Digital Commons Network^™

Building Community And Facilitating Formation In Seminary Distance Education, Stephen D. Lowe

Christian Perspectives in Education

No abstract provided.

Old Testament And New Testament In Biblical Theology, Peter Stuhlmacher

ATS Chapel Services

No abstract provided.

The Goods Of Reading: Theological Interpretation And Scriptural Reasoning, Rebekah Ann Eklund

Journal of Scriptural Reasoning

No abstract provided.

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Mark Roberts

Theology of Work Project

1. Overview of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Work
2. Galatians and Work
   • Introduction to Galatians
   • Understanding Life in Christ (Gal 1:6-4:31)
   • Living in Christ (Gal 5:1-6:10)
     • Living in the Spirit (Gal 5:13-23)
     • Working for the Good of Others (Gal 6:1-10)
     • Closing Remarks (Gal 6:11-18)
   • Conclusions (Galatians)
3. Ephesians and Work
   • Introduction to Ephesians
   • God's Grand Plan: A Theological Vision (Eph 1:1-3:21)
   • God's Grand Plan: A Practical Guide (Eph 4:1-6:24)
     • Working Hard for Good and for Giving (Eph 4:28)
     • Mutuality in Working for the Lord (Eph 5:21-6:9)
       • Christian Slaves (Eph 6:6-8)
       • Christian Masters (Eph 6:5-11)
   • Conclusions (Ephesians)
4. Philippians and Work
   • Introduction to Philippians
   • God's …

Ezekiel And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Steven Mason

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction to Ezekiel
2. Ezekiel 1-17
3. Ezekiel 18
   • The Righteous Man Does Not Oppress, But Restores to the Debtor His Pledge (Ezek 18:5, 7)
   • The Righteous Man Does Not Steal, But Instead Feeds the Hungry and Clothes the Naked (Ezek 18:7b)
   • The Righteous Man Does Not Take Advance or Accrued Interest (Ezek 18:8a)
   • The Righteous Man Does No Wrong, But Judges Fairly Between Parties (Ezek 18:8b)
4. Ezekiel 22
5. Ezekiel 26-28
6. Ezekiel 33
7. Ezekiel 34
8. The Covenantal Hope (Ezek 35-48)

The Current Crisis In Protestant Theological Education In The Former Soviet Union, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

A Descriptive Study Of The Additional Factors Needed To Transition A Troubled Church To Health, George Ray Cannon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a level of frustration among pastors as they try to apply philosophical models of health to troubled churches. These churches have been labeled "troubled" because of the traumatic events they have experienced in the past. These experiences have resulted in barriers to any effort by pastor to transition the church to health. The purpose of this study is to identify the common factors/issues that a troubled church must address in order to progress in the revitalization process. This study seeks to provide a description of the factors/issues that ten troubled churches addressed as they moved toward health.

The Word In The World, Sandra Marie Schneiders

Jesuit School of Theology

This article addresses the topic “the Word in the World” by seeking to clarify both concepts in the light of biblical usage and the present situation of believers. While “the world” features quite prominently in the New Testament, the understanding of the motif throughout Christian history has reflected more the Church's experience with its socio-cultural and religious context rather than the New Testament usage. The largely defensive attitude to the world that was the stance of the Roman church in reaction to the Reformation and Enlightenment was radically challenged at the Second Vatican Council, offering the chance to re-orientate the …

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: October 2010, Mariano Avila, Lyle D. Bierma, John Bolt, John W. Cooper

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on Belhar Confession
3 - Confession of Belhar
5 - Making Shalom: The Belhar Confession by Mariano Avila
6 - Adopting the Belhar: Confession or Testimony? by Lyle D. Bierma
8 - Necessary Testimony—Flawed Confession? by John Bolt
10 - Context and Confusion: What Does the Belhar Confess? by John Cooper
12 - The Belhar Speaks Today by Ronald J. Feenstra

Departments
14 - Formation for Ministry

Gardner-Webb, The Magazine 2010, Fall (Volume 44 No. 3), Noel T. Manning Ii

Gardner-Webb, The Magazine

Gardner-Webb, The Magazine, previously titled The Webb Magazine, focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. This issue begins with applauding Jennifer Pharr Davis' efforts to hike the whole of the Appalachian Trail on her own and then it leads in to an article featuring director Gary Wheeler's visit to the Gardner-Webb campus. Following are articles concerning graduates at commencement, the new Tucker Student Center building, and athletics. The magazine concludes with an article about author/GWU professor Sheri Adams, GW student Jackie Seter, and GWU alumni Clayton King.

Christ's Heavenly Sanctuary Ministry, Roy Gane

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The People's Hour And The Social Gospel: George Howard Gibson's Gilded Age Search For An Organization Of The Kingdom Of God, Michelle D. Tiedje

Department of History: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Previous studies of the Social Gospel movement have acknowledged the fact that Social Gospelers were involved in multiple social reform movements during the Gilded Age and into the Progressive Era. However, most of these studies have failed to explain how the reform experiences of the Social Gospelers contributed to the development of the Social Gospel. The Social Gospelers’ ideas regarding the need to transform society and their strategies for doing so were largely a result of their personal experiences as reformers and their collaboration with other reformers. The knowledge and insight gained from interaction with a variety of reform methods …

Reflections Upon Korean And American Evangelical Church Models For Effective Strategy In Developing Missional Churches, Kyoung Jun Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to present my reflections upon Korean and American evangelical church model for effective strategy in developing missional churches. God is reviving Korea and North America with missional churches. Some churches in Korea and America are changing their paradigm, not focusing on church buildings and programs but on missions and outreach. This thesis offers reflections about the missional church concept by presenting a set of case studies of well- known missional churches. The result of the case studies provides helpful insights on establishing a missional church. Drawing from case studies of missional Churches and a …

An Analysis Of Pastor Sunhee Gwark’S Sermons By Using Hermeneutic Methods Of Practical Theology For Improving Sermon Paradigm, Jinhyu Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to analyze the sermons of Sunhee Gwark, the former senior pastor of So-Mang church, into hermeneutic methods of practical theology for improving sermon paradigm. The relationship between the world of Scripture and the world of audience was investigated and the world of audience was valued equally with the world of Scripture in sermon. In order to analyze Gwark's sermons, the standards of evaluating sermon were provided. An improved sermon paradigm was suggested and the author wants this study to contribute to refreshing sermons to be balanced between the world of Scripture and that of …

Book Review: Evangelism Handbook: Biblical, Spiritual, Intentional, Missional By Alvin Reid, Chuck Lawless

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Church Growth Through Social Welfare In South Korean Churches: Its Situation And Reformation Plan, Insu Kang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to help church's growth by observing, analyzing and applying the situation of Korean church's social welfare programs. Korean churches are getting interested in social welfare and operating social welfare programs voluntarily to help the neighbors. They are spreading gospel of Jesus and growing through social welfare activities. However, many churches are struggling to find suitable social welfare programs for them. The author will examine the meaning of church social welfare and biblical basis and compare social welfare situation of Korean churches and American churches to research and apply for suitable programs for Korean churches.

Innovation In The Early Church: Strengthening The Thesis, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

In his response to Oster’s article, Cafferky offers commendations for the points that Oster presents when considering the events described in Acts 10-11. Cafferky also explores what he believes is an implicit assumption in Oster’s article regarding applying organizational theory from the for-profit sector straight across into the nonprofit sector. Oster’s thesis might be strengthened if the literature from the world of organization theory applicable to nonprofits is considered. Finally, Cafferky attempts to strengthen Oster’s thesis by exploring the complexity of the identity and purpose that he believes the first century Jewish Christians carried with them as they evaluated the …

Case Studies Of Selected Churches With Effective Ministry To Male Homosexual Strugglers, Jeffrey R. Scott

Faculty Dissertations

The dual purpose of this qualitative study was first to evaluate why the ministry of selected churches who are ministering to male homosexual strugglers was effective. What makes these churches safe and welcoming for those seeking to gain victory over same-sex attractions and behaviors? And second, to convince church leaders that our churches need to become the kind of churches that are effective in ministering to male homosexual strugglers.

A confidential survey methodology was used in asking both male strugglers and active church members their perspective on their church’s attitudes and actions as it related to ministering to and discipling …

Beyond Justice: Death And The Retribution Principle In The Book Of Job, Varunaj Churnai

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Churnai, Varunaj., “Beyond Justice: Death and the Retribution Principle in the Book of Job.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2010. 232 pp.

In recent decades, scholars have tended to interpret what Job says about death either as part of the broader reading of the Old Testament about death, or by imposing ancient Near Eastern mythological concepts upon the text of Job, read apart from the Old Testament’s wisdom tradition. This dissertation attempts to redress the latter trend of interpretation by articulating that what Job says about death is related to Job’s struggle to understand his relationship to God in relation to …

Mere Christianity: The Lasting Work Of C.S. Lewis, Stephanie Jeanne Johnson

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

Biblical Strategy And Shift To Spiritual Driven Church Growth, Chang Kyu Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to present the biblical standards, principles, components, and methods of spiritual discipline for 21st century churches' conversion from human efforts and programs oriented church growth to spiritual driven church growth like an early church. The early church is a best model as a spiritual driven church. Modern churches are trying to build like the early church. The biblical study of the early churches in Bible and the results of survey of growing churches in Washington area will give biblical concepts and methods to make the spiritual driven church.

The Banner - V. 145, No. 5 - (May 2010), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

6 - Editorial: Language Matters by Bob De Moor / 7 - Catch Your Breath: Clinging to the Covenant by Bonnie Mulder-Behnia / 8 - IMHO: Settling for Religion? by Trevor Payton / 8 - Letters to the Editor / 10 - News: Board responds to synod's request concerning CRC structure changes / 20 - Wonders from My Vegetable Garden by Ron Klok / 22 - Hope Rising / 26 - Dear Reader: Family Gatherings by Jerry Dykstra / 30 - Just for Kids: The Sheep of God’s Pasture by Sandy Swartzentruber / 32 - Parenting: Teens, Sexting, and the …

An Effective Leadership In Raising Evangelical Leaders For Korean Churches: A Case Study Of C. Daniel Kim's Leadership, Sangho Seo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to illuminate the process and results of how one man facilitated the transition from a denominational church leader to become an "evangelical leader." The man is C. Daniel Kim at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. The researcher of this project was a student and was assigned one of committee members, serving Korean Baptist Church of Lynchburg under his evangelical leadership. Based on literature reviews, surveys, and personal perspectives this paper will delineate influences of C. Daniel Kim's leadership as evidenced by Korean graduates.

A Strategy Of Promoting Health In The Local Church, Kichun Yoo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to find out the strategy of promoting health in the local church setting, mobilizing healthy church checkup. This thesis is primarily concerned with understanding the Church as designed by God. If church matters, church health is to be ensured. To ensure a healthy church, this project tries to see the Church from the perspective of Biblical theology, researching the nature of the Church in connection with the Kingdom, and identifying God's plan with the Kingdom. As a basis of evaluation, the author sees Rev. 2-3 as a standard for measuring church health. The …

An Analysis Of Rev. Oak, Han-Hum's Sermons, Dae Shik Yoo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An accomplished preacher, teacher, and church-planter, Rev. Oak, Han Hum was the pastor of Korea's famous Sarang Community Church, which he founded with less than 50 members but grew under his leadership to over 80,000. In an attempt to better appreciate Rev. Oak's success, this thesis will analyze Rev. Oak's sermons, giving special attention not only to his preaching techniques and style but also his mindset, philosophy, and attitude toward his pastoral responsibility. Unquestionably, his passion for and commitment to preaching the Word of God, was a significant part of his ability to connect to his congregation through his sermons. …

A Study Of The Conflicts Within Churches That Lead To The Termination Of Pastors Within The Southern Baptist Convention, Accompanied By A Proposal Of Preventive And Interventional Solutions, Donald Quentin Hicks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since 1984, LifeWay of the Southern Baptist Convention has collected data through the Pastoral Ministries division of LifeWay from state conventions to determine how many pastors were being fired each year from their churches. They discovered that approximately two hundred pastors were being fired from their churches each month. Leader Care was formed in 1996 in order to find solutions to this problem. Throughout the last decade some progress has been made educating and helping churches and ministers in conflict, as well as ministers and their families who were terminated from the churches they served. In 2008, LifeWay disbanded LeaderCare, …

The Lord's Anointed: Covenantal Kingship In Psalm 2 And Acts 4, Alexander C. Stewart

Senior Honors Theses

This study examines the title “Christ” as applied to Jesus in Acts 4:25-27. “Christ” or “Anointed One” here is directly connected to Psalm 2:1-2, and ultimately derives from the royal anointing ceremony of Israel. That ceremony symbolizes a commitment by God to the monarch which is made most specific in the Davidic covenant. The Gospel of Luke uses the title “Christ” to connect these Davidic themes to Jesus. In Acts 4:25-27, “Christ” continues to signify Israel’s king backed by the Davidic covenant. The apostles’ reading of Psalm 2 provides a foundation for understanding their own recent persecution and for their …

"The Harmony Way:" Integrating Indigenous Values Within Native North American Theology And Mission, Randy Woodley

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Given that Western models of mission have failed among Native Americans and that colonial practices have devastated native communities, this research sought a better way of pursuing Christian mission among Native Americans by asking two questions: (1) Do Native Americans have a generally shared set of values that could guide the construction of new models for mission in North American Native communities, and, if so, to what degree are these values shared among Native American communities? and, (2). What resources (particularly values) are available within the Native American communities themselves for developing appropriate models of mission and could such resources …

"It's Now We've Crossed Pease River" Themes Of Voyage And Return In Texas Folk Songs, Ken Baake

Great Plains Quarterly (through 2013)

Stories of development from childhood to adulthood or of journeying through a 1ifechanging experience to gain new knowledge are replete in oral and written tradition, as exemplified by the Greek epic of Odysseus and countless other tales. Often the hero journeys naively to an alien land and then, with great difficulty, returns home wiser but forever scarred. Such a journey can take the hero to a terrible place, from which he may escape physically, but from which he can never escape emotionally. The hardship of travel and its ensuing lessons is a common theme in human narratives, its protean form …

The Noetic Paschal Anthropos: Genesis 1:27 And The Theology Of The Divine Image In Early Paschal Literature, Dragos Andrei Giulea

Dissertations (1934 -)

This study examines the theme of the heavenly Anthropos in the earliest extant paschal writings: Melito's Peri Pascha, Origen's Peri Pascha, and Pseudo-Hippolytus's In sanctum Pascha. Instead of analyzing these materials through the prism of such classical images as sacrifice and divine Lamb, the study investigates them through the perspective of the categories of heavenly Man and divine Image. The particular method of the study will be tradition criticism and will envision the paschal tradition of the heavenly luminous Anthropos as a development of the theophanic traditions of the Jewish Second Temple. Echoing such ancient passages as Genesis 1:27, Ezekiel …