Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion | Open Access Articles

Advent Devotional Guide 2015, Belmont University

Advent Devotional Guides

No abstract provided.

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Adventist Theological Seminary Responds To Headship Statement Appeal, Becky St. Clair

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

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Toward Permanence: Addressing The Need For Accessible Premarital Care For Deaf Couples, Peter Christopher Myers

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Deaf people in America have become increasingly recognized in recent years as a distinct community. While Christianity within the Deaf community has a recorded history dating back some five hundred years, little is known regarding pastoral care for Deaf people and in particular, guidance in marriage preparation. In spite of the plethora of research on marriage preparation, little attention has been paid to Deaf couples and marriage preparation-its efficacy for them in enhancing marital satisfaction and avoiding divorce. This project addressed the inaccessibility of premarital-care resources in the church for Deaf couples whose first language is American Sign Language (ASL). …

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The Simple Gospel, Vol. 1, Bishop H.C. Morrison

Heritage Material

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Out Of The Garden, Meredith Lockman 15

Honor Scholar Theses

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Resiliency And Self-Care For Pastors In Japan Facing A Disaster, John G. Houlette

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For Japanese pastors facing a disaster, exercising resiliency and self-care is an enormous task as clergy deal with varying disaster-related attitudes, impact within the church and overwhelming need and opportunity in the community. In addition to surveying seminary students, pastors who experienced the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake as well as pastors who lived through the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and seminary professors who train next generation pastors were interviewed using co-inquiry and a 360-degree data gathering approach. Results showed that managing stress, loss, relationships, compassion fatigue and burnout were common challenges. The data indicated that practicing resilient leadership entails …

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Rediscovering The Urgency Of Intentional Discipleship In The Naga Churches In Nagaland, Orenvungo Ngullie

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem this research addressed was the lack of intentional discipleship which has resulted in spiritual apathy and has hampered the development of leadership in the local churches in Nagaland, rendering Christians ineffective to impact the community. The study involved evangelical churches in Nagaland from various denominations, such as Baptist, Pentecostal, Revival and a couple of independent churches. In response to this problem, the researcher drew important lessons from the Great Commission passage (Matt. 28:19-20) highlighting the importance of discipleship as an intentional pursuit instead of an accidental venture. The literature review dealt with the current and relevant issues that …

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Exploring Leader Anxiety Within The Family System When Implementing Organic Leadership Development, Bruce Michael Sexton

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to develop a theory regarding the level of anxiety in the church family system when implementing organic leadership development. The researcher analyzed three biblical leaders’ developments while considering the effects on family system: Joseph’s stages of leadership development, the methods Jesus used in developing his disciples into leaders, and the leadership gift mix demonstrated by Peter and Barnabas. To further develop a theory, relevant literature of leadership development and family systems was explored. Focusing on the work of J. Robert Clinton, the researcher explored the development of leadership and gift mix. Then researcher considered …

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The New Reformed Pastor: Zwinglian Wisdom For Modern Ministers, Scotty Jermaine Williams

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Throughout churches in the Reformed tradition, there is a growing interest in renewing Eucharistic practices. This growing interest has led to a series of discussions among Reformed clergy regarding the role of pastors in the Eucharistic context. According to some church leaders, many Reformed pastors have a faulty sacramentality that stems from a misunderstanding of John Calvin’s pastoral vision. Instead of compelling faith in action through the Eucharist, where communicants share the grace they receive, this sacramentality leads them to be passive recipients that keep Eucharistic grace within the church. Unlike other research, which addresses the aforementioned issue by only …

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A Qualitative Study Of Doubt In The Evangelical Tradition, Benjamin B. Young

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project explored the difference between evangelicals who doubted and stayed in the evangelical Christian faith and those who left the fold. Grounded theory was the primary research methodology and data was gathered from interviews with people who struggled with doubt. This data was used to develop a strategy for people going through doubt and for pastors helping others process doubt. Pastors need to provide a safe a place to doubt by listening and being patient, and by waiting to see how God will work in the lives of the people who are struggling with doubt.

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The Mystery Of Human Suffering; Or, The Chastenings Of The Lord, Henry Clay Morrison

Heritage Material

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Mountain Peaks Of The Bible, Bud Robinson

Heritage Material

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Two Sermons: God’S Ability And The Blood Of Jesus; And, Three Experiences: 1. Rev. Jno. Haime, 2. Rev. Wm. Hunter, 3. Rev. Robt. Wilkinson, Bud Robinson, John Haime, William Hunter, Robert Wilkinson

Heritage Material

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What Is Holiness, Z. T. Johnson

Heritage Material

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Honey In The Rock, Bud Robinson

Heritage Material

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Jesus Christ Is Lord, Harold Paul Sloan

Heritage Material

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The Second Blessing In Symbol, Beverly Carradine

Heritage Material

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Witness Of God's Love, Denis Kaiser

Faculty Publications

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Leo The Great On The Supremacy Of The Bishop Of Rome, Denis Kaiser

Faculty Publications

Pope Leo the Great built his rationale for the supreme authority of the bishop of Rome on an existing tradition, yet with his additions he developed a theoretical rationale for later papal claims to absolute and supreme power in the ecclesiastical and secular realms. Previous bishops and church leaders had laid increasing stress on the unique role of the Apostle Peter as the founder of the Roman churches and episcopacy, the significance of the Roman bishop as Peter’s successor, and the apostolic significance of the city and episcopacy of Rome. Yet Leo’s rationale for the absolute control and power of …

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Peter Abelard’S Theology Of Atonement: A Multifaceted Approach And Reevaluation, Denis Kaiser

Faculty Publications

As a person trained primarily in philosophy, Peter Abelard employed an intense questioning mentality in fleshing out his theological ideas. His extreme debating style of totally deconstructing theological positions and then afterward including some of those same aspects into his own views made it easy for his religio-political enemies to take apparently heterodox statements and declare these as representative of Abelard’s entire atonement theology. However, many of his theological beliefs are supported in the New Testament and were already held by the church fathers. He frequently affirmed Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice as the ransom to redeem man. He rejected various contemporary …

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[Book Review Of] American Protestant Theology: A Historical Sketch, By Luigi Giussani, Denis Kaiser

Faculty Publications

Many scholars in the field of American religious and theological history may never have heard the name of Luigi Giussani (1922-2005) because he spent most of his life in his home country Italy, his proficiency in English was limited to reading literacy, and the majority of his writings were not concerned with American religious history anyway. Giussani was a Catholic priest, theologian, high school teacher, professor, and founder of the international movement Comunione e Liberazione. He was closely acquainted with Pope John Paul II and the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. His influence on Italian and European religious life and culture …

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Creation And Covenant - A Hermeneutical Approach To The Correlation Of The Seventh-Day And The Biblical Sabbath, Sergio L. Silva

Andrews University Seminary Student Journal

For centuries, scholars have debated the nature of the relationship between the seventh day (Gen 2:1-3) and the biblical Sabbath (Exod 20:8-11). While Covenant Theologians insist that the seventh day works as the theological foundation of the biblical Sabbath, New Covenant Theologians reject this relationship and insist the Sabbath is an institution given exclusively to the Israelites. This article argues that according to an exegetical-historical and theological reading of selected texts on the Sabbath, one must regard the seventh day as the theological foundation of the biblical Sabbath to sustain a consistent and coherent theological system that uses Scripture as …

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Typology And Adventist Eschatological Identity: Friend Or Foe?, Erick Mendieta

Andrews University Seminary Student Journal

For Seventh-day Adventists the significance of typology is not only a matter of historical research. Davidson has rightly argued that “the historic Adventist interpretation of the sanctuary … stands or falls depending upon the validity of its hermeneutic method.” This study tries to show that in Seventh-day Adventism typology has proven to be a defining force in theology, thinking, and at times even in practice. Since typology’s first appearance in early Adventism, it has provided assistance to the understanding of Scripture but has also been the source of much misunderstanding. The need to explore its nature, characteristics, and application has …

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What Is Your Main Business?, George G. Hunter Iii

Great Commission Research Journal

In chapter one of his forthcoming book, Christianity’s Main Business, George Hunter recalls the question that Peter Drucker advised leaders of all types of organizations (including churches) to ask, repeatedly, “What is our main business?” Hunter distinguishes between what church leaders typically say (and believe) is their main business, and their actual main business as revealed by their data—from budgets, to time expenditure, to interview data. He then unpacks the “top ten” themes he found driving most local churches. Hunter contends that Christianity’s mission to the world was supposed to be Christianity’s main business, and, drawing from N. T. Wright, …

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Justice Without Solidarity? Collective Identity And The Fate Of The "Ethical" In Habermas' Recent Political Theory, Andrew J. Pierce

Presidential Seminar on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition

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A Co-Created Incarnational Missiology For Evangelizing Hip-Hoppers, Ferguson Lee Harris

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research project contextualized the gospel of Jesus Christ for unbelieving hip-hoppers. The research showed that hip-hop culture is a distinct culture that is worthy of contextualization by Christian evangelists. The literary review and the biblical implications suggest that it is the Christian’s duty to contextualize the gospel for unbelieving hip-hoppers. This was concluded by presenting God’s incarnational pursuit of sinful humanity in both the Old and New Testaments. God’s self-initiated pursuit served as an example and mandate for believers to pursue unbelieving hip-hoppers. In his quest to contextualizing the gospel, the researcher conducted a phenomenological investigation. The results of …

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"And They Shall Be Two In One Flesh": The Battle Over The Virgin's Body In The Life Of Christina Of Markyate, Alexandra Locking

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

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Comparison Of The Use Of Gendered Language In Discourse On Christian Theology And Psychology, Chloe Ackerman

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The English language has historically reflected the sexist principles of Western culture. Common examples include the use of sexist pronouns and nouns such as policeman, businessman, or servicemen to represent men and women. Research in the last 50 years revealed the detrimental effects of sexist language, and the English language was accordingly altered. However, sexist language is still used colloquially and in settings such as Christian theology. This study explored differences in the use of gender language between the discourse on Christian theology and psychology, and tested a method of promoting inclusive gender language in Christian discourse. One hundred thirty-nine …

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Church Growth Before Mcgavran: The Methodological Parallels Of John Wesley, Bob Whitesel

Great Commission Research Journal

This article will look at methodological parallels between John B. Wesley and Donald A. McGavran. The influence of both men arose during similar social shifts that were accompanied by a perception of ecclesial apathy. Parallels will be demonstrated in McGavran’s principles of 1) conversion as a priority, 2) effective evangelism as a process model, 3) the danger of redemption and lift, 4) the importance of multiplication, and 5) pragmatism in methodology. A final section will look at the legacy of these two men and will suggest how identification can help retain focus on principles rather than on contextually-bound tactics.

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Mcgavran’S Early Years, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

Donald McGavran was born in 1897. This article covers the years from his birth until 1923 when he and Mary McGavran sailed to India. His early life as the child of missionaries, his secondary education in the United States, service in WWI, college education at Butler University, seminary days at Yale Divinity School, and masters work at the College of Mission are presented.

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Full-Text Articles in Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Advent Devotional Guide 2015, Belmont University

Advent Devotional Guides

Adventist Theological Seminary Responds To Headship Statement Appeal, Becky St. Clair

Lake Union Herald

Toward Permanence: Addressing The Need For Accessible Premarital Care For Deaf Couples, Peter Christopher Myers

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Simple Gospel, Vol. 1, Bishop H.C. Morrison

Heritage Material

Out Of The Garden, Meredith Lockman 15

Honor Scholar Theses

Resiliency And Self-Care For Pastors In Japan Facing A Disaster, John G. Houlette

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rediscovering The Urgency Of Intentional Discipleship In The Naga Churches In Nagaland, Orenvungo Ngullie

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exploring Leader Anxiety Within The Family System When Implementing Organic Leadership Development, Bruce Michael Sexton

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The New Reformed Pastor: Zwinglian Wisdom For Modern Ministers, Scotty Jermaine Williams

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A Qualitative Study Of Doubt In The Evangelical Tradition, Benjamin B. Young

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Mystery Of Human Suffering; Or, The Chastenings Of The Lord, Henry Clay Morrison

Heritage Material

Mountain Peaks Of The Bible, Bud Robinson

Heritage Material

Two Sermons: God’S Ability And The Blood Of Jesus; And, Three Experiences: 1. Rev. Jno. Haime, 2. Rev. Wm. Hunter, 3. Rev. Robt. Wilkinson, Bud Robinson, John Haime, William Hunter, Robert Wilkinson

Heritage Material

What Is Holiness, Z. T. Johnson

Heritage Material

Honey In The Rock, Bud Robinson

Heritage Material

Jesus Christ Is Lord, Harold Paul Sloan

Heritage Material

The Second Blessing In Symbol, Beverly Carradine

Heritage Material

Witness Of God's Love, Denis Kaiser

Faculty Publications

Leo The Great On The Supremacy Of The Bishop Of Rome, Denis Kaiser

Faculty Publications

Peter Abelard’S Theology Of Atonement: A Multifaceted Approach And Reevaluation, Denis Kaiser

Faculty Publications

[Book Review Of] American Protestant Theology: A Historical Sketch, By Luigi Giussani, Denis Kaiser

Faculty Publications

Creation And Covenant - A Hermeneutical Approach To The Correlation Of The Seventh-Day And The Biblical Sabbath, Sergio L. Silva

Andrews University Seminary Student Journal

Typology And Adventist Eschatological Identity: Friend Or Foe?, Erick Mendieta

Andrews University Seminary Student Journal

What Is Your Main Business?, George G. Hunter Iii

Great Commission Research Journal

Justice Without Solidarity? Collective Identity And The Fate Of The "Ethical" In Habermas' Recent Political Theory, Andrew J. Pierce

Presidential Seminar on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition

A Co-Created Incarnational Missiology For Evangelizing Hip-Hoppers, Ferguson Lee Harris

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

"And They Shall Be Two In One Flesh": The Battle Over The Virgin's Body In The Life Of Christina Of Markyate, Alexandra Locking

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

Comparison Of The Use Of Gendered Language In Discourse On Christian Theology And Psychology, Chloe Ackerman

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Church Growth Before Mcgavran: The Methodological Parallels Of John Wesley, Bob Whitesel

Great Commission Research Journal

Mcgavran’S Early Years, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal