History of Christianity Commons^™

The Rise Of Fraternal Organizations In The United States In The Second Half Of The Nineteenth Century, Frederick William Dodge

Bachelor of Divinity

Many Lutherans have written on the subject of fraternal organizations. Their interest has usually been the doctrine of the lodge as opposed to the doctrine of the Church. It is hoped that this study may be a start toward our task of “rounding out" our understanding of fraternal organizations. I trust that the Commission on Fraternal Organizations of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod will find it possible to continue studies in this direction.

The Linguistic Problem Of The Pastoral Epistles, Norman C. Meyer

Bachelor of Divinity

We will restrict our study to the third of these problems: THE LINGUISTIC PROBLEM OF THE PASTORAL EPISTLES. This is the problem around which critics of our day are chiefly building their critical studies. Liberal and conservative scholars alike are most deeply impressed with this one phase of study.

Our purpose, therefore, is to make a study of this linguistic problem confronted in our Epistles and to state the conclusions of various scholars derived from their research into this single problem.

The Spanish Erasmian Movement Of The Sixteenth Century, Hector Lazos

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this thesis is to familiarize the readers, at least in part, with the Spanish Erasmian movement of the sixteenth century. Lutheran historical research has given much attention and study to the historical events of the sixteenth century. But when Lutheran historians study one of the movements of that century, they are prone to connect it with the German Lutheran Reformation. This might be because, as Lutherans, they are especially interested in seeing the influence that Luther and Lutheranism might have had on the religious conscience of other nations. For this reason the figure of Erasmus has been …

The Development Of Lutheranism In The Pacific Northwest With Specific Reference To The Northwest District, Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, Theodore C. Moeller

Bachelor of Divinity

The Development of Lutheranism in the Pacific Northwest with Specific Reference to the Northwest District, Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod

The Historic Difference Of The Missouri, Ohio, Iowa, And Buffalo Synod, And The Union Attempts Of The Nineteen Twenties, Vernold Aurich

Bachelor of Divinity

This thesis discusses the union attempts which took place during the Nineteen-twenties. It was during this decade that the four synods tried to unite with one another, for the first time.

The Doukhobors Of Western Canada, Walter F. Seehagel

Bachelor of Divinity

It is the writer’s hope that this study will contribute to general public knowledge concerning the Doukhobors. Perhaps the reader of this study shall benefit in like measure with the writer who has compiled the facts concerning the Doukobors of Western Canada.

A Historical Study Of The Early Missouri Synod Missionary Work In Kansas, Williard E. Mueller

Bachelor of Divinity

It is the purpose of this thesis to present the chief facts of the history of the Missouri Synod's mission work in the state of Kansas in the context of its time.

Piety Of The Germanic And Celtic Peoples Between Their Christianization And The Era Of Charlemagne As Seen From The Chronicles Of Time, Walter Wayne Oetting

Bachelor of Divinity

The contemporary Chronicles of the time 400-800 A.D. are the sources for this paper. We feel that here one may find the most accurate insights in the piety of the people of the era.

The Initial Cause Of Wycliffe's Break With The Church-Doctrinal, Moral, Political?, Dale G. Young

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the reason which made Wycliffe the historical figure that he became, namely, his break with the Roman Catholic Church. The problem, the writer feels, can be stated in terms still more specific than this. He has attempted to do just that with the formulation of the thesis title, “the initial cause of Wycliffe’s break with the church." Usually, three causes are ascribed to Wycliffe’s break with the Mother Church: political, doctrinal, and moral. That other causes could be nominated, such as home life, or personal desire for recognition or willingness to vindicate …

Johann Friedrich Buenger, The Founder Of Lutheran Charities, Kenneth R. Molnar

Bachelor of Divinity

The influences in the life of Buenger that stimulated his activities in the eleemosynary field will be treated in this study. For this purpose pertinent material is drawn from C F. W. Walther’s Ehrwuerdigen Pastor Johann Friedrich Buenger, bringing to light particularly the early influences in his life.

The Relation Of Preaching And Life In Medieval England, Franklin W. Ritthamel

Bachelor of Divinity

This thesis is to look closer at the period of time which is called "Medieval"; however, there are numerous divisions of time given under that name. In this study, the time element will deal especially with the later medieval period, looking briefly at the times under Alfred the Great (ca. 900), and more closely at the time under the Normans, from 1066 on to immediately before the Reformation Century.

The Thought Of Stephen Toulmin And Some Theological Reflections, Kenneth Frese

Bachelor of Divinity

The five major works of Stephen Edelston Toulmin, currently professor of philosophy at Brandeis University, that will be treated in this paper are "Contemporary Scientific Mythology," An Examination of the Place of Reason in Ethics, Foresight and Understanding, The Philosophy of Science, and The Uses of Argument.? It will be my object to set forth the essentials of Toulmin's thought concerning first science and secondly extra-scientific endeavors, especially theology; to relate some of Mr. Toulmin's conclusions to those of two prominent exponents of "ordinary language" philosophy, Ludwig Wittgenstein and Gilbert Ryle; and finally to look at the work of a …

The Babylon Of 1 Peter 5:13, Roy Schroeder

Bachelor of Divinity

The problem discussed in this paper is the second one: Where is Babylon? Three theories have been advanced: “Babylon" is: (1) Rome, (2) Babylon in Mesopotamia, and (3) Babylon on the Nile River in Egypt. Each of these theories is discussed in a separate chapter. The wording of 1 Pet. 5:13 does not make it mandatory to say that Peter was in Babylon, wherever it is, at the time he wrote his first epistle. This is particularly true if the Egyptian theory is accepted. The greetings from the church ·at Babylon could have come through Mark. However, the natural thing …

Tertullian--His Life And Theology, Elmer Hethke

Bachelor of Divinity

With these considerations in minds we are ready to embark upon our study of his life and theology. First, this paper will consider his life and work as it affected the people of his day, his dealings with the heresies of his day, and his own heretical views. Then this paper will consider his theology, which will be done by a survey of the various loci in systematic theology.

The Life And Labors Of Eduard Raimund Baierlein, Walter P. Schoenfuhs

Bachelor of Divinity

One cannot properly appreciate Baierlein's contributions unless one understands what has been accomplished before the missionary’s arrival. Thus, besides sketching his biography, the thesis will also discuss the early Christian missions among the Chippewa Indians in Michigan and the missionary activities in India before Baierlein's arrival. Particular emphasis will be devoted to Lutheran mission work in these countries.

The Wycliffite And Lutheran Element In The English Reformation, Walter M. Schoedel

Bachelor of Divinity

The period which this thesis discusses is one of the most important periods in English History. The years 1300 to 1550 show to the world why the Church of England is no longer a member of the Roman Church, This thesis endeavors to show how the teachings and works of John Wycliffe in the 14th century help lay the foundation and groundwork for the real beginning of the Reformation in England in the 16th century, and how the Lutheran element from the continent fits into the scheme of events during the early years of the English Reformation. Again we have …

Luther And The Canon, Erwin Prange

Bachelor of Divinity

The questions to be answered by the thesis are the following: What is Luther's attitude toward the Scriptural canon and what is the basis of or the key to his attitude? It will not be within the scope of the thesis to define or investigate Luther's doctrine of the "word " except where it may have direct and immediate bearing upon his treatment of the canon. His doctrines of inspiration and of the Holy Spirit will also not be considered separately but only in the immediate context of his attitude toward the canon.

A History Of Lutheran Missions To Islam, Robert E. Jones

Bachelor of Divinity

The paper attempts to gather the facts of the history of Lutheran Missions to Islam. The pursuit of these facts was hindered chiefly by two things. The first is that there is a lack or written material on this phase of missions. A large part of Lutheran Mission work today touches Islam only incidentally and the records of such work generally fail to mention Islam as a separate consideration. This is especially true in areas where Muslims and other peoples live side by side but as distinct groups, as in South India and the Near East. A comprehensive history of …

Pietism And Methodism: A Comparative Study, Alvin V. Kollmann

Bachelor of Divinity

Both of these movements stressed the personal side of religion, and because neither one intended to break away from the church, but merely reform it from within, they were similar. The similarity of the two is also found in the fact that they were both the results of their times. Both Spener and Wesley were influenced by many of the same things, another reason why people see much similarity in the two movements.

William Alfred Passavant- His Influence On Nineteenth Century American Lutheranis, Charles Reimnitz

Bachelor of Divinity

This report has been laid out under four general headings: The early life of Passavant, his labors first in the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, then in the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America, and finally his contacts with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Marsiglio De Padua And The Defensor Pacis, Luther T. Engelbrecht

Bachelor of Divinity

The life of Marsiglio de Padua is a considerable problem in itself. Opinions concerning the details of his birth, activity, and death vary widely. Each scholar that writes on the subject refutes in some way all those that precede him. Scholz and Haller seem almost to go out of their way to contradict each other. The English and American scholars are slightly more polite to each other than their German colleagues, but they, too, disagree widely. I have tried to present the cases of the various scholars and to determine as much as possible the most plausible solution to the …

German Society At The Close Of The Middle Ages And Its Effects On The Reformation, Walter Rosin

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this thesis will be to discuss the social conditions prevalent at the close of the Middle Ages which are involved in the German Reformation, the role which they played in bringing it about, and also to trace the effects which the social factor had in assuring the success of the Reformation.

Primitive Eucharistic Belief As Reflected In The Catacombs Of Rome, Raymond W. Koster

Bachelor of Divinity

The Catacombs of Rome are a vast and intricate network of underground burial galleries located, not within the walls of the city itself, but under the rolling Campagna surrounding it.

A History Of Missouri Synod Work Among The Japanese, Arthur H. Strege

Bachelor of Divinity

This thesis gives a brief history of work done by members of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod among people of Japanese ancestry living in various places throughout the world. A complete title of the material covered in this thesis should probably read: "A History of Work Done by Pastors, Missionaries, Chaplains, Teachers, and Laymen of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod among People of Japanese Ancestry in the United States till 1952, and among Japanese People in China till 1950 and in Japan till September, 1948." Since the Rev. William J. Danker, first resident missionary of the Missouri Synod in Japan, arrived in …

The Old Testament Concept Of God : Henotheism Or Monotheism?, Rodney R. Rynearson

Bachelor of Divinity

That there are occurrences of henotheistic practices in the Old Testament cannot be denied, as will be shown later. The major concern of this thesis is to determine what caused these occurrences of henotheism. Is henotheism a teaching and belief which the Old Testament sanctions or is it an aberration of its true teaching? Did the Old Testament concept of God develop gradually from henotheism to monotheism, as the liberal scholars claim, or was monotheism basic to its earliest teaching which later was corrupted by sin and which degenerated into henotheism among some of the people?

The Study Of The Bible In The Middle Ages, E George Krause

Bachelor of Divinity

There is quite a difference of opinion as to the extent of the Middle Ages. We will take the middle ground and roughly limit this era to the years between 500 A. D. and 1500 A. D. This procedure is to be preferred above others which begin or end an era with a certain person or event, because an era is not ushered in overnight, but is rather a gradual and often barely perceptible process. There will be a few instances in the course of this thesis where material extending a number of years either way beyond the above chronological …

The Life And Career Of Gustav Seyffarth, Theodore A. Schulze Jr

Bachelor of Divinity

This thesis is an effort to gather some of the pertinent facts about the life of Gustav Seyffarth and to present his teachings in the fields of Egyptology, Biblical chronology, and the various other areas in which he worked.

Martin Luther The Formative Years, Erwin A. Gerken

Bachelor of Divinity

As one thinks of this great Reformer, this man of God, theologian, Bible translator, catechist, hymnist, bold champion of the freedom of the conscience, founder of the Lutheran Church, leader of the Reformation which carried Christendom back to the Bible - one hesitates to attempt to write a thesis on his formative years. Yet it is so arresting and inspiring, that in joy, yet with all humility, I shall attempt in the following pages to describe this man and trace his development in thought and life which led to the posting of the Ninety-five Theses on October 31, 1517.

The Date Of The Exodus, Enno Theodore Claus

Bachelor of Divinity

In determining the date of the exodus, one finds little direct evidence outside the Bible record. Egypt was indeed constantly in contact with Palestine from the time of Joseph (or even of Abraham) until the fugitives from the Babylonian conquest sought refuge there, and one might have hoped to find some reference to Jewish history in the Egyptian records. It is natural that the Bible scholar look for some reference to the exodus in particular. For the Exodus was one of the foremost events that took place in the history of the Israe1ites. All through the Old Testament, constant reference …

The Life And Work Of Ezra, Paul A. Vojtko

Bachelor of Divinity

Ezra was one of the great men of Jewish history. It has been said, and rightly so, that with Ezra, one stands at the cradle of Judaism. In Jewish tradition he figures as a second Moses. He wielded a tremendous influence upon the Jewish nation, the effects of which are felt to this very day. He set an indelible mark upon succeeding ages. He was largely responsible for the course Judaism took after the exilic period. Through his untiring efforts the law which was originally given by Moses, but much since that time had been neglected, was restored to the …