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Hand In Hand, Summer 2017

Hand in Hand

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in Milwaukee, WI

Hand in Hand Finding Aid

What Attracts People To Occult And Witchcraft Practices?, Pardon Mwansa

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Divine Utilitarianism, Jimmy Lewis

Masters Theses

This work addresses the subject of God and ethics and aims to answer questions concerning why God does what he does and whether God is a utilitarian in his ethics. In order to answer these questions, God’s nature is explored through the lens of classical theists such as Anselm, Thomas of Aquin, and Augustine. Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill’s conceptions of utilitarianism are also explicated so that there is no confusion regarding the definition of utility which is used in Divine Utilitarianism. Finally, Divine Utilitarianism is juxtaposed to Divine Command Theory and the explanatory power of each is considered. …

Literary Theories Of Circumcision, A. W. Strouse

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

“Literary Theories of Circumcision” investigates a school of thought in which the prepuce, as a conceptual metaphor, organizes literary experience. In every period of English literature, major authors have employed the penis’s hood as a figure for thinking about reading and writing. These authors belong to a tradition that defines textuality as a foreskin and interpretation as circumcision. In “Literary Theories of Circumcision,” I investigate the origins of this literary-theoretical formulation in the writings of Saint Paul, and then I trace this formulation’s formal applications among medieval, early modern, and modernist writers. My study lays the groundwork for an ambitious …

An Introduction To The Free System Corollary: A Theistic Response To The Abductive Problem Of Evil, Peter Morgan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Two important theistic defenses, the Free Will Defense and the Expanded Free Will Defense, provide valuable thought in defense of theism but are insufficient for addressing specific cases of intense evil, as the non-theistic evidential/abductive arguments from the problem of evil are want to do. However, theodical suggestions from systems of regularity, as a necessary part of living out a free will existence, provide a theistic defense that correlates with free will defenses and more fully accounts for the existence of good and intense evil. This Free System Corollary is derived from a starting point of two basic goods in …

African Pentecostalism And Its Relationship To Witchcraft Beliefs And Accusations: Biblical Responses To A Pernicious Problem Confronting The Adventist Church In Africa, Kelvin Okey Onongha

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Adventist Responses To Witchcraft

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Immanent Frames: Meiji New Buddhism And The 'Religious Secular', James Mark Shields

Faculty Journal Articles

The secularization thesis, rooted in the idea that “modernity” brings with it the destruction—or, at least, the ruthless privatization—of religion, is clearly grounded in specific, often oversimplified, interpretations of Western historical developments since the eighteenth century. In this article, I use the case of the New Buddhist Fellowship (Shin Bukkyō Dōshikai 新仏教同志会) of the Meiji period (1868–1911) to query the category of the secular in the context of Japanese modernity. I argue that the New Buddhists, drawing on elements of classical and East Asian Buddhism as well as modern Western thought, promoted a resolutely social and this-worldly Buddhism that …

Lcms Identity And Mission In The American Urban Context: Engaging Conian Black Theology Through Strategic Lutheran Missiology, Gregory Seltz

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Seltz, Gregory P., “LCMS Identity and Mission in the American Urban Context: Engaging Conian Black Theology through Strategic Lutheran Missiology.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2017. 304 pp.

This dissertation addresses the challenges of the American urban context by dialoging with James Cone’s Black Theology in order to construct an LCMS urban missiology. This LCMS urban missiology is a dynamic, Two-Kingdom, sacramental engagement strategy that addresses the issues endemic to the urban community for the sake of the community and for the sake of the Gospel. The American urban setting is fraught with challenges: identity politics, ethnic-sociological fragmentation, and the delegitimation-politicization …

Teaching Music In The Reformed/Calvinist Tradition, John Macinnis

Pro Rege

Editor’s Note: This article (© 2017 by the author) was submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). It was first published in Religions on March 31, 2017, in the Special Issue Teaching the Reformations and was edited for that publication by academic editor Christopher Metress.

The Cosmology Of Witchcraft In The African Context: Implications For Mission And Theology, Samuel D. Lumwe

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Al-Ghazali's Integral Epistemology: A Critical Analysis Of The Jewels Of The Quran, Amani Elshimi

Theses and Dissertations

The Jewels of the Quran by renowned Islamic scholar Abu Hamid al-Ghazali has usually been published as a two-volume publication, consisting of al-Ghazali’s hierarchy of sciences, followed by a thematic classification of verses from the Quran. A recent edition of the book includes a third chapter which is often published alone as The Book of Forty Religious Principles, but which al-Ghazali makes reference to in his introduction. A thorough, contextualized, critical analysis of the 3-chapter publication reveals al-Ghazali’s more comprehensive integral framework of knowledge – one which stems from and is held by a core experience of the Divine, and …

Law And Religion In Bangladesh, Jahid Hossain Bhuiyan Dr. Md.

BYU Law Review

The Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh) has been a center for a variety of religious traditions. Its multicultural and multireligious character makes it a crucible for religious tolerance. The resurgence of local cultural and religious consciousness under the influence of modernity and globalization has resulted in increasing complications in relation to the interaction between religious traditions. Religious tolerance in independent Bangladesh also has always been a fundamental value. It has been cherished by the followers of all religions. The object of this article is to trace the history of religious freedom of religious minorities in Bangladesh. It also examines …

Aberrant Relationships In The Book Of Genesis: The Pollution Of The "One Flesh" Relationship As Found In Genesis 2:24, Robert Evans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Genesis is a book of beginnings. Furthermore, Genesis describes the beginning of the relationship between man and woman. That relationship, as found in Gen 2:24, becomes the standard ideal for the one-flesh union set forth by God. Sadly, Genesis 3 tells of the beginning of sin, and how sin damaged the ideal union. And, although sin has persisted and flourished, the standard of Gen 2:24 never changed, nor was it replaced. Thus, the following dissertation seeks to locate, examine, and discuss the various one-flesh, man-woman relationships in Genesis. The first chapter of this research examines the one-flesh relationship found in …

Rumors Of Glory: Abraham Kuyper's Neo-Calvinist Theory Of Art, Roger Henderson

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Toward Just Hospitality, Ron Bruner

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

The ministry of Jesus moved through times of seeking justice, sharing hospitality, and withdrawing for prayer. Though inescapably “other” because of his divine identity, he sought solidarity with humans by becoming human and interacting with humanity through hospitable practices. The Ancient Mediterranean customs of hospitality were well-defined, but Jesus took this powerful cultural framework and changed its practice so that it produced reconciliation and justice.

This work briefly reviews the practice of hospitality in the time of Jesus. It also presents the work of scholars identifying linguistic markers that would have cued readers in the Ancient Mediterranean to recognize a …

Ignatius: A Guide For Congregational Discernment, Benjamin Gensic

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

Congregations find themselves living in transformative times, but transformation is often an act of subtraction, which means congregations find themselves living in anxious times as well. Within this context, it is tempting for congregations to base decisions on either financial constraint or political expediency. However, such superficial discernment is incapable of guiding congregations wishing to respond to God’s activity in the world. This author argues that Ignatius of Loyola provides congregations with an alternative.

To accomplish this, the author walks the reader through the basic principles of Ignatian spirituality and discernment, making suggestions for how these can impact congregational decision-making …

Cruciformity, Differentiation, And Christian Spiritual Formation, David Hooper

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This paper is an examination of two seemingly counterintuitive concepts in Christian spiritual formation. The concept of cruciformity presents the goal of spiritual formation as kenosis, or “emptying oneself of self.” The differentiation of self, as presented in Systems Theory, defines maturity as possessing a clear sense of self. Cruciformity, with its call to kenosis, does not seem to value individuality, making it susceptible to the trappings of enmeshment that emerge from an unbalanced focus on others. Cruciformity seems to judge differentiation as being too balanced, reserving for itself a degree of self-focus that would be deemed inappropriate. It is …

Easter 6 Series C 2017, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

No abstract provided.

Our Lady Of The Blessed Sacrament: Theological Foundations And Historical Development, Richard May

Marian Studies

This article traces the historical development and theological foundations for the title, “Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.” It examines the reasons for the title rooted in St. Augustine’s recognition that "Jesus took his Flesh from the flesh of Mary.” Tracing the connection between the Virgin Mary and the Eucharist through the Patristic era, the Middle Ages, and more recent centuries, various works of art are noted as well the insights of spiritual writers. In particular, the contributions of St. Peter Julian Eymard (1811–1868) are highlighted along with those of Pope St. John Paul II. The article not only examines …

The Baptismal Spirituality Of St. Louis-Marie De Montfort, Frederick L. Miller

Marian Studies

St. Louis-Marie de Montfort (1673–1716) believed that Marian consecration was the perfect renewal of one’s baptismal promises. This article explores the foundations of St. Louis-Marie’s baptismal theology as grounded in the Council of Trent and the French School of spirituality of Cardinal Pierre de Bérulle (1575–1629). In a special way, the article shows how St. Louis-Marie incorporated Marian devotion into his parish missions. For St. Louis-Marie true devotion to Mary is ultimately a baptismal gift that serves communion with the Holy Trinity.

Número 17: 9º Domingo Después De Pentecostés - 12º Domingo Después De Pentecostés

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

05.08.2001 – 9º Domingo después de Pentecostés – René Krüger

Eclesiastés 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23; Salmo 49:1-11; Colosenses 3:1-11; Lucas 12:13-21

12.08.2001 – 10º Domingo después de Pentecostés – René Krüger

Génesis 15:1-6; Salmo 33:12-22; Hebreos 11:1-3, 8-16; Lucas 12:32-48

19.08.2001 – 11º Domingo después de Pentecostés – René Krüger

Jeremías 23:23-29; Salmo 82; Hebreos 11:29-12:2; Lucas 12:49-56

26.08.2001 – 12º Domingo después de Pentecostés – René Krüger

Isaías 58:9b-14; Salmo 10 3:1-8; Hebreos 12:18-29; Lucas 13:10-17

Número 15: Pentecostés - 3º Domingo Después De Pentecostés

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

03.06.2001 – Pentecostés – Néstor Míguez
Hechos 2:1-21; Salmo 104:24-35; Romanos 8:14-17; Juan 20:19-23

10.06.2001 – Santísima Trinidad – Néstor Míguez
Proverbios 8:14, 22-31; Salmo 8; Romanos 5:1-5; Juan 16:12-15

17.06.2001 – 2º domingo después de Pentecostés – Néstor Míguez
1 Reyes 8:22-23, 41-43; Salmo 96:-9; Gálatas 1:1-12; Lucas 7:1-10

24.06.2001 – 3º domingo después de Pentecostés – Néstor Míguez
Isaías 65:1-9; Salmo 22:18-27; Gálatas 3:23-29; Lucas 8:26-39

Número 13: Quinto Domingo De Cuaresma - Tercer Domingo De Pascua

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

01.04.2001 – Quinto Domingo de Cuaresma – Ricardo Pietrantonio
Isaías 43:16–21; Salmo 126; Filipenses 3:4b–14; Juan 12:1–8 (Juan 8:1–11)

08.04.2001 – Domingo de Ramos (Liturgia de las Palmas) – Ricardo Pietrantonio Is. 50:4-9; Salmos 118:1–2, 19–29; Flp 2:5-11; Lc. 19:28–40

12.04.2001 – Jueves Santo – Ricardo Pietrantonio Éxodo 12:1–4 [5–10] 11–14; Salmo 116:1,10–17; I Cor 11:23–26; Jn 13:1–17

13.04.2001 – Viernes Santo – Ricardo Pietrantonio
Isaías 52:13–53:12; Salmo 22; Hebreos 10:16–25 o Hb 4:14–16, 5:7–9; Juan 18:1–19:42

15.04.2001 – La Resurrección de Nuestro Señor – Ricardo Pietrantonio
Hechos 10:34–43 o Isaías 65:17–25; Salmo 118:1–2, 14–24; 1 Corintios 15:19–26 o Hechos …

Beginner's Mind, Martin L. Benson

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

My art distills my relationship to spirituality, digital culture, and the practices and side-effects therein, into a simplified visual language. The work manifests in the form of paintings, drawings, and light sculptures. Meditation and mindfulness training are a large part of my influence and interests. I often wonder how mindfulness practice can be mirrored in my artwork, not only in my process for creating the work, but also with what the resulting imagery does for the viewer. My intention is to provide an art form that invites one to look and experience one’s own capacity to observe, without the need …

Fighting Domestic Terrorism: Art's Role In Social Activism, Jonathan Cornell

Graduate School of Art Theses

Abstract

Through a study into the complex web of Church and State, I describe how the American condition falters under a Capitalist regime. Throughout this thesis, I identify incongruences within pervading socio-political tropes. By dissections of religion and culture, I identify how the American people are subjugated by their own ideologies, thereby perpetuating a cycle of class struggle and social injustice. I assert that the American hero has failed in the face of material desire and blind faith to a ruling plutocracy, and that organized religion has been ultimately subsumed by politics as a tool of control. Using the visual …

Revolution In Ideology: Crafting A Holistic Scientific Dialectic, Nathan Neill

Dialogue & Nexus

Ideology drives scientific research far more than is acknowledged. Since science itself is conducted by individuals, each scientist has a biased conception of themselves and their surroundings relative to the rest of the universe, even if it is never explicated. This sense of relation to the greater universe is what defines the ideology of the individual. It is this sense of relation and self that creates the individual, who goes on to investigate the natural world by the scientific method. In this paper I will examine extant scientific ideology, particularly in Western science, and propose changes that could be helpful.

False Pretexts Of Altruism And The Truth About Cooperation, Selvin Villeda

Dialogue & Nexus

Without deeper analysis, altruism seems to be alive and present in our world today. However, most of what is called altruism is really mere cooperation. True altruism cannot be achieved unless you directly give up your life without receiving any benefit. Only by analyzing such acts and exploring the true motives of these acts, can we see that 1) biological influences (such as genetic relatedness) and 2) social components stemming from reciprocity are what determine these cooperative actions. We cooperate together for greater overall fitness of society. Through cooperation we can have a striving community that can grow together. Ultimately, …

An Analysis Of Altruism, Sarah Siemens

Dialogue & Nexus

Scientists, freethinkers, and philosophers have attempted to find an explanation of the role of altruism in a natural world that is compatible to the dominantly accepted Darwinian principle of natural selection. Many postulates have been developed in an attempt to explain how self-sacrificial behaviors are cohesive within the “survival of the fittest” ideology. This has caused many scientists to broaden the definition of altruism to understand its components in the physical world. In order to understand how absolute altruism is solely found through God’s love, it is necessary to examine each subset of scientific altruism to reveal their differences. None …

Down Syndrome, The Image Of God, And Personhood, Paris Webb

Dialogue & Nexus

People with Down syndrome help Christians understand what being made in the image of God truly means. After describing Down syndrome, we will examine the different views of the image of God and how these relate to people with Down syndrome. Another approach will be to define personhood in light of God’s image and relate it to Down syndrome. We will use the principles held by the L’Arche community as an exemplar in this discussion to demonstrate that those with Down syndrome encourage us to expand our understanding of the image of God. Consequently, Down’s persons allow us to apply …