Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
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The Essential Morality of Identity: The Role of the Conscience in Identity Formation
Get PDFEvery individual possesses a conscience that testifies to both the moral framework of this world along with the way an individual relates to the moral framework and understands him- or herself.Considering the dearth of attention given to the conscience and the blatant antagonism to a moral framework in much of modern soul-care, effective counseling will acknowledge and correct the therapeutic ethos that dominates people’s thinking and living. Pointing to the presence of the conscience, the counselor will emphasize the reality of morality, moral agency, and the only path to acceptance, forgiveness, and wholeness through the cross of Jesus Christ. Proper identity formation, morality, and human flourishing will thrive or deteriorate according to the success or failure of a correct understanding of the personal conscience.
In the first chapter of this dissertation, I survey the present context of the ethical landscape in light of the predominant understanding of identity formation. The second chapter locates and defines the conscience in the human heart and in natural human experience. Moreover, because influential psychological schools of thought have overshadowed and patently mis-defined the conscience, this chapter explores the teachings of Scripture on the conscience, deriving a definition and understanding from this authority. The clear teaching of Scripture is that the conscience is an essential element of the human person, an internal testimony of God and his law, a means of understanding one’s identity, and a primary source of love. A healthy conscience plays a primary role in producing an outward focus and love in the human heart that leads to true human flourishing.
The third chapter considers the therapeutic overshadowing of the conscience in modern soul-care. The therapeutic ethos focuses on the priority of self, authenticity, disorder instead of sin, and victimization instead of moral agency, and it promotes “positive self-regard” at all costs. It is important to note how this therapeutic ethos has even permeated Christian soul-care practices. This chapter attempts to show the weaknesses and ineffectiveness of the therapeutic approaches to soul-care and counseling that dominate current practice.
The fourth chapter outlines the practice of addressing the conscience in soul-care and counseling. This outline includes the following foci: (1) counseling individuals toward an awareness of the working of their conscience; (2) counseling individuals toward an attentiveness to the voice of their conscience; (3) counseling individuals toward a correct informing and training of their conscience; (4) counseling individuals toward a proper appeasement of the guilt of their conscience; and (5) counseling individuals toward the role of conscience in identity formation.
The dissertation concludes with a summary of the role of the conscience in identity formation and soul-care
Creating a Church Revitalization Residency at the Greenville Baptist Association in Greenville, South Carolina
Get PDFThis project is designed to create a church revitalization residency at the Greenville Baptist Association in Greenville, South Carolina. The goal for creating a residency such as this is to give a future revitalization pastor the necessary academic, practical, and spiritual training needed to help an unhealthy church once again become vibrant.
Chapter 1 introduces the context where the residency will be located, along with the rationale, purpose, goals, research methodologies, definitions, and delimitations of the project. Chapter 2 describes the biblically given paradigm for church revitalization (Rev 2) and how the restoration of a church exemplifies the power of the gospel (Ezek 37:1-14). Chapter 3 describes the requirements for successfully revitalizing dying churches, including refocusing the church on the spiritual disciplines, a multi-year strategy, gospel-centered ministries and missions, and a well-prepared under shepherd to lead them through the process. Chapter 4 describes the details of the project. Chapter 5 concludes with an evaluation of the project
Word and Spirit in Francis Turretin and Jean Claude
Get PDFThis dissertation examines the doctrine of the Word and the Spirit in the theology of two important Reformed pastors and theologians of the seventeenth century Francis Turretin (1623–1687) and Jean Claude (1619–1687), who ministered respectively in Geneva and France. For the Reformed churches of Geneva and France, this period was a period of growth through which it affirmed and developed the teaching received from John Calvin (1509–1564) and the Synod of Dort (1619) against the theology of the Roman Catholic Church and of various groups issued from the Protestant Reformation. This dissertation demonstrates that, based on the teaching of Scripture, Turretin and Claude believed in the inseparability of the Word and the Spirit in the application of all aspects of salvation. It argues that their understanding of this doctrine proves a continuity with the teaching of Calvin, that the Holy Spirit essentially works with the revealed Word of God contained in the Scriptures to bring the elect to salvation and lead them in Christian living
The Developing Role of the Instrumental Ministry at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama
Get PDFThe primary purpose of this project was to develop a biblical theology of instrumental worship for Whitesburg Baptist Church (WBC). The opening chapter outlines the development of orchestral worship in the SBC, the challenges of instrumental worship generally, and surveys the specific context of the WBC instrumental ministry. Chapter 2 develops a biblical theology of instrumental worship, surveying the Pentateuch, Davidic worship, the Psalms, the Prophets, and the New Testament. Chapter 3 establishes why a larger instrumental ministry can be significant in the life of a church, and answers the common objections to such a ministry. Chapter 4 develops a curriculum to be taught to the WBC Orchestra, and chapter 5 evaluates the effectiveness of the project
Developing Awareness of the Value of Biblical Counseling Training As a Means of Obeying the Great Commission at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, North Ridgeville, Ohio
Get PDFChapter 1 covers the context of ministry at CBF and addressed the goals of this project. Chapter 2 examines several biblical texts which give the theological basis depicting the local church as the primary place for counseling and training. The third chapter examines that in the finished canon of Scripture, Jesus Christ invested all things necessary for the church to fulfill the commission. Four men of history deemed integral in the formation of psychology, as well as Larry Crabb are considered. Chapter 4 discusses the development of the curriculum for CBF. Further, this chapter deals with why ACBC certification is valuable in helping CBF to fulfill the mandate of 2 Timothy 2:15, in studying to show proficiency in counseling biblically. The final chapter of the project centers on the results of the pre-and post-survey data. This chapter also considers an evaluation of the project’s purpose. An evaluation of the project’s goals is also addressed measured by the results of the surveys. The chapter concludes with some theological reflections on the project
A Christ-Centered Proclamation of the Abrahamic Covenant
Get PDFThis project is a collection of seven expositional sermons on the life of Abraham with an emphasis on God’s covenant with Abraham. The sermon series is entitled “Abraham & the God of Promise,” which captures both the biographical and covenantal focus of the series. Theologically, these sermons explain the role of Abraham in the biblical story and the pivotal role of the Abrahamic Covenant in God’s purpose of redemption. Spiritually, these sermons trace the relational dynamics between God and Abraham in order to illustrate a life in covenantal relationship with the God of the Bible. Through these sermons, I seek to demonstrate that God’s covenantal relationship with Abraham is established by grace, experienced through faith, vindicated by works, and finally realized in Abraham’s greater Son, the Lord Jesus
Cultivating a Model Pastor-Deacon Ministry at Monterey Baptist Church, Batavia, Ohio
Get PDFThis servant-leadership project involves cultivating a Pastor-Deacon Ministry anchored in biblical manhood and womanhood at Monterey Baptist Church in Batavia, Ohio. Chapter 1 offers the background for Monterey Baptist Church by presenting the need for cultivating a Pastor-Deacon Ministry. Chapter 2 outlines the biblical and historical foundation for the project through utilizing five primary sources that present servant leadership as God’s design and the pastor as God’s primary instrument for developing others for ministry work and building up the body of Christ. Chapter 3 presents the theoretical, practical, and historical issues that support the primacy in developing a successful servant leadership team. Chapter 4 details and describes the process for implementation of the six-week training sessions. In addition, the foundation of the project centers on developing servant leaders through utilizing the ultimate biblical model: Jesus Christ. The final chapter provides an analysis of data, along with an examination of the project goals. Furthermore, the strengths and weaknesses are discussed along with suggestions for future inquiry
Equipping the Congregation of Grace Fellowship Assembly of God in Farmersville, Texas, to Practice Expository Listening
Get PDFThis project was designed to train laypeople in expository listening through a
combination of preaching, practice, and evaluation.
Chapter 1 serves as an introductionto Grace Fellowship Assembly of God and the community in which the church is located.
The demographics of the region and church are described, along with the history of the
church.
Chapter 2 discusses the biblical and theological mandate for expository preachingand the training of parishioners to hear, respond, and apply preaching in their lives.
Biblical preaching is intended to change both the heart and the mind, thus learning to
listen to sermons is vital for a church’s long-term health.
Chapter 3 covers the theoretical/practical and historical issues when it comes toPentecostals and expository preaching. Historically, the Pentecostal Church has
neglected expository preaching and thus hindered church members from becoming
expository listeners.
Chapter 4 discusses the details the and description of the project: the preparationperiod, implementation period, and follow up period.
Chapter 5 covers the evaluation of the project, including an evaluation of theproject’s purpose, project’s goals, strengths of the project, and weaknesses of the project.
In addition, there are sections covering what I would do differently, and theological
reflections and personal reflections
The Holy One of God: John's Messiah Who Is YHWH of Moses' Exodus Writings
Get PDFThis thesis argues that, by hailing Jesus as the Holy One of God in 6:69, the Fourth Gospel identifies Jesus as YHWH of Moses’ Exodus writings, and the one consecrated to give eternal life. The title “Holy One of God” asserts Jesus’ deity and humanity; he is the Christ and the Son of God (20:31). This thesis demonstrates that the Fourth Gospel retells salvific events of the Exodus, especially Exodus 12:1-17:7, in John 5:1-7:52 in light of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Jesus identifies himself with YHWH of the Exodus by his call to the thirsty in 7:37-39. The first chapter introduces the subject of research, surveys the relevant literature, describes the void in literature, and asserts the thesis. Chapter 2 lays the foundation of the argument by demonstrating that John understands Moses to have written of the Messiah typologically and prophetically. However, the Evangelist presents Jesus as the Messiah superior to Moses by way of his divine identity and salvific commission. Chapter 3 argues that Jesus is the divine provider and savior of the new Exodus who is also the sacrificial and Passover meal from heaven. Chapter 4 is the heart of the thesis. It focuses on the title “Holy One of God” from John 6:69 and explores the import of Jesus’ cry to the thirsty in 7:37-39. Chapter 5 concludes the thesis by drawing out the ecclesiological implications of this work and summarizing the supporting arguments
Foundations for Marriage for Members of Oasis of Peace Global Church Manitoba, Canada
Get PDFThis project aims to empower members of the Oasis of Peace Global Church Manitoba in Canada to build the foundation for their marriage. Chapter 1 provides the historical and ministerial context for Oasis of Peace Global Church Canada and the objectives of this project. Chapter 2 exegetes four Scripture passages: Genesis 2:24-25 supports this thesis by showing that God instituted marriage and established the foundations and principles for a loving and enduring marriage. The exegesis of Ephesians 5:21-33 supports this argument by carefully distinguishing the roles of men and women in marriage. An exegesis of I Peter 3:1-7 supports this thesis by defining the level of authority in marriage. An exegesis of Malachi 2:14 supports this theory by asserting that marriage is a covenant relationship.
Chapter 3 describes practical and historical issues with marriage. Chapter 4 describes the implantation of the project, the content, and the teaching methodology of the specific course curriculum. Chapter 5 evaluates the project’s purpose and goals. It also assesses the project’s strengths and weaknesses, opportunities for future implementation