Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
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All Creatures Great and Small: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Function of Animals in Biblical Texts
Full text linkThis dissertation identifies and analyzes all 3,805 references to animals in the Bible and categorizes them according to their function. Proof texts can be used to justify either an anthropocentric or ecocentric perspective on animals, which is why this dissertation seeks to bring quantifiable data of how animals function in the biblical texts, in order to bring nuance to the complex issue of a biblical perspective on animals. The first chapter presents prior scholarship and introduces the allegation that Christianity’s approach to animals is anthropocentric. Chapter 2 addresses human stewardship of animals, showing how animals are granted for human use and consumption, within the limits of responsible and compassionate stewardship. Chapter 3 discusses the adversarial nature of the human relationship with animals. Chapter 4 examines God’s relationship as Creator, owner, and provider of animals, including how he uses animals for judgment and preservation of humans. Chapter 5 explores how animals are employed by the biblical writers as sources of both positive and negative imagery. Chapter 6 considers fantastic animals, which were not encountered in the normal course of life but were familiar to the biblical writers. Chapter 7 probes the place of animals in the redemptive scheme, including their role as substitutionary sacrifices for the atonement of humans. The final chapter summarizes and draws conclusions from the findings
The Priesthood of All Believers in the Work of John Livingston Nevius
Full text linkThe landscape of missions has shifted dramatically in recent years. Due to greater restrictions on access to unreached countries and peoples, the majority of missionaries have had to change both their location and ministry focus. Even in the West, questions remain as to how to engage in faithful witness in light of an increasingly post-Christian culture. The purpose of this study is to show the dire need for the priesthood of all believers in mission, both overseas and at home. As leaders seek answers for the future of missions, we may be helped by looking to our past. One such individual who embraced the priesthood of all believers in mission was John Livingston Nevius, an American Presbyterian missionary to China in the late nineteenth century. Nevius is famous for his “Missionary Methods,” which helped spark the Korean revivals in the early twentieth century. He was well-known for valuing the input and leadership of indigenous believers and sought to mobilize them for evangelism and missions through their secular vocations. Nevius provides us with an example of how we can implement the priesthood of all believers for missions today through every believer taking up his or her call to humble witness. He especially serves as a model for missionaries and church leaders to mobilize lay believers for missions through their secular vocations and workplaces
Church and Empire in the Theology of Hippolytus of Rome
Full text linkIn this study, I explore Hippolytus of Rome’s views on church and empire within the context of his theology. My central thesis is that Hippolytus’s apocalyptic vision of Christ as the image of God profoundly shaped his political imagination, leading him to envision church and empire as rival images of divine power. I begin by addressing questions surrounding Hippolytus’s identity and writings and then propose a different framework for understanding his interpretation of Scripture than that which has been customarily used. I argue that Hippolytus reflects an apocalyptic reading of the Scriptures that understands Jesus Christ as the mystery of the divine economy disclosed in them. I then demonstrate how his reading of Scripture profoundly shapes his understanding of Christ as the perfect image of God whose passion on the cross represents the definitive revelation of divine power. Moving to Hippolytus’s understanding of the church, I demonstrate how the church’s existence, predicated on its participation in the cross, constitutes the church as the universal body of Christ whose unity in suffering represents the extension of the revelation of God’s power as the sovereign Creator. Hippolytus, on the other hand, regards the imperial ambition to unite all nations under a single earthly ruler as a satanic parody of the church that is premised on a false image of divine power that debases humanity rather than restoring them to the image of their Creator
Developing a Curriculum for Evangelism Explosion International to Train High School Students at Chets Creek Church in Jacksonville, Florida
Full text linkThe purpose of this project was to develop a curriculum for Evangelism Explosion International to train the high school students in evangelism at Chets Creek Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Chapter 1 describes the context, rationale, and purpose, goals, and research methodology to complete the project. Chapter 2 highlights the biblical and theological basis that examines the Great Commission and the foundational beliefs for equipping effective witnesses. Chapter 3 presents the theoretical and practical issues of evangelism training and focuses on the meaning of evangelism, discipleship, identity in Christ, testimony development, and evidential truths of the Christian faith. Chapter 4 details the implementation of the developed curriculum. Chapter 5 evaluates the effectiveness of the project and includes theological and personal reflections regarding the entirety of the project
Equipping Members of Mount Olive Baptist Church to Increase the Practice of Foundational Spiritual Disciplines
Full text linkThis project seeks to equip members of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Molena, Georgia, to increase the practice of foundational personal spiritual disciplines. Chapter 1 presents the history and ministry context of Mount Olive and the goals of this project. Chapter 2 provides exegesis of three passages of Scripture (Matt 28:19–20; 1 Tim 4:6–16; 2 Tim 3:16–17) to show that every Christian has the responsibility to practice the biblical spiritual disciplines in a manner that encourages and prepares them to grow in faithfulness to the Great Commission. Chapter 3 presents a historical and practical overview of the personal spiritual disciplines to encourage believers to understand and practice them in their own personal walk with Christ. Chapter 4 describes the project itself, recounting the content and teaching methodology of the specific course curriculum. Chapter 5 evaluates the efficacy of the project based on completion of the specified goals. Ultimately, this project seeks to equip Christians with the confidence and competency to grow in faithfulness as Great Commission Christians
Establishing a Process for Developing Leaders Who Flourish at Pleasant Valley Community Church in Owensboro, Kentucky
Full text linkThe purpose of this project was to establish a process for developing leaders who flourish at Pleasant Valley Community Church in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Chapter 1 provides the church context, rationale for why such a leadership development process is needed, specific goals, and the research methodology for the project.
Chapter 2 explores the biblical and theological basis for this project. It examines the mentoring relationships of Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Jesus and his disciples, and the role of the Holy Spirit in ministry to extrapolate biblical patterns and principles for leadership development.
Chapter 3 establishes the outcomes the development process hoped to accomplish: the production of leaders who flourish in their character, relationship with the Lord, family life, relationships, servant leadership, and transformational leadership.
Chapter 4 describes how Pleasant Valley Community Church implemented the leadership development process and outlines the course curriculum.
Chapter 5 evaluates the project’s effectiveness, including how well the five goals were met and the overall purpose was accomplished
Making Disciples of High-Net-Worth Individuals at First Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, Florida
Full text linkThere are transferable principles a church may employ to increase its success in making disciples of high-capacity donors (HCDs). This project sought to identify and teach those principles to the HCDs of First Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, Florida. Chapter 1 presents the history and ministry context of First Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, Florida, and the goals of this project. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the role of HCDs throughout Scripture as well as church history. Chapter 3 presents an overview of identifying and developing HCDs in the broader non-profit sector. Chapter 4 describes the project, recounting the content and teaching methodology of the specific course curriculum. Chapter 5 evaluates the project’s efficacy based on the completion of the specified goals. This project aimed to equip the HCDs of First Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, Florida, to comprehend the stewardship for which they will give an account, knowing that to whom much is given, much is expected
The Beginning of the End: Interpreting the Seals of Revelation 6 Using Biblical Theology for Hillcrest Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky
Full text linkDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, some social media sources that claimed to be Christian taught that the vaccine was the mark of the beast. This led some church members who had heard these ideas on social media to become fearful and decide not to get vaccinated. They did not make this decision because of health concerns, or scientific studies, but based on how some people interpret the Bible. The way the Bible is interpreted matters and has real effects on the lives of church members today.
This project taught the members of Hillcrest Baptist Church to use biblical theology to interpret the Bible by showing the interpretive work while focusing on a short but difficult to interpret section of the Bible, Revelation 6. Equipping the church to use biblical theology on a difficult passage should mean the church would be able to interpret any passage they come across as they read their Bibles on their own.
The church needs to be able to read and understand the whole Bible from the perspective of the people who wrote the Bible, the biblical authors, not from the standpoint of authors of fiction books or people on social media.
This project interprets the six seals of Revelation 6 in order as the seed of the woman, the seed of the serpent, tribulation and judgment, Death and Hades, reigning with Christ, and the Day of the Lord by seeking to understand John’s perspective, the biblical author. John knows his Bible well and uses the same symbols that earlier biblical authors used with the same meaning, but then applies them in a new context to the church age between the advents.
For some church members, this was an interesting study, and much was learned. For others, the study felt too complicated and too academic. One family of four visited because they heard on the church livestream that this was going to be a study on the seals of Revelation 6. The husband and wife have since been baptized and joined the church, and their son and daughter are learning a great deal in church, growing, and the mother believes their son is close to receiving Christ as his Lord and Savior. Praise the Lord
The King-Father: A Biblical Theology of God as Both King and Father Over His Kingdom Children
Full text linkIn this project, I argue that the dual-themed royal-family image of God as the King and Father over his kingdom-children is the consistent witness of Scripture and a necessary foundation for teaching and applying biblical theology. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to this study. In chapter 2, I argue that commitment to the glory of the triune God negates a one-sided royal-theme paradigm. I present the Trinitarian foundations for understanding the King-Father image throughout the Old Testament. In chapter 3, I present the dual theme as the consistent witness of the beginning and end of all things, culminating in Jesus who reveals the Trinitarian God (especially the Father). In chapter 4, I demonstrate the royal-familial theme as a central and unifying thread that runs throughout the Old Testament through the medium of covenant. In chapter 5, I present the new covenant royal-familial reality in the New Testament writings
Training Pastors and Church Leaders at Good Hope Baptist Church in Houston, Texas to Integrate the Principles of Biblical Counseling into Practical Ministry
Full text linkThis project sought to train pastors and church leaders at Good Hope Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, to integrate the foundational principles of biblical counseling into practical ministry. Chapter 1 provides the historical data, the context, and the discipleship ministry culture at Good Hope, as well as the goals and rationale for integrating foundational principles of biblical counseling into practical ministry. Chapter 2 discusses the biblical basis and theological support for integrating the foundational principles of biblical counseling into practical ministry. Chapter 3 explains the theological and cultural impediments to integrating the foundational principles of biblical counseling into practical ministry. Chapter 4 provides an overview of the implementation and description of the ministry project and the content of the training curriculum. Chapter 5 is an evaluation of the project’s goals, objectives, and implementation. This chapter includes a critique of this project to determine whether the goals were achieved, including its strengths and weaknesses, along with strategic recommendations and modifications for improvement