muslims, Edward L. Smither Jan 2011

Bridging The “Excluded Middle”: The Case Of Brazilian Evangelical Missionaries Serving Among Arab-Muslims, Edward L. Smither

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

Since Paul Hiebert first challenged missiological reflection with his notion of the “excluded middle,” missiologists and practitioners from the West have been forced to face the deficiencies of a rationalistic worldview; especially when serving in animistic contexts. Hiebert, Bill Musk, Rick Love, and others have further asserted that Western missionaries serving among Folk Muslims need to be better equipped to minister to the felt needs of their host peoples. While the literature and evidence of missionary practice suggest that North Americans and Europeans are working hard to climb “learning curve” dealing with this worldview. Missionaries from Brazil serving among Arab-Muslims …


Missão Integral [Holistic Mission Or The ‘Whole Gospel’] Applied: Brazilian Evangelical Models Of Holistic Mission In The Arab-Muslim World, Edward L. Smither Jan 2011

Missão Integral [Holistic Mission Or The ‘Whole Gospel’] Applied: Brazilian Evangelical Models Of Holistic Mission In The Arab-Muslim World, Edward L. Smither

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

In this article, I will first show the historical development of this theological approach within the Brazilian and Latin American evangelical spheres through the work of the Latin American Theological Fraternity – a movement founded in 1970 that maintained historic evangelical values (i.e. a high view of Scripture, the necessity of conversion) whilst also taking Latin America’s great social needs into account. Nurtured by thinkers such as René Padilla (Ecuador), Orlando Costas (Puerto Rico), Samuel Escobar (Peru), and later Valdir Steuernagel (Brazil), the movement has not only responded to the concerns raised by Liberation theologians, but it has also influenced …


The Prophet Jeremiah As Theological Symbol In The Book Of Jeremiah”, Gary E. Yates Nov 2010

The Prophet Jeremiah As Theological Symbol In The Book Of Jeremiah”, Gary E. Yates

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

Timothy Polk has noted, “Nothing distinguishes the book of Jeremiah from earlier works of prophecy quite so much as the attention it devotes to the person of the prophet and the prominence it accords the prophetic ‘I’, and few things receive more scholarly comment.”1 More than simply providing a biographical or psychological portrait of the prophet, the book presents Jeremiah as a theological symbol who embodies in his person the word of Yahweh and the office of prophet. 2 In fact, the figure of Jeremiah is so central that a theology of the book of Jeremiah “cannot be formulated without …


A Critique Of The Historiographical Construal Of America As A Christian Nation, John David Wilsey Sep 2010

A Critique Of The Historiographical Construal Of America As A Christian Nation, John David Wilsey

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Christian America thesis has grown in popularity over the past thirty years. This essay will critique the Christian America thesis, and instead offer the assertion that America was founded as a nation with religious liberty. Six lines of critique of the Christian America thesis will be presented, and the essay will attempt to show the significance of religious freedom in the founding. America‘s history points to a mixture of sacred and secular ideas. The nation is defined more realistically by religious freedom rather than a Christian identity. Evangelicals can approach those who do not share their faith commitment in …


Farewell To An Old Friend: Remembering Antony Flew, Gary R. Habermas Jul 2010

Farewell To An Old Friend: Remembering Antony Flew, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Jeremiah's Message Of Judgment And Hope For God's Unfaithful "Wife", Gary E. Yates Apr 2010

Jeremiah's Message Of Judgment And Hope For God's Unfaithful "Wife", Gary E. Yates

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Whosoever Will: A Review Essay, C. Fred Smith Apr 2010

Whosoever Will: A Review Essay, C. Fred Smith

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Q&A: General Apologetics, Gary R. Habermas Jan 2010

Q&A: General Apologetics, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Q&A: The Reliability And Inspiration Of The Bible, Gary R. Habermas Jan 2010

Q&A: The Reliability And Inspiration Of The Bible, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Q&A: The Shroud Of Turin, Gary R. Habermas Jan 2010

Q&A: The Shroud Of Turin, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Q&A: Publications, Gary R. Habermas Jan 2010

Q&A: Publications, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Review: God's Rivals: Why Has God Allowed Different Religions? Insights From The Bible And The Early Church, Michael S. Jones Jan 2010

Review: God's Rivals: Why Has God Allowed Different Religions? Insights From The Bible And The Early Church, Michael S. Jones

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.


Q&A: Religious Doubt, Gary R. Habermas Jan 2010

Q&A: Religious Doubt, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Q&A: Problem Of Pain And Suffering, Gary R. Habermas Jan 2010

Q&A: Problem Of Pain And Suffering, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Q&A: Theology, Gary R. Habermas Jan 2010

Q&A: Theology, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Q&A: The Deity Of Jesus Christ, Gary R. Habermas Jan 2010

Q&A: The Deity Of Jesus Christ, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Q&A: The Canonization Of The Bible, Gary R. Habermas Jan 2010

Q&A: The Canonization Of The Bible, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.


Q&A: The Historical Jesus, Gary R. Habermas Jan 2010

Q&A: The Historical Jesus, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.