Digital Commons Network^™

Book Review: Oleksandr Geychenko, Roman Soloviy, And Yevgeny Ustinovich, Eds. Beatitudes And Terror: A Ukrainian Theological Response To Russian Aggression. Trans. From Ukrainian By Mykola Leliovskyi., Michael Blythe

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A review of Oleksandr Geychenko, Roman Soloviy, and Yevgeny Ustinovich, eds. Beatitudes and Terror: A Ukrainian Theological Response to Russian Aggression. Trans. from Ukrainian by Mykola Leliovskyi. Carlisle, UK: Langham Global Library, 2025. Pp. 240. £17.99 (paperback). ISBN: 978-1-78641-191-4.

Silent Struggles: The Hidden Burden Of Depression Among Black Single Mothers In Ghana, Sonja Brown

Doctor of Ministry

Reflections Through the Single Mothers of the Bible examines depression among Black single mothers in Ghana as an overlooked yet urgent mental, physical, economic, social, and Spiritual concern, highlighting the need for integrated Faith-based and community-centered responses. While global attention to maternal mental health has increased, the lived experiences of Black single mothers, particularly within faith-shaped, patriarchal, and economically constrained Ghanaian contexts, remain underrepresented in scholarly research, theological discourse, and public policy. This gap presents a problem and an opportunity to develop holistic, culturally responsive, and faith-informed approaches to care and advocacy.

This dissertation argues that depression among Black single …

A Contextual Proposal Toward Ministerial Competency: The Theological Education Of Pastors In The African American Baptist Churches Of Central Mississippi, Kevin Thomas

Doctor of Ministry

There is a critical issue affecting some African American Baptist churches in Central Mississippi: the absence of formal theological training among a significant number of pastors. While these ministers are spiritually mature and deeply committed to their congregations, the gap in theological preparedness tends to pose challenges to doctrinal accuracy, exegetical soundness, and the long-term effectiveness of their ministries. This study aims to address the following question: How can a contextually informed and practically accessible theological education model equip African American Baptist pastors in Central Mississippi for faithful ministry? The argument presented asserts that theological education is not a luxury …

Religious Television Of Ukraine In Shaping Spiritual Identity In The Context Of Contemporary Media Practices, Oleh Sokolovskyi, Vadym Slyusar, Maksym Melnychuk, Yuliia Kondratiuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article is devoted to analysing religious television in Ukraine as a key institution of contemporary sacred communication, which shapes a new configuration of spiritual presence within the digital media space. Religious TV channels are examined as mediatized spaces for producing and transmitting symbolic meanings, within which traditional theological narratives are adapted to the demands of audiovisual culture, and the sacred acquires new forms of visualisation, emotional accessibility, and communicative dynamism. It is demonstrated that television broadcasting provides a unique format of spiritual support, enabling faith communities to participate in prayer practices, catechetical programmes, and moral-ethical discourse beyond the boundaries …

The Theological Tradition Of The Orthodox Church In The Aspect Of The Formation Of Military Leadership In Ukraine, Olga Dobrodum, Andrii S. Zborchyi, Tetyana Kondratyuk-Antonova, Oleksandr L. Kolomiiets

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Analysis of the Orthodox theological tradition as a moral foundation for military leadership in the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the full-scale war. The study moves beyond pragmatic managerial models, exploring Orthodox categories such as service (diakonia), sacrifice, and spiritual warfare. Drawing on patristic heritage and modern theologians, the authors examine leadership motivation, the role of faith in professional resilience, and the integration of Orthodox anthropology into military training. Special emphasis is placed on the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's chaplaincy as a key mechanism for actualizing these values while addressing challenges like secularism and multiconfessionalism.

Eurasianism As The Ideological Foundation Of Putin's Russia: Protestant Dimensions., Pavlo Pavlenko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article explores the ideological foundations of contemporary Putinist Russia, identifying Eurasianism as a primary socio-philosophical and geopolitical doctrine driving the Kremlin's imperial ambitions. The author traces the evolution of Eurasianism from its origins in "White émigré" circles to its current role as a conceptual bedrock for Russian fascism. A comparative analysis is provided between Eurasianism and the "Russian World" (Russkiy Mir) doctrine, highlighting their distinct approaches to ethnocentrism and continental unity. A significant portion of the study is dedicated to the "Eurasianization" of Protestant denominations within the Russian Federation, illustrating how these communities have been instrumentalized by the state …

Religion And International Relations: The Concept Of Soft Power And Orthodoxy In Kazakhstan, Ali Ukenov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the role of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan (OCK), a constituent part of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), within the framework of religious soft power. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the relationship between the ROC, Russian foreign policy, and transnational religious influence has attracted increased scholarly attention. Drawing on the concept of soft power and constructivist approaches, the study combines qualitative field research with media content analysis. The empirical material includes twenty semi-structured interviews conducted with Orthodox clergy and active parishioners across Kazakhstan, as well as an examination of the case of former priest Yakov …

A Better Way: From Pyramids To Gardens: Recovering God's Design For Leadership, Accountability And Renewal, Tara Naomi Korpi

Doctor of Ministry

This doctoral project emerges from my vocational context as a consultant and pastor working with senior pastors and executive leadership teams within evangelical contexts. Across these settings, I encountered patterns of abuse and unethical and immoral behavior that were not rooted in isolated mistakes but embedded within organizational cultures that normalized pastoral isolation, protected institutional image, and lacked effective structures for accountability. These observations shaped the project’s conviction that, when empowered with appropriate tools for integrity and accountability, leaders can cultivate healthier churches where righteousness is prioritized, harm is prevented, and pastors are supported to finish well for lasting Kingdom …

Religious Conversion From Islam To Christianity In Kazakhstan, Kalmahan Yerzhan, Didar Mamyrbayev, Yelaman Karibekuly

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The phenomenon of religious conversion constitutes a significant topic of inquiry within the realms of social and psychological research in contemporary society. This article investigates the experiences of Muslims in Kazakhstan who have transitioned to Christianity, specifically within the Baptist denomination. The study employed a qualitative approach and was executed through semi-structured interviews with participants. The primary objective of the interview was to ascertain how familial upbringing, emotional experiences, as well as social and psychological factors, influence the conversion process. The findings indicated that the act of changing one's religion is frequently correlated with an individual's personal spiritual quest, existential …

Biblical Women Reimagined A Devotional Where Women's Voices Are Heard, Natalie Karlson

Doctor of Ministry

The vocational context of this project portfolio is a small spiritual direction practice found in central Massachusetts. The directees are women who attend or have left the evangelical church for distinct reasons. One of the key issues that these women face is the dismissal or minimization of their voices. Leaders stopped these women from using their voices. The women could not ask questions, share their experiences, or make decisions about their spiritual journeys. Considering the context and stakeholder feedback, the NPO: the dismissal of women’s voices denies the evangelical church the complete revelation of God’s work among humans.

Four key …

Engaging Biblical Criticism In The American South: A Local Church Approach, Adam Harris

Doctor of Leadership

Historical critical approaches to the Bible that reexamine doctrines of inerrancy are unheard of, dismissed, or viewed as a threat throughout Christian faith communities in Sumner County, TN. This underutilizes a credible method of interpretation for Christians who have only been exposed to views that tightly hold biblical inerrancy. The lack of awareness and disregard for aspects of biblical criticism in local churches by leaders and congregation members in Sumner County, TN, is multifaceted.

Most stakeholders in this NPO context have backgrounds in conservative American Evangelical Protestant congregations. They are either struggling with or reexamining their inherited beliefs due to …

Saint Paisius Of Hilendar – The Bulgarian Jesus, Son Of Sirach, Ivaylo Naydenov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Despite a temporal gap of nearly twenty centuries, a comparative analysis of Jesus, Son of Sirach, and Saint Paisius of Hilendar reveals striking thematic and ideological parallels. Both authors, writing in times of cultural and political upheaval, sought to reaffirm religious and national identity in response to external pressures—Hellenization in the case of Sirach and Greek influence within the Ottoman Empire for Paisius. Their works emphasize wisdom, historical consciousness, and spiritual resilience as tools for social and national revival. By situating their narratives within broader historical and theological frameworks, they provide models of cultural resistance that transcend their immediate contexts.

Theology Of Creation In The Bulgarian Theology Of The 20th Century, Svetoslav Ribolov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Theology of Creation in 20th-century Bulgaria emerged within the broader debate about the role of religious education in state schools and the tension between the prevailing influence of evolutionary theory and a scientific approach to the Orthodox Church’s traditional spiritual heritage. Before World War 2, the primary social and intellectual motivation behind the Theology of Creation in Bulgaria was rooted in an apologetic struggle against secular ideas, which were embraced by a significant portion of Bulgarian society at the time. In the second half of the 20th century, however, this discourse gradually evolved to incorporate more denominationally oriented theological perspectives, …

Capes, D.B. Matthew Through Old Testament Eyes: A Background And Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mi: Kregel Academic, 2024, Edward Walton

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Lim, Susan. Light Of The Word: How Knowing The History Of The Bible Illuminates Our Faith. Downers Grove, Il: Intervarsity Press, 2023, Arianna Dahlia

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Is Acts Really “The Most Overtly Missionary Book”?, Ekaputra Tupamahu

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

The aim of this article is twofold: first, to challenge the white reading of the book of Acts, and second, to offer an alternative reading by placing the story of the marginalized people, the colonized people, at the center. The first part of this article interrogates how white pentecostal scholars read the book of Acts as a missionary book and identify themselves with the disciples in the book of Acts. After presenting the problems with this reading, I propose an alternative interpretation of the movement in Acts as a migration movement instead of a missionary movement. Reading it from a …

Wright, N.T. The New Testament For Everyone: A Fresh Translation (3rd Ed.). Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 2023., Alec K. Ellis

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

González, Justo. The Bible In The Early Church. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2022., Alec K. Ellis

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Wilson, Debbie W. Little Strength, Big God. Abilene, Tx: Leafwood Publishers, 2023., Katie M. Meeks

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Who Is The "Son Of Man"?, Kerry Irish

Faculty Publications - Department of History and Politics

Many people, perhaps most, find Jesus’s use of this title confusing. It seems vague, even evasive. Not long before His death, a group of Jews implored Him “If You are the Christ [Messiah] tell us plainly [John 10:24].” Jesus responded, “I told you, but you do not believe.” As we shall see, Jesus spoke the truth as a brief study of both the Old and New Testaments makes clear. Indeed, many Old Testament writers use the title. That being the case, what does Jesus intend by describing Himself as the “Son of Man”? And why was He not well understood …

40-Day Fit, A Journey For Heroes, Michael B. O'Neill

Doctor of Leadership

This project is a collective portfolio of discovery and development that explores the intersection of societal health and the vitality of the church, recognizing a state of decline in both areas. This critical, yet often overlooked issue, is the foundation of this research-driven initiative. It is a practical process of diagnosis and treatment of a problem or an opportunity, in context, leading to application. The portfolio project represents a journey of discovery and reframing, where research methods, strategic objectives, and project milestones guide the identification of needs, problems, and opportunities. These elements serve as the driving forces behind crafting solutions …

Herding Cats And Other Ironies:A Practical Theology Of Ecclesial Administration, Richard C. Wood Jr.

Doctor of Ministry

NPO Statement

Pastors of congregational or similarly structured churches are not prepared for theological, philosophical, and Spirit-led oversight of the administrative or business aspects of leading a church.

Key Insight

The key insight is while there are several places pastors can get “how to” information on church administration, there few people talking about church administration as a spiritual or theological topic that is just as important as leadership and biblical studies. The “why” has to be addressed before the “how” in order to break the cycle of having pastors unprepared to oversee the administrative aspects of a local church.

Vocational …

A Theological Exposé: A Microcosmic Review Of The Relationship Between The Black Male And The Black Church In The City Of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Danielle L. Paul

Doctor of Ministry

Christianity has a prolific history, including a powerful African presence whereby many of the core tenets of faith originate. Unfortunately, biblical history and the Bible's many references to Black people are often referenced only during Black History Month or specific cultural events. As a result, many Black Christians cannot defend why Christianity is a Black man's religion. The inability to defend, coupled with the notion it has nothing to offer Black men, has created a breach in the Black man and Black church’s relationship. The Black male presence is absent in Sunday meetings, ministries serving the community, and, ultimately, the …

Intergenerational Christian Community: A Vision For Spiritual Formation For All Ages, Robin Pyles

Doctor of Ministry

For decades, American churches have been struggling with shrinking attendance, particularly among young people. An increasingly polarized society that elevates individualism and secularization, along with widespread escalating age segregation, has contributed to this trend. In response to these societal norms, many local churches have defaulted to a primarily age-segregated programming model. This model results in the absence of a sense of community and belonging, and a lack of Christian spiritual formation growth among both youth and adults within the church. This research revealed that creating regular opportunities for meaningful cross-generational interactions that combine shared experiences of play, creative expression, intentional …

"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.

Review Of "Is Social Justice Just?", Jonathan Lawler

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Review Of "Reflections On The Names Of God: 180 Devotions To Know God More Fully", Cynthia Hammell

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Review Of "Niv Heritage Bible, Passaggio Setting", Stephanie B. Leupp

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Review Of "Jeremiah And Lamentations: A Commentary For Biblical Preaching And Teaching", John Jaeger

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Review Of "1 Peter: A Commentary For Biblical Preaching And Teaching", Francisco De Assis Nogueria Barros

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.