History of Christianity Commons^™

The Political And Economic Conditions Of The Jews In Palestine At The Time Of Christ And The Apostles, Julius G. Jacobsen

Bachelor of Divinity

To fully understand this era in history with which the New Testament deals, and to appreciate the environment of Jesus and His Apostles, it is of the greatest importance to have a clear and graphic understanding of the political situation of their day and time. Jesus and His disciples lived and labored in Palestine during the period of Roman domination, and this foreign influence figured largely in their lives, particularly in the lives of Christ and the Apostle Paul.

How did this Roman domination come about? How did it influence Jewish political life? What role did the Herods play in …

Paul's Activity After His First Roman Imprisonment, Elmer Kroening

Bachelor of Divinity

The object of this brief paper is to take again these known facts from Scripture and form what we think is the most reasonable picture of the final days of the great apostle. The greater part of our material is found in the Pastoral Epistles. For this reason we will begin this paper with an examination of the Pauline authorship and genuineness of these Epistles; for if this genuineness shou1d not be accepted, the latter days of Paul would always remain a total mystery.

Who Wrote Hebrews, Roland Thies

Bachelor of Divinity

Our problem, as the title informs one, is to discover, if possible, who is responsible for the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews; and if we are not able to arrive at any definite conclusive conclusion, to set forth such theories as we find and give as many of their arguments as we are able.

The Peassants' Revolts From 1358 As A Background For The Peasants' Revolt Of 1624, W Theophil Janzow

Bachelor of Divinity

It is not the purpose of this monograph to refute directly the contentions of historians. Nor will an attempt be made to prove that Luther's part in the Peasants' war of 1524 was nil, that there was absolutely no connection between the religious reformer and the social revolution. The object of the following chapters is, rather, to place before the reader the development and the causes of peasant reaction to feudal serfdom and oppression as this reaction takes place successively in the major countries of Medieval Europe. Beginning with the revolt of the French Jacquerie in 1358 and ending with …

Paul's Personality Traits- A Potent Factor In His Success As A Missionary, Edwin Wiebel

Bachelor of Divinity

Many books have been written on the life of Paul and his Epistles, which treat the subject critically, historically, and exegetically. There are, however, only a few monographs in existence, which have as their central object a treatment of Paul's life in the light of his personality or which make an analysis of his character only. Hence, it is not in accordance with the purpose of this thesis, which it is hoped will meet the wants of the general reader interested in its subject, as well as satisfy the requirements of the Biblical student, to enter upon an elaborate criticism …

Celtic Chrisitinaity A Survey Of Its History And Influence, Gerald Schaus

Bachelor of Divinity

In the light of thorough research in this field by outstanding historians, it would be a rather serious admission of a lack of completeness of historical study to hold with the old view, namely, that nothing factual is known about Celtic Christianity! Now this paper makes no, pretensions of being a comp1ete coverage of the history of Celtic Christianity, for that is impossible to do in a work of this length. The purpose, rather, is to present an overall picture of the labors of the Celtic Christians and to compare the Celtic Church with the Church of Rome.

Jewish Fidelity To The Law In The New Testament, Bernard Wittrock

Bachelor of Divinity

This paper aims to demonstrate Jewish fidelity to the Law in the New Testament. The evidence presented in this paper makes it evident that the Jews clung to their laws, ceremonies, and traditions with great tenacity.

The Historicity And Significance Of Peter's Stay In Rome, Clarence Boye

Bachelor of Divinity

However, the aim and purpose of this paper is not to present a biography or character sketch of this disciple of Christ, but to devote our attention to the latter years of his life, and more particularly to the question: "Did Peter visit Rome during the evening hours of his earthly pilgrimage?" We shall examine all the evidence at our disposal, meagre and controversial though it may be, and from this draw our deductions. Since, however, this question of Peter’s visit to Rome is the very "corner-stone" upon which the "greatest Christian body on Earth” stands or falls, we shall …

A History Of The Cithara Sanctorum (Tranoscius), Jaroslav Vajda

Bachelor of Divinity

It is evident from the bibliography of this thesis that there are no English references available on the subject of the Cithara Sanctorum. This is in itself an indication of the ignorance on the part of the English-speaking world concerning this phase of Christian hymnody. Even Julian's exhaustive Dictionary fails to mention the Cithara! It was necessary, therefore, to work entirely with Slovak and Bohemian sources generally. These are naturally secondary sources, with the exception of the two editions of the Cithara which contain most of the original edition's hymns in more or less altered form. A first-hand study will …

Background And Beginnings Of Organized Youth Work In The Missouri Synod, Henry E. Simon

Bachelor of Divinity

So that the reader may more easily and more fully understand various details described in the following pages it seems· advisable to offer a few words in explanation, showing the development of this thesis. It will be noted that the first two chapters deal with ·the background •from which our youth societies began to emerge. We have endeavored to picture this background from the various writings and expressions gleaned from different early periodicals and books. Thus the LUTHERANER, DISTRICT SYNODICAL REPORTS, LEHRE UND WEHRE, and other writings up to the turn of the century were thoroughly scanned for any notices …

The History Of The American Lutheran Foreign Missions In Asia, Africa, And Oceania Since World War I, Orville Buntrock

Bachelor of Divinity

The primary purpose of this thesis is to give a brief history of each mission field, but in some cases where we believe that material on the topography of the land, the climatic conditions, the religious conceptions of the heathen natives, etc. are not generally available - such topics are included.

The First Years Of Trinity Congregation Freistadt, Wisconsin, Roy A. Suelflow

Bachelor of Divinity

During the 17nth and 18nth centuries in Germany Pietism and Rationalism had been opposing the principles founded in the Reformation, which demanded a separation from error. Thus for a long time the Lutherans had kept themselves separate from the errors of the Reformed. Yet thru Pietism, which stressed the outward life instead of doctrine, and thru Rationalism, which set human reason above the revelation of God, this principle of Lutheranism was being undermined, and the punch was being taken out of Lutheran orthodoxy.

Christian Worship Of The Ante-Nicene Church, Harold Krenz

Bachelor of Divinity

"Worship is man's response to God's revelation of Himself." In this sense worship consists of divine revelation and public response. This paper is devoted to the latter aspect of worship. It is the purpose of this paper to study the early origins of man's outward response to the revealed truths of Christianity; how the form of Christian worship was influenced by the Old Testament worship, how it received its indelible color from the Blood of Calvary, and how it began to develop into the highest and most beautiful of the aesthetic arts by the time the Christian religion became a …

Henry Viii And The Smalcaldic League, George Hoyer

Bachelor of Divinity

This paper aims to show that in all Henry VIII's dealings with the Protestant League he was motivated entirely by aims of Tudor policy. His object was to extend the scope of absolutism within his own realm, and also to preserve his dynasty in security on the throne of England, and in the end, to preserve for himself all the power and privilege which he discovered he controlled after a long reign of pursuing the first two objects. Wherever religious negotiation enters, it ls a motive of policy and not of conviction that governs Henry.

Jesuit Activity In The Catholic Reformation In Bavaria, Frank Bauer

Bachelor of Divinity

The Catholic Reformation may be defined as "all that was done on the part of the Catholics to hinder the progress of the sixteenth century Reformation and to reconquer the already occupied regions." The lion's share of this work was done by the Jesuits. This order was founded in 1540, and this date is often given for the beginning of the Catholic Reformation. They functioned at peak performance in those countries in which the Reformation had made serious inroads. This was true for most of Germany. It is to one of the principalities of Germany - Bavaria, to which we …

Religious Conditions In Israel In The Age Of Eli And Samuel, Paul Sohn

Bachelor of Divinity

To exhibit in its origin and growth the new order of things, which Samuel had introduced, the prophetic historian of the books of Samuel goes back to the time of Samuel’s birth and makes us acquainted not only with the political oppression under which Israel was suffering but also with the religious conditions at the close of the period of the Judges and during the high priesthood of Eli. He pictures to us the religious decline under Ell.

Beginnings Of Irish Monasticism, Milton Ernstmeyer

Bachelor of Divinity

Much of the early history concerning Irish monastic communities and their founders has been clouded by later traditional and biased records of the outstanding ecclesiastical foundations of Ireland. But the writings of Patrick supported by the most ancient Irish documents reveal monastic institutions which were founded for the primary purpose of spreading the teachings of Scripture. The simmple mission stations at the time of Patrick were soon to develop into more advanced seminaries and colleges for the Irish clergy, foreign missionaries, and scholars of the educated world. Its greet importance to the community life in Ireland.

Geographical And Historical Factors To Be Considered For An Effective Misson Program In China, Donovan Bakalyar

Bachelor of Divinity

As an aim, this paper purposes to extract from ·the geography and history of China factors which have an influence upon a missionary program in that country. A careful consideration of these factors will be helpful in acquiring the proper attitude or perspective for the missionary already before he enters the country. Much time will be saved, for everything will not be new when he begins his work, for he already will have a foundation upon which he can build.

The Federal Council Of The Churches Of Christ In America With Especial Reference To Social Gospel And Unionism, Herbert Hinz

Bachelor of Divinity

The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America during the past thirty-odd years has gained an extraordinarily large influence in the affairs of the American Protestant church, and American life and government It has been thought well, because of the extensive power of the Federal Council, to investigate the Council, with reference to its background, religion and work, with special treatment of those factors which make control by the Federal Council in religious, civil and political life intolerable. It is to a study of' such features that this paper is dedicated.

The Pharisees, William Hepting

Bachelor of Divinity

We present here a study of Pharisaism with a view more fully to understand and appreciate the attitude of the Pharisees toward Jesus our Savior. The Scribes and the Pharisees were in a position of leadership in the church at the time of Christ's visible sojourn here on earth. They had studied the Old Testament; they knew the Torah; and they were acquainted with the Messianic prophecies. But when the Messiah came in the person of Jesus Christ, the Pharisees were the men who turned out to be His most stubborn opponents. Why? There must have been some reason for …

The Influence Of St. Paul's Jewish Background On His Life And Letters, Henry Ressmeyer

Bachelor of Divinity

To attempt to understand St. Paul involves more than a study of his Epistles and the Book of Acts. His letters and the Acts of the Apostles reveal little of his “pre-Christian” biographical background. We must reconstruct his entire background from several cryptic passages, viz.,"Of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee.” Also: “Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city.”

The Council Of Trent As A Landmark In The History Of Roman Catholicism, Carl Beiderwieden

Bachelor of Divinity

The Council of Trent is the most important assembly in the history of the Latin Church. To exaggerate the importance of this Council is impossible. On the action of that assembly was to depend whether Europe was to have one religion or many, whether the creed which for so many centuries had shaped the characters of mankind was to continue to speak as the united judgment of all wise and good men, or whether Christendom was to split into factions which would rend and tear each other in every segment of the globe, ‘till the very faith for which they …

The Salzburgers And Their Descendants, Norman Kretzmann

Bachelor of Divinity

To the ministry of the Lutheran Church in America, this thesis is respectfully inscribed; with the fervent prayer, that by carefully studying the history of the Salzburgers, and especially the unfeigned devotion and ardent seal of the first preachers of the Lutheran Church in America, they and their successors may be stimulated to aim at a more elevated standard of piety, and consecrate themselves anew to His service, who hath redeemed us with His blood, and honored us by appointing us His ambassadors, to reconcile the world unto Himself.

The Reaction Of The Roman Catholic Church To The Renaissance And Its Influence On The Lutheran Reformation, John Nieman

Bachelor of Divinity

After this introductory discussion the purpose will be to show the influence of the Renaissance on the Roman Church and the reaction of the Church to this movement, especially the feelings of the Papacy, which was in those days the Church.

Ancestor Worship, E C. Zimmermann

Bachelor of Divinity

The Law of God, written in the hearts of men, was doubtless much more clear in the early days of the human race than now, and while there may be no particularly outstanding instances of filial piety recorded in the first chapters of the Scriptures depicting the history of the human race up to the days of Noah, we need not necessarily begin to assume the contrary. We do know that these early patriarchs begat sons and daughters. Their children were doubtless dear to them and they in turn were dear to their children. There is no doubt about there …

Paul's Missionary Methods, Arthur Gerhardt

Bachelor of Divinity

No attempt has been made to fathom the depths of the manifold problems concerning the facts of Paul’s biography. Questions of chronology and literary criticism ate avoided to give place to the purpose of our thesis. That Paul was called directly by God, that he was an inspired apostle, must not be overlooked. In this study, however, the historical facts pertaining to his mission endeavors will chiefly be stressed. The treatment is not intended to be more than suggestive.

Gnostic Elements In Chrisitian Science, Paul Strickert

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this thesis is not polemical. Nor is it the purpose to show that Christian Science is baaed directly and primarily on Gnosticism. It is to be a parallelism only; -- yet not of "accidental" doctrines taught in both, but of main tenets which are well substantiated.

The Training And Education Of Saul Of Tarsus, Arlo Krueger

Bachelor of Divinity

In undertaking a study of this nature there are two possible avenues of approach. The one is the rationalistic approach, and the other we might call, for want of a better name, the reverent approach. Both of these methods of approach have their advocates and adherents among students of St. Paul's life. And it is right at this point where the majority of divergences have their origin. The one approaches the subject from a rationalistic, the other from a reverent standpoint; and consequently both arrive at widely divergent conclusions. Therefore it is of primary significance that, before entering upon our …

Church Union, L W. Heidemann

Bachelor of Divinity

It is the purpose of our paper to show from History and from scripture that we have no reason to become disheartened in our position of strict confessionalism and determined separation from such unions which are based on compromise instead of complete doctrinal unity. History shows that this position serves the best interests of Christ and His Church. The Bible demands that this be our position.

The Evangelical Lutheran Synod In Australia Inc., And Mission Work Amongst The Australian Natives In Connection With The Dresden (Leipzig) Lutheran Mission Society And The Hermannsburg Mission Institute, 1838-1900, Fredercick John Henry Blaess

Bachelor of Divinity

The Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Australia Inc., and mission work amongst the Australian natives in connection with the Dresden (Leipzig) Lutheran Mission Society and the Hermannsburg Mission Institute, 1838-1900