Arts and Humanities Commons^™

The Holy Imagination Of God: An Invitation To Dissent: Fostering Inclusive Theology For Holistic Understanding, Justice, And Liberation, Daron George

Doctor of Leadership

The Western American Evangelical theological tradition has been marred by expressions of homophobia, misogyny, racism, and a problematic alignment with political power. This prevailing theological stance, lacking in inclusivity and imagination, has hindered a holistic understanding of faith and justice, precipitating a crisis within many evangelical churches. This project proposes a novel pathway for those disillusioned with or departed from the evangelical church, commonly referred to as ex-evangelicals.

Central to this project is the exploratory question: “What was in God’s imagination in the beginning?” While not claiming to discern God's intentions definitively, this inquiry has yielded insights valuable to the …

The Mystery Of The Incarnation: Towards A Reconciliation Of Cyril And Nestorius, Kyle Williams

Seminary Masters Theses

This thesis studies the fifth-century christological controversy surrounding Cyril of Alexandria (c. 378-444) and Nestorius of Constantinople (c. 381-451) and their debate around the person and nature of Jesus Christ, sparked by the theotokos dispute. At the First Council of Ephesus (431) the christologies of these two bishops and theologians were pitted against each other, and have since been studied in contrast to one another. The goal of this study is to examine the christologies of Cyril and Nestorius with the intention to seek reconciliation between the two. In the Introduction I first orient the reader to the problem and …

The Ecclesiological Function Of A Critic: Exploring The Ecclesiological Contributions Of Søren Kierkegaard In His ‘Attack’ On “Christendom”, Anthony Mako

Seminary Masters Theses

Traditionally, Søren Kierkegaard has not been associated with the field of ecclesiology. Some simply do not see any ecclesiological merits to Kierkegaard’s perspective, while others, who perhaps acknowledge Kierkegaard’s connection to ecclesiology, view it as having a negating function. Additionally, growing disenfranchisement with the church has caused a renewed interest in Kierkegaard’s ‘attack’; however, this renewed interest often fails to account for the context into which Kierkegaard wrote. This paper will explore Kierkegaard’s ‘attack’ on “Christendom” in context. It also engages the perspectives of Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who show ecclesial implications for Kierkegaard’s ‘attack’ in both agreement and …

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Baptism As Beginning In Christ, And Becoming Like Christ, Eric E. Peterson

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation involves applied research, relying on the foundation of sacramental
theology, to answer the question, "What is the sign that has the power to help people
embrace not only a sacred self-identity, but to live holy, meaningful, and abundant
lives in a largely broken and sacrilegious world?" Beginning with a review of the major
and various assumptions people have historically adhered to in the pursuit of a good
life, the dissertation proceeds to argue for the superiority of a sacramental
perspective. Employing a semiotics of baptism, chapter two provides a critical analysis
of the opposing forces of "cultural baptism" …

Lost Prophets: Tertullian, Eusebius, Epiphanius, And Early Montanism, Brice Andrew Larson

Seminary Masters Theses

ABSTRACT The dearth of reliable primary source material on the New Prophecy has led to a proliferation of interpretations of the character of the movement. However, a careful examination of the New Prophecy’s preserved sayings, the writings of Tertullian, and the movement’s earliest critics preserved by Eusebius and Epiphanius reveal a movement steeped in the Christian tradition that came into conflict with other Christians because of their willingness to pay ministers and their passive understanding of the charisma of prophecy.

The Dual Textual History Of The Song Of Hana In The Ethiopic Manuscript Traditions, Brian Christopher Jeanseau

Seminary Masters Theses

In Ethiopia, the Song of Hana has been transmitted in two types of manuscripts—biblical manuscripts and Psalters. This thesis compares the textual histories of this song within both manuscript types and shows that these are actually two separate traditions, not one tradition as previously assumed. Chapter one starts with descriptions of what these two manuscript types are and what the Song of Hana is. In chapter two, we briefly discuss some background issues—the scholarly efforts that have taken place in the Ethiopic Old Testament so far and the history of the Judeo-­‐Christian religion in Ethiopia which has shaped these two …

Irenaeus Of Lyons: A Defense Of Recapitulation, Mathew Thomas Hollen

Seminary Masters Theses

Abstract This work sets out to explain the atonement theory of Irenaeus of Lyons. Irenaeus’ atonement theology is often described simply as “Christus Victor” but I argue that is simply a narrow sliver of the wider atonement theory of recapitulation. In this thesis I systematically try to expound what it is Irenaeus believed and why he believed it. In the first chapter I explain the problem at hand and a short biography of the bishop. In the second chapter I seek to summarize the Gnostic school of Valentinianism, which is the key opponent against Irenaeus writes in his best-known work …

Comparison Of The Use Of Gendered Language In Discourse On Christian Theology And Psychology, Chloe Ackerman

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The English language has historically reflected the sexist principles of Western culture. Common examples include the use of sexist pronouns and nouns such as policeman, businessman, or servicemen to represent men and women. Research in the last 50 years revealed the detrimental effects of sexist language, and the English language was accordingly altered. However, sexist language is still used colloquially and in settings such as Christian theology. This study explored differences in the use of gender language between the discourse on Christian theology and psychology, and tested a method of promoting inclusive gender language in Christian discourse. One hundred thirty-nine …

Accessible Spiritual Practices Through Classic Forms Of Prayer, Clyde Vernon Hartline

Doctor of Ministry

But Jesus often withdrew to the lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

When God-followers feel distant and disconnected, they often describe their experience as a “lonely place.” The feeling of being distanced from God is exacerbated by a lack of knowledge on how to resolve the distance. Retreats and resources might help one reconnect with God; however, the means for connection is often housed in the deep recesses of books or is hidden in the teachings of spiritual sages far away on desert retreats. Simple classic prayer practices remain largely unknown in evangelical circles as a result of inaccessibility, unfamiliarity, …

Using Storytelling (Including Image, Metaphor And Narrative) In Cross-Generational, Cross-Cultural Twenty-First Century Evangelism, Rick D. Mckinney

Doctor of Ministry

Generational and cultural diversity within twenty-first century society has created great challenges to both professional clergy and laypersons in communicating the gospel. In addition, a postmodern, post-Christian culture has created a hostile environment for those sharing the message of Christ using the formulaic, propositional evangelism methods of the Twentieth century. Section One of this dissertation will elaborate on the problem. Section Two discusses why these methods, written primarily for a period of time when Judeo-Christian absolutes and regard for the sacred were staples in society, are increasingly ineffective. As the church struggles with a steady decline in its membership, the …

Toward An Ecotheological Anthropology, Peter Garcia

Seminary Masters Theses

The image of God has carried with it a special designation for humanity within the panoply of life on earth. This project attempts to reorient and expand theological anthropology to include the ecological dimension in Christian perspective to cultivate an understanding of the ecological self. This project will place traditional interpretations of what it means to be human into conversation with twentieth-century ecological philosophies and Native American spirituality in order to broaden the Christian imagination for understanding ourselves within creation. Vine Deloria’s analyses of Western temporal thinking and spatial thinking demonstrated by Native worldviews provides perspective for necessary theological shifts …

Trinitarian Theorizing And Mystery As A Way Forward: A Critical Examination Of The Forms Of Trinitarian Hypothesizing, Why They Fail, And Why Mystery Is A Way Forward, Matthew J. Conniry

Seminary Masters Theses

Scholarship reveals that there are at least two primary ways of handling the issue incumbent within Trinitarian theorizing. Most theologians resolve the issue by addressing the inconsistencies, finding various ways to make important distinctions to eliminate apparent contradictions. This is no doubt the most popular route. Among these are social Trinitarians and Latin Trinitarians. A rough distinction can be made here, wherein social Trinitarians start with the Threeness of God and reason from that stance that God is one by an inexorable and eternal loving relationship. Oppositely, Latin Trinitarians start with God as one and reason how God can possibly …

Wealth And Discipleship In Affluent America, Jeffrey T. Lincicome

Doctor of Ministry

The question addressed by this dissertation may be stated as follows: How do wealth and affluence affect individual and communal Christian discipleship? In response, we propose that while wealth and affluence provide some discipleship opportunities, there are many more dangers and risks to Christian discipleship connected to wealth and affluence. To be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ in the midst of affluence, people must be aware of its dangers, and have a church home committed to wrestling with the challenges together. In Chapter 1, the ministry challenge is described through the narrative account of church members and a description of …

A Historical Analysis Of Howard Thurman's Theology Of Brotherly Love, Robert L. Marshall

Seminary Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Bultmannian Engima -- An Investigation Into The Concept Of Demythologization, Carlton Llewellyn Williams

Western Evangelical Seminary Theses

Time and time again throughout the history of Christianity, scholars have challenged the traditional and orthodox Christian faith particularly on the point of hermeneutics. The Church has made vital reactions to such challenges and has incessantly utilized that which could be salvaged from the proposals and conclusions of these adversaries to clarify and formulate its beliefs. This should be the attitude of every Christian theologian as he seeks to exercise his role as a defender of the faith.

Interpreting the New Testament message in such a way that the modern man can readily understand it has been the object of …

The Theology Of Self-Surrender In The Writings Of E. Stanley Jones, Varghese M. Kattapuram

Western Evangelical Seminary Theses

This thesis seeks to grapple with one of the most crucial issues confronting Christian theology today, namely, what to make of the insights and discoveries of the newer disciplines of psychology, psychoanalysis, psychiatry, psychotherapy, etc. For a while psychology proceeded as though theology did not exist or as though it were a remnant of the superstitions of a previous age. However, in recent years psychological practitioners outside the church have shown somewhat greater interest in the religious life of their patients and in the role of religious life of their patients and in the role of religious life and practice …

A Study Of The Biblical Basis For Tithing, John W. Anderson

Western Evangelical Seminary Theses

Tithing is included as a portion of a Christian's obligation to the Church by most Christian groups of today. A considerable amount of material has been written on the subject. These materials vary in approach and interpretation. It was the author's purpose to find the Biblical basis and teaching for tithing, both in the Old and New Testaments.

The repeated references to tithing in the Scripture mark it as a subject worthy of special study. The adverse view of some Christians, such as Dr. Charles Fuller and Joseph H. Cohn of the American Board of Missions to the Jews, toward …

A Biblical Study Of Man In His Relationsihp To The Image Of God, Mildred Bangs Wynkoop

Western Evangelical Seminary Theses

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Study Of The Problem Of Evil As Set Forth In The Views Of John W. Fletcher, Edgar Sheffield Brightman, And Edwin Lewis, Norman A. Riggins

Western Evangelical Seminary Theses

The Problem of Evil stands as one of the major topics of Philosophy and Theology throughout the history of thought. The very nature of evil is elusive to the unaided human reason, and presents much room for speculation. This does not minimize the problem for, "In a day such as this, men and women are seriously troubled with the problem of evil." The fact of evil cannot be escaped, therefore it is of prime importance to all who attempt to think through on the major problems of life. Evil is around us on every hand. "We try to ignore it …