Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Ideas Of The "Russian World" And Ukraine: Value Epicrises On The Ukrainian Orthodox Church Under The Moscow Patriarchate, Oleksandr Brodetskyi, Iryna Horokholinska

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Against the background of the identity, jurisdictional, and institutional crossroads in which contemporary Ukrainian Orthodoxy finds itself, the authors analyze the mental, value-related, and personal (linked to the “human factor”) influences in Ukraine of the destructive and militant ideology of the “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir), as well as the degree of involvement of leading functionaries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the dissemination of these influences.

The article reveals the mechanisms of the corrosion of spirituality among the ecclesiastical elites of Russia and their satellites in Ukraine. This corrosion is manifested in the substitution of the Church’s …

Christianity As “Resistance” In Authoritarian Regimes Reflexions And Case Studies From A Conference In Helsinki, Liisa Lahdelma, Katharina Kunter, Andrej Bukovac-Mimica, Miro Leporanta

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article is based on presentations held in the Workshop “Christianity as ‘Resistance’ in Authoritarian Regimes” at the University of Helsinki on April 11–12, 2024. The workshop explored how Christianity could provide space for reflection and resistance in the context of authoritarian regimes. In this article Prof. Katharina Kunter provides a general historical and theological view of the issue entitled “Historical anchor points for Christian resistance” while the other contributors either present current doctoral or postdoctoral research or introduce broader issues.

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 …

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.

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

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Youth Engagement In Religious Practices Within Macedonian Society, Ruzica Cacanoska, Ivan Blazevski Phd

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Official statistical data and various research studies indicate that a significant portion of the Macedonian population identifies as religious. However, these studies also reveal that many of these individuals are nominal believers, adhering to traditional practices without deep engagement. This trend has sparked an interest in exploring the religiosity of the younger generation, which, though often superficial, has gained prominence in recent years. Existing research, albeit limited, has examined young people's religiosity, their perceptions of religion, and the influence of religious values on their daily lives and practices. To gain a comprehensive understanding of young people's attitudes towards religion in …

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. …

Catholic Traditionalism In Poland: Some Current Trends, Tomasz Dekert, Oleh Sokolovskyi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article reviews the issues related to the contemporary Catholic traditionalist movement, with a focus on its Polish branch and noticeable trends within it. Traditionalism emerged in the second half of the 20th century in reaction to the transformative processes within Catholicism associated with the Second Vatican Council. A comprehensive reform of Catholic liturgy, conducted between 1964 and 1975, played a particularly significant role in its spread. In Poland, it became noticeable only after the regime change in 1989, both in the form defined by the Apostolic See’s indults of the 1980s and in a more radical form associated with …

Educational And Charitable Activities Of Baptist Christians: On The Example Of The Religious Organization Of Evangelical Christians Baptists, Called 'Church Of The Nativity,' In Zhytomyr, Nataliia Kovtun, Iryna Vitiuk, Olena Polishchuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Over the past three decades, and especially in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war (2014-2024), Ukrainian Evangelical Christian Baptists have been actively engaged in charitable and educational activities. The article examines this activity through content analysis and statistical analysis of the statutory documents, website, and YouTube channels of the Church of the Nativity of Evangelical Christians Baptists (ECB) in Zhytomyr (Ukraine).

The study found that the church's charitable activities are carried out in several areas: the ministry of parishioners and elders of the Nativity Church of the Baptist Church of Zhytomyr within the framework of the Christian Center for Social …

Religious Motives In Ukrainian Folklore: Linguistic Analysis, Olena Svysiuk, Zoya Biloshytska

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The paper explores the profound influence of religious motifs on the national identity of Ukrainians, emphasizing their impact on cultural, social, and spiritual dimensions. The enduring significance of religion in shaping cultural and societal development is highlighted, with particular attention to the intricate interplay of religious and national themes throughout Ukrainian history. In the context of contemporary globalization, the study underscores the critical role of religious elements in folklore, art, and literature as custodians of cultural memory and transmitters of traditional values. Ukrainian folklore, especially rich in religious themes, serves as a vital means of preserving national ideals and ethical …

Review Of Rowan Williams's Passions Of The Soul. London: Bloomsbury Continuum, James R. Payton Jr.

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A review of Rowan Williams, Passions of the Soul. London: Bloomsbury Continuum, 2024. $15.00 (paperback). ISBN: 978-1-3994-1568-2. 160 pages.