Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
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From Vanity to Gravity: Preaching Ecclesiastes in Biblical-Theological Context
Get PDFThis project consists of a series of sermons attempting to set Ecclesiastes in its biblical-theological context. Chapter 1 defines biblical theology and outlines the chapters that follow. Chapter 2 treats the prologue and epilogue of Ecclesiastes together. The remaining chapters cover several important themes including Qoheleth’s pursuit of pleasure, industry, wisdom, and wealth, along with the inner longing for justice he felt in an unjust world. The final chapter focuses on the commands to rejoice and remember in 11:7–12:8. Throughout, I have argued that the book is best understood as an extended meditation on the realities of living outside of Eden. Though sin introduces frustration into the world, the goodness of creation remains. People can still enjoy God’s creation and look forward to the day that it gives way to the new creation
Equipping Disciple-Makers at Rocky Bayou Baptist Church in Niceville, Florida
Get PDFThis project seeks to raise up and equip disciple-makers at Rocky Bayou Baptist Church by teaching a ten-week discipleship training course entitled “Every Disciple a Disciple-Maker.” Chapter 1 examines the context and rationale behind the project and defines its purpose and goals. Chapter 2 exegetes Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Psalm 96:1-10, Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:11-6, and 2 Timothy 2:1-3, presenting biblical and theological reasons for why every disciple of Jesus must be a disciple-maker. Chapter 3 discusses what it will take for more members of RBBC to become disciple-makers. It considers the motivation of God’s glory, the task of following Jesus together in authentic relationships, and the potential cost of persecution. Chapter 4 describes the details of the project to raise up and equip more disciple-makers at RBBC. Chapter 5 evaluates the project’s purpose and goals, assesses its strengths and weaknesses, and concludes with theological and personal reflections
How the Discipline of Koinonia Strengthens the Church to Overcome the Rise of the Self as Promoted by Social Media
Get PDFThis thesis demonstrates the contrast between the negative effects of social media on a believer’s identity with the positive effects of biblical fellowship and how fellowship shapes the identity of the believer in Christ and does so in a way that promotes the health of the church. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction and addresses major works concerning the concept of self, identity, biblical fellowship, and social media from a psychological, social, and theological viewpoint. Chapter 2 surveys a theological defense of spiritual group formation by reviewing biblical group formation in three unique stages of biblical history. Chapter 3 addresses the formation and threat of social media as a leading force in forming an individualistic pursuit of identity. Chapter 4 covers social media’s role in the rise of the modern self. It addresses both the psychological underpinning of the self as well as a philosophical underpinning of social media’s influence on the self. Chapter 5 addresses implications for the church and shows how the church can respond to the threat of social media by cultivating koinonia within the home and in the church
Responses to the Messianic Claim: Characterization as Rhetorical Device in the Gospel of Matthew
Get PDFWhile the Gospel of Matthew has long been recognized as having a distinctly “Jewish” orientation, the decades following World War II witnessed a growing interest among scholars asking whether Matthew could be regarded as “anti-Jewish,” or as some would argue, “anti-Semitic.” A survey of scholarly works published in recent decades dealing with this issue reveals that most use the historical-critical and socio-critical methods to determine the most plausible explanation for the presence of so-called “anti-Jewish” elements in Matthew. This study is intended to complement historical-critical and socio-critical studies done by others by employing literary-critical methods to support further the conclusion that Matthew’s so-called “anti-Jewish” elements are best understood as a thoroughly Jewish critique of Jewish opponents within the context of Jewish sectarian rivalry.
This study employs the basic principles of narrative criticism, as outlined by Mark Allan Powell, along with the basic principles of rhetorical criticism, as outlined by modern literary theorists such as George A. Kennedy, Burton L. Mack, and Sonja K. Foss. Special attention is given to the author’s use of character and characterization as rhetorical device. Using a more nuanced approach, this study argues that the Gospel of Matthew may be read as a two-sided rhetorical argument presented in narrative form in which the author uses characters and characterization to represent divergent standpoints and different responses to the claim that God’s plan of salvation for Israel, which now also encompasses all the nations/Gentiles, is realized in and through Jesus the Messiah. Accordingly, Matthew’s so-called “anti-Jewish” elements are to be understood not as commentary on ethnic Jews, nor as a sign of rejection of Judaism, but rather as heated rhetoric used to highlight and explain certain details about the antagonists in his story who represent the antithesis to his argument
Equipping the Parents at Eagle Heights Baptist Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for Family Worship
Get PDFThis project seeks to equip the parents at Eagle Heights Baptist Church (EHBC) in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for family worship. Chapter 1 establishes the ministry context of EHBC and the goals of this project. Chapter 2 provides a biblical basis for family worship by exegeting four passages (Deut 6:1-9; Ps 78:1-8; Eph 6:1-4; 2 Tim 1:3-7) and demonstrating the frequency of family discipleship in Scripture through several additional texts (Gen 18:17-19; Josh 24:15; Job 1:1-5; Ps 145:4-6; Prov 22:6; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet 3:1-7; 3 John 1-4). Chapter 3 explores the history, modern practice, benefits, and need of family worship. Chapter 4 details the implementation of the project, explaining the process of curriculum development and teaching. Chapter 5 evaluates the success of the project based on the established goals. Altogether, this project aims to prepare parents to embrace their calling and faithfully disciple their children at home
A New Identity of Obligation: Paul's Metaphorical Response to the Indicative-Imperative Tension in Romans 6:1–14
Get PDFThis dissertation recognizes that in Romans 6:1–14, Paul responds to the “indicative-imperative” tension, which arises from his gospel in Romans 3–5. It then argues that Paul’s response to this tension comes in the form of a metaphorical narrative that constructs the believer’s new identity. This identity is presented conceptually in terms of existence in a new location, which inherently results in a believer’s new obligation. To defend my thesis, this dissertation analyzes Romans 6:1–14 by employing tools from cognitive linguistics (CL) and especially from conceptual metaphor theory (CMT).
Chapter 1 presents my research question, my thesis, and a preview of my overall argument. It also offers a brief survey of scholarship on the “indicative-imperative” schema. Chapter 2 lays out the methodology for the study by noting the benefits of a narrative reading of Paul and by offering a way of reading metaphors grounded on conceptual metaphor theory. My exegetical work begins in chapter 3, where I examine Paul’s figurative language in Romans 6:1–2. In these opening verses, Paul presents sin in spatial terms as a container. Chapter 4 examines Romans 6:3–4 and focuses on Paul’s literal, metaphorical, and metonymical baptismal language. I argue that his baptismal language is part of a larger metaphorical narrative focused on the believer’s identity.
In chapter 5, I consider Romans 6:5–10 and offer two main contributions. First, I show how Paul employs the Subject-Self metaphor to convey the complex dynamic of his self-understanding. Second, I demonstrate that Paul develops the metaphor SIN IS A CONTAINER into SIN IS A ΚΥΡΙΟΣ. This new metaphor allows Paul to speak more concretely about the believer’s sense of obligation as a matter of location (either in sin or in Christ). The last exegetical section comes in chapter 6, where I analyze Romans 6:11– 14, focusing on Paul’s imperatives. I show the significance of Paul’s Essential Self metaphor and conclude by tracing Paul’s conceptual logic in Romans 6 as he conceptualizes the believer’s new identity as one defined by a particular obligation. Chapter 7 summarizes my findings and offers possible avenues for further research
Equipping the Church to Disciple Their Children at Myunsung Church, South Korea
Get PDFChapter 1 helps the reader understand what MyungSung Church is doing and how to approach this project to disciple their children. Chapters 2 and 3 explain different roles within family ministry based on the Bible and other literature. Chapters 4 and 5 detail the family ministry seminar and its pre- and post-test results. Thus, this project can help pastors and families cooperate to develop children’s faith
The Serpent and the Sainte-Chapelle: The Genesis and Iterative Development of a Writing Pedagogy for Christian Colleges and Seminaries
Get PDFThe field of composition and rhetoric does not have a pedagogy that reconciles faith and scholarship. The purpose of this Doctor of Philosophy dissertation is twofold: (1) to ignite a conversation among Christian composition faculty by introducing a prototype freshman composition pedagogy built on a Christian theological, philosophical, and educational foundation, and (2) to advance the conversation about writing pedagogy to include college, graduate-level, and doctoral writing, using a second iteration of the original model, which offers nine principles and strategies for the art of writing.
Chapter 1 describes the research arc. Chapter 2 argues composition pedagogy is in crisis and compares freshman composition to the Greek mythological hydra with many heads and many problems. Chapter 3 traces composition instruction trends in America up to 2015. Chapter 4 overviews failing secular strategies in response to the freshman composition instruction crisis. Chapter 5 builds the theological and philosophical foundation for an instructional design theory with an accompanying model. Chapters 6-13 provide the initial instructional design theory from its theological inception to fostering a vision for doxological writing. Craig Bartholomew’s Tree of Knowledge provides the systematic method this project uses to rebuild composition theory; Kevin Vanhoozer's Trinitarian Theology of Communication model is the theological base providing key theoretical categories of the writing pedagogy.
Chapters 15 and 16 illustrate how the prototype model (designed for freshman composition courses) progressed after nearly a decade of implementation into a multi-dimensional, fully orbed iteration of the original model for use with Christian writers at every level (college, graduate, doctoral). While the initial fourteen chapters contribute to the conversation on teaching freshman composition, chapters 15 and 16 are designed to illustrate that Christian theology and philosophy impact writing pedagogy at all levels through nine writing principles. The ultimate goals of the newer model (fashioned after an architectural masterpiece, the Sainte-Chappelle in Paris) are spiritual formation and human flourishing in the life of each student writer
Training Members of Kennerly Road Baptist Church in Irmo, South Carolina, to Understand Union With Christ as a Basis for Biblical Community
No full textThis project sought to assess the current understanding and application of the doctrine of the believer’s union with Christ as it applies to biblical community at Kennerly Road Baptist Church in Irmo, South Carolina. Chapter 1 provides the ministry context of the project, rationale, and the goals the project sought to accomplish. Chapter 2 examines union with Christ from a general summary, a background of Romans, and an examination of Romans 12 to prove that a believer’s union with Christ should be his primary understanding of identity and inform how he does biblical community. Chapter 3 addresses the need for believers to understand that their mature identity is in Christ and demonstrates that the local church is the primary community for a believer to understand and live out their union with Christ. Chapter 4 describes the project itself, recounting the assessment of the participants, writing and assessment of the curriculum, implementation of the curriculum, and the post-seminar assessment. Chapter 5 evaluates the efficacy of the project based on completion of the specified goals
Equipping the Members of Maranatha Bible Church in Akron, Ohio, to Engage in Missions
Get PDFThis project was designed to increase the participation of the members of Maranatha Bible Church in the missions ministries of the church. This process involved surveying a select group to gauge the effectiveness of teaching a missions curriculum and providing a pathway that gives a progression of involvement. Members were challenged to know their role in accomplishing the Great Commission and given specific ways to engage. Chapter 1 describes the ministry context, rationale, purpose, goals, research methodology, definitions, and delimitations of the project. Chapter 2 provides a biblical basis for following the Great Commission by making disciples both locally and abroad and by supporting partnerships. Chapter 3 explores best practices of missions-minded churches and shows how those churches emphasize prayer for the nations, love for their partners, and service locally and abroad. Chapter 4 gives information about the project implementation, and chapter 5 provides an evaluation and conclusions