Religion Commons^™

Characteristics Of Hispanic Seventh-Day Adventist Adolescents Who Attempted Suicide, Juanita E. Trivino

Dissertations

Problem. Hispanic adolescent suicide attempts appear to have been understudied, while suicidal behavior continues to be a concern as a youthful phenomenon. The present study sought to contribute to the understanding of Hispanic youth suicide and its association with acculturation, family, religion, and gender in a sample of Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist adolescents.

Method. The data used for this study came from the Avance survey, the largest denominational survey conducted among Hispanic Seventh-day Adventists in the U.S. (1993-1994). The sample consisted of 869 adolescents, comprised of 380 males and 489 females. Chi-square, t test for means of two independent samples, …

Demon Possession And Exorcism In The Context Of Divine Providence In Luke-Acts, Charles Badu Yeboah

Dissertations

The dissertation examines the nature and function of demon possession and exorcism within the context of divine providence in Luke-Acts. Chap. 1, after defining the subject and purpose of the study, lays out the dissertation's methodology, constraints and relevance. Chap. 2 provides a survey of the state of scholarship on demonology in the New Testament. Chap. 3 discusses the backgrounds against which Luke's account of demonic possession and exorcism have been understood by prior scholarship. Chap.4 and 5 are devoted to the exegetical analysis of the demonic stories in Luke-Acts. Chap 4 examines stories of Jesus' encounter with the demoniacs …

The Role Of The Parish Pastor As Mental Health Provider: Counseling Competency And Personality Characteristics, John Phillip Burgess

Dissertations

United Methodist pastors, serving churches in the State of Michigan, were surveyed regarding their participation in counseling and referral to other mental health providers. In addition to a demographic questionnaire, each pastor completed two standardized instruments, the Counseling Self-Estimate Inventory (COSE) (Larson, et al., 1992) and the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) (Edwards, 1959). Dependent variables of amounts and types of counseling being conducted, scores from the COSE and EPPS, and four satisfaction ratings, were compared across several independent variables including: pastor's gender, age, race, length of service, theological orientation, and amount of academic preparation specifically related to mental health/counseling …

The Three Parts Of Babylon : Teaching A Historicist Interpretation Of The Leopardlike, Lamblike And Scarlet Beasts (Rev 13 And 16:19 As Reflected In Rev 17) Based Upon The Douglas Waterhouse Construct, William C. Taggart

Dissertations

Problem. In the field of religious education, a need exists for a broad teaching strategy through which the biblical three parts of Babylon (Rev 16:19) and the visual imagery of apocalyptic Babylon (Rev 13 and 17) might be taught effectively within the historicist tradition. This study was designed to present a teaching strategy based upon the historicist apocalyptic three-part construct developed principally by Douglas Waterhouse.

The Theoretical Organizing Principle of Geographic Relationships. The concept that helped guide and bring together this study was the understanding that Rev 17 is based on personification which were well known in the …

Quality Of Fathering And Its Relationship With Family Background, Demographics, And Characteristics Of Present Family : A Study Of Seventh-Day Adventist Fathers And Fathers From A National Sample, Ruth Depaiva

Dissertations

Problem . Fathers have been assumed to play an important role in the socialization and education of their children. The need to understand the influence and the role of effective fathers becomes especially important in a generation which views fatherlessness as one of the most harmful demographic trends. The Seventh-day Adventist Church considers fatherhood vital for the normal functioning of the family. The present study investigated how selected variables from family background, demographics, and characteristics of present family are related to fathering as measured by self-report of fathering dimensions, practices, and satisfaction.

Method . Two groups of fathers participated in …

The Influence Of Social Integration, Religious Integration, And Religious-Social Regulation On Suicidal Behaviors Among Seventh-Day Adventist Youth, Elizabeth A. Hossler

Dissertations

Problem. Since Durkheim's classic 1897 study of differences in suicide rates between Catholics and Protestants in Europe, much research has focused on the relationship between religion and suicide. Pescosolido and Georgianna (1989) have suggested that Durkheim's Catholic/Protestant paradigm may not work well in the more heterogenous religious culture within the United States. This present study used Pescosolido and Georgianna's (1989) social network theory to examine the influence of social integration, religious integration, and religious-social regulation on attempted suicidal behavior in Seventh-day Adventist adolescents.

Method. The data used for this study came from the Valuegenesis (1989) survey conducted by the Search …

The Theology And The Function Of The Prayers In The Book Of Daniel, Paul Birch Petersen

Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the theology and the function of the prayers in the Book of Daniel.

The introduction reviews the scholarly literature in regard to the prayers of the Old Testament in general and the prayers in the Book of Daniel in particular. Recent studies of prayers in the Old Testament have focused on their theological function in their final literary setting. They have also turned their attention to prayer as part of a process of communication, of a divine-human dialogue, and consequently this study is structured from the aspect of interpersonal relationships.

Chapter 1 deals with Daniel and his …

The Role Of The Holy Spirit In Biblical Interpretation: A Study In The Writings Of James I. Packer, Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Dissertations

Evangelical scholars have forcefully articulated their views on the Holy Spirit's supernatural work in producing an inspired and authoritative Bible. Yet, comparatively little attention has been given to the Spirit's role in biblical interpretation. Two vital questions are prompted by this apparent indifference to the Spirit's work in interpretation: (1) Should the Evangelical doctrine of Scripture be rested on the deistic concept that the Holy Spirit, having inspired the Bible, departed and left the church alone to wrestle with the problems of interpretation? (2) If one admits that the Holy Spirit plays a part in the interpretative process, what is …

Religious Educator As Rabbinic Disciple: A Theology Of Teaching, Larry J. Huiras

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Key Administrative Decisions In The History Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Education In Bermuda, Leslie C. Holder

Dissertations

Problem. In 1993, during the celebration of fifty years of continuous Christian education in Bermuda, it became strikingly evident that the Seventh-day Adventist Church had no single literary, historical compilation of SDA education in the country. This research can help to fill this information void.

Method. Seven key administrative decisions have been identified as being of paramount importance in influencing the manner in which SDA education has developed in Bermuda: (1) the initial decision to found an SDA school, (2) the relocation of the school to the Sandringham property, (3) the expansion from eight grades to twelve, (4) the choices …

Ammon In The Hebrew Bible: A Textual Analysis And Archaeological Context Of Selected References To The Ammonites Of Transjordan, James Roger Fisher

Dissertations

The study of the Transjordanian Iron-Age (ca. 1200-550 BC) state of Ammon is important to students of the Bible because of the numerous references to the Ammonites (bene 'ammon) included in the historical and prophetic sections of the Hebrew canon. The book of Genesis traces the ancestry of the "Sons of Ammon" to an eponymous ancestor named Ben Ammi--son/grandson of Abraham's nephew Lot (Gen 39:17).

Chapter 1 points out how Ammon--though often ignored or slighted in studies up to the mid-20th century--increasingly receives scholarly attention. It also shows a need for applying the results of archaeological research to facilitate a …

The Laws Of Clean And Unclean Animals Of Leviticus 11: Their Nature, Theology, And Rationale (An Intertextual Study), Jiří Moskala

Dissertations

The present dissertation attempts to fill the gap in Pentateuchal studies on the Mosiac dietary laws concerning clean and unclean animals by investigating the nature, theology, and rationale of the food regulations.

My study is divided into four chapters. After an introduction (where the problem of the topic, methodology, limits, purpose, and justification of the study are presented) chapter 1 deals with the chronological development of the interpretation of the laws of clean and uncle food. Chapter 2 reviews relevant explanations of these laws topically, analyzes them, and briefly evaluated the different approaches to the Pentateuchal dietary laws. Chapter 3 …

Analysis And Evaluation Of Vladimir Lossky's Doctrine Of Theosis, Eugene Zaitsev

Dissertations

This dissertation analyzes and evaluates the doctrine of theosis as it is presented in the work of Vladimir Lossky, one of the leading contemporary spokesmen for Orthodox theology. Two main questions set up the purpose of the study: Is Lossky's soteriological position biblical, and is Lossky's understanding of theosis in agreement with the tradition he belongs to.

The method of study is historical-analytical. First, the development of the idea of theosis is traced in the Greek Fathers, in the Byzantine tradition (mainly Gregory Palamas), and in Lossky's immediate antecedents in the Russian religious tradition. This historical background identifies two major …

Power In Religious Organizations: A Study Of Principals' Perspectives As Seen In Three Religious High Schools In Michigan, Patrick L. Allen

Dissertations

Problem. Power is a phenomenon that is known to almost everyone, and is evident in any relationship that involves at least two individuals. Despite its inescapability, not many individuals are aware of its nature and characteristics and how it displays itself, especially in the organizational setting. This study focused on how power displays itself in religious organizations, and described particular activities that occur in the context of three religious schools in Michigan.

Method. To accomplish the purpose of the study the literature on power was reviewed to identify the existing theories. This documentary approach was combined with case studies to …

The Development Of A Church-Based Seminar On The Impact Of Historicist Eschatology Upon Seventh-Day Adventist Marital Life, Etzer Obas

Dissertations

Problem. The reading of Eph 5:25-27 shows that Christ will marry the church in a state of holiness and blamelessness. Family life on earth must follow the model of the love of Jesus for the church. But there are no guides, seminars, or studies that combine marital life and preparation for Christ's second coming.

Method. This dissertation developed a seminar that emphasized the belief in the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ as accepted by the Apostolic Church. Such belief affects all aspects of the Christian life and particularly the family lifestyle. The seminar tied together eschatology and family …

The Rhetorical Strategy Of Paul's Letter To The Galatians In Its Anatolian Cultic Context: Circumcision And The Castration Of The Galli Of The Mother Of The Gods, Susan Elliott

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Predictors Of Divorce Adjustment Among Members Of Three Conservative Protestant Denominations, Andreas Erben

Dissertations

Problem. Only a few attempts have been made thus far to explore the situation of Christian divorced men and women in a scholarly manner. The basic question for this research was to find out what social factors, religious factors, and coping strategies are related to the divorce adjustment of divorced Christians who are members of predominately conservative Protestant denominations and how well these Christians adjust to divorce.

Method. The population for this research project was composed of all currently divorced men and women residing in the United States of America who are members of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, the Church …

The Empirical Development Of An Instructional Product Designed To Enhance The Cognitive Awareness Of And The Modification Of Affect Toward The Disability Condition, Rikard Ashmore Bailey

Dissertations

Problem. The Seventh-day Adventist church had no empirically developed instructional product in the form of an educational curriculum designed to enhance the cognitive awareness of and the modification of affect toward the disability condition. The purpose of this project was to develop empirically an instructional product in disability awarenesstraining for Seventh-day Adventist church members and their guests so to better build aninteractive, empowered, and inclusive sense of community.

Method. The developmental process of Baker and Schutz (1971) was used to produce and validate the instructional product. First, the content of the curriculum to train Seventh-day Adventist church members and their …

The Time Of The Reign Of Christ In 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 In Light Of Early Christian Session Theology, Roger P. Lucas

Dissertations

This dissertation reviews interpretations of the time of the Reign of Christ portrayed in 1 Cor 15:24-28 in light of early Christian Session Tradition. From an assessment of these views, it determines whether, and to what degree, utilizing contemporary tradition is warranted in order to comprehend Paul's assumed understanding regarding the temporal scope of Christ's rule.

The survey of interpretations shows that opinions are divided between two primary theses: a post-Parousia Reign of Christ and a pre-Parousia Reign of Christ. This scholarly impasse exists because there is a lack of explicit data regarding the beginning point of Christ's reign and …

The Ethical Methodology Of Richard A. Mccormick, S.J.: As Applied To Treatment Decisions For Defective Neonates, Peter A. Clark

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Selected Factors Influencing Academic Success Of First-Year Students In Seventh-Day Adventist Secondary Schools In Rwanda, Salomon Maniraguha

Dissertations

Problem. Seventh-day Adventist secondary schools recruit students through a severe entrance examination. However, after 9 months of schooling, more than 20% fail without possibility of repeating the grade or pursuing studies in less academically challenging schools. They are pushed out without means of coping with real life. This situation has multiple negative impacts on families who sell all their belongings in order to send their children to school where they can be prepared for a better life. It is for the interest of the Rwandese to learn which factors may contribute to maintaining these students in school.

Method. Data were …

A Critical Study Of Carl F. H. Henry's Portrayal Of The Human Role In Revelation And Inspiration, Boxter Kharbteng

Dissertations

This dissertation investigated Carl F. H. Henry's portrayal of the human role in his doctrines of revelation and inspiration. The study queried whether his depiction of that role in revelation is harmonious or consistent with the one given in inspiration. This question arises from a consideration of Henry's own formulation of his doctrines of revelation, inspiration, and man. The thesis of this dissertation is that inasmuch as man has the innate ability to receive, understand, and impart revelation without divine help, he should likewise be expected to exercise that ability at the level of inspiration without detailed or comprehensive superintendence …

The Laying On Of Hands On Joshua: An Exegetical Study Of Numbers 27:12-23 And Deuteronomy 34:9, Keith Edward Mattingly

Dissertations

This study investigates the procedural techniques, symbolic meanings, and tangible effects of the laying on of hands (samach yad) in the installation of Joshua to the position of Israel's leader as presented in Num 27:12-23 and Deut 34:9.

The Introduction reviews the purpose, delimitations, and methodology of the dissertation and also provides a review of the different and sometimes conflicting opinions regarding the significance of Joshua's installation and of the significance of his receiving the laying on of hands.

Chapter 1 offers a study of the ancient Near Eastern cognates and related terms of samach and yad in a representative …

A Comparative Study Of The Sabbath Theologies Of A.H. Lewis And J.N. Andrews, Siegfried H. Roeske

Dissertations

Problem. Although Seventh Day Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists share a common heritage in the Sabbath doctrine, it has been recognized that significant differences in the Sabbath theologies of the denominations are distinguishable. However, literature that substantiates the nature of the differences in theology has not been researched and compared. The purpose of this study was primarily to investigate and compare differences in the theology of the two denominations as seen in the writings of representative theologians Seventh Day Baptist A. H. Lewis and Seventh-Adventist J. N. Andrews, and secondarily to consider how the differences may have affected the vitality of …

The Contribution Of Terminological Patterns To The Literary Structure Of Leviticus, Wilfried Warning

Dissertations

The aim and purpose of this dissertation is to investigate both the microstructure and macrostructure of Leviticus on the basis of terminological patterns.

The first chapter deals with the method of analysis and the scope of the study. Aiming at detecting thestructural outline, it is concerned only with terminology and not with the theology of Leviticus. The methodology employed is one aspect of rhetorical criticism.

Chapter 2 presents the basic working hypothesis: Leviticus has been structured by means of thirty-seven divine speeches (DS). The plausibility of this hypothesis is tested by applying it to Lev 16:1, by investigating the terminological …

The Michael Figure In The Book Of Daniel, Lewis O. Anderson

Dissertations

Problem. In the book of Daniel, The Michael figure, although mentioned only three times, occupies a prominent position in history and at the eschaton as the heavenly guardian prince of Israel. The Michael problem, although complex, may be understood as basically twofold: Who is Michael? What is Michael's function?

In the first question, a basic issue is whether Michael is a prominent angel, or a divine, messianic being. Another issue in this same question is the extent to which Michael is to be identified with other OT beings, within or outside the book of Daniel, such as the Son of …

The Use And Abuse Of Authority: An Investigation Of The Ἐξουσία Passages In Revelation, Laszlo I. Hangyas

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to carry outa linguistic, structural, and exegetical investigation of the term ἐξουσία as it occurs in the Greek text of the Apocalypse.

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the pertinent literature dealing with ἐξουσία. The review follows a chronological order to demonstrate a trend in the development of ἐξουσία studies. Earlier works put more emphasis on the meaning of power or authority, whereas recent studies point to liberty and right as the primary meaning of ἐξουσία. The current tendency emphasizes philosophical and socio-ethical aspects without due consideration of the etymology of the term.

Chapter …

Eschatological Paradigm And Moral Theory In Contemporary Christian Ethics: Stephen Charles Mott And Thomas W. Ogletree, Larry Lee Lichtenwalter

Dissertations

Twentieth-century re-interpreted eschatology introduces a paradigm for Christian ethics that engenders significant divergence among Christian ethicists in the way its application influences moral theory. These divergences indicate the need to clarify the issues revolving around its methodological application in order to bring credible structure for applying the eschatological paradigm in Christian ethics.

A set of analytical distinctions and procedural suggestions in this study provide an extensive framework for comparatively observing where ethicists begin, move, and end in terms of using eschatology as paradigm in their moral theory: (1) role and function of paradigms, (2) levels of paradigm operation (macro, meso, …

Metaphors And Similes For Yahweh In Hosea 14:2-9 (1-8) : A Study Of Hoseanic Pictorial Language, Bernhard Oestreich

Dissertations

Problem.

Compared with the effort to interpret other parts of the book of Hosea, especially the first three chapters, the final chapter has been rather neglected. Additionally, the variety of explanations offered for certain biblical images in Hos 14 indicates a necessity to clarify the methods of interpretation of biblical metaphorical language.

Method.

Chapter 1 clarifies the theory of metaphors on which the study is based.

Chapter 2 determines the limitation and the structure of the passage Hos 2:2-9 (Eng. 1-8). In chapters 3 to 6 the metaphors and similes of this passage which refer to Yahweh, i.e., "healing," "loving," …

The Gospel And Ignatius Of Antioch, Charles Thomas Brown

Dissertations

No abstract provided.