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<p>This thesis investigates the perception of 'difference' which results in the stratification of people within the North American evangelical church. In order to develop this understanding, the experiences of excluded persons are explored carefully by attending to narratives of the elderly, those living with disability, the divorced, widows, the homeless, and others who have endured the pain of rejection. Such persons are made to feel as if they have no voice. By articulating the felt experience of the excluded this thesis gives voice to the hidden dimensions of alienation which occur even in the church. Alienation is explored as a core theological motif with the aim of developing a pastoral theology of community which enables a reorientation of ministry to the excluded. In the course of argument the thesis explores a theology of alienation. This provides the theological context for the narratives of exclusion which illuminate the reality of loneliness-a core dimension of exclusion. Employing the revised critical correlation method the thesis concludes by offering a pastoral theology of community which calls for effective approaches to the ministry of inclusion.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

<p>A curious demographic shift is underway in North American evangelical churches. While the percentage of teens and young adults who regularly attend worship services has remained basically the same for the past thirty years the number of casual attenders is plummeting. In 2008, forty-seven percent of teens reported never attending a worship service, up from twenty-eight percent in 1980. What is causing such a radical shift in worship attendance? This thesis will investigate an increasingly distinct cultural group, called Digital Natives, who were born since 1990 and have never known a world without the Internet and constant connection to digital media.</p> <p>Through the development of a biblical theology of technology, and the investigation of recent research into the psychological and social effects of social media and other computer mediated communication, this thesis will develop a clearer picture of the cultural gap that many Mainline and Evangelical churches are facing. Through theological reflection this thesis will identify new boundaries and new behaviours that will assist in the discipling and spiritual formation of Digital Natives in today's churches.</p> / Thesis / Master of Divinity (M.Div)

This dissertation explores the functions of athletic male bodies within sports evangelism. I argue that the production of the male body within sports evangelism – both physical and symbolic - plays an integral part in the mission of Christian athletes by using the body as a medium for conveying religious messages about masculinity to young men. I focus upon sports evangelism as both entertainment spectacle and as a performance of masculinity, the commercialization of evangelism in the contemporary United States, legitimated violence as religious expression, and the paradoxical relationship between bodily improvement and bodily harm within sports. I begin with a review of the sports and religion literature, identifying common themes and shortcomings, with particular regard to how Christian athletes supplement their oral ministrations with physical action. Following this, I offer a very broad survey the role of sports as socializing institutions within Western Christian history, culminating in the 20th century transition from an athletic culture driven primarily by participation to one primarily driven by consumption and spectatorship. The remaining chapters are case studies of how sports ministries and evangelical athletes have championed particular political positions from the 1980s to the present. I conclude by discussing the limits of these performances of masculinity, highlighting how masculinist fantasies of power and Christian identity in sports evangelism support conservative Christian political practices and ideologies, inscribed on the bodies of participants. / Religion

The identity of Russian Evangelical Churches theology is considered in this thesis. This identity arose as result of interactions of Western Evangelical movements with the Orthodox Church, and with native pre-Protestant groups. The separate area of theology chosen as the subject of research is ecclesiology. The historical background of the appearance of inner-orthodox movements is shown in this work in order to understand the theological peculiarities. Peculiarities of the orthodox and extra-orthodox mentality also are considered, as they become an important environment for the appearance and development of Evangelical theology in Russia. The last part of this work shows peculiarities of recent Evangelical ecclesiology. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / M.Th. (Systematic Theology)

Evangelicalism in western Canada was fuelled by fundamentalist theology and devotion which evolved in this region during the early twentieth century. Generally, Canadian evangelical theologians have focused on the historical and theological implications of evangelicalism within this area. Due to the nature of evangelical theology, which is governed by reason and the defense of truth and dogma, this Christian movement in the west ignored by default concepts connected to mystical theology. This thesis researches a question which has not had an adequate response within evangelical theological tradition, primarily as a result of its disregard for mystical theology. The issue of concern in this thesis is the nature of the process of sanctification of the soul, and particularly, the purpose of the silence of God during this time. Questions to be addressed are: `what is the nature of spiritual transformation?', `what transpires in the soul of the person?' and `what is the role of the `dark night' and the `silence of God' during this experience?' This research responds with an explanation to the underlying cause for the inability of evangelical spirituality in the Canadian west to respond to this issue. It also provides a plausible resolution to the problem which is embedded in the literature of John of the Cross, a sixteenth century Spanish mystic. / CHR SPIRIT, CHURCHIST, MISS / DTH (CHR SPIRIT)

This thesis looks at the general character of the synod of the Evangelical church of Czech Brethern (ČCE), based on archival documents since 1990. (The) first chapter describes how the Synod functions within the church and briefly mentions the issue of coping with communism, especially how some pastors got involved politically. I also touch on the events of the Velvet Revolution. The next chapter focuses on an analysis of the Synod's work based on classifying the synod's resolutions into different catogories. The results are given in three diagrams. The goal of this analysis is to show which types of resolutions dominate and which types are more unusual. The third more extensive chapter deals with the most important topics being resolved in the synod. It describes the origin of …, its progress and consequences for the church. To show the character of the ČCE Synod, I highlight its internal discussions regarding church law, the practical and theological discussions on …(church education, ordination and baptism…). Then I discuss the ČCE Social Welfare organisation, a free standing topic, as well as subjects that have revealed the Synod's views. This third group address the church's outside concerns. The synod talked about these topic both inside and outside the church as well as with the ecumenical...

The identity of Russian Evangelical Churches theology is considered in this thesis. This identity arose as result of interactions of Western Evangelical movements with the Orthodox Church, and with native pre-Protestant groups. The separate area of theology chosen as the subject of research is ecclesiology. The historical background of the appearance of inner-orthodox movements is shown in this work in order to understand the theological peculiarities. Peculiarities of the orthodox and extra-orthodox mentality also are considered, as they become an important environment for the appearance and development of Evangelical theology in Russia. The last part of this work shows peculiarities of recent Evangelical ecclesiology. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / M.Th. (Systematic Theology)

Evangelicalism in western Canada was fuelled by fundamentalist theology and devotion which evolved in this region during the early twentieth century. Generally, Canadian evangelical theologians have focused on the historical and theological implications of evangelicalism within this area. Due to the nature of evangelical theology, which is governed by reason and the defense of truth and dogma, this Christian movement in the west ignored by default concepts connected to mystical theology. This thesis researches a question which has not had an adequate response within evangelical theological tradition, primarily as a result of its disregard for mystical theology. The issue of concern in this thesis is the nature of the process of sanctification of the soul, and particularly, the purpose of the silence of God during this time. Questions to be addressed are: `what is the nature of spiritual transformation?', `what transpires in the soul of the person?' and `what is the role of the `dark night' and the `silence of God' during this experience?' This research responds with an explanation to the underlying cause for the inability of evangelical spirituality in the Canadian west to respond to this issue. It also provides a plausible resolution to the problem which is embedded in the literature of John of the Cross, a sixteenth century Spanish mystic. / CHR SPIRIT, CHURCHIST, MISS / DTH (CHR SPIRIT)

The Evangelical movement is a significant Christian movement in the life of the Zambian Nation and it is to this movement that the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement belongs. Undoubtedly this movement has become to be a vital player in enhancing the voice of hope and change that Evangelicals have trumpeted in the past twenty years. Emerging in the shadows of formidable established Christian movements such as the Evangelical fellowship of Zambia and Christian Council of Zambia, the movement is yet to consolidate itself as one of the influencing groups within the Evangelical movement. For this to happen, they has to be realization of the potential there is to become an agent of change in the Nation. In order to attain this, the movement needs introspection in their perception and involvement in socio-economic development and theological response to matters which affect communities they serve. This work endeavors to high light historical factors which have contributed to the development and growth of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement in Zambia. Roles and contributions of the movement towards the Evangelical movement as well us short comings. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)