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What to Do About the Dreamer? A Theological Evaluation of Dreams and Visions That Aid Muslim Conversions to Christianity
Get PDFThere are increasing reports of dream or vision experiences that significantly influence or aid Muslim conversions to Christianity. These experiences elicit many questions about how one should evaluate, receive, affirm, or reject them, and they have led some to conclusions that are biblically and theologically problematic, particularly regarding the doctrine of revelation. This dissertation evaluates the issue biblically, historically, and theologically, and locates these experiences within the doctrine of revelation affirmed by Christians in the tradition of the Protestant Reformation and the Evangelical movement, using the traditional categories of general and special revelation, to provide needed biblical parameters and answer common questions. This dissertation contends that God is using dreams and visions today as special acts of providence to guide Muslims to the gospel and Christian conversion. They are “signs and wonders” events that fit within the “miracle” subcategory of special revelation. God does not use them to convey new authoritative Word revelations, and they should never be considered necessary or sufficient
Plurality of Elder Leadership Versus One-Man Authority in a New Testament Church
Get PDFThe thesis of this paper is that churches should be led, taught, and governed by a plurality of elders, leading the church as a group without a defined single-man authority over them. Chapter 1 contains the thesis statement, along with a brief discussion of the content and the methodology used in this paper. Chapter 2 reviews church history, from the point in the second century when the church departed from the biblical model of church government until the present day. Chapter 3 provides the exegesis of scriptural passages and examines the pattern of church government and explores whether there is just one or multiple models found in New Testament churches. Chapter 4 presents practical arguments for alternate models of government, based on personality preferences and time management issues. Chapter 5 presents the conclusions formed from the preceding analysis, thereby defending the thesis statement
Explaining Ezekiel’s Enigmatic Muteness
Get PDFThis dissertation explains the nature and significance of the prophet Ezekiel’s muteness as mentioned in Ezekiel 3:22–27, 24:25–27, and 33:21–22. It addresses the paradox of Ezekiel prophesying in verbal address and apparent reproof (see for example Ezek 11:13, 25; 13–14; 20; 24:18, 20) despite YHWH barring him from speech and from being some sort of “reprover” toward Israel (אִישׁ מוֹכִיחַ; Ezek 3:26) until his release (Ezek 33:22). It also explicates the sign function of Ezekiel’s muteness (מוֹפֵת; Ezek 24:27). I contend that Ezekiel’s muteness was a divinely imposed, literal silencing that precluded informal speech and a reproving lifestyle toward exilic Israel despite their rebelliousness. Yet, because of the exiles’ recalcitrance, his muteness also enabled prophetic speech at YHWH’s decree. Moreover, Ezekiel’s muteness and return to ordinary talking signified the exiles’ proper speech conduct of silence toward YHWH while under judgment and a renewed freedom to speak with YHWH once judgment had passed over.
I argue this thesis first by introducing in chapter 1 the texts citing his muteness from the book of Ezekiel and the enigma that they set up in relation to the whole book. In chapter 2, I assess approaches from the history of interpretation used to explain this enigma of Ezekiel’s muteness along with how they impact the interpretation of the book of Ezekiel. In chapter 3, I contextualize Ezekiel’s muteness by considering the experiences of other socially integrated prophets, such as Moses, Nathan, and Jeremiah, and especially with those claiming a speech problem, including Moses and Jeremiah. In chapter 4, I thoroughly examine Ezekiel’s muteness, including a broad look at his mute prophetic conditions and a passage-by-passage exegesis of the texts citing his muteness in order of their occurrence. Herein, I identify the various aspects of Ezekiel’s muteness that, when considered together, constitute my explanation for his muteness. I then show that Ezekiel’s communications before, during, and after his speechlessness as noted in the book of Ezekiel substantiate my explanation of his muteness. In chapter 5, I describe several inferences stemming from this understanding of Ezekiel’s muteness. Namely, YHWH intended Ezekiel’s muteness as part of a program of prophetic enablement that ensured Ezekiel would fulfill his commission. Also, YHWH meant the muteness as a divine mercy to the exiles, for it would facilitate prompting their repentance and so make eligible YHWH’s covenant restoration. Furthermore, Ezekiel as a muted prophet stands in succession with prophets who received divine enablement, especially for a speech problem, and with prophets who suffered for their vocation
The Catholicity of the Church: Pneumatological Exclusivism for the Universal Presence of Christ in the People of God
Get PDFOver against pneumatological inclusivism arguing for the possibility of salvation of religious others in particular and the unevangelized in general, this dissertation champions pneumatological exclusivism for the constitution and salvation of the church catholic of the new covenant.
In chapter 1, this dissertation provides an outline of this project containing its thesis, methodology, history of research, significance, and argument.
In chapter 2, this dissertation demonstrates pneumatological exclusivism for the constitution of the church catholic of the new covenant: the hearing and appropriation of the preached gospel that leads to conversion as the prerequisite for the realization of baptism with, the outpouring of, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in putting into effect the constitution of the new covenant people of God.
In chapter 3, this dissertation establishes pneumatological exclusivism for the salvation of the church catholic of the new covenant: the hearing of the preached gospel as the precondition for the realization of the work of the Holy Spirit in effectual calling, regeneration, and union with Christ.
In chapter 4, this dissertation discusses the nature of pneumatological inclusivism of the Roman Catholic Church represented as institutional inclusivism: the salvation of religious others and the unevangelized through the visible Roman Catholic Church. It then assesses and refutes institutional inclusivism of the Roman Catholic Church on the ground of theological principles of pneumatological exclusivism for the constitution and salvation of the church catholic of the new covenant.
In chapter 5, this dissertation discusses the essence of Jürgen Moltmann’s pneumatological inclusivism understood as universal inclusivism: the salvation of all created beings in God through the Holy Spirit. It then evaluates and repudiates his universal inclusivism on the ground of theological principles of pneumatological exclusivism for the constitution and salvation of the church catholic of the new covenant.
In chapter 6, this dissertation discusses the substance of Amos Yong’s pneumatological inclusivism expressed as Pentecostal inclusivism: the salvation of all flesh upon whom the Holy Spirit has been poured out. It then assesses and rebuts his Pentecostal inclusivism on the ground of theological principles of pneumatological exclusivism for the constitution and salvation of the church catholic of the new covenant.
In chapter 7, this dissertation reaffirms its thesis and recapitulates the thrust of the foregoing discussion in chapters 2–6
Training New Elders at Jackson Way Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to develop and implement a training program for incoming elders at Jackson Way Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Chapter 1 explains the ministerial context of Jackson Way Baptist Church and the need for an elder training plan. Chapter 2 demonstrates the biblical and theological basis for training men for ministry. Chapter 3 considers the benefits of having elders. Chapter 4 provides training principles for elders, and an overview of the process and methodology used in this project. Chapter 5 is an evaluation of the project, determining its effectiveness
Finding God Within: A Systemization and Evaluation of the Writings of Warren Felt Evans
Get PDFThis dissertation systematizes and evaluates the published and unpublished writings of nineteenth-century religious philosopher Warren Felt Evans. Evans was the first published writer for the metaphysical religious movement known as New Thought. Historian of American metaphysical religion, Catherine Albanese, believes the amount of critical scholarship pertaining to New Thought has not adequately reflected the level of its influence in American culture. By systematizing Evans’s philosophy, this research accomplishes two objectives. First, it cultivates a deeper understanding of what became New Thought, which can help evangelicals to better understand and reach contemporary Americans who have become disillusioned with the church and resonate with Evans’s core teachings. Second, the evaluation of Evans’s theology creates a theological evaluation tool to assess churches that have embraced doctrines similar to those of Evans.
Chapter 1 lays the foundation for the research by defining key terms, introducing mind-cure and later New Thought with a historical survey of existing research on Evans, and explaining the choice to focus on Evans’s metaphysics/theology proper, anthropology, soteriology, and mental power. Chapter 2 provides the philosophical context for Evans’s beliefs, overviews his life, and introduces elements of his doctrine prior to leaving Methodism. Chapter 3 explains Evans’s view of God and metaphysics (including partialism, monism, panentheism, and idealism), and indicates how this view of God and creation affected his other doctrines. Chapter 4 articulates Evans’s anthropology, including his view of human nature, Jesus, and his doctrine of the Christ within. Chapter 5 presents Evans’s view of sin and salvation, especially in relation to the classical doctrines of soteriology. Chapter 6 explains his view that the power for knowledge and health were available to those who experienced union with God. Finally, chapter 7 summarizes Evans’s belief system, explains how Evans’s theological trajectory teaches Christians to hold fast to Scripture, and offers a theological guide for assessing word-faith churches that have embraced concepts similar to the doctrines of Warren Felt Evans
Developing a Training Program to Equip Men for Leadership at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to develop a training program at Hickory Grove Baptist Church to equip men for leadership. The focus of the training was to help men understand and demonstrate the principles of being a disciple of Christ who can make disciples so they can provide effective leadership within the church and in their homes. Chapter 1 introduces the ministry context in which the program was developed, along with its rationale, goals, and research methodology. Chapter 2 provides a biblical and theological foundation for equipping men for leadership by examining several biblical passages. Chapter 3 assesses the spiritual well-being of men, identifies the knowledge and skills necessary to become influential spiritual leaders, and discusses how to apply this within the church and the home. It also explores the development of a leadership pipeline within churches. Chapter 4 details the preparation and implementation of the project and provides an overview of the content taught. Chapter 5 assesses the overall purpose and specific goals of the project, its strengths and weaknesses, reflections on the theological implications, and offers personal insights. Overall, the project developed a program to equip men on how to be a disciple that makes disciples
Reforming Counseling: The Adaptation of Van Tilian Concepts by Jay Adams
No full textThis work is under embargo until 07-01-2026In his groundbreaking work, Competent to Counsel, Jay Adams references the influence of Dutch philosopher Cornelius Van Til upon his new approach to counseling. This dissertation will analyze Adams’s adaptation of three Van Tilian concepts into the foundations of biblical counseling: the covenantal nature of knowledge, presuppositional analysis, and the antithesis. In chapter 1, I introduce Van Til’s influence upon Adams and my thesis and conclude by noting areas where the conceptual connections between Adams and Van Til have been recognized but not expounded. In chapter 2, I provide the historical and biographical context for this study, introducing major movements—Old Princeton and Old Amsterdam—and key thinkers—B. B. Warfield, Abraham Kuyper, and Herman Bavinck—for later chapters. Chapter 3 establishes the interdisciplinary discussions between apologetics and counseling, surveys debates between Warfield and Kuyper over the nature of apologetics, and exposes the influence of Warfield and Kuyper upon the debates within the discipline of counseling. Chapter 4 overviews the first concept adapted by Adams from Van Til, the covenantal nature of knowledge, including an exposition of this concept in Van Til’s writings, an analysis of Adams’s covenantal reading of Genesis, and a critique of Adams’s approach to general revelation. Chapter 5 considers presuppositional analysis, discussing Van Til’s theological understanding of presuppositions and the transcendental argument for the existence of God, and critiquing Adams’s adaptation of presuppositional analysis into a discernment tool for pastors. Chapter 6 overviews Van Til’s understanding of the antithesis and critiques Adams’s employment of antithetical thinking, emphasizing the importance of the ethical nature of the antithesis and the ways Adams neglects Van Til’s important qualifications of this doctrine. Chapter 7 provides a summary of this argument, a final evaluation of Adams’s adaptation of Van Tilian concepts, and recommendations for the continuing work of reforming counseling
The Pastor as a Biblical Counselor and Equipper of Biblical Counselors within the Local Church
Get PDFThis dissertation examines the theological foundations of the Biblical Counseling Movement (BCM), focusing on the claim that “pastors should biblically counsel their congregants and equip them to do likewise.” Through a tri-perspective analysis, the study aligns the BCM’s theological vision with the biblical theology of the shepherding metaphor, emphasizing pastors as crucial guides in biblical counseling and equipping believers for mutual care.
Chapter 1 establishes the claim as the movement’s theological vision, exploring anthropological, epistemological, and ecclesiological perspectives. Pastors are seen as authorized counselors within the church’s institutional framework. Chapter 2 explores the shepherding metaphor, showcasing Christ as the eschatological Shepherd. Pastors emulate Christ’s sacrificial life, guiding congregations toward maturity. Chapter 3 examines the alignment between the BCM’s claim and the biblical theology of shepherding, emphasizing pastors’ competence in counseling and the potential involvement of lay individuals. Chapter 4 delves into the second assertion that pastors should equip congregants to become biblical counselors. Pastors play a pivotal role in overseeing the church’s soul-care ministry. Chapter 5 discusses practical implications, emphasizing collaborative pastoral counseling, the multifaceted nature of pastoral authority, and the need for a church-wide approach to congregational care.
Overall, this dissertation provides comprehensive biblical theological support for the BCM’s claim, offering a theological vision for evangelical churches. While acknowledging the need for further research, the study aims to strengthen the case for pastors engaging in biblical counseling and equipping believers, ultimately benefiting the church of Christ
Training the Staff of Vineyard Life Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Hermeneutics and Bible Study Methods
Get PDFCharles Duayne Fox, DEdMin The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2024 Faculty Supervisor: Dr. T. J. Betts This project was undertaken to equip the staff of Vineyard Life Church by increasing their ability to capably handle Scripture. The impetus for offering this class was that leaders need to be capable students of Scripture so they can help the people who follow them grow spiritually. The first chapter describes the context at VLC in which the class was offered and explains why it was necessary. Chapter 2 examines selected texts from the Old and New Testaments that illustrate why church leaders are tasked with becoming good students of Scripture. The reason proposed was so they can live exemplary Christian lives and be able teach and lead others to achieve spiritual maturity. Chapter 3 details the lessons to be learned from history and today’s culture. Particular attention was paid both to how periodically failing to adequately equip and educate leaders has resulted in churches that do a poor job leading people to spiritual maturity and how churches that have paid attention to equipping leaders realize the result of Christian maturity. Chapter 4 describes how the course was taught. Chapter 5 evaluates the effectiveness of the class in meetings its goals