Arts and Humanities Commons^™

The Judicial System Of Kazakh Beys In Central Asia: Shari'a And Customary Law, Dinmuhammad Smanov Kul, Alau Adilbayev, Rakhimov Abdukhalik, Yerzhan Kalmakhan

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This study examines the judicial practices of Kazakh beys in 18th–19th century Central Asia, emphasizing their application of Islamic fiqh alongside traditional Kazakh customary law (adat). In a decentralized and nomadic society, beys acted as hybrid legal authorities, integrating Shari’a principles – such as ‘adl (justice), maslaha (public interest), and ijtihad (independent reasoning) with local customs to resolve disputes over property, family matters, and blood feuds. Through historical-legal analysis of oral traditions, archival documents, and ethnographic accounts, the research demonstrates how beys preserved Islamic legal norms while adapting them to practical realities, creating a dynamic model of legal …

Theology Of Creation In The Bulgarian Theology Of The 20th Century, Svetoslav Ribolov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Theology of Creation in 20th-century Bulgaria emerged within the broader debate about the role of religious education in state schools and the tension between the prevailing influence of evolutionary theory and a scientific approach to the Orthodox Church’s traditional spiritual heritage. Before World War 2, the primary social and intellectual motivation behind the Theology of Creation in Bulgaria was rooted in an apologetic struggle against secular ideas, which were embraced by a significant portion of Bulgarian society at the time. In the second half of the 20th century, however, this discourse gradually evolved to incorporate more denominationally oriented theological perspectives, …

The Role Of The Subject “Ethics In Religions” In Shaping Value Systems Among Primary School Students In Contemporary Macedonian Society, Aneta Jovkovska, Aneta Barakoska, Gjoko Gjorgjevski

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This study analyzes the integration of religious education within current school curricula in contemporary Macedonian society, focusing on the Ethics in Religions program for sixth grade, and its influence on the development of students’ value systems. Through an interdisciplinary lens incorporating pedagogy, theology, and psychology, the research investigates the capacity of this curriculum to nurture ethical reasoning, empathy, and social responsibility. The analysis examines the program's learning outcomes, content, and alignment with National Standards, evaluating its potential for spiritual growth, moral identity formation, and community commitment. The findings underscore the program’s unique contribution to value-based education and its potential role …

The Sacred Dimensions In Attitudes Toward Military Personnel During The War In Ukraine, Hnat Mierienkov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article analyzes the sacred dimensions of military burial during the war in Ukraine. It highlights the use of sacred symbolism, particularly the image of angels, associated with fallen defenders, living volunteers, and soldiers who support the army and civilians. The study examines the religious and mental aspects of war that compel Ukrainians to rely on divine protection in the struggle against a more powerful aggressor. It emphasizes that the sacralization of the fallen as guardian angels is a significant component of how Ukrainian society interprets the war. Additionally, the article explores the perception of the Russian-Ukrainian war as a …

Islam, Memory, And Denial: Preserving Bosniak Identity After The Srebrenica Genocide, Alek Barović

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The role of the Bosniak Islamic Community in preserving identity and collective memory of the Srebrenica genocide remains a subject of ongoing debate among Bosniaks in Bosnia, the wider Balkan region, and the diaspora. This paper explores how Bosniaks perceive the Islamic Community’s efforts in shaping and sustaining post-genocide identity through religious, cultural, and educational initiatives. By analyzing narratives from survivors, religious leaders, and community members, this study investigates whether the Islamic Community is seen as a central institution in the preservation of historical memory or as one actor among many in the broader struggle against denial and historical revisionism. …

The Religious Factor In The Imperial Judicial Policy Of The Right-Bank Ukraine (1797-1830), Andrii Shevchuk, Oksana Markevych

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article examines the religious factor in the imperial judicial policy on the territory of Right-Bank Ukraine (1797-1830). The transformation of the region's judicial system after its incorporation into the Russian Empire is analyzed through the prism of confessional relations. On the basis of archival materials and published sources, the peculiarities of the functioning of judicial institutions in the context of religious stratification of society are revealed. The specifics of staffing of judicial institutions by representatives of different denominations, particularly the dominance of the Catholic szlachta (nobility) in the county and major courts, are highlighted. The author traces the evolution …

Estonian And Ukrainian Experience Of Getting Out From Under The Influence Of The Moscow Patriarchate, Bohdan Synchak

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The subject of this study is the problem of state interference in church life within the context of the need to counteract threats posed by the Moscow Patriarchate to the national security of Ukraine and Estonia. A comparative analysis of the experiences of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EOC MP) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC (MP)) in the process of eliminating Russian influence will contribute to a better understanding of the main issues that arise in this context. In Ukraine, there are two distinct Orthodox churches: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC MP) …

Capes, D.B. Matthew Through Old Testament Eyes: A Background And Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mi: Kregel Academic, 2024, Edward Walton

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

A Case Study Of Instructional Design Practices To Promote The Christian Faith And Worldview Within A Homeschool Education Program, Alexandria Mills

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This single case study explored instructional design (ID) practices to promote the integration of Christian faith and worldview within a homeschool education program, aiming to identify gaps in instructors' knowledge and skills and assess the applicability of the Four-Component Instructional Design (4C/ID) model. The study sought to determine where instructors may need additional support to integrate a Christian worldview into their teaching effectively and whether the 4C/ID model could help address these gaps. Although the 4C/ID model was not directly implemented in the observed setting, its potential as a structured framework for enhancing instructors' abilities was evaluated.

Data was collected …

Shryock, Jeremiah. Mary And The Interior Life. Brewster, Ma: Paraclete Press, 2023, Sophia E. Du Val

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Lim, Susan. Light Of The Word: How Knowing The History Of The Bible Illuminates Our Faith. Downers Grove, Il: Intervarsity Press, 2023, Arianna Dahlia

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

How To Make A Theologian: Theological Education And The Life Of Discipleship, Andrew C. Stout

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

The Archbishopric Of Ohrid In The Mnemohistory Of The Church: A Bulgarian Historiographical Perspective, Ivan Yovchev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

After the fall of Bulgaria under Byzantine rule in 1018, the Bulgarian Patriarchate was downgraded in rank by the decrees (sigils) of Emperor Basil II from 1019–1025. It was declared a Bulgarian autocephalous archdiocese with its seat in Ohrid, the last Bulgarian capital and the former seat Bulgarian patriarch. The diocese, its Bulgarian nationality, and the rights of its First Hierarch were defined by three sigils of Emperor Basil II, which outlined the rights of the Ohrid Archbishopric. In sources from the 11th-12th centuries, it is referred to as the Bulgarian Archbishopric. Its independence from the Patriarchate of Constantinople was …

Characteristics Of Growing Churches. Quantitative Analysis., Ago Lilleorg, Rein Murakas

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Abstract

This article presents a study of church growth using statistical analysis methods that identify the attitudes of members of a growing church with an analysis of them to understand the church growth process. The study of growing churches was conducted in nine protestant churches in Estonia with 350 participants. The article reveals four attitudinal characteristics that accurately describe growing churches: (a) the role of the church clergy in organizing the life and activities of the churches; (b) an open, encouraging, and positive atmosphere in the churches; (c) an active orientation towards serving the community; (d) a longing for God's …

Building Bridges: Fostering Team Leadership Between Elders And Pastors Of Ethiopian Evangelical Churches In North America, Abraham Abiyo Teanso

Doctor of Ministry

In Ethiopia, church leaders usually have full authority, while pastors have no power in decision-making. But in the USA, things are different. Here, pastors often have a lot of authority due to modern leadership styles. When older leaders from Ethiopia come to the USA, they want to stick to the traditional way of leading they were used to. They think pastors should only teach, not lead. However, younger generations and those who like modern leadership want pastors to stay in charge. This difference in opinion has caused problems among leaders in Ethiopian churches in North America. This can make people …

Sabbath Rest, Gregory Mcmullen

Doctor of Leadership

Limited time and finances have significantly contributed to the spiritual decay and practice of the Sabbath in Snohomish County. Through this study, I have identified that community members, immigrants, and refugees are impacted the most by working overtime or two jobs to provide a home for their families. Many immigrants not only have to work very hart but but most frequent food banks and seek assistance from the local church. Unfortunately, things are better as a high percentage of firstborn Slavic and Hispanics students drop out of school to work or take care of their younger siblings. Native Americans followed …

The Spiritual Well‑Being Scale In The Polish Catholic Setting: Construct, Structure, And Relationships With Psychological Well‑Being, Beata Zarzycka, Kamil Tomaka, Michał Grupa, Raymond F. Paloutzian, Rodger K. Bufford

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

The population of Poland could be of particular interest to researchers studying religion and spirituality. Catholicism has played a significant role in shaping the country’s culture, history, and tradition and is considered a national religion. More recently, however, the processes of moving away from regular participation in religious services and loosening ties with the institution of the Catholic Church are marked (Polish Public Opinion Research Center, CBOS). The Polish Catholic setting may modify the associations between psychological variables that have been studied in their relationships with spirituality, which have been investigated in religious contexts differing from a Polish Catholic one. …

Honoring The Other: The Imago Dei As A Foundational Doctrine For How The Church Treats The Marginalized, Brett A. Desper

Doctor of Ministry

The church struggles to minister to those on the margins of society, frequently dehumanizing those it ministers to. This dissertation argues that a starting point for addressing this issue is a renewal of the imago Dei doctrine as the foundation of what it means to be human. Chapter One defines the problem by referring to two primary problem areas: poverty and displaced people. A definition of poverty is offered, and four primary approaches to alleviate poverty are examined. Causes and definitions of displacement of people from their homes are offered, and some current relief methods are evaluated. Finally, a fundamental …

La Familia De Village, Shonell L. Dillon

Doctor of Leadership

To fulfill my project portfolio, I will be addressing the following: “Can the church become a guiding light in the lives of adolescents (10 to 15 years old) in the Bunche Village community who have experienced the effects of multigenerational trauma?” My research findings confirmed that some of the symptoms of multigenerational trauma can be addressed through social-emotional learning using biblical interventions. I will describe how the church can address these needs through youth outreach. My project is a non-profit that will follow a Christian-centered social-emotional skills curriculum. This program will address the needs of adolescents in the Bunche Village …

Haanen, Jeff. Working From The Inside Out: A Brief Guide To Inner Work That Transforms Our Outer World. Downers Grove, Il: Intervarsity Press, 2023., Addison Lucchi

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Is Acts Really “The Most Overtly Missionary Book”?, Ekaputra Tupamahu

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

The aim of this article is twofold: first, to challenge the white reading of the book of Acts, and second, to offer an alternative reading by placing the story of the marginalized people, the colonized people, at the center. The first part of this article interrogates how white pentecostal scholars read the book of Acts as a missionary book and identify themselves with the disciples in the book of Acts. After presenting the problems with this reading, I propose an alternative interpretation of the movement in Acts as a migration movement instead of a missionary movement. Reading it from a …

Frontmatter (Volume 44, Issue 7), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Persecution Of Christian Confessions In Ukrainian Podilia During The 1930s, Anatoliy Voynarovskiy, Natalka Zhmud, Valentyna Hrebenova

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

In this article, attention is focused on the characteristics of Bolshevik rule in the Podilia region, particularly its efforts to eradicate Protestantism. In the legal framework of contemporary Ukraine, the separation of religion from the state is declared, and the right to freedom of conscience and religion is guaranteed. This is a crucial and fundamental position for building a rule-of-law state and civil society. Harmonious relations between society, religion, and the state are an extremely complex process that requires a thorough understanding of historical context. The role of religion has gained particular relevance at the current stage, as Ukraine defends …

Religious Communities Of Ukraine As Agents Of Resilience During The Russian Invasion, Valentyna Kuryliak Dr, Maksym Balaklytskyi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which started in early 2022, many religious communities in Ukraine turned into social centers, where those affected by the war, mostly internal migrants, could find shelter, food, clothes, medical and psychological aid, help with evacuation and social rehabilitation. The invasion of 2022 aimed at seizing all of Ukraine. The subsequent wave of migrants was defined by the UN as the biggest refugee crisis in the world since WWII. Millions of Ukrainians left their homes and moved either abroad or into Ukraine's western and central regions. It led hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians into multiple …

Coffman, Elesha J. Turning Points In American Church History: How Pivotal Events Shaped A Nation And A Faith. Grand Rapids, Mi: Baker Academic, 2024., Rebecca A. Halberg

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Wright, N.T. The New Testament For Everyone: A Fresh Translation (3rd Ed.). Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 2023., Alec K. Ellis

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Enhancing User Experience In Small Academic Libraries: Leveraging Matomo Analytics As A Ux Design Tool, Michael D. Wells

The Christian Librarian

As changes have occurred with Google Analytics over the past two years, web design professionals have sought alternative platforms to gain valuable insight on how users are interacting with online content. Academic libraries are no different in their desire to assess user interaction and behavior within their online platforms. In 2019, the Benedictine Library at Thomas More University transitioned to using Matomo Analytics out of a desire to find a low-cost and privacy-centric alternative to Google Analytics. While serving as the Library Director at Thomas More University from 2018 to 2021 and then as the Library Director at Wilmington College …

The Structure Of The Anti-Religious Unit Of The Soviet Secret Service (1953 – 1956), Oleksandr Korotaiev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article is devoted to the issue of reforming the Soviet Security Services and their network of agents during the period of de-Stalinization (1953-1956). The directions of this reform were studied, and how these reforms affected changes in their activities in the religious sphere was traced. Based on a study of the KGB reporting documentation, as well as the personal files of KGB employees, the structure of the anti-religious division of the KGB and its peripheral offices was revealed for the first time, the main directions of its activities were indicated, the pseudonyms of secret agents working in these areas …

Frontmatter (Volume 44, Issue 6), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Civilians Under Siege In War-Torn Ukraine: Human Rights Ngo And Faith-Based Responses, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A central tenet of international humanitarian law states that in armed conflict, “It is unlawful to target civilians.” Stressing this prohibition in the case of the Russian assault on vulnerable Ukrainian civilians is not only the United Nations but the European Union, the World Health Organization, the Office of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine, representing 75 Ukrainian and international NGOs assisting Ukraine in the present war. Zaher Sahloul, president and co-founder of MedGlobal, argues in favor of a recognition of Russia’s current efforts “to erase Ukrainian identity and culture” as a genocide. …