Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons^™

Caring For Our Neighbors: Public Prayer As A Pastoral Tool For Multicultural Communities, Gilbert Perez

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

Throughout 2025 and in the first few months of 2026 there has been an increased presence of immigration law enforcement in the state of Minnesota, which has extended into the central Minnesotan diocese of St. Cloud.

From Overbearing Austerity To Holy Longing: Comparing The Observance Of Lent In Rm And Rb, Travis Spillum Osb

Obsculta

This work compares the chapter on Lenten observance in the Rule of the Master and the Rule of Saint Benedict. Textual analysis reveals Benedict’s aversion to the Master’s strict and austere instructions for the Lenten fast, preferring instead to offer moderate guidelines that cultivate in the monk a joyful longing for the Easter celebration.

Benedict's Gospel Vision: Chapters 36 And 53 Of The Rule Of St Benedict, Barbara Marincel

Obsculta

This is a comparison exegesis of the Rule of Benedict’s Chapters 36 and 53 with Chapters 69-70 and 79 in the Rule of the Master. Chapters 36, “The Sick Brothers,” and 53, “The Reception of Guests,” demonstrate how the central themes of caritas, service, and hospitality are present in the RB, as the sick person and the guest are to be treated and received as if they are Christ. The kindness and compassion with which the vulnerable person is to be tended exemplifies Benedict’s vision of the Gospel as seen throughout his rule and greatly contrasts with the Rule of …

Review Of Merton And Hinduism: The Yoga Of The Heart, Dhinakaran Savariyar

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Of Islamophobia: What Christians Should Know (And Do) About Anti-Muslim Discrimination, Carl Chudy

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

To Till And To Keep: Following The Ethical Imperative To Care For Creation Through Gender Exploration And Expression, Phoebe Carstens

Obsculta

In light of the recent USCCB document regarding 'the Moral Limits to Technological Manipulation of the Human Body,' this essay explores an alternative, transgender-affirming ethical framework drawn from Pope Francis's Laudato si’. Within this framework, gender-affirming care is presented as fulfilling the call to care for creation through exploration and cultivation of the self.

To Embody Christ's Image: Queer Presence In Liturgy, Maggie Nadalin

Obsculta

This paper examines how approaching liturgical issues from a Queer vantage-point in both theory and practice offers a fresh lens for not only understanding liturgy but recognizing the urgent need for Queer-influenced liturgical rites.

The Role Of Darkness And Trial In Spiritual Growth As Described In The Cloud Of Unknowing, Carrie O'Neil-Smith

Obsculta

This essay was written in Professor Michael Rubbelke's class titled "Growing into God: Spiritual Development in the Christian Tradition." The piece looks at darkness and trial and three resulting fruits of spiritual growth: humility, knowledge of one's true nature, and an experience of God's pure love as described in the fourteenth century work The Cloud of Unknowing.

Review Of Comparing Cultures And Religions In A Postmodern World, Januarius J. Asongu

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Of Mary In Different Traditions: Seeing The Mother Of Jesus With New Eyes, Carl Chudy

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Interfaith Dialogue And Comparative Theology: A Theoretical Approach To A Practical Dilemma, Michael Atkinson

The Journal of Social Encounters

Interfaith dialogue is based on the premise that there is more that unites than divides us. Epistemological humility, acceptance of religious plurality or the need for unity itself have all been presented as unifying pathways across disparate religious traditions. Despite such approaches, conceptual understandings of interfaith dialogue have not kept pace with practice. This theoretical paper argues that interfaith dialogical theory profits from a deep understanding of moral psychology and social learning theory. The former posits that a sense of ‘fairness’ and ‘universal care’ are aligned with religious acceptance. On the other hand, values of sanctity, loyalty and authority promote …

What Can Buddhist Artistic Traditions Learn From Christian Iconography, Jotipālo Bhikkhu

Obsculta

The three images included come from the author’s year-long residency at the Collegeville Institute.

The Art Of Dying As The Art Of Living: Exploring Buddhist Death Meditation As A Path To Human Flourishing, Kayla Stock

Obsculta

Can spiritual practices that inform our ideas about death alleviate fear of death? Can they lead to human flourishing? To explore these questions, I will examine the Buddhist practice of death meditation, assessing the practice both theologically and scientifically, then discussing the merits of this practice toward the purposes of human flourishing. I will end with an exploration of the potential ministerial applications of Buddhist death meditation.

The Priesthood Of The Laity, James J. Weidner

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Different Approaches, Different Interpretations, Same Nonsense: Aquinas, Luther, And Ways Justification Does Not Work, Stephanie Falkowski

Obsculta

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 …

A Comparison Of The Christological Praxis Of Søren Kierkegaard And Pope Francis, Alex Juguilon O.S.C.

Obsculta

Although faced with different needs and warrants from different eras, both Søren Kierkegaard and Pope Francis challenged the Christian populous of their times to live authentically. For the two, Christianity is a way of existence that transcends doctrine and speculation. Authenticity is predicated upon an internal transformation that is manifested externally by the way one relates to others. This paper outlines the unique approach each man takes to this challenge.

Gifting Freedom To The Samaritan: Considerations On Access To Both The Sacramental Event And Salvation For Those Who, For Whatever Reason, Find Themselves Outside The Church, And The Consequences Of Identity For The Church In Gifting Such Access, C. A. Chase

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

This thesis gives consideration to issues surrounding the question of access to salvation, and to sacramental event, for contemporary ‘Samaritans’ – those persons who, for whatever reason, find themselves outside the Church. To chart such access, attention must be afforded, not only to the historical pronouncements of the Church, but also, most importantly, to the voiced laments and insights of these Samaritans themselves, enduring their dissonance and respecting their critique, both theological and ecclesiastical. Through such colloquy, a return to the Samaritan in Luke who offers hope to the exigencies of access, and leaves to linger an ecclesiastical question of …

"Review Of Mesopotamian Ritual-Prayers Of Hand-Lifting” (Akkadian Šuillas): An Investigation In Light Of The Idiomatic Meaning Of The Rubric", Dale Launderville Osb

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Ignatius Of Loyola And Ignation Spirituality In The Life And Writings Of Adrienne Von Speyr, Elizabeth M. Cunneen

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Something Old, Something New: In Search Of The New Monasticism, Julian Collette

Obsculta

Julian Collette is a student of monastic studies and pastoral ministry. He has lived in various intentional communities such as New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California, and an Ecovillage and Zen Buddhist Meditation Center in Massachusetts. In June 2011, as part of his academic program at Saint John’s Theology•Seminary, Julian will embark on a 14 month bicycle tour of the United Stated, visiting various intentional communities including those identified with the New Monasticism movement. Along the way he will conduct interviews which will be made available in a podcast. Julian’s journey can be followed by visiting: www.emerging-communities.com.

Matteo Ricci And His Process Of Evangelization, Joel Cassady

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Beyond Settling Down, Jakob Rinderknecht

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Baptism By Desire: A Sacrament For Today, Audrey Seah

Obsculta

Audrey is a liturgy and liturgical music student with a special interest in music composition. She was born and raised in Singapore and began studies in the United States as an undergraduate at Fresno State University. As an adult convert to Catholicism, Audrey’s own questions regarding the necessity for baptism led her to explore the doctrine of baptism by desire.

Chauvet And O’Connor: An Encounter Of Sacramental Life And Aesthetics, Betsy Cunneen

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

The Local Churches And The Universal Church: Reflections On The Kasper/Ratzinger Debate, Adam Koester

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Jesus The Christ As A Jun-Zi In Confucian Perspectives, John Changjin Bai

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

In this paper, I seek to understand who Jesus is, through the lenses of “jun-zi 君子” (best translated as gentleman), a discussion and comparison between the concept of personhood of the jun-zi in Confucianism perspectives and the story of Jesus in the New Testament, I believe there is the possibility and implication to present an excellent image of Jesus the Christ as a jun-zi within Confucian personhood. Jesus, his ethical norm, high moral standard and religious life are like Confucian jun-zi. If we evangelize or evaluate the concepts of traditional Chinese Confucian jun-zi, Jesus would appear as a …

Gospeldharma: The Seven-Fold Sacrament Of Generous Interbeing, Paul Joseph Thoemke Oblsb

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

The Buddha’s dharma of the interdependent co-arising of all phenomena (this is because that is) is the unifying concept between Christianity and Buddhism. The vast, incomprehensible interconnection of all aspects of the cosmos with every other aspect can be described as “interbeing.” Furthermore, because each new manifestation depends completely on the passing away of every previous manifestation, we may also call this interbeing, this impermanence,“generosity.”

The Buddha’s dharma of interdependent co-arising reveals reality as it is; and it helps to reveal a sublime and profound unfolding of God’s relationship with the world. In light of the …