Browsing Divinity School by Submit Date
Now showing items 1-20 of 209
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Learning to Sail in the Storm: Integrating Murray Bowen's Concept of Differentiation of Self with Pastoral Theology and Leadership
(2020)This thesis integrates Murray Bowen’s concept of Differentiation of Self (DoS) with pastoral theology and practice. It does so with a particular emphasis on how DoS can assist pastors living and working in the North American ... -
The Cruciform Pulpit - Preaching Toward a Robust Theology of the Cross
(2020)This thesis project focuses on preaching a robust theology of the cross. This work was born out of a desire to envision and enable preaching shaped by a theology of the cross that acknowledges historic theologies of the ... -
The Speaking Text: Leviticus as Generative Discourse
(2020)The book of Leviticus literarily portrays an encounter between YHWH and Israel that is mediated through discourse. In keeping with the priestly creation account, the book of Leviticus shows the divine discourse at Sinai ... -
A Matter of the Heart: Developing Empathic Skills in Church Teachers
(2020)Christian teachers lead godly change in the lives of people whom they influence. The preparation of people to lead as teachers in the church requires the development of inner character that is consistent with Christian purposes. ... -
Singing and Suffering with the Servant: Isaiah as Guide for Preaching the Old Testament
(2020)This dissertation argues that domination in its many forms (political, economic, cultural, theological) continues to significantly affect Old Testament hermeneutics and homiletics. Those who write about preaching the Old ... -
IS HUMAN PREDATION ON OTHER SPECIES AN ACCOMMODATION OF THE FALL OF CREATION OR PART OF GOD’S INTENDED PLAN FOR CREATION?
(2021)The scriptural witness has indications that it is acceptable to kill animals for food but also indicates that originally human beings were vegetarians and will be yet again when this world is claimed as part of God’s kingdom. ... -
Reimagining Relationship: What Autism Reveals About What it Means to Relate to God
(2021)Popular expressions of contemporary Christianity emphasize a version of the faith is not a religion, but a relationship. What would such a statement mean for people on the autism spectrum whose diagnosis in DSM-5 describes ... -
A Model For Revitalizing Urban Churches Facing Decline
(2021)This project seeks to introduce a model for revitalizing urban churches that have experienced decline (i.e., membership, money, and morale). Social Justice, Prophetic Preaching, Missional Stewardship, Intergenerational Ministry, ... -
The Case for Reparations: The Social Gospel of Walter Rauschenbusch, and a Program to Understand and Close the Racial Wealth Gap
(2021)Considerable attention is being given to the growing problem of the racial wealth gap in the United States of America. Understanding this chasm requires a critique of the government’s imprimatur on the institution of slavery, ... -
"All Hail King Jesus": The International Worship Symposium and the Making of Praise and Worship History, 1977–1989
(2021)Since the late 1940s, Praise and Worship has emerged as a new mode of liturgical expression out of North American Pentecostalism. Despite a variety of conflicts that have marked its adoption, it has found a home in a wide ... -
How Do You Read It?: Exegesis, Religious Coping, and Spiritual Growth
(2021)This thesis analyzes critical and non-critical approaches to the interpretation of scripture against the four psychological features of religious coping identified by Ken Pargament—differentiation, integration, flexibility, ... -
Slow Communion: Habitus-changing Formation for Multiethnic Churches
(2021)Multiethnic churches could be places of healing and profound witness to the reconciliation found in Christ. Unfortunately, our habitus, that interior framework that shapes the way we conceive of the world, is not currently ... -
From Strength to Strength: Reclaiming the Planks and Pillars of St. Ambrose of Milan’s Outlooks on the Virtue of Liberality in Philanthropic Leadership
(2021)St. Ambrose of Milan led the church to seek ministry with the poor as a mark of virtuous Christian life. With an emphasis on the sacrament of holy baptism, Ambrose demonstrated how to reciprocate God’s love by clarifying ... -
A Strange Land: Christian Rhetoric and Behavior in Times of Political and Cultural Polarization
(2021)Serious divisions within the United States currently threaten our social fabric. These divisions are acutely on display across the political arena and permeate many aspects of American society. Alarmingly, Christian ... -
Transformational Detours: A Journey with Lydia Through God’s Power Within
(2021)"Transformational Detours: A Journey with Lydia Through God’s Power Within" is a call for Christian leaders to return to the roots of their heritage and follow the example of Lydia, Paul’s first European convert and church ... -
“And Also with Your Spirit, Pastor”: Toward a Balanced Framework Designed to Forge, Cultivate, and Sustain Holy Friendships among Clergy
(2021)Over the last several decades, pastors, ministers, and other clergy have benefited fromcountless biblical, ecclesial, theological, and practical resources designed to provide church leaders with appropriate strategies for ... -
The Rediscovery of Resident Aliens – the Virtuous Leadership of Shaping God’s Faithful People: Implications for the Korean Churches of the 21st Century
(2021)This thesis presents the ecclesiology of Resident Aliens as an alternative to overcome the crisis of the Korean church and focuses on the ways to establish a Christian community through “virtuous leadership”. This thesis ... -
Reclaiming Self: An Augustinian Understanding of the Importance and Power of the imago Dei.
(2021)The following work explores identity from overlapping vantage points; biblical/theological, historical and practical to establish a robust understanding of identity in our present time. This thesis explores the ontological ... -
Present Reality and Future Possibilities for the Rural United Methodist Church
(2021)This thesis examines the distinctive nature, specific struggles, and ultimately hopeful future of rural congregations in the United Methodist Church. Drawing from my experience pastoring various rural churches, I address ... -
A Study Guide for Small Membership Church Survival: Participating in God’s Mission
(2021)Small membership churches are struggling with the very real issue of their continued survival. However, there is no wealth of information nor work addressing the issues of small membership churches. The purpose of this thesis ...
