Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
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Worship as Witness: The Subject and the Glory of God
Get PDFIn recent years, worship leaders, scholars, and pastors alike have leveled concerns about increasing individualism in worship practices and song lyrics. The difficulty in reconciling the individual spirituality of each believer with the communal identity of ekklesia has become acute, and as a result, many have rejected subjectivity in worship in pursuit of a “pure” and objective view of God. Rather than being a debate about relativity and objectivity, this dilemma is symptomatic of an underdeveloped view of the finite subject in worship. This dissertation seeks to redirect the discussion by proposing the following questions: What does it mean to worship God as a subject, from a finite creaturely perspective? And, how does God receive glory through the finite perspectives of worshipers that are present now and into the new creation (Rev 21:24– 26)? This dissertation argues that the subjectivity (not relativity) in Christian worship is not a compromise of objective truth. Instead, a rich view of God’s glory through creaturely subjectivity is essential to cultivating robust Christian worship. Creaturely worship is both wonderfully restrained by the ontological finitude of the subject yet unleashed in the symphonic witness of multiperspectival truth borne by the gathered ekklesia.
Chapter 1 outlines the scope of this debate around subjective worship as it currently stands, contextualized within the widespread appeal of both Pentecostal worship songs and practices.
Chapter 2 explores the subjective application and experience of salvation in the ordo salutis before building a theology of human subjectivity through three biblical paradigms of God’s glory through subjectivity: creaturely finitude, progressive revelation, and heavenly capacities and rewards.
Chapter 3 explores competitive construals transcendence that problematize human subjectivity and refutes the idea that an emphasis on God’s immanence through subjective worship is in competition with God’s transcendent otherness, suggesting James K. A. Smith’s “incarnational phenomenology” harmonizes human subjectivity and divine transcendence. Far from compromising God’s transcendent otherness, this chapter argues that human subjectivity creates the capacity for relational encounter and is the means by which humans access transcendence.
Drawing on Roger Scruton’s The Face of God and The Soul of the World, chapter 4 establishes the subject as a transcendental concept and argues that multiperspectival worship, as it is related to a collectively held knowledge of God through consonant testimonies, functions as a means of intersubjective knowledge and meaning.
Chapter 5 argues that subjectivity is the means by which the Church bears a symphonic witness to God’s glory through the corporate imago Dei. The perspective of each worshiper is a manifestation of an inexhaustible gospel. As the testimonies of saints even approach the inexhaustibility of God, he becomes more visible in the world and, therefore, more glorified. Corporate worship, both here and in the new creation, is the context where individual testimonies get swept up into a larger story and verified in a kaleidoscopic panorama of God’s overwhelming, infiltrating grace. Christ has filled his world with the particularities of perspectives because his glory is too abundant to be exhausted by any singular perspective or testimony
FUELING A DEVOTION FOR THE GLORY OF GOD: THE RHYTHM OF CONTEMPLATIVE SOLITUDE IN THE LIFE OF JONATHAN EDWARDS
No full textThis thesis argues that a regular rhythm of contemplative solitude should be acknowledged as a primary influence on Jonathan Edwards's personal piety and devotion to the glory of God. To make this case, this thesis demonstrates that Edwards’s proclivity to contemplative solitude was theologically driven and historically grounded. Chapter 1 summarizes the work this study accomplishes, including the void within Edwardsean research focused on his theology and practice of contemplative solitude. Chapter 2 and 3 survey the theologies of solitude of four main groups—the eremitic Monastic movement, the cenobitic Monastic movement, the Reformers, and the Puritans—that preceded Edwards and help to identify the core influences upon his theology of solitude. Chapter 4 assesses Edwards’s teaching on solitude in his written and sermonic works. Chapter 5 examines his practice of contemplative solitude as described in his autobiographical works. Chapter 6 studies his teaching on solitude through his published biographical accounts of David Brainerd, Sarah Pierpont Edwards, Abigail Hutchinson, and Phebe Bartlet. Chapter 7 draws together the insights gleaned from each of these aspects of Edwards’s life and thought by presenting a synthesis of the New England divine’s theology of solitude
Charles Simeon: Parish Pastor, Evangelical Exemplar
No full textThis dissertation argues that the driving force behind Charles Simeon’s storied ministry was a robust pastoral theology. While due attention has been given to Simeon’s preaching, his pulpit formed only one feature of a broader perspective of the pastorate. A survey of scholarship reveals a need for a careful study of Simeon’s pastoral theology, the part of his ministry which gave it such impact. Simeon tirelessly gave his life to training young ordinands in a period when the vast majority of England’s ministers were educated in Cambridge and Oxford. As a mammoth figure in evangelicalism, the breadth of Simeon’s impact was not only profound, but also distinct in quality from fellow peers in the long eighteenth century. By staying local and exemplifying an extraordinary commitment to ordinary ministry, he marshalled a multitude of zealous men ready to follow his model. Thus, he indelibly marked the Church of England and the world. In order to reach people outside his parish, he molded pastors––and in order to train pastors, he cared for the people within his parish.
After introducing my topic, chapter 2 will show how Simeon endowed a generation of evangelical ministers with his particular pastoral theology. This chapter will highlight lives and ministries of several of Simeon’s prominent followers, including Patrick Brontë (1777–1861), Henry Martyn (1781–1812), Francis Close (1797–1882), Thomas Thomason (1774–1809), William Carus (1804–1891), and Charles Bridges (1794–1869). From then on, I will expound the core areas of Simeon’s pastoral theology. Chapter 3 will present Simeon as a devoted son of England’s established church. Throughout his life, he evidenced an unwavering devotion to the Anglican way. Chapter 4 will describe the character of Simeon’s spirituality, and how his brand of piety shaped his pastoral theology. Chapter 5 will examine Simeon’s approach to parochial ministry. This chapter will survey his ecclesiology, relationship to Nonconformity, and general strategy of caring for his flock. Chapter 6 will treat Simeon’s pulpit philosophy, locating it in his broader pastoral theology. According to the “Old Apostle” of Cambridge, true preaching was God’s Word delivered through God’s man directed toward God’s people. The final chapter will restate the thesis, reviewing the chapters and major conclusions. Ultimately, this dissertation will show how the unquenchable flame of his gospel convictions inspired an army of pastors who advanced his view of ministry to every corner of the British Empire
Developing a Discipleship Strategy for Building a Vibrant Youth Ministry in Eden Garden Christian Center in Louisville, Kentucky
Get PDFThis project aimed to develop a discipleship strategy for building a vibrant youth ministry at Eden Garden Christian Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The focus of this project evolved to address the doctrinal and spiritual needs of the youth, integrating them into the life and mission of the church through intentional discipleship. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the context of Eden Garden Christian Center and the Shively neighborhood in Louisville. Chapter 2 presents a biblical basis for discipleship as commanded in the Scripture; It stressed the importance of intentionality in discipleship. Chapter 3 examines historical and contemporary approaches to catechesis and discipleship and their relevance to youth ministry. Chapter 4 details the methodology and implementation of the project, including the development of an eight-week discipleship curriculum. Chapter 5 is an assessment of the ministry project that emphasized the effectiveness youth discipleship
A Christian Epistemological Analysis of Brian Boyd’s Biocultural Approach to the Origins of Narratival Structure
Get PDFThis dissertation addresses the limitations of naturalistic frameworks, particularly Brian Boyd’s biocultural model, in accounting for the origins and coherence of storytelling principles. This study argues that Christian theism provides a more comprehensive and coherent foundation for understanding the purpose and origins of storytelling than Boyd’s evolutionary model. Boyd posits that narrative structures evolved as adaptive traits within the biological and cultural evolution of humans, shaping cognitive and social behavior for survival. This dissertation critiques Boyd’s approach, demonstrating that his reliance on evolution to explain storytelling principles overlooks the need for a truth-oriented epistemology found in the Christian worldview, which holds that narrative finds ultimate coherence in God’s self-revelation. Engaging Romans 1:18–20 and historical Christian epistemology by key thinkers such as John Chrysostom, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, Cornelius Van Til, and Greg L. Bahnsen, this study establishes that storytelling principles align more cohesively with a worldview that recognizes divine purpose rather than sheer survival. Through this comparative analysis, the dissertation reveals the internal inconsistencies of naturalistic storytelling explanations and advances the argument that storytelling principles are intrinsic to man’s purpose and divine design
Equipping Leaders in a Counseling Methodology Based on 1 John at the Orchard Church in Barrington, Illinois
Get PDFFirst John is not a counseling manual, but counseling is discipleship and there are discipleship steps in 1 John that apply to counseling. The development of this training initially came about through a one-on-one Bible study in which a methodology emerged in the study of 1 John. This 1 John framework has a start, finish, and process that is particularly useful for training church leadership to counsel biblically. It has been repeated in a variety of pastoral counseling situations. This became a training given in a weekend intensive so that this 1 John methodology and basic biblical counseling training can be replicated in lay ministry. This intensive aided in the overall goal of training and equipping lay leadership. This methodology and training was for the Congregational Life Ministry. It can provide one-on-one, confidential, Christ centered guidance, support, and encouragement to the church family facing short-term emotional and relational challenges
Developing an Evangelism Ministry at Atlanta Baptist Chinese Church
Get PDFThe purpose of this ministry research project was to help members of Atlanta Baptist Chinese Church (ABCC) understand personal evangelism, share their faith with others, and win converts to Christ. Chapter 1 introduces the project and provides the current ministry context, purpose, and goals of evangelical ministry at ABCC. Chapter 2 describes the biblical and theological support for developing an evangelical ministry: Christians must recognize God’s supremacy over earthly kingdoms and their responsibility to share with the world that the gospel is the only hope for mankind. Chapter 3 explains the theoretical, practical, and historical issues affecting the modern church’s ability to fulfill its mission of God. Chapter 4 provides the details and description of the project implementation at ABCC. Chapter 5 is an evaluation of the project, assessing whether it accomplished its original objectives, the project’s strengths and weaknesses, and my personal reflections on the project
The imago Dei, Transhumanism, and the Future Glory of Humanity: A Critical Interaction With Ray Kurzweil's Technological Singularity
Get PDFIn this dissertation, I argue that Ray Kurzweil’s transhumanist vision toward a merger between human biology and technology, generated out of a technological “Singularity,” will have revolutionary implications for humanity. I employ Trentham’s Inverse Consistency Protocol as a methodological framework for this research. Kurzweil’s vision is a false gospel that teleologically inverts the doctrines of the imago Dei, the atonement, human sanctification, the resurrection, and the future glorification of the saints. While his vision represents a City of Man far removed from that of the ancient Romans in Augustine’s The City of God against the Pagans, Kurzweil’s ultimate hope is the same—a City of Man that rises above previous generations and grasps immortality. In this dissertation, chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the scope of the work as a whole. In chapter 2, I provide an overview of The Singularity Is Near. While drawing from Kurzweil’s broader published works to support his claims in The Singularity, I illustrate his vision for a technological future seeking to eliminate sin, suffering, and death—one in which humanity will ultimately create “god” and form an all-encompassing unity. In chapter 3, I cast a biblical vision for the eternal City of God rooted in the active and redemptive work of the Trinity in the doctrines of the imago Dei, human dominion, the fall, and ultimately the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary to save humanity from sin, suffering, death, and to restore humanity to an incorruptible and perfect glorified state. In chapter 4, I employ reflective discernment in analyzing and evaluating these inversely oriented visions of the City of God and the City of Man. While the biblical vision finds its future hope in the City of God in the redemptive work of the Trinity, Kurzweil’s technological Singularity envisions a future where human and machine intelligence navigate the restraint of language, a development incomprehensible to previous generations, and synergize the vast cultures of Earth into a united and enduring City of Man. In chapter 5, I appropriate my research by exploring leadership and curricular priorities for the practice of Christian higher education, specifically in navigating what I believe will become one of the greatest metaphysical challenges of the twenty-first century—the integration of IVR and the Simulation Hypothesis. I conclude the work by providing suggestions toward future research projects and research concepts based on various implications that arose during my research but that could not be either addressed or engaged within the scope of this project
Equipping the Lay Leaders of Grass Lake Baptist Church in Grass Lake, Michigan, to Employ Biblical Hermeneutics
Get PDFThis project equipped the lay leaders of Grass Lake Baptist Church in Grass Lake, Michigan, to employ biblical hermeneutics. The first chapter discusses the context of Grass Lake Baptist Church, the purpose, rationale, goals, and limitation/delimitation of the project. The second chapter presents three passages of Scripture (2 Tim 3:14-18; 2 Pet 3:15-18; 1 Cor 1:28-31) to provide justification for the application of biblical hermeneutics when reading the Word. Chapter 3 discusses the importance of modern believers to learn biblical hermeneutical principles from the Early Church, Middle Ages, and the Reformation. Chapter 4 provides the logistics, curriculum, measurement tools, and evaluation of the project. Chapter 5 evaluates if the program was successful based on the project goals outlined in chapter 1. This project equipped lay leaders with the confidence and skills to read and teach the Scriptures with assurance and joy in their Savior Jesus Christ
Prioritizing Preaching as a Primary Means of Encouraging Spiritual Growth Among the Body of Believers at LifeHouse Church in Townsend, Delaware
Get PDFThis project seeks to guide the LifeHouse Church congregation in Townsend, Delaware, towards a greater emphasis on preaching as a primary avenue for spiritual growth. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the ministry context at LHC, along with the rationale and various objectives of the project. Chapter 2 delves into the Biblical and Theological foundations supporting the central role of preaching within the local church. Chapter 3 explores the theoretical considerations surrounding authentic biblical preaching within a local church setting, addresses practical aspects of preaching in a local church context, and examines historical instances of churches and individuals emphasizing preaching. Chapter 4 details the project itself, including the prelude to its official initiation, the execution of an eight-week sermon series, and the implementation of initiatives aimed at prioritizing preaching, such as the church-wide planning process called S.E.E.K. Chapter 5 assesses the project’s effectiveness by evaluating the achievement of its objectives. This section includes the findings of a church-wide survey conducted upon the project’s completion, revealing that 88.4 percent of respondents agreed that LHC had better-prioritized preaching in 2023