Digital Commons Network^™

Message From The Grave: A Text-In-Context Case Study Of Bikur Cholim Sephardic Cemetery, Christina Louise Olson

Masters Theses

This study utilizes Cara A. Finnegan’s approach to text-in-context analysis of visual communication and rhetoric and applies the framework to a Sephardic Jewish site. The purpose of this study is to better understand the ways by which visual communication is employed to maintain, affirm, and communicate identity and cultural norms and values through a text-incontext case study of the Sephardic Bikur Cholim Cemetery. The text is analyzed in terms of sacred and profane space, hierarchy creation, as a voice for the historically voiceless, as a storage device for memories, and communication device for transmitting cultural values and norms to future …

Review: Exploring Protestant Traditions: An Invitation To Hospitality, James A. Borland

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Hidden Under A Bushel? Evangelical Journals In An Era Of Web-Based Communication, Gregory A. Smith

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Evangelicals face significant obstacles as they seek to make their publications accessible to potential readers. This study measures the extent to which evangelical scholarly journals have made their contents available in electronic form. Thirty-five journals--all active, refereed, evangelical in perspective, and published in English--were chosen for analysis. Two serials management tools and individual journal Web sites provided data regarding electronic accessibility. Twenty-six of the journals are available in some electronic form--most commonly in one or more aggregated databases. Evangelical information professionals could play a significant role in helping to make additional evangelical journal content available electronically.

The Pioneering Journey Of Christian Radio Through Satellite Distribution: A Historical Overview Of The Moody Broadcasting Network 1982 – 2002, Kornel Gerstner

Masters Theses

Moody Broadcasting was the first Christian radio network that developed and used satellite distribution effectively. The project looks at the uniqueness of Moody Broadcasting Network, as part of a greater organization, Moody Bible Institute. During the twenty years, MBN was able to not only to maintain its previously owned-and-operated radio stations, but also acquire more listener-supported radio networks, without ever selling airtime. Even though the original “dream” was never fully implemented, the growth of MBN is indisputable. Chapters examine at different challenges and victories that MBN faced during these crucial years of serving the needs of listeners. This project also …

The 21st Century Mandaean Diaspora: New Opportunities To Reach Iraqi Mandaean Refugees With The Gospel, Karen Baker

Masters Theses

Introduction This thesis argues that the status of Iraqi Mandaeans, who are fleeing their native country and becoming refugees by the thousands, presents an unprecedented opportunity for the gospel message. The Great Commission requires taking the gospel message to every people group in the world. However, the Mandaeans have been an inaccessible sect until the present time.

The Thesis This thesis evaluates the current situation of Mandaeans through academic journals and books, consultation with missionaries to Mandaeans, and interviews with Mandaean refugees. As a result of their physical isolation, deep within the Muslim world of Iraq and Iran, and their …

Accessory To Genocide? An Exploration Of America’S Response To The Holocaust, Amanda Jean Costa

Senior Honors Theses

In considering America's reaction to the Holocaust, scholars must address serious charges that America bears some culpability for what happened. A survey of prominent historical studies and contemporary documents such as newspaper articles, committee reports, and other government documents prove America had some knowledge of the Holocaust, but did little in response. Considering the United States' knowledge of the situation in Germany, America's restrictive immigration policy in the 1930s makes her at least partially responsible for some of the lives lost. Other measures to stop the Holocaust, such as rescue, ransom, or bombing attempts, would not have been feasible or …

The Twenty-One Core Values Of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary In The Ministries Of Graduates, H Clayton Anthony

Faculty Dissertations

This dissertation examined how the more recent graduates of The Southern Baptist Seminary (SBTS) are incorporating the twenty-one core values of the institution into their present ministries. The data garnered from this present research will enlighten interested parties to the world of assessment in higher education and the role that core values play in that process. Future graduates of SBTS will be impacted in their education due to the findings of this dissertation.

A researcher-designed survey was placed before the recent graduates of SBTS under the direction of the Office of Institutional Advancement of the seminary. The raw data received …

A Biblical And Theological Analysis Of Tithing: Toward A Theology Of Giving In The New Covenant Era, David A. Croteau

Faculty Dissertations

Chapter 1 summarized some of the methodological and hermeneutical issues and discussed the problem and history of tithing in Christianity. Various arguments through the centuries have been proposed that provided reasons for the abrogation and the continuation of tithing. The "Christian view" on this issue has not been monolithic. Chapter 2 discussed tithing in the Old Testament and concluded that (1) the pre-Mosaic period contained no tithing system and no command to tithe, (2) in the Mosaic law the Israelites gave well-beyond ten percent and only products connected to the land were liable to tithing, and (3) the Historical and …

Ishmael's Assassination Of Gedaliah: Echoes Of The Saul-David Story In Jeremiah 40:7-41:18, Gary E. Yates

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

Presents a study on the intertextual connections between the story of Ishmael's assassination of Gedaliah and the Saul-David story in Jeremiah 40:7-41:18. Collapse of the house of David in the book of Jeremiah; Conditions in the land under Gedaliah's leadership; Several accounts in the Bible which connect the two stories.

The Role Of The Pastor In Stirring A Hunger For Revival In The Local Church, Stephen B. Putney

Faculty Dissertations

"The Role Of The Pastor In Stirring A Hunger For Revival In The Local Church" is an attempt to understand how a pastor can lead his flock to long to experience revival in the local church. Hainesport Community Baptist Church, the church that is the subject of this project, is a small church in southern New Jersey. The project relates specifically to stirring this local church to hunger for revival, but it is hoped that the principles are applicable to any local church and its pastor.

Chapter one expresses the longing for revival that springs forth from the need for …

A Strategy Of The Worship Renewal For The Korean Church In Postmodern Times, Yoojung Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project examines the worship in Korean churches in the postmodern era, and presents the most suitable worship model for the congregation. The Korean church is acknowledged for accomplishing one of the greatest church growths within the shortest period of time. Currently they are going through a transitional era of crisis and chaos. The worship field has not changed enough, since Christianity was introduced to this country one hundred years ago. Instead, they have had conflict between traditional and contemporary styles, unable to find the right solution. This project studied specific suggestions for implementing a strategic task, along with field …

The Leadership Assumptions Of American Statesmen During The Federal Convention And Ratification Debates 1787-1789, Darin L. Gerdes

Faculty Dissertations

This study sought to ascertain and analyze the leadership assumptions of American Statesmen during the Constitutional Convention and ratification debates. The researcher examined the primary source public debates from 1787-1789. This study identified the Statesmen’s view of leadership, which emerged from their writings and debates. Their assumptions were classified into assumptions on the nature of man, the nature of power, the nature of the people, the nature of government, and the nature of society. The Statesmen’s views were then compared and contrasted to contemporary leadership literature.

Greg Bahnsen, John Warwick Montgomery, And Evidential Apologetics, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.

A Journey Through The New Testament, Elmer L. Towns

Books

No abstract provided.

Theistic Activism And The Euthyphro Dilemma, David Baggett

Faculty Dissertations

My dissertation focuses on the Euthyphro question, from one of the Socratic dialogues, understood in terms of the following dilemma posed against theistic ethics: (1) Either what is good/right is moral because God commands it, or it is not. (2) If what is good/right is moral because God commands it, then the good/right is arbitrary and vacuous. (3) If what is good/right is moral for reasons other than that God commands it, then God is superfluous from the standpoint of morality. (4) So, either the good/right is arbitrary and vacuous or God is superfluous to morality.

The dilemma is really …

The Late Twentieth-Century Resurgence Of Naturalistic Responses To Jesus' Resurrection, Gary Habermas

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Concept Of Atonement In Early Rabbinic Thought And The New Testament Writings, Jintae Kim

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.

The Meaning And Identification Of God's Eschatological Trumpets, James A. Borland

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Pastoral Evangelism: A Model For Effective Evangelism As Demonstrated By The Ministries Of John Albert Broadus, Alfred Elijah Dickinson, And John William Jones In The Revival Of The Army Of Northern Virginia In 1863, William E. Brown

Faculty Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to present the effectiveness of a pastoral evangelism methodology. John Albert Broadus, Alfred Elijah Dickinson, and John William Jones exemplified this methodology while ministering in the camps of the Army of Northern Virginia.

Chapter one explains the research parameters and introduces the historical epoch of Broadus's, Dickinson's, and Jones's army camp ministry. The revival occurred at the end of a transitional period in American revivalism. The chapter surveys sociological, theological, and denominational events in the period 1840-1861 which influenced the men's formation in ministry. This covers the period of the childhood of Broadus, Dickinson, …

"Through The Eye Of A Needle": The Role Of Pietistic And Mystical Thought Among The Anglican Elite In The Eighteenth Century Lowcountry South, Samuel C. Smith

Faculty Dissertations

This dissertation examines the transmission and eventual manifestation of Christian pietistic and mystical thought into the Colonial and Revolutionary lowcountry South. The facilitators of this transmission include the Continental Pietists, who were themselves heavily influenced by the mystics, and British Evangelicals such as John Wesley and George Whitefield, who, even in their public denials of mysticism, nevertheless demonstrated its strong influence in their ministries. Mystical and pietistic expressions impacted the religious, social, and political life of the lowcountry more than has been previously recognized. Evangelical Pietism's mid-eighteenth century infusion prompted some to correctly recognize its subjective (i.e. inwardly focused and …

Historical Epistemology, Jesus’ Resurrection, And The Shroud Of Turin, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

In contemporary studies on the Shroud of Turin, much attention, with good reason, has focused on the crucial roles contributed by sciences like physics, chemistry, and medical analyses. Doubtless, these and related inquiries have contributed more than any others in attempting to solve one of the greatest modern puzzles.

Here we will examine another avenue that is seldom pursued, but which offers some crucial insights for this subject: philosophy of history and its cognate, historical investigation. We will argue that well known principles in these disciplines can also assist us in arriving at some significant distinctions that are centrally relevant …

Baptist Ministerial Education In The United States, 1850-1950, Gregory A. Smith

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Baptist ministerial education in America expanded and changed significantly between 1850 and 1950. This evolutionary process was the product of religious, educational, political, and other forces. Many Baptists of the period opposed ministerial education, believing that the proper qualification for ministry was a divine calling rather than any human achievement. The education of ministers was a major motivating factor in the founding of most Baptist colleges, but many other factors contributed as well. The ministry training curriculum was a matter of debate in various areas—not least the tension between academic and practical concerns. Major Baptist educational leaders of the period …

Putting An End To Worship Wars, Elmer L. Towns

Books

No abstract provided.

Kierkegaard's Theology: Cross And Grace. The Lutheran And Idealist Traditions In His Thought, Craig Q. Hinkson

Faculty Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Canonical-Critical Study Of Selected Traditions In The Book Of Joel, David D. Pettus

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

The book of Joel presents a myriad of problems to the honest interpreter. For example, the inability to date firmly the book makes it exceedingly difficult to find an original meaning for the work. In addition, the failure of scholars to come to a consensus on the connection between the locust plague and the Day of Yahweh theme in the book exacerbates the interpretive problems further. This dissertation is an attempt to elucidate the meaning of the book of Joel by focusing on the Day of Yahweh and its subthemes in the book via the methodology of canonical criticism. Canonical …

Factors That Motivate A Man To Become And Remain The Senior Pastor Of A Local Church, David John Leblanc

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project evolved from the question, "What motivates a man to become, and remain, a pastor?" The hypothesis was that a man, called of God into the ministry, would not be primarily motivated in his work by secular or external motivators and factors; but by internal or spiritual factors. An opinion poll of 125 Master of Divinity graduates of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary reflected the thesis and illustrated the problem. The author has concluded that a pastor should give attention to his spiritual development and constant reinforcement of the call of God in his life. The results of this project …

An Analysis Of Evangelical Revivals With Suggestions For Encouraging And Maximizing The Effects Of An Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit In Evangelism, James Douglas Porter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to analyze the relationship between revival and evangelism in the context of the outpouring of the Holy spirit and suggest strategies by which revivals may be encouraged and the energy of revival may be harnessed in the evangelism of large numbers of people.

The thesis project is composed of two parts. The first part surveys an evangelical theology of revival and evangelism. Here the author surveys biblical and historical data relevant to the subject. He then defines or describes; (1) revival, (2) evangelism, (3) personal conversion, (4) people movements, (5) the relationship between …

Jesus' Resurrection And Contemporary Criticism : An Apologetic, Gary Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.

Review: The Historical Argument For The Resurrection Of Jesus During The Deist Controversy, Gary Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.

Introduction To Crossed Swords: Entanglements Between Church And State In America, Steven A. Samson

Faculty Dissertations

No abstract provided.