Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons^™

Strobel's " The Ecumenical Edwards: Jonathan Edwards And The Theologians" (Book Review), Jeremy Labosier

The Christian Librarian

Strobel, K. C. (Ed.). (2015). The ecumenical Edwards: Jonathan Edwards and the theologians. New York: Routledge. 270 pp. $109.95. ISBN 9781317034568

Religion And Violence In Jesse James Films, 1972–2010, Travis Warren Cooper

Journal of Religion & Film

This essay analyzes recent depictions of Jesse James in cinema, examining filmic portrayals of the figure between the years of 1972 and 2010. Working from the intersection of the anthropology of film and religious studies approaches to popular culture, the essay fills significant gaps in the study of James folklore. As no substantial examinations of the religious aspects of the James myths exist, I hone in on the legend’s religiosity as contested in filmic form. Films, including revisionist Westerns, are not unlike oral-history statements recorded and analyzed by anthropologists, folklorists, and ethnographers. Jesse James movies, in other words, have much …

The Evangelists' Editorial Efforts; Matthean And Lukan Theology Vis-A-Vis A Few, Unique Parables, Benjamin C. Joseph Mr.

Religious Studies Theses and Dissertations

As an early Church Father and apologist in the 2nd century, Irenaeus contributed greatly to discourse on Christian theology, scripture, and tradition. However Irenaeus could not have been further from the truth when he exclaimed, “The parables will receive a like interpretation from all!”1 Had his prediction proven to be true, perhaps there would not be much to say about the parables in the Christian Gospels. Yet a single, universally accepted interpretation of any one parable did not exist during Jesus’ earthly ministry, and certainly does not exist today. Why, then, does Jesus speak in parables? Why would a religious …

A Proposal For Leadership Transition In Ministry: A Proactive Approach, Fred Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The development of leaders for future ministry and equipping them to lead and mentor the next generation of leaders effectively must be an absolute necessity for continued church success. Leaders should endeavor to actively discern gifts and talents early in potential leaders. Once recognized, it is the leader’s responsibility to develop and prepare others for leadership transitions. Previous research has shown that churches have a leadership vacuum because of the lack of leadership development and transition utilizing a proactive approach. There is a trust factor created between the present and future leadership secondary to proper training and unwillingness to relinquish …

Five Practical Steps For Increasing Church Membership: A Case Study Of First Baptist Church Of Venice, Florida, Christopher Cornette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Bible implores Christians to commit themselves to one another for spiritual growth and personal accountability. This valuable mandate is best recognized in the New Testament as the local church. Many church leaders do not aggressively seize the opportunity to engage church attenders in making the church membership commitment. This thesis project will analyze and investigate the church membership growth processes of ten churches in three different denominations. This author will interview in depth the senior staff members as it relates to their effectiveness in moving attenders to church members compared with First Baptist Church of Venice. This church has …

Crisp And Sanders' "Locating Atonement: Explorations In Constructive Dogmatics" (Book Review), Greg Rosauer

The Christian Librarian

A review of Crisp, O., & Sanders, F. (Eds.). (2015). Locating atonement: Explorations in constructive dogmatics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 256 pp. $26.99. ISBN 9780310521167

A Study On The Development Of Professional Young Adult Pastors For Korean Churches, Hyeong Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

At the end of the twentieth century, young adult ministries experienced abundant revivals through the churches and campuses of colleges, but are now much reduced. One of the causes is that there were not enough professional pastors for the young adult ministries. The revival and growth of young adult ministries in Korea is largely dependent upon the leaders who lead the ministries. This research emphasizes the importance of young adult ministries in Korean churches and aims to develop concrete manuals for pastors who can appropriately perform their ministries. In doing so, it will point out the roles for young adult …

The Formation Of A Church Community United With A Local Community: The Case Of Vision Village In Changwon, Kyungsangnamdo, Hang Cho

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to build a platform for a united community of church and local residents. In the community, the church expands its boundaries so as to become embedded in the local resident community. Nowadays, Korean churches have lost the public character and the ability to fulfill their social roles and functions in the community. As a result, the churches have low reputation and influence in society, and they face the crisis of reductions in the number of churches and its members. For the sake of overcoming these problems of Korean churches, the thesis studies biblical …

A Study On The Comparison Of Pastoral Succession Cases In Korean Churches, Chang Choi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis is to study invitation and succession cases of senior pastors in Korean churches. This thesis is written as Korean churches are currently facing major issues concerning the succession of senior pastors from the first generation to the second generation. The study deals with the biblical backgrounds and theological foundations of the Old and New Testament in relation to pastoral succession. It also compares and analyzes various pieces of data. The investigation of the invitation types is designed to contribute toward discovering what may be the most desirable invitation system for senior pastors. Surveys were distributed …

A Fresh Inquiry Into The Fate Of The Un-Evangelized: A Traditional Dispensational Perspective, Mark Carlton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A Fresh Inquiry into the Fate of the Un-evangelized: A Traditional Dispensational Approach This inquiry revisits the question of the fate of those have died never having heard the gospel. It explores the question from the Traditional Dispensational perspective. It argues that salvific grace has always been available to the un-evangelized through the Eternal Gospel which is and always has been universally communicated through natural revelation. The inquiry begins with a lengthy examination and critique of the answers which have been proposed for the question under consideration – and related topics -- from the apostolic age until modern times. Included …

Identification, Intervention, And Implementation Of A Church Substance-Abuse Program For Twenty-Six To Forty-Six Year Olds, Michael Schmidt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Peer-reviewed empirical research indicates that the church can improve how it equips ministers to reach out to twenty-six to forty-six year olds suffering from substance abuse. This thesis project will help ministers evaluate, rethink, and implement better addiction-outreach programs. It is the intent of this thesis project to guide ministers and church workers, to give them levelheaded, real-world, hands-on, sensible solutions in order to see clear-cut positive progress in their outreach program to substance abusers. This thesis will answer the question: Is the church doing a good job of identifying and ministering to substance-abusing addicts? This doctoral thesis will provide …

A Study On The Church Growth Method Through The Vitalization Of Small Groups In Traditional Korean Churches: The Case Of Daegu Dong-Sung Church, Byung Min

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nowadays, Korean society is faced with social issues, like individualism arising from fast growth. The traditional society has become dominated by individual interest and intention, as well as by new social aspects such as the loss of community ethics at large. This can also be seen in Korean churches; we have noticed an increase in Sunday service visitors and unregistered members. This change has brought a number of spiritual crisis into churches and is even a huge crisis in and of itself. In this regard, through research on church growth through small group ministry in traditional Korean churches, this study …

The Two Goats: A Christian Yom Kippur Soteriology, Richard Barry

Dissertations (1934 -)

This dissertation draws on recent historical-critical research into ancient Jewish temple theology, the priestly book of Leviticus, and especially the Yom Kippur liturgy of Leviticus 16, to develop a more paradoxical interpretation of Christ’s saving work for modern Christian systematic theology. Prompted by the pioneering research of Jacob Milgrom, there has been a surge in sympathetic interpretations of the priestly theological tradition, which has inspired fresh interpretations of the Levitical Day of Atonement. I argue that an adequate Christian theory of atonement must be attentive to both the overall “landscape” of Jewish biblical thought, and to the specific rhythm of …

The Challenge Of Being In The Minority: Palestinian Christian Theology In Light Of Christian Zionism Post-1948, Medhat S. Yoakiem

Master of Theology Theses

No abstract provided.

“I Am The Mahar Of Your Mahars:” Cokhāmelā, The Modern Dalit Movement, And The Dalit Christian Theology, Chris Conway

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

Over the last century, Cokhāmelā’s place and prominence in the Modern Dalit Movement and Dalit Christian theology have waned significantly. As the liberating potential of his work failed to be actualized, and more recent Dalit figures like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and movements like Dalit Sahitya began to examine his work and life more critically, Cokhāmelā and his abhangas were found inadequate. Cokhāmelā became identified as one whose conscientisation remained incomplete, primarily because he failed to convert from Hinduism and saw his caste through the lens of karma. This essay re-examines Cokhāmelā’s life, death, and legacy so as to reassess his …

Cognitive And Emotional Processes Involved In The Experience Of Objects As Holy Or Transcendent, Lotte J. Pummerer

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, attitudes about religion/spirituality have become more pluralistic (Pew Research Center, 2015a). At the same time, the number of individuals who identify themselves as nonreligious, atheist or agnostic are growing (Pew Research Center, 2015b), yet we are lacking words and research to describe their attributions of transcendence in language not bound to religious concepts. This study aims at examining both concepts – holiness and transcendence – in their similarities and differences through assessing cognitive and emotional processes involved in experiences of objects.

The study consisted of two parts with a total of 206 Christian and 52 nonreligious/atheistic/agnostic participants. …

“Man, Don’T Feel Like A Woman”: Christian Scriptural Interpretations, The Binary Gender System, And How They Can Lead To Misogyny And Homophobia, Alyssa Froehling

Audre Lorde Prize

This paper utilizes different analyses of scripture to argue that a binary gender system is not inherent in Christianity. Contemporary societal norms placed onto Christianity contribute to the oppression of women and those in LGBTQ+ communities.

The Battle Is Real: Spiritual Warfare, Discipleship, And The Christian “Soldier”, Frank Hain

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current literature demonstrates a plethora of material focused on various deliverance techniques, yet very little material is available to assist pastors with developing a spiritual warfare “basic training” plan. The purpose of this project is to illuminate a ministry’s desperate need to adopt a spiritual warfare worldview, to present the basic elements essential to a spiritual warfare basic training plan, and to create an effective strategy for implementing such a plan. Based on surveys and questionnaires sent to pastors and other ministry leaders, the project reveals the need for a spiritual warfare basic training plan for any …

The Study On The Problems Of The Current Korean Churches, Hai Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christianity in South Korean experienced unusually rapid growth for almost 100 years: The revival of church members, the growth of prayer, worship, and evangelism. However, current Korean churches face many problems that have stopped the growth, and actually put the Korean church in a decline. The problems, but are not limited to, are unethical aspects of pastor; including tax problem, huge church constructions, and loving materials. Korean churches should know why these kinds of problems occur and what the solutions are. There are many studies regarding the development of Korean churches but there are few studies examining the problems of …

Equipping A Local Congregation For Saturation Evangelism At The Emmaus Missionary Baptist Church, Willie David Mcclung Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the research project was to determine if a local church has failed to equip the congregation with the tools needed to share their faith, and saturate the local community with the Gospel message; and if so, to provide immediate training and test the results for its effectiveness at the Emmaus Missionary Baptist Church, Owings Mills, Maryland. Participants heard four consecutively evangelistic sermons, which were preached during the 10:45 a.m. worship service. In addition, after each sermon the participants attended a workshop that covered: (1) The biblical mandate, biblical definition, and meaning of evangelism; (2) The biblical method …

A Model For Biblical Worldview Development In Evangelical Christian Emerging Adults, Roger Erdvig

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to develop a model of Biblical worldview development during emerging adulthood for Evangelical Christians, ages 18-23. Participants (N = 20) were Christian emerging adults who were nominated as having strong Biblical worldviews. Data was collected via personal worldview development timelines, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group session with select participants. Analysis of the data was conducted utilizing Corbin and Strauss’ (2015) grounded theory analysis protocol. The model generated in this study suggests that maturation in Biblical worldview results from employing various means to process the different prompts that Christian emerging adults encounter. …

An Effectiveness Survey Study Of Theophostic Prayer Ministry, Brigitte Ritchey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study assessed the perceived level of effectiveness of Thoephostic Prayer Minister (TPM) as measured by recipients’ overall and specific ratings of TPM’s impact on their lives, and assessed the validity of concerns that TPM leads to unusually high rates of negative outcomes. Method: Using a cross-sectional design, recipients completed a self-administered survey following their weekly session during one week of data collection at three different geographic locations across the United States. Data was analyzed for frequencies using one-way ANOVA’s. Results: Findings revealed 94% of respondents indicated that their overall problems improved, with 35% indicating the highest rating of improvement. …

Developing A Strategy To Make Young Adult Disciples In Korean Churches: Focusing On God’S Word In A Discipleship Process, Hyun Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There are many discipleship programs in Korean churches; however, the programs have not had positive effects on young adult for the purpose of developing disciple makers. Discipleship for young adult requires many elements in the process including God’s word, fellowship, training in Christian habits, and spiritual maturity. The purpose of the thesis is to examine Jesus’ and the Apostles’ discipleship processes and to suggest a strategy for making young adult multiply in Korean churches, focusing on God’s words as a discipleship making process. This study will explore discipleship processes of the New Testament and discuss how God’s Word has an …

Leadership Principles And Applications For Establishing A Christ-Centered Church In South Korea, Dongho Cho

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide a Christ-centered, biblical Great Commission model for Presbyterian Church pastors in South Korea. Pastor Hanhum Ok said that there are many programs and forms without the spiritual vitality in the Korean Church. Many attractional churches attract people by relying heavily on programs that often alter the focus of believers onto the programs themselves and prevent them from focusing on Jesus Christ. To ensure that the church—the body of Christ—remains faithful to its biblical mandates, thesis project argues that the pastors must have leadership principles and applications in accordance to the Christ-centered biblical …

Contributors To Indian Catholicism: Interventions And Imaginings, Mathew Schmalz

Journal of Global Catholicism

Contributors to Indian Catholicism: Interventions and Imaginings, the inaugural issue of the Journal of Global Catholicism.

Authority, Representation, And Offense: Dalit Catholics, Foot Washing, And The Study Of Global Catholicism, Mathew Schmalz

Journal of Global Catholicism

In reflecting on a sharp scholarly exchange at a conference, this article explores issues of authority, representation, and offense in global Catholic and South Asian Studies. Focusing on the act of foot washing by Dalit Catholics, the article examines how scholarly offense is linked to particular claims of representational authority. The article also puts this discussion within the context of contemporary debates about Western portrayals of Indian culture and society.

The Tying Of The Ceremonial Wedding Thread: A Feminist Analysis Of “Ritual” And “Tradition” Among Syro-Malabar Catholics In India, Sonja Thomas

Journal of Global Catholicism

This article presents a feminist analysis of patriarchy persisting in Catholicism of the Syro-Malabar rite in Kerala. The article specifically considers the impact of charismatic Catholicism on women of the Syro-Malabar rite and argues that it is important to interrogate this new face of religiosity in order to fully understand how certain rituals are allowed to change and be fluid, while others, especially concerning female sexuality, are enshrined as “tradition” which often restricts the parameters for women’s empowerment and may reinforce caste and patriarchal hegemonies preventing feminist solidarity across different religious- and caste-based groups.

Dalit Catholic Home Shrines In A North Indian Village, Mathew Schmalz

Journal of Global Catholicism

This article examines three Catholic home shrines in a Dalit community in North Indian and argues that it is misleading to think that home shrines and other collections of material objects are somehow static conveyors of meaning. “Meaning” can mean many things or nothing at all, depending upon the terms we are using and the scholarly methods we deploy. The crucial aspect of Dalit Catholic home shrines is that they are literally open to interpretation and reinterpretation, to touching and being touched. Their significance—their meaning—depends not on decoding their structure or symbolic logic, but interacting with them as part of …

The Grace Of God And The Travails Of Contemporary Indian Catholicism, Kerry P. C. San Chirico

Journal of Global Catholicism

This essay discusses the challenges faced by Indian Catholicism, particularly as it seeks to adapt to and in contemporary, post-colonial India through the process or program of what is called inculturation, a self-conscious program of adaptation to Indian religion and culture. Since Indian Catholicism is constituted by so many irreducible persons-in-relation, the article focuses on the life of the Catholic priest, Swami Ishwar Prasad in whose life we may chart something of the inculturation movement and the Catholic tradition as it is found in North India region, in one rather long and rich lifetime connecting two centuries. The article seeks …

In Continuity With The Past: Indigenous Environmentalism And Indian Christian Visions Of Flora, James Ponniah

Journal of Global Catholicism

This article considers whether Indian Christianity can be said to have a distinctive ecological vision. The first two parts of the article examine Christian environmentalism in two native forms of Indian Christianity: Tamil Christianity and Tribal Christianity. Continuing with the theme of conformity to the local culture—though of the elite—the third part of the article investigates how Christian Ashrams function as dynamic centers for ecological praxis. The last part of the article considers how contemporary Indian Christian communities can respond to the ecological challenges confronting them.