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Uniquely Gifted: A Theology Of Mental Illness For Inclusive Ecclesiology, Asia M. Lerner

Selected Honors Theses

This thesis surveys the possibility of a theology of mental illness in order to create an inclusive ecclesiology for modern churches. Mental illness is greatly stigmatized in the Church as demonic or spiritual and moral failing. In combat of such stigma and prejudice to create an inclusive atmosphere in the Church, a positive theology of mental illness understood as a unique gifting is argued for. With the elusive nature of mental illness in both definition and experience taken into account, all aspects of mental illness are considered, such as biology, psychology, and philosophy of mental disorder. The thesis understands mental …

A Trinitarian Leadership Model: Insights From The Apostle Peter, Brian Ruffner, Russell L. Huizing

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

The integration of Biblical principles with leadership theory has proven a monumental undertaking. Can such principles actually guide Christian leaders even though they are sometimes in tension with current concepts of leadership? It might seem like a difficult balance to achieve. However, by delving into Peter’s basic and presuppositional commitments, a clear picture of Biblical leadership emerged. Using 1 Peter 5 as the investigative platform, thorough analysis revealed a Trinitarian belief structure underpinning Peter’s concept of leadership. Significantly, the transition from simple fisherman to apostle demonstrated a radical transformation in both thought and application of leadership principles. Ultimately, a precise …

Cultural Based Discipling According To The Strategies Of Jesus, Jonathan Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many newly planted and existing churches in America have difficulty developing a discipleship culture. They focus on weekly worship gatherings and Bible Study classes. Gathering for worship and Bible Study is needed and right, but when this is the only activity, discipleship and a holistic healthy church culture is not occurring. Unfortunately, many churches engage in a consumer-driven culture with people unwilling to be in a sacrificial discipleship process for the Gospel’s sake. Jesus had four primary strategies for developing disciples. They are the gathered strategy, the small group strategy, the mentoring strategy and the sending strategy. Each is part …

Hagar As Israel: A Prismatic Reading Of Hagar And Ishmael, Wesley D. Walker

Masters Theses

The Hagar and Ishmael story (Gen 16, 21) is one of Genesis’ most undervalued stories. Historically, Jewish and Christian interpreters have approached the text with a bias against Hagar in favor of Sarah. This approach hampers the ability of interpreters to see how the author(s) of Genesis may be utilizing the narrative in a pro-Hagar way. This thesis rehabilitates Hagar and Ishmael’s image by engaging in a charitable and canonical hermeneutic which seeks to see the story in light of a network of inner-biblical allusions. There are three important literary connections which are necessary to understand Hagar and Ishmael include …

Divine Physiology: Deity Revealed Within The Conception Of Jesus Christ, Robbin Nelson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project will develop an educational instrument linking science to faith supporting the deity of Jesus Christ, specifically as it relates to his conception. This information will be used by this author’s church to understand the identity of Jesus. This thesis project will employ analytical, theoretical, and scientific research methods as applies to a study of medical and theological information, as well as interviews with medical professionals, and religious leaders.

Falling Far From The Tree? God's Rejection Of Cain Outside The Garden Of Eden (Genesis 4:1-16), Mark Remington Squire

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Squire, Mark R. “Falling Far from the Tree?: God’s Rejection of Cain Outside the Garden of Eden.” S.T.M. Thesis, Concordia Seminary, 2018. 105 pp.

This thesis offers a review of the history of interpretation of the account of Gen 4:1–16. Specifically, the focus of this thesis regards the question of why God favored Abel and his sacrifice and not Cain and his sacrifice. The paper provides an original translation of Gen 4:1–16, as well as translation notes. The historical interpretations of the answer to the question of why God favored Abel over Cain are grouped into three broad categories: Cain’s …

And Their Eyes Were Opened: The Call To Paradox, Bruce L. Jacobson

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

Establishing Ethical Processes For Church Finances, Carl A. Williamson

Harding School of Theology Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

Spiritual Transformation At Austin Christian Church, David Hooper

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This project was designed to meet a need at the Austin Christian Church (ACC) for enhancing the spiritual formation of new converts to Christianity by providing clear direction for mentors seeking to disciple others into the image of Christ. The scope of this project is focused directly on taking the first steps toward a deliberate pathway for spiritual formation by establishing the foundational principles. The apostle Paul’s pastoral theology provides the theological rationale for the project. Theosis, the theologically rich description of the Christian transformative process, also informs the theological foundation for the project. Drawing on the work of Richard …

Friendship And Gift In 2 Corinthians 8–9: Social Relations And Conventions In The Jerusalem Collection, Ruth Whiteford

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Whiteford, Ruth A. “Friendship and Gift in 2 Corinthians 8–9: Social Relations and Conventions in the Jerusalem Collection.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2018. 197 pp.

The collection in 2 Corinthians 8–9 not only presents the opportunity for a transfer of economic resources, but also signifies a particular kind of social relationship between the Christians in Corinth and Jerusalem. While the Corinthians interpreted prospective transactions through the lens of patronage and therefore as an opportunity to gain status, Paul’s sustained use of the ancient Greco-Roman friendship topos in his instructions reveals his conviction that all members of the ἐκκλησία are equal, …

According To The Scriptures: The Significance Of Paul's Statement In 1 Corinthians 15:4, Jacob Sherrill

Senior Honors Theses

This study examines the various ways in which scholars have attempted to answer the question regarding which Scriptures Paul had in mind when he wrote that Christ was “raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Cor 15:4). Scholars have approached the issue from varying angles and have made insightful observations. This study surveys these approaches and synthesizes the findings. It is clear, from this study, that God, in His sovereignty, has incorporated a third day motif, as well as typological passages like Hosea 6:1-3, and even used Jewish cultural concepts to illustrate, from various Scriptures, that Jesus …

Arthurs's " Preaching As Reminding: Stirring Memory In An Age Of Forgetfulness" (Book Review), Deborah Mcconkey

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Low's "Preaching That Comes Alive: Delivering A Word From The Lord" (Book Review), Deborah Mcconkey

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Jesus, Elisha, And Moses: A Study In Typology, Jeremy Tetreau

Senior Honors Theses

Because the Evangelists wrote with the intention of communicating specific, theological truths to their readers, the details they include in their gospels are important. Further, one way the story of the Bible unfolds and is theologically interpreted is through the use of repetition and typology. A number of the miracle accounts of Elisha are analogous to Jesus’ own miracles as recorded in the gospels. Because of this, it is likely that the Evangelists are inviting readers to understand Jesus in light of Old Testament prophets and events, specifically as the appearance of a Prophet-like-Moses. A Jesus-Elisha typology, then, must be …

Book Reviews, Arden C. Autry Phd, Edward E. Decker Jr, Christopher G. Foster, Robert W. Graves, Daniel D. Isgrigg, Jeffrey S. Lamp, Wonsuk Ma, Peter A. Reynolds, James B. Shelton, Andrew R. Williams

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

No abstract provided.

A Historical And Hermeneutical Approach To The Vice-Lists: A Pauline Perspective, Mark Hall

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

The subject of homosexuality is controversial in the Church, even among Pentecostals; consequently, there has arisen a need for a historical and hermeneutical examination of the topic, especially in the Pauline corpus. The vice-lists of ancient literature along with the ones in the Pauline epistles provide insight into the apostle’s understanding of their purpose and function. Of the ones where Paul lists sexual sins, three specifically mention homosexuality: Romans 1:26–27, 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, and 1 Timothy 1:9–10. Th is article discusses Paul’s understanding of the connection between homosexuality and idolatry and provides an in-depth analysis of the Greek words μαλακοί …

Front Matter, Spiritus Editorial Board

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of Footwashing As Practiced By The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Hadid J. Cortez

Honors Theses

My goal in conducting this honors thesis is to find the biblical, theological, and historical reasons for why Seventh-day Adventists perform footwashing and the Lord's Supper in the same ceremony. A more thorough analysis of the scriptural texts depicting footwashing and the Lord's Supper could help us discern whether there is a strong thematic connection that justifies their joining into one ceremony. Additionally, research into the origins of the practice of footwashing within the Early Christian Church and the Early Seventh-day Adventist Church will help us discern whether the way that the Seventh-day Adventist Church performs communion is based on …

Hoc Est Sacrificium Laudis: The Influence Of Hebrews On The Origin, Structure, And Theology Of The Roman Canon Missae, Matthew S. C. Olver

Dissertations (1934 -)

One area of study that received a newfound level of attention during the twentieth century’s Liturgical Movement was the relationship between the Bible and liturgy. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum concilium, highlights the importance and centrality of this relationship, declaring that “[s]acred scripture is of the greatest importance in the celebration of the liturgy” (SC 24). The broad movements of ressourcement and la nouvelle théologie, particularly figures such as Jean Daniélou and Henri de Lubac, emphasized the deep unity between Scripture and the very text of liturgical rites and argued that the liturgy is an expression of spiritual …

Insights Into The Translation And Interpretation Of The Targum To The Book Of Jeremiah, Meng Loeng Yip

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Interview With Carlton Pearson, John C. Lyden

Journal of Religion & Film

Editor John Lyden had the opportunity for a conversation with Rev. Carlton Pearson, the subject of the Netflix film Come Sunday which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2018. They discussed Pearson's theology of inclusion and what led him to it.

Leadership In The Creation Narrative, Jacques R. Doukhan

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

In the very first verses of the Bible, we see God set an example of leadership through his creation of the world. In this article, the author examines different elements of leadership exemplified in the Genesis account of creation; he maintains that this account demonstrates that to lead is to initiate, relate, serve, communicate, share, and create. While divinely exemplified in the story of creation, each of these traits has application to human leadership— namely the servant leadership style.

Nurturing Church As A Biblical Strategy To Recover A Healthy Church Within South Korean Churches, Jinwook Kang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There are many churches in South Korea, but not too many healthy churches. A healthy church should have a proof of early church from the Acts. It is impossible to be a healthy church only with a number of people, buildings, programs, and new church planting. The goal of this thesis is to suggest healthy biblical church using early church as a model and propose strategy. This study will first take a look at what is a healthy biblical church. A healthy biblical church is a nurturing church. Conventional church has a lot of nurturing programs, but this thesis compares …

1 Timothy 3: Who Can Be An Officer? An Exegetical And Historical Study, Jose N. Briones

Seminary Scholarship Symposium

Who is able to hold the offices of the church, deacons and elders, within the Seventh-day Adventist Church? The question of gender roles and the church’s understanding of who is sanctioned by the Scriptures to aspire to that office is a revolving matter today. The topic has been around in discussion for about 40 years now without a final answer within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Therefore, it is the aim of this paper to focus on the consistency of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with its own statements and policies, and the text of 1 Timothy 3. Moreover, it will propose …

Fine-Tuning The Hermeneutical Spiral, Arlyn S. Drew

Seminary Scholarship Symposium

A hermeneutical spiral model illustrates the temporal process of inductive and deductive reasoning for interpretation. The Hermeneutical Spiral by Osborne describes a conical spiral that stretches from the ancient text to the modern world of the listener. Unfortunately, this model implies a trade-off of biblical authority for increasing relevance as it moves away from Scripture. To avoid this problem a viable hermeneutical model must allow Scripture to norm the whole process (Sola Scriptura). In addition, the worlds of meaning unpacked from the text (Tota Scriptura), the worlds of meaning of the interpreter (Prima Scriptura), and the fusion of those worlds …

Biblical Perspectives On The Role Of Immigrants In God’S Mission, Charles Van Engen

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

"I believe that when we begin to fully understand the Bible’s missiological and instrumental perspectives with regard to the migrant and stranger, we may possibly gain a better grasp of, and live more fully in, the missionary vision expressed in 1 Peter 2. If the church of Jesus Christ truly saw itself as a pilgrim community whose land and nation are not of this earth, then the Christian church would begin to understand that it is itself a community of migrants—ambassadors, yes (2 Cor 5)—but even so, migrants. This perspective is not a purely managerial or activist viewpoint. Rather this …

Editor’S Perspective: The Fusion Of Religion And Business, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

This article provides a summary of the ancient Hebrew concept of emeth (truth, faithfulness) and how it is relevant to contemporary business.

Tamar’S Legacy: The Early Reception Of Genesis 38, Julianna Kaye Smith

Seminary Masters Theses

The story of Tamar and Judah is one of the Torah’s more morally complicated narratives. As such, interpreters throughout history, but specifically early Jewish interpreters, grappled with how to relay this story in their translations of the Hebrew Bible. Using the theories and methods of reception history, this study demonstrates how the translations these early interpreters produced shed light on the dynamic relationship between a text and those who interpret it. Examining both the Greek Septuagint and Aramaic Targumim, the study identifies places in the translations where hints of the socio-historical position and theological commitments of the translators and their …

A Wesleyan Missiological Perspective On Holiness Across Cultures, Marcus W. Dean

The Asbury Journal

Missiology has focused on various aspects of contextualization and the importance of salvation, but has not dealt extensively with the biblical concept of holiness. From a Wesleyan perspective this paper looks at holiness from the lens of contextualization. A biblical support of contextualization is presented. Then the cultural factors of values—the dynamics of shame, guilt, and fear are explored— and purity are examined as starting points to contextualize the holiness message. While holiness is ultimately about ethical life and relationships, the message must be built upon culturally understandable concepts.