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Articles 1 - 30 of 36
Full-Text Articles in Religion
"The Least Of These?" The Origins And Evolution Of A Misunderstood Group In Matthew 25, Christine Marie Downing
"The Least Of These?" The Origins And Evolution Of A Misunderstood Group In Matthew 25, Christine Marie Downing
Theses and Dissertations
The intention of this paper is to analyze and explore the different aspects of Matthew 25:31-46. This research briefly examines how modern Biblical scholars and theologians have approached and interpreted Matthew 25. Further, I will place Jesus' announcement of the "coming of the Son of Man" within its historical context and explore how this announcement would have fit within and against First Century Israelite beliefs. By extension, I will attempt to examine the textual relationship of Matthew 25 to Jewish, non-Jewish and Early Christian texts. Finally, I will conclude with how Matthew 25 was interpreted and influential in both the …
Things From Of Old, Kristin Fay
Things From Of Old, Kristin Fay
Theses and Dissertations
In his 2012 New York Times article “Has Fiction Lost Its Faith?,” Paul Elie notes how Christian belief glimpsed in contemporary U.S.-American literary fiction functions in a social or sociohistorical manner within the narratives. If indeed assigned to an individual, the set of beliefs and their development are so difficult to determine, Elie contends, that the character no longer serves as a believer. This story collection responds to that critique and challenge by introducing characters who live out, live with, and live in consequence of their Judæo-Christian faiths. These stories take faith seriously—as the reason for everything to know about …
Hell In Hand: Fear And Hope In The Hellmouths Of The Hours Of Catherine Of Cleves, Stephanie Lish
Hell In Hand: Fear And Hope In The Hellmouths Of The Hours Of Catherine Of Cleves, Stephanie Lish
Theses and Dissertations
This paper is an attempt to investigate how well the borders and miniatures of The Hours of Catherine of Cleves facilitated the method of meditation recommended by Gerard Zerbolt of Zutphen and therefore was a useful tool in Catherine’s search for eternal salvation.
'Who Are You?' Reading And Judging Character In Genesis 26:34-28:9, Nathaniel Q. Hoover
'Who Are You?' Reading And Judging Character In Genesis 26:34-28:9, Nathaniel Q. Hoover
Theses and Dissertations
Genesis 27—the episode where Jacob is disguised as Esau in order to take his blessing—is a morally difficult text. But even though the blessing is gained by deception, no judgment is explicitly made by the characters, by God, or by the narrator. Because of this narrative “gap” of judgment, the reader is invited to participate in the task of judging the characters, either positively or negatively. Using narratological techniques to examine gaps and characterization, this thesis argues that each character—Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob—can be interpreted in both positive and negative ways. This means that if a reader leans toward …
'To Open Eyes That Are Blind . . . ' [Isa 42:7]: Senses, Idolatry, And Unity In Isaiah, Kelsie Job
'To Open Eyes That Are Blind . . . ' [Isa 42:7]: Senses, Idolatry, And Unity In Isaiah, Kelsie Job
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis explores the theme of sense-lessness throughout Isaiah in connection with the sin of idolatry and prophetic expectation that Israel and Judah will one day be reunited. It explores Isaiah's use of a metaphorical trope to communicate the spiritual reality of Israel's insensibility and Isaiah's anticipation of YHWH's restorative action on their behalf. The restoration of Israel's senses portrays Israel's metaphorical features (eyes, ears, hearts) finally fulfilling their proper purpose before God (seeing, hearing, understanding), which are representative of the deeper spiritual reality that they at last will find their proper function as the people of God. Their senses …
'Whence This Evil?' A Critical Assessment Of (Anti)Theodicy And Innocent Suffering In Lamentations 3, Mark P. Stone
'Whence This Evil?' A Critical Assessment Of (Anti)Theodicy And Innocent Suffering In Lamentations 3, Mark P. Stone
Theses and Dissertations
Recent scholarship on Lamentations has focused on the voice of Daughter Zion in chapters 1-2. Arguing that the frank protests constitute an antitheodicy, interpreters have placed these poems in opposition to the voice of the man in Lam 3, specifically 3:21-42. This Wisdom-like, paraenetic section is seen to put forth a theodicy, counseling penitent acceptance of God's righteous judgment. The present study argues instead that, when incorporated into the rhetorical movement of Lam 3 as a whole, 3:21-42 instead constitutes an antitheodicy consonant with Lam 1-2. It is proposed that Lamentations manipulates the expected theodicy solution until it has been …
Acts 17: Paul Before The Areopagus, Michael R. Preece
Acts 17: Paul Before The Areopagus, Michael R. Preece
Theses and Dissertations
Luke's record of Paul in Athens is among the most interesting and widely studied topics in the life of the Apostle Paul. Luke recorded that Paul taught in the Athenian marketplace, where he was asked to present his doctrines before the Areopagus. Many have commented on the controversial aspects of Paul's speech before the council as recounted by Luke. Much of this scholarly commentary has been centered on the speech itself and the historical authenticity of the account. The purpose of this thesis is to reexamine the context and the setting of the speech as recorded by Luke in the …
Book Of Mormon Atonement Doctrine Examined In Context Of Atonement Theology In The Environment Of Its Publication, David Scott Wetzel
Book Of Mormon Atonement Doctrine Examined In Context Of Atonement Theology In The Environment Of Its Publication, David Scott Wetzel
Theses and Dissertations
Alexander Campbell, a contemporary of Joseph Smith, was the first to publish a critique of the Book of Mormon after actually having read it. Among other allegations, he arraigned that Joseph Smith wrote the book to resolve, with a voice of prophecy, theological issues contemporary to its publication. This study undertakes to examine Campbell's charge with regard to atonement doctrine. To assess the statement, this study first identifies the controversies about atonement doctrine in the years prior to the publication of the Book of Mormon, in the Northeastern region of the United States. It then compares the teachings inherent to …
The Influence Of Israelite Temple Rites And Early Christian Esoteric Rites On The Development Of Christian Baptism, Ryan T. Wilkins
The Influence Of Israelite Temple Rites And Early Christian Esoteric Rites On The Development Of Christian Baptism, Ryan T. Wilkins
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis seeks to answer the question of the origin of some of the most fundamental additions made to early Christian baptism. Christian baptism began in a relatively simple liturgical form, but became, by the fourth century, a much more dramatic set of initiation rituals. Among the added elements to baptism were washing ceremonies in the nude, physical anointing with oil, being marked or signed with the cross on the forehead, and receiving white garments. Scholars have proposed different theories as to the origins of these baptismal rituals. Some claim the elements existed in the New Testament practice of the …
Paul, The Athenians, And The Breath Of Life: Acts 17:22-31, William Russell Horst
Paul, The Athenians, And The Breath Of Life: Acts 17:22-31, William Russell Horst
Theses and Dissertations
This MA thesis argues that Paul's speech to the Athenians in Acts 17:22-31 includes biblical allusions, as well as concepts and turns of phrase that bear a strong resemblance to those of other Hellenistic Jewish texts, especially those related to the breath of life.
Isaiah's Burden Prophecies As Spirtual Formulas, Justin Brent Top
Isaiah's Burden Prophecies As Spirtual Formulas, Justin Brent Top
Theses and Dissertations
The Book of Mormon makes it clear that Isaiah's message is of great importance to the modern reader. In order to facilitate modern and personal spiritual application of Isaiah's writings, spiritual "formulas" or principles may be discovered or formulated. These formulas are statements of truth based on the prophet's writings that may be applied in multiple situations and time periods. Such formulas of truth offer valuable insighst across time. These formulas may be understood by analyzing the historical setting of the chapter(s) under review, and through critical examination of the text itself. These formulas provide a solid foundation upon which …
To Know The One True God: Reconciling The God Of The Old Testament With The God Of The New Testament, Kelly D. Newman
To Know The One True God: Reconciling The God Of The Old Testament With The God Of The New Testament, Kelly D. Newman
Theses and Dissertations
There is a popular misconception in the world that Jehovah is too severe on occasion while Jesus Christ is always kind and merciful. The Latter-day Saint belief that Jehovah and Jesus are the same person presents a supposed conflict. There has not been much written on this subject by either non-Latter-day Saints or Latter-day Saints, thus, this thesis represents a unique contribution to a common perception prevalent in many Christian circles. The research of this thesis shows that the misconception is based on three problems: first, a misinterpretation of biblical stories in both the Old and New Testament; second, a …
The Marriage Of Adam And Eve: An Ancient Covenant, Roseann Benson
The Marriage Of Adam And Eve: An Ancient Covenant, Roseann Benson
Theses and Dissertations
The metaphorical marriage, as described by the Old Testament prophets beginning with Hosea, symbolized the relationship of God the bridegroom, to israel his bride. This covenant relationship between God and Israel also symbolized the relationship God ordained between husband and wife. Literary structures, ritual patterns, and the Hebrew word which means "know" are common to ancient Near Eastern treaties and Old Testament covenants; most importantly, the marriage covenant. The marriage covenant is under the umbrella of previous covenants which a man and woman have entered into as part of the house of Israel. The terms "help meet" and "ruler" are …
Corporeal Resurrection: The Pure Doctrine Restored Through The Prophet Joseph Smith, J. Peter Hansen
Corporeal Resurrection: The Pure Doctrine Restored Through The Prophet Joseph Smith, J. Peter Hansen
Theses and Dissertations
During Jesus' earthly ministry He taught the pure doctrine of corporeal resurrection to His disciples. Some of them became special witnesses to the literal bodily resurrection of Jesus after His death. Over time, men's philosophies perverted the true doctrine of the resurrection. Those teachings became the orthodoxy of the early Christian church and were handed down to modern Christianity. The pure doctrine of corporeal resurrection was weakened, and in some sects, was lost.
The Lord restored the gospel through Joseph Smith. Part of the Restoration qualified him as a special witness of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through him pure …
The Isaiah Passages In The Book Of Mormon: A Non-Aligned Text, Carol F. Ellertson
The Isaiah Passages In The Book Of Mormon: A Non-Aligned Text, Carol F. Ellertson
Theses and Dissertations
Since the advent of the Dead Sea Scrolls, four biblical textual scholars have emerged at the forefront of the dialogue concerning textual evolution. They are: Frank Moore Cross, Emanuel Tov, Shemaryahu Talmon and Eugene Ulrich. Though there is some overlap in their hypotheses, each scholar has put forth a framework of biblical textual development in light of these new discoveries.
If a new biblical text were discovered today, how would each scholar approach it? This thesis evaluates each scholars' views and concludes that Emanuel Tov's criteria for judging a newly discovered text is the most thorough and explanatory. Tov's views …
Israel's Quest For The Promised Land: A Journey From Nether To Other, Evelyn Van Galbraith
Israel's Quest For The Promised Land: A Journey From Nether To Other, Evelyn Van Galbraith
Theses and Dissertations
Adam, the father of all men initiated a fall from innocence; the story of postlapsarian humanity discloses an omnipresent attempt to return to the Garden, the state of innocence. This journey back to consciously achieved innocence is revealed in the story of Israel's quest for the Promised Land, a land covenanted to this people by YHWH. To live in a holy land (sacred space), Israel must put off all attachments to mortal aims, she must sacrifice the profane, horizontal world and enter the sacralized, vertical sphere to become hale, healthy, holy, and whole: wholeness accompanies this return to the center. …
Preservation Of The Writing Approaches Of The Four Gospel Writers In The Joseph Smith Translation Of The Bible, Donald Joseph Miles
Preservation Of The Writing Approaches Of The Four Gospel Writers In The Joseph Smith Translation Of The Bible, Donald Joseph Miles
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis analyzes additions to the gospels in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. To assess the appropriateness of the JST additions, the thesis examines Joseph Smith's additions to verify whether they parallel the approaches of the original gospel writers to their audiences. There is strong indication that material added to the King James Version by the Joseph Smith Translation is consistent with the approaches of the original gospels to their audiences. Chapter one shows that the JST Matthew, like the KJV Matthew, is concerned with showing that Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy. Chapter two finds that JST Mark …
A Hermeneutic Of Sacred Texts: Historicism, Revisionism, Positivism, And The Bible And Book Of Mormon, Alan Goff
Theses and Dissertations
As methods by which texts are to be understood, positivism and historicism have a long tradition and continue to exert wide influence in all academic disciplines. Other approaches to textual concerns have recently emerged to challenge the dominance of these two approaches. Foremost among these new approaches are hermeneutics and deconstruction. Both of the latter approaches recognize that interpretation is inescapable. The latter challenges even the possibility of determinate meaning. A theoretical discussion of historicism and positivism uncovers questionable and troublesome difficulties. Hermeneutics in its conservative or radical variations overcomes the difficulties of interpretation that positivism and historicism can't explain. …
Pronouns Of Address In The Book Of Mormon, Lyle L. Fletcher
Pronouns Of Address In The Book Of Mormon, Lyle L. Fletcher
Theses and Dissertations
The first section of this thesis is a diachronic examination of second person pronouns in English with special focus on variations in usage such as pronominal shifting between thou (and related forms) and ye (and related forms), as well as an examination of the second person pronoun usage in the English Bible (especially the King James Version) with a similar focus. From the thirteenth century on variations in usage have been common.
The second section is a synchronic examination of second person pronouns as used by Joseph Smith and some of his contemporaries, followed by an analysis of these pronouns …
Melchizedek, The Man And The Tradition, Ann Nicholls Madsen
Melchizedek, The Man And The Tradition, Ann Nicholls Madsen
Theses and Dissertations
The common elements which emerge from this study are: Melchizedek was a priest-king, ruling a small city-state and presiding over the cult. He lived among a people far advanced from the primitive. There is no consensus among scholars concerning the meaning of his name but "Sedeq (a name for God) is my King" is a possible translation. Melchizedek's city-state was named Salem and of the four plausible geographical locations postulated, the Salem-Shechem theory leaves fewer problems. Abraham and Melchizedek worshiped the same God who was known by several names, among which were 'El 'elyon, God Most High and Yahweh. All …
The Tradition Of Isaiah In The Book Of Mormon, Gary L. Bishop
The Tradition Of Isaiah In The Book Of Mormon, Gary L. Bishop
Theses and Dissertations
This study presents a textual and grammatical analysis of 52 passages of Isaiah as they are found in Cave IV of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, the King James version, and the Book of Mormon. The objective was to determine the relationship, if any, of those verses in the Book of Mormon with the other textual traditions. Based on the differences between the Book of Mormon text and the King James version, and upon the confirmation of those Book of Mormon differences by the other traditions, it was concluded that The Book of Mormon follows its …
A Comparison Of Passages From Isaiah And Other Old Testament Prophets In Ethan Smith's View Of The Hebrews And The Book Of Mormon, William L. Riley
A Comparison Of Passages From Isaiah And Other Old Testament Prophets In Ethan Smith's View Of The Hebrews And The Book Of Mormon, William L. Riley
Theses and Dissertations
The Book of Mormon, having long been a work of great interest to me, became a natural area of study for my Master's program. I was directed by Roy W. Doxey and Paul R. Chessman who brought to my attention several areas of the Book of Mormon which needed to be investigated for clarification and deeper understanding. The area which was settled on centered around a book which was written seven years prior to the publishing of the Book of Mormon. The controversy which surrounds the View of the Hebrews by Ethan Smith is similar to the "Spalding Manuscript" controversy …
Textual Parallels To The Doctrine And Covenants (Sections 65 To 133) As Found In The Bible, Lois Jean Smutz
Textual Parallels To The Doctrine And Covenants (Sections 65 To 133) As Found In The Bible, Lois Jean Smutz
Theses and Dissertations
This study has shown that there is a textual relationship between the Doctrine and Covenants and the King James Version of the Bible in that out of 1240 of the 1999 verses examined in Sections 65-133 of the Doctrine and Covenants there were found two paralleled Biblical phrases or clauses. Varying in subject matter, these clauses and phrases were either similar or verbatim parallels in vocabulary, syntax or meanings (denotations and connotations) and, many times, in concept.
In analyzing the location of the sources of the textual parallels, it was found that the New Testament is much more similar in …
The Book Of Mormon As An Instrument In Teaching The Historicity Of The New Testament Events Of Christ's Life, David R. Mangelson
The Book Of Mormon As An Instrument In Teaching The Historicity Of The New Testament Events Of Christ's Life, David R. Mangelson
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to determine and present the Book of Mormon's contributions as a witness to the authenticity of the New Testament account of certain events of Christ's life, in order that teachers may have an effective instrument in teaching the historicity of the New Testament account of Christ's life.
This study reveals 177 passages in the Book of Mormon that refer to the life of Jesus. These passages corroborated the New Testament account of Christ's life. There are 61 Book of Mormon passages that refer to the pre-existence of Jesus Christ and His anticipated coming. There …
The Book Of Mormon As An Instrument In Teaching The Historicity Of Old Testament Events And Characters, Jerome C. Hainsworth
The Book Of Mormon As An Instrument In Teaching The Historicity Of Old Testament Events And Characters, Jerome C. Hainsworth
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to determine and present as completely as possible the Book of Mormon's contribution to the historicity of the Old Testament's events and characters in order that teachers may have another instrument for the effective direction of learning in Old Testament history. Therefore, it is the purpose of this study to determine and point out to the teacher the areas in which the Book of Mormon complements the Old Testament, and sustans its truthfulness as a historically accurate record.
It is the hypothesis of this study that the Book of Mormon has much to contribute …
The Origin And Original Meaning Of Sacrificial Blood Offerings As Revealed In The Bible And Modern Scriptures, Theo Emory Mckean
The Origin And Original Meaning Of Sacrificial Blood Offerings As Revealed In The Bible And Modern Scriptures, Theo Emory Mckean
Theses and Dissertations
This study is concerned with the origin and original meaning of sacrificial blood offerings as practiced by the ancient Israelite people and their progenitors. "Modern" scriptural sources including the Pearl of Great Price, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants are used along with the Bible as the basic reference material.
The lack of explicit information in the Bible as to the inception and meaning of sacrifice has resulted in the development of many theories which suggest that this rite had a human beginning. These theories imply that by natural expression man began to seek favor from his …
An Analysis Of Old Testament Chronology In The Light Of Modern Scripture And Scientific Research, Dale Alder Mcallister
An Analysis Of Old Testament Chronology In The Light Of Modern Scripture And Scientific Research, Dale Alder Mcallister
Theses and Dissertations
The first objective of this thesis was to examine the Old Testament chronology carefully to see how it is computed. The second objective was to examine the modern scriptures to see what contributions they make in establishing a more accurate, reliable chronology. The third objective was to examine certain hypotheses in archaeology, carbon dating processes, and geology that seem to conflict with the Old Testament chronology with the purpose in mind of learning how accurate their findings are and what possibilities exist for a closer harmony between these sciences and the Old Testament scriptural chronology.
A Textual Comparison Of The Isaiah Passages In The Book Of Mormon With The Same Passages In The St. Mark's Isaiah Scroll Of The Dead Sea Community, Wayne Ham
Theses and Dissertations
The Book of Mormon contains twenty-one chapters of the Book of Isaiah: two through fourteen, twenty-nine, and forty-eight through fifty-four. The language is primarily that of the King James Version with some variations. The King James Version itself has been translated from the Massoretic Hebrew Text. It is a fair assumption that the variations in the Book of Mormon represent an older, more accurate text than the Massoretic Text.
Textual critics are anxious to find ancient texts and versions of the scriptures in the hope that some of these texts may contain readings closer to the original than does the …
A Study Of The Doctrinal Significance Of Certain Textual Changes Made By The Prophet Joseph Smith In The Four Gospels Of The Inspired Version Of The New Testament, Robert J. Matthews
A Study Of The Doctrinal Significance Of Certain Textual Changes Made By The Prophet Joseph Smith In The Four Gospels Of The Inspired Version Of The New Testament, Robert J. Matthews
Theses and Dissertations
The several versions and revisions of the Bible in existence precipitate questions concerning the reliability of many Biblical texts. Each of these versions has an amount of variation from the others, yet all were done my men of accepted scholarship.
Joseph Smith also made a Bible revision, or as he termed it, a "translation," using a King James Version printed in 1828 as the basis. This amended King James Version, although not fully completed, has been published under the title of the Inspired Version of the Holy Scriptures, by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This thesis …
A Study Of Eschatological Prophecies Found In The Scriptures And In The Works Of General Authorities Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Duane S. Crowther
A Study Of Eschatological Prophecies Found In The Scriptures And In The Works Of General Authorities Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Duane S. Crowther
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to compile the major eschatological prophecies and teachings found in the scriptures and in the discourses and writings of Latter-day Saint General Authorities; to include sufficient explanatory material to interrelate and clarify the events which are expected to transpire; and to establish, in so far as is possible, the order of these eschatological events.