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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 …

Ears To Hear : Re-Engaging John's Apocalypse In 21st Century Doxological Communities, Chad David Brooks

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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.

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

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

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

Memory, Meaning & Faith

No abstract provided.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

A Diachronic Analysis Of The Use Of Scripture In The Variant Versions Of The Apocryphon Of John, David Creech

Dissertations

This dissertation explores at length the Apocryphon of John's ambivalent treatment of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Although Moses is explicitly corrected at five points in the text--four times mentioned by name (NHC II 13,18-21; 22,22-25; 23,3-4; and 29,6-10) and one time by inference (NHC II 21,9-14)--the Genesis account of creation is nonetheless the basis for the Apocryphon's cosmogony and anthropogony. It is argued that the Apocryphon's uneven treatment of the Bible is the result of a development of the text in the midst of a dispute with other early catholics.

Helping The Parents Of Middle School Students Communicate Biblical Truths Of Sexuality At The First Baptist Church Of Lenoir, North Carolina, Thomas Russell Hinton

Doctor of Ministry Projects

An educational program was developed to discover the role of the church in promoting healthy parent/child communication about sexuality. Believing scripture affirms sexuality as a blessing from God, parents and middle school youth were recruited and led through the study. Surveys measured attitudes, opinions, and understanding of biblical knowledge, anatomy, and communication levels. After the program the families were given two months to observe parent/child communication. Final surveys indicated that the church can play an active role in promoting parent child communication about sexuality, and participants reflected a positive outcome by recommending the continuation of this program as a part …

In The Old Testament Prophetic Literature, Martin G. Klingbeil

Perspective Digest

No abstract provided.

Christological Concepts In The Book Of Revelation - Part 2: Christ's Divinity, Ekkehardt Mueller

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

The Biblical Witness Of The Character Of God In Relation To The Qur'an, Larry L. Lichtenwalter

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Assimilation Strategies Of The Churches Of Christ In Christian Union : Closing The Back Door Of The Church, Earl Ralph Hux

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Mission Of God's People In The Old Testament, Jiri Moskala

Perspective Digest

No abstract provided.

The Gospel According To God's Judgment: Judgment As Salvation, Jiri Moskala

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

The Validity Of The Levitical Food Laws Of Clean And Unclean Animals: A Case Study Of Biblical Hermeneutics, Jiri Moskala

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

The Gospel According To God’S Judgment: Judgment As Salvation, Jiri Moskala

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Validity Of The Levitical Food Laws Of Clean And Unclean Animals: A Case Study Of Biblical Hermeneutics, Jiri Moskala

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

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.

An Online Peer-Based Spiritual Mentoring Program For Field Missionaries, Thomas David Nichols

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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 …