Digital Commons Network^™

Imago Dei As Missio Dei, Fourie Van Den Berg

Doctor of Ministry

Section 1 of this paper describes the Dutch Reformed Church in Namibia's (DRCN) problems, uncertainty, and loss of direction because neglects God's mission. As a rule, the DRCN has lost members and credibility and cares more about itself than the suffering Namibian society. Because and the DCRN lost its connection with the missio Dei, Namibian socio-economical problems increased and created a huge gap between the DRCN and Namibian society. The DCRN has little impact on major sociological issues. The DRCN can address these realities by rediscovering imago Dei theology and the missio Dei. This change will bridge the gap between …

Open And Relational Theology An Evangelical In Dialogue With A Latter-Day Saint, Samuel M. Brown

BYU Studies

Clark H. Pinnock and David L. Paulsen dialogue about open theism and Latter-day Saint theology, examining the convergences and divergences between the two traditions. Open and Relational Theology: A Latter-day Saint in Dialogue with an Evangelical explores beliefs on divine embodiment, spiritual warfare, deification, omniscience and omnipotence of God, divine feminine, theodicy, creation, and pragmatic applications of religion.

An Effective Strategy For Church Revitalization Through A Case Study Of Hosanna Church, Hyung Woo Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to suggest an effective strategy of church revitalization through a case study of Hosanna Church. The case study will focus on the strategic process for church revitalization at Hosanna Church. This model of ministry extracted the principles, critical components, and elements that have been primary for the revitalization. Ten principles of church revitalization were discovered in the literature and diagnose the reality of the Hosanna Church, confirming the application of these principles. The principles were found to be transferable and applicable to various setting.

Gill's "The Political Origins Of Religious Liberty" - Book Review, Mark Hall

Faculty Publications - Department of History and Politics

No abstract provided.

Memorials 2009, James A. Borland

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Human Emotion In Christian Discipleship, Alex Bryan

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation asks and attempts to answer the following question: What role does human emotion play in the problem of contemporary Christian discipleship and how might emotion play a provisional and productive role in its success ? The argument of this project, in response to the above question, is that recognition and recreation of human emotions is essential in corifronting the challenges of contemporary Christian discipleship. Just as the rational (left brain) component of human beings is complicit both in the spiritual pathology and redemptive potential of mankind, so to is the emotive (right brain) mind a responsible party in …

It Takes A Missional Order To Raise A Leader: "Order-Ing" Leadership Communities For Life Transformation And Missional Impact, Daniel L. Steigerwald

Doctor of Ministry

The times in which we live in the West grow more complex from year to year. This presents a problem, as church and para-church leaders find themselves increasingly less prepared to meet the demands of "missional leadership," that is, leadership that exemplifies and passes on the passion, practices and perspectives conducive to fostering growth in God and fruitful missionary engagement with his world.

In chapter one I identify this problem both from the vantage point of my own leadership journey and also from that of Christian leaders in general. I then propose my thesis: Amid the complexities, distractions and pressures …

Reading The Bible After Darwin, Mark A. Throntveit, Alan G. Padgett

Faculty Publications

The historical and scientific accuracy of the biblical witness has become increasingly difficult to maintain in light of the Darwinian revolution. A positive result has been a return to a proper theological reading of Scripture, not as our primary source of technical information but of insight into God’s means of dealing with us and God’s creation.

Ministerial Training For Seminarians At Northeast Brazil College, Emílio Abdala

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Paul And Evangelism: A Missiological Challenge From New Testament Specialists, Kent Yinger

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

The necessity and relative importance ofevangelism have been topics of serious missiological debate since the early twentieth century. This is particularly the case with the evangelicals, who are often characterized by passionate commitment to personal evangelism "to the ends of the earth." However, recent work on mission and evangelism in Paul's letters has raised disturbing questions in regard to this missiological conviction. Congregational and individual passion for evangelism do not appear to be "Pauline." This article introduces readers of Missiology to this vigorous and growing missiological debate among New Testament scholars, and examines possible responses by mission practitioners.

Creation In The Prophetic Literature Of The Old Testament: An Intertextual Approach, Martin G. Klingbeil

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

The Duties And Responsibilities Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Theologian, Larry L. Lichtenwalter

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Creation In The Prophetic Literature Of The Old Testament: An Intertextual Approach, Martin G. Klingbeil

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

God Speaks In The Heart Language, Gideon Petersen

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

What The Korean Presbyterian Church Can Learn From Contemporary Debates About Infant Communion Among Reformed Christians In North America., Hwa Rang Moon

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

Can children participate in the Lord’s Supper? This practice was prohibited at the fourth Lateran Council; however, at the end of the 20th century, among Reformed churches in North America and some Europe Churches, debated the validity of infant communion or children’s communion. Is, then, infant communion or children’s communion biblical? What was the practice of the early New Testament church? Can infants or children have faith and enough cognitive ability to discern the body of Christ? Many biblical scholars, systematic theologians, church historians and local church pastors participate in this debate. Both the Christian Reformed Church and Reformed Church …

Bible Theory Or Biblical Living: What Are Christian Schools Providing For Families With Children With Special Needs?, A.Y. "Fred" Ramirez Ph.D.

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Private Christian elementary and secondary schools, along with Bible training and Bible exercises, have been a part of the United States and international community since the 1800s. This article examines these questions: (1) What Biblically-based principles are in evidence in Christian schools’ treatment of children with special needs; and (2) how do Christian schools work with the parents of these children. Results from the Christian schools that participated in this study indicate although that they were attending to their children with special needs, these schools may actually be missing many more students who are in need of services.

Ordination Training For Bi-Vocational Clergy In The United Cornerstone Churches International, Inc. Of Thomasville, North Carolina, George Bernard Jackson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

In many rural communities there exists a stereotype about clergy education perpetuated since slavery. This project offered bi-vocational clergy opportunities to be equipped, empowered and certified for servant leadership. Data captured from 2006 through 2008 was taken from the 25 ordinands. Questions that guided this study were grouped into two sets: examination by quantitative measurements through the passing of a catechism; and by qualitative measurements from personal and telephone interviews. The results of the research revealed a discrepancy in the ordination process where prerequisites and retention studies must play a greater role for future ordinands.

The Catholic Character Of Catholic Universities, Anthony J. Cernera

Mission & Culture Publications

The signs of the times, that we are living in the midst of, are dramatic, suggesting perhaps radical challenges, but potentially wonderful opportunities, for humanity and the Church, e.g., globalization; the pervasiveness of secularization in the Western world; the encounter with Islam and the increased importance of inter-religious dialogue; the geographical shift of the center of Catholicism; the scientific-technological revolution; the reality of the poor; and the emerging crisis of global warming are among the most significant.

As the Catholic Church emerges as a truly global church, Catholic universities have an essential role to play in its mission in the …

Encouraging Hispanic Fathers To Become More Effectively Involved In Their Children's Lives, Enoch Aguilar

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

When Hispanic people immigrate to the United States, they come with their own traditions, ideas, and values. Many of these values and teachings are different from North American values, however, each system strives to achieve similar goals in forming functional families. Many of these values conflict with traditional North American values. This natural conflict can make the transition from their native countries to the United States difficult, especially when analyzing the different ways each country’s government intervenes on behalf of children. If parents are unable to modify the social norms of their native country to allow the child to …

Programa De Formación Espiritual Para La Preparación De Líderes En Universidades Adventistas, Walter Alana

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Theological Seminary of the Adventist Technological Institute of Ecuador (ITSAE) provides a practical theoretical education to its students. Its fundamental purpose is to produce spiritual leaders that might appropriately cope with the different ecclesiastical challenges they may find in the field, once their career is completed. To accomplish this goal, students visit the local churches on weekly bases to integrate theory and praxis and to develop their leadership skills in a progressive way. Preliminary observations suggest that in spite of students accomplishing the assigned hours of their pre-professional practicum in different local churches, they have difficulty understanding how …

Grace In Paul's Letter To Titus In Light Of Greco-Roman Patronage, Jeffrey R. Syverson

Doctor of Ministry

This thesis argues that patronage is a crucial and not yet sufficiently utilized interpretive lens to understanding xcxpK (grace) in Paul's letter to Titus. It introduces patronage in the Greco-Roman world and surveys definitions and characteristics. It offers descriptions of the roles of clients and patrons. It discusses different forms of patronage: personal patronage, friendship, public benefaction, literary patronage, divine patronage, political patronage and brokerage. It also considers the relationship of patronage and benefaction. A major focus is a consideration of the usage of grace (xapic.:) in patronage looking to inscriptions, letters, and literature from the era. The influence on …

Strategies And Themes Of Luke, Center For Catholic Studies, Seton Hall University

Center for Catholic Studies Faculty Seminars and Core Curriculum Seminars

No abstract provided.

Using "Chaos" In Articulating The Relationship Of God And Creation In God's Creative Activity, Eric Michael Vail

Dissertations (1934 -)

Out of dialogue with Old Testament studies and the sciences, there has been a rise in recent years in the use of "chaos" language by theologians in their articulation of a theology of creation. There has been little uniformity in how the word is used among the fields, or even within some fields—especially by biblical scholars doing ancient Near East comparative studies. Under the umbrella of this popular terminology, some ideas have found refuge whose theological implications warrant evaluation.

Within this dissertation the range of ideas that fall under "chaos" within the physical sciences, Old Testament studies, and theology is …

Sacred Flow: Discovering Life In God's Rhythm, Arthur T. Sposaro

Doctor of Ministry

Today's Christian spirituality largely neglects or misappropriates the believer's mutual indwelling with Christ, thus leading to a legalistic spirituality. This project employs a phenomenon commonly known as flow or peak-experience, as described in psychological research and illustrated in particularly in sport, to reorient Christianity. Flow is a harmonious state of consciousness and experience in which one becomes totally absorbed in what one is doing, and where the mind and body are working together effortlessly. When integrated with Christianity, flow's nature, elements, and effects inform and inspire a faith of full engagement and graceful rhythm. This project engages decades of cross-cultural …

Earthing The Spirit: With Mark Wallace, M. Manolopoulos, Mark I. Wallace

Religion Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Progressions In The Book Of Daniel, Ferdinand O. Regalado

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of The Implementation Of Natural Church Development Within Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In The United States And The Resulting Church Growth, Rodney Jon Mills

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Problem

Natural Church Development (NCD) is a church health paradigm that is being used in Seventh-day Adventist churches across the United States as a tool for increasing both church health and growth. One question that needs to be addressed is whether the implementation of NCD within Seventh-day Adventist churches results in church growth.

The Purpose

The purpose of this dissertation is to establish a validation of the NCD process by evaluating the church growth experienced at the Milwaukee Central Seventh-day Adventist Church and compare that growth with Seventh-day Adventist churches across the United States which have participated in taking …

A Study In Change : Acts 15 As A Model Of Transformation In A Presbyterian Church (Usa) Context, Jeffrey Lyn Chandler

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Friedrich Schelling, Michael Vater

Philosophy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Christian Leadership In The Local Church : Mentoring New Christian Disciples, James W. Holsinger

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.