Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
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One Position, Two Administrations: Exploring the Theological Overlap Between 1689 Federalism and Progressive Covenantalism
Get PDFThis thesis examines the common ground between 1689 Federalism and Progressive Covenantalism, which warrants a closer identification between the two than currently exists. I demonstrate that Progressive Covenantalism carves out a place on the continuity/discontinuity spectrum whereas 1689 Federalism connotates emphasizes a particular relationship between the Old and New covenants while placing the same emphasis as PC on the newness of the New Covenant. Therefore, 1689 Federalists should view themselves as a subset of Progressive Covenantalism rather than as a variety of Covenant Theology.
Chapter 1 summarizes the history of both systems and details the thesis and methodology used to advance the argument. Chapter 2 presents the published interactions between the two systems to-date, highlighting the problems of mischaracterization and misunderstanding that have unnecessarily divided them. Chapter 3 presents the extent of the priorities shared by each system. Chapter 4 focuses on the central point that is said to divide PC and 1689 Federalism: the Law. Broad and narrow priorities are compared and
reflected upon. Chapter 5 concludes with several suggested benefits to be gained through a closer alignment between PC and 1689 Federalism
The Holy Spirit's Hope for the Traumatized
Get PDFTh.M., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2021This 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
Utilizing Personal and Corporate Spiritual Disciplines to Foster Emotional Health at West Hickory Baptist Church, Hickory, North Carolina
Get PDFThis ministry project was designed to help a group of members at West Hickory Baptist Church grow in emotional health through the practice of select biblical spiritual disciplines. Chapter 1 explains the ministry context and rationale of the project. The chapter also lays out the purpose and goals for the project, defines key terms used in the project, and chapter 1 explains the methodology used in the project’s implementation. Chapter 2 describes the connection in Scripture between spiritual disciplines and emotional health. The overarching passage for the whole curriculum, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, is explained and then other passages are discussed in relation to each of the disciplines covered in the project curriculum: Psalm 1 (Bible meditation), Philippians 4:1-7 (prayer), Psalm 40 (worship), and 2 Corinthians 8:1-6 (giving). Chapter 3 considers evangelical approaches to the spiritual disciplines and emotional health. After defining the key terms of “evangelical,” “spiritual disciplines,” and “emotional health,” evangelical approaches from the last forty years, when the study of spiritual disciplines became prominent in evangelicalism, is the focus of this chapter. The works of key teachers in the areas of spiritual disciplines and emotional health are considered. Chapter 4 is about the implementation of the project. The chapter describes how the curriculum was developed, implemented, and evaluated. Chapter 5 is an evaluation of the project’s purpose and goals, along with personal and theological reflections on the project
Developing a Pastoral Residency Curriculum at Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville, MI
Get PDFThis project seeks to develop a comprehensive pastoral residency curriculum. A core component of the church’s mission is to equip the saints for ministry (Eph 4:11-12) and to teach faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Tim 2:22). A pastoral residency is a formalized approach to equipping men for faithful service in the local church. This project seeks to develop a curriculum for a two-year residency that would adequately equip young men for the rigors of pastoral life
Testing the Spirits: A Biblical Assessment of the Islamic Jibril
Get PDFThe purpose of this dissertation is to assess the nature and character of the Islamic representations of Jibril by means of biblically derived criteria for identifying spiritual beings and by comparing the representations of the Islamic Jibril with the representations of the biblical Gabriel. Gabriel is one of two angels named in canonical Scripture. He stands in God’s presence and serves as God’s messenger. He is only mentioned by name in the book of Daniel and the Gospel of Luke. Similarly, Jibril serves a vital role in Islam. Muhammed is believed traditionally to have received the words contained in the Qur’an by means of Jibril’s dictation. The origin and allegiance of this spiritual being is significant for both Christianity and Islam. While the biblical narratives supply readers with multiple instances, few texts give thorough investigation regarding spiritual beings’ origins, roles, personalities, and specific behaviors. Taken individually, these descriptions do not provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding about spiritual beings; however, if these instances are examined in conjunction with one another and properly analyzed, they provide a paradigm by which one can compare and contrast spiritual beings outside Scripture in hopes of determining a specific spiritual being’s identity, allegiance, and purpose.
The purpose of this data analysis research was to develop a biblical instrument for identifying spiritual beings (BIISB), in particular the angel Gabriel (Jibril), as revealed in both biblical and select Islamic texts. The data extrapolated through this research method was used to infer specific character traits, behavioral qualities, and informational themes that are consistent with angelic beings in both the Old and New Testaments. The inferred qualifications were then used to assess texts specifically discussing Gabriel from both traditions. Gabriel and Jibril were analyzed through textual comparative analysis. While the figures shared multiple qualitative similarities, the comparison also revealed noticeable qualitative disparities between them as well. Based upon the critical analysis provided by the biblical instrument for identifying spiritual beings and the thorough comparison of Gabriel and Jibril, the apparent dissimilarities displayed by these two figures are irreconcilable. Jibril’s embodiment of non-angelic qualities coupled with the stark contrast of his message do not coincide with the descriptions of the biblical Gabriel or the content of his messages
Equipping Members of Victory Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky to Faithfully Share the Gospel
Get PDFThis project seeks to equip the members of Victory Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky to faithfully share the gospel and follow the biblical pattern set forth in Acts 1:8. Chapter 1 presents the ministry context of Victory and the goals of this project. Chapter 2 exegetes Acts 1:8 for the purpose of calling every Christian to be a gospel witness within their circle of influence and to the far reaches of the globe. Chapter 3 presents the physical and spiritual barriers that must be overcome, with the help of the Holy Spirit, in order to be a gospel witness. Chapter 4 describes the specifics of the project, including the training curriculum and the results of gospel conversations. Chapter 5 evaluates the effectiveness of the project based on the completion of the stated goals. The ultimate aim of this project is to successfully equip the members of Victory Baptist Church to be faithful, gospel witnesses for Jesus Christ
Using Technology to Practice a Baxter Model of Pastoral Care with Families of Children at Central Baptist Church in Corbin, Kentucky
Get PDFThis project sought to effectively utilize modern technological advancementsin communication to practice the pastoral care model of Richard Baxter with families of
children (ages 5-11) at Central Baptist Church in Corbin, Kentucky. Chapter 1 presents
the ministry context, rationale, and methodology for this project. Chapter 2 examines the
scriptural and theological basis for using technology to implement a Baxter model of
pastoral care. First, Acts 20:17-38 and 2 Timothy 3:14– 4:5 are examined to address
pastoral care. Then, the concept of the apostolic parousia is examined as a model for the
use of technology in the preparation of pastoral visits. Chapter 3 explores the historical
and philosophical basis for using technology to implement a Baxter model of pastoral
care with families with children. Chapter 4 describes the project in detail, covering the
methodology and curriculum used in this project. Chapter 5 evaluates the effectiveness of
the project based upon the completion of three set goals
Consilia: Catholic Inroads at the Puritan Anti-Catholic Westminster Assembly
Get PDFThis work is embargoed by the author until 09/02/2023.While historians disagree about many different aspects of the Westminster Assembly (1643–1653), the current historiography is united in seeing the gathering and its members as staunchly anti-Catholic. However, a largely overlooked debate in the Assembly reveals a surprising discussion—some divines showed sympathy with the distinctly Roman Catholic doctrine of consilia evangelica that undergirded works of supererogation and that had been condemned by the magisterial reformers. A careful reading of the Assembly minutes shows that views on consilia correlated with the positions of some Assembly divines on critical issues such as salvation and good works. The debate over consilia at Westminster is the tip of an iceberg capable of yielding fresh and unexpected insights into three important and interconnected fields of historiography: (1) the place of consilia amongst Protestantism, (2) the reach of Roman Catholicism within the Assembly, and (3) the extent of Roman Catholic influence in English Puritanism
Regeneration and the Heart Under the Old Covenant: A Study in Deuteronomy and the Major Prophets
Get PDFBiblical scholars debate whether elect members of the old covenant were regenerate, often tying the discussion to the language of circumcision of heart. Yet an analysis of heart transformation metaphors in the prophets reveals that all are mutually-interpreting, eschatological, and linked to the new covenant. This study examines and characterizes the moral heart and its transformation in the prophetic books of Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. The heart is shown to be determinant in both allegiance and action, and the epicenter of covenant knowledge and obedience. As a result, heart transformation is needed in order to change one’s relationship to YHWH and his commands. An analysis of the relevant data reveals that, while there is a qualitative difference between the hearts of the elect and non-elect under both covenants, in the new covenant the transformation of heart brings quantitatively new covenant knowledge of YHWH leading to Spirit-empowered obedience
The Thomistic Ground of Analogy and Reformed Ectypal Theology
Get PDFReformed ectypal theology can refine Thomistic analogy by supplementing Aquinas’ creational account of analogy’s ground with a covenantal account. Aquinas presents the ultimate ground of analogy as inexplicable but demonstrably real, terminating in the mystery of divine actuality. While Aquinas offers a creational account of this ultimate ground, further description of this ground with a covenantal account is both possible and necessary. Far from rejecting Aquinas’ ground of analogy, this proposal wholeheartedly takes it up and refines it via Reformed theology in a fashion consonant both with Aquinas’ ultimate ground of analogy and Aquinas’ overall theology