Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
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Put on the New Man: Embodied Sanctification in Ephesians 4:22-24
Get PDFAcademically and popularly, many in the history of the church have tended toward views of human constitution that locate spiritual growth in the realm of the immaterial. In contrast, I argue that progressive sanctification requires embodied action. First, I propose holistic dualism as the biblical model for understanding human constitution. In this model, humans are persons consisting of two aspects, the material and the immaterial. These two aspects unnaturally separate at death, though they properly reunite at the resurrection. Therefore, human life is embodied life. Second, I trace the “new man” theme through the book of Ephesians, showing that the book of Ephesians presents the Christian life as essentially embodied. Finally, I show that Ephesians 4:22– 24 requires that Christians exhibit bodily action in order that they may undergo progressive sanctification. I end by clarifying how my thesis may be misunderstood and by presenting possible applications
Equipping Pastors of the Russell Creek Baptist Association in Greensburg, Kentucky, to Counsel Biblically
Get PDFDMin. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2023This project seeks to equip the pastors of the Russell Creek Baptist Association in Greensburg, Kentucky, to counsel biblically. Chapter 1 briefly introduces the ministry context of the Russell Creek Baptist Association and lists the goals of this project. Chapter 2 provides exegesis of four passages of Scripture (Heb 13:7-19; 2 Tim 3:10-17; Gal 5:16-25; Matt 28:18-20) to show that pastors have a responsibility to counsel biblically as well as the biblical resources needed to counsel biblically. Chapter 3 details various resources that are readily available to biblical counselors as compared to the practices and beliefs of other counselors. Chapter 4 describes the implementation of the project, detailing the content and the teaching methodology of the course curriculum. Chapter 5 evaluates the effectiveness of the project in relation to the completion of the goals that were outlined in chapter 1. Ultimately, this project intends to equip the pastors of the Russell Creek Baptist Association with resources, confidence, and competency for providing biblical counseling to their congregations
Preaching the Sermon on the Mount from a Biblical-Theological Perspective at Westmont Baptist Church
Get PDFThis project is an examination of Matthew 5–7, chiefly aimed at using biblical theology to inform the preaching of the text. The project’s introduction defines biblical theology as the discipline that examines the Bible inductively to provide the interpretive framework for understanding the Scriptures in their canonical context. In chapters 2–8 of this project, Matthew 5–7 is divided into seven units as follows: 5:3–16, 5:17–20, 5:21–48, 6:1–18, 6:19–34, 7:1–12, and 7:13–27. Each of these chapters seeks to explore the canonical context of each passage in order to arrive at a right understanding of Jesus’s message to his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount
Equipping Members of Kingsboro Baptist Church in Kingsboro, Prince Edward Island, to Counsel One Another Biblically Through Fear and Anxiety
Get PDFThis Doctor of Ministry project sought to equip members of Kingsboro Baptist Church in Kingsboro, Prince Edward Island, to have care conversations, particularly through their struggles with fear and anxiety. Chapter 1 outlines the ministry context of Kingsboro Baptist Church and the rationale for the project. Chapter 2 discusses the sufficiency of Scripture for counseling ministry in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the confidence believers have from God’s powerful presence in Deuteronomy 31:1-6, Jesus’s promise of provision as the cure for anxiety in Matthew 6:19-34, the call for believers to depend on God in prayer in Philippians 4:5-7, and the commission for believers to care for one another amid fear and anxiety in 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. Chapter 3 demonstrates that biblical counseling uniquely addresses fear and anxiety by targeting the heart, as expressed in the mind, affections, and will as the source of these responses and the focus of change. Chapter 4 outlines the implementation process of the project. Chapter 5 summarizes the strengths, weaknesses, and lessons learned from the implementation of the project. Appendices contain the statistical analysis of the project and the outline of the course lessons taught
“Abiding”: A Biblical Critique of Andrew Murray’s Theology and Writings on Prayer
Get PDFThis DEdMin thesis demonstrates that while Andrew Murray seeks to teach believers to pray for the most important of reasons—to bring God glory—the Second Blessing theology, which informs his writings, gives cause for concern. Chapter 1 introduces Murray’s teaching, surveys relevant literature, identifies the literature void, and presents the manuscript thesis. Chapter 2 reviews the various personal, historical, and theological sources which influence Murray’s thought. Chapter 3 shifts to an examination of Murray’s writings that address his theologies pertaining to prayer. Chapter 4 discusses Murray’s writings on his practice of prayer. Chapter 5 acknowledges Murray’s contributions in teaching prayer as a means to glorify God while summarizing how his Second-Blessing-infused theology and writings warrant the caution of the church
Finding Identity in Christ at Fireside Baptist Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Get PDFThis ministry project was designed to equip the congregation of Fireside Baptist Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, to counter cultural idols. The purpose of equipping was to help the congregation find their identity in Christ. Chapter 1 explains the context, rationale, purpose, goals, and methodology of the project. Chapter 2 describes the biblical and theological concept of idolatry based on exegesis of Romans 1:18-32; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; and 1 Corinthians 10:1-22. Chapter 3 reviews the historical development of the concept of identity while providing a Christian framework by which to understand it. Chapter 4 describes the implementation of the ministry project from conception to analysis of statistical results. Chapter 5 presents an assessment of the purpose, goals, strengths, and weaknesses of the project. It concludes with personal and theological reflections and suggested changes
Increasing Leadership Competencies in the Shepherd Leadership Team Through a Structured Development Program at Judson Church in Joliet, Illinois
Get PDFThis project aimed to increase the leadership competencies of the Shepherd Leadership Team through a structured development program at Judson Church in Joliet, Illinois. Chapter 1 covers the ministry context Judson Church, describes the rationale and goals for the project. Chapter 2 provides exegesis of three passages of Scripture (2 Timothy 2:2; Acts 20:27-28; 1 Tim 3:1-7) to show the necessity of increasing leadership competencies in church leaders. Chapter 3 explores leadership development of key figures in Reformation and post-Reformation periods. Chapter 4 describes the process of the project, including the content and evaluation of the competencies. Chapter 5 evaluates the efficacy of the project based on the completion of the specified goals. This project aimed to glory God through the development of church leaders in their leadership competencies
Best Practices in Leading Organizational Change in the Local Church: A Multi-Case Study
Get PDFPh. D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2023This dissertation was designed to identify best practices for leading organizational change in the local church ministering in an urban context. The dissertation also sought to determine whether the leadership in the local church could lead their congregations through successful organizational change and meaningful cultural engagement without forsaking biblical and theological orthodoxy.
The research validates most of the best practices identified in the literature review. However, it also encountered five distinct best practices common to all three participating sites that are unique to their local ministry contexts: (1) allowing doctrine and theology to inform practice, (2) discipleship, (3) preaching, (4) adaptation and flexibility, and (5) internal cultural change through transformational leadership.
Chapter 1 introduces the research problem and the purpose of the research study. Chapter 2 reviews the precedent literature related to organizational change. This chapter emphasizes the church’s role as an organizational system and discusses essential information on leadership. It also explores existing models for conducting organizational change, John Kotter’s 8-Step Model (8SM) and the Transformational Journey Model (TJM) recommended by Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem, and James Furr, and introduces Mark McCloskey’s 4R Model of Transformational Leadership as another model for consideration.
Chapter 3 provides a detailed explanation of the research methodology of the research study while explaining the case studies in detail and the content analysis approach for conducting empirical research. Chapter 4 provides a detailed analysis of the findings, examining each best practice identified by the research study and correlating its implications to the practice of leading organizational change in the local church.
Chapter 5 thoroughly examines McCloskey’s 4R Model and details its components and subcomponents. It interacts with the precedent literature in chapter 2 and the findings in chapter 4 to bridge the best practices and leadership traits observed in part 1 of the case study and those of the 4R Model. This chapter also documents a retrospective analysis of the best practices exhibited by the sites participating in part 1 of the study against the 4R Model. Chapter 6 offers concluding thoughts regarding the dissertation’s implications and applications for the local church based on its findings and provides possible considerations for future research
Walking in the Spirit in Galatians: Comparing Obedience and Agency in Galatians, 1QS, and 4 Maccabees
Get PDFThe focus of this work is on divine and human agency and walking in obedience. This dissertation examines what Paul says about divine and human agency with regard to walking by the Spirit in Galatians, focusing on 5:16–25, with an eye toward what 5:17 specifically adds to the conversation. Divine and human agency in Galatians is then compared to 1QS and 4 Maccabees. Chapters 2 and 3, examine what can be determined about the role the divine and the human agents play in the human agent’s act of walking in obedience in 1QS and 4 Maccabees, respectively. Chapter 4 analyses the role the cross plays in Paul’s argument against the law. Specifically, it examines the cross as the turning point between the two apocalyptic ages (cf. 1:4; 6:14–15), through which the Spirit was given, and what implications the turning of the ages and the giving of the Spirit have for divine and human agency and walking in obedience. Chapter 5 turns to Galatians 5:16–25 and examines what can be understood about divine and human agency with regard to walking in obedience, giving special focus to what verse 17 adds to the conversation, which scholars do not interact with when discussing agency in 5:16–25. In chapters 2, 3, and 5, I use John Barclay’s models of divine agency to better understand the relationship between the divine and human agent in each work. Before concluding this dissertation, chapter 6 compares my findings about divine and human agency in walking in obedience in 1QS, 4 Maccabees, and Galatians. In this, I compare all three texts together as well as two of the texts with the third in order to compare my findings from various points of view to better understand how divine and human agency in Galatians compares and contrasts to the Jewish texts
Strengthening Marriages by Training Men at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fairmont, Minnesota, Using a Biblical Counseling Framework
Get PDFThis project aimed to strengthen marriages at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fairmont, Minnesota, specifically focusing on the husbands. Chapter 1 details the background information of the project, giving the context, rationale, goals, and research methodology. Chapter 2 lays the biblical and theological foundation for the project. I argue that husbands must fulfill the command to be a servant-leader in marriage by displaying humility, gentleness, and sacrificial love. Chapter 3 provides the theoretical and practical application for this thesis: biblical counseling principles support strengthening marriages by teaching that husbands are commanded to be servant-leaders, seeking to exemplify humility and gentleness while growing in Christ-like love for their wives. Chapter 4 specifies the details about the weekly preparation, implementation, and follow-up to the project. Chapter 5 offers the evaluation of the project