Religion Commons^™

Desarrollo De Una Escuela De Discipulado En La Iglesia Del SéPtimo DíA De Chino, California, Misael De La Cruz

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The biblical concept of discipleship consists in training and equipping people so they can become responsible Christians. The idea of equipping church members for the ministry appears often in the New Testament. According to Paul, the work of equipping is a joint effort between the Deity and the Christian leader: “And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph 4:11, 12, NIV). The word “equipping” comes from the Greek katartizo, which means to prepare, equip, or perfect, as translated in other Bible …

The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In National Periodicals, 1982-1990, Matthew E. Morrison

Theses and Dissertations

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has continued to receive exposure in national periodicals. This thesis will explore that image from 1982 to 1990. During those years, the church continued to grow in membership and expand its existing programs.

National periodicals can assist in assessing the public image of the Church because they help "mould public attitudes by presenting facts and views on issues in exactly the same way at the same time throughout the entire country." In this manner, they help to form the public opinion about the Church. They also reflect existing opinions because magazine publishers …

The Gift Of Prophecy In The United Methodist Church, Keith P. Bohley

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Beauty In Worship : A Paradigm Incorporating Philosophical And Theological Attributes Of Beauty In Assessing Worship, Wayne Allen Price

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Stewardship Of Older Adults In The Church And Within The Broader Community, Yeonhyung Timothy Cho

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Study Using Spiritual Ideas Of Forgiveness In Christian Ministry To An Ethnic Congregation, Jong Mok Lee

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Diabolical Disneyland In Zion: The Mormons And The Mx, Jacob W. Olmstead

Theses and Dissertations

In September 1979 President Jimmy Carter publicly announced his decision to support the deployment of the MX missile and mobile basing scheme in Utah and Nevada. Despite local opposition and the close proximity of the proposed base to its headquarters, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) remained silent until 5 May 1981, when the First Presidency issued a statement opposing the MX plans. The purpose of this work is to narrate the history of the development of the Mormon position regarding the deployment of MX missile in the Great Basin and evaluate the response to the statement …

Staffing With Clergy Teams In The United Methodist Church, J. David Panther

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Who We Were Meant To Be : Communicating Core Values To All Saints Presbyterian Church In Singapore, Philip Jin Teck Huan

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Creating The Context To Raise Up People Into Ministry In The Local Church : Fanning The Flame, Richard James Phipps

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Christological And Ecclesial Pacifism Of Stanley Hauerwas-A Lutheran Analysis And Appraisal, Joel Lehenbauer

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

The first purpose of this study, therefore, is to explore and examine the nature and content of Hauerwas's pacifist convictions and claims as a way of understanding more deeply and clearly his contribution to contemporary theology and ethics. There are, as we will see, many different varieties of pacifism. What are the essential characteristics of Hauerwas's pacifism, and what distinguishes it from these other varieties? Where do his pacifist convictions fit into his program for reforming Christian ethics? How do they inform and impact his theology as a whole?

A second purpose will be to examine Hauerwas's pacifism in the …

Historical Background To Conflicts Over Religion In Public Schools, Charles L. Glenn

Pro Rege

Dr. Glenn’s paper was presented at the Spring Semester Convocation Ceremony Dinner at Dordt College, January 15, 2004.

"Historical Background To Conflicts Over Religion In Public Schools": A Response, Lloyd Den Boer

Pro Rege

This paper was presented in response to that of Dr. Charles Glenn.

Response To Dr. Charles Glenn, Paul Fessler

Pro Rege

This paper is a response to Dr. Glenn’s presentation.

Charles Glenn: A Response, Nick Lantinga

Pro Rege

This paper was given in response to Dr. Glenn’s presentation.

The Mentoring Of First-Time Leaders In The Church, Sterling Neville Gosman

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Mentoring Model Of Leadership Development In Improving The Self-Perceived Quality Of Leadership Teams At United Church Of God, Kevin E. Richardson

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Spirit Of God And The Salvation Of Israel-Recovery Of An Economic View Of The Trinity, Gayle Wilson

Master of Art Theology Thesis

In this thesis, I will survey the story of the Spirit of God in the pages of the Old Testament, in the salvation of God's people in their creation, their sustenance and their preservation until the gift of the promised Spirit-bearer, Jesus of Nazareth, i.e., an economic Spirit. We will examine the Hebrew word for Spirit, ruach, and will see how a concept which represents wind and breath is actually very substantive in meaning. I will briefly survey metaphors and symbols used of the Spirit to deepen our perception of the Spirit. We will see how the Spirit was active …

Towards Heterogeneous Faith Communities: Understanding Transitional Processes In Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In South Africa, Alan Parker, Ph.D.

Faculty Works

This dissertation examines racial transition toward heterogeneity in three Seventh-day Adventist congregations in South Africa. This dissertation aims to uncover social factors involved in this change as well as to set forth a theological direction with application to the local faith community.

The first section examines recent studies and literature on multiracial congregations, indicating a possible breakdown between theory and practice. Using insights from Kuhn, Gadamer, Habermas, and Geertz, a critical correlational approach is proposed using narrative, community-based praxis, dialectical thinking, and eschatological vision. The theological methods of Groome and Browning are combined to suggest a four-phase approach to practical …

Faith Seeking Action: Missio-Ecclesiology, Social Movements, And The Church As A Movement Of The People Of God, Gregory Paul Leffel

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Practices And Characteristics For Pastors Renewing Mainline Congregations: Case Studies From The Presbytery Of Memphis, G. Christopher Scruggs

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Apostolic Leadership Model That Enables Pastors To Develop A Passion To Reach The Unchurched, Charles C. Kyker

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Shembe, Ancestors, Or Christ?: A Missiological Inquiry Into The Status And Role Of Jesus Christ In The Amnazaretha Church, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa, Edley Joseph Moodley

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Bishop Bo Harald Giertz-Pietism And The Ordo Salutis-The Office Of The Holy Ministry, The Word, And Soul Care, Eric Andrae

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Though acknowledged as one of the most influential European churchman of the past century, and widely lauded in American Lutheran circles as the author of the acclaimed The Hammer of God, much remains to be learned in the U.S. of Bishop Emeritus Dr. Bo Harald Giertz (Gothenburg [Goteborg] diocese, Church of Sweden, served 1949-1970) and of his theology, especially concerning the specific doctrine which served as the foundation of the novel, the Order of Grace. Furthermore, interest in Giertz in America is increasing rapidly: several translation projects are underway, a film based on the first chapter of The Hammer of …

Moral Value And Market Values: The Impact On Africa In An Era Of Global Capitalism, Charles Stith

Trotter Review

In the era of global capitalism, the perennial tension between market and moral values has acquired new form and meaning. Ambassador Stith attempts to unravel the issues of morality within the context of a global market in recession, stagnated economies of the developing world, ever-changing technology and the reality of terrorism. Stith contends that the church has largely failed to reconcile the morality that it teaches, with the market in which it operates. He makes the argument that moral values are not just desirable; they are necessary for long-term survival of both the developing and developed world. The key, is …

Democracy Through An Undemocratic Institution? The Church As Part Of Civil Society, Anne Gathuo

Trotter Review

With the resurgence of civil society in the last two decades, the church has risen in importance as an agency for democracy, campaigning for government reform and conducting civic education among citizens. Yet the church remains internally undemocratic and rigidly traditional. Can an institution that refuses to embrace democratic practices help enhance democracy in the wider society in which it operates? The author discusses the advantages and disadvantages that the church has in democratization, relative to other groups in civil society.

Introduction, Castellano Turner

Trotter Review

This issue of the Trotter Review continues a tradition of focusing on a topic to which diverse perspectives can be brought together. The central role of the church in Black communities throughout the United States is widely acknowledged. That role goes well beyond providing a venue for worship and individual spiritual development. The role of the Black church in the Civil Rights Movement was a clear demonstration of its commitment to a broader mission. Although movements may fade away, the Black church has consistently redefined itself to attend to the real and current problems facing its membership and the broader …

The Diffusion Of Christianity Among Urban Chinese People In Diaspora: The Case Of Metropolitan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wilbur P. Stone

ATS Dissertations

This study identifies various factors involved in the diffusion of Christianity and the growth and expansion of the church among the urban Chinese diaspora in the greater Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area (KL) of Maluysia. Specifically, the research is designed to determine whether principles and theories related to the diffusion of innovations could inform or help explain the diffusion of Christianity and growth of the church. The study is further informed by insights, principles, and theories from literature related to other areas of study including Chinese religion and culture, religious conversion studies, church growth, urban ministry, and missiology. In addition to …

An Examination Of The Left, Right And Center Parties In The American Lutheran Controversy Of The Mid-Nineteenth Century, Philip Hendrickson

Master of Art Theology Thesis

James Voelz recently published a two-part essay in Concordia Journal entitled, “Contemporary Americans Make Poor Confessional Lutherans."! In his essay, Dr. Voelz points out that the rampant liberty that permeates American life is constantly at odds with the desire of Lutherans to remain confessional, doctrinal and liturgical. He states, "All of the factors involved in such a church, viz., doctrinal formulations, confessional statements, and uniform liturgical practices, are restrictive and non-libertarian. They rub against the grain of every contemporary American. Which means that to embrace them is to be truly counter-cultural.”

This tension between being Lutheran and being American is …

Growing In Wisdom And Stature And In Favor With God And Humanity: Holistic Christian Mentoring With A Small Group Component, David Paul Koppel

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.