Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

The Desert Of The Real: Christianity, Buddhism & Baudrillard In The Matrix Films And Popular Culture, James F. Mcgrath

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

The movie The Matrix and its sequels draw explicitly on imagery from a number of sources, including in particular Buddhism, Christianity, and the writings of Jean Baudrillard. A perspective is offered on the perennial philosophical question ‘What is real?’, using language and symbols drawn from three seemingly incompatible world views. In doing so, these movies provide us with an insight into the way popular culture makes eclectic use of various streams of thought to fashion a new reality that is not unrelated to, and yet is nonetheless distinct from, its religious and philosophical undercurrents and underpinnings.

[Introduction To] When Souls Had Wings: Pre-Mortal Existence In Western Thought, Terryl Givens

Bookshelf

The idea of the pre-existence of the soul has been extremely important, widespread, and persistent throughout Western history--from even before the philosophy of Plato to the poetry of Robert Frost. When Souls Had Wings offers the first systematic history of this little explored feature of Western culture.

Terryl Givens describes the tradition of pre-existence as "pre-heaven"--the place where unborn souls wait until they descend to earth to be born. And typically it is seen as a descent--a falling away from a happier and untroubled state into the turbulent and sinful world we know. The title of the book refers to …

"The Living Oracles": Legal Interpretation And Mormon Thought, Nathan B. Oman

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

L'Islam En Termes Chrétiens : Quand L’Aventure Ambiguë « Croise » Pascal Et Saint Augustin, Mbaye Diouf

Présence Francophone: Revue internationale de langue et de littérature

If it is recognized that The Ambiguous Adventure is one of Africa’s most studied texts, it should also be noted that most analyses of Cheikh Hamidou Kane’s novel are general sociological commentaries on a mythologized Africa or on a society that is caught in the snares of its own mythic “values.” These commentaries often forget that the text is also the passage through a history that was imposed on Africa, and one which the writer tries to interpret in his own way. If Kane’s text plunges into the Christian faith by invoking Pascal and Augustine, it is in order to …

Menorah Review (No. 63, Summer/Fall, 2005)

Menorah Review

Affirming Life -- Anti-Semitism, The Holocaust and Christianity -- Beginnings Departures Endings -- Christians and Israel -- Judaism and Superstitions -- Noteworthy Books

Spiritual Leadership As A Model Of Effective Leadership In Independent Schools, Karen Rezach

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Ethics Of Euthanasia: A Cross Cultural Perspective, Aneesh Goyal

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Solov'Ëv And Schelling's Philosophy Of Revelation, Paul Valliere

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

The connection between Solov'ëv's philosophy of religion and Schelling's has long been recognized but is difficult to clarify for two reasons. The first is Solov'ëv's nonchalance about citing sources. The paucity of direct references to Schelling in the work of a philosopher who has been called 'the last and most outstanding Russian Schellingian' is quite astonishing. The second reason is the ambivalence toward Schelling in Russian religious philosophy.

The First Principle Of Life : Thomistic Dualism And Current Issues In The Mind-Body Debate, David Alan Reed

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Life Of God's Word In The Theology Of Athanasius, Sanders Fred

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

On Moral Grounds: The Art/Science Of Ethics, Daniel C. Maguire, A. Nicholas Fargnoli

Open-Access Books by Faculty

From the introduction:

Our age can lay claim to a unique moral chaos. Modernity badgers us with perplexing moral questions: Can good ethics and good business ever coincide? Should medical science do all the things that it now can do? Is truth-telling always a virtue? If it is, how can one maintain professional or personal confidentiality? Is honesty always the best policy? What are the proper criteria for the journalistic media when it comes to reporting the real news and avoiding sensationalism? Should there be an “ethics committee” in government, in business, in hospitals, in law firms, or in financial …

From The Religions Of Man To The World's Religions: A Conversation With Huston Smith, Philip Novak, Bridgett Novak

Collected Faculty Scholarship

"Huston Smith's The Religions of Man has for a generation introduced more people to the world's spiritual heritage than any other work. Over one and a half million copies have been printed since 1958. The author of many other articles and books (Forgotten Truth, Beyond the Postmodern Mind) and an advocate of the Perennial Philosophy, Professor Smith has helped to shape the spiritual currents of our times. We interviewed him shortly after he had completed the first revised edition of The Religions of Man, due out in September from HarperCollins under the new title, The World's …

Nietzsche And Christ: Toward A Christian Apologia, Matthew Mathews

Bouwsma Paper Contest

Very few philosophers have aroused the interest and passions of their readers like Friedrich Nietzsche has. It seems that even those with little or no exposure to modern philosophy have heard one or more of his aphorisms quoted by peers who themaadves do not fully understand them, and this is indicative of an ongoing blind love affair that many moderns have with Nietzsche and his aphoristic wit. Perhaps one of the chief factors which contributes to the confusion surrounding Nietzsche’s philosophy is his polemical and sometimes surrealistic literary style.

A Survey Of Luther's Understanding Of The Proper Use Of Ratio In Theology As Found In The Lectures On Galatians (1519),On The Bondage Of The Will, And The Disputation Concerning Man, Kerry Reese

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this thesis is not to speculate regarding where this writer thinks Luther would stand today in the midst of the battles fought to give ratio its proper place in Christian theology. Instead, this writer finds merit in the practices of the Augustinian scholars of Luther's day, allowing an author's writings to speak for themselves when presenting another's point of view on a given subject.6That shall be the attempt of the following pages: to permit the primary sources themselves the opportunity to speak out on the topic of Luther's concept of the proper use of reason in knowing …

Kierkegaard's Ethical Sphere Of Existence, David J. Feddes

Bouwsma Paper Contest

The various works of Soren Kierkegaard's pseudonymous authorship deal prominently with what he variously terms as the "stages" or "spheres" of existence. Kierkegaard's portrayal of the distinct spheres of existence is often rich with philosophical profundity and psychological insight. Moreover, a fundamental grasp of how he wiews the various stages is essential to an adequate understanding of Kierkegaard's thought and authorship. The different spheres of human existence are not, however, easily delineated, nor was it Kierkegaard's purpose to present a systematic description which, when its superiority to the Hegelian system was recognized, would then supplant that system.

Authority In Christian Higher Education, John B. Hulst

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

An Examination And Exposition Of Process-Thought And Extrapolation Of Its Themes For Theological Use, Christian Just

Master of Divinity Thesis

It is the expressed purpose of this study to investigate the possibilities for theological use of process philosophy. Within that scope and purpose, certain objects had to be met. First, it was necessary to understand as fully as possible the philosophical system itself. Second, certain judgements had to be made as to the availability of that system for theological and religious purposes. Finally, it was necessary to expand on the philosophical scheme to include certain theological notions that are not inherent in the system.

Theology-Philosophy-Poetry: Toward A Synopsis, Erwin L. Lueker

Concordia Theological Monthly

From his background as professor of systematic theology, as well as that of his deep interest in philosophy and poetry and his writing in these fields over many years, the author sketches his impressions of the nature of the relationship between theology, philosophy, and poetry and indicates the current tendency toward a synopsis. The relationship between literature (especially poetry) and philosophy and theology is receiving increasing attention from scholars in all three areas. It is the author's conviction that the sensitivity of poets often makes them pioneers in recognizing new situations and impending changes and that some of the outstanding …

A Study Of Basic Philosophies Of Seminary Teachers Determined By The Ames Philosophical Belief Inventory, V. Mack Sumner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not there were differences in the basic philosophies of Seminary Teachers who were ranked highest and lowest by experienced coordinators. It also sought to determine which philosophical background was associated with the most successful teachers, and which with the least successful.

Seminary teachers of three districts were surveyed by the Ames Inventory, and each coordinator identified his ten most successful and least successful teachers. The results of the Inventory and the teacher rankings were tabulated and compared, using Chi Square analysis to determine if differences were significant.

The findings indicated …

Erasmus On The Study Of Scriptures, Carl S. Meyer

Concordia Theological Monthly

Erasmus (1469-1536) was the editor of the first published Greek New Testament printed from movable type (1516). He translated the books of the New Testament into Latin and also paraphrased them (except Revelation) in that language. He published the notes of Lorenzo Valla (1406-1457) on the New Testament. He must likewise be accounted as one of the important theologians of the first half of the 16th century as well as an earnest advocate of the study of Scriptures.

The Theology Of Thomas Dick And Its Possible Relationship To That Of Joseph Smith, Edward T. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

In her attempt to find a strictly human origin for certain doctrines contained in the Book of Abraham, and the later teachings of Joseph Smith, Mrs. Fawn M. Brodie relies upon the writings of one Thomas Dick. Dick was a nineteenth century Scottish scientist-theologian who wrote several volumes on religious and scientific subjects. It is known that at least two volumes were known to at least some of the early Latter-day Saints, for passages from them were quoted in the Messenger and Advocate. The purpose of this thesis has been to research the entire ten volumes of Dick's writings …

New Testament Evangelism And Its Applicability Today, Eugene Rasmussen

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evolutionary Theology Of Pierre Teilhard De Chardin, His Critiics And A Personal Evaluation, Robert Letalien

Bachelor of Divinity

This paper will be an attempt to evaluate the lifegoal of Teilhard, namely, his reconciliation of the theory of evolution with the Christian faith. The emphasis will be placed upon his hopes for the future of man in the light of his philosophy. The future of man he labels as the “Omega point." To see how this point is reached it will be necessary to briefly describe how Teilhard views the evolutionary process from the inception of matter until the fulfillment of all things at the Omega point.

The Influence Of Martin Heidegger On The "New Hermeneutic": Heinrich Ott's Use Of Heidegger, James Marquardt

Bachelor of Divinity

In the past few years theology has experienced a renewal in the area of hermeneutics. This renaissance includes more than a stimulating interest in the principles of interpretation, a periodic revival similar to those that have come and gone in other theological fields. Hermeneutics has broken the boundaries in which it has been confined since the age of orthodoxy and assumed totally new proportions, even to the extent of becoming the focal point of theology for some theologians. To trace some of the philosophical influences behind and in this movement is the proposed task of this paper.

The Mission Of The Churches To Higher Education, Wayne Saffen

Concordia Theological Monthly

It is perhaps significant that we consider the churches as having a mission to the university and college. This is an admission that on the secular campus the churches are outside looking in. They do not occupy the seat of power or even possess the persuasive ability to determine educational aims, philosophy, curriculum.

Quinque Viave: The Five Ways Of St Thomas Aquinas, Robert Ridall

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

Many of the ancient Stoics never experienced any serious problem concerning the existence of God because they tended to be pantheistic. The orthodox Stoic could put his hand anywhere in the universe and affirm with confidence, "Here is god.” Plato’s “highest good” and Aristotle’s “unmoved mover” are actually monotheistic proofs. Both of these men accepted the traditional gods of Greece but they were searching for a metaphysical ultimate to account for all reality. However when one encounters St. Thomas in the thirteenth century he discovers that these metaphysical ultimates of the ancients resemble the Christian God. St. Thomas calmly presents …

A Comparison Of Hegel's Christian Philosophy With Historic Christian Theology, Fred H. Stennfeld

Bachelor of Divinity

Throughout the ages man has wrestled with the problem of “maturing" the Christian faith, of presenting something that intelligent mind could grasp and hold on to. Beginning with gnosticism and carrying on through the ages to today and tomorrow, this process has been and will be carried on. This paper concerns itself with one such effort, the effort of philosopher George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel to present a system of Christian philosophy to satisfy the grasp of the "higher mind." This paper will show what happens to historic Christianity when such effort is carried out.

Can We Communicate Ultimate Reality?, David M. Newcomer

Honors Projects

This paper examines the function of communication, philosophy, and religion and moreover, their necessity to the awareness of being.

Epictetus, Arthur W. Klinck

Concordia Theological Monthly

Some time around the year A. D. 70, about the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, a lame and sickly little slave boy was added to the great household of Epaphroditus, freedman and favorite of Nero. Certainly there was nothing to recommend him physically. Yet it may be that that patience and perseverance of spirit so evident throughout his discourses had already begun to show itself in a certain nobility of demeanor which slave work could not erase and slave clothes could not conceal.

Toward An Evangelical Philosophy Of Science: The Historical And Recent Background, Oscar T. Walle

Concordia Theological Monthly

The general title of our discussions indicates that we are interested in the search for a unifying discipline or point of view which may bridge or fuse what Carl Henry calls. "the cleavage between science and religion . . . one of the defacing characteristics of our culture." This author ably states the case when he says, "Evangelical theology, if it is to make a major contribution to synthesis, must propound a Christian philosophy of science tracing the implications of the sovereignty of God for all branches of science." It is the purpose of this presentation to call attention to …