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Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 58 No 1 - April 2023), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

From the Editor: Karin Maag - 1 / Articles: “Going Abroad” in the German Academy: Abraham Kuyper as Continental Philosopher by Dylan Pahman - 3 / Old Princeton’s Midwestern Allies: An Aspect of Reformed Recovery Since 1930 by Kenneth J. Stewart - 29 / Catholic, Evangelical, and Reformed: The Theological Vision of I. John Hesselink by David Komline - 53 / Short Studies Low-Level Church Workers in the Spread of Reformed Protestantism in the Seventeenth-Century Dutch East Indies by Yudha Thianto - 89 / Review Essay: A New Wave of Scholarship on Karl Barth by Ronald J. Feenstra - …

Called To Serve: Developing An Understanding Of Pentecostal Pastoral And Practice From Pentecostal Theology And Tradition, Joshua Willaford

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Alongside Pentecostalism’s continued growth in both adherents and influence, there has also been an effort amongst contemporary Pentecostal scholarship to crystalize the ways in which Pentecostal theology and tradition finds its expression in practical theology. At present, too little effort has been dedicated to clearly articulating a theological vision for the role of the pastor in a Pentecostal church in a way that aligns with the movement’s unique contours. The aim of this research was to discover the impact of a presentation of Pentecostal theology and tradition on the development of the pastoral identity and practice of Assemblies of God …

Sex In Church: The Christian Vocation Of Sexuality Within The Ecclesial Community, Sarah Talena Rusche

Master of Art Theology Thesis

Rusche, Sarah Talena. “Sex in Church: The Christian Vocation of Sexuality Within the Ecclesial Community.” Master’s thesis, Concordia Seminary, 2023. 71 pp.

Sex is characterized as an individualistic endeavor by both Christian and non-Christian thinkers. The culture of the world gives license to every individual to choose what kind of sexual experiences they would like to give and receive, while the culture of Christianity isolates individuals navigating the complexities of sexuality. In response to this individualism, this thesis argues that a faithful sexual ethic orders itself according to God’s will for His creation by considering the needs of the ecclesial …

No Lack Of Gain: A Biblical Theology Of Feminine Generosity, Jenny Zoë Huelsman

Master of Art Theology Thesis

This thesis traces a biblical theology of feminine generosity. The capable wife of Prov. 31:10–31 sets an Old Testament paradigm, which is inhabited and enlarged by women in the New Testament. The thesis considers the women who supported Jesus’ ministry (Luke 8:1–3); the widow and her mites (Luke 21:1–4); Mary’s anointing of Jesus (John 12:1–8); and Tabitha caring for the widows (Acts 9:36–42). Throughout these profiles, a picture emerges of women who make essential contributions to the mission and work of Christ as agents of generosity that is derivative, expressive, contextual, intemperate, and Christocentric, always flowing from and returning to …

On God’S Side Of History: Time And Apocalyptic History In Paul’S Speech To The Areopagus, Keldie Paroschi

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This paper considers Paul’s speech to the Areopagus from the framework of Jewish apocalyptic historiography in order to determine the degree of overlap between Paul’s conceptual background on history and time and Stoic philosophy. The main facets of Jewish apocalyptic historiography include unique conceptions of God, time, and human existence with unique existential implications, all of which are found in Acts 17:22–31. The added element of the Christ event (vv. 30–31) heightens the urgency of Paul’s message of repentance. Despite some proximity between Paul and Stoicism, the Jewish apocalyptic worldview of Acts 17 differs significantly from the pantheistic and deterministic …

Calvin’S Doctrine Of Divine Accommodation And Its Correspondence With The Methodist Triumvirate, J. Russell Frazier

The Asbury Journal

The doctrine of accommodation is the idea that God has, out of love, accommodated divine revelation to human frailty and sinfulness. This article summarizes the contributions of secondary resources on the doctrine of divine accommodation in John Calvin’s thought. These sources provide a paradigm for examining the doctrine of accommodation in the thought of the Methodist triumvirate, i.e., John and Charles Wesley and John William Fletcher. The author emphasizes that the Methodist triumvirate adopted and adapted the doctrine of accommodation and suggests that it provided a theological underpinning for the early Methodists’ accommodative practice of ministry.

Journal In Entirety

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

Team Based Sermon Preparation : Building Sermons And Pastors Through Relational Collaboration, William Vaughn Stafford

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Fully Equipped To Pastor : Recommendations To Assist Itinerant Deacons To Lead As Pastors, Etta Denise Owens

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Planting Anglican Churches In The Brazilian Context Through The House Of Peace, Marcio Medeiros Meira

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Intentional Interim Ministry : Another Tool For Church Revitalization, Ellen M. Mccubbin

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Clergy Spiritual Transformation : From Depletion To Pastoral Presence, Ashlee Alley Crawford

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Reflections On Client Dependency In The Salvation Army, Joshua A. Simpson

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Books Received

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

Dispositions For Christian Witness Among Theravada Buddhists, Stephen Bailey

The Asbury Journal

This article reflects on communicating the Christian gospel appropriately and effectively among Southeast Asian Theravada Buddhists (SEATB). It is concerned with contextualizing the means of communication rather than theological concepts. Contextualization is often discussed with little reference to the level of contextualization, including: the content of the gospel, liturgical forms, social rules for relating, and dispositions shaped by Buddhist virtues used in communication. Examples are given of contextualization among SEATB, and then descriptions of how communicators of the gospel can use dispositions shaped by key Buddhist virtues. An argument is made that among SEATB, the means of communicating the gospel …

Training Faithful Disciples To Meet The Challenges Of The Church In The World: Applying Bonhoeffer’S Seminary Vision To Hybrid Education, Myra L. Watkins

The Asbury Journal

This article will first examine Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s philosophy and practice of theological education to train faithful ministers of the gospel for the service of the Church. Particular attention will be given to Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together which he wrote while directing one of the underground seminaries for the Confessing Church in Nazi Germany. Second, this article will explore Paul House’s argument for a personal, incarnational, rather than a distance learning, approach. Using a small seminary for a global family of churches, Every Nation, as a case study, this article will present relational discipleship as a central, …

Δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ: The Holistic Connotation Of The Term ‘Righteousness’ And Its Implications For Social Service, Uma John

The Asbury Journal

The concept “righteousness” is weighty and indispensable in the biblical tradition and understanding the concept has changed and developed through the centuries. The current article explores the topic from the ancient to modern canonical and non-canonical literature on the concept of righteousness to seek its wide range of meanings. Traditionally, the term “righteousness” has forensic, and religious connotations, but this paper argues that alongside these, the legal and social aspects of human beings i.e., the aspect of fulfilling communal obligations and the acts of philanthropy to those who are poor, oppressed, and deprived are standard expectations connoted into the term …

Books Received

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Reviews, Michael D. Simants, Alberto I. Bonilla-Giovanett, Kenny R. Johnston, Zachariah S. Motts, Tyler Hallstrom, Marshall C. Johns

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

Adapting The Digital Pulpit : A Study Of The Transition To Online Preaching, Robert Mike Bankston

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

"Go Into All The World" : Rediscovering God's Calling For The Church, Richard Nevard

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Formation In Christ Through Conflict : Discerning God's Gifts In Group Spiritual Direction, Luke B. Richards

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Renewing Wesleyan Class Meetings Via Spiritual Formation Groups : An Examination Of The Class Meeting And Its Effectiveness At Discipleship Within The Modern American United Methodist Church, D.R. Mcewen

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Hearts Perfected In Love : A Wesleyan Pursuit Of Christian Perfection Through The Practice Of The Means Of Grace, B. Keith Allen

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Impact And Challenge Of Religious Syncretism To The Christian Faith And Discipleship In The Anglican Diocese Of Kabba, Kogi State, Nigeria, Akobe Steven Kayode

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Contrasting Beliefs With Reality : The Epistemology Of Branding And Brand Image In The Small Church, James Pernell Sr.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Gap To God's Call : Breaking Through The Barriers Of Advancement In The Ame Church, Stephanie M. Raglin

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Best Practices Of Attracting And Ministering To Non-European Immigrants In Minnesota, Randall Jay Cirksena Jr.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Review Of Apostles & Prophets: The Ministry Of Apostles And Prophets Throughout The Generations, David Osei-Nimoh

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

No abstract provided.

Jimmy Swaggart: The Conflict Between Spirit-Empowerment And Human Weakness, Robert D. Mcbain

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

This article explores how Jimmy Swaggart fits the profile of a Spirit-empowered leader. It summarizes Swaggart’s life and ministry, focusing on his calling, role as a defender of the faith, moral failure, and demise. The article then reflects on Swaggart’s story within the context of Spirit-empowered leadership, exploring how Swaggart fits Lee Roy Martin’s paradigm of a prophetic preacher while demonstrating various negative leadership traits. Stuck between the convictions of his calling and his weaknesses, Swaggart appears as a conflicted individual not immune from making serious errors. The article discusses this aspect of Swaggart’s life to consider how his story …