Religion Commons^™

An Examination And Evaluation Of The Theology Of Karl Barth And Oscar Gullman On The Doctrine Of Baptism, With Particular Emphasis On The Question Of Infant Baptism, Richard Taron

Bachelor of Divinity

An Examination and Evaluation of the Theology of Karl Barth and Oscar Gullman on the Doctrine of Baptism, with Particular Emphasis on the Question of Infant Baptism It is the purpose of this paper to present the respective views of these two leading theologians on the subject or baptism, in particular infant baptism, as expressed in their two publications on the subject, and to submit them to analysis and criticism. During the course of the paper it will be necessary to refer to the various statements of the New Testament regarding baptism and to compare those passages with certain conclusions …

An Analysis Of Christian Maturity, Walter William Harms

Bachelor of Divinity

Christian maturity is often spoken of in preaching and other discussions. The problem of this thesis is to distinguish exactly what the nature of Christian maturity is in contrast to psychology's view. This is to result in the display of the distinctive character of Christian maturity.

The main burden of this thesis is to sharpen the lines of Christian maturity in contrast to psychology. It is not intended to be a definitive explanation of how the mature Christian reacts in a given situation but to determine the guiding principals in a mature Christian's life.

The Significance Of The Foot Washing In John 13:1-17, Robert F. Mayer

Bachelor of Divinity

The object in writing this thesis was to got down to the real meaning of the words and action of Jesus in the foot washing of His disciples. The problem was primarily whether Christ had given to His Church a sacred ordinance that He expected His followers to observe after His ascension, or whether we were really free from any obligation to a specific rite in connection with Christ's command in John 13:14 f. The problem is significant since there have been and still are large numbers of Christians that observe the custom of foot washing as a very sacred …

Chorale Texts And Tunes In Some Representative Present-Day Protestant Hymnals, Louis Nuechterlein

Bachelor of Divinity

This thesis demonstrates the extent to which German Hymnody, from its beginnings to the mid-eighteenth century, forms a part of the hymnic worship material used in the Protestant churches of today. Twelve representative present-day hymnals were examined to enumerate the texts as well as the tunes from the German tradition which were to be found in them.

Lutheran Free Conferences In America From 1856 To 1866, Edward L. Schneider

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this study is to shed some light on the confessional experiences within the bodies which finally took part in the Lutheran Free Conferences in America in the decade beginning in 1856. The study has been carried on with the intent of determining to what extent doctrines formulated the climate of friendliness between confessional bodies.

A Christian Answer To Marcion Of Pontus By Tertullian And Irenaeus, Carl Willard Beuschlein

Bachelor of Divinity

The scope of the Church’s answer covers the whole field of theological thought. But because there are no existing sources of Marcion’s theology, except those contained in the answers of Christian writers, and, because even these writers have been selective, the scope of this study was necessarily limited to the basic problems of God, Scriptures, Christology, and Eschatology. The thesis of this study was that the Church, through Tertullian and Irenaeus, had answered Marcion’s attack thoroughly and decisively for the edification of the Church of Christ. For the purpose or proving this thesis, this study presents a brief outline of …

A Historical And Political Study Of Antipater, The Idumean, Who Established A Political Dynasty In Palestine, Neil R. Schmidt

Bachelor of Divinity

Historically, there is little doubt that Antipater was a political giant. Even the limited account or his life reveals the shrewdness and native talents of this Idumean. Yet he was and is neglected. Perhaps the reason rests in the shortness or his actual reign as ruler. Perhaps he is forgotten due to the fact that he was never actually crowned as king. But the purpose of this paper was not to answer the "why,” but rather to establish the historical fact that Antipater was truly an important figure in the history between the testaments, and that he really did influence …

The Sermon On The Mount As A Part Of Jesus' Call To Repentance, James J. Johnson

Bachelor of Divinity

A cursory glance at various expositions of the Sermon on the Mount, will show that there are as many interpretations of the Sermon as there are interpreters. Some men feel that the Sermon on the Mount is a list of practical rules for daily living which can easily be carried out by all right-thinking men. Still others have held that the Sermon is not meant for all Christians, but only for a few-those who went to maintain a more perfect station in life. Some have maintained that the Sermon is all Law; others see in it many elements of Gospel. …

The Meaningfulness Of Theological Language, Hillman Fischer

Bachelor of Divinity

One of the most prominent Logical Positivists is Alfred Jules Ayer. He is avowedly in closest agreement with the Logical Positivists who compose the “Viennese Circle” under the leadership of Mortiz Schlick, owing most to Rudolf Carnap. His book, “Language, Truth and Logic” has attained classic status as a representative of logical positivist thought. We shall investigate Ayer’s criticism of theological language.

Holy Ordination And The Call In The First Hundred Years Of Lutheranism And In The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, Walter C. Kalbhen

Bachelor of Divinity

This thesis is primarily a historical, not a systematic study. The contents will attempt to give basic concepts and beliefs of the doctrines and practices as they have appeared in the Lutheran Church from the time of the Reformation.

Man's Attitude, By Nature, To Christ As Articulated In The Fourth Gospel, David Ralph Krampitz

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this investigation is to determine, on the basis of the Gospel according to St. John, how man, by nature, reacts to Christ. This issue is by no means merely academic. Christ's testimony concerning His Gospel conflicts with at least two situations which exist in our "Christianized" society. For one thing, our Lord told His disciples that the world would hate and persecute them because of His Gospel. Yet, in America today, "Christianity" receives the approval of the majority of people. In the second place, Christ informed His disciples that He had chosen them, not vice versa. The …

The Effect Of Luther’S Philosophy Of History On His Writings About Social And Governmental Issues With Special Reference To Some Recent Missouri Synod Interpretation, E Fred Vonderlage

Bachelor of Divinity

In this thesis the main concern is with reference to Luther's treatises on social issues, political issues or whatever one may call them. Actually the influences of this brand of scholarship run much deeper than the reinterpretation of Luther, and they must be explored briefly to apply them to Luther also.

Prolegomena In Pieper And Aulen- A Comparison, Kurt E. Marquart

Bachelor of Divinity

Comparing Pieper and Aulen involves (1) an exposition of both positions, and (2) a juxtaposition of the two in a way which will actually exhibit their mutual relations. Whatever is relevant, to the understanding of either position In terms of thesis or antithesis is relevant to the thesis. Since this involves practically limitless source-material, a rigorous selectivity had to be exercised. Naturally this involves the element of judgment on the writer’s part, since he must select what seems particularly relevant and reject what does not. This thesis does not pretend to be anything like an exhaustive treatment. It attempts merely …

A Survey Of Past And Present Principles Of Dealing With Desertion In The Four Major Non-Lutheran Protestant Church Bodies In America, Howard R. Klenz

Bachelor of Divinity

The question then arose as to what church bodies have said in an official way to guide and direct their ministers in handling each individual case on its own grounds . This then became the center of attention for this thesis.

To limit the scope of the thesis, concern was narrowed to the principles of treatment as found in the recognized confessions and creeds of the four major, non-Lutheran, Protestant denominations in America.

The Language Of Relationships In Christian Education, Robert E. Rediehs

Bachelor of Divinity

Our Church has been accused of intellectualism. Our educational efforts are said to have produced a "confirmation complex,” resulting in a false understanding of the Christian faith. However, in actual practice the Church teaches both by its words and by its non-verbal setting. It is thought that it would be helpful to study this nonverbal context, especially in terms of relationships. As a suggestion for a partial remedy this thesis explores the media of personal relationships for education.

Christ's Method Of Dealing With Sin, Richard T. Hinz

Bachelor of Divinity

In this study we attempt to suggest at least a partial answer by examining the methods that our Lord Jesus Christ used when He confronted the sin of His hearers during His ministry. We agree with Dobbins when he says that the example of Christ is normative for our approach today.

Tyndale's Dependance On Luther, Richard Bode

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this investigation is to determine to what extent William Tyndale, the translator of the Bible into the English tongue, was dependent upon Martin Luther. No attempt shall be made to compare the historical significance of the two men, for there can be no doubt that the labors of Luther made a much greater impact and had a much more far-reaching effect than those of Tyndale.

The Problem Of Interracial Marriage And The Church, Daniel August Reeb

Bachelor of Divinity

The title and subject of this thesis is defined largely by its scope. In this paper we are thinking of interracial marriage almost exclusively in terms of Negro-white relationships. Unless otherwise qualified such terms as intermarriage, race mixture, amalgamation, miscegenation, and others, should always be taken in that sense.

The Development Of The Sunday School In The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, C Rodger Meyer

Bachelor of Divinity

The study limited itself to the Missouri Synod, including its English root, the English Synod, and touched only briefly on the Sunday school movement in so far as other denominations were concerned. It took into account the numerical growth, the official and unofficial opinions concerning the movement during its various phases of development, and the contribution of the various materials and practices. The progress of the movement was traced independently through the Missouri Synod and the English Synod prior to their amalgamation in 1911.

Structuring A Youth-To-Youth Visitation Program, Marvin Bergman

Bachelor of Divinity

This interest in youth evangelism is due to several factors. The number of unchurched youth in the United States is a factor. Though it is difficult to obtain reliable figures on the youth population, Ellis reports that the difference between the number of youth enrolled in church activities and the youth population of America amounts to 19,328,000 teen-agers. This means that three out of four young people are outside the church.

Social Casework Principles Of Value To A Pastor In Counseling, Vernon Robert Wiehe

Bachelor of Divinity

There has been much discussion in the past years concerning the work of the pastor as a counselor. Many books have been written and many lectures have been delivered on the subject. Various approaches and techniques are advocated by those dealing with the subject. This thesis shall attempt to prove that the principles of social casework can be applied by the pastor as a counselor. Seven casework principles will be discussed, first as they relate to the social casework process, and then as they can be of value to the pastor in counseling.

Divorce And Remarriage In The Light Of Holy Scriptures, Otto E. Sohn

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this thesis is to point out what can and needs to be said and done to conquer this vexing problem and to promote harmonious and Christian family living. To that end we would now examine the Scriptural principles by which we are to be guided in this matter so that our efforts may be truly God-pleasing.

John 20:16-17: The Ascenison Of Christ As The Prerequisite Of His Abiding Presence, Lowell Lubben

Bachelor of Divinity

This paper proposes to investigate the appearance of Christ after His resurrection to Mary Magdalene, as it is recorded in the twentieth chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, verses 1 through 18. Attention is directed primarily and specifically to verses 16 and 17, which refer to Mary’s being prohibited to "touch" Christ and to the reason given for this prohibition, namely, that Christ had "not yet ascended."

The Terminology Of The Ark Of The Covenant, Kenneth K. Miller

Bachelor of Divinity

The problem under investigation is not a single problem, but multiple. It deals with the terminology connected with the Ark of the Covenant. There are some important technical terms that are either directly or indirectly connected with the Ark. During the course of Old Testament research in the last century these terms and the Ark itself have, for various reasons, acquired a great many connotations. The Ark has been explained as a fetish-box that contained a meteorite or a piece of stone from Mount Sinai, as a divine throne, as a container for sacred divination-stones, as a shrine of the …

Life After Death According To The Old Testament, Merrill Kluhsman

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this study is to determine, as nearly as possible, precisely, what the canonical books or the Old Testament say about life after death.

The Organization Of The Ministry In The First Century Of The Church, Charles Russell Whittington

Bachelor of Divinity

In order that the Church might know the possibilities, it is good to delve into the past and examine the methods of the Church which have been used through the centuries. A critical examination of the various organizations or the Church in history will result in ideas which may bear fruit in application to the situation of the Church in the modern world.

It is with a view to initiating such a study that I offer this investigation of the organization of the ministry in the New Testament and in the earliest of the Church Fathers. Unfortunately, the period allowed …

The Mystery Religions And Christianity In The Roman Empire Of The First Three Centuries A. D., John B. Koch

Bachelor of Divinity

The writer will endeavour to show by the presentation of pertinent material that it does seem probable that the Mystery religions did affect certain areas of Christian practice, but that in the final analysts there is insufficient evidence to prove this effect in any given area with any great degree of certainty.

The Ocassion And The Purpose Of The Escahatological Proclamation Of The Thessalonians Epistles Of Paul, Robert Joel Riedel

Bachelor of Divinity

The special concern of this study, however, is the problems of eschatology which had arisen. They receive considerable prominence and are discussed in some detail. It seems that there were false ideas concerning the doctrine of the Second Coming prevalent in the congregation, and Paul wishes not only to counteract these ideas, but also to emphasize the final importance of this doctrine.

Concept Of Personal Freedom In Berdyaev, David J. Klumpp

Bachelor of Divinity

This paper will attempt to describe Berdyaev’s thinking on the subject of personal freedom. No attempt will be made to criticize or evaluate his thinking by either the criteria of philosophy or theology although instances in which he takes issue or attacks Orthodox Christianity will be noted. In presenting Berdyavev’s concept of personal freedom an attempt will be made to remain within the framework of his thought as it is available in his English writings.

St. Augutine--Sacrifice In Eucharist And Life, John Meether

Bachelor of Divinity

The amount of material produced by Augustine is very great, and an examination of all of it is beyond the scope of this work. The polemical writings will not be considered at all. Of the other works, the “City of God” will be the basic work used in the thesis with considerable dependence upon his sermons and commentary on the Psalms. Other nonpolemical writings were used where they were relevant to the thesis.