Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
Not a member yet
7153 research outputs found
Sort by
Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus: The Relationship between Ecclesiology and Soteriology for Cyprian of Carthage
Get PDFCyprian wrote his treatise De ecclesiae catholicae unitate to discuss the relationship between the church and salvation. To counter the Novatian schism in Rome, Cyprian virtually equated the spiritual and visible church. Schismatics necessarily placed themselves outside the spiritual church and thus outside salvation when they departed the visible congregation. This linking of the visible and the spiritual church shaped Cyprian’s understanding of the role of the church in a person’s salvation. He did not hold to a works-based salvation, but the sacraments were essential for ecclesial life. At baptism, the Holy Spirit applied Christ’s work upon the cross to believers, so the Christian life officially began at baptism. After baptism, the eucharist subjectively strengthened believers to obey the commands of Jesus Christ. It also memorialized Christ’s sacrifice, which had bought their salvation. In a sense the bishops were also necessary for salvation. Schismatic bishops could not administer valid sacraments. When they left the visible church, the Holy Spirit removed his presence. As unsanctified people, they could not administer the sanctifying rituals of baptism and the eucharist. How close was the connection between the visible and the spiritual church? While Cyprian virtually wed the two together, he did not see them as the same thing. Catechumens who died during persecution were still saved based upon their faith, as revealed in their desire to receive baptism. Moreover, when Christians committed egregious sins, they maintained their salvation by truly repenting of their sins and seeking reconciliation with the church
Equipping Pastors in Union Baptist Association, Jos, Nigeria, to Teach Adoption As a Viable Ministry for Infertile Couples
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to biblically and theologically equip pastors in the Union Baptist Association, Jos, Nigeria, to teach adoption of children as a viable ministry option to infertile couples for care of orphans, satisfaction of parental instinct, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission to the glory of God. Chapter 1 presents the context, rationale, purpose, goals, research methodology, definitions, delimitations, and limitations of this project.
Chapter 2 explains the biblical and theological basis of children adoption. The examples of physical adoptions and images of adoption in the Old Testament were examined in great deal. The fact of Israel’s adoption by God is a major theme in the Old Testament. Adoption of Jesus by Joseph is the only case of physical adoption in the New Testament. This chapter explains further that though many New Testament writers allude to the concept of adoption in their writings, only apostle Paul employed a technical term to describe this concept. Pauline huiothesia is influenced by both Judaism that provided Paul with history and theology for the term, and Paul’s affiliation with Greco-Roman culture, which gave him physical example and terminology. Finally, this chapter explains how James 1: 27 is the key New Testament scripture that gives support to physical adoption of children.
Chapter 3 addresses reasons why adoption is not well practiced in Nigeria. Socio-cultural consideration is the main obstacle against child adoption in southern Nigeria, while the influence of Islamic religion is the main factor militating against children adoption in northern Nigeria. Islam forbids child adoption.
Chapter 4 describes the details of the project implementation—development of the seminar sessions, implementation of the seminar, collation of the pre- and post-seminar surveys, and the processing of the data. Finally, chapter 5 states the evaluations of the purpose and goals of the project and suggestions for future improvement
The Utilization of a Theology of Human Embodiment to Address Body Image
Get PDFDespite the reality that spiritual aspects of the Christian faith are lived through the physical body, Christians historically neglected the body and elevated the soul. Old Testament believers valued body and soul, while New Testament believers fell prey to philosophical teachings that denigrated the material realm. Platonic and Gnostic philosophies influenced many Christological heresies that denied the fleshy existence of Christ. These ideologies sparked immoral living as believers reckoned that present physical actions were of no consequence. This dissertation deduces a theology of the body from Paul’s confrontation of this errant thinking in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. In this passage, Paul argues for the value of the body based in Trinitarian involvement with the body—through the bodily resurrection of embodied believers by the Father, the bodily atonement offered for embodied believers by the Son, and the bodily indwelling of believers as embodied representatives of God by the Holy Spirit. These truths begin to form the way in which Christians think about their bodies—because Father, Son, and Spirit each affirm the body in united yet specific ways, the body is worthy of respect and honor. From this theology of the body, my work seeks to form a proper, God-honoring body image, wherein the body is affirmed by God and therefore good. A right body image must begin with a Christian worldview—not the fleeting worldly standards of physical appearance—and revolve around God’s declarations about the body. From Paul’s treatise on the body in the midst of a Gnostic, body-abusing culture, I derive fifteen principles about corporeal existence that lay the groundwork for proper body image. Equipped with these fifteen principles, anyone can construct and maintain a God-honoring body image, no matter one’s gender, age, or physical condition
Kingdom Through Covenant: A Biblical Theology for Students at Lincroft Bible Church in Lincroft, New Jersey
Get PDFThis work provides the framework to articulate the storyline of the Bible to middle and high school students, using the covenants as the organizing principle. Chapter 1 defines biblical theology and demonstrates why the covenants are crucial for constructing an accurate metanarrative of the Bible. Chapter 2 establishes the presence of a covenant in creation and shows the implications of the creation covenant for the rest of the story. Chapter 3 shows how the Noahic covenant stands in continuity with the creation covenant as well as advances the storyline forward. Chapter 4 focuses upon God’s covenant with Abraham and shows how it builds upon previous covenants and is also programmatic for the rest of Scripture. Chapter 5 explains the significance of God’s covenant with Israel and how it relates to previous covenants but was never intended to be permanent. Chapter 6 exposits the significance of the Davidic covenant and how the king would bring God’s promises to fulfillment. Chapter 7 highlights the prophetic anticipation for the new covenant due to the sin of Israel and their king. Chapter 8 concludes the project by showing how Jesus inaugurates the new covenant and gives his people access its promises
The Holy Spirit's Hope for the Traumatized
No full textThis thesis argues that the Holy Spirit fuels hope for the traumatized through regenerating, regenerating, sealing, indwelling, sanctifying, resurrecting, and glorifying believers, and producing shalom. I argue that the Holy Spirit works through these actions to heal the mind and heart, body, and relationships of individuals producing a response of genuine hopefulness in Christian trauma survivors. The introduction sets up the issue of trauma and the need for more theological resources that address the topic.Chapter 2 presents relevant components of human personhood: the heart and mind, the body, and relationality. It presents all of these in the framework of the image of God. This chapter also surveys trauma, its violation of the image of God, and its effects on the components of human person hood.
Chapter 3 surveys the works of the Holy Spirit in creation and recreation and how they produce hope for Christians. In chapter 4, I show that the Holy Spirit produces shalom in individuals and in communities, and how shalom impacts hope in the wake of trauma
The Christological Case for Compatibilism
Get PDFThis work is embargoed by the author until 12/06/2023.Classical Christology entails compatibilism. In other words, that freedom and moral responsibility are compatible with determinism is a necessary consequence of the teaching about Jesus Christ found in Scripture and affirmed in Christian, historical orthodoxy. The four main camps in the free will debate are PAP libertarianism (which claims that alternative possibilities are necessary for free will), sourcehood libertarianism (which claims that an agent must be the ultimate source of her actions in order for her actions to be free), hard determinism (which affirms determinism and denies free will), and compatibilism (which affirms the compatibility of free will and determinism). Jesus Christ’s perfect obedience and conformity to the divine will can be maintained only by a compatibilist paradigm. The three chapters following the introduction discuss contemporary views of free will, classical Christology, and historical christological arguments for compatibilism, respectively. The following four chapters assume the truth of classical Christology and proceed to demonstrate the falsity of PAP libertarianism (chapter 5), sourcehood libertarianism (chapter 6), and hard determinism (chapters 7 and 8). Chapter 9 provides a positive christological case for compatibilism using three modes of argument: (1) an appeal to Christ’s teaching, (2) an appeal to the necessity of the incarnation and atonement, and (3) an appeal to Christ’s impeccability and the non-contrariety of his divine and human wills. The conclusion discusses the significance of the christological case for compatibilism and suggests areas for further research
Building Self-Aware Leaders at Saddleback South Bay Church
Get PDFThis project is designed to help pastors, ministry leaders, and leaders in the local church with building healthier and more self-aware leaders. Self-aware leaders will be able to understand what and why they do what they do. They will have a better understanding of how to work with others on their team or organization. This creates more unity and ability to work together for the kingdom of God. Chapter 1 provides the context, rationale and direction for self-awareness in the church context. Chapter 2 provides the biblical and theological framework for understanding the importance and value of self-awareness in the local church. It will help understand that self-awareness is a biblical concept rooted in scripture. Chapter 3 will unpack the theoretical and sociological support for creating and developing healthier and more self-aware leaders. This will look into spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, journaling, and feedback. Chapter 4 describes the project itself with a detailed understanding of the curriculum and training material. Chapter 5 brings the project together by making an analysis and discussion of the project goals and outcome of self-awareness in the local church
Equipping Pastors and Deacons for Bereavement Ministry at Hickory Grove Baptist Church Charlotte, North Carolina
Get PDFThis project sought to provide equipping in end-of-life and bereavement ministry for pastors and deacons of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. Chapter 1 gives the context of ministry at Hickory Grove and the rationale and goals for this project. Chapter 2 shows the biblical directives and responsibilities required to shepherd the flock of God. Chapter 3 examines the historical, contemporary, and practical issues related to the project to guide the training of pastors and deacons for end-of-life and bereavement ministries.
Chapter 4 gives a detailed outline of the project, including a timeline. Chapter 5 provides an evaluation of the project and its goals. This project provides the church with the means to faithfully shepherd the flock through the end stages of life and the process of grieving
Preparing Members of the Salvation Army of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Be Christian Apologists
Get PDFThis project attempts to train and prepare members of The Salvation Army of Lancaster, Pennsylvania to be Christian apologists. Chapter 1 outlines the history and ministry context of The Salvation Army along with the goals of the project. Chapter 2 presents the biblical and theological foundations of Christian apologetics by exegeting three passages in Acts 17 (Acts 17:1-12; Acts 17:29-31 & Acts 17:16-28). Chapter 3 involves an examination of current and classical scholarship with respect to the application of Christian apologetics in the life of the believer. Chapter 4 deals with the project itself, including the preparation of lessons, the pre-course survey, the subject matter of each lesson, and the post-course survey. Chapter 5 serves to evaluate the project with particular respect to the goals as outlined in chapter 1
Preaching Faith Seen Through Works to High School Students at Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma
Get PDFThis project is series of seven sermons in the book of James which seeks to exposit selected Scriptures in light of biblical theology. James was an extremely effective communicator, who used vivid illustrations to drive home his point that the Christian faith is a working faith. While salvation for James was dependent on faith, true saving faith is evidenced through the fruits of a believer’s life.
Through continual use of the wisdom literature and the teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, James shows the reader of this epistle that faith was never meant to be an isolated ideology in the life of a believer. Instead, faith serves as the catalyst for living a life in honor of the Lord. Therefore, the believer’s call is to hear the Word of God and live out their life in submission to Him, for without works, faith is void of all life