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A Critical Examination Of Visions, Dreams, And The Authority Of The Holy Spirit In Biblical Prophecy, Michael Turner-Muhammad

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Holy Spirit's function as the mediating agent of perceptible prophetic encounter remains underdeveloped in the works surveyed for this study. Scholars in pneumatology, prophetic studies, and divine embodiment have each addressed at least one of these dimensions. Pneumatology explains the Spirit’s role in inspiration but not how revelation becomes perceptible; comparative studies provide context, but not its pneumatological structure; and embodiment scholarship affirms anthropomorphic encounters but does not identify the Spirit as their mediating agent. The result, in the works examined here, is the absence of a unified theological account of how the Spirit mediates perceptible divine communication across …

Crisis Of Command: Shaef, Strategy, And The War In Northwest Europe, Fall 1944, Josh Glover

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the strategic debates among the Supreme Allied Commander, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and his subordinate commanders, British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and U.S. Generals Omar Bradley and George Patton, in the fall of 1944. Most historians have focused specifically on the military campaigns throughout the fall of 1944, the commanders who executed them, and the missed opportunities and failures that occurred. The question left unanswered is why the Allies missed the opportunity to end the war in 1944. To answer this, I analyzed the numerous strategic debates among these four commanders and many others that took …

The Procedures And Perceived Impact Of Pastoral Succession In A Family-Led Church: A Case Study, Yvonne H. Hines

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership transitions in any viable organization are inescapable and complex. Pastoral leadership is a challenging task whether one is charged with an astronomical or miniscule calculation of individuals. Pastoral succession, one of the most significant leadership undertakings in the Christian church, encompasses the transfer of authority, an indispensable component to the effectual progression of the church. Churches in the United States are presently confronted with a contemporary dynamic in pastoral leadership, family-led churches. Pulpits traditionally filled by denominational officials or congregational elections are currently impacted by the automatic succession of family members as senior pastors in the family-led church setting. …

Transformational Leadership And Its Impact On Cultural Identity, Musical Excellence, And Legacy In Select Historically Black College And University Marching Bands., Cortrell Le'jon Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research examined the role of transformational leadership in shaping cultural influence, musical excellence, and community engagement in Historically Black college and university (HBCU) marching bands, with a focus on Southern University’s Human Jukebox and its leadership legacy. The researcher investigated leadership styles of band directors from Southern University Agricultural and Mechanical College, Baton Rouge, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Grambling State University, and Tennessee State University. The researcher examined transformational leadership styles in marching band directing and their influence on character development, culture, and musical excellence. Ten music majors and alumni, along with fifteen band directors provided their perspectives …

The Perceived Vocal Health Of Male Elementary Music Educators In Maryland, Adam Samuel Beres

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a notable lack of research and expertise on the vocal well-being of music educators. Vocal health issues, even among accomplished vocalists with extensive vocal training, have highlighted a notable lack of literature on the subject. Nowhere is this issue more apparent than among male elementary music educators. Significantly, vocal-range similarities between female elementary music educators and their students place male educators at a performance disadvantage, which may encourage male music educators to adopt unhealthy vocal practices, such as prolonged use of falsetto. This study aims to investigate the impact of vocal health pedagogy on male elementary general music …

Covenantal Allegiance In The Epistle Of James: An Integrative Critical-Covenantal Interpretation, Lorpu Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation argues that the Epistle of James presents faith as covenantal allegiance enacted through communal practices under social and theological pressure. While scholarship on James has frequently separated socio-historical analysis from theological interpretation, this study proposes an integrative reading through the Integrative Critical-Covenantal Method (ICCM). ICCM employs a three-step procedure comprising close textual analysis, text-triggered socio-historical diagnosis, and theological analysis, with integrated adjudication. The dissertation examines seven strategically selected “pressure texts” in James: 1:9–11; 1:27; 2:1–13; 2:14–26; 3:13–18; 4:1–10; and 5:1–6. These passages reveal how James addresses status competition, patronage expectations, economic vulnerability, partiality, rivalry, and injustice within diaspora …

Factors Influencing High School Band Enrollment For Eighth Grade Students In Ohio Small Town School Districts, Jon Steven Kauffman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many factors influence the choices of eighth-grade students as they decide whether to enroll in high school band. While musical ability and achievement can play a role in this decision, research suggests that social influences, such as peer relationships, a sense of belonging, and the band program's cultural environment, often have a greater impact on students' decisions. The Ohio Department of Education classifies school districts into four categories: Urban, Rural, Suburban, and Small-town. Although similar to other designations, small-town districts require a distinct label because of the unique mix of factors in these locations. They lack the population density of …

Social-Emotional Learning In A Middle School Band Program: A Qualitative Case Study, Edward J. Anthony Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social-emotional learning (SEL) supports students’ development of interpersonal skills, emotional regulation, and responsible decision-making during adolescence. Although music education provides collaborative learning environments, limited research has examined how participation in middle school band programs contributes to students’ social-emotional development. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore how participation in a middle school band program contributes to the development of social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies among students. Through interviews, observations, and document analysis, this study seeks to understand how students and educators experience and perceive the social and emotional dimensions of ensemble participation within the middle school band setting. …

A Brief Historical Survey Of The Use Of Traditional Hymnody In Select Baptist Churches In Texas, Christina N. King

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research set out to understand the past, present, and future value of hymnody in select Baptist churches in Texas. The research addresses the critical concerns in Baptist worship: the shift from traditional to contemporary music and the potential loss of theologically sound songs that have historically grounded the faith of believers. The primary purpose of this study is to discover the depth and breadth of hymn usage in worship and understand how hymnody is perceived to shape believers theological understanding and spiritual formation. This study was undertaken as a multi-site case study of five select churches, with five people …

Women In Ministry Leadership: Balancing Work, Personal Life, And Family Responsibilities, Coretta Shawn Thompson Siler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Women in ministry leadership experience specific difficulties managing professional ministry, personal health, and family obligations (Frederick, T. V., Dunbar, S. B., & Hargrove, D. S., 2023). This paper focused on the specific struggles of women in ministry leadership, despite the numerous challenges women face across various fields. Its purpose was to examine the obstacles, interactions, and repercussions of these issues in faith-based groups and church leadership. The Dissertation-in-Praxis addressed these difficulties and offered a one-day workshop as a real-world solution. It aimed to educate women in leadership on biblical concepts, leadership styles, and methods for juggling their obligations. With servant …

Knowing Life In The Gospel Of John, Daniel Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the concept of life (ζωή) in the Gospel of John and argues that Johannine life is best understood as present, covenantal participation in God through Jesus Christ. While the Fourth Gospel has long been recognized for its distinctive emphasis on life—using ζωή more frequently than any other Gospel—scholarly treatments often define eternal life primarily in relation to eschatological destiny, soteriological status, or Christological revelation. This study addresses a gap in Johannine scholarship by asking not only when life is received, but what kind of existence John intends his readers to understand and experience. It contends that John, …

Grace Within The Holiness Code, Michael B. Bowe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leviticus introduces the concept of God’s holiness—his unique, innate, and ontological otherness—and calls his people to reflect that holiness in their own lives. While scholarship has traditionally focused on Israel’s sacrificial cult practices, it has often neglected the theological trajectory of holiness within the broader canonical framework of the Torah. This dissertation seeks to reframe the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17–26) not merely as a set of ritual prescriptions, but as a theological narrative that exposes the limits of human effort and invites reflection on divine grace.

Chapter 1 surveys the history of interpretation and critiques the limitations of historical-critical and …

James Wilson And His Republic Of Happiness, Seth Ryan Hodges

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following dissertation examines the political and moral philosophy of James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Framers’ theorist whose synthesis of natural law, theology, and Enlightenment moral philosophy grounded what he referred to as the “Republic of Happiness.” It argues that Wilson’s concept of happiness was not rhetorical, but the structural foundation of his legal and constitutional thought. Drawing on Wilson’s Lectures on Law, revolutionary pamphlets, and convention debates, the study demonstrates that for Wilson, happiness meant moral excellence rather than pleasure or material satisfaction. The pursuit of happiness represented both a divine command and …

One Body Many Members: Toward A Vision Of Individual And Corporate Maturity In The New Testament, Rebecca Mohr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The apostle Paul and the author of Hebrews both discern within the early Christian communities a critical deficiency: some individual believers did not realize the value they would bring to the corporate Church body by maturing and remaining committed to the fellowship. For Paul, growth in Christ is inherently ecclesial; the believer’s Christian maturity contributes to the edification and unity of the body, as articulated in Ephesians 4, where maturity in faith and knowledge safeguards the church from fragmentation and instability. Spiritual immaturity, therefore, is not merely an individual shortcoming but a communal liability that threatens the integrity of the …

Beyond The Pulpit: How Theological Training Equips Believers To Discern Their Ministry Calling, Gladys Elizabeth Moy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation will examine the theological and practical dimensions of ministry calling through the framework of the Fivefold Ministry as indicated in Ephesians. “And He gave some, apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers” (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Ephesians 4:11-12). It will challenge the prevailing assumption that a divine call to ministry is primarily expressed through pulpit-centered roles, arguing instead that ministry encompasses a broader spectrum of functions within the body of Christ. Grounded in theological reflection and contemporary scholarship, the study will contend that while all believers are called to ministry, their specific callings …

The Edge Of Freedom: Forging The Virginia Militia On The Edge Of The Western Frontier, Ryan Thomas Cadigan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The aptly named, New World, posed new challenges for the British colonists who migrated across the Atlantic Ocean. New challenges required colonists to ditch traditional European methods and embrace the ruggedness that was Colonial North America. From the perfecting of the rifle to adapting to guerilla warfare tactics, Virginia stood at the front lines of this evolution. The western frontier showed signs of promise for the British Colonists and Virginia quickly found itself in the center of the drama that promise brought with it. The Ohio River Valley took as much as it gave, forging some of the best militia …

Preaching To Those Who Stay, A Preach Model For Spiritual Formation: Action Research Project, Taronda Croutch Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Preaching to Those Who Stay: A Preaching Model for Spiritual Formation, a thesis aimed at providing a preaching model that is intentional in preaching for spiritual formation. It moves away from a topical, sermon-based model delivered by a single male preaching voice toward a series-based team-preaching model that incorporates male and female preaching voices. The action-research preaching model modified the entire Worship Service, making it more sermon-focused. It addresses the needs of a small ministry that has existed for nearly twenty years. Its purpose is to address stagnant spiritual growth among individuals who have remained in one ministry for a …

The Effects Of Narrative Identity Awareness On The Relationship Between Adult Attachment, Shame, And God Attachment, Jacqueline H. Watson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examines the interconnectedness of adult attachment, shame, God attachment, and narrative identity awareness. Insecure adult attachment has been shown to result in increased shame experiences and has been linked to insecure God attachment. Awareness of narrative identity has been used to improve left-right brain integration and correct problematic narratives that often lead to shame. This research employs Likert scale-style questionnaire data, parallel mediation, and linear regression-based models to assess the connections between study variables. More specifically, it examines whether narrative identity awareness moderates the relationship between adult attachment, shame, and God attachment. Participants included self-identifying Christian adults …

Genesis 1:1-11:9 Shows That Humanity Is The Object Of God's Love: A Dissertation, Donna R. Dilworth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Most scholars turn to the New Testament when exploring the concept of divine love, citing passages such as John 3:16 and 1 John 4:8 to illustrate God’s sacrificial love through Christ. However, this dissertation reexamines the Primeval History of Genesis 1:1–11:9 as a foundational witness to divine love, arguing that these early chapters reveal humanity as the object of God’s enduring affection, even in the absence of the Hebrew term ʾāhāḇ (“love”). Rather than focusing solely on the term “love,” it is crucial to consider the nature of God himself. Scholars widely agree that the assertion “God is love” (1 …

Assessing Non-Performance Based Standards Of The National Core Arts Standards In Georgia Public Middle And High Schools, Richard Brian Horne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Developing a well-rounded musician must be the goal of every music teacher. In today’s modern educational system, assessment is a tool used to help shape the curriculum of all subjects. Music assessment must be no different. The National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) utilize anchor standards for assessment in four categories: creating, performing, responding, and connecting. Standards that fall within performing are quickly evaluated in formal and informal assessments, but other standards, such as creation, responding, and connecting, often need exploration. One needs to craft assessments to determine student understanding of performance and non-performance standards and explore development in those areas. …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Psychological Impact Of Race And Gender On Black Clergy Women, Quaitra A. Bynum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the psychological impact race and gender have on Black clergywomen serving in leadership positions in the church. The current research explored how Black clergywomen perceive race and gender in the Black church, how race and gender influence Black women when pursuing senior clergy positions, and how strength and resilience impact Black women who serve in church leadership positions. The theories guiding this study were the Black Feminist Theory, Intersectionality, and the Strong Black Woman Theory. In the early 1980s Black women activists such as Patricia Hill Collins and Kimberlé Crenshaw …

Discipleship: Attracting, Retaining, And Discipling Young Adults In Beauty Spot Missionary Baptist Church Fayetteville, North Carolina, Mamie Masella Bailey-Kindell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The partnership of young adults as well as their active involvement in God’s Kingdom work is a key issue facing Christian discipleship within churches in the 21st Century (Allan & Allan, 2020). The young adult congregants had been missing from the sacred teaching, preaching, and discipleship development training within congregations. What seemed only a temporary phenomenon had become a startling realization that reflected the demise of discipleship among the young adult congregants within churches. Christian leaders had wondered when the young adult congregants would return to the gatherings for spiritual worship, refreshing, and spiritual development (Barna Group, 2019, October 21). …

Harmonizing Faith: An Investigation Of The Efficacy Of A Small Group Study On The Theology Of Music For Spiritual Growth, Timothy Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem this study addresses is that Trinity Anglican Church in Connersville, Indiana, had not cultivated a theology of music among its congregants to enrich encounters with God through music. The purpose of this DMIN action research project was to implement a small group study on the theology of music to enrich encounters with God through God-honoring, captivating music. The researcher employed a novel approach: Luke 10:27 served as a paradigmatic framework for exploring how music relates to the dimensions of heart (i.e., emotion), soul (i.e., spiritual encounter), strength (i.e., embodied experience), mind (i.e., intellect), and neighbor (i.e., communal and …

Rewoven Identity: The Stole As Material Agent In Twentieth-Century American Culture, Anastacia Rice

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the stole as a material means of shaping identity in twentieth-century American society, tracing the movement across religious, cinematic, academic, political, and archival contexts. Traditionally understood as a liturgical vestment, the stole expanded in the modern era into fashion, performance, protest, and institutional ritual while maintaining a remarkably stable physical form. The study argues that the stole’s continuity is not the result of fixed tradition, but of ongoing material reconfigurations through which identity is produced, negotiated, and sustained. Rooted in material culture studies and guided by performance theory, fashion history, and archival methods, the dissertation presents rewoven …

The Father Is Seeking True Worshipers, Lissa M. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is God’s desire to dwell with His people, be their God, and for them to be His children (Exod 29:45 –46; Lev 26:12; Ezek 37:27; Rev 21:3). This dissertation examines the pericope of John 4:19–26 using a biblical-theological method by exploring God’s manifest presence through each person of the Trinity within a tabernacle/temple themed framework. It then presents evidence to show how the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well is the turning point in which man’s worship transforms from a predominately physical aspect to a predominately spiritual aspect.

“Yet a time is coming and now …

Imago Dei Leadership Model, Jessica Lei Kritner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation-in-Praxis sought to observe the intentional application of leadership styles at Birmingham Master Commission (BMC), a traditional discipleship program for college aged adults (ages 18–25). While biblically centered and focused on spiritual formation, BMC lacked healthy leadership precedent and defaulted to peer-leadership only. This practice created a sporadic leadership culture that restricted student growth, autonomy, and investment in the program. This Dissertation-in-Praxis served as a process-based intervention on the psychological and spiritual impacts leadership styles have on young adult leaders. Transformational, servant, and participative leadership practices were modeled in existing ministry systems: one-on-one mentoring, leadership labs, and small group …

Receptivity And The Thing In Itself: Allison, Allais, And The Problem Of Outer Affection In Kant’S Transcendental Idealism, Amr Elmargoushy

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines Kant’s distinction between appearances and things in themselves within the framework of transcendental idealism, focusing on how this distinction is meant to secure objective validity while respecting the limits of possible experience. It critically evaluates two influential contemporary interpretations: Henry Allison’s epistemological reading, which understands the distinction as marking different ways of considering the same object, and Lucy Allais’s metaphysical reading, which attributes a grounding role to things in themselves. The thesis argues that while Allison’s reinterpretation successfully avoids noumenal causation by construing affection epistemically, it generates a structural epistemic circularity concerning the role of receptivity and …

In The Wake Of Sound: On Field Recording, Materiality, And Reparative Listening, Ivy Fu

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

This thesis develops a practice of field recording, spatial audio composition, and soft-circuit installation grounded in what I call reparative listening: a slow, materially attentive form of attention oriented toward what dominant recording apparatuses suppress, discard, or fail to register. Across five major projects—Fable Upon Ununified Grounds (2023), Cocoon (2024), Tether (2025), Hide & Seek (2026), and Frequency Commons (2026)—I treat sound not as an extractable output but as a relational event shaped by site, body, material, and signal loss. The work draws together Jane Bennett's vibrant materialism, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's theory of definitional crisis and the open secret, Zhuangzi's …

Disney Princess Films Representation Of Food And Their Effects On Teenage Girls' Eating Norms, Addison Benninghoff

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

Media portrayal obviously have some profound impacts on our society. The problem at hand is that there have been and will continue to be body image and eating habits linked to the media in teenage girls' lives. A mainstream example of this can be seen early on in young girls' lives when they are first exposed to princess films, which have representations of both femininity and the idealized female form. Disney maintains these body ideals whether the heroine is Asian, Scottish, African-American, or Native American.  How are these body ideals broadcast through eating habits? What messages about normative eating might …

Healthy Mother-Daughter Relationship Depictions In Television, Brooklyn Gallant

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

This was a qualitative thematic analysis of two television depictions of healthy relationship traits between mothers and daughters. These themes were presented to a focus group of teen girls, who discussed their relationships with their mothers and whether they found these shows to be realistic.