Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

The Legacy Of Bartolomé De Las Casas: Then And Now, Alice Byrnes Op, Da, Anne-Marie Kirmse Op

Faculty Works: TRS (2010-2022)

Bartolomé de Las Casas is undoubtedly one of the most important figures of the sixteenth century western world, especially the ‘new’ world of the Americas. He preached and wrote on social justice issues more than three centuries before Leo XIII’s encyclical, Rerum norarum (1891) which set in motion the trajectory of papal teaching on the many facets of social justice. About the same time, another outstanding and highly respected Dominican professor, Francesco de Vitoria, was also teaching the values of the human dignity of all persons and their right to personal self-determination at the University of Salamanca in Spain. Although …

The Creation Of The Devil And The End Of The White Man’S Rule: The Theological Influence Of The Nation Of Islam On Early Black Theology, Marjorie Corbman Ph.D.

Faculty Works: TRS (2010-2022)

This article examines the emergence of the Black Theology movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the context of the religiously diverse milieu of Black political movements during the same period. In particular, the theology of the Nation of Islam was widely understood by contemporary commentators as a major source of the confrontational rhetoric and tactics of the Black Power movement. Drawing upon the writings of the radical Black nationalist minister Albert B. Cleage, Jr., this article examines the importance of what Cleage termed the Nation of Islam’s “Black cultural mythology” in providing the possibility of a break …

404 Error: The Digital Literacy Page Cannot Be Found, Katherine G. Schmidt Ph.D.

Faculty Works: TRS (2010-2022)

In March/April 2020 most churches around the world have been forced to close their doors due to the need for social distancing and local lock-downs in order to fight off the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The result was traditional churches had to make an unplanned and swift transition towards technologically-driven forms of gathering. Many church leaders felt out of their comfort zone, while experimenting with doing church online. At the same time, scholars and theologians began studying this new trends in how churches perform worship online. “The Distanced Church” brings together religious leaders and scholar in conversation in this …

The Gamification Of Kings : Teaching Judeo-Christian Kingship Through Final Fantasy Xv, T. Wade Langer Jr.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Fatherlessness In The African-American Community In Relationship To The Positive Role Of Christianity, Kevin Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following study is a qualitative investigation into the issue of fatherlessness among African Americans and its relation to the positive role of Christianity. The primary objective of the study is to determine, understand, and describe the circumstances that brought about fatherlessness and what role Christians may play to help address the problem. Also, the study focuses on developing a deep understanding of the consequences of fatherlessness and what role Christians may play to help mitigate these consequences. The results of this research will reconnect, revitalize, recover trust, ease the pain, and implement healing for fathers, children, and all involved. …

From Sunday School To #Sundayfunday: Social Media And The Semi-Public Performance Of The Weekend, Katherine G. Schmidt Ph.D.

Faculty Works: TRS (2010-2022)

The paper focuses on the role of internet technologies in the mediation of weekend activities in social networks, arguing that internet technologies facilitate and shape the social activities once occupied by more traditional institutions, namely religious communities. It compares three contemporary weekend events that have serve as identity-constructing performances in ways that religious communities have in the past. The three events are social drinking, exercise/fitness, and Sunday brunch. These three activities bear striking resemblance to the structure (such as ritual and symbols) and aims (such as community building) of religious communities. Moreover, social media facilitate the semi-public performance of these …

The Power Of Virtual Space, Katherine G. Schmidt Ph.D., Derek C. Hatch

Faculty Works: TRS (2010-2022)

The following essay emerges from the consultation of Evangelical Catholics and Catholic Evangelicals at the 2016 convention of the College Theology Society, which brings together Catholica and Protestant voices concerning a shared topic. In 2016, the theme of liturgy and contemporary social and communications media was in focus. As panelists, we offered complementary papers that have become two sections of this essay. In the first section, Katherine Schmidt provides a theological account of media from a Catholic perspective. Through reflections on the mediatory character of the incarnation, she argues that para-liturgical or extra-liturgical spaces are integral to the Eucharistic assembly …

God Is His Own Interpreter, And He Will Make It Plain, Barry Fike

Barry D. Fike

Religion, in its mystical, emotional or practical expression is, to me at any rate, of little value if divorced from intellectual integrity. I think that the reason “many believers” are so repulsive is that they don’t really have faith but a kind of false security. They operate by the slide rule, and the Church for them is not the body of Christ but the poor man’s insurance system. It’s never hard for them to believe because actually they never think about it. Unfortunately the reality is simply that it is not easy to get vast masses of men to think …

How To Read The Book Of Revelation In The Local Church: Overcoming Obstacles And Revealing Messages, Daljin Kim

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Transforming Teaching For Mission: Educational Theory And Practice: The 2014 Proceedings Of The Association Of Professors Of Missions, Robert A. Danielson, Benjamin L. Hartley

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

God Is His Own Interpreter, And He Will Make It Plain, Barry D. Fike

Barry D. Fike

Religion, in its mystical, emotional or practical expression is, to me at any rate, of little value if divorced from intellectual integrity. I think that the reason “many believers” are so repulsive is that they don’t really have faith but a kind of false security. They operate by the slide rule, and the Church for them is not the body of Christ but the poor man’s insurance system. It’s never hard for them to believe because actually they never think about it. Unfortunately the reality is simply that it is not easy to get vast masses of men to think …

The Symphony Of The Trinity : Tuning In To The Father, Son And Holy Spirit For Congregational Renaissance, Richelle Wagner Sampl

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Harmonizing Individual And Ecclesiastical Expectations With The Institution Of Theological Education, Meeli Tankler

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Turn, Turn, Turn: Considering Conversion In The Theology Classroom, Katherine G. Schmidt Ph.D.

Faculty Works: TRS (2010-2022)

I am currently a doctoral student in theology in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Dayton, a Catholic university operated by the Society of Mary, or Marianists. I have the pleasure of teaching the mandatory introductory course for the department, which can be a complicated task on its own, given that the course is intended to introduce students to both religious studies and theology. I will, however, largely bypass this particular complication in this essay and focus instead on the challenges of what it means to hand on the faith in the college classroom. In thinking about …

Inductive Biblical Study: History, Character, And Prospects In A Global Environment, David R. Bauer

The Asbury Journal

In this keynote address at the 2012 Interdisciplinary Colloquium, held at McKenna Chapel on the Kentucky Campus of Asbury Theological Seminary, October 12, 2012, David Bauer examines the history and development of inductive biblical study within its English-speaking environment. In addition, he proposes ways in which this approach can be understood in postcolonial environments as a way to open the methodology of Inductive Bible Study to a larger global audience.

A Faculty Member’S Response To David Bauer’S Article, Ruth Anne Reese

The Asbury Journal

This paper was part of an oral panel presentation that was given on October 12, 2012 at Asbury Theological Seminary. The panel was asked to engage with the question of Inductive Bible Study and its relationship to the global church. The paper is only minimally revised from its original oral presentation.

Inductive Bible Study: Contextual Appropriation In Northeast India, M. Sashi Jamir

The Asbury Journal

M. Sashi Jamir examines the application of Inductive Bible Study to the tribal communities of Northeast India. This postcolonial situation has some positives such as a context with a higher degree of education, but it has also lead to a prominence of Western philosophy over traditional ways of understanding, which need to be reclaimed. The reality that larger national forces in India often overshadow tribal communities also poses potential problems that prevent the local theological voice from being heard.

Pride And Prejudice: Colonialism And Post-Colonialism In The Philippine Chinese Context: How Ibs Can Be A Liberating Methodology To Find The Truth To Be Set Free, Juliet Lee Uytanlet

The Asbury Journal

This paper aims to present the importance of disentangling the Philippine Chinese from a colonial mindset before they can truly be disentangled from their wrong beliefs and practices. It is crucial to first trace back the relationship of colonialism and the colonial mindset among the Philippine Chinese to understand how this affects their present attitude toward Scripture and Christian mission before we can introduce the Inductive Bible Study method and its benefits to Christian churches.

Of Icons And Ibs: Contextualizing The Inductive Bible Study Method Among Eastern Orthodox Background Believers, Curtis Elliott

The Asbury Journal

Curtis Elliott explores the application of Inductive Bible Study to an Eastern Orthodox context, where the Bible is approached more from a position of mystery and tradition. He presents a number of problems a typical Protestant approach of this method can cause, and proposes a postmodern narrative-weave approach to Bible study that could potentially alleviate some of these problems.

Contextualizing Inductive Bible Study (Ibs) In A Postcolonial Filipino American Setting, Peter Tan-Gatue

The Asbury Journal

This article seeks to contextualize the application of Inductive Bible Study (IBS) to a postcolonial setting: the Filipino American Church in Los Angeles.1 As part of the process of doing so, this essay narrates a short history of colonization and Christianity in the Philippines, the migration of Filipinos to the United States and the challenges Filipino Americans encountered as a people living in a foreign land. Included in this story is the importance of Filipino American churches and some contemporary challenges and postcolonial issues (such as “colonial mentality” or internalized oppression) that affect a particular segment of Filipino Americans in …

The Scandal Of Our Tradition, Katherine G. Schmidt Ph.D.

Faculty Works: TRS (2010-2022)

I began college with visions of protests dancing in my head. Cautionary tales from high school teachers about the evils of liberal higher education— tales that, incidentally, only whetted my growing appetite to challenge unjust systems—created my image of college as a place of activism and revolution. But instead, I found complacent teenagers at a small, liberal arts Catholic college in the mountains, seemingly unaware of American wars being fought on dubious premises and annoyed by talk of current events. Although some students shared my concern for the injustices happening in the off-campus world, I struggled to find a place …

Speculations On Real And Virtual Worlds Fall Short, Katherine G. Schmidt Ph.D.

Faculty Works: TRS (2010-2022)

Every day millions of people get together -- virtually -- to trade goods, slay beasts and talk to wizards -- all from the comfort of their computer chairs. At first blush, the fantastic world of online video games like “World of Warcraft” and “EverQuest” -- where people are slaying those beasts -- may appear to be just another form of entertainment.

Coaching Pastors Of Faith Evangelical Church Of The Philippines Churches For Church Growth, Brent Hunter Burdick

ATS Dissertations

Research has shown that one effective means of improving leader effectiveness in business and education is coaching. Coaching involves asking questions, exploring options, providing guidance, and training in skills. Ministry is enhanced by coaching. This research explored the impact coaching six pastors in the Faith Evangelical Church of the Philippines churches had on the numerical and spiritual growth of the churches they pastor. The study focused on the key leadership factors of preaching, personal spiritual maturity, and multiplication of small groups plus two survey-determined factors. The hypothesis was that as the pastor advanced in leadership skills and effectiveness in these …

Worship In Testimony, Donald G. K. Ming

ATS Chapel Services

No abstract provided.

Catholicism In Ya Literature: A Theological Perspective, Katherine G. Schmidt Ph.D., Jennifer Miskec

Faculty Works: TRS (2010-2022)

Though modern children’s literature owes a clear debt to religious tradition, the majority of literature written for young readers today avoids discussion of religion. Texts invested in explicitly religious exploration are often a product of religious or non-mainstream presses—and are quite often proselytic, resulting in a binary distinction of children’s and young adult literature as either secular (religiously neutral [1]) or religious (overtly proselytizing). Scholars have long been troubled by this reductive but powerful divide. As Graeme Wend-Walker notes in his 2009 MLA presentation “The Inexplicable Moon and the Postsecular Moment: Turkish and American Experiences of the Moon Landing in …

The Pastors' Study Group : Research Into The Spiritual Formation Of Pastors Participating In Pastors' Study Groups, Christopher Robert Pulliam

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Integration Of Faith At Work: A Contextualized Bible Study With "Christians At Telekom", Andrea Isa Baare

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Transformative Learning For Transformational Leadership: An Evaluation Of The International Leadership Institute Training Program, Norival Trindade Jr.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Design For Local Church Evangelism In The Context Of Crusades, Roderick E. Barnett

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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

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 …