Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

Uncertainty Before And After Faith: The Dynamics Of Belief In Theology And Literature, Brent Little

Dissertations

Although there has been much interdisciplinary scholarship surrounding the influence of various novelists' Catholic beliefs upon their work, there has been relatively little discussion about the nature of faith that emerges in their novels. For instance, is faith portrayed primarily as assent to conceptual statements of belief?

This dissertation will argue that faith, as portrayed by various Catholic novelists, is fundamentally a person's imaginative orientation to trust and hope in the presence of God's grace in creation and human life. I will approach this issue through the category of uncertainty, specifically uncertainty's relationship to faith, as this relationship emerges in …

Theology And Ideology Critique, Silas M. Morgan

Dissertations

In modern philosophy, the concept of ideology has been a problem for the relationship of theology to politics. Especially in its Marxist usage, “ideology” refers to a specific effect that theology has in modern society so as to conceal or hide the material facticity that shapes human life and practical activity. This is one of the many reasons why theology, even in its political form, has not taken up “ideology” as a matter inherent to its critical form. The absence of theoretical attention to ideology in theology itself has led to the deficit of immanent critique, especially in political theology. …

Social Justice And Ecological Responsibility: A Moral Case For International Collaborative Action On Environmental Degradation And Climate-Induced Displacement, James Stephen Mastaler

Dissertations

The contemporary ecological crisis, manifest in human-induced climate change, is a powerful form of structural violence against the poorest communities on the planet. As such, my research resides at the nexus of structural poverty, gender disparity, ecological degradation, and climate-induced displacement. The social justice implications emerging from this nexus require responsible moral deliberation and discernment over the international community's role in minimizing the human tragedies accompanying forced displacement and migration. While asserting the interconnectedness and dependency of all life upon mutual flourishing, responsible decision-making expands the range of felt moral concern to include ecological flourishing. Social justice is only possible …

Slavoj Žižek On Jacques Derrida, Or On Derrida’S Search For A Middle Ground Between Marx And Benjamin, And His Finding Žižek Instead, Colby Dickinson

Theology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Critiques of Derrida from contemporary Marxist positions are nothing new, though the nature and force of their argumentation need to be further analyzed in order to conceive of what stake Derrida will continue to have in our understanding of any political (Hegelian) inheritance within the coming decades. In this essay, I seek to advance the conversation between Derrida and his Hegelian-Marxist critics—with Slavoj Žižek’s unique reading of Derrida being here foremost among them—in order to ascertain more precisely the framework of debate on dialectics and deconstruction that continues to define our realms of political representation.

Maurice Blondel: Precursor Of The Second Vatican Council, Peter J. Bernardi Sj

Theology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The ecclesial renewal promoted by the Second Vatican Council would not have been possible without the intrepid labors of Catholic theologians, philosophers, and pastors in the decades preceding the Council. Among these Catholic visionaries, the French Catholic philosopher Maurice Blonde! (1861-1949) rnerits special recognition. He had a decisive impact on ressourcement theologians who helped to draft the conciliar documents. Blondel's influence is especially evident in their critique of conceptual rationalism that marked the pre-conciliar scholastic manuals, in the articulation of a richer understanding of the Church's tradition, and in the Council's teaching of a unitary human destiny. Blondel's thought contributed …

Inspiring Piety: The Influence Of Caravaggio’S Paintings In Santa Maria Del Popolo, Cara Coleman

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This article looks at the way Italian Baroque painter, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio broke from the artistic conventions of the Renaissance and Mannerist styles in his religious paintings to create an entirely new style that reflected the needs of the post-Tridentine Catholic Church. Caravaggio pushed painting throughout Europe in a new direction, away from the idealization of the Renaissance and the artistic extremes of Mannerism, by popularizing realism in art. Caravaggio’s unique style is examined through comparisons of his paintings, The Conversion of Paul, c.1601 and The Martyrdom of Saint Peter, c.1601 in the Roman basilica, Santa Maria del Popolo …

Living And Loving, Professor A. Thouluck, Francis E. Clark

Books

No abstract provided.

Crossroads Of Mind And Heart: Incorporating Intellectual Tenacity Into An Information Literacy Program, Janet Hauck

The Christian Librarian

The article discusses the incorporation of the concept of “intellectual tenacity” into an information literacy component of several theology courses at a Christian university. The librarian collaborated with four different Theology Department professors to design a successful research experience for the students, centered on the research assignment in each course. First, research skills were taught by the librarian, then preliminary bibliography assessment was done by the professors, and finally, students followed through on recommendations for intellectually tenacious research and completed their assignments.

Inscrutable Providence: The Doctrine Of Divine Concurrence And The Theology Of Charles Hodge., Nathan J. Archer

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation will discuss the doctrine of concurrence within the larger doctrine of providence. Although concurrence was once a key component of the doctrine of providence, it was difficult to maintain in a post-enlightenment theological and philosophical context, even for a Reformed thinker such as Charles Hodge. Although Hodge labored to explain the older formulation of this doctrine—especially as articulated by Francis Turretin—Hodge found concurrence problematic and did not commend its use. In addition to shifting philosophical sensibilities, concerns regarding pantheism were a significant reason why some nineteenth-century American Calvinists distanced themselves from concurrence. Nonetheless, Hodge’s theology stands largely in …

Revelation As Primal Sensing: A Theological Investigation Into The Interaction Between Christian Faith And African Religious Traditions., Philip M. Wandawa

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation fills a gap in African Christian thought regarding the relationship between Christian faith and African traditions. The gap is that—notwithstanding the light shed on the relationship by the debate within the threefold typology (exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism)—there is ambivalence in African Christian thought regarding the value of African religious traditions for Christian faith. This ambivalence is sometimes expressed in complaints by theologians against what appears to be either “syncretism,” “divided loyalties,” “religious schizophrenia,” or “double-mindedness” in African Christian religious experience and expression. In the view of this dissertation, the ambivalence in African Christian thought stems from the inability of …

The Pactum Salutis In The Theologies Of Witsius, Owen, Dickson, Goodwin, And Cocceius., Byunghoon Woo

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

The doctrine of the pactum salutis (covenant of redemption) offers the idea of a covenant between the very persons of the Trinity for the redemption of humanity. The doctrine received most of its attention in seventeenth-century Reformed theology, but has been criticized and almost totally forgotten in dogmatics since the eighteenth century. Most of recent Reformed dogmatics, with very few exceptions, tend to ignore the doctrine or disparage it from biblical, trinitarian, christological, pneumatological, and soteriological perspectives—namely, the doctrine lacks scriptural basis; it is tritheistic; it leads to subordination of the Son; it omits the role of the Holy Spirit; …

Calvin's Eschatology In Its Historical And Exegetical Context., Takashi Yoshida

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This study reveals both the variety and complexity of Calvin’s eschatology by way of a historical and contextual approach. Against an ahistorical and dogmatic approach to Calvin, it discusses the necessity of locating and examining his eschatology in several contexts: theological and exegetical traditions, both his predecessors and contemporaries; variety of genre of his own works, from catechism to polemical treatise and biblical commentaries; and their chronological developments. Calvin’s eschatology is basically traditional and owes much to the theological and spiritual heritage in the past. It is definitely, among others, in the Augustinian tradition though strongly characterized by his biblical …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Moral Leadership Crises In Kenyan Evangelical Churches As It Relates To Developing Authentic Leaders, Peter N. Mulinge

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project addressed the moral leadership crises among the evangelical churches of Kenya. Evangelicalism is the fastest growing religious movement in Kenya, a country that already has Africa’s largest percentage of evangelicals overall. This makes it imperative to promote authentic leadership in Kenyan churches. But the concept of leadership development there is overlooked, and as a result churches suffer from a lack of authentic leaders. In this vacuum, Kenyan churches are heavily influenced by traditional African leadership models that can be authoritarian, hereditary, and overwhelmingly corrupt. The latest Corruption Perception Index of 2013, launched by the global agency of Transparency …

Happiness Haven, Amos R. Wells

Books

No abstract provided.

Help For The Tempted, And That Means All Of Us, Amos R. Wells

Books

No abstract provided.

"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

No abstract provided.

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, …

Was Wesley An Anglican? Implications For Mission, John Marsh

Great Commission Research Journal

John Wesley, in his own mind, lived and died an Anglican. He was an Anglican in his theology but deviated in his missional activity and this contributed to him moving away ecclesiastically. He gave primacy to his theology of justification by faith and this was driven by a personal “awakening” into missional activity. Wesley’s frustration at the lack of preaching opportunities led to successful itinerancy. Resulting missional growth necessitated a developing ecclesiology of societies, lay preachers, the Methodist conference, and eventually irregular ordinations. Wesley’s subordination of ecclesiological organization to theological and missiological demands may have something to teach today’s church.

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.

Why Are We Here? Harvest Theology, Search Theology, And Christ’S Vision For Redemption, Gordon E. Penfold

Great Commission Research Journal

Varying voices cry out for attention concerning how churches should engage the culture and the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this article, attention will be given to understanding what Donald McGavran called Harvest Theology and Search Theology, as well as the biblical foundations for theology and authority. This work also describes the key role that vision plays in church transformation and further explores how Search Theology and Harvest Theology measure up to Christ’s vision for ministry and to the Great Commission. The article concludes with a plea to pastors and congregations urging them to fulfill Christ’s vision …

Book Review: Organic Mentoring: A Mentor’S Guide To Relationships With Next Generation Women By Sue Edwards And Barbara Neumann, Grace S. Morris

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests Into Fully Engaged Members Of Your Church By Nelson Searcy With Jennifer Dykes Henson, William J. Ingram

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

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

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

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

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

Lessons From The School Of Healing: A Series Of Articles Originally Published In The Herald From January 8th Through June 11th 1975, Frank Bateman Stanger

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

The Simple Gospel, Vol. 2, Bishop H.C. Morrison

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

Mountain Peaks Of The Bible, Bud Robinson

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

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

No abstract provided.

The Story Of Lazarus, Bud Robinson

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

My Life's Story, Bud Robinson

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.