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It Takes A Missional Order To Raise A Leader: "Order-Ing" Leadership Communities For Life Transformation And Missional Impact, Daniel L. Steigerwald

Doctor of Ministry

The times in which we live in the West grow more complex from year to year. This presents a problem, as church and para-church leaders find themselves increasingly less prepared to meet the demands of "missional leadership," that is, leadership that exemplifies and passes on the passion, practices and perspectives conducive to fostering growth in God and fruitful missionary engagement with his world.

In chapter one I identify this problem both from the vantage point of my own leadership journey and also from that of Christian leaders in general. I then propose my thesis: Amid the complexities, distractions and pressures …

Paul And Evangelism: A Missiological Challenge From New Testament Specialists, Kent Yinger

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

The necessity and relative importance ofevangelism have been topics of serious missiological debate since the early twentieth century. This is particularly the case with the evangelicals, who are often characterized by passionate commitment to personal evangelism "to the ends of the earth." However, recent work on mission and evangelism in Paul's letters has raised disturbing questions in regard to this missiological conviction. Congregational and individual passion for evangelism do not appear to be "Pauline." This article introduces readers of Missiology to this vigorous and growing missiological debate among New Testament scholars, and examines possible responses by mission practitioners.

Bible Theory Or Biblical Living: What Are Christian Schools Providing For Families With Children With Special Needs?, A.Y. "Fred" Ramirez Ph.D.

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Private Christian elementary and secondary schools, along with Bible training and Bible exercises, have been a part of the United States and international community since the 1800s. This article examines these questions: (1) What Biblically-based principles are in evidence in Christian schools’ treatment of children with special needs; and (2) how do Christian schools work with the parents of these children. Results from the Christian schools that participated in this study indicate although that they were attending to their children with special needs, these schools may actually be missing many more students who are in need of services.

A Bibliographical Guide For United Methodist Doctrinal Examination Questions, Benjamin Hartley

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

No abstract provided.

Grace In Paul's Letter To Titus In Light Of Greco-Roman Patronage, Jeffrey R. Syverson

Doctor of Ministry

This thesis argues that patronage is a crucial and not yet sufficiently utilized interpretive lens to understanding xcxpK (grace) in Paul's letter to Titus. It introduces patronage in the Greco-Roman world and surveys definitions and characteristics. It offers descriptions of the roles of clients and patrons. It discusses different forms of patronage: personal patronage, friendship, public benefaction, literary patronage, divine patronage, political patronage and brokerage. It also considers the relationship of patronage and benefaction. A major focus is a consideration of the usage of grace (xapic.:) in patronage looking to inscriptions, letters, and literature from the era. The influence on …

Sacred Flow: Discovering Life In God's Rhythm, Arthur T. Sposaro

Doctor of Ministry

Today's Christian spirituality largely neglects or misappropriates the believer's mutual indwelling with Christ, thus leading to a legalistic spirituality. This project employs a phenomenon commonly known as flow or peak-experience, as described in psychological research and illustrated in particularly in sport, to reorient Christianity. Flow is a harmonious state of consciousness and experience in which one becomes totally absorbed in what one is doing, and where the mind and body are working together effortlessly. When integrated with Christianity, flow's nature, elements, and effects inform and inspire a faith of full engagement and graceful rhythm. This project engages decades of cross-cultural …

Jesus And The Breath Of Life: An Exegesis Of John 20:22 In Historical And Modern Interpretation An Obscure And Mysterious Text, Douglas W. Balzer

Seminary Masters Theses

John 20:22 is an obscure and mysterious text where Jesus is represented as breathing upon his disciples in a manner that appears to resemble the insufflation of humanity by God, or the breathing of the "breath of life" in Adam's nostrils in Genesis 2:7. Through an exegetical study of Johannine text and the Greek term έμφυσάω in relationship with the LXX, Apocrypha and Qumran Scrolls, a direct correlation is established between the theology of John and the theology in the LXX. The relevant historical, Nicene and post-Nicene Fathers, and modem interpretations are examined in order to discover what crucial issues …

Highlights Of Qrt #S 39-71 (1974-1989; Palmer & Freiday, Eds.), T. Vail Palmer Jr.

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Relational Atonement: Covenant Renewal As A Wesleyan Integrating Motif, R. Larry Shelton

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

No abstract provided.

Paul And Asceticism In 1 Corinthians 9:27a, Kent L. Yinger

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Amidst the resurgence of interest in Paul and asceticism relatively little focus has been put upon one Pauline text with seemingly obvious ascetic potential: “I beat my body” (1 Corinthians 9:27a). After a brief introduction to the discussion of asceticism and an ascetic Paul, this article will survey the Wirkungsgeschichte of this text, especially in the patristic era, engage in exegesis of 1 Corinthians 9:27a, and draw conclusions as to the relevance of the text for discussion of Pauline asceticism.

Emmanuel "God With Us" In Suffering, E. Douglas William Jr.

Doctor of Ministry

This paper proposes a response the following question: What is the best approach for ministers to use in ministry to the suffering? The paper examines the question in light of culture in the United States in the twenty-first century. Many people face a crisis in their faith due to a misconception that God allows suffering to happen to good people. Three covenantal theories: limited retribution, telic vindication, and theocentric consolation, appear throughout the Old and New Testaments and in the history of the Church. This paper proposes theocentric consolation as the proper paradigm for ministry to those who suffer. Chapter …

Book Review: Robert W. Pazmiño. Foundational Issues In Christian Education, David W. Robinson

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

I remember quite well my earliest exemplar in Christian education, Dr. John Blanchard, commenting that the primary challenge facing the Christian teacher was to help our students develop critical thinking without creating a corrosively cynical or skeptical mindset. “All truth is God’s truth,” he would say, quoting Frank Gaebelein, so that we could be boldly confident in our teaching, while still remaining faithful shepherds of our students and of the Lord’s word. But how does one go …

Defining Legalism, Kent Yinger

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

"No one wants to be labeled a legalist. It is resoundingly negative and is used in polemics solely of others, never of oneself. The accused, of course, reject the label. To give just one example from many, Seventh-day Adventists are often said to be extreme legalists, because of their views of the Sabbath, dietary regulations, advocacy of tithing, and prohibition of drinking and smoking. Denying that they are legalistic, they insist that out of thankfulness to Christ, by whose grace they have been saved through faith, they obey his will as the Scriptures reveal it.3 Further instances of this strongly …

Wealth And Discipleship In Affluent America, Jeffrey T. Lincicome

Doctor of Ministry

The question addressed by this dissertation may be stated as follows: How do wealth and affluence affect individual and communal Christian discipleship? In response, we propose that while wealth and affluence provide some discipleship opportunities, there are many more dangers and risks to Christian discipleship connected to wealth and affluence. To be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ in the midst of affluence, people must be aware of its dangers, and have a church home committed to wrestling with the challenges together. In Chapter 1, the ministry challenge is described through the narrative account of church members and a description of …

Biblical Versus Sacramental Approach: A Comparative Study Of Robert P. Menzies And Simon Chan's Views On Baptism In The Holy Spirit, Ekaputra Tupamahu

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

No abstract provided.

On Guessing Points And Naming Stars: Epistemological Origins Of John’S Christological Tensions (Chapter In The Gospel Of St. John And Christian Theology), Paul N. Anderson

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

Theological and biblical studies have historically developed hand in hand, and John’s distinctive Christology has long been at the center of that relationship. Within John the humanity and divinity of Jesus converge, as do the Son’s equality with — and subordination to — the Father. Likewise, embellished and existentialized appraisals of Jesus’ signs, present and futuristic eschatology, universalistic and particularistic soteriology, pro- and anti-Jewish sentiments, and apparent free-will and deterministic motifs pervade the Johannine text among other tensions as well. From the patristic era to the modern age, John’s christological tensions have intrigued and challenged theologians and exegetes alike. Indeed, …

Work As Sacrament: The Quaker Bridge From Sunday To Monday, Kent Walkemeyer

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Bible Software, Michael Bain

The Christian Librarian

This article is a statement of unbridled praise for the present state of software available for Bible studies, particularly in the use of the Biblical text in its original languages and alphabets. After giving examples of various products related to Bible study, the article turns to descriptions and comparisons of three programs, Gramcord, Logos, and BibleWorks.

Resource Reviews, Phyllis Fox

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Resource Reviews, Phyllis Fox

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Religious Liberty In Comparative Perspective: The Catholic Churhc's Theological Odyssey And The Basis Of The Social Concept Of The Russian Orthodox Church, Laurie Johnston

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Finding A Balance Between Church And Academia: Baptist Theological Education In Estonia, Toivo Pilli

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Reading Scripture With Both Eyes Open: God's Story Could Be Hazardous To Your Status Quo, Winn Griffin

Seminary Masters Theses

The real-world ministry problem addressed in this dissertation is: Scripture is often read and studied in a de-storied, fragmented way as a result of the Enlightenment Project. This problem will be addressed by: proposing a theological narrative (Stor/) as the alternative way of reading and studying Scripture.

Section 1 will discuss the problem of how readers of Scripture can be helped to understand themselves within the larger narrative of the Story presented from Genesis to Revelation. Section 2 will discuss the problem of reading the text of Scripture in a fragmented way as a result of the Enlightenment's propensity toward …

Reading Scripture With Both Eyes Open: God's Story Could Be Hazardous To Your Status Quo, Winn Griffin

Doctor of Ministry

The real-world ministry problem addressed in this dissertation is: Scripture is often read and studied in a de-storied, fragmented way as a result of the Enlightenment Project. This problem will be addressed by: proposing a theological narrative (Story) as the alternative way of reading and studying Scripture.

Section 1 will discuss the problem of how readers of Scripture can be helped to understand themselves within the larger narrative of the Story presented from Genesis to Revelation. Section 2 will discuss the problem of reading the text of Scripture in a fragmented way as a result of the Enlightenment's propensity toward …

Review Of Asian And Pentecostal: The Charismatic Face Of Christianity By Allan Anderson And Edmond Tang, Ekaputra Tupamahu

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

No abstract provided.

Special Education As Spiritual Warfare, David Anderson

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

This article reflects on a theology of exceptionalities and the hermeneutics of special education, and develops the notion that there is an aspect of special education which can be understood as spiritual warfare. The main thesis is that providing access to an appropriate and least restrictive education for people with disabilities involves “demolishing strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4): removing barriers of ignorance, prejudice, stereotype, cultural mythology, and misconception as to disability and the personal worth surrounding individuals who have disabilities. The discussion is situated within the context of Nicholas Wolterstorff”s work on teaching for shalom (2002, 2004). After defining the biblical …

The Meeting For Worship In Which Business Is Conducted- Quaker Decision-Making Process As A Factor Of Spiritual Discernment, Paul Anderson

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

A Covenant Epistemology, Larry Taylor

Doctor of Ministry

The problem addressed in this paper concerns how large, charismatic-type churches practice their ecclesial epistemology. It is the position of this paper that the typical hierarchical approach to leadership has hindered the epistemological process by placing too much responsibility on one person, the senior leader, and too little responsibility on the congregation as a whole. Covenant Epistemology is a response to this problem, by calling on the whole church to function in unity in the discernment process. Its core feature is the covenant that bonds members of a faith community together to a unique commitment to seek collectively knowledge and …

Functional Diversity, Eric M. Brown

Doctor of Ministry

The question at the heari of this dissertation is, "can it be different?" The "it" is the way church is organized, worship happens, and the very flavor of the church in the United Methodist Church in Oregon and Idaho. Today, church is generally organized following the traditional Anglo experience. The hymns, food, and organizational patterns generally follow the patterns of the white, English-speaking majority in the churches. A different formula would be one that is more multicultural and multiethnic. In this dissertation, the different way of organizing and thinking of church is called functional diversity.

Functional diversity is explored through …

The Social And Theological Implications Of Postmodern Holism In Community, Robin J. Dewhitt

Doctor of Ministry

The modern world has created for us a dichotomy in which the secular and religious worlds are divided along Cartesian lines. These Cartesian lines exist between church, the workplace, political life, social life, and any other arena in which a philosophical distinction can be demonstrated. The result is that not only has society been divided, but also each individual person has been divided into multiple distinct areas of life. 1 With the onset of the postmodern era, we have begun to reformulate our worldview along the lines of holism. Holism has been defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as, "The …