Practical Theology Commons^™

Genesis 12-50 And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Bob Stallman

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction to Genesis 12-50 and Work
2. Abraham (Genesis 12:1-25:11)
   • Abraham’s faithfulness contrasted with the faithlessness of Babel (Genesis 12:1-3)
   • The Pastoral Lifestyle of Abraham and his Family (Genesis 12:4-7)
   • Abraham’s journey begins with disaster in Egypt (Genesis 12:8-13:2)
   • Abraham and Lot parted (Genesis 13:3-18)
   • Abraham and Sarah’s hospitality (Genesis 18:1-15)
   • Abraham’s dispute with Abimelech (Genesis 20:1-16; 21:22-34)
   • A burial plot for Sarah (Genesis 23:1-20)
3. Isaac (Genesis 21:1-35:29)
4. Jacob (Genesis 25:19-49:33)
   • Jacob's unethical procurement of Esau’s birthright and blessing (Genesis 25:19-34; 26:34–28:9)
   • Jacob Gains His Fortune (Genesis 30-31)
   • Jacob’s transformation and reconciliation with Esau (Genesis 32–33)
5. Joseph (Genesis 37:2-50:26)
   • Joseph rejected …

Genesis 1-11 And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Andrew Schmutzer, Alice Matthews

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction to Genesis 1-11
2. God Creates the World (Genesis 1:1-2:3)
   • God works to create the world (Genesis 1:1-25)
     • God brings the material world into being (Genesis 1:1-2)
     • God’s creation takes work (Genesis 1:3-25; 2:7)
     • Creation is of God, but is not identical with God (Genesis 1:11)
     • God sees that his work is good (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31)
   • God works relationally (Genesis 1:26a)
   • God limits his work (Genesis 2:1-3)
3. God Creates and Equips People to Work (Genesis 1:26-2:25)
   • People are created in God's image (Genesis 1:26, 27; 5:1)
   • Dominion (Genesis 1:26; 2:5)
   • Relationships (Genesis 1:27; 2:18, 21-25) …

Dealing With Doctrinal Issues In The Church: Part 3, Richard M. Davidson, Paul S. Ratsara

Faculty Publications

The 1888 Minneapolis Bible conference exemplifies using wrong attitudes to deal with doctrinal controversy. In contrast to the 1888 debacle, the 1848 and the 1855 conferences exemplify right approaches toward dealing with controversial issues in the church. These illustrate the principle that the key toward dealing with controversial subjects in the church is a personal relationship with God.

Leviticus And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Bob Stallman

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction— does Leviticus have anything to tell us about our work?
2. The Foundational Concept of Holiness in Leviticus
3. Israel’s Sacrificial System (Leviticus 1–10)
   • The Dwelling of God in the Community (Leviticus 1-10)
   • The Whole People of God at Work (Leviticus 1-10)
   • The Workplace Significance of the Guilt Offering (Leviticus 6:1-7)
4. The Unclean and the Clean (Leviticus 11–16)
   • The Permissibility of Eating Particular Animals (Leviticus 11)
   • Dealing with Skin Diseases and Mold Infections (Leviticus 13–14)
5. Holiness (Leviticus 17–27)
   • Gleaning (Leviticus 19:9–10)
   • Behaving honestly (Leviticus 19:11–12)
   • Treating workers fairly (Leviticus 19:13)
   • Rights of People with Disabilities (Leviticus 19:14)
   • Doing Justice (Leviticus 19:15–16) …

Ruth And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Daniel I. Block

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction to the Book of Ruth
2. Tragedy strikes the family of Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:1-22)
3. God’s blessing is the source of human productivity (Ruth 2:1-4)
4. God bestows his blessing of productivity through human labor (Ruth 2:5-7)
5. Receiving God’s blessing of productivity means respecting co-workers (Ruth 2:8-16)
6. God calls people to provide opportunities for the poor to work productively (Ruth 2:17-23)
   • God’s law calls people of means to provide economic opportunities for the poor (Ruth 2:17-23)
   • God leads individuals to provide economic opportunities for the poor and vulnerable (Ruth 2:17-23)
7. God’s blessing is redoubled when people work according to his …

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: April 2013, Michael W. Goheen, Calvin P. Van Reken, Kevin Adams, Carl J. Bosma

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Engaging the Church
Articles
3 - The Church: Who and Whose Are We? by Michael W. Goheen
5 - Why Join a Church? by Calvin P. Van Reken
7 - What Attracts People to the Church? (and what puts them off) by Kevin Adams
9 - Church Engagement A Roundtable Discussion
11 - Vision for the Seminary’s Institute for Global Church Planting and Renewal (IGCPR) by Carl J. Bosma

Departments
14 - Distinguished Alumni
15 - New Staf

Elder Selection: Engaging The Monterey Church Of Christ In A Collaborative Elder Selection Process, Benjamin D. Pickett

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This doctor of ministry thesis presents the outcomes of a project intended to foster greater collaboration at the Monterey Church of Christ in its selection of elders. The intervention involved the engagement of the Monterey Church in a process that involved multiple steps. These steps involved engagement with teachers in the context of a teacher training seminar, with Bible classes in a series of Bible lessons, and with elders, elder nominees, and their spouses in order to discern the perceived degree to which Monterey members participate in the elder selection process. The Bible lessons presented an alternative model for theological …

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 48 No 1 - April 2013), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

Articles: The Imitation of Christ as Illumination for the Two Kingdoms Debate by John Bolt - 6 / "Abraham had two sons": Augustine and the Allegory of Sarah and Hagar (Galatians 4:21–31) by Wendy Elgersma Helleman - 35 / Jonah 1:9—An Example of Elenctic Testimony by Carl J. Bosma - 65 / Missionary Ecclesiology in an Age of Individualization by Stefan Paas - 91 / From a Neo-Calvinistic to an Ecumenical Theology of Religions: The Development of the Theologia Religionum of Johannes Verkuyl by Rudolph Edward Stiemer - 107 / Pierre Viret on War and Peace by Robert D. …

Phoebe: Was She An Early Church Leader?, Darius Jankiewicz

Faculty Publications

The role of Phoebe in early Christianity has been hotly debated throughout the centuries, ranging from views suggesting that her ministry was nothing more than that of a helper (or patron) of the apostolic task, to those ascribing to her a significant ministerial role. As we shall see, this debate often influenced the biblical translations of the Greek words used by Paul to describe the ministry of this remarkable woman. In this article, I will focus on three aspects of Phoebe’s ministry that flow from the text of Romans 16:1, 2: her ministry as a diakonos; her role …

Dealing With Doctrinal Issues In The Church: Part 2, Richard M. Davidson, Paul S. Ratsara

Faculty Publications

Acts 15 reveals that the church, inits assembly of representative members, may indeed speak with binding authority upon the whole church, as that authority is based upon the Written Word. This chapter also provides a paradigm for dealing with doctrinal controversy, a paradigm that the Seventh-day Adventist Church may well follow when facing controversial issues.

Dealing With Doctrinal Issues In The Church: Part 1, Richard M. Davidson, Paul S. Ratsara

Faculty Publications

This series of articles suggests some ground rules for dealing with a potentially divisive theological issue. We begin by looking at the history of doctrinal controversy, both at the beginning of the Christian church and the inception of the Adventist movement, and by learning from the first Christian disciples and from our Adventist pioneers.

Dystopia And Individualism, Jacob Scott Anderson

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

La Sagesse Et L’Adversite – Wisdom And Adversity, Yann Opsitch

Language and Literature

What can we learn from the biblical text concerning the relationship between wisdom and adversity? How can we apply this to our lives in the 21^st century?

How do the life and teachings of Jesus connect with the biblical concept of wisdom? How does the story of Jesus help us reconstruct our broken lives and identities? Where is the wisdom in biblical hope?

These are some of the questions raised by this book written in French and addressing specifically a French audience.

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: January 2013, Stan Mast, John W. Cooper, John Bolt, Lyle D. Bierma

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Engaging the Forms of Unity
Articles
3 - Preaching Sound Doctrine in a Time of Itching Ears by Stan Mast
5 - The Pros and Cons of Confessions by John W. Cooper
7 - The Belgic Confession (1561)—Testimony of an Oppressed Church by John Bolt
9 - Engaging the Heidelberg Catechism by Lyle Bierma
11 - The Canons of Dort by Richard Muller
13 - The Confessions in the Church

Departments
14 - Mentored Ministries by Al Gelder
14 - New Staf

Rethinking Discipleship In The Area Of High School Ministry: Key Strategies For Transforming Urban Youth, Michael Rackley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

According to a Barna Research Group study titled "Third Millennium Teens" 60% of young people will leave the church permanently or for an extended period. Decreasing the number of urban youth ages 14-18 from defecting from the church and to increase retention of church dropouts using Twenty-First Century transformational strategies is the goal of this project. Having served as a youth pastor the writer will analyze key strategies that will benefit high school ministry by raising the bar on expectations and by building future leaders in the church.

This project will include an anonymous survey of 125 participants aged 18-24 …

Eight Key Principles To Transform Church Culture To Retain Ministry Leaders, Trent Lambert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In today's culture, there is an ever-growing population of unchurched and dechurched within our local communities, not to mention dysfunctional leaders within the Church. This project attempts to create a healthy quality of life for ministry leaders that transcends into relevant evangelism and empowering discipleship. Based on scripture, segments of church history leadership styles, surveys of current ministry leaders, various books/articles, and personal perspectives this paper will delineate lessons to be learned and principles that are effective in the remodeling process. The principles within this project will show how church culture can transition from an antiquated paradigm of ministry to …

Justification In The Gospels, Clinton Wahlen

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Ar Trebui Femeile Să Fie Hirotonite Ca Pastori? Considerații Asupra Vechiului Testament - Partea A I, Richard M. Davidson

Faculty Publications

In the modern discussion over whether women should be ordained as pastors, the foundational passage for both those who affirm and those who oppose women’s ordination is Gen 1–3. Those who affirm women’s ordination find in the Genesis creation accounts a statement of full equality without hierarchy of man and woman, set forth as the divinely ordained creation order. They see the rest of Scripture calling us back toward that creation ideal, and allowing for women to fill any position of authority to which God calls and gifts them. Those who oppose the ordination of women also go to Gen …

Exodus And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Bob Stallman

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction to Exodus
2. Israel in Egypt (Exodus 1:1–13:16)
   • The Harshness of the Israelites’ Slave Labor in Egypt (Exodus 1:8-14)
   • The Work of Midwifery and Mothering (Exodus 1:15-2:10)
   • God’s Call to Moses (Exodus 2:11-3:22)
   • God’s Work of Redemption for Israel (Exodus 5:1-6:28)
   • Moses and Aaron Announce God’s Judgment to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:1-12:51)
3. Israel at the Red Sea and on the Way to Sinai (Exodus 13:17-18:27)
   • The Work of Justice Among the People of Israel (Exodus 18:1-27)
4. Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1-40:38)
   • The Meaning of Law in Exodus (Exodus 19:1-24:18)
   • The Role of the Law for Christians (Exodus 20:1-24:18)
   • Instructions about …

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 47 No 2 - November 2012), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

Articles: All Is Well by Stanley D. Walters - 192 / A Good Sermon Is Hard to Find by Stanley Mast - 215 / Preaching the Creeds and Confessions of the Church: The Case for Theological Literacy by Wilbert M. Van Dyk - 224 / Applying Gracefully by Scott E. Hoezee - 237 / Balancing the Spiritual Diet: Suggestions for Preaching from the Book of Hebrews by Thomas J. Niehof - 248 / Applying Daniel's Messages to the Church Today by Sidney Greidanus - 257 / Scripture and Preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary by Arie C. Leder, Katrina M. …

Truth & Deception Overview, Theology Of Work Project, Scott Rae

Theology of Work Project

1. Truthtelling in the Bible
   • Truthtelling is the Norm in the Bible
   • Exceptions to Truthtelling in the Bible
2. Why Truthtelling is Important
   • Authentic Communication Requires Truthtelling
   • Trust and Cooperation Require Truthtelling
   • Human Dignity Requires Truthtelling
3. Truthtelling in the Workplace
   • Financial Statements Must Tell the Truth
   • There May be Exceptions to Truthtelling in the Workplace
     • Puffery/exaggeration
     • White lies
     • Bluffing
   • When Someone Has No Right to the Truth
     • Deception to obtain information you have a right to know
     • Information you have no right to know
     • Social implications of protecting information others have no right to know
4. Conclusions About Truth & Deception
5. Key Biblical …

Dwelling In The Word: Affirming Its Promise, Dwight J. Zscheile

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Calvin Forum: Fall 2012, Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

CONTENTS - Vol. 19., FALL 2012

Main Features:
2- Mission as the Key to Unlocking the GrandStory of the Bible by Michael W. Goheen

5- Nature and Culture Against Scripture: Why WeDon’t Like to Read the Bible by John W. Cooper

7- Reading and Living Out the Truth: Overcoming Biblical ADD by Michael J. Williams

9- The Bible Tells Me So: Knowing Confidently What Scripture Teaches by Jeffrey A. D. Weima

Departments:

11- Called to Serve at CTS

12-Welcome

14- Serving the Church

By This They Will Know: Discipleship Principles To Transform The Church, Mark R. Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Current research indicates that ninety-five million individuals in America do not attend church. Nearly forty percent, of this group, have a negative impression of Christianity. The purpose of this project is to study the forces that that are transforming the American culture, and the dynamics that are perpetuating a bad image of Christianity. The author will evaluate the current state of spiritual formation in the Christian community, and make recommendations for developing an effective discipleship strategy for the church. The impetus for this paper is the Great commission issued by Jesus as recorded in Matthew 28:19. The paper will incorporate …

Kingly Authority: Is It Finding A Place In The Adventist Church?, Stan Patterson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Twelve Prophets And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Tim Meadowcroft, William Messenger

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction to the Twelve Prophets
2. Historical Backdrop of the Twelve Prophets
3. Faith and Work Before the Exile—Hosea, Amos, Obadiah, Joel, Micah
   • God Demands Change (Hosea 1:1-9, Micah 2:1-5)
   • God Makes Change Possible (Hosea 14:1-9, Amos 9:11-15, Micah 4:1-5, Obadiah 21)
   • Unjust Work (Micah 1:1-7; 3:1-2; 5:10-15)
   • Working Unjustly (Hosea 4:1-10; Joel 2:28-29)
   • Individuals’ and Communities’ Work are Interdependent (Amos 8:1-6, Micah 6:1-16)
   • Work and Worship (Micah 6:6-8; Amos 5:21-24; Hosea 4:1-10)
   • Apathy Due to Wealth (Amos 3:9-15, 6:1-7)
4. Faith and Work During the Exile—Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah
   • God’s Punishing Hand at Work (Nahum 1:1-12; Habakkuk 3:1-19; Zephaniah 1:1-13)
   • Idolatrous Work (Habakkuk …

Acts And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Aaron Kuecker

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction to Acts
2. The Beginning of God's New World (Acts 1-4)
   • A Community with a Mission (Act 1:6)
   • An Orienting Vocation for the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:8)
   • An Orienting Identity as God's Kingdom Witnesses in Daily Life (Acts 2:1-41)
   • An Orienting Community that Practices the Ways of God's Kingdom (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-38)
     • The Economics of Radical Generosity (Acts 2:45; 4:34-35)
     • The Holy Spirit Empowers Radical Generosity With Every Kind of Resource (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-38)
     • A Just Community Is a Witness to the World (Acts 2:47; 6:7)
3. A Clash of Kingdoms: Community and Power (Acts 5-7)
   • Ananias and Sapphira: A …

Extending Story Listening As A Practice Of Communal Formation At The Lake Orion Church Of Christ, Eric R. Magnusson

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This doctor of ministry thesis presents the results of a project that explores the potential for extending a practice of story listening as a way of forming community across social circles at the Lake Orion Church of Christ in Lake Orion, Michigan. The intervention involved guiding a group of six participant-researchers, each of whom had previous experience in story listening, through six sessions in the fall of 2011. Each phase of the project was informed by a participatory social Trinitarian theology. The first three sessions were designed to empower participant-researcher pairs to facilitate story listening groups of four to five …

Sabbath & Management, Theology & Application, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

Without detracting from the importance of setting aside one day of worship each week some scholars believe that the meaning of Sabbath contains broader principles. This paper presents a summary of Sabbath theology based on two biblical themes: Creation and Covenant. It provides support for why managers should consider applying Sabbath principles in their work. Part III shows some of the ways in which this might play out in managerial work.

Proverbs And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Bruce Waltke, Alice Matthews

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction to Proverbs
2. About the Book of Proverbs
3. What Do the Proverbs Have to Do With Work?
   • The Valiant Woman (Proverbs 31:10-31)
4. The Wise Worker is Trustworthy (Proverbs)
   • A Trustworthy Worker is Faithful to His or Her Fiduciary Responsibilities (Proverbs)
   • A Trustworthy Worker is Honest (Proverbs)
5. The Wise Worker is Diligent (Proverbs)
   • A Diligent Worker is Hard-working (Proverbs)
   • A Diligent Worker Plans for the Long Term (Proverbs)
   • A Diligent Worker Contributes to the Profitability of the Enterprise (Proverbs)
   • A Diligent Worker Can Smile at the Future (Proverbs)
6. The Wise Worker is Shrewd (Proverbs)
7. The Wise Worker is Generous (Proverbs)
8. The …