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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Selected U.S. Supreme Court Cases Viewed Through The Lenses Of The Lutheran Two Kingdoms Doctrine, Larry Hendricks
Selected U.S. Supreme Court Cases Viewed Through The Lenses Of The Lutheran Two Kingdoms Doctrine, Larry Hendricks
Master of Divinity Thesis
The aim of this research is to prove how the Lutheran traditions (Scripture, Luther's writings, the Confessions, and Lutheran statements) to the citizen of a twentieth century democracy can help form a perception of selected cases of the Supreme Court of the United States in the light of the Two-Kingdom Doctrine of Luther. Certain Supreme Court decisions concerning the First Amendment of the United States Constitution will be chosen for their importance to the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
The Three-Self Principle As A Model For The Indigenous Church, Peter Dorn
The Three-Self Principle As A Model For The Indigenous Church, Peter Dorn
Master of Divinity Thesis
With all of these definitions, the one that is recognized the most is still the one with which it was associated from the beginning. "In common usage, an indigenous church is defined as a church that is self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating."11 This Three-Self Principle is the subject of this paper. Since the development of the Three-Self Principle more than a century ago, many other "selves” have been put forward as a means to developing the indigenous church. The most current of these discussions are centering on the indigenization or contextualization of theology. These discussions are outside the realm of discussion …
Gifts Of The Spirit, Glenn Nielsen
Gifts Of The Spirit, Glenn Nielsen
Master of Divinity Thesis
The format for this paper is relatively simple. First, a brief section on the history of spiritual gifts will be given. This will be followed by an indepth doctrinal study of the subject. On the basis of that study, each gift will be discussed with the purpose of providing a definition for that gift. And last, the benefits and dangers involved with the use of spiritual gifts within the Church today will be discussed. But, while the format is relatively simple, the topic of spiritual gifts is not. Thus it is wise always to keep in mind Paul’s advice when …
The Gift Of Prophecy In The New Testament, Kevin Popp
The Gift Of Prophecy In The New Testament, Kevin Popp
Master of Divinity Thesis
The purpose of this study is not to provide a thorough treatment of all spiritual gifts, but to concentrate on one such gift and trace it through the entire witness of Scripture. It is hoped that this method will contribute to the overall understanding of spiritual gifts and provide a basis for continuing study.
Two Early Church Homilies Compared, Russell Sommerfeld
Two Early Church Homilies Compared, Russell Sommerfeld
Master of Divinity Thesis
Thus, it becomes the purpose of this paper to examine the two earliest extant homilies of the Early Church in order to glean from them an import of assistance in doing the homiletical task today. The two early sermons to be examined, compared and used as homiletical tools are the, so-called, second Epistle of Clement and Passion Homily of Melito . Bishop of Sardis.
New Testament Prayer As Found In The Epistle Of James, Mark Whitsett
New Testament Prayer As Found In The Epistle Of James, Mark Whitsett
Master of Divinity Thesis
Perhaps one may question, "Why another study on prayer?" Indeed volumes have been written on the subject much more eloquent and thorough than this study. But this may only further underscore the importance of the topic. In the New Testament alone there are well over 250 direct or indirect references to prayer. The commands to pray and the promises attached to prayer are many. This writer is convinced that as long as there are Christians in the world they will need to study this thing called prayer. And as long as there are Christians praying, prayer and its applications can …
Guilt In The Parish Ministry-A Pastoral Perspective, Dale Kleimola
Guilt In The Parish Ministry-A Pastoral Perspective, Dale Kleimola
Master of Divinity Thesis
This paper is divided into four major sections. The first presents the nature of the illness from a personal and mec7icalperspective. This will be helpful in revealing to an interested pastor the symptoms of, the- illness. The second section deals with the illness from a theological perspective, especially in terms of how depression is influenced by the tension that exists between Law and Gospel. The third section deals with depression as a psychological illness and discusses how some schools of psychiatric medicine deal with the relationship between personal religious faith and psychological disorder. The fourth section considers how a pastor …
Developing A Multi-Media Program Within The Local Lutheran Parish, Donald Loos
Developing A Multi-Media Program Within The Local Lutheran Parish, Donald Loos
Master of Divinity Thesis
First, this paper is dealing with multi-media presentations, not just multi-media. This could mean the use of one, two, or three slide projectors and thepossible use of 8mm film projector to get across your message. Of course, includedin this, is the use of some type of sound equipment.
The Development And Significance Of Confirmation In The Lutheran Church, Richard Rist
The Development And Significance Of Confirmation In The Lutheran Church, Richard Rist
Master of Divinity Thesis
In the past few years it has come to the attention of many people that the practice of confirmation in the Lutheran Church may need some revision, or At, least some restudy, in order for it to remain in a proper perspective that would be a clear witness to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. The purpose of this study is to explore the rite of confirmation as practiced in the Lutheran Church. Much emphasis will be given to the development of confirmation from the early Church until the present practice of Lutheran confirmation in the United States. This …
The Relationship Between The Holy Spirit And Baptism In The New Testament, Paul Peckman
The Relationship Between The Holy Spirit And Baptism In The New Testament, Paul Peckman
Master of Divinity Thesis
Although a thorough critique of Dunn's position cannot be attempted here, this paper will attempt to defend the opposite contention, namely that the Holy Spirit and Baptism are uniquely, indissolubly, and necessarily connected in the New Testament. Lampe's comments in regard to the Pauline evidence is cogent at this point: "Pauline thought affords no ground whatever for the modern theories which seek to effect a separation in the one action and to distinguish a 'Spirit-Baptism' and a 'water-Baptism,' not as the inward and outward parts of one sacrament, but as independent entitities."
A Pastoral Response To The Charismatic Movement, Jack Schneider
A Pastoral Response To The Charismatic Movement, Jack Schneider
Master of Divinity Thesis
In the material recorded in Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthian congregation, the reader comes into contact with what Paul refers to as charismata, or spiritual gifts. Chapter 14 of this Epistle concentrates on two of these charismata, namely speaking in tongues and prophecy. Both are "utterance gifts", and from Paul's treatment of them, it seems that there is a definite link between them. Since we are currently experiencing an increasing element of "charismatic renewal" within our own denomination, and do not seem able to deal pastorally with it, it will be my purpose in this brief section to delve …
The Role Of The Lutheran Parish Pastor In The Classrooms Of His Congregation’S Christian Day School, Gregory Wismar
The Role Of The Lutheran Parish Pastor In The Classrooms Of His Congregation’S Christian Day School, Gregory Wismar
Master of Divinity Thesis
What factors, then, should be considered as being the determinative dynamics of this role? This study will seek the basis for an approach in the historical precedents, the facts of contemporary situations and the expressions of future possibilities that have been suggested by some pastors, and church educators. Emanating from this discussion is a challenge to mutual involvement and understanding on the part of all educators in the church -- be they pastors, teachers or administrators. Much of the research for this paper comes from people who have shared ideas and excitement and dreams about Christian education; from their responsiveness …
Various Muslim Interpretations Of The Curcifixion Of Jesus In The Qur'an, Rodney Otto
Various Muslim Interpretations Of The Curcifixion Of Jesus In The Qur'an, Rodney Otto
Master of Divinity Thesis
This paper is a beginning attempt to understand the Qur'anic teaching on the crucifixion of Jesus. Since the Qur'an is the basis of all Islamic thought, it is the primary emphasis of the study. This was done through the books of S. Zwemer, J. Robson, and G. Parrinder as well as M. Pickthall's translation of the Qur’an itself. From this base some attempt has been made to understand the traditions which have grown around the Qur’an. Because the Ahmadiyyah movement is so vocal in its opposition to the crucifixion, it is treated as an illustration of present day Muslim thought …
The Covenant Comes Of Age: A Study Of Jeremiah 31:31-34, Thomas Decker
The Covenant Comes Of Age: A Study Of Jeremiah 31:31-34, Thomas Decker
Master of Divinity Thesis
This paper purposes to determine the historical and theological context into which Jeremiah introduced the concept of the new covenant found only in Jeremiah 31131-34. The Old Testament was acquainted with many covenants at various times; each held a place of importance with subsequent generations in understanding the relationship of Israel to the Kingdom of God. Integral to the thought of this paper is the question, “How was this once-mentioned new covenant of Jeremiah understood by God's people?" The scope of the problem spans the history of the Old Testament and the Christian Church. But this paper limits itself to …
The Church's Approach To Death And The Funeral, William Matzat
The Church's Approach To Death And The Funeral, William Matzat
Master of Divinity Thesis
This paper, therefore, will attempt to point out the approach which the church should take regarding the various cultural practices prevalent in the American funeral rite. After a brief historical perspective, it will examine the theological concepts of the body, death and the resurrection, and the psychological concepts of grief and mourning. With this as a basis for analysis, some of the cultural practices of the American funeral rite will be considered.
Structuring A Youth-To-Youth Visitation Program, Marvin Bergman
Structuring A Youth-To-Youth Visitation Program, Marvin Bergman
Master of Divinity Thesis
This interest in youth evangelism is due to several factors. The number of unchurched youth in the United States is a factor. Though it is difficult to obtain reliable figures on the youth population, Ellis reports that the difference between the number of youth enrolled in church activities and the youth population of America amounts to 19,328,000 teen-agers. This means that three out of four young people are outside the church.