Rhetoric Of Freedom: The Black Church And Jamal Bryant’S Sermon “Am I Ever Going To Get Out Of This?”,
2025
University of California, Irvine
Rhetoric Of Freedom: The Black Church And Jamal Bryant’S Sermon “Am I Ever Going To Get Out Of This?”, Konysha Wade
Sermon Studies
Homiletics is a branch of rhetoric and religion that is defined as the art of preaching. All too common in fields of academia, including Homiletics, is a lack of inclusivity of African Americans. This paper will extend research that integrates and further centralizes African American homiletics, focusing on the notion of freedom in Dr. Jamal Bryant’s sermon “Am I Ever Going to Get Out of This?”
A Case For Homiletical Aesthetics: The Adorned Rhetoric Of Martin Luther King Jr.,
2025
Baylor University
A Case For Homiletical Aesthetics: The Adorned Rhetoric Of Martin Luther King Jr., Timothy Y. Rhee
Sermon Studies
Despite the growing support of aesthetics within the field of homiletics, undercurrents of suspicion remain, particularly in Western evangelical settings. The reasons for this suspicion are far-reaching, ranging from theological concerns to unmerited fears regarding the handling of Scripture. Given this background, the adorned rhetoric of Martin Luther King Jr. provides a compelling case study for the indispensability of homiletical aesthetics. This study briefly overviews King’s use of artful rhetoric, exploring its origins and sociotheological factors that compelled beauty and adornment in the pulpit. This paper will argue that aesthetics in Christian preaching should be considered essential, especially when addressing …
From Decay To Redemption: Exploring The Theological And Rhetorical Dimensions Of C.A.W. Clark’S “The Worms Got Him”,
2025
First Missionary Baptist Church, Decatur, Alabama
From Decay To Redemption: Exploring The Theological And Rhetorical Dimensions Of C.A.W. Clark’S “The Worms Got Him”, Daylan Woodall
Sermon Studies
The essay explores Reverend Caesar Arthur Ward Clark's sermon, "The Worms Got Him," as a remarkable representation of the black preaching tradition and a nuanced rhetorical masterpiece. Clark's vivid description of the Herod family graveyard, intricately woven with historical and biblical references, engages the audience in a nearly physical and moral journey. Through deft use of honed rhetorical techniques, Clark immerses the listeners in a journey through history and the Herodian graveyard, allowing them to witness the Herodian dynasty's moral decay personally.
Black Preaching As A Public Address To Cultural Trauma: The Eulogy Of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
2025
Chicago Theological Seminary
Black Preaching As A Public Address To Cultural Trauma: The Eulogy Of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nicole D. Mcdonald
Sermon Studies
The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays delivered the final eulogy of his student and friend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 9, 1968 at Morehouse College. This rhetorical speech addresses the cultural trauma of King’s assassination by persuading the audience to continue King’s legacy, the nonviolent Civil Rights movement for all of humanity. Also, Mays’ eulogy engages the communal grief of the African American community mourning the loss of their leader. As such, Mays models the Black preaching response to cultural trauma, which derives from Jeffery Alexander’s Social Theory of Trauma. The Black preaching response consists of the following …
“Jesus Is Integrated”: The Black Sermon As Rhetorical Exercise In Radical Worldmaking,
2025
Wheaton College, Wheaton Illinois
“Jesus Is Integrated”: The Black Sermon As Rhetorical Exercise In Radical Worldmaking, Theon E. Hill, Tyran Laws
Sermon Studies
This essay analyzes Benjamin Mays' 1954 sermon to the World Council of Churches to argue that Black preaching offers a radical response to perspectives that portray racial justice advocacy as antithetical to the Christian Gospel. Through a close reading of Mays' sermon, the authors contend that Mays employs an implicit ontological metaphor, “Jesus is integrated,” to position racial integration and justice not only as civic responsibilities but as Christian duties. The sermon disrupts hegemonic ideologies that marginalize others, mobilizes the organizing power of the church, and positions churches as spaces for radical worldmaking around race. By drawing on metaphor theory, …
Introduction: Black Preaching And The Black Sermon As A Rhetorical Artifact,
2025
University of Memphis
Introduction: Black Preaching And The Black Sermon As A Rhetorical Artifact, Andre E. Johnson
Sermon Studies
In this introductory essay for this special issue, I encourage scholars in the fields of homiletics and rhetoric to expand our understanding of homiletical and rhetorical theory by specifically concentrating on the unique rhetoric present in Black sermons. By examining the sermon as a rich rhetorical artifact, we can explore the nuanced elements of persuasion embedded within these messages. This analysis would highlight speakers' persuasive techniques and enhance the broader discourse on preaching and communication across various religious contexts. Engaging deeply with the rhetoric of Black sermons provides valuable insights that can improve our understanding of the dynamic interaction between …
Volume 10 Issue 9 (May 1912),
2025
Asbury Theological Seminary
An Exploration In Using Aesthetic Creative Modalities In Professional Supervision,
2025
Abilene Christian University
An Exploration In Using Aesthetic Creative Modalities In Professional Supervision, Linda Young
Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations
This project examines the integration of aesthetic and creative modalities into professional supervision, traditionally dominated by conversation-based methods. Drawing on over thirty years of experience in education, ministry, and supervision, it addresses the need for more creative, diverse, expressive, and reflective tools to be used in professional supervision practice. The study proposes a theoretically and theologically grounded curriculum to equip supervisors in postgraduate training with creative approaches that enrich learning, insight, and practice within the evolving landscape of professional supervision in Australia.
Step To Freedom : A Lament And Grieving Redemption Experience,
2025
Asbury Theological Seminary
Step To Freedom : A Lament And Grieving Redemption Experience, Anitta K. Tilly
ATS Dissertations
No abstract provided.
Initiating Partnership With The Persecuted Church,
2025
Asbury Theological Seminary
Initiating Partnership With The Persecuted Church, Cristian Istrate
ATS Dissertations
No abstract provided.
The Origin Of Community As Experienced By Intercollegiate Athletes At Benedictine Institutions Of Higher Education: A Hermeneutical, Phenomenological Hybrid Study,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Origin Of Community As Experienced By Intercollegiate Athletes At Benedictine Institutions Of Higher Education: A Hermeneutical, Phenomenological Hybrid Study, Barbara Rezac
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
This study focuses on the phenomenon of community experienced at Benedictine colleges and universities and its impact on the faith, character, and human development of recent alumni who participated in intercollegiate athletics on campus. Benedictine education, based on the 1,500-year-old Rule of Saint Benedict, is guided by ten hallmarks which seek to build wisdom cultivated in community. This study specifically examines the extent of the lived experience of community through the lens of former intercollegiate athletes (alumni from the past ten years) and the perceived influence of the hallmarks on their post-graduate lives. I contacted mission leaders, athletic directors, and …
Phenomenological Study: Exploring The Importance Of The Holy Spirit Experience Among Non-Cessational Church Leaders In South Carolina,
2025
Liberty University
Phenomenological Study: Exploring The Importance Of The Holy Spirit Experience Among Non-Cessational Church Leaders In South Carolina, Amelia J. Simmons
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Over time, many movements have influenced the theological foundations of Western Christianity and culture. For example, modernism has influenced Western culture leading to a rejection of supernaturalism, causing many individuals to overlook the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in personal and social life. Few theological works focus specifically on the Holy Spirit, and what is often proposed lacks a unified synthesis of empirical evidence. The foundation guiding this study is the biblical New Testament, which expresses the importance of the Holy Spirit and how He changes believers into diehards for Christ Jesus. Some church leaders today exhibit reluctance toward …
A Descriptive Study Exploring The Role Church Leaders Have In Maintaining Liberty Within A Free Republic,
2025
Liberty University
A Descriptive Study Exploring The Role Church Leaders Have In Maintaining Liberty Within A Free Republic, Rashad R. Gibson
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study explored the assumptions, perceptions, and understood responsibility of church leaders in New England to maintain liberty and virtue in a free republic. The theory that guided this study is transformational leadership, as it emphasizes morality in both the leader and the follower (Burns, 1978; Northouse, 2015). Within the last six decades, the United States Supreme Court has made rulings to remove from public schools, prayer, general Bible reading, and the Ten Commandments (Abington School District V. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963); Facts and Case Summary - Engel V. Vitale, 1962; Stone V. Graham, …
A Descriptive, Comparative Study Of Preexisting Leadership Qualities And Leadership Effectiveness Of Theologically Conservative United States Army Battalion-Level Chaplains,
2025
Liberty University
A Descriptive, Comparative Study Of Preexisting Leadership Qualities And Leadership Effectiveness Of Theologically Conservative United States Army Battalion-Level Chaplains, Aaron Jonathan Fabian
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This immediate demand for spiritual and professional leadership can be overwhelming for a new battalion-level chaplain (Blackaby 2001; Howell 2003). They perform or provide religious service for Soldiers who have volunteered to serve their country. By going through the same military training in conjunction with their religious education and experience, chaplains are able to integrate with Soldiers where traditional clergy cannot. There is additional pressure to perform because chaplains, as commissioned officers, are evaluated immediately through an annual Officer Evaluation Report (OER hereafter, DA Form 67-9). With no time to acquire new skills, battalion-level chaplains are forced to rely on …
A Weapon In One Hand And A Bible In The Other: Places Of Worship Are Under Attack,
2025
Liberty University
A Weapon In One Hand And A Bible In The Other: Places Of Worship Are Under Attack, Edmond J. Bergeron
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This qualitative descriptive study aims to ascertain the degree of preparedness for reducing and preventing extreme violence and the countermeasures that are in place (or lack thereof) at houses of worship. All places of worship in this study are considered soft targets and not “holy ground” as traditionally referenced. The terms “places of worship” and “church” will be used interchangeably in this study. A place of refuge for both the physical and spiritual is now considered vulnerable as the congregants are focused on worship rather than protection from an attack. Violence against places of worship will be described at this …
Equipping The Saints For The Work Of Ministry In The East London Church,
2025
Abilene Christian University
Equipping The Saints For The Work Of Ministry In The East London Church, Andrew C. Fleming
Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this project was to implement a qualitative evaluation process to measure the progress of the East London Church’s transition toward a flatter team-based ministry model. The research evaluated the effectiveness, fitness for purpose, and procedural weaknesses of the church's articulated leadership goals, which included equipping members for ministry, increasing member involvement, forming ministry teams, and sharing power and resources. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative data from two Church Health Assessment (CHA) surveys separated by a three-year interval with qualitative insights from focus groups to provide a comprehensive understanding of the transition process. The CHA …
Hearing God's Word Through Ecclesial Listening,
2025
Abilene Christian University
Hearing God's Word Through Ecclesial Listening, Nathan Burrow
Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations
This project dissertation was designed to enhance ecclesial listening when sermons are preached at the Hillcrest Church of Christ. The challenge of listening to the Word of God in a way that forms community is not unique to Hillcrest. It is a common problem for preachers and churches today. Our context, marked by shifts in church membership, societal division, and the isolating effects of digital culture, calls for a renewed emphasis on listening as a church community. This project explores the ways in which we can cultivate practices that encourage ecclesial listening—a way of hearing the preached Word that draws …
Creed And Variations: Tracing The Divergence Of Christian Traditions In Select Piano Works Of Arvo Pärt, Olivier Messiaen, And J. S. Bach,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Creed And Variations: Tracing The Divergence Of Christian Traditions In Select Piano Works Of Arvo Pärt, Olivier Messiaen, And J. S. Bach, Rebekah E. Stiles
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
Within the classical music universe, the works of J. S. Bach, Olivier Messiaen, and Arvo Pärt stand apart as particularly evocative of the divine. Much has been written on these three men’s integration of faith with musical practice, exploring how their music is not only spiritual in nature but distinctly Christian. But in comparing the three, one encounters deeply rooted distinctions between their religious worldviews, a distinction not only found in their personal testimonies but actually heard in their music. Their compositional languages reflect three traditions: Protestantism (specifically Lutheranism), represented by Bach; Roman Catholicism, represented by Messiaen; and Eastern Orthodoxy, …
Mass Of Perpetual Indulgence,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mass Of Perpetual Indulgence, Michael Joseph Willette
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
Mass of Perpetual Indulgence for chamber orchestra, electronics, soprano solo, and drag performer was written to bridge the gap between queerness and spirituality, to sanctify queer people and celebrate queer lives and communities. Amalgamating musical styles ranging from disco to opera, art song to EDM, this appropriation of the traditional Mass blurs the lines between the sacred and the profane. This work features original text by librettist Caroliena Cabada that responds to the narrative of the Mass Ordinary from a distinctly queer perspective. Ultimately, this work celebrates the queer body as a holy body, queer community as a sacred communion, …
Divine Ecstasy And Erotic Submission: Pauline Réage’S Story Of O And The Medieval Mysticism Of Mechthild Of Magdeburg And Margery Kempe,
2025
University of New Orleans, New Orleans
Divine Ecstasy And Erotic Submission: Pauline Réage’S Story Of O And The Medieval Mysticism Of Mechthild Of Magdeburg And Margery Kempe, Lauren A. Crawford
LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations
This thesis explores the thematic and conceptual intersections between Pauline Réage’s Story of O and the medieval mystical writings of Mechthild of Magdeburg and Margery Kempe, focusing on the intertwined dynamics of divine ecstasy and erotic submission. By analyzing the textual representations of bodily suffering, erotic desire, and female submission, this study argues that Story of O—a modern work of literary erotica—engages with a mystical-erotic tradition that echoes the visions and devotional experiences of medieval women mystics. Through close readings, this project examines how both Réage’s protagonist and medieval mystics navigate the paradox of submission as a pathway to …
