Digital Commons Network^™

Christian Education: Can We Afford It?, Calvin Vandermeyden

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Theoretical Frameworks And Christian Engineering, Douglas De Boer

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

The Depth Of Depravity And The Remedy Of An All-Embracing Life System, Joya S. Schreurs

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Burn On, Don't Burn Out: Factors That Promote Longevity In Ministry, Gary William Simpson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Scientific literature in the social sciences is rife with studies on burnout and how this phenomenon affects those in various occupations, especially the helping professions. Clergy members are not immune to the influence and effects of burnout. The rate at which clergy members are affected by burnout is evidenced in the documented shortage of clergy currently serving churches and the paucity of ministers going into ministry. The purpose of this study was not to reiterate the effects of burnout on clergy members, but to discover and to explore those factors which promote longevity in ministry. This study used an …

The Storytelling Cure: Medicine And Narrative From Galen To Shahrazad And Rousseau, Ryan A. Milov-Cordoba

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Are stories healing? This dissertation introduces and explores an idea that I call “the storytelling cure.” With this term I capture a set of related notions about the healing power of stories that span literary studies, intellectual history, philosophy, and medical practice. Through a comparative study I make the case for “the storytelling cure” as a cross-cultural, multiconfessional, and multilingual phenomenon of great age, complexity, and power, worthy of the most sustained attention by the contemporary field of Comparative Literature. Concretely, this dissertation presents three extended case studies of “storytelling cures” from three different kinds of texts (case history, frame …

Buddhist Socialism In China, 1900–1930: A History And Appraisal, James Mark Shields

Faculty Contributions to Books

Although it is only in recent decades that scholars have begun to reconsider and problematize Buddhist conceptions of “freedom” and “agency,” the various thought traditions of Asian Buddhism have for some centuries struggled with questions related to the issue of “liberation,” along with its fundamental ontological, epistemological and ethical—if not economic and political—implications. With the development of Marxist thought in the mid to late nineteenth century, a new paradigm for thinking about freedom in relation to economics, history, identity and socio-political transformation found its way to Asia, where it soon confronted traditional religious interpretations of freedom as well as competing …

A Step Toward An Interfaith Visitation Ministry To Provide Spiritual, Social, And Emotional Support To The Seriously Ill And Elderly At Their Homes In The Community Served By Good Samaritan Medical Center Lafayette, Colorado, Grant Gill Kirksey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this Doctor of Ministry action research thesis is to identify the support offered to the seriously ill and elderly by local faith-based communities, to compare the identified interventions provided, to discuss the population’s needs and satisfaction with their local hospitals, and to discuss the results in the context of the population of seriously ill and elderly community members, and explore opportunities for Good Samaritan Medical Center (GSMC), Lafayette, Colorado, to partner with local religious communities to improve the well-being of the seriously ill and elderly in their community. This project will include the analysis of needs and …

Sterba’S Logical Argument From Evil And The God Who Walks Away From Omelas, Erik J. Wielenberg

Philosophy Faculty publications

The logical argument from evil, generally thought to have been defused by Alvin Plantinga’s free will defense, has been reinvigorated by James Sterba’s exposition and defense of a new version of the argument that draws on recent work in moral philosophy. Whereas J.L. Mackie’s argument uses what can now be seen to be overly simplistic principles to try to establish a logical incompatibility between the existence of God and any evil at all, Sterba’s argument uses more sophisticated moral principles and seeks to establish a logical incompatibility between the existence of God (specifically, the God of Perfect Being Theology) and …

Apologetic Properties Of Archaeology, Scott Christopher Reynolds

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Scholars are divided over the idea of archaeology providing more information than anthropomorphic data about people groups. In the Levant, biblical archaeology used the Bible to connect artifacts with biblical accounts; however, scholars began to believe that interpretation was being forced to fit the biblical accounts. Apologists began to embrace more technical results and archaeology and different schools of apologetics began to see a place for archaeology in the study of apologetics. The most accepting form of apologetics is the Cumulative Case Apologetic, as it blends into its apologetic argument anything needed to further the argument. However, the ability of …

Defending The Resurrection Of Jesus Through The Reliability Of The Credible Witnesses, Gregory K. Cherven

Masters Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to illuminate the fact that there is sufficient evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ through the reliability of the credible witnesses. Although physical evidence is lacking, it does not mean there is not sufficient evidence. Is it necessary to have physical evidence to secure a conviction? Criminal cases will be explored in which murder convictions were secured without the recovery of a dead body, physical evidence, or a confession. The convictions were secured based solely on witness testimony. The eye-witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus are evaluated through a modern lens and there …

A Training Manual For Small-Group Evangelization Of Youth Unbelievers, Stanley Vincent James

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project is a study on the evangelism toward young adult unbelievers by church members of The Power of the Living God Church of Galveston. This DMin action research project aims to motivate church members to evangelize this critical group of unbelievers. The focus will concentrate on the reasons given by members for non-participation. The questions concerning the lack of participation would be analyzed to assess the behavior of the members and to ultimately determine a path forward for effective participation. The project will utilize interviews and focus groups to ascertain the reasons for the lack of motivation for …

Then Sings The Church A New Song, Ian D. Bula

Masters Theses

The collective life of the Ancient Israelites was defined by a tumultuous journey through the desert as the primary setting where God continuously sought a relationship with them. Their liberation from Egyptian bondage was the central element that resulted from God’s self- revelation and action toward His people. Their response to Him in worship reflects the nature instilled in all humankind to respond in many ways to divine action. One of these ways is through the use of music. Music has accompanied the worship of God’s people since the time of the Patriarchs. The Exodus was the experience that sprung …

The Kindness And Severity Of God: A Defense Of The Conquest Of Canaan, Jordan Peter Ballard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Conquest of Canaan has become a hot-button issue in Christian apologetics because of the moral dilemma it poses. Would an all-loving God command the wholesale slaughter of the Canaanite men, women, and children? Christians throughout the centuries have grappled with this problem and have offered many interpretations to alleviate the tension between God’s love and God’s wrath displayed in the Conquest. This dissertation defends a straightforward reading of the account: God really did command the destruction of the Canaanites, and the Israelites carried it out as described in the pages of the Old Testament. When understood in its biblical, …

Fostering Greater Interest And Engagement In Scripture Through An Eight-Week Scripture Reading Intervention, Jeffrey Lee Willey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis is to encourage the reading of the Scriptures at Femme Osage Church. The project demonstrates how the Holy Spirit can use simple, daily exposure to the Scriptures to transform apathetic participants into persons enthusiastic about reading their Bibles. The thesis explores the enigmatic problem of apathy toward the Word and its causes from Christian and secular viewpoints. A review of popular methodologies used to address Bible apathy is included. This study claims that Christians fail to read the Scriptures, not because they are lazy, but because of overlooked and misunderstood obstacles that cause apathy toward …

Symposium Review: The Teacher's Manual—Jennifer Anderson, Keri Yoder, Caleb Yoder, Jonathan Erb

Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies

A compilation of an experienced teacher’s advice and wisdom, The Teacher’s Manual conveys tons of information in a methodical, serious tone. The author, Jennifer Anderson, has taught in a variety of settings including parochial schools, Christian day schools, and public schools. Her pupils came from a range of Conservative Mennonites, Old Order Mennonites, Amish, Amish-Mennonites, Dunkard Brethren, and non-Anabaptists. She has taught every grade level.Her book is directed at Amish and Mennonite teachers and tackles not only the oft-heard problems and misunderstandings but also wades into the sticky stuff teachers face. She not only lists potential problems but also provides …

Mitchell's "American Awakening: Identity Politics And Other Afflictions Of Our Time" (Book Review), Jaclyn Lee Parrott

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Study Of Elementary Teacher Efficacy In Christian Private Schools And Public Schools, Jasmine Floyd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to compare elementary teacher efficacy in Christian private schools and public schools to determine if there was a difference in overall efficacy, instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. Teacher efficacy shapes instructional performance and student academic achievement, so a deeper study of public and Christian school teacher efficacy was significant to recognize factors present in each type of school that could impact instruction and achievement. This study consisted of a convenience sample of 229 teachers of kindergarten through fifth grade at Christian private and public schools in the southeastern United States. …

A Christian Perspective On Islam's Origins: Its Religion, Founder, And Practices, German Matos

Masters Theses

The many years of exposure to Islamic believers in the five boroughs of New York State, but more specifically, the Bronx, set a precedent for this thesis to comprehensively analyze the religion of Islam by investigating the Abrahamic monotheistic connection to its historical origins and religious practices. The methods used in this thesis to prove Islam’s legitimacy as an Abrahamic monotheistic heir consisted of sources like the Qur’an, hadith, and tafsir texts translated from Arabic into English. The simultaneous usage of Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and authoritative secular sources was used to scrutinize Islam’s theological and historical claims to formulate a …

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual (Lgbt) U.S. Latinx Catholics And The U.S. Catholic Church: A Critique Of Certain Aspects Of Roman Catholic Moral Teaching In Light Of A Latinx Theological Anthropology, Leonardo Daniel Mendoza

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This Capstone Research Project aims to address the certain aspects of Roman Catholic moral teaching. Throughout this project I argue that when it comes to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual and Queer (LGBTQ+) Catholics, the moral teaching is essentially corrupt. This paper begins by providing an overview of current Catholic teaching relevant to LGBTQ+ persons. In the second section I focus on the lived experience on the Latinx LGBTQ+ community in the United States to demonstrate several flaws in Catholic moral tradition. I place a special emphasis on the Latinx LGBTQ+ community in Florida as I base my argument on …

Institute For Pastoral Initiatives 2025 Strategic Plan, University Of Dayton. Institute For Pastoral Initiatives

Documents and Publications of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives

This document reflects IPI’s Team discussions with Dave Ramey and the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office for Phase I of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives Strategic Planning Process. Phase II begins September 2022 through January 2023 developing specific action steps for each Strategic Goal (A-G) for 2023-2025 in consultation with various groups associated with the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives' future.

How To Help The Bi-Vocational Pastor At Sandy Grove Church To Have Balance In Ministry And Life Through Equipping & Teaching Of The Saints Along With A Structured Plan To Meet The Ministry Demands, Duran Kiley Odoms

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Burnout, a subject that was birthed in the 1970s was only associated with the private and public sectors of the workforce. It has transitioned into other avenues where personal interaction takes place. Ministry is a profession where people interaction happens weekly and sometimes daily. Ministry is repetitive work that must be done daily, weekly, and monthly. Many pastors have fallen prey to this awful and painful enemy. Burnout has caused many pastors to lose their church, family, and life. The lack of ministry assistance and the demand for the job have taken a toll on many pastors whether they are …

Review Of Faith-Based Organizations In Transnational Peacebuilding, Timothy Seidel

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Classics Revisited Review Essay: The Prophets By Abraham Joshua Heschel, John C. Merkle

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Essay: Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen: A Still And Quiet Conscience, William L. Portier

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

The Existence Of Indonesian Islamic Market Stocks During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Febryna Rizka Pratiwi, Nur Fatwa Dr.

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

When the first Covid-19 case entered Indonesia, Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) underwent a very deep correction until it reached its lowest point in the last decade, from the level of 6,300 to the level of 3,975 as of March 24, 2020. But, an interesting fact in the following months the JCI consistently rose, and even managed to break back above the 6000 level in the period from the end of 2020 to the beginning of 2021. Indonesia has again won the nomination for the category 'The Best Islamic Capital Market 2020' from the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA). The growth …

Music: Seeking Pleasure, Emotional Language, Ritualized Communication, Jillian N. Gerlach

Interdivisional Studies Summer Fellows

The impetus for my project was how I view listening to music as a spiritual or religious experience. Listening to music, instead of practicing religion, satisfies my inclination toward spirituality. In the introduction to my paper, I outlined how music exists in my life. I thought it was valuable to provide my unique experience to give context to my research. I created a diagram that delineates how I interact with music and the benefits I derive from listening to music. During this self-reflection, I realized listening to music functions like a ritual for me. I noticed my individual ritualized listening …

Shaking The Leaves Of Identity, Rosalyn Kantlaht’Ant Elm, Janaki Bandara

Consensus

This article seeks to present a study of gender and sexuality based on an Indigenous and theologically interpreted understanding of ourselves, wonderfully made by God, who formed our inward parts and knit us together in our mother’s wombs. If we understand personhood in general and gender in particular to be a matter of lived experience rather than merely a matter of physicality, biology, and physiology, then our hearts and our spirits can be open to experiencing all people as Creator made them rather than through very limiting, merely mortal definitions. This article accesses the lived experience of Anglican Archdeacon Venerable …

Internalized Homophobia: A Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapeutic Approach Using The Principles Of Complex Thinking, Daniel Rzondzinski

Consensus

This article describes the construction and application of a complex spiritually integrated psychotherapeutic model for assessment and treatment of internalized homophobia. Homophobia is a complex phenomenon because it includes multiple dimensions: personal, interpersonal, institutional, cultural, political, social, and historical. Internalized homophobia is a mental health problem that affects the subjectivity of 2SLGBTQ+ people. The model explained in this article is a product of the integration of principles from psychoanalytic psychotherapy, 2SLGBTQ+ affirmative framework, narrative therapy, and spiritually integrated psychotherapy. The integration is facilitated by the principles of complex thinking. This article emphasizes the problem of internalized homophobia and the coming …

The Need For Queer Education In Graduate Psychotherapy Programs, Rachel Warner

Consensus

No abstract provided.

"Letter To The Central Committee Of The World Council Of Churches," By The Conference On Religion And Politics In The Context Of The War Against Ukraine, Various Authors

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.