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The central investigation ofthis thesis is to examine the role of the Presbyterian . Church in Ireland at a time of proposed major constitutional change. The Home Rule era provides the historical context for this, and an attempt will be made to explore the Presbyterian Church's response, and subsequent action, relative to the three Home Rule Bills. This general investigation will in turn be complemented by a more . specific investigation ofthe individual roles played during the Home Rule era by two leading Presbyterian elders, namely Thomas Sinclair and Thomas Dickson. Their respective positions will indicate why the church was never able to speak with one voice on this momentous issue. In the mid nineteenth century both men were Liberals, politically, but with the introduction ofHome Rule the former was led to espouse the Unionist cause while the latter became a Nationalist. The differences between both men on the Home Rule issue were to be reflected, to some extent, in the Presbyterian Church at large and in its highest judicial and legislative body, the General Assembly. The heart ofthis thesis is to recall the story ofIrish Presbyterianism in the Home Rule era with reference to these two prominent elders. It is not primarily an attempt to draw any definitive conclusions in relation to its responsibility to exercise a prophetic witness within the political realm, and its Biblical imperative to render allegiance to the government, as in Romans 13: 1, although the investigation will allude to it. A comparison ofthe present, and Home Rule periods will be made, and the political aspinitions and attitudes ofPresbyterians today and then will be viewed with parallels drawn, but such is not the main aim ofthis thesis. That aim is primarily to chronicle how the Presbyterian Church reacted to the Home Rule proposals. Looking at the position it took, the alliances it made, the policies it adopted, and to examine the influence. and involvement that Sinclair and Dickson had from their respective political positions.

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This is a study of Paul's leadership which seeks to define in a broad way the model of leadership which Paul exemplified. It suggests that Paul offers not a blueprint for leadership, but a guide for Christian leaders to follow. Rec~nt studies by New Testament scholars have shown that Paul in his dealings with the· Corinthians adopted a counter-cultural stance. By combining the use of sociological analysis, classical Greek and Roman texts and exegetical studies of passages in the Corinthian correspondence with modem leadership theory, their insights have been developed. The theory of 'transformational leadership' as it has been developed by organizational leadership scholars Bums and Bass is used as a tool for analyzing Paul's leadership. Chapters 3-6 are intended to demonstrat~ that the essential characteristics of Paul's leadership are aptly encapsulated by the designation 'transformational leadership'. Firstly, it is argued that he had a vision with which he attempted to inspire and motivate the members of the Corinthian EKKAT)oia; secondly, that his own life of self-denying service was an example for all to follow; and finally, that as an agent of change and significant other, he challenged the dominant culture as he sought to build a new social world for the Corinthians to inhabit: a world in which they could become what they already are in Christ.

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