Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
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The Encroachment of Secularism Among Young Ecuadorian Cuencano Mestizos
Get PDFIn this dissertation I purpose to identify key indicators of contemporary secularization discovered through literary resources documenting the rise of secularism in Western culture from the Middle Ages to the present day. After identifying these key cultural markers of secularization, I demonstrate that these characteristics are present among the younger generation of Ecuadorian Cuencano mestizos between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five. Furthermore, I research the effect that increasing secularization is having upon the lives of younger Cuencanos in comparison to their parents’ generation. These findings are then utilized to propose a missiological paradigm to effectively equip Cuencano Christian leaders to combat the increase in secularism from a biblical worldview within the institutions of the church, the family, and the culture
A Strategy for Leadership Development in Asha Church, Louisville, Kentucky
Get PDFThis project seeks to develop the existing and prospective leaders at Asha Church in Louisville, Kentucky, who are expected to effectively serve in the church. Chapter 1 presents the church context and project rationale, goals, and methodology. Chapter 2 provides exegesis of five Scripture passages (Num 11:16–30; Matt 9:35–38; Acts 11:19–26; Eph 4:11–13; 1 Tim 3:1–13) to demonstrate that the Bible stresses the need to develop spiritual leaders and that they are to shepherd a church and achieve its goals. Chapter 3 reveals the abundance of resources explaining the importance of defining, developing, and deploying effective church leaders. Chapter 4 describes the project-implementation details, such as designing and administering survey instruments and course curriculum as well as conducting a five-week seminar. Chapter 5 evaluates the efficacy of the project based on the completion of the specified goals. Ultimately, this project attempts to biblically define, develop, and deploy leaders at Asha Church and everywhere in the world as disciples of Christ
A Reexamination of Pastoral Theology and Practice Concerning Children and Conversion
Get PDFThis dissertation argues that a pastor can confidently and effectively counsel a child in the matter of conversion. Chapter 1 deals with the formative experiences of the author which led to the study, as well as with an examination of existing writing on the subject. A survey of current literature reveals that while many authors deal with the subject of children and may make vague references to their souls or their salvation, very little exists that would inform a pastor on how to proceed when counseling a child through this time of decision. Chapter 2 focuses on the scriptural passages that provide the foundation for this study. The study is based primarily on four biblical texts: Matthew 18:1-14, Mark 5:21-43, Mark 10:13-16, and 1 Corinthians 7:12-14. These texts provide confirmation that indeed children are spiritual beings who have the capacity, as drawn by the Spirit of God, to be converted. Having established that, the study then turns to the cognitive and social development of the child, which is the topic of chapter 3. Recognized experts in the field of child psychology, such as Erikson and Piaget, offer insights into what a child can reasonably be expected to process at various levels of development. While there is often a perceived conflict between psychology and theology, this study combines the two fields of study. A proper understanding of a child’s cognitive and psychological development can prove of great value to the pastor. A pastor need not undergo extensive psychological training to properly counsel a child, but a basic understanding of the cognitive and psychological development of a child will enable the pastor to more effectively communicate with the child and guide him through this process. Once the scriptural and cognitive psychological foundations are laid, this study turns, in chapter 4, to a basic discussion of soteriological matters, to ensure that there is no confusion as to what the various terms are referencing. In chapter 5, all of this information allows the development of certain signposts of development for which a pastor can watch. Children should be seen as candidates for conversion. The pastor who is able to properly analyze the child’s development can then effectively consider how to minister to the child in this most crucial of moments. This study aids the pastor in that pursuit and informs the pastor on how he should proceed through the process of counseling a child in the matter of salvation
The Mind of Christ: The Intellectual Virtue of φρόνησις in Paul's Letters
Get PDFIn Paul's letters, there is an epistemic difference between those who are in Christ and those who are not, characterized by the uniquely Christian practice of the intellectual virtue of φρόνησις, or practical wisdom. Over the course of his letters, Paul defines the intellectual virtue of practical wisdom as a part of the broader transformation of sanctification by the Holy Spirit. Practical wisdom is a quality of the mind of Christ, and since only Christians have the mind of Christ, only Christians can practice the virtue of practical wisdom. Paul makes it clear in Romans 1-7 that without the Spirit no one can know the will of God or practice φρόνησις. Then in Romans 8-12, 1 Corinthians 2:5-16, and 12-14, Paul models and exhorts Christians to practice practical wisdom. In 1 Thessalonians and Philippians, Paul calls believers to φρόνησις by holding up moral exemplars for them to imitate. By doing so, Christians in the churches can learn to practice φρόνησις
Wisdom As Divine Discourse: An Exegetical-Theological Study of the Book of Proverbs
Get PDFThis work is embargoed by the author until 12/06/2022.While scholars typically conceive of wisdom in Proverbs as lacking in appeal to divine revelation, this dissertation argues that the book of Proverbs intends for readers to take wisdom’s instructions as a divine discourse in a way analogous to the Torah. My thesis is that divine concursus undergirds the cooperation of human and divine agency such that the wisdom of Proverbs is taken as divine discourse just as the Torah is divine discourse. This dissertation addresses two interrelated issues in the modern study of the book of Proverbs: (1) the dichotomy of divine and human agency and (2) whether one can take Proverbs as divine discourse given the book’s deficit in appeal to divine revelation. That the two problems are related can be stated like this: If God does not act, then he does not speak. Hence, it is no coincidence that wisdom’s anthropocentricism goes hand in hand with the assertion that wisdom is something other than divine revelation. This dissertation treats these two issues via an exegetical-theological exploration of how divine and human agency cooperate in the book of Proverbs.
In contrast to the dichotomization of divine and human agency in Proverbs, I argue that the two agencies are fundamentally compatible based on a non-contrastive view of divine transcendence. This view entails arguing for the preeminence and pervasiveness of divine agency in Proverbs against the scholarly tendency to make human agency the starting point for reflecting on the thought-world of Old Testament wisdom. Hence, this dissertation contends that divine concurrentism better accounts for the juxtaposition of anthropocentrism and theocentrism in the book of Proverbs.
This dissertation further argues that the lack of appeal to divine revelation in Proverbs does not pose a problem for taking Proverbs to be a divine discourse. Instead of thinking of Proverbs’ canonical and divine status from the vantage points of revelation or inspiration, I argue that the Deuteronomic Torah presents a biblical paradigm for taking a human discourse as a divine discourse. From Deuteronomy’s theology of communication, I contend that Proverbs intends wisdom to function as a divine discourse. Hence, whether at the level of Proverbs’ thought-world or at the level of its discourse, we can find a concurrence of divine and human agency that accomplishes that which pleases YHWH (Isa 55:11)
A Case Study in Equipping Preliterate Quichua Pastors and Church Leaders in Southern Ecuador for Biblical Counseling
Get PDFD.Min., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2021This project explores the need and opportunity for establishing biblical counseling in any context, regardless of literacy. Chapter 1 explains that this project was implemented among the Highland Quichua of Southern Ecuador. Chapter 2 discusses the theological basis for equipping pastors and church leaders in biblical counseling based on three biblical texts: 1 Peter 5:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7; and Acts 20:18-35. Chapter 3 interacts with theoretical and practical issues involved in equipping Quichua pastors and church leaders in biblical counseling, arguing that biblical counseling can be implemented among preliterate because the Bible’s original recipients formed a largely oral society. Chapter 4 explains the process of implementing the project, including pre and post-training interviews, the development and teaching of a curriculum, and the preparation of a long-term ministry plan. Chapter 5 provides reflections on the project outcome, including strengths and weaknesses and areas to change for future implementation of like projects
Multiplying Leaders in the Image of Christ at Fredericktowne Baptist Church in Walkersville, Maryland
Get PDFThe purpose of the project was to design a training program for developing Christlike leaders in the church. The guiding principle was that growth in Christlikeness is the basis for and power behind leadership training in the church. Chapter 1 presents the context, purpose, goals, rationale, and limitations of the project.
Chapter 2 explores the biblical and theological foundations for multiplying leaders in the image of Jesus Christ. Beginning with Genesis 1:26-28, the chapter explores key Scripture texts related to discipleship in Christ’s image. God created mankind in his own image to display sonship, kingship, and fruit-bearing. However, these essential functions are corrupted by sin, necessitating a sinless substitute to fulfill God’s plan, namely Jesus Christ the perfect image of God.
Chapter 3 explores issues related to discipleship-based leadership training, seeking to expand an understanding of the roles, nature, and characteristics of disciple-making and leadership training.
Chapter 4 explains the development and implementation of the project.
Chapter 5 presents an evaluation of the project, a summary of the successes of the four project goals, and an assessment of changes that would improve the project for future use
Identity and Agency in the Crisis at Antioch: A Comparative Study of Galatians 2:11–21 and Selected Second Temple Jewish Texts
Get PDFThis dissertation examines the mixed table-fellowship conflict between Paul and Peter at Antioch in Galatians 2:11–21 in light of the divine and human agency model. This project argues that Paul’s confrontation with Peter at the mixed table-fellowship at Antioch should be understood as a conflict between two competing understandings of agency. That is, Peter’s withdrawal from the mixed table-fellowship between Jews and Gentiles at Antioch suggested the priority of a distinct Jewish identity constructed by the human agent through the observance of Jewish table-fellowship practices based on the Torah, and thus minimized the divine action in Christ (Gal 2:14). However, Paul’s direct rebuke to Peter suggested the priority of divine agency (Gal 2:11, 14, 15–21). Paul’s remarks in Gal 2:15–21 teach that the believer’s distinct ethnic identity has been redefined because of God’s saving action in Christ. This study establishes the relationship between mixed table-fellowship, identity, and agency through a careful exegetical analysis of the crisis at Antioch in Galatians 2:11–21 in conversation with selected Second Temple Jewish texts. Chapter 1 introduces the main thesis, methodology of the project, and surveys the history of interpretation. Chapter 2 argues that food and table-fellowship practices primarily serve as an important center of identity formation on the individual and communal levels, creating a social bond within the group and a distinction from others outside the group. The next part of the dissertation (chaps. 3–4) focuses on selected Jewish texts from the Second Temple period (Letter of Aristeas, Joseph and Aseneth, Judith, and Additions to Esther). Chapter 3 argues that mixed table-fellowship restrictions observed by the Second Temple Jews in these ancient Jewish texts function to construct and prioritize a distinct Jewish identity through Jewish observance of food and table-fellowship practices. Chapter 4 further enhances the argument by establishing the relationship between mixed table-fellowship, the Torah and divine-human agency in selected Second Temple Jewish texts. The final section of the dissertation (chaps. 5–6) focuses on Paul’s letter to the Galatians, with particular attention given to Galatians 2:11–21. Chapter 5 examines the Antiochene crisis in light of the identity theme by arguing that the mixed table-fellowship conflict at Antioch fundamentally reveals an underlying conflict of ethnic identity. Chapter 6 establishes the relationship between the mixed table-fellowship, identity, and divine-human agency in Galatians 2:11–21. This chapter argues that Paul and Peter’s table-fellowship conflict over ethnic identity signifies a conflict between two competing notions of agency. Chapter 7 summarizes the previous chapters and offers a comparative analysis of Galatians 2:11–21 and selected Second Temple Jewish texts based on the exegetical conclusions drawn from both Pauline and Jewish texts discussed in this study. Finally, this chapter highlights the scholarly contribution made in this study, areas of possible further research, and an application of this research in a Pakistani context
Evaluating High School Church Curricula via the Danielson Framework for Teaching: A Quantitative Approach
Get PDFEd. D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2021The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate current evangelical small group or Sunday school curricula for high school students using the Danielson Framework for Teaching (FFT). The literature review revealed large-scale problems with Christianity in the U.S., problems in Christian education, and finally deficiencies in church curricula. The literature review also revealed a faith-based constructivist curriculum that effectively supports active learning that leads to Christlike transformation. The FFT was introduced and proven to be a valid and reliable tool for measuring student learning and the evaluation of curricula. By using Domains 1 and 3 of the FFT to evaluate curricula, strengths and weaknesses were discovered, analyzed, and reported in order to strengthen curricula and therefore Christian education in churches
Cultivating Confidence in the Scriptures Among Attending Adults at Hopewell Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky
Get PDFThis project’s purpose was to grow greater confidence in the Bible resulting in a more faithful reliance upon it in all areas of life and ministry among adult attenders at Hopewell Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. The desired result of growing confidence in Scripture was to facilitate greater spiritual fruit among attenders at the church. This project’s goals were to assess and increase the state of confidence in the Bible’s sufficiency and authority among adult attenders. The method for accomplishing the project goals was to develop and implement an eight-session multi-formatted course curriculum designed to increase confidence in the sufficiency and authority of the Scripture. An additional method for accomplishing this project’s goals was to develop and utilize a diagnostic Bible confidence survey to be administered before and after the curriculum’s implementation to diagnose the level of confidence experienced by the adult church attenders at Hopewell Baptist Church