Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

Is The Modern Parachurch A Reflection Of Misguided Ecclesiology?, Joshua A. Haywood

Senior Honors Theses

In light of the present situation of Christianity, it has become necessary to examine the biblical basis for ministries outside the normal parameters of the Church. One of the biggest problems with addressing this issue is that of defining the parachurch. An accurate and sufficient definition for what constitutes a parachurch ministry requires an investigation into biblical ecclesiology. The relationship between parachurch ministries and the local and universal church must be established in a time when the lines between them are blurred. Some basic principles need to be established which describe what constitutes a biblical reason for the creation of …

Effects Of Joint Preparation Angle Of Single-Vee Butt Welds On The Tensile Strength Of Astm A36 Carbon Steel, Matthew Mcclure

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Welding is a multi-faceted procedure of manufacturing and can occur at any point during the creation of a product. Quality issues in welding can have disastrous, or even deadly, consequences. The issue of weld preparation angle is one of several different elements that have a direct correlation on the quality of a welded joint. The purpose of this research centers on resultant tensile strength of a single-vee butt joint in carbon steel with various preparation angles. Preparation angles were machined on twenty-six pieces of ASTM A36 carbon steel in 5° increments in order to produce thirteen samples with included preparation …

Ears To Hear : Re-Engaging John's Apocalypse In 21st Century Doxological Communities, Chad David Brooks

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Critical Realism In Conversation With Postmodern Theology, Science And Hermeneutics, Matthew J. Graham

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Missional Churches In Secular Societies: Theology Consults Sociology, Thomas Hughson

Theology Faculty Research and Publications

The church is missionary by nature. But what about public church mission in secular societies? Furious religion mobilizing against rebarbative secularity? Withdrawal to seek exemplary perfection? To the contrary, theologically principled consultation with the sociology of J. Casanova on deprivatized religion leads to public witness in modern societies. Public theology can interpret deprivatized religion as an expression of prophetic and kingly elements in church mission. However, sociology leaves the priestly element as if private. What might ecclesiology, missiology, and public theology say about a public aspect of the priestly element in the church’s witness in modern societies?

Review Of Ines Peper's Konversionen Im Umkreis Des Wiener Hofes, Ulrich Lehner

Theology Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Doctrine After Foundationalism, Robert Lewis Fossett

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Fossett, Robert, L. “Doctrine After Foundationalism.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2011. 250 pp.

This essay argues for an account of Christian doctrine that will bring to light the lingering entrenchment of foundationalism within the context of religious discourse and will show this entrenchment for what it is: a confusion inherited from the Enlightenment (and ultimately from Plato). In its place I offer an account of doctrine that is more explicitly Christological than what is currently being offered in the modern discussion on doctrine and that at the same time, moves the conversation past the assumptions of foundationalism. A properly Christian …

The Logic Of The ‘As If’ And The Existence Of God: An Inquiry Into The Nature Of Belief In The Work Of Jacques Derrida, Colby Dickinson

Theology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The religious thematics at play in the work of Jacques Derrida have often provided an ongoing platform from which to struggle with the entire scope of his work, thus moving the seemingly peripheral discourses on religion within his oeuvre to the center stage. Despite repeated attempts to come to terms both theologically and philosophically with the conditional nature of representations, the problematics of representation are perhaps nowhere more forcefully demonstrated than in the work of Derrida. Indeed, for Derrida, the ‘as if’, as a regulative principle directly appropriated and modified from its Kantian context, becomes the central lynchpin for understanding, …

Biblical Preaching, Ovidiu Ionel Dragan

ATS Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to help young pastors improve their preaching. The literature review examined the theological foundation of becoming more biblically accurate in preaching. This study emphasized the importance and usefulness of the Word of God for change and transformation of the lives of those who hear preaching. Biblical preaching is detailed by images and metaphors that help any minister to understand the call, message, authority, and practice of biblical preaching. The findings suggest that during the study a shift occurred within a group of young pastors from Baptist Community in Arad, Romania. Among the findings was …

Comparisons Of Distributions And Isotopic Geochemistry Of Benthic Foraminifera From Seep And Non-Seep Environments, Offshore Of Costa Rica, Ashley M. Burkett

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vertical distribution patterns and stable isotopic geochemistry of benthic foraminifera labeled with CellTracker Green and stained with Rose Bengal were compared at sites of active methane seepage and adjacent non-seep habitats off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Sediment cores of bacterial mats from Costa Rica revealed vertical distribution patterns more similar to those seen previously in clam beds, suggesting increased levels of bioturbation compared to non-seep sites. Similar taxa were found at both seep and non-seep sites including: Chilostomella oolina, Uvigerina peregrina and hispida, Cibicides mckannai, and Cassidulina braziliensis. Within active methane seep habitats, elevated substrate such as carbonate …

Jerry Falwell's Use Of Theological Methodology For Making Political Claims: A Critique, David William Hosack

Honors Program Theses

After a semester of research, I developed five questions to which I wished to find answers: I) What were the specifications of Jerry Falwell's theological methodology? 2) How did Jerry Falwell use this methodology to make political claims? 3) Was Jerry Falwell consistent with this use of theological methodology in politics? 4) Was Falwell's use of theological methodology valid? 5) Was this use of theological methodology congruent with the principles of our Constitution? The first two questions address the background information regarding Jerry Falwell's political and religious action. The final three address the relationship between Falwell's politics and theology, therefore …

Luke 18:9-14: An Expositional And Literary Discussion On The Parable On The Pharisee And Tax Collector, Nathan A. Schwenk

Senior Honors Theses

In the third Gospel of the New Testament, Luke consistently writes about the Pharisees and their piety pronouncing woes and judgments upon them. Representing the religious leaders of that day, they exalted themselves above everyone else and most of all, tax collectors, who are the epitome of sinners. However, the principle of the great reversal is a prominent theme in Luke’s Gospel, in which the exalted are humbled and the humble are exalted. Multiple times Jesus uses this principle to completely transform peoples’ mindset on who is greatest in the world.

This thesis will offer an extensive exposition on the …

Towards An Indian Constructive Theology: Towards Making Indian Christians Genuinely Indians And Authentically Christians, Dominic K. Arputham

LMU Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

How I Would Like To Spend The Last Years Of My Life..., Landon Brady Saunders

Landon Saunders Documents

A list of projects Landon Saunders wants to work on and what he wants to happen with Heartbeat when he can no longer work on it.

Intelligent Design And Its Place In The Classroom, Victor Trinh, Mekdelawit Mezgebu

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Creationism, is the dominant belief held by the public. Evolution, on the other hand, is the competing theory of the mechanisms of creation. The recent dispute among the scientific and political field that has furthermore complicated the question of intelligent design being integrated into the curriculum of public schools is addressed here. We attempt to give both sides of the argument, along with analyzing the components of each theory. Intelligent design advocates are for the idea of accommodating what they have coined “intelligent design” into the classrooms of American schools. The opponents of intelligent design (evolution supporters); however, claim that …

Should Intelligent Design Be Taught Alongside Evolution In Public Schools?, Chelsea Opdendyk, Christina James

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Evolution being the creation of life through a scientific method and ID being the creation of life through a religious point of view. The overall proposing question to be discussed throughout this project is whether or not ID should be taught in schools alongside Evolution within science classes. The first phase of this project involves research of the positive teachings of ID within the school system and how it can be beneficial to students. The second part of this project involves the negative aspects of educating students the proposed theory of ID. The final phase revolves around the favored conclusion …

Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Michael Phan, Jeniene Hassan

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to regenerate malfunctioning tissues and replace harmful cancer cells. Although it holds the potential to alleviate malicious disabilities and diseases, it raises ethical concerns due to the destruction of a fertilized human embryo. In certain religions (Catholics and Christians), embryonic stem cell research is detested due to the destruction of a human at its early stages of life (embryo). On the other hand, scientists believe that embryonic stem cells can “someday…used to treat human diseases.” (Hansen 879) This analysis on embryonic stem cell research will consider both the supporting and opposing side of …

An Exposition Of Augustine's Theodicy: From Its Influences To Its Modern Application, Kevin J. Gray

Philosophy Student Scholarship

This paper delineates the thrust of Augustine's theodicy against the broader background of his Christian Neoplatonic outlook. We examine Augustine's initial Manichean influences and see how these beliefs carry over to his mature thought, which is evident in the seventh book of the Confessions. After Augustine's time with the Manicheans, we look at how he was so influenced by the books of the Platonists (libri platonicorum). Although Augustine's position regarding the problem of evil shifts, his idea of the primacy of the soul is still evident in his thought process. To wit, Augustine posits that evil must …

The Substance And Style Of Len Dong: Healing, Transformation, And Aesthetic In Spirit Possession Rituals Of Hue, Lauren Cardenas

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Len Dong is a spirit possession ritual practiced in the mother goddess religion of Tu Phu. Tu Phu roughly translates to “Four Palaces” or the sacred homes of the four spirits of the earth, heaven, water, and mountain or woods[1]. As there is no formal organization of the religion, there is much freedom in its expression among practitioners. For example, the styles, designs, and intricacy of the costumes may vary, or perhaps the size of the accompanying ritual orchestra. Yet there remains one very important element of spirit possession ritual: loc or lucky gifts from the spirits …

Solitude And Journey: Two Central Themes In The Spirituality Of John Henry Newman, Ono Ekeh

Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies Faculty Publications

John Henry Newman is widely known for his ideas on doctrinal development, education, conscience, and his reflections on faith and reason. However, it is important to remember that, among the many hats Newman wore, he was mostly a preacher and spiritual director. So in his role as a preacher, pastor, and spiritual leader, did he have a distinct spirituality? If so, what features or ideas would define Newman's spirituality? This paper will explore two prominent and pervasive themes in his spirituality looking primarily at his Parochial and Plain Sermons from his Anglican period and also at some of his Catholic …