Digital Commons Network^™

Child Sexual Abuse And Mental Health: The Role Of Intrusive Thoughts And Spiritual Warfare, Sheriese S. Sanchez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A number of psychological issues are experienced by individuals who have experienced CSA, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, as well as intrusive thoughts contribute to the perpetuation of the mental health problem. Studies have shown that spiritual practices, such as prayer, meditation, reading the Bible, and reciting scripture affirmations, can improve mental health, improving one’s psychological well-being. Further, intrusive thoughts may be initiated by dark spiritual influences. Despite ongoing research, there is a lack of integration between disciplines of science and biblical truth concerning the impact of immaterial spiritual dimensions on psychological states. To understand intrusive thoughts, one must …

Financial Illiteracy Elimination Through The Development Of A Biblical Financial Literacy Curriculum For New Life Sda Church, Christopher L. Hughes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem at New Life SDA Church is biblical financial illiteracy, caused by a lack of scriptural understanding of stewardship; the existence of knowledge gaps pertaining to modern, personal financial management practices; and substandard education across generations. As a result, there is a cascading effect of sustained cross-generational scarcity, difficulties fulfilling daily commitments and responsibilities, problematic family landscapes, and non-fulfillment of church-related stewardship. Protection against financial illiteracy is for New Life Seventh-day Adventist congregants to study and utilize biblical stewardship principles, along with modern financial concepts and practices in their lives. Therefore, this research project’s purpose was to train this …

Death Education, William L. Blizek, Monica Blizek

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a review of the short film, Death Education (2025), directed by Yuxon Ethan Wu.

Public Theology And Political Polarization: Environmental Policy, Jean Golicz, Leonard S. Momeny

Liberty Theological Review

The purpose of this article is to explore the impact of public theology on potentially polarizing political views. Specifically, the historical and contemporary interpretations of the Lynn White Thesis (1966) are examined as well as the practical implications for developing environmental policies that align with a biblical worldview. The authors propose the application of multiple paradigms to the study of religiosity and environmental activism as a way of addressing the complexity and diversity of various viewpoints. Understanding the multiple ways Jesus operated in an equally contentious and polarized society creates a path forward for churches. By rejecting the supposition that …

The Power Of Pause: Honoring God Through Rest, Darin Keizer

Staff Work

"Prioritizing rest is not merely a lifestyle choice but a vital expression of honoring the bodies God has given us."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­balancing work, play, and rest from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

The Power of Pause

Volume 10 Issue 6 (Feb 1912)

The Soul Winner

No abstract provided.

Religion: Evolutionary Foundation For, Nicole Fellice Ko, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Religion refers to a structured set of spiritual beliefs and rituals. Evolution refers to the process by which living organisms transform and develop over time. Religion—the belief in spiritual beings—influences nearly every aspect of life, making it challenging to understand many phenomena without considering its influence (Bloom, 2012). About two-thirds of the world’s population is religious (Kramer & Tong, 2024); 70% of Americans consider themselves spiritual, and 83% believe they have a spirit separate from their bodies (PEW Research Center, 2023). Throughout history, religion has played a significant role in conflicts like war and continues to influence contemporary issues such …

The Role Of Religious Associations Of Ukraine In The Development Of Civil Society, Oleh Sokolovskyi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

In Ukraine, over the years of independence, a diverse religious environment has formed based on the legislatively guaranteed right to freedom of conscience and religion and the principle of religious pluralism. This environment consists not only of individual religious organizations but also of interfaith institutions, which play a significant role in Ukraine's development and contribute to resolving important societal issues. Their existence is compelling evidence of the church's strengthened position, the growing social role of religion, and the increased activity of religious organizations within Ukrainian society. Interfaith councils, which engage in a broad range of interests and activities, have facilitated …

Byzantine- And Umayyad-Period Structures Near The Pools Of ‘Ein El-Jarab, Ḥammat Gader(Pp. 61–109), Moshe Hartal

'Atiqot

A salvage excavation conducted east of the hot water pools of ‘Ein el-Jarab, Ḥammat Gader, revealed building remains, comprising mosaic floors and flagstone-paved plazas, dating from the end of the Late Roman (Stratum 4), Byzantine (Stratum 3) and Umayyad (Stratum 2) periods. The buildings were apparently destroyed in the earthquake of 749 CE. The site was reoccupied in the ninth century CE, during the Abbasid period (Stratum 1). It seems that the structures and the plaza served the patrons of the hot springs, possibly as dressing rooms and as therapy spaces.

The Excavations At Khirbat El-Ni‘Ana (Hebrew, Pp. 29*–49*; English Summary, Pp. 166–167), Ofer Sion

'Atiqot

Two areas were excavated along the eastern fringes of Khirbat el-Ni‘ana, revealing built tombs with vaulted roofs, refuse from glass and pottery workshops and temporary hearths. The built tombs are characteristic of the southern coastal plain during the fourth century CE. The findings point to the area’s function as both a cemetery and an industrial zone—both functions were traditionally situated on the outskirts of settlements for reasons of health and environmental considerations. The settlement might have been populated by Samaritans. After a gap in time, the site was resettled during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods.

Soul Surfers Forced Into A Fragmented Exteriority, Siti Balkish Roslan, Nor Atiah Ismail, Sumarni Ismail

Interiority

This study explores the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on soul surfers, individuals for whom surfing transcends mere sport to embody a spiritual, psychological, and physical communion with the sea and ocean. The pandemic’s restrictions, which limited access to the sea, challenged the core of soul surfing practices, prompting surfers to seek alternative means to sustain their connection with the sea and ocean. Through qualitative research, employing phenomenological analysis, theories of affordance, symbolic interactionism, and interpretive interviews, the study examines the transition from a natural exterior to a built interior, adapting their living spaces to maintain their surfing identity, …

Contemporary Views Of Spiritual And Theological Reflection (2013-2023) Compared To Forty Years Ago: Analysis Of 32 Texts, Chris Brouillard-Coyle, Des Mcenaney, Joselin Zak, Thomas St. James O’Connor

Consensus

What are contemporary views on spiritual and theological reflection? We answer this question using a hermeneutical research method analyzing 32 texts from the current situation. The data indicate five themes: 1) experiences as sources for spiritual/theological reflection, 2) meaning making as key component for spiritual/theological reflection, 3) growth in spiritual reflection and overlap with theological reflection, 4. some flexible methods; many without explicit method, and 5) spiritual but not religious. Discussion, limitations, and areas for future research are provided.

Exploring Medical Assistance In Dying: A Review Article, David Pfrimmer

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Liminal Transformational Pastoral Leadership: A Case Study God’S Story, Our Story: Living In Times Of Change, Kara Carter

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Hope Is A Promise, Devan Munn

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Letter To The Church, Chris Brouillard-Coyle

Consensus

What is pastoral leadership? How is, and can, pastoral leadership be embodied in the Church today? Who can and should participate in reflections on these questions? While engaging in a course on pastoral leadership, with the support of the professor, an idea arose to write a letter to the Church following the patterns of the Epistles in the Bible. The goal was to create something that could be read and studied by anyone, while ensuring that the academic rigour behind the contents was made available via the footnotes. The letter is intentionally written in the style of the Epistles, and …

The Afternoon Of Christianity: The Courage To Change, Joe Gunn

Consensus

Review of The Afternoon of Christianity: The Courage to Change by Tomáš Halík (Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2024)

Faith Communities: A Wider Expression, Anne Anderson

Consensus

No abstract provided.

One Dominant Age: The Technological Singularity In The Abolition Of Man, Christopher Tissell

Sehnsucht: The C. S. Lewis Journal

I doubt whether we are sufficiently attentive to the importance of the third part of C. S. Lewis’s The Abolition of Man. Much ink has been spilled analyzing Lewis’s thoughts on the dangers of subjectivism as outlined in the first two parts of the book, but less so on the endpoint to which Lewis thinks subjectivism leads when whole societies succumb to it. Yet Lewis himself, or at least his editor, thought the final part important enough to name the lecture series after it, and dramatize it in a novel afterward. If Lewis saw the train leaving the station over …

The Abolition Of Man, Eighty Years Later: An Engineer’S Perspective, Paul G. Lorenzini

Sehnsucht: The C. S. Lewis Journal

I n 2021 Michael Ward published After Humanity: A Guide to C.S. Lewis’s The Abolition of Man. His purpose was to call attention to the continuing relevance and significance of Lewis’s book, originally published in 1943, now almost a century old. Among his many works, it is one of the least known, yet it was perhaps Lewis’s most highly acclaimed book among secular critics. Ranked seventh by the National Review in its list of 100 best non-fiction books in the 20th century, it is second on a similar list by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute.1 While Abolition can be a difficult …

The Positive Educational Program Of The Abolition Of Man, Jon Fennell

Sehnsucht: The C. S. Lewis Journal

Readers of The Abolition of Man, certainly those who have engaged it repeatedly and have thought deeply about what it says, recognize that the book is fundamentally a commentary on the reality—and predictable consequences—of the miseducation of the young. Much has been written on this topic. Not so commonly recognized, nor as frequently understood, is the positive educational program that arises out of Lewis’s largely critical “reflections on education.”2 The Abolition of Man, like its fictional counterpart, That Hideous Strength, elaborates a nightmare scenario. That scenario is the product of what, logically, is a reduction and absurdum. The details of …

Human Skeletal Remains From Late Roman Tombs On Sallah Ed-Din Street, Jerusalem (Pp. 73–79), Yossi Nagar

'Atiqot

Poorly preserved human skeletal remains, belonging to at least 77 individuals, were recovered from Burial Cave I and 43 rock-cut cist tombs on Sallah ed-Din Street. Most of the cist tombs contained a single primary burial. Pathologies in the sample include three traumatic lesions, which are relatively common in skeletal populations. Individuals from both sexes were almost equally represented; infants were underrepresented. The burials indicate a civilian population, similar to other reported Roman-Byzantine populations in the country.

A Jewish Mausoleum Of The Roman Period At Qiryat Shemu’El, Tiberias (Pp. 7*–29*), Fanny Vitto

'Atiqot

The tomb, constructed from large, roughly dressed basalt stones, consisted of a courtyard, a burial chamber surrounded by two stories of loculi (kokhim) and a large subterranean chamber. Part of a basalt-stone door, which originally sealed the tomb opening, was found; it was carved in imitation of a paneled wooden door, and originally swung on hinges, one of which survived in situ. The finds within the tomb included pottery and glass vessels, an iron nail and a limestone ossuary, mostly dating to the end of the first–early second centuries CE; a magical amulet, representing a reaper and incised with a …

The Greek Inscription From Tel Ashdod: A Revised Reading (Pp. 31*–36*), Leah Di Segni

'Atiqot

Following a reexamination of the Greek inscription on a mosaic pavement uncovered at Kibbutz Hazor, near Ashdod (see ‘Atiqot 51), a new reading is offered. The inscription, which must have adorned the entrance of a winepress attached to a monastery, states the date the winepress was commemorated. The date points to the use of a non-local era; this use might hint at the abbot’s wish to symbolically mark the border between himself and his foundation, and the catholic bishop of Ascalon.

An Early Bronze Age Tomb Of The ‘Common People’(?) In The ‘En Esur (‘Ein Asawir) Cemetery (Pp. 85–112), Amir Gorzalczany, Jacob Sharvit

'Atiqot

Within the boundaries of the ancient cemeteries associated with the protohistoric settlement of ‘En Esur, another tomb (T80), dated to EB IB–EB II, was discovered. A close examination of the burial gifts reveals a notable regionalism, in contrast with the imported and luxurygoodsdiscovered in other tombs in the ‘En Esur cemeteries. The local nature of the finds and lack of prestige items, as well as the anthropological analysis of the interred, might suggest that a less-affluent group of people was buried here.

Critical (G)Race Theory: A Biblical Response To The Growing Secular Social Justice Movement, Tyler A. Keaton

Masters Theses

Critical Race Theory is a worldview that has taken the social justice world by storm in recent years and has even begun to present itself within the teachings of much of the Church. Oftentimes, secular social justice looks to scripture due to the commands for justice found therein to justify their goal of racial justice and equity. However, while the causes of secular social justice movements and CRT are noble, the ideologies and methods they employ are unbiblical and immoral in many instances. CRT itself is a worldview that promotes further injustices that are just as immoral, if not more …

Theological Themes And Musical Influences Of Worship In Indonesian Immigrant Churches In The United States, Agnes Keren Bale

Masters Theses

Beyond evoking emotional experience, theologically sound songs are crucial for evangelizing, edifying the church, and congregational spiritual growth. This study examines worship in Indonesian immigrant churches in the United States, analyzing recurring theological themes in the most regularly featured songs in the worship repertoire. Additionally, it explores the influence of Western worship music which shapes the blended identity of these churches. Via the data gathered through worship service observations from a few churches and a survey for platform ministers, twenty-two congregational songs were coded and analyzed for their theological themes. Findings included the omnipotence and sovereignty of God, victory/battle, faith, …

William Bradford: An Unexpected Father Of Early Colonial American Politics, Megan E. Romero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation is a project dedicated to explaining and defining not only who William Bradford was a person, but also as a leader to the people of Plymouth Colony and the Puritan faith. He was an individual who was dedicated to establishing a society that was fairer and more equal for all people, who could have the chance to grow economically, practice their faith freely, and live a more politically stable life. Through research conducted on Bradford’s life, it became easier to understand that due to his determination and hard work he quickly rose up in the ranks and perspectives …

Arguments For The Sovereignty Of God In The Book Of Job, Elizabeth J. Welch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The book of Job is a complex piece of wisdom literature studied for centuries using various methodologies to elucidate theological doctrines, biblical themes, and literary motifs. This dissertation aims to demonstrate that a midrashic form of exposition significantly expands the understanding of the Joban arguments for and against the sovereignty of God within the context of the ancient views of divine retribution and human suffering. Encapsulated in the legal motif, the disclosure and discussion of these views with associated themes, such as theocracy, theodicy, justice, and theophany, identified God’s sovereignty as the most prevalent doctrine in the book. The three …

Care Providers Caring For Military Members Struggling With Grief, Clara Altagracia García

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research aims to address the lack of grief support services for service members (SMs) and veterans, which affects them and the wider community. The mission is to uncover the needs of SMs and veterans and devise effective strategies to support them. The literature review will provide the foundation for the need for research and create a reasonable solution for a healthier grieving process for SMs. This research aims to determine how complicated grief goes undetected and how counseling can help SMs and veterans. The thesis project will impact the grief counseling process of others in this field and bring …