Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Book Review: The Responsive Self: Personal Religion In Biblical Literature Of The Neo-Babylonian And Persian Periods, Brian R. Doak

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

Review of The Responsive Self: Personal Religion in Biblical Literature of the Neo-Babylonian and Persian Periods by Susan Niditch Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2015. 138 pp. $50.00 (cloth). ISBN 978-0-300-16636-1.

In this short, engaging, and learned book, Susan Niditch takes readers into the world of sixth–fifth century BCE Judah/Yehud to understand what it might have meant for religion during this period to have become “personal.” Books like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Job, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Proverbs, and Zechariah, among others, take center stage as examples of the turn toward the individual’s relationship to God and the personal …

Book Review: The God Ezekiel Creates, Brian R. Doak

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

Review of Paul M. Joyce and Dalit Rom-Shiloni (eds.), The God Ezekiel Creates (LHBOTS 607; London: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2015). Pp. xiv + 217 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0567658593

This deftly edited volume is a collection often essays on Ezekiel’s unique presentation of God. Indeed, as Joyce and Rom-Shiloni write in the preface, “[F]ew, if any, books of the Bible . . . have a more distinctive presentation of the deity than the book of Ezekiel, or are more dominated by the central place taken by the divine figure” (p. xiii). This core focus on Ezekiel’s God organizes …

Identity And Congruence: The Ethics Of Integrity In The Johannine Epistles (Chapter In Biblical Ethics And Application), Paul N. Anderson

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

If the Johannine eagle soared above the earth, it did so with talons bared for the fight; and the last writings that were left show the eaglets tearing at each other for the possession of the nest. There are moments of tranquil contemplation and inspiring penetration in the Johannine writings, but they also reflect a deep involvement in Christian history. Like Jesus, the word transmitted to the Johannine community lived in the flesh.

Television (From The Mississippi Encyclopedia), Steven Classen

Faculty Publications - Department of Communication and Cinematic Arts

Television came relatively late to Mississippi and several other southern states. Following a federal freeze on licensing new stations by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), television stations came on air in 1953 in Mississippi, Arkansas, and South Carolina. Over the next three years Mississippians built six stations-first WJTV and WLBT in Jackson and WCOC in Meridian and later WCBI in Columbus, WDAM in Hattiesburg, and WTWV in Tupelo. Anticipating WJTV's first broadcast, Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower's January 1953 inauguration, the station's general manager, John Rossitor, told city leaders and educators that television would "bring the world into your home and …

Exploring Vocation: Early Career Perspectives On Vocation In Action, Alisha Pomazon, Sarah Knudson

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

As tenure-track professors at a Catholic liberal arts college, we began our academic careers four years ago with a strong desire to excel in our research and teaching. Most importantly, however, we hoped to come to a deeper understanding of how we might imbue our work in a Christian higher education context with a strong sense of purpose and connection to our beliefs. This reflection details our experience of co-developing a sense of vocation and sacramentality in ourselves and our students during the busy pre-tenure years. We discuss how religious and scholarly texts, workshop and retreat experiences, and course design …

Declaration Adopted At The Fourth World Conference On Dialogue Among Religions And Civilizations: Migration And The Challenge Of Integration Through Dialogue Among Religions And Cultures (November 3rd – 5th 2016 – Bitola, The Republic Of Macedonia)

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Review Of Ondrášek And Moďoroši's "Cirkev A Spoločnosť: Smerom K Zodpovednej Angažovanosti [Church And Society: Towards Responsible Engagement]", David A. Escobar Arcay

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A review of Ľubomír Martin Ondrášek and Ivan Moďoroši (eds). Cirkev a spoločnosť: Smerom k
zodpovednej angažovanosti [Church and Society: Towards Responsible Engagement.]
Ružomberok, SK: Verbum, Katolícka univerzita v Ružomberku [Verbum, Catholic
University in Ružomberok], 2015. 410 pp., paper. ISBN 978-80-561-0311-1.

Frontmatter (Occasional Papers On Religion In Eastern Europe Volume Xxxvii, No.6), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Dialogue, Independence, And Unity: Toward A Moral Solution To Political Problems Between Russia And Ukraine, Mykhailo Cherenkov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The real war continues in the center of Europe, between two so-called Christian nations. By this, I mean the war between Russia and Ukraine, which threatens to escalate into a larger, global conflict. Christians around the world appeal to the value of dialogue, urging all sides involved to come to peace. But what does it mean? And how do we reconcile those who value independence with those who appreciate a forced unity? It is important to reflect on these difficult theological and moral dilemmas.

Reflections On The Life Of Father Alexsandr Men, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Shining Light On Hidden Preferences: The Role Of Religious Institutions In The 1989 Romanian Revolution, Justin Clardie

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

"A spectre is haunting Eastern Europe: the spectre of what in the West is called 'dissent.'" This is how Vaclav Havel, the Czech playwright, dissident, and President, began his influential 1978 essay, "The Power of the Powerless." Havel's statement of dissent in Eastern Europe was certainly true in his country of Czechoslovakia, as well as in countries such as Poland and Hungary. The presence of sustained and organized dissent was largely absent, however, in Romania. Even in countries with the presence of popular and consistent dissent, the collapse of the communist regime was still shocking in both scope and speed. …

Relearning Professionalism: From High School Teacher To University Professor, Molly Quick

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

In this narrative response to stories from the field, the author chronicles her transition from high school teacher to university professor. The transition was marked by a dissonance about what it means to be a professional in each setting. The author shares several lessons learned about the autonomy in higher education, which was at first daunting, and later a relief in her new environment.

Reflections On Teaching Over A Decade In A Christian Institution Of Higher Education, Sandra F. Mclendon

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

After many years in public education followed by 10 years of preparing teachers in a faith-based institution, this essay shares insights into what it means to cultivate and maintain a Christian ethic of care, toward self and others. This story of God’s faithfulness in my life is reflected outward through multiple lenses of care.

Vantage Point: Using Narrative And Discourse Analysis Of Jesus' Sermon On The Mount To Improve Discipleship Outcomes, David J. Swisher

Doctor of Ministry

When the narrative and discursive aspects of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (SOTM) are divorced from their cultural and rhetorical context, traditional historical-critical methods of exposition miss important contextual applications. Originally delivered as a live discourse to an audience of first-century Jews, the text and circumstances of the SOTM are recorded in Matthew 5-7 by one of Jesus’ followers as an embedded discourse within the larger framing narrative of the first gospel.

However, the dynamics of interactive discourse are quite different than what contemporary readers experience with printed text on a page. Absent that live exchange and its embedded cultural …

Homiletical Aesthetics: A Paradigmatic Proposal For A Holistic Experience Of Preaching, Sunggu Yang

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

The article is a proposal for a paradigmatic change in homiletical pedagogy. In North America today, most homiletical training at the seminary or divinity school is either text-driven or know-how-driven (or, at times, topic-driven). Thus, the homiletical training focuses on (1) how to exposit a text for a key topic, (2) how to structure a sermon, (3) how to deliver a message, and (4) how to analyze the text-driven sermon. While admitting the usefulness of this current textual or know-how pedagogy, the article suggests the addition of a holistic-aesthetic component of preaching, which I will later call numen-participatory education or …

The Effects Of Trauma On Adjustment To College For Children Of Missionaries, Melissa J. Winfield

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Missionary Kids (MKs) encounter challenges in adjusting to college due to cross-cultural transitions and unique experiences related to missionary life. Though trauma is more common among missionaries than for the general American population, little is known regarding the impact of past trauma on missionary kids as they adjust to college. This study compared adjustment to college and psychological well-being of missionary kids and students who are not children of missionaries. The extent to which students have experienced trauma was used as a covariate in the study. MK students were recruited through college organizations and missions’ agencies. They were asked to …

Perspectives On The Missiological Legacy Of Martin Luther And The Protestant Reformation, Richard L. Starcher, Philip C. Huber, J. Nelson Jennings, Benjamin L. Hartley, Stan Nussbaum, William R. Burrows

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

Upon the occasion of the 500th anniversary Martin Luther’s publication of his 95 theses, this composite article brings together five perspectives on the missiological legacy of the reformer and the subsequent Protestant Reformation. The blend of voices makes clear that Luther and the subsequent Protestant Reformation do not have a simple missiological legacy but rather various legacies: theological, ecclesiological, political, and practical; some of which co-exist, and even collide, in the same ecclesiastical community. The scandalous legacy of a splintered and splintering church remains. Yet, demonstrations of mutual recognition, reciprocal respect, and genuine fellowship can be found in certain missiological …

Perspectives On The Missiological Legacy Of Martin Luther And The Protestant Reformation, Richard L. Starcher, Philip C. Huber, J. Nelson Jennings, Benjamin Hartley, Stan Nussbaum, William R. Burrows

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

Upon the occasion of the 500th anniversary Martin Luther’s publication of his 95 theses, this composite article brings together five perspectives on the missiological legacy of the reformer and the subsequent Protestant Reformation. The blend of voices makes clear that Luther and the subsequent Protestant Reformation do not have a simple missiological legacy but rather various legacies: theological, ecclesiological, political, and practical; some of which co-exist, and even collide, in the same ecclesiastical community. The scandalous legacy of a splintered and splintering church remains. Yet, demonstrations of mutual recognition, reciprocal respect, and genuine fellowship can be found in certain missiological …

Announcement And Call For Papers For “Modern State And Religious ‘Dissent,’” A Conference To Be Held At Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia, September 25-26, 2017

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Cultivating Contemplative Availability, Ronald Charles Coward Jr.

Doctor of Ministry

People, in their depths of being, long to escape the noise, pain, confusion, and emptiness that pervade life. Beyond the internal wars of an individual are the wars between neighbors, families, cultures, and nations; even within and between congregations and denominations. There is an extensive need to cultivate the human capacity to bring relational depth to the whole of life, including one’s own self. The thesis of this dissertation maintains that to cultivate contemplative availability in loving union with God nurtures loving availability to self and others. Section 1 defines the problem as it is displayed, throughout society and the …

The Restoration-Focused Church, David Ralph

Doctor of Ministry

Statistical research indicates an increase in brokenness among North Americans over the past fifty years. Despite this increase, people seeking help for mental health issues, relational dysfunction, addictive behaviors, and other forms of brokenness are not often turning to the church for restoration, recovery, and healing. Many of those struggling with brokenness more often turn to therapeutic practitioners and other healing sources absent of any genuine spiritual parameters. Others turn to mutual support recovery groups where behavior modification and cognitive therapies lead to abstinence but not restoration. They stop giving into their addictions and compulsive behaviors, but they do not …

Giving Permission For Creative Preaching In The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod: Returning To Our Creative Roots, Glen Schlecht

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation explores preaching, particularly within the context of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). The use of multi-media and interactive preaching, among other creative approaches, can effectively communicate the Gospel to all ages, engage the congregation, and relate Christ and His Word to daily life. Such creativity is found throughout God’s Word, is seen significantly at the time of the Reformation, and has historically been part of the rich evangelical nature of the LCMS. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, there was significant upheaval within the LCMS, and part of the outcome following that time was an unstated curtailing of …

Innovation And The Local Congregation: Unleashing The Creative Power Of Communities Of Faith, Dan S. Poffenberger

Doctor of Ministry

Pastors search for ways to help their communities of faith live into their ministry with more impact, creativity and joy. Many are frustrated by the root bound nature of most congregations tightly organized in a hierarchy that limits the ability to be nimble and contextual. At the same time, culture is becoming more participatory, collaborative and creative. Thriving organizations have tapped into this culture by designing their structure to foster innovation. This work offers an examination of such organizations, their leaders and the tools they use.

Chapter One discusses the cultural shifts of connectedness and participation. These shifts have happened …

How To Handle Face-Saving In The Chinese Church Through Servant-Leadership, Jiying Song

Faculty Publications - George Fox Digital

Excerpt: "Leaders unknowingly functioning out of face-saving, the tendency to try to protect ones standing or reputation or to avoid losing some aspect of these, have a negative impact on organizational leadership. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how leaders can mitigate the negative influence of face-saving through servant-leadership in the Chinese church setting."

A Terminator, A Transformer, And Job Meet: Creator-Created Relations In Film And Scripture, Edward Allen Jones Iii

Faculty Publications - George Fox Digital

In this essay, I set the book of Job in dialogue with a number of films from the robot science fiction subgenre. It is my intention to show that both sets of literature are deeply engaged with questions related to how creators and created things can interact, and that they deal with these questions in ways that illuminate and complement each other. The study proceeds in three phases. First, I develop a typology of robot science fiction as I see it in Hollywood cinematic presentation. Second, I turn to unpack God’s response to Job’s complaint in Job 38. In this …

A Review Of Early Quakers And Their Theological Thought, 1647-1723, Jon R. Kershner

Quaker Religious Thought

Early Quakers and Their Theological Thought, 1647-1723, edited by Stephen Angell and Pink Dandelion features the foremost scholars of seventeenth century Quakerism in a concise, groundbreaking volume. Quaker Studies is something of a growth industry as new approaches are being tested and previously inaccessible sources mined in digitized collections.1 The dynamic duo of Angell and Dandelion have combined to plan and edit the Oxford Handbook of Quaker Studies, Early Quakers and their Theological Thought, and the forthcoming Cambridge Companion to Quakerism. These three volumes make the best of research on Quakerism accessible to wider audiences, and solidify a base of …

Early Quakers And Their Theological Thought, 1647-1723, Paul N. Anderson

Quaker Religious Thought

It is with great appreciation to the authors and editors of this important volume on the theological thought of early Friends— Stephen Angell and “Ben” Pink Dandelion—as it fills a gap in the history of Quaker research in much needed ways. While the social histories, political concerns, spiritual interests, and social-action contributions of early Friends have been explored extensively, and while the spiritual experience and the theological contributions of some standout leaders have been explored, the theological convictions and contributions of key Quaker leaders has not been amassed as a collection until now. That being the case, this book stands …

Review Of Early Quakers And Their Theological Thought, Madeleine Ward

Quaker Religious Thought

In Early Quakers and their Theological Thought, Stephen Angell and Pink Dandelion have provided students and scholars of early Quakerism with an invaluable tool, capturing not only the vibrancy of the early Quakers’ intellectual world, but also the vitality of Quaker studies in the present day. This review will especially consider Douglas Gwyn’s chapter on Quaker origins, and the final three chapters on William Penn, George Keith and George Whitehead respectively, before reflecting on the book as a whole.

Response By The Editors, Stephen W. Angell, Ben Pink Dandelion

Quaker Religious Thought

We would like to thank the Quaker Theological Discussion Group for organizing and hosting this panel. It is a privilege indeed to have one’s work given so much attention by such a distinguished set of colleagues. We are very grateful to Jon Kershner, Leah Payne, Paul Anderson, and Madeleine Ward for their perceptive and affirming reviews of Early Quakers and Their Theological Thought, 1647-1723. Their appreciation guides us toward a brief reply. Of course, some response seems in order to a few of the thoughtful observations that they made about our work.

A Tribute: Remembering Arthur O. Roberts, Paul N. Anderson

Quaker Religious Thought

Arthur O. Roberts made momentous contributions to the Quaker Theological Discussion Group and Quaker Religious Thought over the years, and his impact as one of the leading Quaker thinkers and ministers over the last century will continue to be felt for some time. He was among the founding generation of young Quaker scholars that launched QTDG in 1957 (including Wilmer Cooper, Tom Brown, Lewis Benson, Canby Jones and others), and he contributed ten substantive essays to QRT as well as over three-dozen editorials, responses, and tributes.2 He followed Dean Freiday as editor of QRT from 1989 to 2000, and he …