Digital Commons Network^™

Offer Them Life!: Investigating The Implications Of A Life-Based Evangelistic Vision, Dan W. Dunn

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Adventist Mission Theology: Developing A Biblical Foundation, Rick Mcedward

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The God Who Is Triune: Revisioning The Christian Doctrine Of God (Allan Coppedge), Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

There are a multitude of approaches to Trinitarian Theology. In the Catholic theological tradition, the Bible is the soul of theology, and philosophy, spirituality and ecclesiology form essential foundations. In contrast, the evangelical tradition holds the Bible as both the soul and foundation of the theological imagination. Following in this latter tradition, Coppedge’s book on the Trinity provides a new and systematic approach to developing a biblical theology of the Trinity. The approach is new because of its systematic and comprehensive method of drawing out, integrating and developing Old Testament and New Testament data: images, indicators, analogies, attributes, aspects, differences, …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Origin And Divine Causation Of Death In Ancient Near Eastern Literature And In The Old Testament, Lazarus Castang

Dissertations

The present dissertation attempts a comparative analysis of both the origin of death in the creation accounts and the divine causation of death in the main flood accounts in the ancient Near Eastern (ANE) literature and the Hebrew Old Testament (OT). Both literatures are examined for their implicit or explicit conceptions of the origin and divine causation of death. The origin of death in the ANE literature is located in the Egyptian Osirian myth and the Mesopotamian Enki-Ninmah myth, Enûma Elish, Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Adapa legend. The divine causation of death is studied in the Eridu Genesis, Atra-Hasis …

Ezekiel 5:5-17 And Theodicy: A Theological Investigation Of The Character Of God, Paul Onyango Wahonya

Dissertations

The question of the character of God has been an issue of contention among many biblical scholars, particularly when considering the severe punitive actions that he unleashes upon humanity from time to time. This contention makes it imperative to reexamine the biblical corpus to ascertain its portrayal of YHWH's character in the light of his harsh and severe judgments.

The exegetical examination of Ezek 5:5-17 in the context of Ezek 1-24 has revealed that YHWH is a God who upholds the terms of the covenant. When his people breach the covenant stipulations, as the Israelites did, he takes appropriate disciplinary …

The Sabbath In The Pentateuch: An Exegetical And Theological Study, Mathilde Frey

Dissertations

Many studies have explored the seventh-day Sabbath in the Pentateuch from historical-critical, theological, and historical perspectives. However, systematic contextual exegesis and close reading of the pentateuchal Sabbath texts have been neglected. This dissertation investigates literary features of these passages in their respective contexts and develops an integrated Sabbath theology from the viewpoint of the Pentateuch as a whole.

In chapter 1, an overview of literature on the biblical Sabbath introduces the topic and describes the methodology of the study. Chapters 2 to 5 explore specific contextual, stylistic, and linguistic elements of the pentateuchal Sabbath pericopes, which contribute to expression of …

Mission Unfinished : Evaluating The Impact Of The Global Outreach Seminar In The Local Church, Michael Karl Hoppe

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Picture Of Health : A Study Of Church Health In The Central New York District Of The Wesleyan Church, Matthew Daniel Pickering

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Philosophical Precursors To The Radical Enlightenment: Vignettes On The Struggle Between Philosophy And Theology From The Greeks To Leibniz With Special Emphasis On Spinoza, Anthony John Desantis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

My dissertation lays out some of the chief philosophical precursors to Jonathan Israel's Radical Enlightenment. It investigates the principal question of Will Durant's The Age of Voltaire: "How did it come about that a major part of the educated classes in Europe and America has lost faith in the theology that for fifteen centuries gave supernatural sanctions and supports to the precarious and uncongenial moral code upon which Western civilization has been based?" The aim of this project is both broad and specific: the first is to provide a general history of the philosophical precursors to the Radical Enlightenment up …

Dissertations And Theses Notices, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Journal In Entirety

The Asbury Journal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editorial
Terry C. Muck

Colloquium Essays:

Inhabiting the Garden: Bible, Theology and Mission
Lawson G. Stone

Green Eggs and Shawarma: Reinterpreting the Bible, Reforming Mission, with Leviticus' as a Test Case
Mark A. Awabdy

The Pannenbergian Retroactive Significance of Resurrection
Brian M. Ebel

Exegetical and Extispicic Readings of the Bible in Turkana, Kenya and North America
Kevin P Lines

Essays:

Missional Holiness in a Post-Christendom World
Timothy C. Tennent

Methodology and Grace in Wesleyan Theology
Kyle Blancbette

Features:

Review Essay
Aaron Perry

Book Reviews
Desiree Segura-April
Meesetlg Lee Choi
Joseph R. Dongell
Michael D. Matlock and Jason …

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Mark Roberts

Theology of Work Project

1. Overview of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Work
2. Galatians and Work
   • Introduction to Galatians
   • Understanding Life in Christ (Gal 1:6-4:31)
   • Living in Christ (Gal 5:1-6:10)
     • Living in the Spirit (Gal 5:13-23)
     • Working for the Good of Others (Gal 6:1-10)
     • Closing Remarks (Gal 6:11-18)
   • Conclusions (Galatians)
3. Ephesians and Work
   • Introduction to Ephesians
   • God's Grand Plan: A Theological Vision (Eph 1:1-3:21)
   • God's Grand Plan: A Practical Guide (Eph 4:1-6:24)
     • Working Hard for Good and for Giving (Eph 4:28)
     • Mutuality in Working for the Lord (Eph 5:21-6:9)
       • Christian Slaves (Eph 6:6-8)
       • Christian Masters (Eph 6:5-11)
   • Conclusions (Ephesians)
4. Philippians and Work
   • Introduction to Philippians
   • God's …

Ezekiel And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Steven Mason

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction to Ezekiel
2. Ezekiel 1-17
3. Ezekiel 18
   • The Righteous Man Does Not Oppress, But Restores to the Debtor His Pledge (Ezek 18:5, 7)
   • The Righteous Man Does Not Steal, But Instead Feeds the Hungry and Clothes the Naked (Ezek 18:7b)
   • The Righteous Man Does Not Take Advance or Accrued Interest (Ezek 18:8a)
   • The Righteous Man Does No Wrong, But Judges Fairly Between Parties (Ezek 18:8b)
4. Ezekiel 22
5. Ezekiel 26-28
6. Ezekiel 33
7. Ezekiel 34
8. The Covenantal Hope (Ezek 35-48)

The Current Crisis In Protestant Theological Education In The Former Soviet Union, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

The Word In The World, Sandra Marie Schneiders

Jesuit School of Theology

This article addresses the topic “the Word in the World” by seeking to clarify both concepts in the light of biblical usage and the present situation of believers. While “the world” features quite prominently in the New Testament, the understanding of the motif throughout Christian history has reflected more the Church's experience with its socio-cultural and religious context rather than the New Testament usage. The largely defensive attitude to the world that was the stance of the Roman church in reaction to the Reformation and Enlightenment was radically challenged at the Second Vatican Council, offering the chance to re-orientate the …

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: October 2010, Mariano Avila, Lyle D. Bierma, John Bolt, John W. Cooper

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on Belhar Confession
3 - Confession of Belhar
5 - Making Shalom: The Belhar Confession by Mariano Avila
6 - Adopting the Belhar: Confession or Testimony? by Lyle D. Bierma
8 - Necessary Testimony—Flawed Confession? by John Bolt
10 - Context and Confusion: What Does the Belhar Confess? by John Cooper
12 - The Belhar Speaks Today by Ronald J. Feenstra

Departments
14 - Formation for Ministry

Christ's Heavenly Sanctuary Ministry, Roy Gane

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The People's Hour And The Social Gospel: George Howard Gibson's Gilded Age Search For An Organization Of The Kingdom Of God, Michelle D. Tiedje

Department of History: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Previous studies of the Social Gospel movement have acknowledged the fact that Social Gospelers were involved in multiple social reform movements during the Gilded Age and into the Progressive Era. However, most of these studies have failed to explain how the reform experiences of the Social Gospelers contributed to the development of the Social Gospel. The Social Gospelers’ ideas regarding the need to transform society and their strategies for doing so were largely a result of their personal experiences as reformers and their collaboration with other reformers. The knowledge and insight gained from interaction with a variety of reform methods …

Book Review: Evangelism Handbook: Biblical, Spiritual, Intentional, Missional By Alvin Reid, Chuck Lawless

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Innovation In The Early Church: Strengthening The Thesis, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

In his response to Oster’s article, Cafferky offers commendations for the points that Oster presents when considering the events described in Acts 10-11. Cafferky also explores what he believes is an implicit assumption in Oster’s article regarding applying organizational theory from the for-profit sector straight across into the nonprofit sector. Oster’s thesis might be strengthened if the literature from the world of organization theory applicable to nonprofits is considered. Finally, Cafferky attempts to strengthen Oster’s thesis by exploring the complexity of the identity and purpose that he believes the first century Jewish Christians carried with them as they evaluated the …

Beyond Justice: Death And The Retribution Principle In The Book Of Job, Varunaj Churnai

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Churnai, Varunaj., “Beyond Justice: Death and the Retribution Principle in the Book of Job.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2010. 232 pp.

In recent decades, scholars have tended to interpret what Job says about death either as part of the broader reading of the Old Testament about death, or by imposing ancient Near Eastern mythological concepts upon the text of Job, read apart from the Old Testament’s wisdom tradition. This dissertation attempts to redress the latter trend of interpretation by articulating that what Job says about death is related to Job’s struggle to understand his relationship to God in relation to …

The Banner - V. 145, No. 5 - (May 2010), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

6 - Editorial: Language Matters by Bob De Moor / 7 - Catch Your Breath: Clinging to the Covenant by Bonnie Mulder-Behnia / 8 - IMHO: Settling for Religion? by Trevor Payton / 8 - Letters to the Editor / 10 - News: Board responds to synod's request concerning CRC structure changes / 20 - Wonders from My Vegetable Garden by Ron Klok / 22 - Hope Rising / 26 - Dear Reader: Family Gatherings by Jerry Dykstra / 30 - Just for Kids: The Sheep of God’s Pasture by Sandy Swartzentruber / 32 - Parenting: Teens, Sexting, and the …

A Study Of The Conflicts Within Churches That Lead To The Termination Of Pastors Within The Southern Baptist Convention, Accompanied By A Proposal Of Preventive And Interventional Solutions, Donald Quentin Hicks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since 1984, LifeWay of the Southern Baptist Convention has collected data through the Pastoral Ministries division of LifeWay from state conventions to determine how many pastors were being fired each year from their churches. They discovered that approximately two hundred pastors were being fired from their churches each month. Leader Care was formed in 1996 in order to find solutions to this problem. Throughout the last decade some progress has been made educating and helping churches and ministers in conflict, as well as ministers and their families who were terminated from the churches they served. In 2008, LifeWay disbanded LeaderCare, …

Biblical Strategy And Shift To Spiritual Driven Church Growth, Chang Kyu Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to present the biblical standards, principles, components, and methods of spiritual discipline for 21st century churches' conversion from human efforts and programs oriented church growth to spiritual driven church growth like an early church. The early church is a best model as a spiritual driven church. Modern churches are trying to build like the early church. The biblical study of the early churches in Bible and the results of survey of growing churches in Washington area will give biblical concepts and methods to make the spiritual driven church.

The Lord's Anointed: Covenantal Kingship In Psalm 2 And Acts 4, Alexander C. Stewart

Senior Honors Theses

This study examines the title “Christ” as applied to Jesus in Acts 4:25-27. “Christ” or “Anointed One” here is directly connected to Psalm 2:1-2, and ultimately derives from the royal anointing ceremony of Israel. That ceremony symbolizes a commitment by God to the monarch which is made most specific in the Davidic covenant. The Gospel of Luke uses the title “Christ” to connect these Davidic themes to Jesus. In Acts 4:25-27, “Christ” continues to signify Israel’s king backed by the Davidic covenant. The apostles’ reading of Psalm 2 provides a foundation for understanding their own recent persecution and for their …

"The Harmony Way:" Integrating Indigenous Values Within Native North American Theology And Mission, Randy Woodley

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Given that Western models of mission have failed among Native Americans and that colonial practices have devastated native communities, this research sought a better way of pursuing Christian mission among Native Americans by asking two questions: (1) Do Native Americans have a generally shared set of values that could guide the construction of new models for mission in North American Native communities, and, if so, to what degree are these values shared among Native American communities? and, (2). What resources (particularly values) are available within the Native American communities themselves for developing appropriate models of mission and could such resources …

"It's Now We've Crossed Pease River" Themes Of Voyage And Return In Texas Folk Songs, Ken Baake

Great Plains Quarterly (through 2013)

Stories of development from childhood to adulthood or of journeying through a 1ifechanging experience to gain new knowledge are replete in oral and written tradition, as exemplified by the Greek epic of Odysseus and countless other tales. Often the hero journeys naively to an alien land and then, with great difficulty, returns home wiser but forever scarred. Such a journey can take the hero to a terrible place, from which he may escape physically, but from which he can never escape emotionally. The hardship of travel and its ensuing lessons is a common theme in human narratives, its protean form …

The Noetic Paschal Anthropos: Genesis 1:27 And The Theology Of The Divine Image In Early Paschal Literature, Dragos Andrei Giulea

Dissertations (1934 -)

This study examines the theme of the heavenly Anthropos in the earliest extant paschal writings: Melito's Peri Pascha, Origen's Peri Pascha, and Pseudo-Hippolytus's In sanctum Pascha. Instead of analyzing these materials through the prism of such classical images as sacrifice and divine Lamb, the study investigates them through the perspective of the categories of heavenly Man and divine Image. The particular method of the study will be tradition criticism and will envision the paschal tradition of the heavenly luminous Anthropos as a development of the theophanic traditions of the Jewish Second Temple. Echoing such ancient passages as Genesis 1:27, Ezekiel …

Learning, Changing, And Doing: A Model For Transformational Leadership Development In Religious And Non-Profit Organizations, Skip Bell

Faculty Publications

Religious and non-profit organizations seek people who continually experience learning and growth within their work. Such persons will not stop at doing their jobs well; they develop as leaders who in turn create positive transformation within their group. The purpose of this article is to define a transformational leadership development process integrating learning, changing, and doing as the preferred model in the life of a religious or non-profit organization. The outcome will be persons who grow as leaders, experience meaning in their service, and contribute significant organizational change.

Word And Faith In The Formation Of Christian Existence: A Study In Gerhard Ebeling's Rejection Of The Joint Declaration, Scott A. Celsor

Dissertations (1934 -)

In 1998, the theologian Gerhard Ebeling helped to initiate a rancorous, public debate among theologians in Germany over whether the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification presents "a consensus in the basic truths of the doctrine of justification" by co-editing the famous letter of protest. Why would he want to do this? The fact that some argue he held a distinguished position in ecumenical circles during the 1950s and 1960s makes this question somewhat intriguing. Moreover, how will this opposition impact the continuation of ecumenical discussions between Lutherans and Catholics?

Through a comparison of the Joint Declaration and the …