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A Study On The Doctrine Of Original Sin As The Foundation Of Wesleyan Theology, Christopher A. Black

Doctor of Ministry

John Wesley believed that the doctrine of original sin established the biblical foundation for the doctrines of justification and sanctification. Wesley's use and emphasis of this doctrine was neither new nor innovative. He believed that the rejection of the doctrine of original sin would lead to the loss of biblical Christianity. Wesley adamantly defended this doctrine affirming the basic tenets of the Western Christian tradition. While utilizing some relational and therapeutic images, Wesley blatantly speaks in judicial, punitive and substantialist terms concerning original sin. The consequences of judicial, punitive and substantialist perspectives are far reaching for distinctively Wesleyan theology. These …

The Noetic Paschal Anthropos: Genesis 1:27 And The Theology Of The Divine Image In Early Paschal Literature, Dragos Andrei Giulea

Dissertations (1934 -)

This study examines the theme of the heavenly Anthropos in the earliest extant paschal writings: Melito's Peri Pascha, Origen's Peri Pascha, and Pseudo-Hippolytus's In sanctum Pascha. Instead of analyzing these materials through the prism of such classical images as sacrifice and divine Lamb, the study investigates them through the perspective of the categories of heavenly Man and divine Image. The particular method of the study will be tradition criticism and will envision the paschal tradition of the heavenly luminous Anthropos as a development of the theophanic traditions of the Jewish Second Temple. Echoing such ancient passages as Genesis 1:27, Ezekiel …

The Body As Symbol: Bringing Together Theories Of Sex/Gender And Race For Theological Discourse, Patricia Lewis

Dissertations (1934 -)

This dissertation focuses on race and sex/gender as critical theological topics that are not being adequately addressed in most theological discourse. This project presents a tool to establish better theological discourse about the body that takes the specifities of race and sex/gender into consideration and brings them together in theological anthropology.

Word And Faith In The Formation Of Christian Existence: A Study In Gerhard Ebeling's Rejection Of The Joint Declaration, Scott A. Celsor

Dissertations (1934 -)

In 1998, the theologian Gerhard Ebeling helped to initiate a rancorous, public debate among theologians in Germany over whether the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification presents "a consensus in the basic truths of the doctrine of justification" by co-editing the famous letter of protest. Why would he want to do this? The fact that some argue he held a distinguished position in ecumenical circles during the 1950s and 1960s makes this question somewhat intriguing. Moreover, how will this opposition impact the continuation of ecumenical discussions between Lutherans and Catholics?

Through a comparison of the Joint Declaration and the …

Mere Mormonism, Thomas B. Griffith

BYU Studies

Devotees of C. S. Lewis will recognize that I have adapted the title of my remarks from Mere Christianity, his classic exposition of the fundamentals of the Christian faith. An hour lecture is not the forum to attempt for Latter-day Saint Christianity what Lewis achieved for traditional Christianity. In any event, I lack the skill to pull that off. What follows is something much more modest. I will speak from my own observation and try to identify what is at the heart of the Mormon experience in an attempt to provide an introduction to the faith. A disclaimer is …

"Make A Joyful Noise Unto The Lord": Brass Bands And Cultural Identity In Tonga's Christian Kingdom, David Kammerer

Mormon Pacific Historical Society

This dissertation considers music's role in constructing collective identity and generating social meaning, with the aim of yielding new insights into the workings of indigenous agency in cross-cultural encounters. In the Pacific nation of Tonga a unique set of socio-cultural forces has shaped a distinctive contemporary identity. Tonga's government comprises the only monarchy in the contemporary Pacific and represents the only Polynesian group that was not colonized in the political sense. Although Western ideas permeated Tongan culture over the past two centuries, these transformations occurred largely as a result of Tongan choices. The introduction of Christianity in the nineteenth century …

Two Cheers For Worldview: A Response To Elmer John Thiessen, James K.A. Smith

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

What Is ‘Catholic Enlightenment’?, Ulrich Lehner

Theology Faculty Research and Publications

Recent research has demonstrated not only the existence of a variety of Enlightenments, but also the importance of the religious aspect to this worldwide process. In particular, special interest has been paid to the long-neglected Catholic Enlightenment, which entailed many strands of thought by Catholic intellectuals and political leaders who attempted to renew and reform Catholicism from the middle of the 18th to the early 19th century. This renewal was an apologetic endeavor designed to defend the essential dogmas of Catholic Christianity by explaining their rationality in modern terminology and by reconciling Catholicism with modern culture. The Catholic Enlightenment was …

Pastors’ Perspectives On Assimilating New Members: Part 1–Challenges And Needs, Jane Thayer

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of The Publishing Activity Of Keston Institute In The Context Of Its Last Three Years Of Operation In Oxford (2003-2006), Davorin Peterlin

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

By way of introduction, the study will give an outline of the history of Keston Institute (KI). It will then identify the period of three years (2003-2006) as the period during which KI attempted to integrate in the academic life of the Oxford University under the new director. The period ended with the effective closing down of the institution in its historical shape and with regard to many of its previous activities. On the surface this decision had to do with increasing financial difficulties, but it is the author's contention that on another level it was an outcome of a …

Reformed Epistemology And The Cognitive Science Of Religion, Kelly James Clark

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Reformed Epistemology And The Cognitive Science Of Religion, Kelly James Clark

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Desiring The Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, And Cultural Formation By James K.A. Smith, Todd C. Ream, Perry L. Glanzer, David S. Guthrie, Steven M. Nolt, David Wright, James K.A. Smith

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Internal Clarity Of Scripture And The Modern World: Luther And Erasmus Revisited, Steven D. Paulson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Ecology And Theology In Dialogue : Death And Resurrection From An Ecological And Theological Perspective, Elizabeth Mcduffie

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

A Local Christian Community's Missional Imagination: Accessing, Cultivating, And Assessing Missional Discernment In Civil Society, Johannes Gerhardus Jacobus Swart

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

This dissertation explores a particular local Christian community's socially-embodied theology as their missional imagination in civil society from within a research question on how to access, cultivate, and assess such missional imagination. The research question is addressed through a phenomenological approach to such particular local Christian community's process of discernment.

In following the trajectory of this particular local Christian community's process of discernment, the research journey became embedded in the playful imagination of this local Christian community's engagement with their discernment question, and how their critical reflectiveness from within this playful imagination opened up the possibilities of God's preferred and …

No Apology Required Quaker Fragmentation And The Impossibility Of A Unified Confessional Apologia, David L. Johns

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Blaming The Witch: Some Reflections Upon Unexpected Death, Radcliffe G. Edmonds Iii

Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies Faculty Research and Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Relational Soteriology Of Irenaeus Of Lyon, Brian Bews

Seminary Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Holistic Discipleship In The Shadow Of The Cross: An Interdisciplinary Investigation Of The Anthropological Foundations Of Western Theology And Praxis, Jeddediah Maclaurin

Seminary Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Luke 1:26-38, 39-45, 46-55 And Acts 1:14--Exegetical Approaches From Latin American Mariology And Documents Since Vatican Ii, Antonio De Jesús Larocca Grosso

Marian Studies

No abstract provided.

A Pastoral Theology Of Congregational Care And Leadership: Nurturing Emergence, Carol P. Jeunnette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As with all bodies, congregational bodies experience challenges to their health, well-being, and ability to function as they desire. Problems in faith communities range from severe, intractable conflict to lethargy and decline, with far-ranging effects. The practice of offering pastoral care to individuals experiencing difficulties is rooted deeply in the Judeo-Christian tradition. There is, however, no explicit tradition of pastoral care for corporate congregational bodies experiencing difficulties. This dissertation draws on Bowen Family Systems Theory and its application by Edwin Friedman to congregations and leadership, in conjunction with aspects of process theology, to develop a pastoral theology of congregational care …

Divination In 1 Samuel 28 And Beyond: An African Study In The Politics Of Translation, J.Kabamba Kiboko

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the language of divination in the HB, particularly in 1 Samuel 28:3-27--the oft-called "Witch of Endor" passage. My thesis is that much of the vocabulary of divination in this passage and beyond has been mistranslated in authorized English and other translations used in Africa and in scholarly writings. I argue that the woman of Endor is not a witch, which is a label that has a long negative social history and has often led to violence against those so labeled. The woman of Endor is, rather, a diviner, much like other ancient Near Eastern and modern African …

Constructing A Neuroscientific Pastoral Theology Of Fear And Hope, Jason C. Whitehead

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary therapeutic circles utilize the concept of anxiety to describe a variety of disorders. Emotional reductionism is a detriment to the therapeutic community and the persons seeking its help. This dissertation proposes that attention to the emotion of fear clarifies our categorization of particular disorders and challenges emotional reductionism. I propose that the emotion of fear, through its theological relationship to hope, is useful in therapeutic practice for persons who experience trauma and PTSD.

I explore the differences between fear and anxiety by deconstructing anxiety. Through this process, I develop four categories which help the emotion of fear stand independent …

Revitalization 17:1, Center For The Study Of World Christian Revitalization Movements

Revitalization

No abstract provided.

How To Civilize Savages (1865), Alfred Russel Wallace

Alfred Russel Wallace Classic Writings

No abstract provided.

Herman Bavinck's Contribution To Christian Social Consciousness., John Bolt

CTS Faculty Publications and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

To Whom Was Christ A Slave (Phil 2:7)? Double Agency And The Specters Of Sin And Death In Philippians, Nijay Gupta

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Paul’s so-called “Christ-hymn” in Philippians 2:6-11 is one of the most scrutinized passages in the Pauline corpus as questions abound regarding its origins, purpose, format, and the theological components of its Christology. One factor in the determination of this Christology is the interpretation of doulos in 2:7 focusing on the question to whom was Christ a slave? While a number of answers have been put forward, it will be argued that the best explanation involves “double agency.” That is, when the hymn is closely examined, as well as the theological character of the whole letter, Christ appears to be a …

The Stromata Vol. 51, No. 1, Calvin Theological Seminary

Stromata (1956-2020)

Inside This Issue

1- The Guys by Walter Miedema

3- A Fool’s Race by Jennifer Holmes

9- Irresponsible Grace by Ruth Lemmen

17- Via Media or Tertium Quid?: A Critical Examination of Meredith G. Kline’s Interpretation of rûaḥ elōhîm in Genesis 1:2 by Laurence R. O'Donnell III

37- History and Theology: A Reflection on Ernst Troeltsch’s Historical Critical by Method Reita Yazawa

46- Finding Freedom in Forgiveness: Exploring the Cost of Miroslav Volf’s Free of Charge by Heather Stroobosscher

54- John Calvin’s Commentary on Seneca’s De Clementia: A Reception Study by Kory Plockmeyer

70- The Meaning of “A Kingdom of …

The Not-So Gnostic Crisis: Encrateia In Exegesis, Andrea Brooks

CGU Theses & Dissertations

How should Christians live so as to set them apart in manner of life from Jews? This is one of the first questions asked by early Christian exegetes as Christians sought separation from Judaism. 1 While it may seem like a simple and obvious question, it caused heated controversy from the second century well into the present. This struggle for orthodoxy, or an orthodox doctrine, connects to both Christianity within the teachings of Jesus, the Pauline epistles and pseudo-Pauline writings, as well as to the culture and philosophy of the East and West. Much of the debate finds itself being …