Digital Commons Network^™

Sensible, Prudent & Shrewd: Building Blocks For A Theology Of Efficiency, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

This paper examines operational efficiency from a biblical theology perspective. The paper describes operational efficiency in contemporary terms and considers six categories of constraints on efficiency. In pursuing its purpose the paper reviews six relevant biblical themes including: God‘s character, creation, covenant, shalom, blessing, and fruitfulness. Five biblical values and virtues describe how efficiency is to be achieved: truth, wisdom, prudence, usefulness, and stewardship. The biblical theme of agricultural yield provides an illustration of the instrumental virtues and values by which workers achieve and measure efficiency.

Concordia Seminary Magazine | Spring/Summer 2011, Paul Devantier

Concordia Seminary Magazine

International influence

Reformed Hermeneutic: An Outline, Thomas R. Wolthuis

Pro Rege

Dr. Thomas R. Wolthuis presented this article at the Calvinism for the 21st Century Conference at Dordt College, April 2010.

Let God's Word Be Alive, 2011 - Outlines And Notes, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

CICW Conferences, Workshops, and Seminars

No abstract provided.

Practical Strategies For 21st Century Healthy Church Growth As A Model Of A Sung Jin Presbyterian Church, Duksoo Jang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to help Korean pastors to build their churches healthily. This dissertation will attempt to clarify the biblical definition and purpose of the church, and describe the characteristics of healthy church growth suggested by specialists. This dissertation will also provide a brief history, vision, ministry of Sung Jin Presbyterian Church as a model for healthy growing church, and analyze and evaluate the current situation of the SJPC based on Natural Church Development written by Dr. Christian A. Schwarz, who suggests eight quality characteristics of growing healthy Churches. Finally, this dissertation will suggest the twelve strategies …

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.

John Wesley‟S Liturgical Revision: A Pattern For Reshaping Worship For Post-Christian America, Lawrence A. Lacher

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Lacher, Lawrence A. “John Wesley‟s Liturgical Revision: A Pattern for Reshaping Worship for Post-Christian America.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2011. 316 pp.

This project seeks to find a solution to the current malformation of Christian Worship in the American church through re-examining John Wesley‟s Sunday Service for Methodists in North America (1784) in order to extract the underlying pattern. That pattern is then proposed as a paradigm that allows for the contextualization of worship while retaining its historic shape, function and purpose.

John Wesley‟s liturgical advices are examined for several reasons. Since the writer is interested in helping those who …

The Last Of The Rephaim: Conquest And Cataclysm In The Heroic Ages Of Ancient Israel, Brian R. Doak

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

This dissertation explores the role of giants in the narrative and historiographic worlds of symbol, geography, and religion in ancient Israel. The Nephilim, Anaqim, Rephaim, Emim, Zamzumim/Zuzim, some Gibborim, and other individuals (e.g., Goliath) can all be classified as “giants”—not only with respect to their height and other physical properties, but also with respect to the negative moral qualities assigned to giants in antiquity. Previous interpreters have treated giants as merely a fantastical prop against which God’s agents emerge victorious. I argue that giants are a theologically and historiographically generative group, through which we gain insight into central aspects of …

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 …

A Fresh Look At Two Genesis Creation Accounts: Contradictions?, Jiri Moskala

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Embracing The Margins: Covenant Faithfulness Over Mainstream Favor, Nathaniel J. Mullen Iii

Doctor of Ministry

Since its origin as a pejorative label for members of the 2nd century church, the word "Christian" has been used to describe Saint, Priest, humanitarian, and martyr as well as murderer, bigot, inquisitionist, republican, and disruptor of peace. This truth is evidence of the ability to misrepresent the Christ of Christ-ian. Right now we are in the position of transforming what images come to mind when people hear the word Christian. In Matthew's gospel, Christ is given the name Immanuel, which means, "God with us."1 The person of Jesus Christ is spoken of as the embodiment of Immanuel in every …

Imagery In Spiritual Formation: Recovering A Lost Art, John P. Stone

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

The Trinitarian Theology Of Irenaeus Of Lyons, Jackson Jay Lashier

Dissertations (1934 -)

This dissertation is a study of the Trinitarian theology of Irenaeus of Lyons. With the exception of two recent studies, Irenaeus' Trinitarian theology, particularly in its immanent manifestation, has been devalued by scholarship due to his early dates and his stated purpose of avoiding speculative theology. In contrast to this majority opinion, I argue that Irenaeus' works show a mature understanding of the Trinity, in both its immanent and economic manifestations, which is occasioned by Valentinianism. Moreover, his Trinitarian theology represents a significant advancement upon that of his sources, the so- called apologists, whose understanding of the divine nature converges …

Miracles, Divine Action, And The Laws Of Nature, Martin Hanna

Memory, Meaning & Faith

No abstract provided.

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

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Fundamental Paradox Of Being An Organizational Leader, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

This paper explores a fundamental, universally experienced leadership tension of caring for the needs of the individual and caring for the needs of the organization. The paper draws a distinction between the three concepts of paradox, dilemma and tradeoff. It describes the nature of the individual-community tension. It reviews the tension from the perspective of management scholarship and themes found in Biblical theology. The exploration reviews some of the issues that Christian leaders face as they attempt to manage this tension. It concludes by offering implications for leadership education.

The “Found” World Of Genesis 1: Is Theistic Evolution A Meaningful Option For Seventh-Day Adventists?, Nicholas Miller

Memory, Meaning & Faith

No abstract provided.

Christian Special Educators Responding To The Call To Serve: The Perception Of Disability With A Christian Worldview Lens, Nilsa J. Thorsos

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Most Christian special education teachers respond to a call to teach children with disabilities and are inspired to share the plan, purpose, and perspective of Christ; in other words to have the mind of Christ (Tucker, 1996, p. 29). This paper examines how the Old and New Testament traditions permeate the way people with disabilities are perceived in Western culture. An examination of the Old Testament shows a perception of disability as connected with sin, a manifestation of God’s punishment and exclusion of people with disability from the temple (Winzer, 1993, p. 17). The New Testament provides narratives of compassion …

Conference Participation And Publishing (Chapter Eight Of Prepare, Succeed, Advance: A Guidebook For Getting A Ph.D. In Biblical Studies And Beyond), Nijay K. Gupta

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Two clear marks of a good scholar or doctoral student are published pieces of research (articles, essays, reviews, etc.) and active participation in academic conferences (presenter, chair, respondent, etc.). Especially for graduate students, the research experience can be very isolated and have a minimal impact without attention to such avenues of dialogue and interaction. Also, practically speaking, when the time comes for the job search, a demonstration of such activity often shows that the prospective professor is a real participant of and contributor to the field of biblical studies. We will begin by discussing how to get involved in conferences.

The Church Going Glocal: Mission And Globalisation, Tormod Engelsviken, Erling Lundeby, Dagfinn Solheim

Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series

'This book provides thought-provoking and inspiring reading for all concerned with mission in the 21st century. I have been challenged by its contributors to re-think our Gospel ministries in our new local contexts marked by globalization and migration. With its biblical foundation, its missiological reflection and interaction with contemporary society I warmly recommend this volume for study and pray that it will renew our passion for the Gospel and compassion for people'.

- Rt Rev Ole Chr M Kvarme, Bishop of Oslo

Seeing The World Through The Eyes Of Andries Van Aarde : Radical Inclusivity : Original Research, Glenna S. Jackson

Religion & Philosophy Faculty Scholarship

In the article the author reflected on her personal and existential experience of a journey to Egypt, and how this highlights radical inclusivity. The article focused on the issues of the violence of poverty, the history of Coptic Christianity and the role of women within this tradition. The article touched on aspects such as 'women monks', ecclesiastical hierarchy in modern Coptic Christianity, and the ordination of clergy. It also considered the perspective of 'social hierarchy' and 'spiritual or divine hierarchy'.

The Difference Creation Makes: Relative Timelessness Reconsidered, Alan G. Padgett

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Sustaining Team Leadership In Recovery At Magnolia Baptist Church In Riverside, California, Richard Perez

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Scripture And The Church: A Precis For An Alternative Analogy, Daniel Castelo

SPU Works

This article surveys the popular analogy of thinking of Scripture as “incarnational,” that it is both “human” and “divine,” and shows how an alternative model, one framed in terms of the church’s traditional marks of oneness, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity, can be more theologically coherent in terms of Scripture’s nature or ontology. Furthermore, we believe that a shift in analogies can render an approach to Scripture that is more attentive to Scripture’s role as a means of grace employed by the triune God to bring about repair and healing among its faithful and God-seeking readers.

John Edwards (1637-1716) On The Freedom Of The Will: The Debate On The Relation Between Divine Necessity And Human Freedom In Late Seventeenth Century And Early Eighteenth Century England., Jeongmo Yoo

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines John Edwards’ (1637-1716) doctrine of free choice, focusing on his understanding of the relation between divine necessity and human freedom as an illustration of the way Reformed theologians of the late seventeenth and the early eighteenth century developed their ideas of human free choice. Even though free choice is an important theme in the history of Reformed theology, Reformed teaching on free choice has gained much less attention by modern scholars than other Reformed themes such as faith, grace and predestination. Moreover, the traditional Reformed doctrine of free choice has been frequently criticized as metaphysical or philosophical …

Book Review: Recovering The Real Lost Gospel: Reclaiming The Gospel As Good News, A. Boyd Luter

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.

As Good As It Gets: A Review And Consideration Of "Healing Prayer", Its Theological And Ministry Implications, And The Hope For Change It Evokes., Henry Kranenburg

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

If healing is possible, and Christian prayer is a means to achieve it, how do Christians 'make it happen'? The answer to this question has had renewed and increasing interest for Christians in Reformed circles (Chapter I). While different healing 'ministries' have claimed to unlock (some aspect) of healing, there has been limited assessment of these ministries in both their methodologies and their claims. This paper reviews four of these ministries, first looking at aspects of their teaching and methodology (Chapter 2). It then reflects on these from a behavioural-psychological perspective by asking a number of questions (Chapter 3) before …

Inhabiting The Garden: Bible, Theology And Mission, Lawson G. Stone

The Asbury Journal

This essay explores the role of biblical exegesis in the task of Christian theology and in the contemporary global mission of the church from the perspective of an Old Testament scholar. It poses the question what a biblical exegesis would look like that was consistently Christian in its assumptions while, at the same time, honest and competent in dealing with the phenomena of the biblical text. Using the exegesis of the early centuries of the church as a case study, the essay develops insights into the role of serious biblical study in empowering the early church's vibrant expansion through the …

The "Ladder" Of The Lord's Plagues, Kasey Devine

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

This paper discusses the first chapters of the book of Exodus, in which God identifies himself to Moses and announces God’s intentions to “smiteEgyptby doing all kinds of wondrous deeds there.” With each sign, another aspect of God’s control and supremacy is showcased – and each is more powerful than the last. In this way, God’s signs become much like climbing the rungs of a ladder – the further along you get, the more dangerous your position becomes. The text is approached as a narrative drama, with the final form taking precedence over source or historical criticism. Details point to …