Digital Commons Network^™

Co-Dominion: The Changing Nature Of The Adamic Covenant In An Age Of Artificial Intelligence, Corey Hastings

Masters Theses

Theologians and religious bodies attest to the rising influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in governments, the economy, and the lives of the people of God. Through the covenant with Adam, God gave humans the blessing of dominion and capabilities unique to creation to till the earth. Today, humans retain the image of God but AI increasingly displaces human functions with coordinated agency. Using Hebrew language exegesis of passages from Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, this study compares capabilities gifted to humans with the scope of current and near future AI models. It incorporates direct artifact analysis of a large-language model as …

A Biblical Understanding Of Discipleship As A Pedagogy For The Fear Of The Lord, Desirae Jeffreys

Masters Theses

The fear of the Lord is a significant topic found throughout scripture, yet it is a concept that lacks recognition in our culture, and even in some churches today. The reality is that there is confusion about how to define the fear of the Lord and, thereby, confusion about how to teach the fear of the Lord. This thesis provides a biblical understanding of the fear of the Lord as described in Proverbs 1–9. The fear of God is evaluated through the lens of instruction throughout these chapters, providing a basis of understanding for the complexity of the definition of …

A Critique Of Richard Carrier’S Jesus-Myth Theory: Examining Select References To The Historical Jesus In Paul’S Epistles, John P. Nichols

Masters Theses

Richard Carrier is arguably the contemporary voice promoting Jesus-mythicism, the idea that Jesus of Nazareth never existed. Though in the scholarly minority, Carrier has assembled numerous arguments for rejecting the Gospels and Acts as historically reliable, as well as all historical references to Jesus in Paul’s letters. He has proposed his own rules for historical inquiry to replace the traditional criteria of authenticity used by historical-Jesus scholars. In conjunction with his own criteria, Carrier has demonstrated the use of Bayes’ Theorem to assess the probability of Jesus’ existence. This thesis has considered certain portions of Carrier’s thesis against the historical …

Cinematic Biblical Translation: An Introduction To Narratological Screenwriting Through Genesis 38, Wesley Newman

Masters Theses

CBT draws from three areas of study: screenplay analysis, biblical narratology/narrative criticism, and screenplay adaptation to evaluate specific Hebrew narratives into a screenplay. Biblical narratology offers insight into the literary structure and narrative logic of ancient Hebrew storytelling, while contemporary screenwriting explains how narrative functions within modern audiovisual media. The marrying of these two fields creates a new methodology for translating biblical narratives into a form that remains faithful to the text while also being engaging on screen. This allows me to establish the guidelines necessary for crafting an accurate and compelling screenplay translation while also laying the foundation for …

Linguistic And Cultural Analysis Of Divine Command In 1 Samuel 15: Implications For Biblical Interpretation, Timothy Arnell Dunn

Masters Theses

This thesis argues that ḥērem in 1 Samuel 15 is not a relic of ancient warfare but a sacred act of covenantal devotion that reveals the tension between divine holiness, human obedience, and Israel’s identity as a people set apart for YHWH. Through historical, philological, narrative, and canonical analysis, the study demonstrates that ḥērem functions as a ritualized declaration of divine sovereignty in which destruction becomes consecration and obedience becomes worship. Saul’s partial compliance is therefore not strategic misjudgment but a rupture in covenant fidelity that exposes the costliness of holiness and the danger of selective obedience. Yet the canon …

The Law Of Christ As Eschatological Nomism: Paul’S Halakhic Framework For Gentile Inclusion In The Covenant Community, Jason Bagwell

Masters Theses

This thesis examines Paul’s “Law of Christ” as a halakhic framework for Gentile inclusion in the covenant community. It argues that Paul does not reject the Torah as God’s covenant instruction, nor does he replace it with a vague or subjective ethic. Rather, Paul reorients Torah through the Christ event and applies it to Gentile believers through Spirit-empowered covenant fidelity. By analyzing key Pauline texts, especially Galatians 6:2, 1 Corinthians 9:21, 1 Corinthians 7:17–20, and related case studies involving idolatry, sexual immorality, food, and table fellowship, this study demonstrates that Paul’s instructions to Gentiles function as concrete legal and communal …

Grace And Generosity: A Nt Defense Of Christian Giving And Stewardship, Jermaine Mcinnis

Masters Theses

This thesis holds that Christian stewardship and giving remain divinely appointed activities in the NT, despite growing skepticism in modern ecclesial and academic circles. Firmly grounded in biblical theology and canonical exegesis, the research argues that the disciplines of tithing, giving, and sacrificial stewardship are not eliminated by grace but are redirected and intensified with Christ. The research examines OT assumptions, Jesus’ instruction, and apostolic instruction to illustrate consistency in God's expectation of His people's obedience regarding finances. Drawing on current scholarship, the thesis refutes assumptions that giving is optional or less culturally relevant, underlining its vital importance to church …

An Analysis Of The Role Of Women In The Progression Of The Gospel, D'Atra Mcfarland

Masters Theses

This thesis is an analysis of the role women played in the progression of the gospel. It tackles the argument of complementarianism versus egalitarianism. However, it takes on an egalitarian perspective and believes that Jesus showed through his interaction with women at pivotal points in his earthly ministry that women are essential when it comes to spreading the gospel. This thesis also explores the historical background of the Gospels, the gospel message, and relevant biblical, historical, and cultural texts that provide information on women in the first century of the New Testament. It also explores the general relationship that Jesus …

Edenic Themes Of Creation And Exile In The Book Of Jonah And Their Impact On Evangelical Exegesis, Christopher R. Walker

Masters Theses

This thesis examines how the Book of Jonah uses imagery drawn from the Garden of Eden and how these themes shape the way evangelicals read the book. Rather than treating Jonah as a simple moral tale, the study argues that the narrative is intentionally crafted to further highlight Jonah’s disobedience and the book's theological claims, using Edenic imagery. Chapter One considers the question of “Why did Jonah run to Tarshish”? After considering the intertextual links, it appears that Jonah ran specifically to Tarshish for its Eden-like possibilities. Chapter Two focuses on the non-human agents in the book. The wind, ship, …

An Analysis Of Feminist Biblical Scholarship Through Case Studies In Judges, Erika Conner

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the rise and significance of feminist biblical scholarship, particularly as it engages the book of Judges. Feminist approaches to Scripture have often been criticized as politically motivated or ideologically biased, yet they also claim to offer corrective readings to centuries of male-dominated interpretation. This study situates feminist scholarship within its historical development and cultural context, beginning with the reconstruction of women’s societal, familial, religious, and agricultural roles in ancient Israel. Building on this foundation, it undertakes a comparative analysis of three key figures in Judges, Deborah, Jael, and the unnamed Woman of Thebez, first through traditional interpretations …

The Path Of Preparation: Engaging The Spirit’S Work In Your Soul To Be Ready For The Life God Has For You, Janelle Koontz

Masters Theses

Spiritual preparation is the ongoing act of engaging faith and life in a way that helps a follower of Jesus become more aware of what God is doing in his or her life. With a developed sense of how God is moving, followers of Jesus are able to engage surprises, both positive and negative, in a grounded way. This grounding is rooted in the knowledge that God is with them and that He has been working from before time and through their lives to get them ready for these moments. A biblical understanding of preparation based on word studies and …

A Comparison Of Preterist And Futurist Theologies Of The Olivet Discourse, Brian Douglas Daugherty

Masters Theses

This thesis explores and compares the preterist and futurist interpretations of the Olivet Discourse found in the Synoptic Gospels, with particular emphasis on Matthew 24–25. The study examines how each theological system interprets Jesus’ prophetic statements concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, His second coming, and the end of the age. Through critical analysis of biblical texts, historical records, and the writings of both early Church Fathers and modern scholars, the thesis argues that the events of AD 70—though significant—do not fulfill the entirety of Christ’s prophetic declarations. While preterists contend that most or all eschatological prophecies were fulfilled in the …

Tracing חֶסֶד And Ἔλεος: A Prototype Theory And Componential Analysis Of Covenantal Loyalty And Divine Mercy Across The Pentateuch, Septuagint, Targums, And New Testament, Jarritt B. Tadlock

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the semantic and theological dimensions of the Hebrew term ḥesed and its Greek counterpart eleos through a comparative intertextual and linguistic analysis. Utilizing prototype theory and componential analysis, the study examines occurrences of ḥesed in the Masoretic Text and Targum Onkelos, alongside eleos in the Septuagint and New Testament, to trace the development of divine-human relational language across textual traditions. The findings reveal that ḥesed consistently embodies covenantal loyalty and divine mercy, while its frequent rendering as eleos in the Septuagint emphasizes compassion within a Hellenistic framework. In the New Testament, eleos both preserves and reconfigures ḥesed’s …

Echoes Of Redemption: What Typology Reveals About The Significance Of Isaac In The Aqedah, Jacob A. Lugo

Masters Theses

In this thesis, I outline a problem of logical consistency within the typological interpretation of the Aqedah narrative in Genesis 22. I also attempt to provide a more consistent interpretation that still seeks to remain faithful to the text while recognizing how this account fits into the overall narrative of Scripture.

In times past, the literature on this topic has been saturated with the identification of Isaac as a type of Christ; this is seen most readily in the Early Church Fathers’ interpretation. I also explore other modern readings to demonstrate the multiplicity of understandings that have arisen regarding this …

Gender In Translation: How The Contemporary Bible Is Challenging Androcentric Language In Translation Through Gender-Accurate And Feminist Hermeneutical Lenses, Matthew T. Gennard

Masters Theses

This Thesis surveys the changing practice of gender-accurate translation from the late nineteenth century to the present, with special consideration for the three key principles of gender-accurate translation: Generic ‘he,’ androcentric lexemes, and pronoun substitution. These focus areas are derived from an analysis of the five translation guidelines produced during the late twentieth-century gender-neutral controversy. The loss of individuality when introducing pronominal interchange or the masculine representative hermeneutical lens has left scholars divided on gender-accurate practices. This study surveys the sociohistorical development of the feminist hermeneutical lens and the changing linguistic trends of contemporary language, which challenge androcentric assumptions in …

An Exegesis Of Matthew 18:15-17 And The Hermeneutical Challenges Of Unrepentant Sexual Immorality, Jennifer Morris

Masters Theses

Sexual immorality (πορνεία) is mentioned twenty-five times in the New Testament. In one of the earliest cases of church discipline, Paul addresses a particular example of sexual immorality, namely incest, where a member of the Corinthian church is engaging in consensual sexual relations with his father’s wife (1 Cor. 5, New International Version).¹ Church discipline can be viewed with a negative connotation; however, disciples of Christ understand He rebukes and disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12:6; Rev. 3:19) through His Word (“rebuking” and “correcting” in 2 Tim 3:16).² Thus, the scriptural basis for church discipline practices are the …

The Influence Of Wisdom Literature On The Epistle Of James, Erik Swartzwelder

Masters Theses

The epistle of James is considerably unique within the canonical setting of the New Testament. Its distinct nature is at least partially responsible for the polarized nature of its reception. The same characteristics that created the appeal of the epistle of James have also left it susceptible to criticism. Critics of the epistle have targeted its style, content, and lack of gospel message. A proper understanding of the influence of wisdom literature on James and his letter will alleviate many of the critical ideas of James. One does not need to look far to see the evidence of this influence, …

Spiritual Vitality Over Material Prosperity: The Nature Of A True Davidic King In 2 Chronicles, Stephen Allen Cooksey

Masters Theses

Three kings in 2 Chronicles are explicitly compared to David in the regnal formula, namely, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah. Their comparison to David is significant since David is portrayed throughout 1 Chronicles as the ideal Israelite king. This study examines the possible criteria that qualified these three kings to be positive emulations of their ideal forefather by evaluating the sacred and secular activities of each Judahite king against similar activities exemplified by David in 1 Chronicles. Naturally, closer parallels with David’s actions by certain kings implicitly tied these kings to the Davidic prototype, thereby establishing them as a true Davidic …

A Futurist Exegesis Of Matthew 24:1-42, Kenneth Garcia

Masters Theses

This thesis explores a Futurist exegesis of Matthew 24:1-42, emphasizing its prophetic fulfillment in future events rather than historical or allegorical interpretations. It critiques Preterist and Historicist views, arguing that key elements—including the abomination of desolation, the great tribulation, and the second coming of Christ—remain unfulfilled. By analyzing the text in its historical, grammatical, and theological context, and correlating it with Daniel’s visions and Revelation, this study defends the position that Jesus’ discourse predicts end-times events such as the rise of the Antichrist, the rebuilding of the third temple, and global tribulation. This work affirms the hope of Christ’s imminent …

Creativity As A Universal Calling: Exploring The “God As Creator” Motif And Imago Dei As Foundations For Christian Practice And Ministry, Catherine Delanee Belcher

Masters Theses

“I’m just not a creative person.” This phrase is frequently expressed in various contexts, from elementary school art classes to collaborative projects in academic and church settings. It often functions as a convenient explanation for a perceived lack of enthusiasm or participation. Why is this statement so readily accepted as an unchangeable reality rather than challenged as a misconception? There appears to be a widespread belief that creativity is an exclusive attribute, reserved for artists, musicians, or visionaries. This assumption invites a critical theological inquiry: Is creativity an innate ability bestowed upon a select few, or is it a divine …

Examining The Relationship Between Biblical Characters And Mental Health: Identifying A Christian's Well-Being, Shanetia Sharie Chapman

Masters Theses

This thesis aims to examine the intersection between biblical texts and mental health within the framework of Christian belief systems. Through a critical analysis of key biblical narratives involving figures who exhibit experiences analogous to contemporary psychological struggles, this study investigates the influence of scriptural interpretation on believers’ perceptions of mental health and their coping mechanisms. By employing textual analysis, the research seeks to evaluate the potential of biblical teachings as therapeutic resources. Ultimately, this thesis aims to contribute to developing culturally and theologically informed approaches to mental health awareness and support within Christian communities.

Word, Wisdom, And World: Literary Allusion To Genesis 1–2 And Proverbs 8 In John’S Prologue, Emily J. Johnson

Masters Theses

This thesis purposes to identify the literary allusions to Genesis 1–2 and Proverbs 8 in John 1:1-18 and analyze their rhetorical and theological function in John’s prologue. It also seeks to provide a concrete definition for literary allusion and a methodology that considers various kinds of allusive markers to give voice to the more subtle ways that John alludes to the Genesis and Proverbs texts. The body of this thesis will demonstrate that John 1:1-18 alludes to Genesis 1–2 and Proverbs 8 in order to retell the creation narrative and cast Jesus, the Logos, as both the creator and exhaustive …

Life Immediately After Death, William Berger

Masters Theses

The Bible is the believed, canonical, complete message of God. It teaches morals, values, ethics, virtues, righteousness, truths, and salvation. Every part of life can and should be guided by the words of God for the purpose of accomplishing His final goal. God’s goal for his creation is to achieve through salvation and His grace dwelling with Him in His New Earth and New Heavens. To accomplish this, God created people to be immortal. Within this immortality, death plays an integral part. Because God begins His creation with a defining statement of how it all started, God facilitates an understanding …

A Modified View Of Unlimited Atonement: An Exegetical Claim From 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Dillon Cole Delp

Masters Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to uncover the similarities and distinctions between limited and unlimited atonement specifically analyzing which theological perspective was most accurately represented in the text of 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. This research promotes the idea of how unlimited atonement under modified conditions is supported by the text. This modified view is distinct from both Calvinism and Arminianism. This thesis explores various methods for examining the text by using textual, historical, cultural, literal, intertextual, grammatical, and theological analyses. By using this exegetical process, this modified view of unlimited atonement contains the assertion that the death of Jesus Christ …

The Prophet Jeremiah As A Type Of Messiah, Jc Cross

Masters Theses

How did Jesus interpret the prophet Jeremiah? Did Jeremiah function as a typological precursor to the Messiah? These questions warrant a renewed scholarly examination. While the book of Jeremiah has been the subject of extensive academic inquiry, particularly its first chapter, little research has focused on the prophet’s personal experiences as a foreshadowing of the Messiah or the textual allusions within the book to a messianic figure. Jesus repeatedly asserted that those well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures should recognize the messianic foreshadowing present in the prophetic texts. Jesus’ disciples reinforce this interpretive framework. While a comprehensive analysis of how all …

How The Flock Falters: An Analysis Of Apostasy In The Shepherd Of Hermas, Justin R. Bamba

Masters Theses

This study provides a detailed analysis of apostasy as it is expressed in the Shepherd of Hermas. Drawing from the work of B.J. Oropeza, the study offers a threefold analysis that identifies the Christian community in danger, the nature of apostasy as it pertains to this community, and the consequences of such apostasy. Special attention is devoted to Vision 3 and Similitudes 8-9 for their vivid Tower motif, a unique literary device by which the author expresses the hope and limitations of repentance, community identity, and the causes and consequences for separation from this community—all of which contribute to a …

Jesus's Use Of "Woman" In The Fourth Gospel, Cori Mcgrew

Masters Theses

In John's Gospel, Jesus uses the word "woman" in surprising ways: to address his mother at the wedding in Cana and at the Cross, to address a woman in Samaria, in a parable about a woman giving birth in his Final Discourse, and finally, to address Mary Magdalene at the garden tomb. This thesis uses the unusual way Jesus addresses his mother in the Fourth Gospel as a catalyst to find a connection between all five uses of "woman" by Jesus in John's Gospel, concluding that these instances evoke creation imagery, in particular of Genesis 3:15. The allusion to Genesis …

The Apostle Paul's Teaching On Life After Death: A Model Of Christ's Life, Death, And Resurrection, Keri A. Thompson

Masters Theses

There are many questions and differing views surrounding what happens to the soul after death. Through his letters collected in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul offers insight into the existence of the believer's soul in an intermediate state following death and prior to the resurrection of the body. Through a brief overview of Old Testament teachings on the subject, Jewish views on life after death during the intertestamental period, and common Greek thought on the body and soul, the possible presuppositions and influences on the Apostle Paul's view of life after death and the intermediate state are uncovered. Detailed …

Moral Injury In Military Corrections, Jeremy Ryder Meyers

Masters Theses

Over the past thirty years moral injury has been a topic of concern regarding the behavioral and spiritual health of military members. Part of that work has given a voice to Vietnam veterans and the events they faced while in combat. Some of these events were acts of betrayal at the hands of another military member or their own. This act led to an injury to their moral code. Military chaplains may have morally injured soldiers in need of pastoral care as they serve. This includes soldiers working the military prisons like the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth. …

The Two Gospel Hypothesis, Nicholas Wischman

Masters Theses

The Two Document Hypothesis, the view that Matthew and Luke used Mark independently alongside a lost source called Q, has become the predominant theory of the order of the Synoptic Gospels. This is a defense of the Two Gospel Hypothesis, the theory that Luke used Matthew and Mark used both Matthew and Luke.