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The Marriage Metaphor Of Jesus And The Samaritan Woman: A New Interpretative Reading Of John 4:1-45, Bao B. Vang

Liberty Theological Review

This paper explores the marriage metaphor in John 4:1–45, arguing that Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman is a symbolic representation of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Through an exegetical analysis of the text, the study examines key elements such as the double entendre of the well motif, living water, and the concept of worship. The results of this study reveal the depth of John's narrative strategy in intentionally presenting Jesus as the Messianic Bridegroom, illustrated through his explicit use of Old Testament marriage motifs. The study concludes that the episode of Jesus and the Samaritan woman functions …

The Tabernacle Hermeneutic: Mosaic Permission From Ex 25:40 To Behold Christ, Christopher G. Miller

Liberty Theological Review

Ex 25:40 is a hermeneutic used by Moses which gives the reader permission to behold Christ and “heavenly things” (τῶν ἐπουρανίων) in the tabernacle instructions (Ex 25-40). This Mosaic hermeneutic is highlighted by the author of Hebrews (Heb 8:5). The overwhelming textual and thematic connections between the tabernacle instructions and the creation account (Gen 1-3) demonstrates that this tabernacle hermeneutic (Ex 25:40) may be useful in other contexts in the Pentateuch. This tabernacle hermeneutic should be used on passages that share words, plot, and ceremonial practices with the tabernacle instructions. The use of “horn” (qeren) is analyzed in each major …

Tracing חֶסֶד And Ἔλεος: A Prototype Theory And Componential Analysis Of Covenantal Loyalty And Divine Mercy Across The Pentateuch, Septuagint, Targums, And New Testament, Jarritt B. Tadlock

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the semantic and theological dimensions of the Hebrew term ḥesed and its Greek counterpart eleos through a comparative intertextual and linguistic analysis. Utilizing prototype theory and componential analysis, the study examines occurrences of ḥesed in the Masoretic Text and Targum Onkelos, alongside eleos in the Septuagint and New Testament, to trace the development of divine-human relational language across textual traditions. The findings reveal that ḥesed consistently embodies covenantal loyalty and divine mercy, while its frequent rendering as eleos in the Septuagint emphasizes compassion within a Hellenistic framework. In the New Testament, eleos both preserves and reconfigures ḥesed’s …

Echoes Of Redemption: What Typology Reveals About The Significance Of Isaac In The Aqedah, Jacob A. Lugo

Masters Theses

In this thesis, I outline a problem of logical consistency within the typological interpretation of the Aqedah narrative in Genesis 22. I also attempt to provide a more consistent interpretation that still seeks to remain faithful to the text while recognizing how this account fits into the overall narrative of Scripture.

In times past, the literature on this topic has been saturated with the identification of Isaac as a type of Christ; this is seen most readily in the Early Church Fathers’ interpretation. I also explore other modern readings to demonstrate the multiplicity of understandings that have arisen regarding this …

Gender In Translation: How The Contemporary Bible Is Challenging Androcentric Language In Translation Through Gender-Accurate And Feminist Hermeneutical Lenses, Matthew T. Gennard

Masters Theses

This Thesis surveys the changing practice of gender-accurate translation from the late nineteenth century to the present, with special consideration for the three key principles of gender-accurate translation: Generic ‘he,’ androcentric lexemes, and pronoun substitution. These focus areas are derived from an analysis of the five translation guidelines produced during the late twentieth-century gender-neutral controversy. The loss of individuality when introducing pronominal interchange or the masculine representative hermeneutical lens has left scholars divided on gender-accurate practices. This study surveys the sociohistorical development of the feminist hermeneutical lens and the changing linguistic trends of contemporary language, which challenge androcentric assumptions in …

Pigs For The Dispossessed Goat Demon: Jesus’ Exorcism In Mark 5 And Animal Interest, Michael Joseph Gossett

Masters Theses

This thesis explores how a historical-literal reading of Mark 5:1-20 can be defended against objections that claim Jesus caused or allowed unnecessary animal suffering. Contextual insights gleaned from 2nd Temple Watchers Traditions and Greco-Roman polytheism illuminate plausible symbolic value present in the deaths of the Gerasene swine. The context of Mark 5:1-20 presents a supernatural conflict compatible with Christian theology and rebel angel theodicies. Jesus’ actions concerning the Gerasene pigs are not necessarily unjustifiable examples of animal mistreatment.

Pneuma And Logos: Strengthening Sermon Preparation Through A Spirit-And-Word Approach To Biblical Exegesis, Natalie Barnoske

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Powerful preaching results from honoring the Word and Spirit as active participants in the sermon preparation process. However, the influence of postmodernism and the lack of resources clarifying this convergence point have led to a polarization of perspectives in biblical exegesis. Therefore, this DMIN action research project designed, implemented, and evaluated a Pneuma and Logos Approach to biblical exegesis based on five essential pillars of hermeneutics, derived from William Oliverio’s Pentecostal Hermeneutics in the Late Modern World. By integrating inductive skills of biblical exegesis with holistic habits of Lectio Divina, this project proposes that stronger sermon preparation skills can be …

An Exegesis Of Matthew 18:15-17 And The Hermeneutical Challenges Of Unrepentant Sexual Immorality, Jennifer Morris

Masters Theses

Sexual immorality (πορνεία) is mentioned twenty-five times in the New Testament. In one of the earliest cases of church discipline, Paul addresses a particular example of sexual immorality, namely incest, where a member of the Corinthian church is engaging in consensual sexual relations with his father’s wife (1 Cor. 5, New International Version).¹ Church discipline can be viewed with a negative connotation; however, disciples of Christ understand He rebukes and disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12:6; Rev. 3:19) through His Word (“rebuking” and “correcting” in 2 Tim 3:16).² Thus, the scriptural basis for church discipline practices are the …

Authentic Disciples Of Christ: An Exegetical Analysis Of Jesus’S Expectations Of His Disciples’ Behaviors, Jessika S. Sandel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The fulfillment of the Great Commission demands that the Church possess a clear and objective understanding of what constitutes a disciple. Because the New Testament does not present a specific definition of a disciple, local churches adopt culturally-shaped paradigms—conversion-only evangelism, curriculum-driven frameworks, or programmatic models—that fragment the biblical vision and conflate orthodoxy and orthopraxy. This study addresses this tension by articulating a biblically-formed composition of a disciple, arguing that authentic disciples do not merely confess belief but are Spirit-formed witnesses to Christ’s redemption, reflecting his identity through enduring faith marked by love, obedience, perseverance, and gospel proclamation. Motivated by theological …

A Strategy For Helping Mother And Daughter Churches Foster A Healthy Symbiotic Relationship, Timothy Blazer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project explores the dynamic relationship between mother churches and daughter churches within the context of church multiplication, with particular emphasis on the mutual benefits and shared challenges that emerge throughout the planting process. Central to the study is the guiding research question: “Will applying biblical principles of church planting partnership between mother and daughter churches enable church plants to thrive and flourish?” While much of the existing literature centers primarily on individual church planters, this study focuses on how mother churches and their church plants can experience growth and vitality through intentional and collaborative partnerships. The purpose …

Island Transformation: A Missional Approach To Cultivating A Jesus Culture On The Transitory Island Of South Padre., Matthew A. Wyatt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following DMin action research project explores the transformative potential of a missional approach to cultivating a Jesus culture within the transitory community of South Padre Island. The research addresses the challenge faced by OneTwo Church, where many members, entrenched in the local island culture, find themselves ill-equipped to evangelize effectively to a transient population. This paper contends that by implementing a unique missional model, the church can instigate cultural transformation from within through strategic engagement in missional evangelism. Equipping OTC with this distinctive model will shift the community’s paradigm from passive island participants to active missional agents. Central to …

A Phenomenological Study Of Christian And Non-Christian Views On Human Dignity Among Marginalized Persons In Essex, Md, Jeffrey K. Belcher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand Human-Dignity views among marginalized persons living in Essex, MD, with Human Dignity being rooted in a biblical worldview, and how these views potentially relate to marginalized persons’ perceived experiences of marginalization. For the purposes of this study, Human Dignity is founded upon principles expressed in Genesis Chapters 1 and 2, and is defined as all people, made in the image of God, created to live in relationship with God, called to reflect the nature and character of God, as possessing intrinsic worth based upon God’s purpose for and calling upon …

Understanding How The Spiritual Formation Process Has Been Affected In A Post-Covid 19 World, Matthew E. Hunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The need for community is essential in the life of the believer. Without a solid community, a believer may fall into isolation and even driven away from God instead of closer to Him. Psychologists have stated that community impacts human cognitive and moral development. James Fowler takes this a step further, outlined a believer’s stages of faith compared to human development. These levels of development directly impact the spiritual formation process in the life of a believer and demonstrate the vital role it plays in the believer’s life. Discipleship remains an important tool for helping a believer move through these …

The Apologetic Implications Of Paul's First Missionary Journey, Mark Garro

Masters Theses

This thesis takes a careful look at Paul’s first missionary speech in Acts 13 and the larger narrative of his first missionary journey in Acts 14, asking two main questions: What is Paul saying in his first recorded sermon, and what can the modern church learn from it, particularly when it comes to apologetics and suffering? Through literary and exegetical analysis, this study examines how Paul’s message fits into the broader narrative of Acts, paying special attention to the historical setting, rhetorical flow, and theological implications of the speech. The research is grounded in a wide range of scholarship and …

Jesus's Theology Of Human Value Through The Use Of Rhetorical Speech In Luke 15, Daniel E. Butler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study is framed by the concept of Jesus’s theology of human value as articulated through rhetorical speech, with a particular focus on the stories presented in Luke 15. It seeks to examine the narratives of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the father with his two sons, analyzing the rhetorical strategies employed by Jesus and the discursive constructions crafted by the evangelist Luke. Through this hermeneutical approach, the research explores how these stories convey theological messages concerning human worth, divine compassion, and the redemptive nature of God’s engagement with humanity. Rhetorical analysis, or rhetorical criticism, serves as a …

The Gospel To The Ends Of The Earth: The Role Of The Temple And Mission In The Expansion Of The Church As Seen Through Stephen’S Sermon In Acts 7, Robert Franquiz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to answer the research question: How does Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7 set a theological trajectory for the church by redefining the temple and reimagining the mission of the early church, thus propelling the church into a global movement? The findings help to fill a gap in scholarship regarding the view of the new temple as the early church moved away from the temple in Jerusalem and into mission. The research question was addressed by the study, which employed a biblical-theological hermeneutic design, incorporating Particular hermeneutics related to intertextuality to achieve a faithful exegesis …

A Teleoisrael And The Μυστήριον Of Mercy: The Identity Of Πᾶς Ἰσραήλ And The Apocalyptic Realignment Of God’S Covenant People In Romans 9–11, James Matthew Nowotny

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores the meaning of Paul's assertion in Romans 11:26 that "all Israel will be saved," situating it within the broader theological and literary context of Romans 9–11. The study addresses the complex question of Israel’s identity in Paul’s writings, arguing that Paul envisions a future eschatological salvation for ethnic Israel that coheres with God’s covenantal promises while incorporating Gentile believers into the redemptive plan through union with Christ. Utilizing exegetical analysis, intertextual engagement with the Old Testament, and investigation of Second Temple Jewish conceptions of Israel, the study proposes a nuanced model termed TeleoIsrael—a theological construct reflecting the …

Biblical And Spiritual Disciplines And The Worship Leader, Milagros Rodriguez Trinidad

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the expectation of spiritual leadership from worship leaders, many of them may struggle with consistently practicing biblical and spiritual disciplines. This qualitative study examines the need for spiritual preparation, the importance of spiritual community, and the spiritual life of the worship pastor/leader, all of which are central to the spiritual health of worship leaders. To build and grow in the daily practice of spiritual disciplines and to mature in spiritual formation, worship leaders must have a correct understanding of these disciplines and a humble spirit to self-evaluate their presence through the lens of Scripture. This understanding is crucial not …

A Strategic Study Seeking To Increase Tithe And Offering At The Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Harlem, New York, Silburn I. Reid

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This doctoral thesis explores the complex relationship between church members and financial giving at the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church. The study aims to understand why members refrain from contributing to tithes and offerings by examining their trust in local church leadership and the denomination at large. The study identifies several underlying reasons for the reluctance to give by using qualitative and quantitative research methods, including surveys, teaching seminars, and participant group observations. These are grouped into three primary themes: transparency, education, and dissatisfaction with church governance. One of the key findings was that the lack of trust in church leadership …

The Substance Of Reality: Moral Perfectionism In Shakespeare's Hamlet., David Wright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Through a selection of and close reading of key passages, I offer an interpretation of Hamlet that seeks to illuminate the play as an important work of moral philosophy, and to situate the play within a strand of moral philosophy named moral perfectionism by Stanley Cavell. Indeed, Hamlet is a masterpiece of Renaissance drama, but when read with attention to moral perfectionism, the play yields additional layers of meaning. Hamlet is a “philosophical drama” that navigates the “moral calling of philosophy”—a text that seems to, almost uncannily, elicit the audience to think reflectively, to ask fundamental human questions along …

The Uses Of Dramaturgical Research In Cinematic Storytelling, Asset Design, And Adaptation In Animation, Delaney L. Walker

All Theses

“The Black Hair” is a creative project that explores the convergence of cinematic adaptation, dramaturgical research, and animation design in retelling a traditional Japanese short folktale from the Heian Era. Rooted in the practice of theatrical dramaturgy, this thesis advocates for a research-driven creative pipeline by developing a culturally respectful and historically grounded approach to developing cinematic storyboards. By thoroughly examining the chronicles of history and the sociocultural context, the project seeks to foster deeper cultural appreciation while reintroducing a lesser-known narrative to modern audiences through a visual medium. The project draws stylistic and narrative inspiration from iconic Japanese filmmakers …

Concordia Seminary Magazine Summer 2025, Vicki Biggs

Concordia Seminary Magazine

Bearing Witness to the Truth

Islamism And Women’S Movements In Iran: Hijab As A Burden Of Representation, Samah Ahmed

International Studies (MA) Theses

Throughout history, Islamic discourse, political Islam, and the status of Muslim women have been subjects of study. Still, few research efforts have concentrated on the changes and dynamics between Islamic discourse and feminist resistance. Particularly in Iran, attention has primarily been given to the Islamism project, often treated as separate from social movements in post-Islamism. This thesis explores how social movements have used the symbolism of the veil in their resistance, focusing specifically on the women's social movement during the Islamic Revolution. Drawing on Assef Bayat's approach of Islamism and social movements and Gender and power dynamics theory, the main …

Full Circle: Historiography, Missiology, And Theology In Lin Yutang’S From Pagan To Christian, Teng-Kuan Ng

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Lin Yutang (1895–1976) is renowned for bridging the Chinese and Western worlds through his prolific writings, but the vital role of religion in his intercultural endeavors remains underappreciated. This article situates his seminal work of religious reflection, From Pagan to Christian (1959), within the context of World Christianity, defined as both movement and method. Lin’s departure from the Christianity of his youth into Chinese religions—and back again to the church in his later years—presents timely insights for the study of religious change and pluralism in global modernity. Analyzing the text’s decolonizing, dialogical, and polyphonic dimensions, this article brings Lin’s spiritual …

Explanations For Racial Inequality In America; Effects Of Protestant Beliefs, Behaviors And Region, Qurshonda Shannae Lomans

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

The founder of the Center for the Study of Social Policy in Washington DC, Tom Joe (1987) released an article examining economic disparities between Black and White Americans. Across the measures of income, poverty and unemployment rates, Black Americans were found to be at an economic disadvantage. According to current data published by the U.S. Department of Commerce (2018), the economic wealth gap has remained unequal. Prior research examining racial inequality has found Protestantism to be a foundation from which Americans form their ideologies about social issues (Hunt, 2007; Edgell & Tranby, 2007; Taylor & Merino, 2011). Data provided by …

Japan’S Military Transformation In Abe Era: A Revolution Or Something Else?, Ganesh Aji Wicaksono, Tangguh Chairil

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

After the World War II, Japan has been adopting a pacifist Constitution and established the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) for narrow self-defense operations. The JSDF are restricted from having offensive military weapons. However, Japan’s pacifism and restrained security policy have been evolving recently, especially during the term of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (2012-2020). The latest example is Japan’s plan to enable forward defense and counterstrike. This paper explores the transformation of Japan’s military through the revolution of military affairs (RMA) concept. The findings suggest evolutionary transformation of Japan’s military rather than revolutionary. The factors explored include international and domestic factors. …

Unveiling The Intricacies Of Shariah Governance In Islamic Financial Institutions: A Hybrid Approach, Ozair Siddiqui, Muhammad Suleman Afzal

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

The study aims to explore Shariah governance literature by deploying a hybrid approach that fuses structured literature review with bibliometric analysis. The hybrid approach highlights emerging trends, influential aspects, most occurring keywords, intellectual clusters, emerging themes, and avenues for future research. Existing literature features limited coverage and overlooks some essential dimensions of Shariah governance. We bridge these gaps through two contributions: (1) we underscore previously overlooked, yet important themes like Shariah audit, compliance, and reporting; and (2) we do not impose any restrictions for time or region in our sample. Additionally, we also expand the coverage of literature by considering …

Islamic Finance Performance During Crises: A Bibliometric Mapping And A Systematic Literature Review, Amel Farhat, Amal Hili, Ibtissem Gannoun

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

This study assesses the claim that Islamic finance, with its risk-sharing, low levels of indebtedness, and asset-backed characteristics, offers a viable alternative to conventional finance during crises. Through bibliometric mapping and a systematic literature review, we explore the performance of Islamic financial systems during various crises, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Using VOSviewer and RStudio, we analyze 555 articles from the Scopus database to identify prominent clusters in Islamic finance, particularly focusing on its resilience during crises. Our review provides theoretical evidence supporting the robustness of Islamic finance, highlighting its ethical features and its capability to safeguard investments during economic …

The Influence Of Colonialism On The Development Of Religious Life In Timor Leste, Abdul Kadirsyam Salampessy, Rahadjeng Pulungsari Hadi

International Review of Humanities Studies

Timor-Leste is the youngest country in the world with unique religious dynamics. The Catholic population increased rapidly after independence, while the Muslim population decreased drastically due to political dynamics. The presence of Mari Alkatiri, an Arab-descended Timorese Muslim who became Prime Minister (PM) twice, is a depiction of the presence of Islam in a Catholic-majority country. The long history of colonialism in Timor-Leste has greatly influenced the landscape of religious life there. In its development, the people of Timor-Leste live harmoniously and democratically.

This journal uses a qualitative research method that focuses on the social and cultural phenomena of the …

The Nicene Creed And Evangelical Lutheranism For The Twenty-First Century, Allan J. Ferguson

Consensus

No abstract provided.