Digital Commons Network^™

Daughters Of The Sun: "The Birth" (An Excerpt), Megan Lynn

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

“You have never heard of me before. You have never heard of me, but my name has come out of your mouth thousands of times.”

So begins my novel, Daughters of the Sun, the story of Jesus’s twin sister, Alleluia. Using the narrative framework seen in Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children, Alleluia tells her story over one night—Saturday into Sunday morning—in an appropriated apartment facing a church. She weaves into her story another tale of women who have lived in shadows cast by the men around them, women whom history chose to vilify—Lilith, Adam’s first wife who was written out of …

The Echo: April 15, 2016, Taylor University

2015-2016 (Volume 103)

Car wash, canines come to campus – RAC sheets, registration and the Review – Taylor hosts Grant County Autism Family Fun Fair – IWU offers accelerated nursing program – In The Loop – Zika returns worse than imagined – UN seeks new Secretary-General – Meeting Superman – Taylor myths & legends – Looking into Lighthouse – Grandma Gracie – Meek, not weak – Echograms #TaylorU -- #TaylorU’s Top Tweets – Art of imagination – Intelligent design – Artists celebrate Earth Day – Integration of faith and persecution – All the cool kids are doing it – FOMO FOBI: Fear Of …

Getting Involved With The Digital Humanities In Theology, Biblical Studies, And Religious Studies, Kent Gerber

Librarian Publications and Presentations

Digital humanities are growing and thriving in higher education, and, in the spirit of the pioneering work of Father Busa, it is important for theological and religious studies libraries and librarians to consider our roles and involvement in the current milieu of challenge and opportunity. The library and digital humanities communities possess many shared values and goals, including providing wide access to cultural information, enhancing teaching and learning, making a public impact, and benefiting from the invigorating, though not salvific, effect of technology to their efforts.

In Recognition, University Of Dayton. University Libraries

University Libraries Blog Archive

Congratulations to the winners of the Library Awards for 2016. Here are highlights from the ceremony, held on April 13.

Horrendous Evils And The Problem Of Representation, William Bell

Theses

Marilyn McCord Adams’s work on the problem of evil offers one of the most creative and sophisticated religious theodicies. Adams relies upon specifically Christian resources to explain how God is able to defeat horrendous evils within the context of an individual’s life by integrating the participant’s experience of suffering into their relationship with God. This strategy rests upon the claim that God has participated in a representative sample of human horrors. I argue that traditional interpretations of the relevant Christian beliefs do not support the idea that Christ experienced the disintegration of his meaning-making capacities characteristic of horrendous evils. I …

Easter 3 Series C 2016, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

This PDF comments on the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter, Series C, and offers up sermon ideas.

Revisiting Chiara Lubich’S Paradise’49 In Light Of The Letter To The Ephesians: Divine Adoption And Divine Design, Gérard Rossé

Claritas: Journal of Dialogue and Culture

This article is the second in a four-part study comparing the Letter to the Ephesians with some of Chiara Lubich’s notes on her contemplative experience in 1949. The author first explores the initial blessing of divine adoption as children of God in Christ as expressed in the letter and in Chiara’s Trinitarian experience of adoption in the design of God. Then he discusses how the divine design is fulfilled according to a Trinitarian dynamic in both the letter and Chiara’s experience. Finally, he looks more deeply into the source of this design, namely, the glory of God from which everything …

Revisiting Chiara Lubich’S Paradise ’49 In Light Of The Letter To The Ephesians, Gérard Rossé

Claritas: Journal of Dialogue and Culture

This article is the first in a four-part study. It begins with the idea that genuine Christian mysticism and the thought it produces is never separated from faith. Rather, it produces a faith lived with greater clarity and intensity. This forms the basis for a study comparing the Letter to the Ephesians with some of Chiara Lubich’s notes on her contemplative experience in 1949. Her experience, the author emphasizes, was born from an experience of communion, of church. Chiara lived in a personal way the reality of the church in its profound identity with the Body of Christ. This reality …

Dr. King And The Image Of God: A Theology Of Voting Rights In Ava Duvernay's Selma, Marcos Norris

Journal of Religion & Film

This article argues that Ava DuVernay’s 2014 film Selma develops a theology of voting rights by staging a conflict between President Lyndon B. Johnson and political activist Martin Luther King, Jr. Though many reviewers fault the film for its besmirching portrayal of LBJ, DuVernay’s (mis)representations of Johnson establish a link between the Voting Rights Act of 1964 and King’s theological anthropology. In King’s view, mankind was created in the image of God, endowed with free will and the capacity to reason. The denial of Black voting rights, while literally depriving African Americans of their political agency, also represented the disavowal …

The Roles Of Violence In Recent Biblical Cinema: The Passion, Noah, And Exodus: Gods And Kings, Kevin M. Mcgeough

Journal of Religion & Film

When The Passion was released, its extremely graphic violence horrified critics and scholars of religion although its success at the box office indicates that this, if anything, made the story of Jesus more appealing for viewers. Now that more time has passed and expectations surrounding levels of acceptable violence in cinema have changed, it is worth reconsidering how cinematic violence is used as reception strategy in Biblical cinema. Considering The Passion with more recent Biblical films, Noah and Exodus: Gods and Kings, it becomes apparent that violence is not only used to expand laconic Biblical narratives but to invest …

Hollywood Biblical Epics: Camp Spectacle And Queer Style From The Silent Era To The Modern Day, Kent L. Brintnall

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a book review of Richard Lindsay, Hollywood Biblical Epics: Camp Spectacle and Queer Style from the Silent Era to the Modern Day (Denver, CO: Praeger, 2015).

‘Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters’ – Worship Night Kicks Off Human Trafficking Awareness Week, Mallory Turner

GWU-Today

Students gathered on Monday night, April 4, on the Tucker Student Center patio to worship together in preparation for the events that are taking place during Human Trafficking Awareness Week.

Easter 2 Series C 2016, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

This PDF comments on the readings for the Second Sunday of Easter, Series C, and offers up sermon ideas.

From Victim To Agent Of Change: The Call To Co-Creation In Job, Marie-Louise Ström

Milton Prize Papers

No abstract provided.

The Seminary: A History Of Graduate Theological Education, Larry Hart

History of Theological Education at Oral Roberts University

As the oldest Pentecostal/charismatic seminary in the world, the Graduate School of Theology and Ministry of Oral Roberts University has enjoyed a unique history of service to the global, historic Christian church. Currently, some four hundred students come from myriad national, ethnic, and denominational backgrounds to train to “go into every person’s world,” as founder Oral Roberts would term it, with the message of God’s saving/healing love.

It is difficult to imagine that such a school could have emerged out of the cultural and spiritual tumult in the United States of the 1960s and 1970s. No one could have anticipated …

The Fort Wayne Vine, Fort Wayne Alumni Center Heritage Association

TUFW Alumni Publications (All)

The Spring 2016 edition of The Fort Wayne Alumnus, published by Taylor University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Taylor: A Magazine For Taylor University Alumni, Parents And Friends (Spring 2016), Taylor University

The Taylor Magazine (1963-Present)

The Spring 2016 edition of Taylor Magazine, published by Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

Among Friends Spring 2016 Vol 16 No 2, Friends Of The Bethel University Library

Among Friends Library Newsletter

Contents:

• BUL and Its Networks: More than Meets the Eye
• Friends Annual Awards is Money Well Spent
• Dear Friends
• Make a Gift
• Library Footnotes

Overshadowed By The Spirit: Mary, Mother Of Our Lord, Prototype Of Spirit-Baptized Humanity, Sally J. Shelton

College of Science and Engineering Faculty Research and Scholarship

A major issue over which many Evangelicals differ from Roman Catholics is the status of Mary, Jesus’ mother. Evangelicals critique some of the Marian dogmas and practices as excesses that challenge with Christ’s sole mediation and eclipse the Spirit, while Catholics see Protestant neglect of Mary as potentially leading to failure to fully acknowledge Christ’s humanity and divinity.

This dissertation attempts to bridge the gap between the Catholic and Evangelical Marys by proposing a Pentecostal Mary. After outlining the underlying pneumatic, ecumenical hermeneutic in the first chapter, in the next three I focus on the Scriptures related to Mary, including …

Student Perceptions Of How People, Practices, And Culture Within A Christian Secondary School Contribute To Or Detract From Their Spiritual Development, N. Matthews Beimers

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This is a phenomenological study of five Grade 12 students and their perceptions of the factors in their Christian school that have contributed to their spiritual development. Through interviews with each of the students, the details of the students’ perceptions revealed how and why specific people, practices, and elements of school culture affected their spirituality. All of these students provided keen insights through honest and vulnerable reflection. The major thematic categories that emerged were teachers, peers, spiritual practices, and the positive school community and ethos. The major recommendations for practice is to consider how the school can find avenues for …

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 51 No 1 - April 2016), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

Articles: Neo-Calvinism: A Theology for the Global Church in the Twenty-first Century by Richard J. Mouw - 7 / Casting out Hagar: Anti-Judaism in the Sermons of Augustine by Wendy Elgersma Helleman - 20 / The Discipline of Missiology in 2016: Concerning the Place and Meaning of Missiology in the Theological Curriculum by Stefan Paas - 37 / Reformed Orthodoxy and Gendered Authority: The Christian Reformed Church 1945–1984 by Tamara J. Van Dyken - 55 / The Threats of the Gospel: John Owen on What the Law/Gospel Distinction Is Not by Ryan M. McGraw - 79 / Hair Length …

Typology, Tabernacle And Tradition: A History Of Interpretation Of Hebrews 9:11-14, Samuel A. Mullins

Honors Theses

The texts of the Bible have been used and interpreted in various ways across different time periods and different cultures, and there is much to be gained by studying these changes. Changing attitudes about and uses of Scripture tell us something about other changes taking place in society. They reflect new ideas about religion, knowledge, and authority. Most of all, they demonstrate the techniques used by pastors, theologians, and other authors to make texts written long ago relevant to contemporary problems. The purpose of my study is to use Hebrews 9:11-14 to look at the ways in which the interpretation …

Enochian Literature: A Contextual Exploration And Examination Of Its Correlation To Biblical Scripture, Ryan D. Horton

Theology Undergraduate Work

Enochian literature is a group of ancient texts which collectively depict the life and ministry of the biblical patriarch Enoch. The New Bible Dictionary states, “Enoch was a man of outstanding sanctity who enjoyed close fellowship with God.”[1] The writings of Enoch tell a fascinating story of theology, prophecy, and eschatology. The subjects of this story include giants, angels, demons, and ancestors of Noah. The Anchor Bible Dictionary states, “The Enochic corpus claims to be a series of revelations which Enoch received in antiquity and transmitted to his son Methuselah for the benefit of the righteous who would live …

A Grounded Theory Exploration Of Clergy’S Counseling Referral Practices In Black Churches, Morgan R. C. Mccain

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2008) nearly one-third of American adults experience a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. Of those who experience mental illness only one in three will actually seek professional help (Obasi & Leong, 2009). This number becomes even smaller for people of African descent. African Americans are less likely to seek professional help for their personal problems (Cramer, 1999) because of barriers like inadequate health insurance and stigma. However, there are fewer challenges associated with African Americans seeking help from religious leaders (Chiang, Hunter, & Yeh, 2004). By their involvement in different …

A Grounded Theory Exploration Of Clergy's Counseling Referral Practices In Black Churches, Morgan R. C. Mccain

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2008) nearly one-third of American adults experience a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. Of those who experience mental illness only one in three will actually seek professional help (Obasi & Leong, 2009). This number becomes even smaller for people of African descent. African Americans are less likely to seek professional help for their personal problems (Cramer, 1999) because of barriers like inadequate health insurance and stigma. However, there are fewer challenges associated with African Americans seeking help from religious leaders (Chiang, Hunter, & Yeh, 2004). By their involvement in different …

Preaching John 8:31-36: Reforming Contexts Then And Now, Karoline M. Lewis

Faculty Publications

The Gospel reading for Reformation Sunday is always John 8:31–36, yet preaching on this passage tends to overlook the critical contexts in which this pericope is located. Preaching John 8:31–36 on Reformation now will demand a careful analysis of the role of the passage in the Fourth Gospel, both as a means by which to respect its literary integrity as well as invitation to how it might shape a new hermeneutic for a new day.

For The Flock: Impetus For Shepherd Leadership In John 10, Nathan H. Gunter

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Following the prophets’ declarations concerning the need for right-hearted shepherds, the four Gospels portray Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Shepherd to save Israel (Ezek. 34:23). John’s Gospel extends the pastoral imagery of the Old testament, most notably in the Good Shepherd discourse (John 10:1-21). John’s development of the shepherd motif presents Jesus both as the Good Shepherd who will lay down his life for his sheep and as the model after whom other shepherds ought to pattern their leadership. contrary to contemporary conversations concerning christian leadership, though, John’s gospel places greater emphasis on the shepherd’s …

The Essential Nature Of Humility For Today's Leaders, Jerry D. Breedlove Jr.

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Using socio-rhetorical criticism and analysis, the author explores the inner-textual and intertextual texture of 1 timothy 3:1-7. In particular the author draws out how the apostle Paul’s leadership requirement of not being a recent convert is less about the timing of a conversion to christianity and more about the adverse effects of pride on the ability of a leader to lead in a healthy manner. In so doing, the author provides support and insight into the ways in which humility as an essential virtue is applicable to leadership in secular settings as well as christian environments. Furthermore, the author strengthens …

Rebuild: Reset Your Life, Renew Your Church, Reshape Your World. By Tommy “Urban D.” Kyllonen, Shawna Henry

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

REBUILD: RESET YOUR LIFE. RENEW YOUR CHURCH. RESHAPE YOUR WORLD. By Tommy “Urban D.” Kyllonen. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press (2015). Paperback, 176 pages.

ReBuild offers not only guidance but encouragement for leaders who feel impressed to step out and be a change catalyst for God. Though the vision God sets before us often can seem overwhelming, We are reminded that if we persist, resist opposition and distraction, and persevere, God will see us through to the completion of the “wall.”

On Developing A Deeper Understanding Of Authentic Leadership: Interpreting Matthew 3:11-5:48 Using Intertexture Analysis And Social And Cultural Texture Analysis, Stephen L. Kalaluhi

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Dissertation Notice:

Ph.D. dissertation, Regent University, 2015

Full Text of Dissertation

This inductive, qualitative study explores the construct of authentic leadership within the context of organizational leadership as demonstrated within the Matthew 3:11-5:48 pericope. The study asks how this periscope, describing Jesus’ baptism, temptations, subsequent start of ministry, and initial teachings, contributes to our current understanding of how organizational outcomes are affected by leader morality when applied from within the intrapersonal, interpersonal, developmental, and pragmatic perspectives of authentic leadership.