History of Christianity Commons^™

A History Of The Evangelical Lutheran (Missouri Synod) Mission For China, Edward H. Arndt

Bachelor of Divinity

In writing this paper, I hope to have contributed something quite new to the history of Lutheran Foreign Missions. To my knowledge, no one has written on this phase of the work before.

Although our China Mission is still young, it is high time that its history be written. While the Mission was founded only 20 years ago, the writer has experienced much difficulty in obtaining reliable information on several points.

The Old Religion In England During The Early Years Of The Reign Of Queen Elizabeth, Carl S. Meyer

Bachelor of Divinity

To comprehend the topic we must, first of all, understand the scope of the term "Old Religion." Nothing else can be meant by that designation than that system of religion which had pervaded the countries of Europe and had been the marrow of its religious life ~ during the period preceeding the memorial sixteenth century. Under this term we would include both its national and its international aspects. We will investigate this ecclesiastical system in England during the process of its overthrow -- after it had temporarily regained what was thought to be its dominant position. This overthrow we would …

The New England Theology, Theodore Wuggazer Jr

Bachelor of Divinity

In order to discuss intelligently the peculiar form which the Calvinistic Theology assumed in America, and to which it later developed, it obviously becomes necessary to set up a standard by which the American form of Calvinism is to be judged. It is the object of this paper to show, after a fashion, to what extent the theologians of New England of the 17th and 18th centuries deviated from Old Calvinism. For this purpose we must dwell briefly on the work of the Reformer, John Calvin, and on the chief tenets of the Calvinistic or Reformed Theology. In respect to …

The Alexandrian Back-Ground Of The Letter To The Hebrews, Paul A. Boriack

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this treatise is to present mainly those facts which are generally adduced to prove the Alexandrian back-ground of the Letter to the Hebrews. Since some scholars, however, deny this back-ground, their evidence, as far as available from sources at hand, shall also be considered.

A Brief History Of The Slovak Lutheran Synod Of The United States, S G. Mazak

Bachelor of Divinity

A Brief History of the Slovak Lutheran Synod of the United States.slovak lutherans, america, streator, karol, freeland,

The Attitude Of The Lutheran Church Of The 16th And 17th Centuries Towards Missions, Herbert H. Umbach

Bachelor of Divinity

In this thesis it shall be our aim to see on the basis of the facts at hand what really was the sentiment of the 16th and l7th. century Lutheran Church as regards the sphere of missions. And of course, in the treatment of a subject like this, aiming at a presentation of historic facts, there is but little room for originality. I have not, therefore, sought so much to be original as to be truthful, and have endeavored to gather from every accessible source all such historic data as tended to establish the object in view. The old principle …

Public Opinion In Germany On The Papacy And The Hierarchy During The Fourteenth Century And The Early Conciliar Period, R Nordsieck

Bachelor of Divinity

A thorough understanding of public opinion on the medieval ecclesiastical system is of great importance for the proper interpretation of the events leading up to the Reformation. The necessity of this becomes more apparent when we consider the vital position of the Church in the medieval system and the direct and immediate bearing it had on the daily pursuits, welfare, and happiness of the peoples of Western Europe not only as members of the Church, the Alleinseligmachende, but also as subjects of actual or, at least, theoretical feudal fiefs of the Apostolic See.

The Virgin Birth Of Christ, Edgar Reinhold Pflug

Bachelor of Divinity

It shall be our object to trace the history of the controversy over this doctrine from its very beginnings to the present time; to state briefly and to refute the arguments of the opposition; and finally to search out the true Biblical version of the Lord’s birth, of which we are confident that it will also be the view upheld by the Lutheran Church from its very inception.

The Geography Of The Psalms, Alexander Heidel

Bachelor of Divinity

This, however, is an entirely wrong conception. And it is the first object of this paper to show that the O. T. people by no means possessed such a limited knowledge of geography, but, on the contrary, were acquainted with a surprisingly large part of the known world. We shall not avail ourselves of all the different places and peoples mentioned in the various books of the O .T., but we shall rather confine ourselves to one book of the O.T. Scripture, and that is not even historical, much less geographical, but a devotional book, the hymnal and prayer book …

The Apostolic Succession Of The Episcopal Church, W Poehler

Bachelor of Divinity

"By this term (Apostolic Succession) is understood the claim made by most episcopally ordained clergymen and bishops (Anglican, Syrian, and Catholic churches) that they constitute links in an uninterrupted chain of similarly ordained persons, the first of whom were ordained by the apostles themselves. With this opinion is combined the view that only clergymen who are in the line of this spiritual succession are entitled to a pastoral office in the Christian Church, and that all others usurp the functions of the ministry….. the authoritatively commissioned minister is the proper divine instrumentality through which Christ, the exalted invisible Head of …

Roman Judicial Procedure With Reference To The Trial Of Jesus Christ, A C. Hahn

Bachelor of Divinity

A concession of the greatest importance was this, that the Sanhedrin was permitted to continue and exercise its power in the internal government of Jewish affairs. In the days of Jesus, the Sanhedrin had legislative, executive, and judicial powers. It commanded a body of police for the purpose of making arrests, (Mat 26,47; Mark 14,43). It had the power to prefer charges and try cases of a religious nature, in which the procurator would not meddle. From its decision there could be no appeal; it was the highest court. In connection with the Great Sanhderin, there was an organized system …

Lessons To Be Learnt From The History And Development Of The Halle-Leipzig Mission In India, H Earl Miller

Bachelor of Divinity

We may, without doing violence to truth, speak of the unbroken continuity of the Halle-Leipzig mission from the days of Ziegenbalg down to the present time, a period of 222 years. In more than one respect, this mission has been the outstanding force in the history of missionary endeavor in India, and we may well expect to profit from an examination of its history and development.

Church Polity Up To 325 A.D. With Special Reference To The Apostolic Succession, Hugo Ness

Bachelor of Divinity

Differences in church organization today are directly proportional to the differences in doctrine. As the actions of a man are bit the result of his beliefs we are justified in ascertaining his tenets by observing his actions. But in any system of church organization the arrangement should be that by which the motive principle, i.e, faith, reaches its maximum of efficiency. And here, if anywhere, the doctrine lends the distinctive mark to the organization. Thus, if fault is to be found, the root of the evil lies in false doctrine. And yet, to argue Church Polity on the grounds of …

Michalangelo And Luther - A Parallel, Oliver Rupprecht

Bachelor of Divinity

In the case of Michelangelo and Luther, whose labors extend largely into the same period of time, the parallel becomes doubly attractive. For a comparison of this nature is not dependent on a similarity or an identity of occupation of the persons concerned, unless, of course, the purpose be that of setting forth the success in a single field of human activity and learning. It may aim solely at a delineation of personal characteristics and an evaluation of historical importance, together with a summary description of the man's chief works, without resorting to a detailed presentation of his achievements which, …

Mithraism And Early Christianity, Edward A. Jenne

Bachelor of Divinity

The word Mystery was the name of a religious society, founded not on citizenship or kindred, but on the choice of its members, for the practice of rites by which, it was believed, their happiness might be promoted both in this world and in the next.

Luther And The Peasant War, Paul List

Bachelor of Divinity

The period of transition between the Middle Ages and the Modern Era was an era of upheavals, political and social. This was nothing new in the history of the world. We observe such epochs at the beginning of the Christian Era and at the Fall of the Roman Empire. They are at once periods of death-struggles, and heart-beats of a new life. Such times are always marked by great leaders and great events---great in this sense that they strike the keynote, that they, set the pace, for time to come.

The Companions Of St. Paul, Hugo W. Wolter

Bachelor of Divinity

In treating a subject of this kind it is natural to ask the question: whom should we consider companions of the Apostle Paul? If we were to consider all those men and women who at various times were his coworkers and friends, we would have a work which would fill volumes. For this reason I will deal with those men only who were his companions and coworkers on his var1ous Journeys. It is not my purpose to treat all of them biographically for large books have been written about some or his companions, Luke, the beloved physician for example. It …

The Early Life Of St. Paul, E F. Kavasch

Bachelor of Divinity

Our Lord, on His departure from this earth, gave the great missionary command, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations." Shortly after, we hear of small established congregations, of one heart and one soul, continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers. However these conditions were restricted to small circles, for among the majority of the Jews, the gospel had made little headway. There were the Sadducees, the wealthy class of Epicureans, denying resurrection and judgment; there were the Pharisees, zealous for the law it is true, but having an entirely carnal …

The Vactican Council Of 1870, George Dolak

Bachelor of Divinity

Rome ever looks for a complete restoration of its might and power. Although the 19th century marked the dissolution of the papal states (l870 ), and thus put an end to the pope's hopes and aspirations for a complete restoration of temporal power, still we see an increase in the spiritual power which makes up for the diminution in temporal authority. As Dr. Graebner remarks in the above-quoted article, the principles and aims of the popes of the 19th century did not differ from the aims of the medieval popes, but agreed in all respects, since all popes tried to …

The Local Rulers In Palestine (7 B. C. -70 A. D.), Wilbur H. Luecke

Bachelor of Divinity

To be sure we can gain no better history of Jesus' life and the foundations of his church, than the account in our sacred Scriptures. However, it shall be our purpose rather to give the Jewish background at that time. When one reads the sources of this period, it becomes very evident that there is no real Jewish history, but that it is rather a biographical history of the reigns of the individual rulers. The New Testament contains many references to the civil government and it is around these points of contact that we shall group other facts in the …

Boniface The Apostle Of Romanism, William E. Meyer

Bachelor of Divinity

Winfrid(Boniface) was born of a noble family in Devonshire about 680 A. D. From his early youth he was inclined to the study of spiritual things rather than to temporal knowledge. His father was disappointed at this predilection in his son, since he had intended to make him successor of his estate. Softened by sickness the father finally consented to his son's ecclesiastical ambition and sent him to the monastery Adesconcastre. There he showed earnestness and zeal for learning so that his abbot sent him to the advanced school at Nhutscelle.

The Jewish Festivals Mentioned In The New Testament, Walter W. Koenig

Bachelor of Divinity

As far as the life of the New Testament believer is concerned, the ancient festivals of the Jews are null and void. All Old Testament rites and ceremonies, which were only "a shadow of things to come” (Col. 2,16), have been abrogated by the coming of God's Son into the flesh. But even though the Jewish festivals are no longer to be observed by us, we cannot afford to forget all about them. Leaving the Old Testament out of the question altogether, the proper understanding of the New Testament alone demands a thorough investigation of all that is connected with …

Modern Protestant Missions Before Carey, Lorenz C. Wunderlich

Bachelor of Divinity

The church of Jesus Christ is essentially a missionary organization. She is the product of missionary effort, her progress depends on evangelising endeavors. The very existence of the Church calls for mission, her self-preservation demands it. Missionary enterprise, however, is not the device of man, it is God's thought, plan, and work; it is as old as the eternal counsels of God regarding the salvation of mankind.

The Causes Of The Persecution Of The Early Christians, Karl H. Maier

Bachelor of Divinity

The popular and traditional view of the persecutions of the Christiane considers them to be ten in number lasting from 64 to 311 A.D. The persecutions are looked upon as fiendish and arbitrary attacks of various emperors against Christianity out of hatred, and periods of comparative quiet appear to be indication that some emperors favored or recognized Christianity. The consideration of the persecutions in this light leads to the opinion that they were all of the same nature, and gives no indication of the real depth of the conflict and the issues involved.

The Festivals Of The Jews With Special Reference To Their Significance In The New Testament, Alfred H. Faulstick

Bachelor of Divinity

The need of a careful study of the matter at hand at once becomes patent in consideration of the numerous references in Scripture to these feasts which when not fully understood, often obscure the meaning and rob the full significance of the passages in which they occur.

The scope of the thesis is to present the feasts as observed in the Old Testament, to explain the references to them in the New, and briefly to set forth the spiritual bearing they have on the Christian Church.

The Agape Of The Early Christian Chuech, F Breuer

Bachelor of Divinity

The Agape is defined as "the social meal or love-feast of the primitive Christians which usually accompanied the Eucharist." It extended from the days of the Apostles to the ninth century in the Western Church and in the Eastern Church it still exists in some form or other. In this paper, however, we have restricted ourselves to the first two centuries of the Christian Church and shall consider the Agape under the following heads: 1) the evidence of the meal and its designation; 2) the sources of first-hand information; 3) the origin and purpose of the meal; 4) the constituents …

A Critical Comparison Of Luther's Bible Translation And The King James Version, Martin Poch

Bachelor of Divinity

The period of the Reformation, however, changed all this and with the shackles of Rome removed the Bible again came into its own, and so to this period then we owe the finest translations, foremost among these model versions being the German and the English.

The Neronian Persecution, W J. Schnedler

Bachelor of Divinity

Let us for a moment pause here, and take a closer glimpse of Nero, who at this time occupied the throne at Rome. At the time of the fire he was in the tenth year of his reign.

The Arian Controversy Between The Councils Of Nicaea And Constantinople (A. D. 325-381), Richard J. Jagels

Bachelor of Divinity

The Arian Controversy Between the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople (A. D. 325-381)

The Companions Of Paul On His Various Journeys And In His Captivities, Arnold F. Meyer

Bachelor of Divinity

For the better understanding o:r the position in which the companions of Paul stood to the Apostle and the role which they played in the 1ife and journeys of this great missionary; it is expedient to say a few words about that great Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul is the axle around which all the companions revolve as the separate parts of a great mechanism. We shall not attempt to give a complete biography of the man; but we shall try to give a brief survey of his life, in order that we may have a clear conception also of …