Religion Commons^™

From Servant To Co-Creator: Towards A Civic Ecclesiology, Marie-Louise Ström

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

The Mission Of The Church: Its Misconceptions And My Proposal And Claim, Horacio Castillo

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

Cultivating Biblical Imagination Through Preaching, Edward N. Kay

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Explores the ways preaching can help increase familiarity and comfort with scripture so people are able to interpret their daily experiences and lifetime milestones with God’s story revealed in the Bible. The importance of narrative is explored, especially in relationship with competing narratives in today’s world. A variety of forms of interactive preaching are explored to evaluate the ability of the sermon to increase biblical imagination: biblical storytelling, people talking to one another, and writing down reflections to act on in the future. Sermons were preached in multiple ELCA congregation in a variety of contexts.

Exploring The Effectiveness Of Field Preaching Evangelism In The United Methodist Church, Paul D. Johnsen

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Explores present-day versions of John Wesley’s field-preaching. Wesley preached in fields, at marketplaces and in a variety of other outdoor settings. Field-preaching requires pastors to take their preaching ministry beyond church buildings. This thesis considers the effectiveness of pastors who preach at restaurants, coffee shops, bars and in rented spaces. It also evaluates the cost of these efforts. It argues that reclaiming this historic Methodist practice helps reach a population and demographic currently not served by most United Methodist congregations.

Mystagogical Preaching In The Episcopal Church: Connecting Sermon And Liturgy, Daniel John Justin

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Seeks to determine the effectiveness of mystagogical preaching for communicating the theology of the Episcopal Church as it is presented in the liturgies of the Book of Common Prayer. Mystagogy is a liturgical theology leading worshipers deeper into the mysteries of the faith as they are experienced in the liturgy. This study uses an action/reflection research method seeking to determine participants understanding of the liturgical rites in question prior to the sermon and if that understanding changes after hearing a mystagogical sermon. Surveys including both quantitative and qualitative questions are used to measure effectiveness of this style of preaching.

The Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength: How Your Passions Can Serve God's Mission In The World, Jay Grave

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This participatory action research project utilizes praxis events to enhance the understanding of Lutheran vocation in relationship to joy bringing activities. The research question driving this project is,

How would a participatory action research (PAR) intervention utilizing praxis events encourage congregational members to recognize and exercise their own gifts and passions as avenues of joyous participation in God’s mission in the world?

Data were collected through baseline and end-line interviews, transcribed meetings of a journey team, and census surveys. Data revealed that participation did yield a positive change effect on the understanding of joy bringing passions to enhance the missional …

Preaching Effectively To The Unchurched, Rodney Reed Carlson

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Explores the question of how to preach effectively today to the growing number of Americans who have never regularly attended church or long ago stopped attending. The current challenges of Biblical illiteracy in the population, an increasing cultural hostility toward Christians, and a growing perception by many (especially the millennial generation) of the irrelevancy of Christianity are addressed. Biblical preaching that has proven to be ineffective with the unchurched is noted with special focus given to preaching that has been proven to be effective.

Lift Up Your Hearts: Preaching Grace Effectively As A Pastoral Response To Shame, Harold Kenyon

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Proposes preaching grace effectively as pastoral response to shame. Sources include Robert Albers, Robin Stockitt, James Fowler, Serene Jones and Cameron Harder. Argues fall-redemption theology harms those experiencing shame. Employs shame as alternative lens for reading scripture. Explores social, biblical and theological dimensions of shame. Differentiates shame and guilt. Demonstrates shame’s connections to mental illness, trauma, and addiction. Honors people’s formative narratives. Claims baptismal basis for identity. Seeks preaching practices that build resilience from shame’s spiritual and psychological consequences. Identifies narrative practices enhancing understanding God’s acceptance. Offers insight into crafting sermons that celebrate identity within a reconciled future.

Preparing Transformational Sermons: An Attitudinal Model Of Sermonic Application, Donald G. Bryant Jr.

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This mixed method, action-reflection project explores the results of attitudinal rather than a behavioral sermon-application model. The research project delves into the change in the listener’s perceptions, thoughts, and beliefs through sermons deliberately designed for attitudinal application of the gospel. My project will attempt to assess whether such an intentional focus on attitudinal application can impact heart transformation. I hoped to study sermons that transform the human heart as opposed to legalistic (behavior-based) sermons within evangelical churches.

Preaching More Effectively To Multiple Generations, Lynne Kammeraad

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This thesis explores the possibility of preaching more effectively to multiple generations at the same time. There are currently six generations (G.I., Silent, Boomer, Generation X, Millennial, and Unnamed) represented in the congregation where this research was conducted. First-person narrative, object-based, and story-based sermon styles were presented and tested to determine if a particular style was more effective. The definition used for effective preaching included the need for instruction, a delightful presentation, and persuasion to be present. Preaching effectively to multiple generations has the potential of shaping other ministries in the church in profound ways, and build strong multi-generational churches.

Telling The Old, Old Stories: Reconnecting With Jesus' Parables Through Biblical Storytelling, Kathryn L. Skoglund

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Suggests the use of biblical storytelling as a means of presenting Jesus’ parables in order to regain their original power. Uses the practice of biblical storytelling, contrasted with simple reading of the text from the Bible. Examines the responses of congregations from two churches comparing reactions of those who heard six parables told as a story to those who heard them read from the Bible. Also notes the connection the method of presentation of the parables has to listeners’ engagement with the sermon. Includes discussion with confirmation-aged students regarding the efficacy of biblical storytelling.

Wesleyan Missional Small Groups: Three Crucial Attributes, David Werner

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Mixed methods (simple exploratory and participatory action research) study explored ways congregations can draw upon both the United Methodist heritage and the missional approach to foster spiritual formation using small groups that make sense to the postmodern culture and lead to behavior changes.

Three crucial attributes of vital, faith-forming small groups are: creating authentic community (belonging – engaging one another), engaging the Holy Spirit (believing – engaging God), and helping participants make applications to their daily lives (behaving – engaging real life). Congregations must do the hard work of contextualizing these and hold all three together for small groups to …

Cultivating The Holy Callings Of Ordinary Saints: The Church At Work For The Life Of The World, Jeffrey A. Eisele

Doctor of Ministry Theses

The Christian Church has long struggled to make better connections between Sunday and Monday by effectively equipping the priesthood of all believers for living out its faith in the world. This thesis reports the results of a participatory action research project aimed at cultivating connections between faith, baptismal callings, daily work, and the missio Dei through several congregational interventions. The results showed the effectiveness of cultivating a congregational culture through worship, faith formation activities, service, and especially small groups, for the purpose of strengthening congregation members’ witness in the workplace.

Led To Lead: Vocational Discernment And Emerging Pastoral Leadership In The Reformed Church In America, Tanner Smith

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This mixed-methods sequential exploratory research project investigates the leadership development practices of two Christian organizations—a multi-site church and seminary—within the Reformed Church in America. The study identifies the best practices of both organizations for building vocational discernment capacity in emerging leaders, and compares the practices of the organizations in an attempt to foster dialogue that leads to collaboration in leadership development efforts.

Preaching From A Biblical Anthropology: Sources And Methods For Correlating The Gospel And The Human Condition, Paul N. D. Miller

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Preachers’ understandings of the human condition are foundational to preaching that is faithful and effective, yet are often unreflective or dogmatic. Biblical anthropology provides both revelation about humankind and a variety of perspectives, aiding the preacher in addressing diverse situations. Topics explored: Old Testament anthropology undergirding the New; the fundamental unity of the human being; the differentiation of law, sin, and human nature; the doctrine of theological anthropology; law and gospel preaching. Research draws on preachers’ journals and listener feedback surveys to identify and demonstrate patterns of creative proclamation of the human situation and a corresponding Gospel response.

Earth Stewardship And The Missio Dei: Participating In The Care And Redemption Of All God Has Made, David M. Carlson

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This explanatory sequential mixed methods research project surveyed leaders and conducted focus group interviews in an ELCA synod. It evaluated earthkeeping practices and perceptions using several lenses: sustainability, globalization, global civil society, nature as active subject, stewardship as participating in God’s mission, perichoresis as modeling reciprocal relationships with nature, eschatological themes of redemption and reformation, and sacramental imagination. Results revealed concern about environmental challenges, openness to earth stewardship, significant differences by political preference, and more pronounced personal than congregational practices. Congregations with creation care teams have promising capacity to exhibit earth stewardship’s missional character through personal, congregational, and community engagement.

Coram Deo Et Coram Mundo: The Two Kinds Of Righteousness As A Normative Framework For The Description, Interpretation, And Healing Of Shame, Barson Lahivelo Mahafaly

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

Contemporary pastoral theologians, though describing and interpreting shame from an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing both from theology and psychology, tend to propose healing for shame only from a theological perspective. Transposing Martin Luther’s doctrine of the two kinds of righteousness into an interdisciplinary framework, this work proposes that pastoral theologians need to describe and interpret shame as well as suggest strategies for its healing from both theological and social-scientific perspectives.

Luther distinguishes between two kinds of righteousness, one passive and the other active. Passive righteousness is the righteousness of Christ bequeathed to us through the Word and the Sacraments (baptism and …

Relational Pastoral Care And Counseling: A Practical Theological Exploration Of Relational Spirituality And Grief, Joel A. Jueckstock

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

What is the relationship between relational spirituality and grief? This dissertation pursues this question by employing a practical theological method for practitioners of pastoral care and counseling when tending to unique grief experiences. Grief is understood in terms of contemporary bereavement science. Relational spirituality is developed as an interdisciplinary, interpretive lens with the capacity to describe how individuals relate to the sacred in light of four dimensions: human-human, human-God, God-human, and inner Trinitarian. The outworking of these dimensions suggests a relational approach to interdisciplinary dialogue. Applying relational spirituality to individuals’ unique grief experiences produces a process of care for tending …

Translating The Bible Into Khmer: Challenges And Opportunities, Kristofer Coffman

Bruce Prize Papers

No abstract provided.

Renewing Communities: Renewal Of The Church's Missional Identity, Molly Schroeder

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

The Apple Among The Trees: To Abraham (Pbodmer 30) And The Apple At The Sacrifice Of Isaac, Kevin J. Kalish

English Faculty Publications

The poem from the Bodmer Papyrus (PBodmer 30) To Abraham contains a number of perplexing phrases and images—one in particular is the ambiguous word μῆλον, which appears in no other known text on the Sacrifice of Isaac. In this poem Abraham, in place of his son Isaac, chooses the μῆλον. I contribute to our understanding of how the poem works by demonstrating what μῆλον signifies in this context. I argue that the poem deliberately uses the ambiguous word μῆλον precisely because it can mean both sheep and apple. Moreover, when the apple is understood in the context of patristic interpretations …

Jewish Apocalypticism: An Historiography, Natalie Latteri

Theology & Religious Studies

Chapter 3 of 'A Companion to the Premodern Apocalypse' in the series Brill's Companions to the Christian Tradition, Volume: 64

Racial Justice In Jesuit Higher Education Dialogue Series Program Evaluation, Ursula Aldana, Jane Bleasdale

Ignatian Colleagues Program

This is a 2-page evaluation form for the attendees of the Racial Justice in Jesuit Higher Education Dialogue Series.

Proposal On Mission As Diversity, Diversity As Mission: Community Dialogue Series, Ursula Aldana, Jane Bleasdale

Ignatian Colleagues Program

This is a 2-page email introducing the proposal for Mission as Diversity, Diversity as Mission: Community Dialogue Series. It briefly describes the proposal as well as the instructor bios and fees.

Covenanters Reading Scripture Through History, Mark Safstrom

Scandinavian Studies: Faculty Scholarship & Creative Works

This 12-page pamphlet was commissioned by the Evangelical Covenant Church as supplemental historical material to accompany a denomination-wide biblical literacy initiative called the "Community Bible Experience" in 2016. Four theologians and historians were asked to collaborated in writing; Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom (North Park Theological Seminary), Christopher Gehrz (Bethel University), Hauna Ondrey (North Park Theological Seminary), and Mark Safstrom (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). The purpose was to invite Covenant Church members to engage with the biblical reading practices as demonstrated through vignettes in the history of the Evangelical Covenant Church (1885–present), as well as its roots within the Protestant Reformation and …

Sensitivity, Blessing And Doxology: Archival Practice As Spiritual Discipline, Mcgarvey Ice

Library Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Jesus As Leader: A Sacred Texture Analysis Of Philippians 2: 5-11, Tracy H. Porter

The Journal of Traditions & Beliefs

No abstract provided.

Hex Workers: African American Women, Hoodoo, And Power In The Nineteenth- And Early Twentieth-Century U.S., Ann Kordas

The Journal of Traditions & Beliefs

No abstract provided.

Disclaimer

The Journal of Traditions & Beliefs

No abstract provided.

Gender And The Politics Of Exclusion In Pre-Colonial Ibadan: The Case Of Iyalode Efunsetan Aniwura, Olawale F. Idowu, Sunday A. Ogunode

The Journal of Traditions & Beliefs

No abstract provided.