The Great Commission,
2014
Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary
The Great Commission, Don Fanning
Eruditio Ardescens
This last promise in Matthew extends beyond the life span of the Apostles to every believer that commits to the task of raising up a group of Christ-followers among every ethno-linguistic people groups on earth “to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20b). This phrase is also found in Matt 13:39-40, 49; 24:3, which refer to the end of the present age when the Son of Man returns to establish His kingdom. Thus the promise not only applied to these 1st century disciples, but to every disciple since then and until the end of the Church Age. We can …
Emotional Doubt And Divine Hiddenness,
2014
Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary
Emotional Doubt And Divine Hiddenness, A. Chadwick Thornhill
Eruditio Ardescens
This essay will seek to develop a possible model for addressing the existential problem of divine hiddenness and the emotional doubt that it might cause in the life of a believer. In doing so, it will identify several potential "root causes" for the experience of the existential problem of divine hiddenness and attempt to guide a hurting individual through dealing with their doubt by applying misbelief therapy.
“Read, Hear/Heed” (Rev. 1:3): Obeying An Exegetical Clue To Understand The Overall Practical Messages Of The Apocalypse,
2014
Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary
“Read, Hear/Heed” (Rev. 1:3): Obeying An Exegetical Clue To Understand The Overall Practical Messages Of The Apocalypse, A. Boyd Luter
Eruditio Ardescens
This paper is about: how I came to the understanding of, to use Talbert’s words, “the pastoral application” of the Book of Revelation, and what that message—or, more accurately, messages—are. First, the meaning of Revelation 1:3 will be explored as an up-front clue to the book’s practical intent. Second, I will explain where my renewed brainstorming on the “heeding” front initially took me in regard to a “big picture” sense of Revelation. Third, I will demonstrate how a grand chiastic structuring of the Apocalypse actually has major practical implications. Fourth, I will lay out a “spread chiasm” of the …
Misunderstandings Of Tolerance And The Path Of Mercy,
2014
Whitworth University
Misunderstandings Of Tolerance And The Path Of Mercy, Karin Heller
Theology Faculty Scholarship
Contribution to a study seminar organized by the Lateran University, Rome, May 2014, in preparation for the Synod on Marriage and the Family convened by Pope Francis.
Gaines's Preachers And Their People: Personalism, Community, And Social Action In A Lesson Before Dying, In My Father's House, And A Gathering Of Old Men,
2014
Liberty University
Gaines's Preachers And Their People: Personalism, Community, And Social Action In A Lesson Before Dying, In My Father's House, And A Gathering Of Old Men, Brooke Light
Masters Theses
Personalist theology, along with Ernest J. Gaines's fiction, resists the idea of isolation and instead highlights the importance of the communal good, criticizing social and religious institutions that fail to uphold the value of human dignity and community. In "Personalism and Traditional Afrikan Thought," Burrow argues that "the church exists for the person and not the other way around" (347) and that churches should be judged and evaluated on the extent to which they meet the needs of the community. Representing their churches, the preachers in three of Gaines's novels (A Lesson Before Dying, In My Father's House, and A …
Developing An Intentional Mentoring Model For Disciple Formation At The Mayfair Church Of Christ,
2014
Abilene Christian University
Developing An Intentional Mentoring Model For Disciple Formation At The Mayfair Church Of Christ, Jason Bybee
Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations
This doctor of ministry thesis presents the results of a project to lead a team in the development of an intentional mentoring model for disciple formation at the Mayfair Church of Christ. This intervention involved the team members in a series of sessions during September and October 2013. Project sessions were designed to provide participants an intentional mentoring experience through exposure to four core practices: exploration of the biblical text, appreciative inquiry exercises, communal sharing, and prayer. Sessions were informed by (1) an understanding of discipleship as following behind Jesus and walking alongside our fellow sojourners, (2) the nature of …
Combating Church Tradition: Freeing The Church To Reach Their Community For Christ,
2014
Liberty University
Combating Church Tradition: Freeing The Church To Reach Their Community For Christ, J. David Reid
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
It appears that many American Protestant churches have plateaued and are declining. Although there may be numerous reasons for this phenomenon, one reason is that churches appear to be losing their effectiveness in reaching their communities. An examination of this failure is essential to identify steps necessary in moving churches back to their roots of fulfilling the Great Commission. This project is designed to assist churches in moving from ineffectiveness to vibrancy and transformative power. Such churches are transformational. They set the stage for God to transform lives. The research for this project will be accomplished through documentary analysis and …
A Case Analysis Of The Foundational Ministry Principles Of Rev. Jerry Falwell From 1956-1966,
2014
Liberty University
A Case Analysis Of The Foundational Ministry Principles Of Rev. Jerry Falwell From 1956-1966, Iain Lyttle
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This research examines principles employed by Dr. Jerry Lamond Falwell between 1956 and 1966 and the early developmental stages of his church, Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC). The foundation built during these formative years facilitated precipitous growth within the church plant for decades, allowing TRBC to become one of America’s most prominent megachurches and to found Liberty University, the world’s largest evangelical university. As church plants are more likely to fail than to succeed, this research aimed to investigate key characteristics of a church planter who was highly successful, which can be replicated. Using primarily twenty-three interviews of TRBC congregants …
The Case For Closing The Contagiously Conflicted Church: Three Reasons Why It Is Necessary,
2014
Liberty University
The Case For Closing The Contagiously Conflicted Church: Three Reasons Why It Is Necessary, Michael Sanders
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The topic of this thesis focuses on the harm of severely conflicted congregations and necessary reasons for their existence to cease. The rationale behind this choice is that there are numerous congregations that are contagiously conflicted and harming the lives of vocational ministers, the name of Christ, and the witness of the church. This issue needs to be addressed. Having served as pastor of two contagiously conflicted congregations, it is this writer's hope that this document will help others discern if and when such an unpleasant decision is necessary. The research for this thesis was derived from surveys of pastors …
Best Practices For Retaining Youth Group Students In The Local Church Post-High School,
2014
Liberty University
Best Practices For Retaining Youth Group Students In The Local Church Post-High School, Christopher Dortch
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Research has indicated that students who were once active in a local church are leaving the church and possibly leaving the faith after they graduate high school. The purpose of this project is to present best practices for youth pastors in retaining students' involvement in a local church post-high school. The project will consist of surveying fifty student pastors and will examine the impact of the student pastor's tenure, student ministry philosophy and structure, curriculum plans, and the role of the student pastor in assisting students through this transition. Through a review and examination of these elements, the project will …
Transitioning A Traditional African American Baptist Church In A Postmodern World,
2014
Liberty University
Transitioning A Traditional African American Baptist Church In A Postmodern World, Dante Wright
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This project will examine how one church, Sweet Home - The Pinnacle of Praise, rose to the challenge of transitioning from being a traditional black Baptist church to a church equipped to meet the needs of a diverse yet crumbling American culture. The rationale for selecting this topic was the observance that in the 21st century, many black Baptist churches are, to some degree, failing to meet the needs of a fast growing post-modern culture. The potential value of this topic can be seen as a testimony that transformation is possible, practical and it positions the church for success in …
Biblical Hermeneutics For The Twenty-First Century African American Church: Introducing Seven Key Solutions Promoting Higher Education,
2014
Liberty University
Biblical Hermeneutics For The Twenty-First Century African American Church: Introducing Seven Key Solutions Promoting Higher Education, Jacqueline Montague
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite the fact that education builds knowledge, higher learning through Seminary is preached from many African American pulpits as having little merit. The author's hope is to channel broader understanding on how the seminary experience can make a difference in accomplishing the assignment commissioned by Jesus to a postmodern society. To achieve this goal, the author divulges the importance and necessity of seminary studies from a semiotic approach. Research includes a study of the hermeneutic circle and its three parts: text, messenger, and listeners; collected data from culture analyses and statistical reports to comprise three pastoral interviews. The objective is …
Making Disciples Of Jesus Christ: Investigating, Identifying And Implementing An Effective Discipleship System,
2014
Liberty University
Making Disciples Of Jesus Christ: Investigating, Identifying And Implementing An Effective Discipleship System, Jeffrey Lynn
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
According to George Barna's research, the current state of making disciples of Jesus Christ who are "observing all that I have commanded you" is dismal. His research reveals that "only three out of ten born-again adults admitted that they did not have any plan or process by which they intended to fulfill their spiritual goals." This author believes what we have in place for making disciples is inadequate, unimplemented, or both. The purpose of this thesis project is to explain the current state of spiritual formation in the American Church and the reasons why it falls short of God's desire …
Overcoming Growth Strangulation And Small Church Negative Stereotypes Through Intentional Biblical Steps,
2014
Liberty University
Overcoming Growth Strangulation And Small Church Negative Stereotypes Through Intentional Biblical Steps, Donald Campbell
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this paper is to provide encouragement to small churches so they may nurture spiritual growth while working to overcome space restrictions that prohibit sustained numerical growth. Through intentional biblical steps, small church negative stereotypes can also be diagnosed and eliminated, thus bringing forth growth. By addressing spiritual problems and space restrictions, congregations can be rejuvenated and community perceptions can be improved by making God's people and facility meet His standard of excellence. The research tools include surveying twenty-five pastors to ascertain strengths and weaknesses of their church growth strategies and twenty-five large church attenders to identify small …
The Dynamics Of Having A Fear Of God In The Walk Of The Believer,
2014
Liberty University
The Dynamics Of Having A Fear Of God In The Walk Of The Believer, Leon Davis
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Guaranteed immunity from hell appears to have adversely affected the motivation of the believer. There exists a possible correlation in the believer's knowledge of having eternal security and a lack of having a fear of God. This lack of godly fear has manifested itself in various types of presumptive behavior, among which includes non-compliance to clearly stated biblical commandments and directives, the removal of the repentance requirement for the convert, and biblical illiteracy. By means of consulting commentary from early church fathers, theologians throughout the New Testament church age, current research data, and completed surveys from believers, which will include …
Summer Camp: A Discipleship Ministry,
2014
Andrews University
Summer Camp: A Discipleship Ministry, Jaime Vargas
Lake Union Herald
No abstract provided.
Development And Evaluation Of An Evangelism Workshop For Training Lay Leaders In The Churches Of The Daytona Beach District Of The African Methodist Episcopal Church,
2014
Asbury Theological Seminary
Development And Evaluation Of An Evangelism Workshop For Training Lay Leaders In The Churches Of The Daytona Beach District Of The African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rhella Johnson Murdaugh
ATS Dissertations
No abstract provided.
But You Are A Man Like My Equal: An Exploration Of The Suffering Of The Righteous At The Hands Of Fellow Community Members,
2014
Liberty University
But You Are A Man Like My Equal: An Exploration Of The Suffering Of The Righteous At The Hands Of Fellow Community Members, Dan Cooper
Masters Theses
This thesis explores book two of the Psalms and how it displays and reacts to the theme of the suffering of the righteous at the hands of fellow community members. It explores the nationality, tactics, and motivations of the enemies in Psalms 52, 53, 55, 62, 64, 69, 70, and 71. It is shown that the Psalmist is often pitted against other Israelites who are even within his religious circle. These enemies who are closest to the psalmist employ certain tactics and are motivated by specific worldviews. The concluding chapter explores the implications for worship and theology that these findings …
Roosevelt, Boy Scouts, And The Formation Of Muscular Christian Character,
2014
Macalester College
Roosevelt, Boy Scouts, And The Formation Of Muscular Christian Character, Gordon J. Christen
Religious Studies Honors Projects
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, many prominent Christians and political leaders saw a degenerative influence in industrializing America. For them, urban culture had eroded gender roles, personal strength, and moral fiber. So-called “Muscular Christians” prescribed physical exertion and wilderness experience to cure these ills. I argue that these values were embodied in idealized characters such as Theodore Roosevelt, Jesus, and the Boy Scout to give a form to cultural remedies. In the process, they became the terms upon which proper Americanism, and proper Christianity, were constructed.
The Story We Find Ourselves In: Nurturing Christian Identity In A Consumer Culture,
2014
Luther Seminary
The Story We Find Ourselves In: Nurturing Christian Identity In A Consumer Culture, Terri L. Elton
Faculty Publications
Consumerism has become society’s prevailing story, the story in which young people cultivate their identity. If ministry leaders are to help young people nurture their identity as children of God and help them discover a faith that speaks into the current culture, it will be important to help them shift from viewing themselves as objects within a consumer society to seeing themselves as subjects and agents of God’s love.
