Digital Commons Network^™

Quest For The Mission: You Are Witnesses Of These Things, Chiliang Tu

Doctor of Ministry Projects and Theses

I observed that Taiwanese Christian preaching today is missing a comprehensive reading of the Biblical narrative from the perspective of God’s salvation, and the same problem was also found in the Western world. This detachment of the Old Testament context from the Great Commission in the New Testament directly impacts the teaching, preaching, proclaiming, and witnessing of ministry. For the benefit of both pastors and congregations this dissertation demonstrates the whole Bible reveals God’s missional origin through his word and good will for human creatures and creation. The story is full of God’s redemptive, universal mission through the life, death …

A Reconciliation Of Pauline Complementarian Theology And Egalitarian Narratives In The New Testament, Paul Andrew Morss

Masters Theses

The debate about women having authority over men or serving in leadership roles within the church is a controversial topic that has existed for some time. There are different interpretations of the complementarian and egalitarian debate surrounding specific areas in scripture. The Bible is a source of wisdom and truth that is used to direct the lives of Christians and the church. However, both sides point to the same text as the justification for their beliefs. The complementarian and egalitarian debate is far-reaching, but I plan to look at one subject within the larger debate. The scope of my thesis …

Jesus As Bridegroom Warrior King: The Use Of Psalm 45 In Revelation 19, Robert Brandon Strickland

Masters Theses

While the book of Revelation includes no direct quotes from the OT, it is no secret that allusions to the OT permeate the text of John's apocalyptic vision. In alluding to the OT, John develops thematic links and imagery, resulting in theological messaging that informs his readers of the reality of Christ's rule and reign. This thesis investigates John's theological messaging in Revelation 19. Primarily this thesis will examine the themes and imagery of Revelation 19 in light of Psalm 45. It is my proposal that John borrows both imagery and language from Psalm 45 to depict Jesus as the …

The Relationship Between Multicultural Christianity And Spiritual Formation: Quantitative Correlational Study, Jack Andrew Wingard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The population in America has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. The homogenous communities present when churches began in America have become heterogeneous. The homogeneous church growth models have possibly hindered spiritual formation for churches in America. Multicultural churches seek to solve this problem by creating environments that strategically create congregations that match the demographics of American communities. This correlational study aimed to explore if a relationship exists between multicultural church practices and spiritual formation in spiritual, social, and intellectual areas. The study employed survey instrumentation that used the MCSFS. Overall, five distinctly multicultural churches spread out across America …

Transforming Disciples Through A Spiritual Formation Cohort At Washington Street Church Of Christ, Jim Black

Harding School of Theology Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 57 No 2 - November 2022), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

From the Editor: Karin Maag - 211 / Articles: Reforming the Fast: Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin on Fasting by K. J. Drake - 213 / John Preston on the Purpose and Place of the Natural Knowledge of God by Richard A. Muller - 247 / The Christian Reformed Synod of 1924: Unfinished Business on Common Grace, Part 1 by John Bolt - 271 / The Biblical Expectation of Christ’s Return: A Compelling Motivation for Local and Global Mission by Zachary King - 313 / Sermon: Anticipating Heaven: A Sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:1–6, 16–21 by Peter Jonker - 345 / …

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 …

Shepherding Church Staff: Stakeholders' Perceptions Of A Useful Leadership Development Plan, Bobby Allen Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As leadership demands grow, churches need a way to develop more effective leaders. Many pastors have received limited training in how to develop leaders and may not be aware of stakeholders’ expectations for leadership development. This thesis project reveals the importance of intentional leadership development of those who have answered the calling to work in the local church. The researcher believes the current shortage of lay leaders as well as consistent burnout rates among staff and volunteers can be altered with the correct plan and people in place. The researcher conducted open ended semi-structured interviews for those currently working in …

The Image Of God: A Reflection Of Order And Suitability In Design, Mary D. Mckenzie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the history of biblical interpretation and dogmatic speculation, the “image of God” in humanity has proved remarkably prolific as a source of exegetical and theological discussion. In Genesis 1:26–27, the Bible expounds that God created man in His own image, and in His image, he created male and female. The literature on this topic continues to be overwhelming despite several exhaustive treatments spanning decades among biblical scholars. The act of posing several questions resulted in different answers from various sources. For example, what exactly is the image of God? Is the image of God spiritual or physical? Is the …

Restoration Jewish Evangelism: A Dispensational Paradigm For Jewish Evangelism, Justin R. Woods

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Local Jewish populations within proximity of U.S. churches are perishing in their need to hear the Christian gospel. Obstacles to Jewish evangelism have festered through the centuries. Modern scholarship has held culpable the supersessionist traditions from the early church fathers and carried over to the present day. Dispensational pastors and scholars have acted on the front lines to correct this grievance. Restoration Jewish Evangelism (RJE) supplies a template of Jewish evangelism centered on a dispensational view of Romans 9—11. The goal of this project includes strengthening the parishioners’ situational awareness and self-confidence to engage in sharing the gospel of the …

The Beacon, October 7, 2022, Beacon Staff

The Beacon, 2022-2023

The art of prison ministry in the U.S; New assistant of NW Bridge Center; Bassett's new album leaves a sour taste; The Woman King reigns supreme in the theatres; The dazzling lights of the West End and beans; Senior Spotlight: McClintock is behind the scenes; Students benefit from sleep and rest; Students grow spiritually with Campus Ministry prison visits; Stuart Hall calls students to showcase God's love; Building Relationships; Photo Op? Photo Stop; More Folks Need Indie Folk; NW Women's Golf Takes Care of Buisiness; NW Cross Country Seniors Carry on Legacy; Gramstad Leads the Charge Past Concordia Bulldogs; Popping …

Semitic Residue: Semitic Traits That Indicate Early Source Material Behind The Gospel Of Matthew, Brian Gray Chilton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Skeptics have often argued that the Gospels were written too late to have contained any valuable information about Jesus. Furthermore, the likes of Rudolf Bultmann and the Jesus Seminar claim that very little can be known about the voice of the historical Jesus. However, this work argues that the oral traditions stemming from community-based transmission provides a basis to hold that the oral traditions that undergird the finished Gospels are much earlier than the written texts themselves. Using the Gospel of Matthew as a test case and seven criteria to gauge the strength of residue, this study argues that the …

Submission To The State As An Act Of Submission To God: A Call For Total Submission Within The Nature And Commands Of God, Jesse David Krystowiak

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christians must view their interactions with the state as a direct line of submission to the supremacy of God's own rule. Within God's call to submit to those in positions of civil leadership is the understanding that one's submission to the state is placed within the confines of bringing glory to God on the basis of God's nature and commands.

Re-Imagining And Rechanneling Youth Potential Through The Lens Of The Hofstede Cultural Dimensions Model, Olaotse Obed Gabasiane

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Apologetics And Disability: Reframing Our Response To The Question Of Suffering, Rochelle Scheurermann

Great Commission Research Journal

A prominent question that is asked when people consider God is how to account for suffering if God is good and all-powerful. For Christians, answering this question is a major part of apologetic and evangelistic training. But what if the way we have traditionally approached this question is not good news for everyone? This paper examines the suffering question in light of disabilities and suggests a new way to engage in apologetics that is centered in creation (not fall) and celebrates the gifts and opportunities that come through a diversity of ability.

The Emotionally Competent Pastor, Kevin Spratt

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

A pastor with high emotional intelligence is more likely to be successful in the skills required to lead a church, which will likely produce a healthier church. Stated another way, a lack of emotional intelligence is a potential predictor of pastoral leadership failure, which could lead to an unhealthy church. Current church authors and researchers miss emotional intelligence as a key leadership competency. This article raises the importance of emotional intelligence and suggests that an emotionally intelligent pastor who is both self-aware and socially aware can relationally lead a church well.

Principles To Guide An Adventist Theology Of Dreams And Visions With Missiological Implications, Bruce L. Bauer

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

I offer this article to begin and encourage dialogue on an Adventist theology of dreams and visions. The paper will have five sections: Dreams and Visions in the OT, NT, and writing of Ellen White; the Purpose of God-Given Dreams and Visions; Warnings about Dreams and Visions Not Inspired by God; Missiological Implications of Dreams and Visions among Muslims; and Practical Suggestions.

Jericho: A Case Study For 21st Century Urban Evangelism, Gideon Petersen

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Present And Post-Pandemic Theology: What And How We Will Teach And Preach, Seventh=Day Adventist Theological Seminary

Current: Faith Meets Life and Culture

No abstract provided.

Theology Matters, Jiří Moskala

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Spiritual Formation In Leadership Development, Craig M. Poole

Harding School of Theology Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

New Models For Worship: Music Education Philosophy In The Multiculturally Fragmented Sanctuary, Sandra Diana Constanze Hendricks

Masters Theses

Worship seems to have been approached from theological and sociological perspectives but not through the lens of ideas and frameworks in music education philosophy. This study uses a survey of scholarly works to examine the influence these ideas and frameworks could have on the event of worship leading regarding changes to the agency of fragmented and multicultural worship identities. The study is based on a model of transformative historical research. It analyses ideas and frameworks of music education theory in the context of Christianity in the post-structuralist era. The results and interpretation confirmed that the application of tendential rhizomatic models …

Then Sings The Church A New Song, Ian D. Bula

Masters Theses

The collective life of the Ancient Israelites was defined by a tumultuous journey through the desert as the primary setting where God continuously sought a relationship with them. Their liberation from Egyptian bondage was the central element that resulted from God’s self- revelation and action toward His people. Their response to Him in worship reflects the nature instilled in all humankind to respond in many ways to divine action. One of these ways is through the use of music. Music has accompanied the worship of God’s people since the time of the Patriarchs. The Exodus was the experience that sprung …

Biblical Principles To Prevent Burn-Out For The Music Educator Based On Paul Tripp's Book, "Lead", Shannon Leigh Forester

Masters Theses

The Christian music educator and worship leader have common leadership roles where music and faith collide. Research and studies have been produced regarding the application of biblical principles to the role of the worship leader and other church leadership positions, but there is little information on how they apply to the role of the Christian music educator. This curriculum project was created to provide Christian music educators with a strong foundation for growing and maintaining spiritual wellness as they enter the field of music education and assist them in developing a plan for integrating these concepts into their everyday teaching …

The Kindness And Severity Of God: A Defense Of The Conquest Of Canaan, Jordan Peter Ballard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Conquest of Canaan has become a hot-button issue in Christian apologetics because of the moral dilemma it poses. Would an all-loving God command the wholesale slaughter of the Canaanite men, women, and children? Christians throughout the centuries have grappled with this problem and have offered many interpretations to alleviate the tension between God’s love and God’s wrath displayed in the Conquest. This dissertation defends a straightforward reading of the account: God really did command the destruction of the Canaanites, and the Israelites carried it out as described in the pages of the Old Testament. When understood in its biblical, …

On Thinking Theologically Of Lawyers As Counselors, Thomas L. Shaffer

Florida Law Review

No abstract provided.

Mashiah: Messianism In Jewish Apocalyptic Literature Of The Second Temple Period, Fred R. De Leon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This Thesis challenges notions that have dominated biblical scholarship for more than a hundred years. Up until the end of the twentieth century scholars uniformly believed that the concept of a suffering Messiah was not part of early first century CE Judaism. It was believed to a be a Christian creation. There is however startling evidence of messianic precursors to Jesus, including one who is introduced as the 'Prince of the Congregation' in recently published fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This is not surprising since the authors of the Tanakh lay the groundwork for an evolving and malleable concept …

Archbishop Denis Hurley: ‘Ecclesiastical Che Guevara’ Or ‘Guardian Of The Light’?, Anthony Egan

The Journal of Social Encounters

Archbishop Denis Hurley, OMI (1915-2004) was a major figure in mobilising the Catholic Church’s struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Rooted in Catholic Social Thought and an active participant and implementer of Vatican II, he led by example, moving the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) into one of the foremost religious defenders of human rights. His theological skills and personal courage translated in ecumenical and interfaith activities that served justice and peace. He supported conscientious objectors and faced prosecution for exposing state atrocities in Namibia.

Queer(Y)Ing The Hermeneutic Role Of Heteronormativity In Ecclesial Identity: The Pcc’S Human Sexuality Report As A Case Study, M. Beth Mccutcheon

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Small Group Participant Perceptions Of Discipleship Development In Multisite Churches: A Mixed Methods Study, Risha D. Bailey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Researchers indicated a clear and steady decline in discipleship development within the Body of Christ (Baldwin, 2016; Lynn, 2014; Saunders, 2009). However, the vision for the church, outlined within the Great Commission, remains the same; it warrants the conversion, production, and reproduction of Christ’s disciples in all nations. The small group ministry and multisite churches are at the intersection of discipleship development, leading to effective disciple making. While small groups have been endorsed by many as the premier vehicle that helps the church fulfill its mission, multisite churches are heralded as those experiencing rapid growth with strong communities of faith …