Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
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Anchored in Identity: Opposition and The Identity of The People of God in 1 Peter
Get PDFThe message of 1 Peter is increasingly more relevant to the church in North America and will help to preserve the faith of believers as well as increase the witness of the church. Chapter 1 lays out the basis for this project and gives an overview of the texts that are covered. Chapter 2 grounds the believers’ identity as exiles, creating a deep connection to the Old Testament. Chapter 3 helps establish continuity between the Old and New in relation to the hope of the gospel, while chapter 4 details the call for holiness as God’s children. Chapter 5 looks at a cluster of Old Testament imagery that forms identity and chapter 6 speaks to the Christian identity as servants. Chapter 7 provides an Old Testament exhortation and example, and chapter 8 looks at the identity of the church as the household of God
The Gospel of Matthew and the Value of "Full Bloom Aspect" for Biblical Interpretation
Get PDFMatthew’s first two chapters provide fertile ground for debate surrounding his four fulfillment quotations. In an age when biblical interpretation often defaults to the authority of the reader or leans heavily on presuppositional systems, Matthew provides tools for biblical interpretation in these quotations with a goal of demonstrating the interpretive method Jesus taught His disciples. He invites the reader to learn and practice them as well. The journey of discovery reinforces tried and true interpretive aspects such as historical and grammatical contexts. It also introduces, for some, the aspect of biblical theology, which reminds the reader that every passage of Scripture is a scene in a larger story. The real discovery is full bloom aspect—the exercise of using the illumination of the progression of revelation to shine light on earlier passages, revealing the beauty intended by the Author of Scripture
Vessels of Wrath: A Biblical-Theological Study of Divine Reprobating Activity
Get PDFDivine Reprobating Activity (DRA) may be defined as any exercise of divine agency intended to efficaciously influence responsible creatures towards behavior that merits divine condemnation so that they do in fact experience God’s judgment. In this study, I argue that the Christian canon does not present DRA as an insignificant or monolithic concept; instead, the biblical authors showcase both the significance and complexity of DRA in a variety of ways.In chapter 1, I provide an overview of my research aims as well as a description of the approach I take in exploring the concept of DRA. Chapter 2 comprises a history of research in which I selectively summarize scholarship on subjects such as divine hardening, predestination, election, divine and human agency, and interpretations of Romans 9.
In chapters 3–6, I explore the theme of DRA within the OT. Beginning with the Torah and concluding with the Writings, I examine cases of DRA section by section throughout the OT. After analyzing over thirty examples, I conclude that the OT attests to DRA’s significance by grounding Israel’s salvation history in God’s exercise of reprobating agency and by depicting the revelation of YHWH’s character as a function of DRA. Moreover, I also demonstrate that the OT authors characterize DRA in a multiplicity of ways, including retributive and non-retributive forms, active and passive
forms, and immediate and mediated forms. In addition, though the vast majority of OT examples refer to non-eternal punishment, Psalm 92:8 may bear witness to eternal DRA. I turn to instances of DRA in the NT in chapters 7–9. In keeping with the OT,
these biblical books also treat DRA as crucial to understanding salvation history and the very character of God. Moreover, several NT examples highlight the concept’s importance by suggesting that DRA determines the eschatological destinies of persons consigned to divine judgment. In addition, the NT continues to bear witness to the complexity of DRA, as it provides multiple characterizations of the concept.
Finally, in chapter 10, I summarize the results of my study and make suggestions for further research
The Joy of Assurance As the Essence and Expression of John Flavel’s Spirituality
Get PDFThe main goal of this dissertation is to contribute to the field of biblical spirituality by demonstrating the link between John Flavel’s understanding of the doctrine of assurance and his pursuit of joy. Joy is the hallmark of his spirituality, and it is to a great extent informed by his understanding of what it means to be assured of salvation in Christ. After unpacking Flavel’s understandings of assurance and joy, this work demonstrates their centrality in Flavel’s spirituality in the following key areas of its expression––looking to Christ, discerning the Spirit, obeying the law, keeping the heart, and carrying the cross.
The introduction provides a brief overview of the life and ministry of Flavel, setting him in his historical context. Chapter 2 examines Flavel’s doctrine of assurance and his development of it upon the work of John Calvin and the Westminster Assembly. Chapter 3 considers the centrality of joy in Flavel’s spirituality, and the relationship of joy to assurance.
Chapter 4 analyzes Flavel’s joy in looking to Christ. This chapter explains Flavel’s Christology and focuses on Christ as the foundation of assurance and the object of joy. Chapter 5 considers Flavel’s joy in discerning the Spirit. It addresses Flavel’s theology of the Spirit and examines how Christians can find great joy in discerning the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work in their hearts and lives. Chapter 6 considers Flavel’s joy in obeying the law. Flavel’s spirituality is highlighted by the necessity of obedience in strengthening the assurance and joy of the believer. Chapter 7 examines Flavel’s joy in keeping the heart. It unpacks the significance of the heart in Flavel’s spirituality, and the means by which believers protect their hearts from sin and encourage their hearts to holiness. Chapter 8 highlights Flavel’s joy in carrying the cross. As evident in his own life, Flavel views assurance as both a comfort in suffering and a result of suffering. Chapter 9 concludes and summarizes the dissertation, and also provides areas for additional research
Implementing a Premarital Curriculum Using Biblical Counseling Principles at Bay Life Church in Brandon, FL
Get PDFThis project is designed to develop and implement a premarital counseling curriculum using biblical counseling principles at Bay Life Church in Brandon, Florida. The process involves assessing the knowledge of biblical marriage in newly married couples, engaged couples, and young singles and implementing a premarital curriculum using biblical counseling principles. Chapter 1 introduces the context of Bay Life Church, along with the rationale, purpose, goals, and research methodologies of the project. Chapter 2 provides the biblical and theological foundation of marriage. Foundational to the design of this premarital curriculum are five biblical passages: Genesis 2.18-25, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Ephesians 5:22-25, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, and James 4:1-3. Chapter 3 considers contemporary marital and premarital resources using biblical counseling principles and seeks to apply these principles to themes in marriage. Chapter 4 details the curriculum and weekly classes taught. Chapter 5 concludes with an overall evaluation of the project and recommendations for improvement
Training Men Towards Pastoral Ordination at Watson Memorial Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to train qualified pastoral candidates at Watson Memorial Baptist Church for ordination to pastoral ministry. Chapter 1 sets forth the purpose, goals, context, rationale, definitions, limitations, delimitations, and research methodology of the project.Chapter 2 presents the biblical and theological rationale for training qualified men for pastoral ministry. First, the chapter examines key texts surrounding ordination. Then, the chapter examines the character of the pastoral candidates followed by the way in which pastors function within pastoral ministry. Chapter 3 provides a historical analysis of a call to ministry in the black Baptist churches. The chapter seeks to answer the question, "why has the black Baptist church done things differently from the New Testament prescription in ordaining a plurality of qualified pastors?" Chapter 4 gives a detailed description of the implementation of the project. Chapter 5 evaluates the research of this project
Increasing Knowledge About Biblical Counseling to Support a Gospel City Movement in Boston, Massachusetts
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to support the gospel city movement of Boston, Massachusetts by increasing knowledge about biblical counseling among Christians in the area. Chapter 1 presents the context, rational, and goals of this project. Chapter 2 seeks to demonstrate the biblical rational for biblical counseling through the exegesis four passages (1 Thessalonians 5:14, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Ephesians 4:11-12, and Galatians 6:2). Chapter 3 demonstrates how a gospel city movement will best be supported by a culture of biblical counseling that is gospel-centered, church-based, and clinically-informed. 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. Overall, the purpose of this project was to serve the movement of God in Boston, Massachusetts by increasing knowledge about biblical counseling among church members and leaders
Providing Biblical Guidance About Alcohol Abuse to Churches in Abia State, Nigeria
Get PDFD. Ed. Min., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2021This project develops a curriculum that provides biblical guidance about alcohol abuse among young adults and then implements the teaching through a training course in five Baptist Churches in Abia state. Chapter 1 introduces the project looking at context, rationale, purpose, and goals. Chapter 2 develops a biblical and theological foundation that establishes that alcohol abuse disrupts God’s design of people as His image-bearers. The chapter examines several prominent issues such as these: people were made to worship God and enjoy his creation, find joy in God in contrast to that in creation, the human body is seen as the temple of God in contrast to alcohol abuse, people were made to contribute to meaningful work in their community, and to have self-control over their minds, bodies, habits, and attitudes. Chapter 3 looks at the theoretical, historical, and practical issues related to alcoholism and its abuse in Nigeria. It recognizes alcohol abuse as a sin and form of idolatry and further examines the historical, socio-cultural, economic, and health perspectives of alcoholism in Nigeria. Moreover, it suggests some practical guide to counsel and build leadership and skill training among young adults in Abia state. Chapter 4 outlines the implementation with a survey and a six-week training session through zoom that aims at equipping young adults with biblical counseling tools that will help engage alcohol abuse victims. Chapter 5 gives an analysis and reflection of the entire project
Equipping Couples for Christ-Centered Marriages at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Get PDFThis ministry project was designed to equip couples for Christ-centered marriage at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, by assessing, training, and developing their desires to become more spiritually mature believers. Chapter 1 explains the context, rationale, purpose, goals, and methodology of the project. Chapter 2 examines Genesis 1:27-28 and 2:18-25 to describe the biblical and theological foundation for Christian marriage, and Ephesians 5:22-33 and 1 Peter 3:1-7 to clarify the biblical roles of husband and wife. Chapter 3 provides practical guidance for couples to develop Christ-centered disciplines to strengthen their marriages. Chapter 4 details the planning, preparation, and implementation of the training program. Chapter 5 evaluates the purpose and goals of the project, examines the strengths and weaknesses, and offers suggestions for future implementation. Chapter 5 also offers a theological and personal reflection on the project
Critiquing Common Themes in LGBT-Affirming Psychologies with Orthodox Christian Frameworks
Get PDFFew works have delineated a robust orthodox pastoral theology for LGBT-identified people. Addressing this deficiency, this dissertation inductively investigates three prominent themes of LGBT-affirming psychologies, surveys evangelical engagement with these themes, and proposes three alternatives rooted in a biblically based, Christian worldview. Chapter 1 introduces the project and surveys contemporary Christian literature regarding the same-sex attraction and gender incongruence to help the reader navigate how evangelicals have engaged these issues. Chapter 2 explores biblical, historical, and theological foundations for addressing presenting LGBT labels in Christian soul care. Chapter 3 traces the historical development of modern psychology's tradition of inquiry regarding what we now call LGBTQ+ issues and identifies the theoretical frameworks that have informed LGBT-affirming psychologies and challenged historic Christian beliefs about sexuality and gender. Chapter 4 identifies and traverses the main secular frameworks that inform LGBT psychologies (the first theme), evaluates these frameworks from a Christian perspective, and surveys and assesses how evangelicals have engaged these frameworks. Addressing the second and third themes, chapter 5 details how LGBT psychologies conceptualize LGBT identity development and how they address the religious conflicts created by LGBT identities. Finally, the sixth chapter expands upon Christian alternatives to LGBT-affirming psychologies: Christian critical essentialism, biblical narrative performances of the sexual self, and Christian narrative transformations of the sexual self