Practical Theology Commons^™

Some Reflections On The Field Of Sermon Studies, Robert Ellison

Robert Ellison

Multidisciplinary endeavours with the word ‘studies’ in their names have brought like-minded scholars together for over sixty years. Those specializing in certain parts of the world, for example, can join the North American Conference on British Studies (founded in 1950), the British Association for American Studies (1955), the African Studies Association (1957), or a host of other groups. Similarly, organisations for scholars interested in specific time periods include the Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies (1983), the Society for Renaissance Studies (1967) and the European Network for Avant-Garde and Modernism Studies. Finally, students of politics, gender and other aspects …

Theological Foundations Of Pastoral Care In Catholic Universities, Thomas V. Gourlay

Thomas V. Gourlay

One defining element of life in any Catholic educational institution, whether it be primary, secondary, or tertiary, is the focus on pastoral care for staff and students. This paper provides a distinctly Catholic definition of the term ‘pastoral care’ and briefly examines the theological foundations that underpin this concept, particularly, in relation to its application in the Catholic university. The paper traces the motif of pastoral care through the Scriptures and, building on insights from St. Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities, Ex Corde Ecclesiae (1990) and the broader theological anthropology of the Vatican II Council. The …

Not The Day Nor The Hour.Pdf, Charles Sabo

Charles Sabo

A Scholarly Comparison Between Jesus Christ And Melchizedek.Pdf, Charles Sabo

Charles Sabo

Review: Liturgy And Personality, By Dietrich Von Hildebrand, Thomas V. Gourlay 402884

Thomas V. Gourlay

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Spiritually Formative Experiences Of Female Seminary Spouses: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Benjamin Forrest

Benjamin Forrest

What Is Religious Freedom?, Brent Hege

Brent A. R. Hege

Last year's passage of Indiana's Religious Freedom Act set off a storm of controversy about the nature of religious freedom and the status of LGBT rights in Indiana. In this presentation, Dr. Brent Hege from the Department of Philosophy, Religion, and Classics will discuss the meaning of religious freedom, offer some historical context for understanding the RFRA, and challenge the theological assumptions supporting this new law.

Anti-Social Media: Communal Transformation And The Barriers Of Technology, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

In light of the proliferation of social media consumption in the West and across the world, this paper considers the implications for communal participation and transformation, particularly for the Christian community. The paper argues that God intends for our formation as human beings in general, and as Christians in particular, to occur primarily in the context of interdependent relationships with others, and particularly within our faith family.

All Suffer The Affliction Of The One: Metaphysical Holism And The Presence Of The Spirit, Brad Kallenberg

Brad J. Kallenberg

When Copernicus and Galileo proposed that the earth circled the sun and not the 217 other way around, Christian believers faced the difficult prospect of surrendering a long-held belief that had seemingly undeniable support from the biblical text. After all, Joshua reported that the sun, not the earth, stood still; what could this mean if not that the sun orbited the earth? Today, centuries later, believers unanimously hold a heliocentric view of the solar system and are somewhat embarrassed by the ignorance of our pre-Enlightenment brothers and sisters. Ironically, however, such embarrassment masks the possibility that we ourselves may one …

Some Practices Of Theological Reasoning, Or, How To Work Well With Words, Brad Kallenberg

Brad J. Kallenberg

This Companion introduces readers to the practice of Christian theology, covering what theologians do, why they do it, and what steps readers can take in order to become theological practitioners themselves. The volume aims to capture the variety of practices involved in doing theology, highlighting the virtues that guide them and the responsibilities that shape them. It also shows that the description of these practices, virtues and responsibilities is itself theological: what Christian theologians do is shaped by the wider practices and beliefs of Christianity. Written by a team of leading theologians, the Companion provides a unique resource for students …

The Bible, Same-Sex Sexual Activity, And The Parameters For Flourishing (Part 3), A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

The Bible, Same-Sex Sexual Activity, And The Parameters For Flourishing (Part 2), A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

The Bible, Same-Sex Sexual Activity, And The Parameters For Flourishing (Part 1), A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

A Theology Of Vacation, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

The Vessels Of The Treasure, Charles Ralston Smith

Charles Kay Smith

No abstract provided.

American Ninja Warrior And Spiritual Formation, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

From Theology To Praxis: The Quest For The Full Inclusion Of Women In Churches Of Christ, Jennifer H. Christy

Jennifer H Christy

From the earliest days of the movement’s history, Churches of Christ have been shaped by a literalist reading of the Bible that has privileged certain texts over others in the conversation surrounding the role of women in the life of the church. Patriarchal systems of thought and practice have dominated the conversation. Support from a few key texts has been used to establish the belief that women are created in subordination and submission to men, often resulting in the status of women being regarded as inferior and unequal to men. This manifests in a polity where women are limited, or …

Losing Influence And Finding Faithfulness: The Decline Of Evangelicalism And The Lost And Found Parables, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

A Theology Of Good Works: The Apostle Paul’S Concept Of Good Works Within The Context Of Second Temple Judaism, Martin E. Sheldon

Martin E Sheldon

The apostle Paul lived and ministered within the context of Second Temple Judaism. Following just over three decades of adherence to and immersion in Pharisaic Judaism, Saul of Tarsus converted to Jesus Christ and in consequence, conducted several missionary journeys proclaiming the gospel of Christ and writing letters to the newly established churches. While the Hebrew Scriptures provided the theological foundation for the apostle Paul’s teaching, his concept of good works was forged within the historical context of Second Temple Judaism. Inasmuch as this is the case, it is essential to explore the concept of good works within the OT …

Forty Years Of Greatness Crowned: A Narrative Of The History Of Asbury Theological Seminary, David M. Burkett, Ralph Loren White, Ralph L. Lewis, Willard R. Holman

Ralph E. White

No abstract provided.

Gregory Of Nyssa, The Death Of Infants, And The Life Of God, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

Raising Narcissists: What Over-Approving Parents Can Learn From Philippians 2, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

Turning Pistols Into Plowshares, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

Hilary Of Poitiers On Prohibition And Imperative In The Christian Life., A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

A Reinvestigation Of "The Creation Of Woman" From A Hebraic Viewpoint, Barry Fike

Barry D. Fike

This paper looks at the role of women in society and the church while investigating the original creation story in Hebrew without the sociological intervention and gross misinterpretation of the text by modern man so often used to show the "superiority" of men because of the "after thought" in the creation of woman. Because of the misinterpretation of ideas and words, such as submissive and helpmeet used in the Biblical text, many men claim "superiority" over women in a spiritual sense when nothing is further from the truth.

Hacking For The Kingdom?, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

Making Room: A Place For Children's Spirituality In The Christian Church, Heather Ingersoll

Heather Ingersoll

A relatively uncharted territory until recently, the concept of children as innate spiritual beings has garnered significant attention among scholars over the past two decades. The more that is learned about children’s spirituality the more apparent it becomes that the Christian church in the United States generally fails to provide sufficient space for children to explore, develop, and share their spirituality. This potentially leads children to suppress or disconnect from their spirituality in later years and also deprives a Christian community of the ability to learn and grow from children’s unique experiences of God and spirituality. This paper examines the …

Pastoral Care: From Past To Present, Ann Marie Kerlin

Ann Marie Kerlin

According to the U.S. National Conference on Mental Health, “Nationally, an estimated 45 million Americans suffer from illnesses like depression, schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress syndrome.” In a speech at this conference, President Obama stated that one out of five Americans experience mental illness in any year. A study published in 2013 surveyed prescription drug use and found that the second most common prescribed drugs were anti-depressants. Obviously there is a great demand for counseling and psychological care in the United States, and both secular and religious approaches to care are available. The purpose of this article is to review briefly …

A Study Of Revelation 20:1-6: A Premillennial Approach, Wes Green

Wes Green

No abstract provided.

Strengthened By Fire: How Events In C.S. Lewis’S Life Shaped His Views On Pain And Suffering, Gary E. Silvers Ph.D.

Gary E. Silvers Ph.D.

The issue of pain and suffering has long been a barrier to some when considering the existence of a loving God. C.S. Lewis was not immune to this dilemma. As a self-described atheist, Lewis concluded, “Either there is no spirit behind the universe, or else a spirit indifferent to good and evil, or else an evil spirit.” The purpose of this paper is to explore how Lewis’s experiences of dealing with pain and suffering impacted his faith in God. The paper will show how his suffering and loss actually strengthened his faith.