Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
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Equipping the Teenage Boys of First Baptist Church in Haleyville, Alabama to Pursue Holiness in the Face of Digital Temptation
Get PDFThis project seeks to equip the teenage boys of First Baptist Church Haleyville (FBCH) to pursue holiness in the digital age. Teenage boys must overcome many obstacles on their electronic devices. Chapter 1 presents the ministry context within the project, the rationale of the project, and the goals of the project. Chapter 2 provides biblical exegesis of God’s commands to pursuing holiness and fleeing immorality. Chapter 3 addresses the issues teenage boys face today. They should successfully navigate addiction to devices, psychological issues created by social media and video games, and immorality with pornography. In chapter 4, the project is described, and the curriculum is detailed. Chapter 5 contains an overall evaluation of the project and suggestions for improvement. Ultimately, this project seeks to give the next generation knowledge and strategies to overcome sin when it comes to their devices
The Promise of the Father, the Spirit of the Son: A Framework for a Trinitarian Christological Pneumatology
Get PDFIn this dissertation, I argue that a biblically faithful, theologically robust, and historically grounded pneumatology should be founded upon a classical trinitarian framework as well as maintain a distinct Christological emphasis. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to this study. In chapter 2, I argue that social trinitarianism and third article theology (which includes Spirit Christology) do not supply sufficient persuasive power to dethrone classical trinitarianism and traditional taxis theology as the standard and preferred methods for engaging in trinitarian theological discourse and construction. Hence, it is upon the foundation of the classical approach that my framework is built. In chapter 3, I present the first pillar of a trinitarian Christological pneumatology: Christocentrism. I argue that hermeneutical and salvation-historical Christocentrism possesses sufficient warrant to establish—and even necessitate—that pneumatology be Christ-centered. In chapter 4, I present the second pillar of a trinitarian Christological pneumatology: inseparable operations, the trinitarian taxis, and distinct personal appropriations. I submit that a healthy understanding of these theological concepts is essential for a healthy theology of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. In chapter 5, I present the third pillar of a trinitarian Christological pneumatology: the divine missions. I contend that the missions of the Son and the Holy Spirit are central to trinitarian theology; therefore, a robust theology of the divine missions is crucial for having a well-rounded pneumatology—which itself is Christ-centered. Chapter 6 concludes this study
Lecrae and the Differing Perceptions Among American Protestants of the Causes of Disparate Racial Experiences
Get PDFWhile White evangelical Protestants and Black Protestants are remarkably similar across measures of theological belief and practice, their views on racial issues tend to be deeply divergent. These divergent views have often been a source of racial alienation when applied to contemporary discourse about the state of race relations and racial dynamics in the United States. This thesis seeks to contribute to research that emphasizes the significance of disparate racial stratification beliefs of Black Protestants and White evangelical Protestants.This thesis argues that the case study of Lecrae Moore’s public engagement regarding the Ferguson unrest suggests that Black Protestants and White evangelical Protestants applied different racial stratification beliefs to the issues of racial inequality and racialized incidents of violence in the 2010s, which carried significant implications for the general trend of division between these two groups over said issues. The thesis reflects on sociological research, data, and analyses within the historical context of the contemporary church, namely in the years leading up to and following the Ferguson unrest. It explores where these two groups diverge on perceptions of racial issues, examines explanations for this divergence, and recounts the impact of bringing these disparate beliefs to bear on racial discourse within American Protestantism in the 2010s. Additionally, this thesis applies the synthesis of sociological research, data, and analyses to the particular case study of Lecrae Moore’s public engagement regarding the Ferguson unrest by analyzing Moore’s memoirs, op-eds, social media engagement, and critical responses to his engagement. The findings of this case study advance the argument that disparate racial stratification beliefs were a key feature of racial alienation experienced by White evangelical Protestants and Black Protestants in the 2010s
Divine Deliberation: Possible-Worlds Modality and the Divine Will-To-Create
Get PDFContemporary Christian theology regularly employs a key tool of contemporary philosophy’s turn towards modal metaphysics. Philosophy’s possible worlds modality has become the basis on which theologians regularly discuss both theology proper and such sub-disciplines as apologetics or the doctrine of providence. A great gap, therefore, exists in explicit Christian theological engagement with the doctrine of God and contemporary modal metaphysics. This dissertation presents key instances of this theological engagement with possible worlds thinking in chapter 1, as well as the need for careful modal thinking in relation to God’s will-to-create in chapter 2. With the burden of the study in place, chapter 3 gives pride of place to scripture, evaluating key texts for what revelation might present as God’s chief end in creation. Chapters 4 through 7 document and develop forerunners to a full modal theory in historical theology, whether the Neoplatonic contemplations of the Patristics, or the Medieval power distinction, whether the doctrine of the decrees or lapsarian doctrine in the Reformed. Chapters 8 through 10 provide the necessary philosophical furniture for a more complete modal theory, and construct its primary commitments and outcomes for a doctrine of God that maintains orthodoxy while extending its explanatory power more fully, even over the metaphysics of modality. Last, chapter 11 applies the model broadly to theological debates—especially providence and freedom—and evaluates their coherence
Separation of the People, Separation of the Land: The Parallel Literary Structures of Ezra 9–10 and Nehemiah 1–3
Get PDFThis dissertation argues that the parallel narrative structures of Ezra 9–10 and Nehemiah 1:1–3:32 are intended to connect the two books and highlights the overlapping theological connection of building the community through exclusive ownership of the land. This is developed by contrasting return narrative in Nehemiah 1–3 with the two other return narratives in Ezra 1–2 and 7–8. Then the removal of foreign wives in Ezra 9–10 is contrasted with foreign wives crises in Nehemiah 9–10 and 13:23-29. In each of these comparisons, the major thematic points, prominent character(s) and primary concern, are discussed and then the narrative movements. Once the narratival differences between the thematically similar passages have been shown, the structure of Nehemiah 1–3 and Ezra 9–10 is compared. This comparison shows that the narrative movements of the two passages are extremely close which indicates that the narratives have been intentionally shaped to mirror each other. Finally, the theological and thematic importance of this shaping is explained by comparing the theological message in each movement of the narrative in Ezra 9–10 and Nehemiah 1–3. The conclusion is that these highlight the shared theological message of building the community through exclusive ownership of the land
Multi-Racial Team Leadership in the Church: A Mixed Methods Study
Get PDFIf the church in the United States is ever going to make progress in becoming more racially diverse, it must be led by racially diverse leadership. But racially diverse leadership teams are rare, and many of the few that exist struggle because of cultural pressure, personal agendas, or leadership incompetence. This thesis focused on both the challenges and the opportunities at the convergence of race, church, and leadership. Although much has been written separately on these three important disciplines, there is currently little empirical research that deals with Black/White dynamics among the leaders in the local church. This two-phase, sequential mixed methods multi-case study aimed to examine and identify patterns and practices in Black/White leadership teams in churches and determine significant factors that contribute to their successes and failures.
Case studies were conducted of three churches led by racially diverse leadership teams. Each case study included personal interviews with pastoral leadership to determine the ministerial practices and patterns of effective shared leadership. Cross-case analysis revealed common traits and marks among the case study leadership team dynamics. These experiences were organized into a list of shared practices. To assist churches that desire to have racially diverse leadership or to improve its current leadership effectiveness, this study includes a list of recommendations for practice based on the research data
Theophilus and the Centurions: Roman Officials as the “Most Excellent” Proponents of the Gospel in Luke-Acts
Get PDFThis thesis explores the intersection and implications of two key findings in Luke-Acts. The first is that Luke wrote his two-volume work to Theophilus, a high-ranking Roman official who was sympathetic towards Christianity. The second is that centurions serve as proponents of the gospel at crucial points in the narrative. These centurions would demonstrate to Theophilus that the Christian message had already made inroads at the grassroots level of the Roman establishment. Chapter 1 provides an overview of my topic. Chapter 2 discusses Luke’s audience and the identity of Theophilus. Chapter 3 examines every appearance of centurions in Luke-Acts, highlighting their roles as proponents for the gospel. Chapter 4 shows that both Luke and the church fathers demonstrate the reasonableness of Christianity for political leaders. Chapter 5 provides an overall summary of my argument and explores implications for Christians and government leaders today
Equipping Shepherd-Teachers at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina
Get PDFThis project sought to foster practices and attitudes of shepherd-teaching in leaders of Adult Life Groups and small group Bible studies in general by equipping current leaders at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the ministry context at Calvary Church, including the project’s goals, rationale, research methodology, and limits and delimitations. Chapter 2 provides the biblical and theological basis for the project. An exegesis of Joshua 1:1-9, James 3:1-5, Ezekiel 34:1-6, and 1 Peter 5:1-4 supports the premise that teaching God’s Word necessarily involves biblical shepherding practices when church members are placed in their care. Chapter 3 addresses the theoretical and practical issues related to shepherd-teaching small groups. Chapter 4 is a detailed description of the project’s implementation. Chapter 5 evaluates the project’s effectiveness as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the project
Developing a Culture of Prayer at Grace Church of the Valley, Kingsburg, California
Get PDFThe purpose of this project is to create a culture of prayer at Grace Church of the Valley, Kingsburg, California, by equipping members to pray consistently and biblically. Chapter 1 presents the ministry context of GCV, along with the goals and rationale for this project. Chapter 2 provides an exegesis of four passages of Scripture (Rom 12:12; 1 Tim 2:1-2; Col 4:2; Eph 6:18) to show that devotion to prayer individually and corporately is the means by which Christians receive what is needed both physically and spiritually. Chapter 3 gives practical and historical evidence that supports the purpose of this project by demonstrating a call to prayer in the examples and teaching of Jesus and Paul. Chapter 4 provides details of the project, its creation, course curriculum, and implementation at GCV. Chapter 5 provides an evaluation of the project to determine whether the course curriculum effectively equipped participants to pray consistently and biblically
"Remember the Predictions of the Holy Prophets": 2 Peter's Prophetic Use of the Old Testament
Get PDFThis dissertation argues that the author of 2 Peter reads the OT as a prophetically forward-pointing narrative which colors the present time. It does so both by direct promise-fulfillment and by constituting the narrative world which contains Peter himself, his readers, and his opponents. This narrative script grounds 2 Peter’s ethical warnings and exhortations.
After addressing introductory matters in chapter 1, chapter 2 sketches a broad Petrine hermeneutic of the OT. Peter reads Scripture as prophetic, as emphasizes Messianic suffering and glory, and as a story to “step into.”
Chapter 3 studies the influence of Proverbs and the biblical “two ways” motif in 2 Peter. Peter eschatologizes wisdom: the way of life leads to new creation; the way of death leads to cosmic destruction. Chapter 4 focuses on 2 Peter’s material on true vs. false prophets and true vs. false prophecy. Peter and his fellow apostles follow the line of Israel’s true prophets, and the false teachers are likened to Israel’s false prophets and specifically Balaam.
Chapter 5 studies the use of three stories from Genesis in 2 Peter 2:4–10a: the “angels who sinned” (Gen 6:1–4), Noah’s flood, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Peter structures this paragraph (2:4–10a) to develop a pattern from ancient biblical history proving that God can and will punish the ungodly and deliver the righteous (further developed in 2 Pet 3). He also employs these stories to characterize his own day.
Chapter 6 studies 2 Peter 3, the central concern of which is the certainty and efficacy of the word and promise of God. The flow of Scriptural imagery and argument in 2 Peter 3 is built around a succession of four events: creation, flood, fiery judgment (Sodom), and new creation. Peter also references Psalm 90:4, Habakkuk 2:3, and Isaiah 60:22 to guide his readers in thinking through the seeming delay of Jesus’ promised return. The chapter closes with Peter’s use of Isaiah’s new creation promise.
Chapter 7 synthesizes the study’s findings, draws conclusions, and discusses the significance of the study