Digital Commons Network^™

Calendar Reforms In Ukrainian Orthodoxy, Nataliia Ishchuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The study provides a brief retrospective and the current state of the calendar issue in Ukrainian Orthodoxy. To achieve this, the attitude towards the calendar issue of those Orthodox Ukrainians who, in certain historical periods, lived in Ukrainian territories as part of European states and the Russian Empire, is examined. The ideological discourse of the calendar reform during the existence of the Soviet Union is outlined. Special attention is given to the calendar issue in Independent Ukraine. The reasons, main stages, features, and difficulties of the current transition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the new Julian calendar are systematized. …

"The Mission Of The Church In The Post-War Perspective Of Ukraine": International Theological Conference 2024, Vladyslav Fulmes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

On June 06, 2024 Volyn Orthodox Theological Academy (Lutsk, Ukraine) held an international theological conference “The Mission of the Church in the Post-war Perspective of Ukraine”. Brief information about this international scientific conference is given.

The Existential Turn: An Adventist Response, Stephen Yeagley

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Youth ministry has taken several “turns” in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, culminating in the current existential turn. This latest shift acknowledges a more diverse youth demographic (Gen Z) concerned with identity, significance, purpose, belonging, and survival. Numerous existential threats have contributed to this generation’s unprecedented mental health crisis. Nevertheless, members of Gen Z are determined to meet these threats and create the conditions for all to flourish. This paper seeks to articulate a supportive and uniquely Adventist response to the existential turn in the form of Sabbath rest.

Divine Attachment As A Context For Discipleship Transformation In Youth, Kristina Freed

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

O ne of the most profound human lifespan needs, especially among youth, is to have a worthy purpose for living. A growing body of research has identified a serious discrepancy between a Christian’s doctrinal and experiential knowledge of God, leading to disengagement from the practice of discipleship. This may be related, in part, to an unfortunate null curriculum rooted in the assumption that believers understand God in such a way that predisposes them to a discipleship lifestyle. This paper suggests that the missing relational context and the discrepancy between doctrinal and experiential knowledge of God may be remedied by an …

Retired Missionaries And Faith In A Changing Society, Carmel Gallagher

Books/Book chapters

Retired Missionaries and Faith in a Changing Society offers a sociological study of the Irish missionary diaspora. It draws on a series of interviews with female and male Catholic missionaries, mainly nuns and priests, who have worked in Asia, Africa and Central and South America, and who have returned to live in Ireland. The chapters provide unique insight into their experiences, exploring how they have navigated life-course changes in the context of changing church and changing societies. Retired missionaries have several vantage points from which to communicate their understandings, having worked across cultures and encountered some of the most challenging …

Wholistic Healing: Challenges And Opportunities For The Church, Anna Galeniece

All Books

Edited by Anna M. Galeniece

Buddhist Music As A Contested Site: The Transmission Of Teochew Buddhist Music Between China And Singapore, Jie Zhang

Yale Journal of Music & Religion

In the Chaozhou City Gazetteer of Buddhism & Chaozhou Kaiyuan Monastery Gazetteer published in 1992, the then Abbot of the Kaiyuan Monastery, Shi Huiyuan 释慧原 heavily condemned the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) monk Shi Kesheng 释可声 (date unknown) for "starting the sins among laities in the Chaozhou region who dared transgressing (the Buddhist doctrines) and became chant leaders in a flaming mouth ceremony.” Why was the Abbot so upset with a fellow monk back in history? What did Kesheng do, and what were the implications of him starting this "transgression"? This article investigates the history of the international traffic of Buddhist …

(Special Section, Hymns Beyond The Congregation Ii): Spiritual Concert-Fundraisers, Singing Conventions, And Cherokee Language Learning Academies: Vernacular Southern Hymnbooks In Noncongregational Settings, Jesse P. Karlsberg, Kaylina M. Crawley, Sara S. Hopkins

Yale Journal of Music & Religion

Noncongregational settings were integral to hymnody in the postbellum settler colonial context of the southern United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The incorporation of hymn singing into a wide range of noncongregational settings served Black, white, and Native populations in navigating unsettled racial dynamics during this period across the US South and its diasporas. This essay features three case studies examining hymn collections intended or repurposed for a range of noncongregational uses: spiritual collections connected with the performing ensembles of black institutions, a shape-note songbook that attempted to bridge singing convention and congregational contexts, and a …

Why I Say "Merry Christmas": A Dei Perspective, Essraa Nawar

Library Articles and Research

"A few weeks ago, Dr. Daniele Struppa, our Chapman University President approached me with a cultural protocol question regarding sending holiday cards to his international collaborators oversees. Dr. Struppa who currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the American University of Sharjah has become professionally and personally acquainted with some members of the Royal family of the United Arab Emirates, some Social Entrepreneurs, Businessmen, Professors, Scholars and others through this academic engagement. Dr. Struppa was wondering whether or not it is appropriate to send a Chapman University Christmas Card during the Holidays even though December is technically not a …

Anglo-Saxons And The Irish Sea, Ryan Patrick Crisp

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

Recently, Peter Brown described the Irish Sea in the early Middle Ages as "a Celtic 'Mediterranean of the north."' That assessment may be more than this small sea can measure up to, but sufficient evidence concludes that there was substantial naval activity in this area during the early Middle Ages. Interestingly, the Anglo-Saxons, though they had access to the Irish Sea, never ventured forth upon these waters in great numbers. This fact makes their few voyages upon this Celtic lake worth examining.

The Provocation Of A Few, Ben Mack

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

For the Mormons in Missouri, the year 1838 presented many trials. They were in the midst of an attempt to establish "Zion," a community that would be "of one heart and of one mind," but there were obstacles to such an endeavor. Tension between the established Missourians and the Mormon settlers escalated throughout the summer. At the end of the year, the bitterness exploded into a devastating outburst of Missouri violence referred to as the "Haun's Mill Massacre." Of the victimized Mormons, or Latter-day Saints (LDS), seventeen were killed and thirteen were wounded. The massacre, though undeserved by the Mormons, …

Apologetic Knowledge: The Modern Church Planter, Matthew Dilley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project addresses a critical need within the ministry field, focusing on pastors affiliated with the church planting networks Excel Leadership Network and Transformation Ministries. The context is shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on church planting, with a shift to online services and emerging challenges in ministry. The problem is the significant lack of knowledge of apologetics among church planters, hindering their ability to effectively articulate and defend the Christian faith in today's postmodern world, particularly when engaging with non-believers. This DMIN action research project aims to create a concise video curriculum that equips pastors with fundamental apologetics knowledge. …

"I Know The Dream Mine Is True": Mormons, Mining, And The Making Of "Bad Religion" In Early Twentieth-Century Utah, Christine V. Shell

American Studies ETDs

In 1894, folksy Mormon farmer-turned-prophet John H. Koyle, Jr, dreamed that an angel from the Book of Mormon showed him where and how to mine for golden ore and Book of Mormon treasures. Shortly afterwards, Koyle and a handful of friends established the “Dream Mine” at the revealed location, and as word spread additional workers joined the cause—for this was a mine destined to save the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members from financial and spiritual ruin during the long-foretold apocalyptic “Last Days.”

Koyle’s followers took delight and solace from their participation in the Dream Mine’s …

Global Ethics, Religious Liberty, And Freedom Of Information Access, Paul A. Hartog

The Christian Librarian

Devout Christians work in a spectrum of library settings (including public libraries), networked by globalized information access. By nature of their employment, these librarians assist patrons in accessing and retrieving information that challenges or conflicts with a biblical worldview. How can one defend taking such an active role in this seeming contradiction? This article maintains that Christian commitment may not only co-exist with the freedom of information access but may also support it as a universal human right in our globalized, pluralistic context. To make the case, the essay contrasts two varying accounts of Global Ethics (differing in their view …

Full Issue

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Third Nephi And Pseudo-Gospels Compared

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

The account of the ministry of the resurrected Lord in 3 Nephi has been called the Fifth Gospel of Jesus Christ One way to appreciate this record's qualities is to compare it with several works which fabricate gospel-like materials. By comparison, the Book of Mormon is categorically superior.

New Compilation Of Gnostic Scriptures Is Now Available

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

Many early Christians sought gnosis (knowledge) by revelation, inspiration and testimony; hence, they were known as Gnostics. But eventually they were branded as heretics and their writings were suppressed. Although many gnostic views were eccentric, their emphasis on revelation and ritual reflected important aspects of early Christianity that soon were lost. Now many of their writings are conveniently available in a new English translation.

Full Issue

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Book Of Mormon Critical Text Completed

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

The third and final volume of the 1200-page Book of Mormon Critical Text has now been completed. Four years in preparation, this monumental project is a significant milestone in Book of Mormon scholarship. The Critical Text is a tool for scholarly reference-not for casual reading. It shows the textual variants that exist among the manuscripts and the major English editions of the Book of Mormon, including the present-day text. In addition, numerous parallel references to Biblical phraseology and concepts are provided in the footnotes, along with philological notes and references to Judaic expressions.

Chiasmus In Helaman 6:7-13

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

Now available is John W. Welch's recent report on the discovery of a particularly fine example of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon. Welch comments, "This text seems to be among the clearest examples of chiasm in the Book of Mormon." This chiasm, found in Helaman 6:7-13, is the full report for the 64th Year of the Reign of the Judges, a year in which great change occurred among the Nephite and Lamanite peoples. During that yea r, both Nephites and Lamanites enjoyed an extraordinary peace, prosperity, and freedom of travel uncommon at any other time before in Nephite history. …

Expanded Reports Now Available

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

Four reports previously made available through the foundation have recently been upgraded, each in the following way.

Mormon Concept Of Scripture Discussed

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

The Mormon concept of scripture was one of the main topics discussed at the consultation session on the study of the Latter-day Saints held at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature in Atlanta last November. Two of the papers read at that time are now available on the attached order form.

Engaging An Unengaged Demographic: A Phenomenological Study Of Christian Millennials’ Engagement With Religious And Nonreligious Memberships, Stephanie F. Prince

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Church membership is declining worldwide. Studies show that Millennials are less likely to belong to a church than previous generations. Even among churched Millennials, only 48% of church-attending Millennials are church members. Simultaneously, organizations such as health, fitness, and social clubs are seeing an increase in Millennial membership growth. Brand loyalty is high among Millennials, but church loyalty is low even among practicing Christian Millennials who attend church at least once per month. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how practicing Christian Millennials understand the nature of engagement with church and nonreligious memberships and the factors …

Full Issue

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Publications Review Board Now Operative

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

The instituting of a formalized system of reviewing articles considered for possible F.A.R.M.S. publication was mentioned in the Fall 1987 Newsletter. The procedure operates under the aegis of the Evaluation Committee, whose members are Wilford Hess (BYU, microbiology), Douglas Phillips (BYU, classics), Harold Miller (BYU psychology), and Jay Todd (The Ensign). Committee chairman John Sorenson, the acting Evaluation Editor, is assisted by members of a new Publications Review Board, including Gerald Bradford (UC-Irvine, religious studies), John Clark (BYU-NWAF, anthropology), James Faulconer (BYU, philosophy), Stanley Kimball (So. Illin., history), Dan Peterson (BYU, Near Eastern languages), John Robertson (BYU, linguistics), Kent Robson …

Two More Audio Tapes Available

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

All year, Russell Peek has been organizing the F.A.R.M.S. Hugh Nibley tape archive. Several hundred recordings of firesides, Sunday School lessons, and talks have been gathered. Many of these recordings have been transferred to archive quality master, thanks especially to Gordon H. Peck in Las Vegas and Michael K. Jensen in Provo. The tapes are now being cataloged.

Audio Tapes Of Nibley Book Of Mormon Class Available, Russell Peek

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

Those interested in an additional resource for study of the Book of Mormon in 1988 will be rewarded by the audio tapes of Dr. Hugh Nibley's upper division Book of Mormon class at BYU. Russell Peek and a team of recording technicians have captured on cassette tape more than 50 hours of lectures from fall semester 1987 and winter semester 1988, one hour of lecture per cassette.

The Book Of Mormon As Literature

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

Three interpretive essays on the Book of Mormon from a literary point of view are now available.

Massive Bibliography On Pre-Columbian Transoceanic Contacts Now Available

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

A working edition of John Sorenson and Martin Raish's 900-page bibliography, Transoceanic Culture Contacts Between the Old and New Worlds in Pre-Columbian Times: A Comprehensive Annotated Bibliography, is now available. Funded by a F.A.R.M.S. grant, the work ultimately will include accurate bibliographical information on all serious published works on transoceanic cultural transmissions before 1492, each with an abstract of relevant contents.

Full Issue

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

No abstract provided.