Digital Commons Network^™

Hybrid War: The Influence Of The Russian Orthodox Church On The Ukrainian Media, Oksana Lytvynchuk, Andrii Shevchuk, Zoriana Hrytsyshena

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as a key instrument of hybrid warfare against Ukraine. It analyzes the ROC's primary strategies for influencing Ukraine's information space, particularly through religious rhetoric manipulation and the exploitation of ecclesiastical structures to disseminate pro-Kremlin narratives. The study identifies key mechanisms of the ROC's media influence, including direct control over religious media outlets, active participation of clergy in promoting Russian propaganda narratives, financial backing of pro-Russian media projects, and systematic disinformation campaigns about Ukraine's religious landscape.

Key findings demonstrate the destructive consequences of this hybrid warfare: exacerbation of interfaith tensions leading to societal …

Study Of Religious Experience Using The Introspection Method: Case Of Estonia, Siim Nigulas, Tõnu Lehtsaar

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article revisits the method of introspection as a valuable tool for studying religious experience in Estonia, where spirituality is often personal, unaffiliated, and deeply introspective. Drawing on the legacy of the Dorpat school—particularly Karl Girgensohn—it highlights how experimental introspection can illuminate the dimensions of faith. Considering Estonia’s post-Soviet religious individualization, the method offers a culturally fitting and academically rigorous approach. The study argues for the revival and adaptation of introspective techniques to explore the inner dynamics of belief in a secular yet spiritually curious society.

Living Heritage, Resilience And Ethically Informed Infrastructures In Malawi, Martha B. Lerski, Frank Puluputu Mwale

Publications and Research

Rooted in a rural community’s needs, this paper explores how historically, and ethically informed infrastructures can support community engagement towards identification, documentation, and dissemination of local, traditional, and indigenous knowledge relating to climate change. The paper examines climate adaptation and sustainability issues through the lenses of community organizing and Library & Information Science best practices. It draws on a growing body of literature identifying a role for expanded epistemological and subject discipline perspectives. While the impacts of climate on material culture are increasingly recognized, intangible, and biocultural heritage have not received as much attention. Living heritage traditions and knowledge systems …

Belief In The Pre-Advent Judgment And The Local Resonance Of Global Misinformation Issues, Mennen Pearl C. Talibong, Ray Opao

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

Concerns about misinformation among Adventist students were significantly linked to belief in the Pre-Advent Judgment, unlike among faculty. This study highlights that theological conviction may influence sensitivity to information suppression. Findings suggest that theological education could promote discernment and reduce vulnerability to conspiracy thinking.

Apologetics Curriculum In A Chinese International School, William Kiel Nation

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian schools face the challenge of engaging students whose biblical views are being secularized by a culture that is individualistic and materialistic. At International Christian School Hong Kong, in response to such secular challenges, the overreliance on classical and evidential apologetics in the Bible curriculum has led to student disengagement, as these methods often fail to address the presuppositions of secular youth. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a presuppositional apologetics curriculum, grounded in Tim Keller’s Making Sense of God, compared to the traditional classical approach grounded in Keller’s The Reason for God, to determine which method better …

Small Potatoes, Big Dreams, Sarah Moss

The Voice

No abstract provided.

Systemizing Church Hospitality: Converting Attendees To Committed Members, Dallas J. Blacklock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The American church continues to lack a theoretical framework to guide newcomers through the process of becoming members. The problem is that First Mt. Carmel MBC lacks an onboarding system to guide visitors and guests through the process from attendees to members. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to design, teach, and implement a 12-week onboarding system to integrate visitors into the congregation. To connect visitors to the congregation in the process of becoming a new creation in Christ, strategic steps are predetermined to assimilate them into the congregation. This problem was addressed by developing and implementing …

The Not-So Wonderful World Of Disney: How Disney Films Usurp What Is In The Bible, Jacquelyn Irene Cortez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Disney films are often chosen as entertainment for families and their main target audience is children. While many adults still choose to watch these films, there is a darker side to these films. A majority of these films depict magic and/or witchcraft in them. The ideologies of feminism and toxic masculinity are on display in many of their films. And finally, a lot of these films mock God and what is in the Bible. When looking at popular films such as The Little Mermaid and Frozen, these films are teaching children about magic and making deals with the devil. Disney’s …

Of Modern Monsters And Scientific Magic: The Design Challenges Of Simulating An Enchanted World In Dungeons And Dragons 5th Edition, Leonid Moyzhes

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

This article analyzes the magical system of Dungeons and Dragons 5 edition in the context of an idea of the enchanted world, highlighting controversial relationships between this concept and the rules of the game. On the one hand, D&D’s magic constantly borrows the imagery and ideas from different texts that follow the logic of enchanted world, starting with the idea of magic itself and ending with particular spells being grounded in the fundamental traits of enchanted world like ubiquitous of liminality and the anxiety about agency. On the other hand, broader logic of D&D’s rules inadvertently influences the way those …

2024-2025 Annual Report: Guided By Faith, Modeling Change., Muslim Student Life At Syracuse University

Muslim Student Life

This annual report provides a concise overview of the Muslim Chaplaincy and its initiatives and programs for Muslim students during the 2024-2025 academic year. It showcases only a select few of the programs and accomplishments of the Muslim community at Syracuse University and beyond.

Don’T Take St. Anselm For A Marriage Therapist: The Utility Of Substitutionary Atonement Theology In Light Of Feminist Critiques, Abigail Elizabeth Livengood

Honors Projects

In light of feminist critiques from the twentieth and twenty-first century, this paper returns to Anselm’s Cur Deus Homo to examine the earliest expression of the Substitutionary Atonement Model. While acknowledging the harmful rhetoric attached to the model which has been brought to light by feminist theologians, this work examines Anselm's characterization of God, Jesus, and suffering from within his medieval worldview. In addition, this paper utilizes understandings of Christ held by historical women and survivors themselves to provide further context for Anselm’s understanding. Ultimately, this paper asserts that while feminist theologians raise important concerns about the dangers of Substitutionary …

Adam Smith: Social Imaginary And Religion, Jan Van Vliet

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Living In Wisdom's House: The Proverbs' Convocation Message, Wayne Brouwer

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Enditnow Impact Study Findings, Shannon M. Trecartin, René Drumm, Petr Cincala, Ellen Nogueira Rodrigues, Yazmik Cantillano, Kayla-Hope Bruno, Lalramliani Ralte

Faculty Publications

In January 2025, researchers at Andrews University (AU) initiated a study to evaluate Seventh-day Adventist churches’ engagement with the 2024 Abuse Prevention or enditnow Sabbath. The purpose of the study was initially to assess visibility and participation through the publicly available digital platforms of the sampled churches. The findings from that investigation were reported to the Departments of Archives and Statistics and Women’s Ministries in June 2025. The study’s scope expanded when researchers received a faculty research grant from Andrews University’s Office of Research to further investigate how Adventist churches across the NAD participate in the enditnow Sabbath. This report …

Welcome To My Mind Palace: The Power Of Fantastical Thinking, Sadie Levine

Masters Theses

What follows is a record of my efforts to make the magic and horrors of my internal world tangible and shareable. The brain constructs hyper-specific fictional realities from childhood to adulthood, yet the scientific study of the mind often forgoes the subjective and the visual. I offer a complementary exploration of the mind - one that is highly visual and based on my own experiences, yet still contextualized in psychological research. Finding the magic in everyday life, and by extension, retreating into alternate realities, is a conscious choice I make, but I have not always had the option to choose. …

For The Time Beings, Tori Hong

Masters Theses

For the Time Beings is a socially engaged installation and artist book exploring the material consequences and future possibilities of sociocultural time theories. Time, in the West, is typically associated with Newtonian linearity, while in the East, time theory relies on Buddhist principles. These epistemologies reinforce hierarchical and patriarchal structures. Centered on Indigenous Asian and Asian American perspectives, For the Time Beings challenges dominant ideologies of existing in time and space.

For nearly a year, I’ve burned handwritten prayers on new and full moons. The ashes of these prayers are incorporated into reverential drawings of chosen ancestors, made with charcoal …

Perceptions Of Congregational Engagement In Evangelical Church Worship Programs, Tim Allums

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite existing research on worship leader training and choosing music for congregational worship, a study on the perceptions of congregational worship engagement from the perspectives of worship leaders and congregants has yet to be examined. Congregational worship is formational and helps believers continue to grow in their faith by singing their praise to God with one voice and declaring the tenets of their shared faith. This study sought to reveal perceptions of worship engagement by surveying nineteen worship leaders and one hundred fifteen congregants from thirty-nine evangelical churches around the United States to identify the musical aspects that either enhance …

The Interplay Between Hospitality And Patronage In The Greco-Roman World And Its Implications For Reading Third John, Julie L. Denham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation will seek to explore the social concepts found within the Book of Third John, examining the intricate and nuanced relationship between hospitality and patronage in early first-century Christian communities. By employing a comprehensive approach that integrates historical, cultural, and theological methodologies, this study aims to delve deeply into the multifaceted roles these practices played in shaping the social, spiritual, and theological framework of the early Church. Specifically, this dissertation seeks to address the following questions: How did first-century Christian communities navigate the interplay between hospitality and patronage as reflected in Third John? How did these practices influence communal …

Exploration Of The Congruence Between Environmental Concerns And Eco-Spirituality Programming At Retreat Centers As Experienced By Participants, Jean Golicz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple-embedded case study was to explore the role of environmental awareness and concerns in influencing engagement in retreat practices that were organized around the theme of eco-spirituality and the impact on organizational leadership and program development at two retreat centers in the northeastern region of the United States. Roman Catholic retreat centers were the focus of the study as they endeavored to fulfill leadership directives reflected in the papal encyclical Laudato si’. The centers examined offered immersion in nature, reflection on the interdependence of organic systems, and the development of action plans to address environmental issues. …

Perspectives Of Korean Christian Worshipers On Spontaneous And Liturgical Dance In Worship Engagement, Young Mee Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While the Bible recognizes dance as a form of worship and certain cultures have embraced it for its potential to deepen faith, dance has experienced restricted acceptance in numerous societies and denominations and has received minimal scholarly attention, limited to the study of liturgical dance. This study explores ways for Korean Christian worship, predominantly characterized by Oriental conservative principles, to consider dance as a regular form of worship expression. Exploring responses in a context where spontaneous dance is seldom studied contributes to a deeper understanding of this dance form as a worship practice. The study involves in-depth interviews with six …

Makt, Sex, Och Kön: St. Birgitta And Medieval Swedish Politics, Carl Andrew Lund

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Birgitta Birgersdotter (1302/3 – 1373) was a Swedish noblewoman who began reporting repeated heavenly visions beginning shortly after her widowhood in 1344, although tradition came to believe that she had had earlier visions as well. Her visions had a strong religious component. However, they also gave admonishment and advice to powerful leaders throughout medieval Europe, notably Sweden’s king, Magnus IV Eriksson, and his queen consort, Blanche of Namur. Another important motif of the visions was an insistence of the papacy returning to Rome from Avignon. Birgitta was not always taken seriously due to her gender. However, the privilege obtained from …

Membership To Contemplative Discipleship: Using Contemplative Praxis To Enhance Spiritual Growth, Charlene N. Boone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis explores the role of contemplative spirituality, particularly through practices such as meditation, Lectio Divina, and silence, in fostering spiritual growth within the context of Visitors Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. In an era marked by rapid change and increasing distractions, the need for deeper spiritual engagement has become paramount. This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing interviews, teaching modules, participant observations, and reflective journaling to investigate how these contemplative practices can enhance individual and communal spiritual development.

The findings suggest that meditation serves as a vital tool for cultivating inner peace and awareness, allowing individuals to connect profoundly …

A Qualitative Approach To Understanding A Baptist Association’S Attitudes And Beliefs While Using Digital Spaces During Covid-19, Carolyn L. Banks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When Covid-19 forced worldwide institutional shutdowns, many mass gatherings and public areas of socializing were forced to transition to digital spaces. Of the many institutions that were impacted were the brick-and-mortar church and face-to-face fellowship. Online worship service became the next best mode of communication to keep the body of believers engaged in worship services and other church events. A change from normal brick-and-mortar worship to cyber worship created a need for many to adapt to unchartered territory. Physically unable to be present, hug, shake hands, or personally interact with church members, a sense of belonging, and the potential for …

Spirituality And The Quest For Transcendence On The Portuguese Way Of St. James, José Luís Braga, Miguel Pazos Otón, Isabel Borges

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela is a kind of proto tourism in a world where the number of pilgrimages has increased considerably. In the past the only motivation for such pilgrimages was religious, today we are witnessing the emergence of new motivations, such as cultural and even sporting ones. The research questions that guide this study are the following: Are faith and religion still strong enough motivations to justify pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela? Are there points of convergence between religious and secular pilgrims? Can the Camino be a means of awakening religious vocations? In short, what is the …

Crafting Myths In Modern Times: Essentialising Duty, Obligation And Exchange In Religious Tourism, Anuja Jose, Vinita Chandra, Uday Pratap Singh

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This paper aims to study the factors that contribute to the success of present-day myths in religious tourism. It also seeks to investigate the factors that compel modern pilgrims to accept a certain myth and the role played by stakeholders of religious tourism in the creation of a myth. In order to explore these research questions, Kauḍī Mātā temple in Varanasi, a popular religious tourist spot for Southern Indians, was chosen for Case Study. Qualitative data have been generated through in-depth interviewing. Simultaneously, several myths of goddess Kauḍī Mātā were recovered from textual and digital sources in addition to the …

Seeing Through The Incense Smoke: Understanding The Meanings Of Ancestral Rites In Vietnam For The Sake Of A Pastoral Approach In Christian Mission, J.P. Cima

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Cima, J.P. “Seeing Through the Incense Smoke: Understanding the Meanings of Ancestral Rites in Vietnam for the Sake of a Pastoral Approach in Christian Mission.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2025. 285 pp.

The veneration of ancestors at family altars has long been a defining feature of everyday Vietnamese life that poses a critical missiological problem for Christian mission in Vietnam. May Christians participate in ancestral veneration rituals? Current and historical responses to this question, among Protestants and Catholics alike, have not been uniform. Moreover, many responses have been based on assumed or oversimplified understandings of the rites’ meaning which recent …

“How Can We Sing In A Strange Land?” The Pastoral Musician As A Master Griot/Griotte, Dollie Howell

Doctor of Pastoral Music Projects and Theses

The writer of Psalm 137 asks a question that poignantly resonates with the experiences of enslaved Africans who were taken captive, exiled from their homelands, and told to forget their languages, worship practices, and tribal traditions. Their dehumanization was intensified by expectations that “required a song and . . . mirth.” The question was “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” In response to this question of engaging in song as a community while in a strange land of deep and persistent systemic suffering, enslaved African-descended people founded a unique tradition within Christianity that responded to …

Walking In Promise, Living In Reality: Exploring The Mental Health Implications Of The Pentecostal Discourse Of Divine Calling, Robert D. Mcbain

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

Pentecostalism places a strong emphasis on the discourse of divine calling, where individuals believe they are purposefully created, guided, and empowered by God to fulfill a specific mission. This sense of calling profoundly shapes Pentecostals’ sense of identity and purpose. Using Grounded Theory, this study analyzes open, in-depth interviews with Pentecostals in the U.S. to explore the impact of the Pentecostal discourse of divine calling on their mental health. The metaphor of ‘walking in’ one’s calling emerges as the central theme used by participants to explain the interaction between their perception of divine calling, their lived realities, and their mental …

Reason And All My Senses: Surveying The Post Enlightenment Frame Of Reason Through Contemporary Philosophy, Cognitive Psychology, And Cognitive Linguistics, Joshua T. Lowe Rev. Dr.

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

This dissertation argues that Christian theology and practice are aided and enriched by a more complete understanding of reason by surveying recent studies and views in theology, philosophy, cognitive psychology, and cognitive linguistics. Since the Enlightenment, Christian theology has assumed widely the Enlightenment model of human reason as ideally acontextual, that is, free from constraints of contexts, and therefore universal, that is, applicable in all contexts. Recent developments from a variety of perspectives challenge this model of rationality. Some challenge the acontextualism of the Enlightenment understanding by showing how it arose from and depends on a context, and that context …

Imágenes De Silencio, Compromiso, Persecución Y Tortura: La Teología De La Liberación Y Su Encrucijada Con Las Dictaduras Del Cono Sur Desde Una Representación Cinematográfica, Marcial Martínez

Spanish and Portuguese ETDs

This dissertation examines the interaction between liberation theology and the

dictatorships of the Southern Cone from the 1960s to the 1980s through cinematic

representation. Filmmakers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay

depict the political upheavals of the time, including the rise of leftist movements,

military regimes, and the influence of liberation theology, a progressive religious

ideology advocating for the oppressed. The study focuses on what is defined here

as the "cinematic canon of liberation theology," a body of films and documentaries

that legitimize, contest, or obscure ideologies tied to this movement vis-à-vis the

dictatorships. These films contest the silence …