Religion Commons^™

The Theological Method Of Thomas Aquinas In The Beatific Vision, Kent T. Maitland

Liberty Theological Review

This essay posits that Thomas Aquinas’s Beatific Vision may not be a biblically accurate conception of the Christian’s eternal destiny because it is grounded in a problematic theological method. For Aquinas, theology is a science for deducing the saving knowledge of God, which can only be discovered through Scripture. The integrity of Scripture’s place of prominence, however, is undermined by the apparent usefulness of other sources for interpreting Scripture’s meaning. His use of other sources in interpreting Scripture is justified by a hermeneutic that emphasizes the importance of Scripture’s figurative meaning over the literal in determining its usefulness for theological …

Modern Qoheleth: An Evangelical Appraisal Of The Theology Of Stanley Hauerwas, Nathan Cantu

Liberty Theological Review

“Jesus is Lord, and everything else is bullshit.” No other phrase better encapsulates Stanley Hauerwas’ unique blend of polemic, provocation, and piety. Formed in Protestant Liberalism, and fiercely critical of Fundamentalism, Hauerwas is a polarizing figure in evangelicalism. Is Hauerwas an ally of evangelicals, or should he be anathema? This article examines the four primary themes of Hauerwas's theology—character, narrative, church, and politics—and offers an evangelical appraisal.

Walter Rauschenbusch: Bringing The Kingdom Of God To Alleviate Poverty In Christianity And The Social Crisis, Christopher Price

Liberty Theological Review

Industrialization and the Gilded Age exacerbated the gap between the wealthy and the extremely poor who inhabited major American cities like New York. Walter Rauschenbusch, a German Baptist pastor who served a parish in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, began his ministry focusing on individual salvation and piety. After seeing the tangible effects of poverty, including the all-too-common deaths of young children, Rauschenbusch attempted to articulate the social ramifications of Christianity. The best-known example of his understanding of the Kingdom of God was Christianity and the Social Crisis, which became a seminal text in social gospel …

Sterba's Horrendous Evils And Adams' Goodness Of God, Cody Snow

Liberty Theological Review

This article articulates and responds to James Sterba’s Problem of Horrendous Evils from his recent work Is A Good God Logically Possible. Specifically, this article argues that Sterba’s arguments against Marilyn McCord Adams' compensatory theodicy fails to undermine the effectiveness of the theodicy. Moreover, this article argues that Adams' theodicy is successful at removing the core tension at the heart of the Problem of Horrendous Evils and that this theodicy only strengthens appeals to Greater Goods theodicies.

Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 66, No. 3

Restoration Quarterly

PDF of the cover of Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 66, No. 3.

This repository hosts selected Restoration Quarterly articles in downloadable PDF format. For the benefit of users who would like to browse the contents of RQ, we have included all issue covers even when full-text articles from that issue are unavailable. All Restoration Quarterly articles are available in full text in the ATLA Religion Database, available through most university and theological libraries or through your local library’s inter-library loan service.

Food Insecurity & Gendered Vulnerability – Sarai/Sarah And Rebekah In Genesis, Maricel S. Ibita

Theology Department Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Discerning The Missional Implications Of Context: A Demographic Study Of Great Falls For The Great Falls Church Of Christ, Matthew C. Burleson

DMin Project Theses

The purpose of this Lipscomb University June 2024 Doctor of Minstry project thesis was to discern the missional implications of GFCC’s (Great Falls Church of Christ) context. Three components comprised the larger purpose. First, the purpose was to survey the mission of God in Scripture with a team made up of members from GFCC. This survey would facilitate the missional aspect of discerning the missional implications. Second, the purpose was to acquaint this team with practices and principles of spiritual discernment. Acquainting the team with these practices would facilitate the discerning aspect of discerning the missional implications. Third, the purpose …

Diagnosing Silent Forgiveness At The Dialogical Limit In Endō Shūsaku’S Novel Silence, Catherine Buescher

Dissertations

I situate this dissertation within the context of the rightly noted deficiencies of dialogue and dialogical hermeneutics, deficiencies that prevent dialogue from effectively addressing the pathological nature of many of today's social issues, e.g., white supremacy, sexual and gender inequality, and climate change. Using the lens and limits of Western dialogical hermeneutics as noted by David Tracy, I conduct a case study of the dialogues of the main characters - Rodrigues, Ferreira, Kichijiro, God—in Endō Shūsaku’s novel Silence, noting the silence active in each of the dialogues at the end of the novel. I then argue that the nature and …

Jewish Laws For Gentiles: Purity In The Pseudo-Clementine Homilies, Joshua T. King

Dissertations

This dissertation is an analysis of the concept of purity in the Pseudo-Clementine Homilies. The argument proceeds in two parts. In the first, I argue that the Homilies’ presentation of purity reflects an ancient Jewish background. Thus, the Homilies, like other ancient Jews, divides its concept of purity in two domains: a domain related to the body (bodily purity) and a domain related to ethics (purity of the heart). I then track the differences between these two kinds of purity, noting particularly how they are defiled and how such defilements are removed. Thus, while bodily defilement comes from occasional bodily …

Christotechtonics: Dildonic Prostheticity In Theological Formulation, Evan Taylor Marsolek

Dissertations

This dissertation asserts the following claim: Christ is a dildo. This project brings Paul B. Preciado into conversations with contemporary philosophies of religion and interrogates a hegemonic Christian theological political matrix. This project articulates a hermeneutic of christotechtonics, which studies appearance, formation, and utilization of Christ. This project is twofold. It begins with a transdisciplinary exploration that entangles queer and trans theories, religious studies, secular studies, and philosophy of religion to position reading queer and trans theories as forms of counter political theologies. The work then transitions into dildonic prostheticity in theological formulation. The 2019 Vatican document “Male and Female …

The Dialectics Of Faith: Kierkegaard, Irony, And Conversion, Douglas Zimmerman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish philosopher, offers a profound perspective on conversion. According to him, conversion isn't a mere external change, but a deeply personal and internal transformation. It's about moving from a state of despair to faith. Kierkegaard believed that true conversion involves a passionate leap of faith, where an individual confronts their own subjectivity and makes a conscious, often paradoxical, choice to align themselves with their authentic values and spiritual beliefs. In his view, conversion is a constant process, requiring introspection, struggle, and a commitment to live authentically in the face of life's uncertainties. In order to communicate this …

Radical Hospitality: Height And Excess Of The Other And The New Host Self, Diako Alikhani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Drawing on Emmanuel Levinas’ ethical framework and its emphasis on the “height and excess” of “the Other,” this thesis explores and develops a sense of “radical hospitality” in Levinas and across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In particular, the thesis explores how encounter with the Other is not only marked by an overwhelming excess, but one which transforms the subject into what I call a “New Host Self:” Where the self is the host who greets the stranger with hospitality, it is ultimately the stranger—the refugee, the migrant—who transforms the host into someone new. Here, the host ultimately receives a gift …

Progressive Paradox In Political Rhetoric: The Hart-Celler Immigration Act Of 1965, Amanda Rolston Henderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the interplay between U.S. norms for inclusion, the embedded role of religion within these norms, and how political rhetoric challenges or sustains them. Using a historical lens, I outline key moments in U.S. history, unravel central ideologies entrenched in U.S. narratives, and illuminate the ideographic function of the key concepts land, family, and work. These terms serve as conduits for conveying complex systems of meaning, which are entrenched in societal assumptions and concretized through political discourse and action.

These dynamics are demonstrated in a case study of the discourse surrounding the Hart-Celler Immigration Act …

Saint Brigit And Her Habits: Exploring Queerness In Early Medieval Ireland, Jacqueline K. Stephenson

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

Saint Brigit's behavior and reception by society highlight an avenue by which women in the early medieval period could escape societal strictures, exercising agency over their bodies and their romantic choices, and carve out a distinct and unexpected place for themselves in a Christian patriarchal society. In Saint Brigit’s case, this is especially demonstrated by the breadth of her portrayed power as not just a nun but a saint, her extreme resistance to marriage, and her frequent comparisons to men. Indeed, her hagiography, written by Cogitosus in the seventh century, positioned her as one of the three principal and earliest …

New Paths In Jewish And Religious Studies: Essays In Honor Of Professor Elliot R. Wolfson, Glenn Dynner, Susannah Heschel, Shaul Magid

Purdue University Press Books

The work of Elliot R. Wolfson has profoundly influenced the fields of Jewish studies as well as philosophy and religion more broadly. His radically new approaches have created pioneering ways of analyzing texts and thinking about religion through the lens of gender, sexuality, and feminist theory. The contributors to New Paths in Jewish and Religious Studies: Essays in Honor of Professor Elliot R. Wolfson, many of whom are internationally renowned scholars, hearken from diverse fields. Each has learned from and collaborated with Wolfson as student or colleague, and each has expanded the new scholarly directions initiated by Wolfson’s groundbreaking …

Salvation Of The Nations In Isaiah, Isaiah M. Gillette

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

In the book of Isaiah, a key theme that is present is the salvation of the nations. This salvation is in the form of peace on earth, peace in the millennium, and salvation of the soul through the Messiah Jesus Christ. Articles are looked at that discuss specific passages about the salvation of the nations in Isaiah. The passages themselves are also studied to determine what they say about the salvation of the nations. Some authors of the articles argue for different views on certain passages, like that it is of judgment of the nations instead of salvation of the …

A Religion For The Common Man: A Culturally Subversive Understanding Of Kabir’S Simple State, Wyatt Golden

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

No abstract provided.

Harmony Or Discord? The Intersection Of Religious Beliefs And International Mindedness, Ranjan Kumar Lima

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

A fundamental concept of the International Baccalaureate (IB) educational philosophy is international mindedness. International mindedness refers to being, thinking, and acting with openness to the world and an understanding of the interconnectedness of oneself with others. Despite extensive research on religious beliefs and international mindedness separately, there remains a dearth of studies exploring their intersection, especially among the International Baccalaureate (IB) teachers in their early professional years. This study examines how the religious beliefs of early adult and early-career International Baccalaureate (IB) teachers influence their perceptions and manifestations of international mindedness. This study utilizes phenomenological research strategies. It involves eight …

Inciting Peace From The Inside Out, Stephen G. Adubato, Ebere Bosco Amakwe, Katherine Hinic, Sarita Maldjian, Forrest Pritchett, Jon Radwan, Nicholas Sooy, Chad Thralls

Conferences

Violence and war can be incited, and so can peace. This volume shares select addresses and responses from Seton Hall University’s 2/7/23 conference “Inciting Peace From The Inside Out.” A multi-disciplinary range of scholars each addresses how reconciliation processes grow from spiritual dynamics. Multiple religious traditions teach contemplative praxes that prioritize and nurture personal reflection oriented toward peace. Social conflicts divide, so engaging them with a partisan orientation only serves to escalate harmful rifts. In contrast, bringing personal awareness and sensitivity, spiritual balance, and holistic integral perspective to conflict can transcend divisions and work toward unity. This volume is supported …

Interviews In Global Catholic Studies: Hansol Goo, Mathew Schmalz, Hansol Goo

Journal of Global Catholicism

No abstract provided.

The Secrets Of Christian Others: Hungarian Catholic Intellectuals Debate Ecumenism At A Transylvanian Pilgrimage Site, Marc Roscoe Loustau

Journal of Global Catholicism

Claims about a shared Christian tradition animate European debates about religious otherness, but more remains to be known about how Catholics on Europe’s near-margins understand ecumenical unity among churches. I analyze contemporary Hungarian Catholic intellectuals’ publications about a controversy at the Hungarian national shrine, Our Lady of Csíksomlyó, in Transylvania. When a priest wrote that Csíksomlyó’s annual pilgrimage commemorated sixteenth-century Catholics’ victory over an invading Unitarian army, Transylvania’s Unitarian bishop denounced the origin as an undocumented myth. Prominent Catholic ethnologists, historians, and theologians agreed that, in the name of ecumenism, intellectuals should not publicly mention the origin narrative. But they …

2024 Denominational Survey Results, Calvin University

CRCNA Denominational Survey Results

As part of the denominational ministry plan, Our Journey , the CRCNA has contracted with DataWise Consulting to administer an annual denominational survey. The results from the 2024 survey have now been compiled.

All CRC-affiliated adults and older youth are welcome to respond to this survey as they are led. However, in order to ensure a healthy number of responses to the survey each year, CRC leaders have randomly assigned every CRC church to one of five “cohorts.” Each cohort includes about 20 percent of all active congregations, and each congregation will be asked to engage in active recruitment of …

The Concept Of Eschatology In Islam: An Analysis Of Fazlur Rahman's Perspective And Al-Munir's Exegesis On Surah Al-Infithar, Siti Humairoh, Nurwahidin Nurwahidin, Mohammad Izdiyan, Maulida Wati

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

This paper conducts a profound exploration of eschatology in Islam, with a particular emphasis on the importance of belief in the Day of Judgment from the viewpoints of Fazlur Rahman and Tafsir Al-Munir. The belief system of Muslims is rooted in the Quran and Hadith, with the Five Pillars of Islam and the Pillars of Faith serving as the cornerstone. The fifth pillar of faith enjoins belief in the Day of Judgment, yet regrettably, there exists a lack of awareness among many in this regard. Consequently, this paper presents a comprehensive elucidation of eschatology in Islam, drawing from Quranic verses …

2024 Hispanic Theological Initiative Book Prize Response, Neomi D. De Anda

Theology and Religious Studies Faculty Publications

Response to Insurrectionist Wisdoms: Toward a North American Indigenized Pastoral Theology, by Marlene Ferreras.

An Anglican-Episcopal Theology Of Desire & Prayer Book Liturgical Asceticism, Kyler F. Granados

Honors Projects

This project, in response to the theological retrieval of desire conducted by Anglican theologian Sarah Coakley in her God, Sexuality, and the Self, descriptively analyses the place of “desire” in the language of the Daily Office and Eucharistic liturgies of the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer--the regula of Anglican Christians. It asks, “How do the liturgies of the Prayer Book address, direct, and ultimately entrust our desires to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit?” In the face of the descriptive, it also presents a constructive model for discipleship in “Prayer Book Liturgical Asceticism” a life of "common …

Buddhism In Thailand: Why Don’T The Youth Believe In Buddhism?, Nutnicha Teekatanasuk

Master's Theses

In Thailand, Buddhism is now known as a Buddhist country. Almost 96% of people in Thailand believe in Buddhism but it is declining every single day. Technology has made many people change their minds and not believe in Buddhism. Surprisingly, people who have been involved in Buddhism since they were born don’t believe, especially the young generation. The number of believers is declining every single day and many people have changed their minds and don’t believe in Buddhism. Surprisingly, people who have been involved in Buddhism since they were born don’t believe anymore. This might be because of Thai monks’ …

Lessons From Jesus’S Table Talk A Survey Of Selected Texts In Luke’S Gospel, Claudine D. Rogers-Wright

Masters Theses

Luke uses food related motifs to set the scene for controversial, direct, and confrontational conversations about the Kingdom of God through the use of the table talk that Jesus engaged in several texts in his Gospel. The topic, dialogue, and message around the table varied depending on the dining partners. This thesis aims to perform a responsible examination of food and banqueting related passages in Luke, to understand the context and circumstances, the people involved, and the lessons Jesus taught around the table.

The Book Of Ruth: Its Didactic Wisdom Themes, Brian Corn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation proposes and argues that the Book of Ruth is better situated in Wisdom literature because of its didactic wisdom themes. Prominent wisdom themes will be analyzed and compared intertextually with the Book of Ruth, which provides Ruth’s understanding of YHWH. The research methodology evaluates the intertextuality, or inter-themes, between the Book of Ruth and the Wisdom literature (Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes), the primary source. Peer-reviewed sources (scholarly commentaries, academic peer-reviewed journals, and scholarly biblical dictionaries) are used to evaluate and support the findings uncovered in the primary source. Semantic field and range studies are performed with the help …

Pronomian Paradigm: A Pro-Torah, Christocentric Method Of Theology And Apologetics, Gregory Scott Mckenzie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation sets out to demonstrate the continued validity of the Torah for all believers today. As such, this dissertation attempts to show that discontinuity of the Mosaic Covenant is scripturally, theologically, and philosophically untenable. The thesis of this dissertation is that Pronomianism is the paradigm that most cohesively melds theology and apologetics, through its interpretation of Paul’s words and deeds at the second Jerusalem council, which unveils the Torah’s centrality in New Testament theology, and that Pronomian moral apologetics reveal the Law of God as the only foundation for objective, biblical morality, and the guide to righteous living. This …

Biblical Literacy: A Theological Exploration Of What God Says About Women Called To Pastor, Shannel K. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Doctoral Research Project aims to answer the question, Is there biblical awareness among the congregation about God’s acceptance and call of female pastors? The problem presented identifies a gap in biblical knowledge about women in church leadership due to the lingering effects of patriarchal influence. There may be resistance to church growth due to the uncertainty of the Scriptures, which sanction women to the call of God. This research project proposed to improve the Bible literacy of ten Christian men and women to cultivate spiritual growth and strengthen their theology. Historically, the conservative church taught that the Bible forbids …