Religion Commons^™

A Christian Consideration Of Polygamy, Jean-Jacques Bouit

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Since the beginning of its mission outreach in Asia and Africa, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been confronted with the polygamy issue. Several attempts made by the church to formulate a unified policy for dealing with the polygamous convert culminated in the recommendation voted at the General Conference session in San Francisco in 1941. This resolution requires that in order to be admitted to baptism and church membership a polygamist must dismiss all his wives save one.

Recently, increased anthropological knowledge has led many Protestant churches in Africa to emphasize the legality of the marriage institutions in various societies. In …

Toward A Theology Of Christian Worship And The Improvement Of Worship Participation In Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In Africa, Andre H. M. Stijnman

Doctor of Ministry Projects

In the typical mission station in West Africa in the nineteenth and even in the early twentieth century, life was routinely patterned after the Western mode, hardly reflecting at all the life and routine of the surrounding villages. This was particularly true of their worship. It is the thesis of this doctoral project that an effective approach to promoting and advancing African Christianity is to proclaim the basic principles of Christian worship and faith in such a way that these principles can be understood and lived in any society or culture. Christian worship must be seen as transcending ethnic and …

Justification And Merit: The Interpretation And Evaluation Of The Concept Of Merit In Modern Catholic Theology In Relation To Luther's Doctrine Of Justification, Johann Heinz

Dissertations

The teaching of justification of the sinner soley by faith is the "heart" of the Reformation. Martin Luther viewed it as the"main teaching" of Christianity and demonstrated this assertion by the concepts of the sole agency of God and of the consecutive character of good works. Since he could concede neither the co-operation of man nor the "final character of works" (meaning works achieved with an ultimate end in view), his struggle was mainly against the Church's traditional doctrine of merit.

Catholic theology, however, refused to follow the Reformer in this radical break with tradition. When about a decade after …

Poor And Rich In The Epistle Of James: A Socio-Historical And Exegetical Study, Pedrito U. Maynard-Reid

Dissertations

This investigation attempts to break further away from the parochialism in dealing with the Epistle of James--moving away from the purely literary and theological orientation, and paying more attention to the social milieu out of which the document arose and how the ethos of the community impinged upon the thought of the writer.

Socially oriented studies in NT scholarship are not new. Since the 1930s, however, this emphasis has been largely neglected until its recent revival. Chapter I shows that the greatest problem with social orientation in NT studies is finding a satisfactory method. The majority of scholars who are …

Christian Mission : A Biblical Foundation And Its Application To Evangelistic Work For Indonesian Muslims, Bahasa Soemarna

Doctor of Ministry Projects

As far as Seventh-day Adventist evangelistic work for Indonesian Muslims is concerned, it appears that there is no formal, well-defined program to guide the pastors and members in working for the Muslims. It is, therefore, the purpose of this project to develop an evangelistic program which is specifically geared toward reaching the Indonesian Muslims with the Christian message, and which could be used by the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) churches in Indonesia.

In order to achieve this purpose, the project is organized into two main parts. Part I, "Biblical Evidence for the Universality of Jesus' Mission," will attempt to establish the …

The Transfer Of Ministers In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Of The German Democratic Republic And Its Effects On The Minister's Service And Family Life, Johannes E. Mager

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Transfers from one pastoral district to another are part of the life and work of ministers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Every transfer deeply affects all aspects of his life, and that of his family. It also influences his relationship with the administrators of the church and touches the respective congregations. The aim of this study was to find out (1) whether transfers have solely a pragmatic character, or whether they also carry biblical-theological implications; (2) whether transfers do encumber interpersonal relations and, if so, what possibilities exist to solve these tensions …

The Concept Of Character In The Apocalypse With Implications For Character Education, Beatrice S. Neall

Dissertations

Problem and Purpose

In the educational world of the 80s there is a renewed interest in moral education after nearly half a century of neglect. However, since most moral philosophers reject the teaching of objective moral values in favor of subjectivity, Christian educators have felt the need to restate the principles of character education to harmonize with biblical truth. This study analyzes the concept of character in the Apocalypse against a background of humanistic philosophy originating in Plato and Aristotle, noting in each system the concepts regarding the norm of character, the nature of man, the nature of good and …

The Development Of A Theologically Undergirded Strategy For Mission Employing Small Group Structure In The Sda Church In Zambia, Lassew Dennis Raelly

Doctor of Ministry Projects

NOTE: This Doctor of Ministry project report falls in a category described in the Seminary Bulletin as 'Project II" in fulfillment of requirements for an alternate curriculum plan under which the candidate prepares two related papers--a theological position paper addressing some issue or problem in the church theologically, and a professional paper addressing this issue or problem from the standpoint of ministerial practice.

(No abstract)

How To Be Good And Angry, Arnold Kurtz

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

What Took Place In 1844, Edwin R. Thiele

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Gabriel's Testimony Concerning 1844, Edwin R. Thiele

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Disciples' Prayer, James J. C. Cox

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Needs Assessment Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Seminary's Master Of Divinity Program As Perceived By The Graduates, Faculty, Students, And Employers Of Graduates, Edward L. Dower

Dissertations

Problem. There is a lack of current data by which to evaluate how well the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary's Master of Divinity program prepares its graduates for the actual practice of ministry. The purpose of this study was to: (1) collect data from selected groups regarding how well in their perception graduates are prepared in specific areas and what they perceive ministers need or use most in their daily work, (2) compare the perceived preparation with the perceived need to identify areas of curricular need, (3) summarize the suggestions made by those surveyed, and (4) make recommendations regarding the ministerial …

Religious Tv Spots: Guidelines For Developing A Mass Media And Follow-Up Strategy, Assad Bechara

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem. Television is being regarded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brazil as a new avenue for evangelism. Since research indicates that one of the most effective formats for TV evangelism is the TV spot, this project suggests the use of thirty-second TV spots as a viable means of evangelism in the Brazilian context. The project further recommends principles for the development of a TV-spot series to be used along with a media mix and a follow-up program conducted by youth groups.

Method. An analysis of the history of God's communication with mankind reveals several principles that can be applied …

Toward The Development Of A Theological Critique Of Church-Growth Principles From A Seventh-Day Adventist Perspective, Terence G. Joshua

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church perceives itself as having a unique eschatological mission. Numerical growth is an important part of the objective of the SDA Church. To attain this aim, the principles of the church-growth paradigm developed primarily at the "School of World Mission and Institute of Church Growth" at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, has begun to be incorporated into the North American SDA mind-set.

There is minimal documented theological reflection upon church growth done from an SDA perspective. The analysis of the distinctive issues involved yields some concepts that are theologically consistent and some that are inconsistent with …

A Study Of The Growth Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In The Metropolitan Area Of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Joel Sarli

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Over seventy-two years have passed since the first Adventist church was organized in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo, Brazil. During those years the church leadership has noted that the rate of Adventist Church growth there has been one of the highest in the world. In spite of this unique phenomenon of growth, no serious research has been undertaken to determine what the factors are that have helped the people to make their decision to accept the Adventist message. An evaluation of the Seventh-day Adventist outreach during the last five years (1975-1979) is necessary to determine which methods should …

A Strategy For The Presentation Of The Principles Of Christian Stewardship To The Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In South America, Roberto R. Roncarolo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In the SDA Church in South America there are deficiencies in three clearly defined aspects of the educative phase of stewardship campaigns: (1) in the unilateral presentation of the doctrine of stewardship, (2) in the methods and procedures used in that presentation, and (3) in the persons that receive the benefits of said presentation. In this project, the problem of how to improve the efficiency of stewardship education is discussed.

Method

The purpose of this research is to develop and evaluate a series of Christian stewardship meetings that differs from the series now in use in South America in …

Tv-Radio Spot Evangelism: An Experiment In Attitude Change, James David Chase

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although marketing and advertising firms spend millions of dollars annually to determine which types of commerical radio spots are most effective in appealing to specific audiences, little of this research has been done by churches using the broadcast media. The objective of this project, therefore, was to discover which of the most commonly used radio production formats contribute most to credibility and acceptability of religious radio spots whose intended audience is either nominal or rion-Christian and to produce a thirteen-week series of daily public service, radio spots for evangelistic purposes based on this determination.

Method

A telephone survey of …

New Testament Principles Governing The Relationship Between The Christian And Civil Authorities And Their Elaboration In The Writings Of Ellen G. White With Their Reflection In The Adventist Church In Romania, Mihail S. Popa

Doctor of Ministry Projects

No Abstract.

This Doctor of Ministry Project report falls under the category described in the Seminary Bulletin as Project II, a paper completed in fulfillment of requirements for an alternate curriculum plan under which the candidate prepares two related papers—a theological position paper addressing some issue or problem that exists in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in a theological setting and a professional paper addressing this same issue or problem from the standpoint of ministerial practice.

A Process Of Self-Assessment And Goal Setting For A Latin American Local Congregation As A Possible Means To Create The Necessary Conditions For Church Renewal, Fruitful Evangelism, And Effective Nurture, Ruben Pereyra

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Dropouts from church membership have increased during the 1960s among Christian denominations. Abundant literature has been circulating analyzing possible causes and suggesting remedies. The. picture is not yet clear. Meanwhile, several types of solutions have been proposed and tried with different degrees of success or failure. As the issue is also a concern among Seventh-day Adventists, a program considering the particular situation of this denomination, in a Latin-American setting, is presented. One way to a renewal experience that would help confirm members and thus prevent dropouts is suggested.

Method

As a first step, a review of the current literature …

The Church As Family: A Study Of Viability In The Smaller Local Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Kerry H. Hortop

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Small churches form such a large part of the Christian church, and of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination in particular, that it was felt desirable that the viability of the small church should be examined. An examination is made of current theological thought relevant to the small church. This was followed by a study both of family-style motifs and family-style practice by the church in the New Testament. Sociopsychological factors which effect and also explain the operation and "personality" of the small church are noted from relevant recent literature and studies.

Some church-growth and organizational projects involving small churches are included …

Is The Aramaic Of Daniel Early Or Late?, Gerhard F. Hasel

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Short Term Pastorates, Arnold Kurtz

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Conceptual Model For The Professional Practice Of Seventh-Day Adventist Educational Administration Based On The Proclamations Of The Three Angels Of Revelation 14, Rilla Taylor

Dissertations

Problem. Since the Seventh-day Adventist administrator must define a suitable mode of practice, the question must be addressed; does the Seventh-day Adventist religion require a distinctive mode of practice or simply suggest a characteristic approach to a common mode of practice?

Method. While the Seventh-day Adventists share many beliefs in common with all Christians, their most distinctive belief is found in the messages of three angels described in Revelation 14:6-12. Therefore, these messages are examined to determine whether or not they contain concepts which lead to a characteristic mode of administrative practice. Firstly, the three angels' messages are …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Religiosity, Amount Of Exposure To Seventh-Day Adventist Parochial Education And Other Selected Variables Among Seventh-Day Adventist Secondary Students In Sao Paulo, Brazil, Eliseu Nevil Menegusso

Dissertations

Problem. This study investigated whether the express purpose of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) education, (the transmission of the SDA religious heritage) is being fulfilled. It was based on the relationship between five dimensions of religiosity (the criterion variables), the amount of exposure to SDA education, and other selected variables such as age, sex, scholastic achievement, home religious practices, religious affiliation and marital status of the subjects' parents (the predictors). Eleven hypotheses were tested. The first five were concerned with the relationship between the combination of the dimension and the combination of the predictors; the sixth with the relationship between the combination …

Teaching The Bible To Black Africans : (Toward A Methodological Approach To Bible Teaching Applied To The Beti Tribes Of South-Cameroon), Joseph Nkou

Dissertations

Problem. This study is concerned with methods of teaching the Bible in Black Africa and particularly among the Beti tribes of South Cameroon. The Gospel message has been brought to the Beti people through the ministry of Western instructors. Some have claimed their teaching to be irrelevant to the Africans. It appeared necessary, then, to find out in what way that teaching was irrelevant to Beti people and to suggest positive methods which could be applied in order to facilitate the Beti grasp of the Christian message and, consequently, to predispose them to a full and inner acceptance o f …

Development Of A Rationale And Methodology For The College-Level Religion Course "Life And Teachings Of Jesus", Loron T. Wade

Dissertations

In this developmental study, basic principles of curriculum development were utilized to prepare a rationale and teaching guide for a college-level religion course "Life and Teachings of Jesus."

In formulating the rationale for the course, current theories of learning and moral development were reviewed together with ideas drawn from Scripture and other sources. The rationale that was developed called for establishing clear objectives while recognizing that some of the most important goals of religious instruction may not be objectively or immediately verifiable. It calls for giving the student an active role in the instructional process, for stimulating his/her faculties for …

Horn-Motifs In The Hebrew Bible And Related Ancient Near Eastern Literature And Iconography, Margit Linnéa Süring

Dissertations

This investigation studies the presence of the horn-motifs on a philological, literary, and iconographical basis in both the ancient Near Eastern context and the Hebrew Bible.

The first chapter is devoted to a review of prior studies, particularly in the twentieth century. Throughout almost all this century, the "history-of-religion" school and the "form-critical" school have taken the lead in archaeological and biblical interpretations. New trends of interpretation developed in the late 1960s on some aspects due to the scientifically and systematically improved archaeological approach. Prior individual studies focusing on fragmentary aspects did not sufficiently elucidate the horn-motif. A comprehensive study …

The Doctrine Of The Sanctuary In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church: Three Approaches, Roy Adams

Dissertations

This investigation studies the Adventist theology of the sanctuary as it found expression in the writings of Uriah Smith (1832-1903), Albion Fox Ballenger (1861-1921), and Milian Lauritz Andreasen (1876-1962).

Not only does the selection of these three figures make it possible to deal with the subject of the sanctuary, but it also provides a good opportunity to observe certain important developments in the understanding of the sanctuary doctrine within the Adventist church, because of the strategic place each figure occupied in Adventism, historically and theologically. The study attempts not only to describe the sanctuary theology of the three figures, but …

Selected Personality And Motivation Variables Related To Behavioral Commitment To Certain Health Teachings Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Ronald Edwin Ruskjer

Dissertations

Problem. Seventh-day Adventists teach that the practice of certain health habits is essential to optimum spiritual nurture. It is commonly known, however, that a number of Seventh-day Adventist church members fail to practice one or more of these habits. This is a matter of crucial concern to dedicated Adventists in general and health- and faith-professionals of the Adventist persuasion in particular. This investigation was undertaken in order to help such Adventists better understand the phenomenon of health-habit practice. It was the purpose of the present study to discover certain relationships that may exist between the practice of health habits on …