Among other images, Scripture uses marriage as a picture of God's relationship to his people. Scripture also prescribes numerous ways for that people to build their relationship with him. In order to give Christian marriages as many tools as possible for bolstering of the relationship, this dissertation examines narrative, symbol, ritual, and memorials as a selection of Scripture's methods for "heart writing" or relationship building. These methods correspond to various uses of the Hebrew root zakhar, for "remember." Following the examination of Scripture's methods of "heart writing" through the use of narrative, symbol, and ritual, contemporary understandings of the physiological and neurological underpinnings for the deep internalization of relationship. The ideas presented in the first two chapters were explored in an empirical study which found that couples who utilize more narrative, symbols, rituals, and memorials in their marriages tend to also see their marriages as more sacred and experience the manifestation of God within the marriage. Groups were also compared on levels of physiological responsiveness (skin conductance, skin temperature, and interbeat interval) as a measure of emotional engagement during an interview that lead couples in discussion of narratives, symbols, and rituals in their marriages. Husbands in marriages that utilized few narratives, symbols, and rituals were the least emotionally responsive during the interview while wives in the same type of marriage were the most emotionally responsive. This dissertation concludes by translating some of the principles discovered into various methods of writing the marital relationship on the hearts of the individuals to build Christian marriages. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

This dissertation examines leadership and management competencies of Southern Baptist mega-church executive pastors. The study discusses the issue of limited research on the position of the executive pastor. Resources related to this position are cited. Possible reasons for the emergence of this position are examined including the minister's dilemma of being both shepherd and administrator and the issue of leadership training as preparation for the pastorate. Also provided is a theological and philosophical foundation for the leadership and management practices. Servant leadership as the biblical foundation for leadership and secular leadership models appropriate for church administration are reviewed. Research findings on ministerial effectiveness and the minister as manager are included. The available research on the role of the executive pastor is analyzed to reveal the practices posited in current literature. The methodological design is based on the 1988 research of Stephen Boersma. This study identifies and analyzes the self evaluated importance of leadership and management competencies. Demographic data and professional experience are studied to identify relationships between the executive pastors' response and his background. The analysis of findings presents the raw data, displays and statistical analysis. A description of how the raw data was compiled and an evaluation of the research design is provided. The analysis relates to the demographic data of the population, the rank order of the importance ratings, a comparative analysis of this study's findings with the finds of the Boersma study, an analysis of the demographic characteristics that are predictors of the importance ratings and a brief study of the findings related to the subjects' self-reported job satisfaction, performance and preparation in the role of the executive pastor. This research contends that there are certain leadership and management competencies necessary for the management and administration of the church. The executive pastor will employ these practices as foundational to the position. There is also a relationship of demographic characteristics to the importance rating. Finally, pastors and executive pastors tend to agree on the importance of these competencies. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

In this dissertation the author seeks to present a holistic theology proper (hereafter, simply "theology") for the first epistle to Timothy, with special regard to the letter's doxologies (King) and divine title, Savior. Chapter 1 identifies the problem, includes a history of research, and describes the method and procedure of the dissertation. The method of inquiry consists of determining the meaning and function of the letter's theology. Thus, the author seeks to understand the background and character of 1 Timothy's theology, while also wishing to discern why the author of 1 Timothy chose to emphasize these peculiar theological themes. Chapter 2 explores the meaning and function of the theological descriptions found in the doxologies of 1 Timothy 1:17 and 6:15-16. By thorough comparison to Greco-Roman, early Jewish, and OT literature, the author suggests a basically OT-informed view of God. The doxologies depict God as the only Sovereign who rules over all. The writer then determines that the doxologies function as a support and encouragement for Timothy to heed Paul's charge. This conclusion is largely based on the positioning of the doxologies and the macrostructure of the letter. Chapter 3 examines the meaning and function of the divine epithet Savior. After comparing this term to its occurrences in Greco-Roman, early Jewish, and OT literature, the author again favors an OT background for Savior. This term depicts God as one who mercifully and indiscriminately reconciles sinners who trust in Christ. While also recognizing other functions, the author suggests that God as Savior may have been aimed at the primary implied reader, Timothy, as well. Accordingly, the idea of Savior informs and strengthens Timothy, so that he might continue to labor in presenting the life-giving gospel of God. Chapter 4 considers every remaining theological description in 1 Timothy, as well as themes that significantly relate to the letter's theology, such as Christology. The author suggests that the entire theology of 1 Timothy either coheres with or supports the predominant ideas of God as King and Savior. Chapter 5 summarizes the dissertation's findings and concludes with suggested implications for NT studies. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

ABSTRACT THE ECCLESIOLOGICAL GROUNDING OF PAULINE LANGUAGE OF LEADERSHIP IN 1 AND 2 TIMOTHY Robert Lee Stanford, Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2015 Chair: Dr. Hal K. Pettegrew The purpose of this textually-based research was to establish the thesis that there is a discernible language of leadership utilized by the apostle Paul in 1 and 2 Timothy, born out of his ecclesiological purposes. This thesis investigated Paul’s leadership from the perspective of his leader-speak. A working premise was that leaders lead through communication of concepts and ideas, with the goal of influencing and persuading followers. To that end, leadership was defined as the effort to influence others to accomplish a collective goal through the development of relationships, actions, and words, which stimulate the attendant actions of those being led, in order to effect the desired response of a shared achievement. Similarly Paul’s leader-speak was defined, in part, as that which was communicated, to some degree, through the rhetorical teaching of his day and empowered and utilized by the holy spirit. The thesis measured against the discoveries offered a biblical base, 1 Timothy 3:15, for the theological context and purpose that informs Paul’s language of leadership. Paul’s ecclesiological purpose is that the church, the pillar and support of truth, must protect and promote the gospel. To that end, Paul’s leader-speak is concerned about orthodoxy as well as orthopraxy. Such leader-speak issues from Paul’s mouth to Timothy in a variety of voices including that of a father, teacher, and example. A parental perspective is apparent in the conversational framing and vocabulary Paul utilizes, as well as the tenor of his words. Paul speaks as a teacher in the employment of metaphorical illustrations, preformed materials and rhetorical strategies. Paul’s leader-speak is often the rhetoric of example: godly behavior in suffering. Such implicit language of example is often that of influence and persuasion, as well as contrast. At other times, Paul is explicitly direct in his leader-speak. The thesis of a Pauline language of leadership grounded in an ecclesiological purpose appears to be a valuable proposition. Thus, some implications and applications of these conclusions were discussed.

ABSTRACT CREATING AND NURTURING A CULTURE OF ADOPTION AND ORPHAN CARE IN THE LOCAL CHURCH: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY Randall Damon Burns, Ed.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2015 Chair: Dr. Anthony Wayne Foster This research, a multiple case study, examined three churches to identify the key strategies used to develop and sustain an orphan care culture within their congregations. A minimum of five participants were interviewed at each church. The qualitative research design was achieved by completing semi-structured interviews over the telephone. Following the interviews, I transcribed, coded, and analyzed the data. This research identified four main strategies: teaching, leading, providing opportunities to engage, and developing support structures. Each strategy had sub-strategies. Teaching included awareness, communication, instruction, preaching, theology, Bible study, practical information, and training. Leading included types of leadership and methodology. The strategy providing opportunities to engage included raising awareness about the types of orphan care and making them accessible. Developing support structures included organizational support structures like a resource library and relational support structures like a support group. Key terms: adoption, adoption culture, culture, forming culture, orphan, orphan care, orphan care culture, orphan care strategies.

黃健羒著. / 手稿本, 複本據手稿本影印. / 論文(神學學部神道學碩士)--香港中文大學硏究院. / 參考文獻: leaves 143-151. / Huang Jianfen zhu. / 論文撮要 --- p.ii / 謝詞 --- p.iv / 經文引述按語 --- p.v / 附表目錄 --- p.iii / Chapter 第一章 --- 導論 --- p.1 / Chapter 第二章 --- 教牧書信作者問題 --- p.9 / Chapter 二、一節 --- 作者問題的重要性 --- p.10 / Chapter 二、二節 --- 推斷作者是否保羅的途徑 --- p.14 / Chapter 二、三節 --- 總論 --- p.23 / Chapter 第三章 --- 使徒性教會的本質 --- p.26 / Chapter 三、一節 --- 初期教會信經 --- p.29 / Chapter 三、二節 --- 使徒傳統 --- p.34 / Chapter 三、三節 --- 承繼使徒傳統的準則 --- p.43 / Chapter 第四章 --- 受按立之牧職 --- p.52 / Chapter 四、一節 --- 初期教會之情況 --- p.53 / Chapter 四、二節 --- 牧職之涵義 --- p.58 / Chapter 四、三節 --- 按立之涵義 --- p.66 / Chapter 四、四節 --- 長老、監督及執事 --- p.76 / Chapter 第五章 --- 受按立牧職之重要功能─教導 --- p.86 / Chapter 五、一節 --- 教牧書新重視教導 --- p.89 / Chapter 五、二節 --- 藉教導保持使徒性 --- p.97 / Chapter 五、三節 --- 如何在今日教會中推行教導 --- p.108 / Chapter 第六章 --- 結論 --- p.116 / 畧字表 --- p.122 / 註釋 --- p.124 / 書目 --- p.143

馮穎賢. / 論文(碩士) -- 香港中文大學硏究院宗敎及神學學部,1995. / 參考文獻: leaves 40-47. / Feng Yingxian. / 引言 / Chapter 0.0 --- 香港敎會與工、商業機構 --- p.1 / Chapter 0 .1 --- 敎會如何看所身處的經濟制度 --- p.1 / Chapter 0.2 --- 敎會處理內部財政，應否參考工、商業機構的方式？ --- p.2 / Chapter 0.3 --- 小結 --- p.2 / Chapter 第一章： --- 反對香港目前的經濟制度及其駁論 / Chapter 1.0 --- 香港的經濟制度 --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1 --- 反對香港目前的經濟制度 --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- 資本主義倡導人自私自利 --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- 資本主義是一個不公義的制度 --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- 資本主義造成貧富懸殊 --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- 資本主義提倡物質主義、拜金主義文化 --- p.9 / Chapter 第二章： --- 從基督敎神學觀點支持香港目前的經濟制度 並指出資本主義的危機和問題 / Chapter 2.0 --- 從基督敎神學觀點支持香港目前的經濟制度 --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1 --- 社會富裕 --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- 追求社會富裕是可被確定的 --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- 環境保護與社會富裕的追求 --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- 經濟制度與社會富裕的追求 --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2 --- 自由的保障 --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- 自由乃上帝賦與人最寶貴者 --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- 資本主義乃保障人民自由的制度 --- p.1B / Chapter 2.3 --- 人類的責任 --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- 上帝給人類管理世界的責任 --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- 資本主義使人管理世界的責任得以較佳的發揮 --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4 --- 資本主義的危機和問題 --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- 欠缺超越的道德標準導致市場經濟崩潰 --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- 資本家的壟斷和不義 --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5 --- 小結 --- p.24 / Chapter 第三章： --- 一個建議：建立敎會企業 / Chapter 3.0 --- 香港敎會處理財務的現況 --- p.25 / Chapter 3.1 --- 香港敎會的投資 --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2 --- 香港敎會與工商業機構 --- p.29 / Chapter 3.3 --- 建立敎會企業 --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- 人的任務也是敎會的任務 --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- 建立人性化的企業，也可成爲服務、傳道的方式 --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- 提升社會道德水平 --- p.36 / 結論 --- p.38 / 參考書目 / Chapter (甲） --- 本文曾引述的書籍及文章 --- p.40-42 / Chapter (乙） --- 其他參考書籍 --- p.43-45 / Chapter (丙） --- 其他參考文章 --- p.46-47

Law Ka Lung. / The "works of the law" in the title also in Greek alphabet. / Thesis (M.Div.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-55). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction / Chapter Chapter 2: --- "The traditional intrepretation of ""works of the law""" / Chapter 2.1 --- "The interpretation of “ works of the law"" by Martin Luther" / Chapter 2.1.1 --- The doctrine of justification by faith / Chapter 2.1.2 --- "Antithesis of law and gospel, works and grace" / Chapter 2.1.3 --- The function of the law / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Works of the law by Luther / Chapter 2.2 --- "The interpretation of “ works of the law"" by Rudolf Bultmann" / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Anthropology of Paul from the view of Bultmann / Chapter 2.2.2 --- The view of law from Bultmann / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Works of the law by Bultmann / Chapter Chapter 3: --- "The new perspective interpretation of ""works of the law""" / Chapter 3.1 --- The work of E.P.Sanders inspiring James D.G.Dunn / Chapter 3.2 --- The influence of K. Stendahl / Chapter 3.3 --- The situation of Luther in the 16th century / Chapter 3.4 --- The work of F. Weber / Chapter 3.5 --- "The ""covenantal nomism"" of Judaism from the Sanders" / Chapter 3.6 --- "The interpretation of ""works of the law´حby James D.G.Dunn" / Chapter 3.7 --- The interpretation of Galatian2:16 / Chapter 3.8 --- The interpretation of Galatian 3:10-14 / Chapter 3.9 --- The interpretation of Romans 3:20;3:28 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- The response to James D.G.Dunn / Chapter 4.1 --- The response by Heikki Raisanen / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Not both noun and verb have covenant meaning / Chapter 4.1.2 --- "Not a particular attitude to the law, but the law itself" / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Too much the continuity between Judaism and Paul / Chapter 4.2 --- The response by Stephen Westerholm / Chapter 4.3 --- The response by Charles Cranfield / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Romans 3:20 is related to 1:18 not2:1 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- All human boasting not Jewish pride in Romans3:28 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- My opinion on the debate

Liu Tsui-yuk. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-128). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / List of Abbreviations --- p.ix / Chapter / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / The Issue of Rom 11 :25-32 --- p.1 / Brief Survey on Scholarly Concerns --- p.4 / Theological Considerations --- p.4 / Text-Context-Semantic Considerations --- p.7 / Purpose and Methodology of the Present Study --- p.14 / The Nature of the Epistle of Romans --- p.15 / The Role of Paul to the Community --- p.17 / The Christian Community of Rome --- p.20 / The Audience of the Epistle of Romans --- p.24 / The Thesis of the Present Study --- p.24 / Chapter 2. --- THE SOCIAL SETTING OF ROMANS IN THE LIGHT OF KIRCHENPOLITIK --- p.25 / Building up Consensus --- p.25 / The Necessity of a Consensus --- p.25 / The Necessity of a Consensus for the Roman Christian Community --- p.25 / The Necessity of a Consensus for Paul --- p.27 / The Content of the Consensus --- p.29 / Defining Self-Identity Regarding the Religion of Origin --- p.30 / The Necessity of Defining Self-Identity Regarding the Religion of Origin --- p.31 / Defining Self-Identity --- p.32 / Freeing from Jewish Identity Markers --- p.33 / Setting up New Boundary --- p.33 / Resolving Conflicts --- p.35 / "Conflicts between the ""“Strong"" and ""Weak""" --- p.35 / Boasting of the Jewish Christians over the Gentile Christians --- p.36 / Boasting of the Gentile Christians over the Jewish Christians --- p.36 / Paul's Way to Resolve the Conflicts --- p.37 / Giving Direction Regarding the Surrounding World --- p.38 / "The ""“Chrestus"" Expulsion" --- p.38 / The Content of the Instruction Regarding the Surrounding World --- p.41 / Creating an Image of World --- p.41 / Offering Orientations --- p.43 / Establishing a Structure of Authority --- p.44 / Independence of the Influence of External Authority --- p.45 / Establishing Internal Authority --- p.46 / The Lordship of Jesus Christ --- p.47 / The Leadership of Paul --- p.48 / The Structure of Authority --- p.48 / Chapter 3. --- THE CONTEXT OF ROMANS IN THE LIGHT OF KIRCHENPOLITIK --- p.51 / ROM 1:1-17 introducrtion in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.52 / Rom 1:18-5 :21 The Core Values of the Gospel: Righteousness of God-To Man's Faith in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.60 / Rom 6:1 -8:39 The Outworking of the Gospel: In Relation to the Individual in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.66 / Rom 9:1-11:36 The Outworking of the Gospel: In Relation to Israel and Gentiles in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.68 / Rom 12:1-15:13 The Outworking of the Gospel: for the Redefined People of God In Everyday Terms in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.68 / Rom 15:14-16:27 Conclusion in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.70 / Chapter 4. --- THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT OF ROMANS IN THE LIGHT OF KIRCHENPOLITIK --- p.72 / Paul's Concern for His Kinspeople (Rom 9:1-5) --- p.72 / The Election and Mercy of God (Rom 9:6-29) --- p.74 / God's Election (Rom 9:6-13) --- p.74 / God's Mercy (Rom 9:14-29) --- p.75 / The Word of Faith (Rom 9:30-10:21) --- p.77 / The Mystery of God's Faithfulness (Rom 11:1 -24) --- p.80 / A Concluding Hymn of Adoration (Rom 1 1:33-36) --- p.82 / Chapter 5. --- "PAUL'S MEANING AND RHETORICAL FORCE OF ""ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED"" (ROM 11:25-32) IN THE LIGHT OF KIRCHENPOLITIK" --- p.83 / Paul's Intended Audience --- p.84 / The Inaccurate Assumption: Gentile Christian Audience --- p.84 / True Audience: Gentile and Jewish Christians --- p.84 / Rom 11:25-32 in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.87 / The Confession(Rom 11:25-27) --- p.87 / Prelude （(Rom 11:25a) --- p.88 / Mystery: Hardening of Israel and Fullness of Gentiles (Rom 11:25b) --- p.92 / Mystery: All Israel will be saved (Rom 11:26a) --- p.97 / The Biblical Basis (Rom 11:26b-27) --- p.102 / Concluding Remark (Rom 11:28-32) --- p.104 / Irrevocable Divine Gifts and Call (Rom 11:28-29) --- p.105 / Divine Disobedience and Mercy (Rom 11:30-32、) --- p.108 / Summary: The Rhetorical Force of All Israel Will Be Saved --- p.109 / Chapter 6. --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.115 / Bibliography --- p.119

The constituent concepts of the gospel is not only vital for the correct understanding of the true meaning of Christ, but also for the appropriate meaning and practice of mission to enlarge the church of Christ in his service. The thesis researched the background of the Prosperity Gospel critically in addition to the use of it for missiological purposes to enlarge the church with the luring of poor people with the excessive promises of vast wealth after contributing to the Prosperity Churches generously and substantially from within their poverty. The heart of the research was the analysis of ten sermons by prosperity preachers according to the “open coding” of the “Grounded Theory”, drawing conclusions from the practical analysis of the sermons, instead of the usual research working with the material from a pre-conceived theory. This approach uncovered and displayed the distortion and falsification of the true gospel. The thesis constructed an appropriate benchmark of the authentic gospel against which to measure deviations from the traditional gospel and mission according to this gospel. The dissertation exposed courteously, but deliberately that the Prosperity Gospel was infiltrated with alienated concepts from unscriptural humanism, the “American materialistic dream” and the secular Rogerian psychology with its non-spiritual psychotherapeutic approach, as well as the “profane” preaching of Norman Vincent Peale, comprising “New Thought”, metaphysics, Christian Science, and medical and psychological practices. More serious was the specific “cultic” influences and teachings. Cultic here indicated a system of religious or spiritual beliefs, especially an informal and transient belief system regarded by the traditional churches as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or even false, and directed by a charismatic, 2 authoritarian leader. Ultimately, the Prosperity Gospel was contaminated with Swedenborgianism, Mesmerism and Unitarianism. The thesis, however, is not negative about the overflowing blessings of God, also regarding temporal prosperity, but the research unearthed the true riches of the gospel of Christ in an exegetical scriptural manner and delineated it in an extensive way – money is indeed “raining from heaven”, but spiritually in a true gospel way, through prayer and in obedience to Christ, depending on faith in God. The norm was “abundance, but not accumulation of riches”. It is sad to have unmasked the fact that some prosperity preachers commanded the churches not to pray anymore, but to command the blessings of God “onto” the “true” believers towards accumulation of vast wealth (cf. “pastor” D O OYEDEPO). The 10 sermons were thoroughly scrutinised and the main problems with the “claiming” of vast wealth according to the gospel brought out in the open – the lack of Christ-centred preaching, the absence of the emphasis of the work of the Holy spirit, the misunderstanding of the “revelation” history, the deficiency of scriptural exegesis and the unscriptural obsession with vast material wealth as a “blessing”. Usually only the prosperity preacher and a few supporters became the “blessed” rich from all the compromised donations of the “masses”. This was followed by a development of the academic discipline of theology, indicating revelation as a historical process, where the gospel moved from survival to justice in the Old Testament, and finally to unconditional love and care according to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This was situated vis-à-vis an evaluation of the theology of the Prosperity Gospel, portraying the false concept of “faith”. Towards the end of the thesis the perspective of the development of missiology was explained up to the contemporary point and an oversight of the concept of mission of the past century was outlined: It became clear that ecclesiology did not precede missiology, but rather, missiology precedes ecclesiology, because a community of Christians did not first create a church and then developed its mission; a community of Christians participated in God’s mission and thus constituted a church, according to the New Testament. This placed the preaching of the blessings of the gospel and the functioning of God’s mission in true perspective. As poverty is a vital concept regarding the preaching of the Prosperity Gospel the plight of the poor in all its shocking depths were exposed as a problem and a mission task for all the churches of Christ - approximately 15 million people in South Africa live in dire poverty without any hope of alleviation, and 1 billion people in the world live under the poverty datum line. This is a wake-up call for the church of Christ, existing for God’s mission, to face this challenge of mission to the poor. The research closed with a summary of the mission task to the poor. The dissertation concluded with a delineation of possible further topics in this field to be studied. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology)