Digital Commons Network^™

Building Community, Sarah Moss, Athan De Jong

The Voice

No abstract provided.

Mindful Of God: Meditation Practices Within Abrahamic Traditions, Jacob Aqua

Mindfulness Studies Theses

Through the exploration of meditation practices within Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, this paper emphasizes the shared intention among practitioners of these Abrahamic traditions to connect with the Divine Presence of God in daily life. In modern America, where religious diversity and secularism coexist, meditation practices have gained traction in spiritual settings, secular spaces, religious communities, and other environments. This paper reviews three key meditation practices: the dhikr practice in Islam, the “Just Being” Shabbat practice in Judaism, and the “Silence as a Door to God” practice in Christianity. Through this review, significant phenomenological parallels emerge: the practices of cultivating stillness …

Exploring The Concept Of Cultural Divinity In Supporting Religious Moderation In Indonesia, Andi Suhardiyanto, Tutik Wijayanti, Hendri Irawan

Jurnal Civics: Media Kajian Kewarganegaraan

As a diverse nation, Indonesia often experiences clashes regarding diversity in life. The culturally embedded concept of divinity is believed to be a driving force in supporting religious moderation in Indonesia. This concept is crucial in religious pluralism in Indonesia, a country with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. This study adopts a qualitative approach through a literature review referencing national and international journals indexed in Scopus. The research findings indicate that maintaining harmony among religious communities and religious moderation serves as a strong foundation. Culturally embedded divinity refers to understanding cultural and religious diversity, a noble heritage of the Indonesian …

The Psychology Of Money: Achieving Financial Peace, Jesse L. Veenstra

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"The single biggest way to be financially healthy is to spend less than you make."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­healthy financial habits 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 Psychology of Money

Beauty And Gore: Unsettling Audiences In The 2018 Production Of Ang Paglilitis Ni Mang Serapio, Sophia Martha B. Marco, Svetlana Antropova

Perspectives in the Arts and Humanities Asia

No abstract provided.

Review Of So Heaven, Francessca S. Abalos

Perspectives in the Arts and Humanities Asia

No abstract provided.

Johann Georg Hamann And The Liberal Project, Jesse D. Ansley

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines the political thought of Johann Georg Hamann, his relationship to liberalism, and the importance to modern concerns for consensus formation and intercultural dialogue. This contributes to the line of literature sparked by Isaiah Berlin debating the political legacy of Hamann and its relation to the development of modern politics. Berlin labels Hamann an anti-rationalist whose current developed into the ideology of the Nazi party. My work supports the countervailing arguments that Hamann’s work is importantly different from the Romantics he inspired and even more so from the Nazis. By examining two complete works and a number of …

Measuring Change Readiness In Congregations Searching For A Pastor During A Pastoral Vacancy, Paul Hennings

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the problem of measuring change readiness in Midwestern LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ) congregations searching for a pastor during a pastoral vacancy. Measuring change readiness is important because it reflects an organization’s willingness and preparedness to change, which is especially crucial for aligning congregations and new pastors. This qualitative study utilized a collective case study approach examining four congregations. The call committees of each congregation completed an online survey and an interview with the researcher in order to collect data regarding congregational change readiness and personal change resistance. The research included a biblical and theological …

Emotional Health As A Preventive Measure To Reduce Abuse In Evangelical Ministries, Tammie Jean Haveman

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the relationship between emotional health and abuse in Evangelical ministry contexts in the United States. A mixed-methods design explored how the emotional health of leaders contributed to organizational dynamics within ecclesiastical and nonprofit ministry settings. The theological review examined Pauline epistles, emphasizing emotion’s role in leadership and the biblical expectation that Christian leaders exhibit Spirit-led, Christlike character and emotional maturity. A conceptual heuristic was developed to interpret Pauline teachings on emotionally unhealthy dispositions such as selfishness, domineering tendencies, and irascibility. While not labeled as abuse in Paul’s context, these traits correspond to emotional patterns that often underlie …

How Pentecostals Living In The United States Experience, Interpret, And Respond To Depression, Robert Mcbain

College of Theology and Ministry Dissertations, Projects, & Theses

The prevalence of depression in society underscores the need for awareness and support, particularly within Pentecostal communities, where depression remains underexplored. While studies suggest how the Christian context shapes depression, the literature lacks depth about the relationship between Pentecostalism and depression. This gap risks fostering misconceptions, marginalizing sufferers, and allowing dominant voices to impose stigmatizing interpretations that discourage external help and reinforce unrealistic norms. These repercussions emphasize the need to research the relationship between Pentecostalism and depression to address stigma, create supportive environments, and ensure that sufferers retain ownership of their mental health narratives. This dissertation contributes to this need …

Not Forgotten, A. Sue Russell, Rochelle Scheuermann, Amanda Allen

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

An Integral Transpersonal Approach To The Self: Practical Maps And Models, Pier Luigi Lattuada

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This work aims to focus attention on the concepts of the psyche and of self, and the participatory dialogue between the self and the world, to highlight the contribution that an integral transpersonal psychotherapy (ITP) approach of biotransenergetics (BTE) offers. The ITP approach sees the psyche as the totality of the being and the self as the unifying archetype that defifines it. Some new epistemological maps and concepts are outlined to highlight their usefulness for a clinical and research methodology based on assumptions of a transpersonal and integral order.

Bridging The Gap: Overcoming Barriers To Church Attendance And Ministry Engagement Between Millenials And Baby Boomers In The African Methodist Episcopal Church, Lavoris Williams

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the generational divide within the AME Church and propose actionable solutions for bridging this gap. Chapter 1 has introduced the problem, its context, and its significance, along with the guiding research question. Subsequent chapters will build on this foundation, exploring biblical, theological, and historical perspectives, as well as practical strategies for fostering intergenerational collaboration.

Chapter 2 will delve into the biblical foundations of unity and intergenerational collaboration, examining scriptural principles that emphasize mutual respect and cooperation. Chapter 3 will provide theological and historical insights, highlighting examples of successful intergenerational ministry within …

Metaphors For Metamorphosis: The Poetics Of Kenosis And The Apophasis Of Self In Saint John Of The Cross, George Faithful

Social Justice | Faculty Scholarship

Spanish mystic Saint Juan (John) of the Cross (1542–1591) began writing poetry while imprisoned by his own monastic order. He developed manuals for contemplation, in part, in the form of commentaries on his principal poems. Their first-person narrators were women who underwent metamorphoses in order to pursue love: one became a dove in her despair; another became flame itself; the last disguised herself as a knight. Juan explained that all three represented the soul that is seeking God. For readers, these metaphors could engender cognitive dissonance, through which they might step outside of themselves and move closer to union with …

Chapter 5: Book Of Mormon Names, Matthew Roper

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Calvin Forum: Summer 2025, Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

CONTENTS - Vol. 36., SUMMER 2025

Main Features: 2 - Letter from the President

6- How John Calvin Shaped Modern Seminary Education BY KARIN MAAG

12- Why Calvin? Naming a Seminary After a Theologian of Consolation BY SAM HA

18- Reformed Roots in the Global South: Indonesia’s Calvinist Heritage BY YUDHA THIANTO

24- Why Bavinck and Kuyper?

26- Herman Bavinck and the Mission of Calvin Seminary: Theology That Glorifies God BY JESSICA JOUSTRA

30- Why Abraham Kuyper’s Vision Still Shapes Reformed Theology and Education BY JORDAN BALLOR

34- Carrying Calvin’s Legacy: How Calvin Theological Seminary Equips Culturally Engaged Ministry …

Easter As Threshold: Trauma, Transformation, And God’S Presence In Liminal Spaces, Joseph W. Green

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

Using the context of Easter, this personal essay explores perceptions of God’s presence and absence during human suffering. There is a theological thread that ties Christ’s suffering for our griefs and sorrows during his Atonement directly to his ability to succor us as we enter into despair due to our own trauma. Our suffering occurs during moments of transition and vulnerability known as “liminal spaces.” It is in these moments that the Savior meets us at the threshold, helping us move through trauma toward transformation in Christ. Our ability to move forward openly in liminal spaces will help us to …

Evil, Suffering, And The Divine: Reassessing Theological Responses In Schillebeeckx's Work, Paulinus Daeli

Obsculta

Human suffering has transformative potential, both at the individual and community level. This article specifically explores Edward Schillebeeckx’s theological reflections on the transformative dimension of suffering. By highlighting the complexity of suffering and the challenges it poses to Christian faith, the article offers seven reflections from Schillebeeckx’s theological perspective on human suffering, which encourage the faithful to face the “unanswered questions” surrounding suffering with humility and hope. In this context, Schillebeeckx’s theological reflections offer deep insights into the goodness of God, which can encourage Christians to respond to suffering with compassion, resilience, and a commitment to justice. Ultimately, this article …

Imago Dei: Recognizing Divine Dignity And Revitalizing Caritas In The Fight Against Oppression, Andrenique D. Rolle

Obsculta

This paper explores the story of Fainess Lipenga, a resilient survivor of human trafficking. It highlights her journey and its connection to broader social justice themes. Using a theological framework, it examines how ideas of liberation and justice shape our understanding of her resilience. It also emphasizes the role of faith and spirituality in healing for survivors and the need for justice to address the systemic issues behind oppression.

Ukrainian Catholicism In A Time Of War And Ecclesial Debates, Valentyna Kuryliak Dr, Ivan Ostashchuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the diverse responses of Ukrainian Catholics–encompassing both influential individual voices and official church structures to two key contemporary challenges: the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine and ongoing intra-church debates on issues of life, sexuality, and gender ideology. The analysis highlights inherent tensions and points of convergence between the universal teaching of the Catholic Church and the local experience of profound crisis. It demonstrates how believing communities navigate both external existential threats and internal doctrinal shifts, contributing to a deeper understanding of contemporary Catholic identity and mission in times of conflict.

Theories Of Child Development & Theories Of Religious And Spiritual Development (Rsd) In Children, Marjorie Lindner Gunnoe

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

This essay introduces readers to the foundational theories of child development and the ways in which these theories have been applied or extended to children’s religious and spiritual development (RSD). By “foundational theories,” I mean the theories introduced in the opening chapters of developmental textbooks. This essay is not a theological critique of psychological theories (for this, see Gunnoe, 2022), nor a “state of the field” review of RSD (for this, see Boyatzis, 2023). Rather, it is a primer on the broad theoretical approaches that scaffold contemporary research on RSD.

Partners In Death: Introducing An Ethic Of Care To Online Funeral Home Rhetoric, Lindsay Catherine Gagnon

Dissertations and Theses

The funeral industry has become a staple in American death culture over the last century and a half. The professionalization of end-of-life and funeral practices has distanced the average American further from the realities of death, creating a dependent relationship on the funeral home to navigate the complexities of the death process. The experience of grief creates a need for a care that prioritizes the dead and their loved ones. This study calls for an application of care ethics to the rhetoric being promoted by funeral home websites. I first conduct an ideograph analysis of the ideographs and to assess …

Training Small Group Leaders For Effective Discipleship At Ilive Ministries In Pacolet, South Carolina, Kadeem Antonio Ellis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This project examined the need for discipleship training among small group leaders at iLive Ministries in Pacolet, South Carolina. A four-week workshop incorporating lectures, discussions, and interactive activities was designed and implemented. Evaluation tools included Pre- and Post-Tests, structured observation, and participant interviews. Findings demonstrated measurable growth in confidence, facilitation skills, and discipleship understanding. The project concluded that intentional training not only equips leaders with biblical grounding and practical skills but also highlights ongoing needs for mentoring, refined assessment, and sustainable support, strengthening iLive Ministries’ discipleship culture and offering a replicable model for other congregations.

Scoring A New Jazz Standard: A Collaborative Approach To Implementing Spiritual Care At Erlanger Hospital Palliative Care, Richard Fleck

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Just like a jazz combo brings together professional musicians who are instrument specialists to improvise together, Palliative Care brings together healthcare specialists for holistic, patient-centered collaboration. This ministry project, which is a phenomenological inquiry based on the theological theme of suffering, follows a collaborative approach to implementing spiritual care at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. This project describes the researcher’s collaborative work in scoring a new jazz standard for Erlanger Palliative Spiritual Care, which includes recommendations for quality improvement and recommendations for professional development.

Church Attendance, Gender Roles, And Human Sexuality, Derek D. Goodrich

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

This research examines how the frequency of religious attendance impacts views on gender roles and sexuality in Christian subgroups in the United States. Prior research on the varying worldviews of American Christians has revealed a diverse group of opinions that cannot be explained solely by denominational affiliation. Based on social identity theory, this study explores whether the frequency of attendance at religious services influences congregants’ beliefs on six issues: legalization of gay marriage, the acceptance of homosexuality in society, the acceptance of transgender people, whether a parent should stay home with the children, which parent should stay home, and women …

A Cadaver Story: Relationality In The Anatomy Laboratory, Stephanie Teasley

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Cadavers in the human anatomy laboratory occupy a liminal social space, a circumstance that presents a variety of challenges for anatomy students. Cadavers are intended to be scientific objects for study, but their human status makes dissection uniquely challenging. Many of the obstacles to working in the laboratory result from discomfort experienced at the thought of cutting a person (i.e. a social being). In this project, I use ‘cadaver’ to indicate a category of being created in and for the anatomy laboratory. This is distinct from the more general ‘dead body’ in that the category cadaver enables emotional distance and …

Matthew 5:3: Blessed Are Those Who Have A Spiritual Commitment To Help The Poor, Scott Gambrill Sinclair

The Scott Sinclair Lecture Notes Collection

Lecture notes on a series of talks by Scott G. Sinclair's on his version of the Historical Jesus.

How To Fly: Understanding The Dynamics Of The Spiritual Life, Scott K. Stephans

Books

No abstract provided.

Weeping In The Household: Equipping Pastoral Caregivers Among Grieving Families At Grace Presbyterian Church In Baltimore, Maryland, Charles Brandon Brewer

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This project sought to equip pastoral care ministry members of Grace Presbyterian Church to explore communal grief and deepen their own understanding of family systems in intergenerational grief. Participants engaged in a four-week training series aimed at reducing fear surrounding discussions of death, dying, and grief, empowering pastoral caregivers in the church to offer compassionate care to grieving individuals and families. Participants were trained to facilitate Bible studies, group discussions and were equipped with the skills necessary to guide and expand the church’s existing bereavement ministry beyond crisis intervention, strengthening pastoral care efforts, and the pastoral care ministry of the …

Who Do I Say I Am: A Review Of Catholic Teachers’ Spiritual Identity And Factors Affecting Its Formation, Nancy Lourdes U. Toledo

Journal of Catholic Education

Teachers in Catholic schools are not only required to provide quality education through mastering the essential skills of pedagogy; they are also called to “be a reflection, albeit imperfect but still vivid, of the one Teacher” (Gravissimum educationis, 1965, para. 23). Thus, the spiritual identity of all teachers in Catholic schools, not only those who teach religious education, must be integrated with their professional identity. This review draws from 20 empirical peer-reviewed articles on Catholic school educators to understand how Catholic teachers see their spiritual identity as teachers and how these spiritual identities are formed. The results show …