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Christianity And Environmental Stewardship: Locating A New Christian Environmental Ethic In Response To The Climate Crisis, Claire E. Sims

Honors Theses

In Lynn White Jr.’s essay, “The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis,” White argues that Christianity has heavily influenced society’s view of the environment. Rhetoric from Genesis has led people to believe that God intends, and even commands, that humans have dominion over the earth. This narrative provides justification for the abuse of the environment at large, abuse that has been compacted over time to create the climate crisis that we are currently experiencing. Though White’s argument lacks some nuance and somewhat exaggerates Christianity’s role in the environmental crisis, I believe his thesis to be true: Christianity does have a …

Naturam Expellas Furca, Tamen Usque Recurret: Theorizing Approaches To Nature In Antiquity, Ca. 800 Bce 450 Ce, William K. Edwards

Honors Theses

Ancient thinkers reflected on nature and engaged with their abstractions in accordance with many different conceptual frameworks. These frameworks were numerous and diverse, characterized by varying interpretations of nature. Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, and early Christians each adopted approaches to nature; these approaches, conceptual and abstract, were in some ways similar, but also distinct. By analyzing the relevant primary sources, this thesis will investigate the similarities, differences, and interplay between these ancient theoretical frameworks. This thesis will investigate philosophical, theological, historical, ecological, and cultural perspectives on nature. An analysis of these ideas, being aware of their historical contexts, will allow us …

La Contextualización De Las Misiones Cristianas En Quito, Ecuador: Celebrar La Cultura Al Comunicar La Verdad, Sarah Huneycutt

Senior Honors Theses

Sin un conocimiento adecuado de cómo contextualizar su ministerio en contextos culturales únicos, los misioneros no podrán honrar a la gente local, llegar a sus corazones e invitar a todas naciones a la meta unida de glorificar a Dios. Aunque bien existen muchos recursos sobre regiones amplias o aun continentales, pocos existen que ofrezcan una comprensión de comunidades específicas. Para rellenar este vacío, la investigación actual intentó recopilar información sobre una región especifica—Quito, Ecuador—y examinar las implicaciones para misiones cristianas actuales en Quito.

Para contestar estas preguntas, se realizó un estudio etnográfico cualitativo mientras que la investigadora vivía en Quito. …

The Three Angels’ Messages And The Seventh-Day Sabbath: Antidotes To The 1844 Theological Divide Of Neo-Darwinism, Karl Marx, And Frederick Nietzsche, Ron Reece

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

The “Great Disappointment” of October 22, 1844, left a group of believers wondering what did happen in 1844. This seminal time period in world history was also defined by the scientific and philosophical ideas of Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, and Frederick Nietzsche that challenged God’s grace and redemption at (1) creation; (2) Mt. Sinai; and (3) Calvary. The Three Angels’ Messages and the seventh-day Sabbath are Christ’s antidote to awaken humanity from this confused and deceived state of reality. They also address the secular philosophies of Neo-Darwinism, Marx, and Nietzsche. Seventh-day Adventists need to embrace a new understanding of 1844 …

Queered Tradition: Disidentificatory Practices Of Queer-Affirming Religious Space, Amanda R. Peterson

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Responding to high rates of religious trauma in the United States, particularly for LGBTQ people, this study investigates the rhetorical moves made in protestant Christian spaces to consider what makes these spaces safe and affirming for queer people. Specifically, I consider the rhetorical impact these churches make through not only their space but also their liturgy and online presence, which informs the embodied experience of the space.

Through autoethnographic research, I look at three local churches—Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha, Urban Abbey, and Elevate Church–the first two queer-affirming and the third conservative. Findings show the various church elements negotiated with …

Faith Deconstruction: The Challenge Of Answering The Questions Affecting The Faith Of Young People, Rogelio Paquini

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

A significant trend, faith deconstruction, has recently been popularized among young believers affecting youth ministry. This occurrence has gained noteworthy attention as many young Christians, including Adventist and non-Adventist individuals, have begun questioning and deconstructing their faith. Pastors across various denominations have responded by preaching sermon series dedicated to faith deconstruction. As the sources of information on religious beliefs become more diverse, faith deconstruction challenges traditional conceptions of faith formation and spiritual development. Many young Christians, influenced by countless factors, including access to information, changing societal values, and exposure to diverse perspectives, are grappling with doubt and seeking to reconcile …

Faith Formation And Discipling For Metamoderns, Kenley Hall

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

What does the future of faith formation and discipling look like for “Metamoderns” with their cultural logic of toggling, which presents both a challenge and opportunity to the corporate and the local church? The unique cultural logic of Metamodernism has the potential not to weaken faith but rather create a deeper faith than that seen in previous generations and will suggest how the church can create a space for that faith to develop. Metamodernistic spirituality is still in its nascent formation. Depending on how the church, corporately and locally, responds on both levels will either lead Metamoderns into a deeper …

Cling To The Saints : Facilitating Spiritual Growth Through Community Spiritual Direction, Laura L. Descalzo

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Change Of Knowledge, Attitude, And Behavior On Evangelism : Measuring The Changes Of Knowledge, Attitude, And Behavior On Pastors And Mission Leaders From Churches In Meru Town In Kenya, Esayas Solomon Wechefo

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Discipleship Among The Everyday And Ordinary : Cultivating A Culture Of Discipleship Among Lay Leaders, Bryan D. Sallee

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Developing Spiritually Healthy Churches : Advancing Biblical Ecclesiology And Ministry Practices Among Pastoral Leaders, Julian Panga

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Transforming Pastoral Ministry : Spiritual Formation Practices For Biblical Preaching, Jeffrien Joel Joseph

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Women In Christian Leadership : Promoting Women To Lead Within A Complementarian Setting, Swarn Kaur Potter

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Holistic Discipleship Groups : The Importnace Of Integrating Confession And Evangelism Into Discipleship, Joseph H. Tillman Jr.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Holy Art : Reclaiming The Visual Arts For Worship And Spiritual Formation, Joey Fitzgerald

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

“The Atmosphere That Supports Life On Earth”: An Ecocritical Approach To Tolkien’S Arda, Elizabeth Anne Turello

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Ecocriticism speaks to the relationship between the environment and literature, a progressively vital topic of discussion. What is often overlooked, however, is the necessity of the theory’s applicability to stories of speculative fiction; that is, ones existing outside the realm of the real world or, as is the case with the father of modern-day fantasy J.R.R. Tolkien, a mythology set in the ancient days of our world (“Arda”). At first, it may seem contradictory to learn about our surroundings through fictionalized ones seemingly irrelevant to Earth’s own; this apparent contradiction is not valid, though, as the relationship between humans and …

Pedro Aceves Mfa Thesis, Pedro M. Aceves

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

My Work is about looking at Cruising through a queer decolonial lens. Using multiple mediums such as photo, glass, Augmented reality, and film, I explore these queer histories and aesthetics through not just an anthropological approach but also an artistic epistemological approach weaving together narratives of prehispanic and modern queer Latinidad.

A Survey Of And Performance Guide To Representative Flute Music By Two Twentieth-Century Serbian Composers: Ljubica Marić And Enriko Josif, Sanda Mašić

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Flute pieces by twentieth-century Serbian composers Ljubica Marić and Enriko Josif are little-known gems of modern repertoire that are almost completely unknown outside Serbia. Unique in their styles, these works illustrate the composers’ close relationship to the Serbian culture in which they lived and the religions they practiced. In addition, these works reflect the time they were created in, and are, therefore, modern with a distinctive sound. This document presents a study of seven selected flute works by these two important Serbian composers, places them in historical context, and reveals influences from both Serbian religious music (Orthodox and Jewish) and …

Wesleyan-Style Bands : A Pilot Training Program In The Local Church, Bailey D. Barkley

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Discipleship : Understanding Conflict As A Means Of Spiritual Growth, Donald S. Caulley

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effective Discipleship Methods Among College Students In Telangana Through Uesi Ministry, Dasari Rajesh

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Best Practices Of Gospel-Based Ecumenical City Movements In The United States Of America, James Ross Middleton Jr.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Transforming Believers To Disciples Of Christ : To Transform Twenty-First Century Believers Of The India Gospel Churches Into Disciples, Like The First-Century Disciples, Abraham Samuel Kallumpurathu

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Pastoral Succession : Identifying Biblical Models For Appointing The Next Generation Pastoral Leaders, Syam Jeevan Babu B.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Effective And Sustainable Church Planting Strategies For Persians From A Muslim Background In Britain, Jonathan Aptin Samadi

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Descriptive Study Exploring The Role Church Leaders Have In Maintaining Liberty Within A Free Republic, Rashad R. Gibson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study explored the assumptions, perceptions, and understood responsibility of church leaders in New England to maintain liberty and virtue in a free republic. The theory that guided this study is transformational leadership, as it emphasizes morality in both the leader and the follower (Burns, 1978; Northouse, 2015). Within the last six decades, the United States Supreme Court has made rulings to remove from public schools, prayer, general Bible reading, and the Ten Commandments (Abington School District V. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963); Facts and Case Summary - Engel V. Vitale, 1962; Stone V. Graham, …

“What Is Good For The Children Of Man To Do”: Ecclesiastes And The Covenant Instruction, Elaine A. Higgins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The epilogue of Ecclesiastes may be considered an addition by a redactor in an attempt ensure theological orthodoxy to a writing which is often thought to have little in common with the remainder of Scripture. However, this research proposes that the concluding statements of Ecclesiastes cohere with the overarching message of the book and are based on connections to the covenant instruction in Genesis and Deuteronomy. Moreover, the concluding statement is consistent with the New Testament epistle of James. Thus, human beings should conduct their lives in reverent fear of the covenant making God who has given his people the …

A Descriptive, Comparative Study Of Preexisting Leadership Qualities And Leadership Effectiveness Of Theologically Conservative United States Army Battalion-Level Chaplains, Aaron Jonathan Fabian

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This immediate demand for spiritual and professional leadership can be overwhelming for a new battalion-level chaplain (Blackaby 2001; Howell 2003). They perform or provide religious service for Soldiers who have volunteered to serve their country. By going through the same military training in conjunction with their religious education and experience, chaplains are able to integrate with Soldiers where traditional clergy cannot. There is additional pressure to perform because chaplains, as commissioned officers, are evaluated immediately through an annual Officer Evaluation Report (OER hereafter, DA Form 67-9). With no time to acquire new skills, battalion-level chaplains are forced to rely on …

The Challenges Small And Medium-Sized Businesses Face Adopting Digital Supply Chain Technologies: A Case Study Of Firms In Traditional Industries In The United States, Michael S. Stevens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research examined the digital transformation of supply chains within small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), focusing on the challenges firms in traditional industries in the United States face in adopting these technologies to improve performance. Through a single case study qualitative approach, the study examined why some SMBs face these challenges, digital supply chain technologies affect business performance, and which technologies they contemplate to achieve their desired outcomes. Key findings indicate that most SMBs are between the digitization and digitalization phases of the digital transformation journey and are driven to adopt digital technologies that enable operational performance for scalable profitability. …

A Weapon In One Hand And A Bible In The Other: Places Of Worship Are Under Attack, Edmond J. Bergeron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive study aims to ascertain the degree of preparedness for reducing and preventing extreme violence and the countermeasures that are in place (or lack thereof) at houses of worship. All places of worship in this study are considered soft targets and not “holy ground” as traditionally referenced. The terms “places of worship” and “church” will be used interchangeably in this study. A place of refuge for both the physical and spiritual is now considered vulnerable as the congregants are focused on worship rather than protection from an attack. Violence against places of worship will be described at this …