Digital Commons Network^™

Sit Like A Bell: Sound And The Body In Tibetan Buddhism, Christopher Elford

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Lobsag Khedup, a 32 year-old Tibetan Monk living in a single room at an art center in Zhongdian where he teaches the art of thangka painting, wakes in silence at 6 a.m. He pulls his bedding around him as if to make a nest out of it. It is cold and his action is somehow appropriate to the introversion of the hour. There is no light in the room, no room yet to speak of, just the dull indistinct sense of an interior. He sits up and starts to pray. But to pray isn’t enough, he must make his devotional …

Church And Society: The Laurence J. Mcginley Lectures, 1988-2007, Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., Robert P. Imbelli

Religion

One of the leading theologians of our time, Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., has written and lectured on a wide range of topics across his distinguished career, and for a wide range of audiences. Integrating faith and scholarship, he has created a rich body of work that, in the words of one observer, is “both faithful to Catholic tradition and fresh in its engagement with the contemporary world.”

Here, brought together for the first time in one volume, are the talks Cardinal Dulles has given twice each year since the Laurence J. McGinley Lectures were initiated in 1988, conceived broadly as …

Jesus And The Breath Of Life: An Exegesis Of John 20:22 In Historical And Modern Interpretation An Obscure And Mysterious Text, Douglas W. Balzer

Seminary Masters Theses

John 20:22 is an obscure and mysterious text where Jesus is represented as breathing upon his disciples in a manner that appears to resemble the insufflation of humanity by God, or the breathing of the "breath of life" in Adam's nostrils in Genesis 2:7. Through an exegetical study of Johannine text and the Greek term έμφυσάω in relationship with the LXX, Apocrypha and Qumran Scrolls, a direct correlation is established between the theology of John and the theology in the LXX. The relevant historical, Nicene and post-Nicene Fathers, and modem interpretations are examined in order to discover what crucial issues …

"Review Of Flame Of Yahweh: Sexuality In The Old Testament ", Dale Launderville Osb

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Decalogue Predates Mount Sinai: Indicators From The Book Of Genesis, Jo Ann Davidson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Pentacle Quest: Wiccan Religion In The Media, Paula Johnson

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

No abstract provided.

The Deaf Catholic, March-April 2008

ICDA The Deaf Catholic

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in USA

ICDA The Deaf CatholicFinding Aid

Jean-Luc Marion’S Theology Of Eucharistic Presence, Nicholas Coffman

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

This work was originally submitted as part of a phenomenological exploration for a course on Eucharistic theology under the direction of Fr. Kevin Seasoltz, OSB. The assignment parameters included research and examination of a contemporary theological issue concerning Eucharist on a graduate level of engagement. This paper includes a discussion of two distinct Marion scholars, their insights, and Marion’s treatment of the concepts of icon and idol, which are central to his conception of presence. It contains my translation of question 75, article IV in the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas. This section functions as a linguistic hermeneutic device for …

The Quest For Paul's Gospel: A Suggested Strategy, Matt Jackson-Mccabe

Religious Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Wittgenstein And Worship: Investigations Of Liturgical Language-Games And Their Formative Role In Christian Identity, Michelle Kathleen Weber

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

I argue that the Christian community’s religious language games, particularly liturgical action (theologia prima) and theological reflection (theologia secunda), mutually shape and correct one another. I demonstrate this using Wittgenstein’s philosophical method, adapting his approach to philosophy for theological use. The first part of this essay explains and demonstrates Wittgenstein’s philosophical method. The second part is an application of his method (with my own adaptation of this method for theology) with Christian liturgy as its subject. The third part of this essay discusses ways in which Wittgenstein’s approach might be adapted further in a fruitful way …

Blessing, Well-Being, And Salvation: Should Lutherans Learn To Dance To Another Tune?, Guillermo C. Hansen

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

"The Altar Of Certitude": Reflections On "Setting" And Rhetorical Interpretations Of The Psalms, Rolf A. Jacobson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Monotheism, Polytheism, Monolatry, Or Henotheism? Toward An Assessment Of Divine Plurality In The Hebrew Bible, Michael Heiser

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

Israel’s view of God and his relationship to other divine beings in the Hebrew Bible has long been the subject of scholarly debate. The dominant critical consensus since the late nineteenth century holds that Israel’s faith evolved from polytheism or henotheism to monotheism. Passages in the Hebrew Bible that assume the existence of other gods are compared to other passages that put forth the declaration that “there are no other gods besides” the God of Israel as proof of this view. Other scholars who reject this evolutionary paradigm tend to assume passages evincing divine plurality actually speak of human beings, …

Review: Judges, Michael Heiser

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.

Mercy And Human Security: Emerging Values In International Relations, Symeon Giannakos

Mercy Illuminates

No abstract provided.

Paul And Asceticism In 1 Corinthians 9:27a, Kent L. Yinger

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Amidst the resurgence of interest in Paul and asceticism relatively little focus has been put upon one Pauline text with seemingly obvious ascetic potential: “I beat my body” (1 Corinthians 9:27a). After a brief introduction to the discussion of asceticism and an ascetic Paul, this article will survey the Wirkungsgeschichte of this text, especially in the patristic era, engage in exegesis of 1 Corinthians 9:27a, and draw conclusions as to the relevance of the text for discussion of Pauline asceticism.

Divine Accommodation And Cultural Conditioning Of The Inspired Writings, Alberto R. Timm

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

“The Altar Of Certitude”: Reflections On “Setting” And Rhetorical Interpretation Of The Psalms, Rolf A. Jacobson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Believing And The Practice Of Religion, Catherine Bell

Religious Studies

Annotated draft manuscript of Believing and the Practice of Religion in which the author sought to spur a discussion about belief, a phenomenon that few religious scholars had addressed but that Bell held was central to the study of religion. This is a digital copy of the original manuscript located in the Catherine Bell Papers held by Archives & Special Collections at Santa Clara University.

Buddhism, Apophasis, Truth, Mario D'Amato

Faculty Publications

In this paper I will offer some reflections on one instance of apophasis in a specific Mahāyāna Buddhist doctrinal treatise, known as the Madhyāntavibhāga (“Distinguishing the Middle from the Extremes,” ca. fourth century CE). I will attempt to formally distinguish such apophatic doctrines from doctrines of ineffability, and consider what apophatic doctrines might contribute to the impasse regarding “truth” which characterizes certain approaches to the comparative philosophy of religion. Since this paper is intended as a contribution to the comparative philosophy of religion, I will begin with a few remarks on the nature of that enterprise.

The Legal Cases In The Book Of Mormon, John W. Welch

Maxwell Institute Publications

The Legal Cases in the Book of Mormon begins with a discussion of important background information, including legal practices in the ancient Near East, the ideal of righteous judgment, and the legal cases recorded in the Bible. John W. Welch then devotes a chapter to each of the legal cases in the Book of Mormon—from the formative cases of Sherem and Abinadi to the landmark trials of Nehor and Korihor, the wrenching prosecution of Alma and Amulek, and the politicized proceedings of Paanchi and Seantum.

Dante’S Terza Rima In Th E Divine Comedy: Th E Road Of Th Erapy, Dennis P. Slattery

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

Wisdom’s pursuit through symbols, metaphors, poetry, and therapy is a path of indirection,

less available the more one’s pursuit is direct. Wisdom may be gained through particular

processes of knowing, pilgrimages towards the truth of things. Dante’s 14th century poem

engages a new rhyme scheme to further this pursuit of knowing towards wisdom. He called

it terza rima, or third rhyme. Its structure, the essay argues, embodies two movements of the

soul: the journey towards knowing, one which is always bending back in memory, and the

movement of therapy itself, wherein one becomes more conscious by seeing in the present …

Reflective Teaching In The Context Of Community, Ruth Anne Reese

The Asbury Journal

This essay delves into the feelings of fear and self-doubt that a rookie teacher experienced her first semester as an adjunct professor and how, through reacting and reflection, she was able to regain her confidence and approach the profession with renewed confidence and joy. Drawing wisdom and gleaning practical tools from Brookfield's Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher and Parker's The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life, the author learned the value of deliberate conversations with colleagues and was reminded that she and her students are joint-learners.

The Buddhist Notion Of Emptiness And Its Potential Contribution To Psychology And Psychotherapy, José M. Tirado

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

A growing number of psychologists now have their practices and theories informed by Buddhist

meditation practices. Th ese practices, however, are themselves deeply informed by the

Buddhist notion of emptiness (śūnyatā). Th is Buddhist concept off ers a rich vein of possibilities

in informing psychology and psychotherapy. Th e present paper examines the development

and potential of this concept for infl uencing these and other areas.

Brief History Of Transpersonal Psychology, Stanislav Grof

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

The International Transpersonal Association (ITA) was formed in 1978 for the purposes

of promoting education and research in transpersonal subjects, as well as sponsoring

global conferences for the international transpersonal community. The association was

subsequently dissolved in 2004, but is now in the process of being reactivated and revitalized.

As background for this development, this paper reviews the history of ITA including its

international conferences and noteworthy presenters, the organization’s definition, strategies,

and specific goals, and details of its contemporary revival.

Emmanuel "God With Us" In Suffering, E. Douglas William Jr.

Doctor of Ministry

This paper proposes a response the following question: What is the best approach for ministers to use in ministry to the suffering? The paper examines the question in light of culture in the United States in the twenty-first century. Many people face a crisis in their faith due to a misconception that God allows suffering to happen to good people. Three covenantal theories: limited retribution, telic vindication, and theocentric consolation, appear throughout the Old and New Testaments and in the history of the Church. This paper proposes theocentric consolation as the proper paradigm for ministry to those who suffer. Chapter …

Making Christ Of The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41): A Hypothesis, Martin F. Connell

Theology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Redeeming Indian ‘Christian’ Womanhood?: Missionaries, Dalits, And Agency In Colonial India, Chad M. Bauman

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

This study of dalit Christians in colonial North India suggests that women who converted to Christianity in the region often experienced a contraction of the range of their activities. Bauman analyzes this counterintuitive result of missionary work and then draws on the work of Saba Mahmood and others to interrogate the predilection of feminist historians for agents, rabble-rousers, and gender troublemakers. The article concludes not only that this predilection represents a mild form of egocentrism but also that it prevents historians from adequately analyzing the complexity of factors that motivate and influence human behavior.

Postcolonial Anxiety And Anti-Conversion Sentiment In The Report Of The Christian Missionary Activities Enquiry Committee, Chad M. Bauman

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Conversion to Christianity is one of the most politically charged issues in contemporary India and has recently been very much in the news.1 For example, in 2006, on the fiftieth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism2 hundreds of dalits gathered to convert, some to Buddhism and others to Christianity, rejecting Hinduism, a religion they claim oppresses and demeans them. In attacks on Christians in Orissa at the end of 2007 (and associated reprisals), dozens of churches, homes, and businesses were destroyed, hundreds of people were injured, and thousands were displaced.

History And Fiction In The Acts Of Thomas: The State Of The Question, James F. Mcgrath

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

The Acts of Thomas has not yet received as much attention as the Gospel associated with the same individual, and this is understandable. Current students of this early Christian work, however, are in danger of missing out on the discussions and differing perspectives long offered by scholars of the Indian church and Indian history on this work. The current study suggests that, while the Acts of Thomas is almost certainly a work of novelistic fiction, this should not lead us to ignore the instances of confirmable historical information embedded therein, as in many other works of historical fiction. The Acts …