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Fangorn Forest As A Rerouting To The Ecological Contemplative In The Two Towers, Nicholas Birns

Mythcon

In The Two Towers, Fangorn Forest initially appears as an uncanny diversion when Merry and Pippin flee into its shadowy depths to escape Saruman’s Uruk-hai. Their encounter with Treebeard awakens the Ents, providing unexpected and devastating flow to the power of Saruman the White. Far from actually being scary or horrifying, though, the forest is actually the gateway to two very important qualities in The Lord of the Rings: a sense of deep psychology, of caring for the land so much that sentient being has become actually bound up with natural entities, and of contemplation, as Treebeard Who …

Recovering Children's Choirs: Bonhoeffer's Musical Pneumatology And The Formation Of Polyphonic Fellowship, Dee Tackitt

Liberty University Research Week

This textual-investigative study explores how Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s musical pneumatology and his theology of polyphony provide a framework for recovering children’s choirs as practices of Spirit-formed communal discipleship. In Bonhoeffer’s writings—especially Life Together, Ethics, and Letters and Papers from Prison—polyphony becomes a theological metaphor in which “distinct voices sound together” under a unifying center without collapsing differences. Recent scholarship, particularly by Joanna Tarassenko, identifies this polyphonic imagery as a form of implicit pneumatology: the Holy Spirit harmonizes plurality into a fellowship where unity does not require uniformity, and difference does not result in division. This project applies that framework to the …

Ritual, Economy, And Social-Relational Impacts In The Church, Alexia M. Hanson, Dr. Jeremy Williams

Celebration of Research

Using ritual theory, understanding of economics in the Bible, and social-relational frameworks, this research explores the connections between ritual and economy in the Church. We ask: how does economy affect ritual and how does ritual affect economy? Biblical exegesis and an original survey are incorporated to get a real-world, practical sense of the impact of these questions, and their answers, have for the Church as a whole. The ritual focus of the research is on the practices of baptism and communion in the Church today. The social and relational aspects of these practices are also explored. How does the method, …

The Sociocultural Factors Keeping Single American Men Out Of International Cross-Cultural Ministry, Caleb Rorke

Liberty University Research Week

For generations, an imbalance between the number of men, particularly single men, on the mission field has been far exceeded by that of women. The causes of this discrepancy are a common topic of discussion in missiological spheres, but little research has been found to provide data on this issue. It is this gap that this research project seeks to close. As Jesus’ mandate in Matthew 28 is to result in the gospel making its way to every nation and culture, so is every member of the Body of Christ intended to take part, women and men. Due to varying …

Japan, Anime, And Theology, Kaz Hayashi

Day of Scholarship

This poster presents two publications related to Japan, anime, and theology. While each publication is different, they both ask “How do Japanese anime and popular culture reflect the beliefs of the people, and how can we view these beliefs from a biblical theological lens?” The book Anime, Philosophy, and Religion explores the diversity of anime themes and content by an international group of scholars. The article “Holograms and Idols: The Image of God and Artificial Transcendence in the Cultural Phenomenon of the Japanese Vocaloid Hatsune Miku” argues how the popularity of hologram concerts reflects the universal human desire for a …

Economic Thought: A Biblical Perspective, Williams Kwasi Peprah, Lucile Sabas, Carmelita J. Troy, Quentin Sahly, Delynne Shepard

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

The research contributes to the ongoing debate of capitalism or socialism as a Christian's economic thought. Following Jesus Christ's exemplary life, the research concludes that Jesus Christ is variously portrayed as a social reformer, revolutionary socialist and compassionate capitalist. Therefore, Christians must have the same economic thought.

We Are Kamea Christians Not Because We Sing Like Berrien Springs Christians: Towards A Methodology Of Developing A Biblical Theology In Context, Unia Api

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

This paper attempts to demonstrate a methodological approach to doing theology in context. A lot of homogenizations of Western Christianity have very much impacted the way we do church in Melanesia (Pacific Islands). This trend motivated me to ride on the wave of Melanesian thinkers to make theology relevant in the Melanesian context. Title: Exploring

Worthy Or Worthless: A Biblical Theology Of Human Value, Bronwyn Merigold Gray

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Textual or Investigative

The Role Of Evil In Ephesians 4:11-16 Through The Lens Of Human Learning And The Framework Of “Story” By Dan Allender, Ashley Volk

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Textual or Investigative

An Epistemological Reading Of 2nd Peter With Application To Truth And Information Warfare, Terry D. Robertson

Seminary Scholarship Symposium

In 2 Peter, the knowledge, practices, and dispositions of the faith community (2 Pet 1), contrasted with those of the false teachers (2 Pet 2), are applied to a truth warfare issue (2 Pet 3). Drawing from interdisciplinary conversations on information literacy, sociality, and philosophical argumentation, the theme developed in 2 Peter of “growing in knowledge” may be viewed as relational, performative, and consequential. This understanding equips the Christian disciple to “be not deceived” and to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet 3:17-18)--both in the discernment and proclamation of truth. I …

P-23 2 Peter, Information Literacy, And Theological Discourse, Terry Dwain Robertson

Celebration of Research and Creative Scholarship

The pedagogical mission of academic librarianship embraces information literacy. “Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.” (https://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework) The Association of College and Research Libraries proposes a Framework for teaching information literacy, including knowledge, practices, and dispositions--addressing both the consumption and production of information.

In 2 Peter, the knowledge, practices, and dispositions of the faith community (2 Pet 1), contrasted with those of the false teachers (2 …

The Power Of A Well-Told Story: A Narrative Criticism Of Barack Obama’S 2004 Dnc Keynote Address, Grace Mallory

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Textual or Investigative

The Bible And The Constitution: Reading Methods, Relevance, And Authority, Gaylen P. Leverett

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

Politics and religion have united and/or divided people groups for as long as records have been kept. Currently most of the divisiveness tormenting America’s potential for harmony is in these two fields. The debates have many fronts and factions. This paper is an attempt to bring some clarity to the debate between religious conservatives and progressives over how the Constitution should be read. Conservatives are so named because they wish to preserve older interpretations which they believe best represent the original decisions – decisions conservatives for the most part still endorse. Progressives, on the other hand, argue that our new …

Sino Malaya?: Melodrama And The Integration Of Contemporary Social Issues In Philippine Independent Films, Maureen Alexandra A. Dungan, Miracle Joyce C. Geronimo, Japheth Sean S. Morales, Cristen Dominique L. Tantoco

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

Various film critics have written about the dominant themes found in independent films, such as gender and sexuality, culture, and sociopolitical issues. Independent filmmakers have distinctive ways of portraying these issues. Guided by Pathak (2017)’s framework on melodrama, the researchers chose to use melodramatic conventions and techniques to analyze further how these social issues are portrayed in independent films. Findings found that the independent films used melodramatic conventions in portraying social issues. Analyses showed that (1) the films made use of issues such as family relationships and understanding reality, (2) various cinematic elements were applied in the context of melodrama …

Creation Care As Caring For Human Beings: An Environmental Justice Case Study, Jeffrey S. Lamp, Ph.D., Kathryn J. Moder, Megan R. Munhoffen, Cade A. Rich, Nathan B. Von Atzigen

Research Symposium

Caring for God’s creation is a burgeoning area of interest among Christians in recent decades. In many Christian circles, however, caring for creation is not given high priority in rankings of the duties of Christian disciples in the world. This article will argue that caring for creation is a biblically mandated call for God’s people in the world and derives from the role of human beings as caretakers of creation, creation’s status as a recipient of God’s salvation in Christ, and the connection between human beings and the other-than-human creation. If creation care is understood as an act of healing …

Towards A Theology Of Conflict Transformation In Churches Through Social Media, Adebayo O. Afolaranmi

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

The society we live in cannot avoid conflict. The church in particular is not devoid of conflict of all kinds. Church leaders and other stakeholders in the church have not only to resolve these conflicts, they have to also transform the conflicts and ensure that people live in peaceful co-existence as much as it is possible. The advent of the Internet in general and social media in particular has affected the way people are doing things tremendously. This includes conflict transformation in the church as well. This paper gives a brief introduction to conflict transformation in general and conflict transformation …

Recogition Assembly, Jiří Moskala

Seminary Scholarship Symposium

• Anna Galeniece, et al., eds. The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy and Contemporary Issues Biblical Hermeneutics: Implications and Applications in Africa
• Denis Kaiser Trust and Doubt: Perceptions of Divine Inspiration in Seventh-day Adventist History
• S. Joseph Kidder Journey to the Heart of God
• Jiří Moskala Ezra and Nehemiah Ezra and Nehemiah Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guild & also Teachers Study Guide
• Roy Gane “Theology Enshrined in the Israelite Sanctuary”
• Oliver Glanz TextFabric: All Qumran Scrolls and Fragments for Python and Linguistic Research
• Hyveth Williams Adventist Review Columns
• Ante Jerončić “The Truthful Self: Subjectivity, Truth, and Hermeneutics in Dialogue with …

Symposium 2020 Presenter List, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

Brief bios of presenters at the 2020 Calvin Symposium on Worship

Martin Luther King Jr.: The Ideal Medieval Preacher, Chloe Diaz

Andrews Research Conference

When scholars interpret the sermons of Martin Luther King Jr., such as his last sermon, they investigate his delivery of the speech and how it has stood the test of time. A common example is “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” which King delivered on the eve of his death. Many say that he delivered this sermon like it was his last one—as if he were fully aware. Because of scholarship, this sermons has survived, but there is a lens that has not been explored extensively—the influence of medieval rhetorical theory on his scholarship as a theologian. There is a common …

The Passion Project: Furthering A Holistic Biblical Theology Of Passion And Purpose Through Visual Storytelling, Annaclaire Schmiedel

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Creative and Artistic

Missionary Bridges Toward Postmodernism, Bogdan Platon

Seminary Scholarship Symposium

The poster will observe the postmodern spirituality and will describe some possible bridges of connection between Christian mission and postmodern worldview. This will help to develop a better Christian mission with more effective relationships with Postmodern people.

Recognition Assembly, Jiří Moskala

Seminary Scholarship Symposium

Highlighted Projects

Denis Fortin One in Christ: Biblical Concepts for a Doctrine of Church Unity

Denis Fortin, Abner F. Hernández, and Davide Sciarabba, eds. ¿Por qué creemos en E. G. White y el don profético?: Una perspectiva histórica y bíblica

Denis Fortin and Jerry Moon, eds. Enciclopédia Ellen G. White

Richard M. Davidson and Edgard A. Horna, eds. “Me invocarás, y yo te responderé”: Estudios selectos en el Salterio

Ranko Stefanovic The Book of Revelation

Bruce L. Bauer, ed. Finding Freedom in Jesus: A Deliverance Ministry Manual

Gorden R. Doss Introduction to Adventist Mission

Joseph Kidder Out of Babylon

Joseph …

The Historic Liturgy: Important Or Adiaphoron? Yes, John Tape

Theological Symposia

I humbly submit to you today that this is the current problem in our beloved synod, concerning the proper role of the historic liturgy. If we are going to begin to have an accurate understanding of the liturgy, we must carefully stay on the tightrope and avoid falling to one side or the other.

Today I would like to focus on two polar elements concerning the historic liturgy and suggest several specific ways they can be kept in balance. In all of this, I hope to present five theological principles (or if you are Waltherian—theses) which will help guide us …

The Historic Liturgy: Important Or Adiaphoron? Yes

Theological Symposia

>p>I humbly submit to you today that this is the current problem in our beloved synod, concerning the proper role of the historic liturgy. If we are going to begin to have an accurate understanding of the liturgy, we must carefully stay on the tightrope and avoid falling to one side or the other.

Today I would like to focus on two polar elements concerning the historic liturgy and suggest several specific ways they can be kept in balance. In all of this, I hope to present five theological principles (or if you are Waltherian—theses) which will help guide …

Ellen White And Subordination Within The Trinity, Nathaniel Robert Gibbs

Seminary Scholarship Symposium

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been engaged in a debate about the role of women in ministry, especially as it concerns ordination. While engaging in this debate, some have used the doctrine of Trinity to support their understanding of the different roles in gender. Specifically, the subordination of Jesus to the Father as evidence of a correlation with the subordination of women to men. In order to find support for the way some believe ministry should be practiced, they have turned to the writings of Ellen White. They have attempted to support a subordinationism within the Trinity with her writings. …

1 Timothy 3: Who Can Be An Officer? An Exegetical And Historical Study, Jose N. Briones

Seminary Scholarship Symposium

Who is able to hold the offices of the church, deacons and elders, within the Seventh-day Adventist Church? The question of gender roles and the church’s understanding of who is sanctioned by the Scriptures to aspire to that office is a revolving matter today. The topic has been around in discussion for about 40 years now without a final answer within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Therefore, it is the aim of this paper to focus on the consistency of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with its own statements and policies, and the text of 1 Timothy 3. Moreover, it will propose …

Fine-Tuning The Hermeneutical Spiral, Arlyn S. Drew

Seminary Scholarship Symposium

A hermeneutical spiral model illustrates the temporal process of inductive and deductive reasoning for interpretation. The Hermeneutical Spiral by Osborne describes a conical spiral that stretches from the ancient text to the modern world of the listener. Unfortunately, this model implies a trade-off of biblical authority for increasing relevance as it moves away from Scripture. To avoid this problem a viable hermeneutical model must allow Scripture to norm the whole process (Sola Scriptura). In addition, the worlds of meaning unpacked from the text (Tota Scriptura), the worlds of meaning of the interpreter (Prima Scriptura), and the fusion of those worlds …

Pastoral Litugy In Challenging Times: A Lesson From Matthew Henry's Biblical Worship, Jonghun Joo

Symposium on Worship Archive

Today’s church is vexed with questions about worship: what it is, how you do it, and what it accomplishes, to name a few. And there is no shortage of resources offering answers to these questions. So where should we turn for insight on how to apply biblical principles to the local church’s worship? This workshop offers a model of how both a solid biblical understanding and the effective practice of worship can be realized in local churches today by exploring the theology and practice of Matthew Henry’s (1662–1714) worship. Henry did not attempt to adopt one pattern of worship from …

B-2 Serving Leadership Style Revisited, Petr Cincala, Paul Cho

Celebration of Research and Creative Scholarship

This presentation highlights findings from a study exploring the congregational health and church growth of more than 9,000 congregations from various denominations across United States. These congregations have used a Natural Church Development (NCD) survey to obtain a health assessment over the period of last 10 years. Findings reveal a fascinating pattern of church growth and health that is related to leadership style of the pastor. The data show that the churches whose pastors say their style of leadership is "serving" are actually growing less and have lower health scores than those who do not list their leadership style as …

Deductive, Inductive . . . And A Third Way, Ralph J. Gore Jr

Conference on Sermon Studies

Building on two previously published papers, “Failure to Communicate” and “Necessities and Capacities,” (Journal of Modern Ministry, Winter 2011 and Spring 2011) this paper furthers the argument that print-age preaching is not well-suited for the digital age. The paper examines the “third way” options of Calvin Miller and Paul Wilson which seek to combine the best of expository preaching and narrative preaching. This paper does not assert there are no effective “print-age preachers” in pulpits today, nor does it suggest there are no “print-age listeners” in congregations. Rather, the point is that the significant shifts in culture, communication, and technology …