Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Clericalism: Advancing The Theological Basis For Vatican Ii's Call For An Active Laity, William Orbih

Obsculta

It is the purpose of this paper to echo the Second Vatican Council’s call for a more active laity by, on the one hand, drawing atten-tion to the theological basis of this call (baptism), and, on the other hand, identifying and denouncing clericalism as the biggest obstacle to a more active laity in the church.

The Intimacy Of The Cross: Kenotic Love In Hans Urs Von Balthasar And Sufjan Stevens, Kellen Troxell

Obsculta

This essay discusses how von Balthasar describes the relationship between the Father and the Son and how this has implications for the relationship between Christ and the Church. In addition, the author uses “To Be Alone With You” by Sufjan Stevens in order to further examine the implications of this relationship.

Instruments Of The Soul: Oikonomia And Bodily Asceticism, Aiden Putnam

Obsculta

One strength of the monastic model as presented in the early desert literature is the pastoral responsiveness to individual needs, while one weakness of this model is the apparent divide between body and spirit. The current image many of today’s readers might have of the monastic desert is of wizened, brittle hermits continuously at war with their bodies in an attempt to subjugate the flesh. Rather, I would propose that the early monks can offer us a refreshing view of psychosomatic integrity, one that can speak to current discussions of pastoral accompaniment.

Hospitality And Contemplative Presence: A Local Reflection, Cindy Gonzalez

Obsculta

Nota Bene During an age of people not knowing their neighbors and of hurtful racial division throughout the United States, I find myself living in a small town. This reflection is a plea for people to look up from their smart-phones and welcome those who need hospitality. This is also a plea for all to become community-building advocates through contemplative presence.

The Plausibility Of Animal Sacrifices In Ezekiel 40-48 Literally Operating In The Millennial Kingdom Under The New Covenant, Ian Bacon

Masters Theses

This thesis delves into the controversy surrounding the presence of animal sacrifices in Ezekiel 40-48. In these chapters Ezekiel depicts a temple that dispensationalists believe to be literally fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom.Yet, some claim that a literal understanding of these sacrifices in the future negates the work of Jesus on the cross. The response by many dispensationlists is to argue that these sacrifices will be performed to memorialize the death of Jesus. This thesis proves that the sacrifices in Ezekiel 40-48 are for purification purposes to atone for the contamination of sin so that the glory of Christ may …

Elders Intentionally Developing Future Leaders Through A Mentoring Program At The Central Church Of Christ In Topeka, Ks, Terry Kitson

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to implement an Elder Mentoring Program for the Central Church of Christ in Topeka, KS. In the first chapter, the context for this project, the Central Church of Christ, is described. The theological constructs for the project were drawn from The Book of Pastoral Rule written by Gregory the Great 590 C.E. and built upon by the application of contemporary Christian authors, and Biblical examples. The three key concepts taken from The Book of Pastoral Rule are contemplation, pastoral care, and mentoring. The third chapter reviews project methodology and mentoring curriculum. The findings and …

Practicing The Way Of Jesus In The College Ministry At The University Church Of Christ, Jonathan Andrew Gann

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the project was to give opportunities for a community group in the college ministry at University Church of Christ to experiment practicing the ways of Jesus. This purpose was accomplished by forming a Jesus dojo based on Mark Scandrette’s model as outlined in his book Practicing the Way of Jesus. The Jesus dojo met for eight sessions. During sessions we reflected upon different teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. Students then were given the opportunity of experimenting with the ways of Jesus together based on the theme of the teaching that week from …

Spiritual Transformation At Austin Christian Church, David Hooper

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This project was designed to meet a need at the Austin Christian Church (ACC) for enhancing the spiritual formation of new converts to Christianity by providing clear direction for mentors seeking to disciple others into the image of Christ. The scope of this project is focused directly on taking the first steps toward a deliberate pathway for spiritual formation by establishing the foundational principles. The apostle Paul’s pastoral theology provides the theological rationale for the project. Theosis, the theologically rich description of the Christian transformative process, also informs the theological foundation for the project. Drawing on the work of Richard …

Ganssle's "Our Deepest Desires: How The Christian Story Fulfills Human Aspirations" (Book Review), Jeremy W. Labosier

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Saving The Sheep, Preserving The Fruit: A Plan Of Christian Education For The Millennials And Beyond In The Midwest Wesleyan Church, Keith Studebaker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis involved a ministry plan for adequately preparing preteen youth in the Midwestern Wesleyan Church denomination. The goal was to ground those youth in their relationship with God until their relationship with Him and His Church will persist through their teenage years and beyond. The topic is crucial in view of the marked exodus of youth from the evangelical church by their late teenage years, often never to return. Data were collected to show what is actually being provided currently to preteen youth in Midwestern Wesleyan local churches through a mixed-methods survey of pastors or Christian education leaders in …

One From The Beginning: A Proposed Apologetic For The Growth Of The Church From Ad 30-250, Douglas Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

“The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed.” Why Christianity from its inception grew in numbers has remained a relatively stable and uncontested topic. Moreover, recent history has seen a move by some scholars to claim not one but multiple Christianities existed in the first three centuries. No study, however, has approached the growth of Christianity as being a result of positive apologetics and then defended that there was but one Christianity from the beginning through the use of Root Cause Analysis. After proposing an early fixed understanding …

Evaluating “Discovery Bible Study” In An Evangelism Program At African Christian College, Floyd Vidler

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this project emerges from my understanding of evangelism. For me evangelism must include proclamation, discipleship, a reliance on the Holy Spirit, and the utilization of small groups. I see DBS as accomplishing these goals, and the problem of this work was to demonstrate whether this is true in the context of African Christian College and the surrounding area.

I used a method called participatory action research. I made it my goal to learn all that I could about DBS and then share this material in a classroom setting with my students at ACC. We then participated …

A Kingdom Of Priests And Gods: Angelic And Participatory Deification In John's Apocalypse, David A. Armstrong

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Ancient Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature contains soteriological narratives of human transformation that qualify as examples of deification in antiquity. One widely exemplified type of deification in ancient Jewish apocalypses and apocalyptic literature focuses first on the analogy between priests and angels, and then the gradual assimilation of the former to the identity of the latter. In much apocalyptic thought, God resides in a celestial sanctuary in heaven where angels serve a heavenly liturgy of worship and praise, and it is this reality which the earthly priesthood, temple, and cult mimic and extend into the human world, which led to …

From Putrefecation To Sanctification: John Wesley's Understanding Of Original Sin And Theology Of Grace, John Scheuer

Obsculta

John Wesley’s sermons and writings about Original Sin are filled with lengthy and extreme descriptions of the depravity of humanity. This essay will explore examples from Wesley’s writings that use Scripture to describe humanity’s condition, and whose interpretation is supported by the tradition of the church. This exploration will layout Wesley’s unique theology of grace which provides a remedy for Original Sin by arguing humanity’s only path to redemption is through accepting the resistible grace of God.

Nothing New In Spiritual Direction?, Albrecht Nyce O.S.B.

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Wilken's "Christian Ethics: Four Views" (Book Review), Rory Patterson

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

The Art Of Dying As The Art Of Living: Exploring Buddhist Death Meditation As A Path To Human Flourishing, Kayla Stock

Obsculta

Can spiritual practices that inform our ideas about death alleviate fear of death? Can they lead to human flourishing? To explore these questions, I will examine the Buddhist practice of death meditation, assessing the practice both theologically and scientifically, then discussing the merits of this practice toward the purposes of human flourishing. I will end with an exploration of the potential ministerial applications of Buddhist death meditation.

"Today This Scripture Is Fulfilled In Your Hearing" : The Practice Of Sustained Lectio Divina, Kathleen A. Cahalan

Obsculta

Nota Bene This paper is modified from a lecture delivered at Saint Paul Monastery, Saint Paul, Minnesota, on October 27, 2017.

The Community God Intended For His Children, Andrew Remick

Obsculta

This essay reviews the design and context of Rachel Ellis’s portrayal of the Communion of Saints created in 2003-2004 as part of the rebuilding and expansion of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta, Australia, in suburban Sydney. Her contemporary rendition of this ancient Christian tradition invites pilgrims visiting the Cathedral to contemplate the universal call to holiness anew through its depiction of an intergenerational and multicultural assembly journeying together as a holy community toward Christ's light. A virtual tour of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is available at https://parracatholic.org/st-patricks-cathedral-virtual-reality/ and https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Zxh9H7REqwb&play=1&utm_source=4&utm_source=4

The Fruitless Search For The Theory Of Everything, Rebekah Earnshaw

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Knowing truly is something we are given and not something we achieve."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­discovering truth from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

https://inallthings.org/the-fruitless-search-for-the-theory-of-everything/

Sensibility And Self-Denial: A Christian Evaluation Of Journalistic Care Ethics And Traditional Ethics, Valerie Pors

Senior Honors Theses

Traditional ethical models within journalism have upheld truth and objectivity as the highest standard, based on a conglomeration of Western ethical traditions. However, as the age of subjective moral reasoning ushered in skepticism and independently subjective philosophies, ethicists have examined the application of care ethics to the field of journalism. Scholars have viewed care ethics and traditional ethics as conflicting theories, but both contain elements of God’s nature as revealed in the Bible. Both models also harbor secularized elements. In a biblical analysis of the two systems and their underlying assumptions, this thesis identifies crucial biblical differences in their views …

A Startling Injustice In The Protestant Reformation: The Contrasting Theologies Of Martin Luther And Thomas Muntzer As Seen In Their Responses To The Reformation Of The Common Man, 1525, Tonya Toutge

Obsculta

Compares the theologies of reform held by Thomas Müntzer and Martin Luther specifically as their theologies played out in re-sponse to the Peasants’ War of 1525. Müntzer and Luther. This comparison places Müntzer over and against Luther.

The Liberating Christ: From The Gospel Of Matthew To Modern Day Liberation, Matthew Nelson

Obsculta

The author of the Gospel of Matthew, staying true to the usage of the word in Greek and Hebrew culture, uses the word shepherd as a direct critique of the Roman social structures that oppressed and marginalized the majority of the Empire during the time of Christ and the time of the writing of the Gospel. This direct confrontation is a timeless call, present in modern day liberation theology, as Christians are called to confront unjust social structures and distill hope in the lives of the oppressed and marginalized members of society by making God’s promises of Gustavo Gutiérrez’ utopia …

Tracing Moral Injury In Us Wars And Implications For The Year 2050, Robert A. Jensen

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Throughout conflicts in history, the psycho-spiritual construct known today as “moral injury” can be found. This term was coined in 1994 out of conceptions of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to describe intense shame and guilt aspects resulting from military service. The challenge comes with extrapolating this injury in the wake of nuances in terminology about related symptoms in conjunction with an evolving consciousness in identifying invisible military-related injuries. With current research and a historic pattern of unnamed moral injuries, this study explores the following: How did military chaplains address moral injuries without this construct? What are Unitarian Universalist (UU) military …

The Presentation Of Postmodern Sexuality In Short Fiction, Allie J. Kapus

Senior Honors Theses

Shifting norms in twentieth century western society, coupled with emerging postmodern thought in the 1960s, radically changed the ways in which people viewed sexuality, gender roles, and the institutions of marriage and the family. The literature of the postmodern era, namely short fiction, also reflects such ideological shifts. Literature is a powerful communicator of the human condition as well as a crucial means for reflecting the customs, beliefs, and norms of a society at the time of its writing. Such evolving differences as were occurring in the realm of sexuality came to be represented in postmodern literature. This thesis aims …

Underwood's "Praying For Girls: Asking God For The Things They Need Most" (Book Review), Sheryll Hampton

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Stephenson's "A Biblicist View Of Law And Gospel" (Book Review), Rachel Perry Hanses

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Shirer's "Awaken: 90 Days With The God Who Speaks" (Book Review), Susan Casstevens

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Markle And Plummers' "Greek For Life: Strategies For Learning, Retaining, And Reviving New Testament Greek" (Book Review), Charles Huckaby

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Scharf's "Relational Preaching: Knowing God, His Word, And Your Hearers" (Book Review), Deborah M. Taylor

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.