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Populism And Religious Rhetoric In Spain's Right-Wing Vox Party, Ainsley Taylor

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

This thesis examines the intersection of populism and religious rhetoric in Spain’s right-wing political party, Vox. By analyzing Facebook posts from Vox’s national and regional accounts in the months leading up to the 2019 and 2023 national elections, as well as key regional elections in Andalusia and Cantabria, this study explores how the party strategically employs religious themes to shape its populist discourse. The findings indicate that Vox primarily uses religious rhetoric to construct an exclusive national identity, framing perceived external threats such as immigration, secularism, and leftist politics. While the party's use of religious rhetoric declined slightly between 2019 …

Reclaiming The Body: A Womanist Bioethics Approach To Christian Authoritarianism, Laron Bryant Dowdell

Yale Divinity School Theses

This paper uses womanist bioethics as a theoretical lens to explore how authoritarian leadership practices violate Black women's well-being and autonomy. Womanist bioethics uniquely centers Black women's lived experiences, integrating spiritual, historical, and social dimensions of justice that mainstream bioethics often ignores. The womanist bioethics framework is applied to critique religious authoritarianism and to propose alternative leadership models rooted in shared leadership and communal accountability. The discussion unfolds in four parts: (1) how womanist bioethics critiques the bodily and moral harm authoritarian leadership inflicts on Black women, (2) testimonials of Black women who resisted high-control church systems, (3) an exploration …

Divine Ecstasy And Erotic Submission: Pauline Réage’S Story Of O And The Medieval Mysticism Of Mechthild Of Magdeburg And Margery Kempe, Lauren A. Crawford

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the thematic and conceptual intersections between Pauline Réage’s Story of O and the medieval mystical writings of Mechthild of Magdeburg and Margery Kempe, focusing on the intertwined dynamics of divine ecstasy and erotic submission. By analyzing the textual representations of bodily suffering, erotic desire, and female submission, this study argues that Story of O—a modern work of literary erotica—engages with a mystical-erotic tradition that echoes the visions and devotional experiences of medieval women mystics. Through close readings, this project examines how both Réage’s protagonist and medieval mystics navigate the paradox of submission as a pathway to …

Divine Achilles And His Raging Heart: Cannibalism In The Iliad, Lucca Crowe

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

The story of the Iliad is one of identity. As Achilles struggles with whom to identify with, his divine mother or mortal father, he is consumed by an overwhelming rage that threatens to overpower him, dragging him down from both divinity and mortality into the very depths of monstrous savagery. This article examines the role that diet, particularly the act of cannibalism, plays in differentiating humans from gods and beasts. By examining Achilles identity struggle through the lens of cannibalism, this article sheds light on the broader ways Greek and Roman authors used cannibalism to express notions of otherness, situating …

The Papacy After Pope Francis: A Reformed Perspective, Kyle J. Dieleman

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit, Reformed Christians can disagree with our Catholic sisters and brothers while still praying that God’s kingdom will come, within Catholicism and beyond, as the next pope is elected."

Posting about the power and authority of the Catholic Church 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 Papacy After Pope Francis

Christianity And Environmental Stewardship: Locating A New Christian Environmental Ethic In Response To The Climate Crisis, Claire E. Sims

Honors Theses

In Lynn White Jr.’s essay, “The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis,” White argues that Christianity has heavily influenced society’s view of the environment. Rhetoric from Genesis has led people to believe that God intends, and even commands, that humans have dominion over the earth. This narrative provides justification for the abuse of the environment at large, abuse that has been compacted over time to create the climate crisis that we are currently experiencing. Though White’s argument lacks some nuance and somewhat exaggerates Christianity’s role in the environmental crisis, I believe his thesis to be true: Christianity does have a …

Naturam Expellas Furca, Tamen Usque Recurret: Theorizing Approaches To Nature In Antiquity, Ca. 800 Bce 450 Ce, William K. Edwards

Honors Theses

Ancient thinkers reflected on nature and engaged with their abstractions in accordance with many different conceptual frameworks. These frameworks were numerous and diverse, characterized by varying interpretations of nature. Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, and early Christians each adopted approaches to nature; these approaches, conceptual and abstract, were in some ways similar, but also distinct. By analyzing the relevant primary sources, this thesis will investigate the similarities, differences, and interplay between these ancient theoretical frameworks. This thesis will investigate philosophical, theological, historical, ecological, and cultural perspectives on nature. An analysis of these ideas, being aware of their historical contexts, will allow us …

La Contextualización De Las Misiones Cristianas En Quito, Ecuador: Celebrar La Cultura Al Comunicar La Verdad, Sarah Huneycutt

Senior Honors Theses

Sin un conocimiento adecuado de cómo contextualizar su ministerio en contextos culturales únicos, los misioneros no podrán honrar a la gente local, llegar a sus corazones e invitar a todas naciones a la meta unida de glorificar a Dios. Aunque bien existen muchos recursos sobre regiones amplias o aun continentales, pocos existen que ofrezcan una comprensión de comunidades específicas. Para rellenar este vacío, la investigación actual intentó recopilar información sobre una región especifica—Quito, Ecuador—y examinar las implicaciones para misiones cristianas actuales en Quito.

Para contestar estas preguntas, se realizó un estudio etnográfico cualitativo mientras que la investigadora vivía en Quito. …

Bibliography Of Christianity And Mathematics Update, Calvin Jongsma

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

This was a banquet talk given at the Twenty-fourth Biennial Conference of the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences held at Dordt University on May 28-June 1, 2024.

It provides an update on the progress being made in the author’s project of producing a second edition of Bibliography of Christianity and Mathematics. This work is now being developed as a Zotero database with a slightly broader focus on Religious Faith and the Mathematical Sciences and with a much expanded list of books, articles, and blog posts on the topic. The author hopes to make the database public sometime …

Introduction To The Journal Of Adventist Youth & Young Adult Ministries, Tracy Wood

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

Overview, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

Deism: The Natural Flow Of Western Christians, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

The Need For A Grounded Faith And A Transcendent Sky: Philosophy As A Tool For Youth And Young Adult Ministry, Amalia Goulbourne

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Many youth and young adults lack a deeply spiritual faith in a church that focuses on moral goodness, institutional commitment, and a belief in transcendence from a secular world. They ask questions about their identity, purpose, and belonging. Philosophy provides a stable framework for youth and young adults to learn how to engage in questioning, grow a deeply rooted faith from which to live life, learn the history of past and present philosophies, and explore the limits of a secular worldview.

The Missing Culture: A Look Into Intentionally Intergenerational Church Culture In Light Of Youth In The Current Generational Cultures Of The United States, Jason Canfield

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

As the church wrestles with reaching and retaining the youth and young adults of today, should the focus be on entertaining their interests or disciplining them? If the goal is discipleship, then an understanding of the generations and how bringing them intentionally together (intergenerational) as a core value of the church culture should be explored. Recognizing each generation’s unique culture and preferences and how those differences can make us stronger together as a united body of Christ is the aim of this article.

Losing My Religion: Young Adults And The Impact And Implications Of Secularism On Their Religion, Lyle Notice

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Young adults in North America are less religious and consider themselves unaffiliated with organized religion. There is a stark difference between Millennials and Baby Boomers within the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church when it comes to religious beliefs, behavior, and affiliation. The older generation is holding on to religious beliefs while Millennials slowly and quietly drift away from the church and religious ideology. As Millennials move away from religious institutions and take on more secular ideology, it would appear that there are specific reasons for the mass exodus of young adults from church. This paper seeks to discuss the challenges facing …

Culture And Its Influence In A Modern World: First Approach, Bosco Vanega Flores

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Culture is a pervasive aspect within our societies, often overlooked or under-estimated. This paper endeavors to initiate a preliminary exploration of this subject matter, highlighting its relevance. By doing so, it aims to facilitate a deeper comprehension of cultural dynamics and their implications. Additionally, it seeks to underscore the significance of leveraging cultural insights as a means to engage with youth effectively, comprehend their milieu, and offer meaningful assistance within the cultural milieu they navigate.

Emotions And Human Flourishing, Kayla Goodman

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

This paper addresses the intricate relationship between emotions and human flourishing, aiming to provide a more structured understanding of how emotional experiences shape and contribute to overall well-being. This is a vital tool in working with youth and young adults because it addresses a key element of this life stage. Emotions are integral aspects of the human experience and influence how people act as well as the extent of which emotional connection and vulnerability can be shared with each other. This also shapes the community experience of doing life with others.

The New Orphan? Ministry In K-12 Public Schools, Nelson Silva

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

As churches struggle with identity and declining members in an increasingly hyper-individualistic and pluralistic society, mission must be carefully reconsidered to bring about adaptive change. Public schools position themselves as a natural place to mingle with the people of the community. However, many churches’ missiological posture of attraction rather than immersion, in addition to the misinterpretation of how church and state should relate, keeps ministry away from the heart of the community. The 180° Symposium in 2017 identified “The New Orphan” as Youth Sabbath School. This metaphor now applies to elementary and secondary public schools. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has …

The Efficacy Of A Culturally Sensitive Apologetic On University Campuses, Darrel Lindensmith

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

The secular shift in modern culture calls for a corresponding communication of the Gospel to university students. Many young adults have shifted from an underlining assumption of Biblical theism toward naturalistic narratives. This calls us to address the epistemology of that scientism by looking deeper at its own assumptions if we are to help students meet the reality of God in their lives. Students on college and university campuses normally do not have knowledge or ready access to professional research highlighting evidence of intelligent design in biology and cosmology, nor evidence of God in prophecy and the resurrection of Christ. …

Are You Real? An Introduction To Church Brand Authenticity, Grace Ma

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

In recent years, authenticity has become a top quality that decides customer preferences and brand loyalty. It is also an essential value in the Bible, and the church is called to stay authentic. This interdisciplinary paper introduces the areas to build brand authenticity of the church and finds current challenges within the church through the lens of brand authenticity.

The Three Angels’ Messages And The Seventh-Day Sabbath: Antidotes To The 1844 Theological Divide Of Neo-Darwinism, Karl Marx, And Frederick Nietzsche, Ron Reece

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

The “Great Disappointment” of October 22, 1844, left a group of believers wondering what did happen in 1844. This seminal time period in world history was also defined by the scientific and philosophical ideas of Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, and Frederick Nietzsche that challenged God’s grace and redemption at (1) creation; (2) Mt. Sinai; and (3) Calvary. The Three Angels’ Messages and the seventh-day Sabbath are Christ’s antidote to awaken humanity from this confused and deceived state of reality. They also address the secular philosophies of Neo-Darwinism, Marx, and Nietzsche. Seventh-day Adventists need to embrace a new understanding of 1844 …

Secular Sunset And Spiritual Sunrise: The Rise And Demise Of Secularism And The Rise Of The Spiritual, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Christians too often seem worried, overwhelmed, or defeated by secularism and its influence. Because of the reality of God and his actions, secularism is destined to die. Already it has shown indications of losing its grip and sometimes being irrelevant, as evidenced by pendulum swings, life changes, and even imploding on itself. Instead of maintaining a narrow gaze on the secular, focus on the realities of the transcendent God who continues to be present and active in this world. Reaffirm God’s sovereignty, as evidenced in Scripture and more recently, including our own day. Proclaim and join Christ’s kingdom that is …

Who Cares? Ministering To (And With) Young People In A Secular World

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

The Ballad Of The Wheel, John Kosch

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The Ballad of the Wheel is a piece for voice, percussion, and electronics that examines the cyclical nature of humanity. It draws texts from existential literature that spans almost all of recorded history, from antiquity to present day. In this work, a single narrator poses the same concerns about the nature of existence in different texts, revealing that questions about the meaning of life transcend boundaries of time and space. The prevalence of the theme of reincarnation also suggests that each movement of the piece presents a different manifestation of a single being. The Ballad of the Wheel implies a …

Queered Tradition: Disidentificatory Practices Of Queer-Affirming Religious Space, Amanda R. Peterson

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Responding to high rates of religious trauma in the United States, particularly for LGBTQ people, this study investigates the rhetorical moves made in protestant Christian spaces to consider what makes these spaces safe and affirming for queer people. Specifically, I consider the rhetorical impact these churches make through not only their space but also their liturgy and online presence, which informs the embodied experience of the space.

Through autoethnographic research, I look at three local churches—Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha, Urban Abbey, and Elevate Church–the first two queer-affirming and the third conservative. Findings show the various church elements negotiated with …

Cling To The Saints : Facilitating Spiritual Growth Through Community Spiritual Direction, Laura L. Descalzo

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

On Mission Through The Great Commission : Changing Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors, John Monger

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Keeping The Faith : Spiritual Formation During The College Years, Ricardo A. Rodriguez

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Establishing Traditional Methodism : Teaching Free Methodist History, Theology, And Practices To A Former United Methodist Congregation, D. Stanley Cushing

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Personality's Role In Burnout : Examining The Impact Of Personality Traits On Burnout In Ministry Leadership, Johnny F. Ray

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.