Thesis (Th. M.)--Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1977. / Includes bibliographical references (100-106).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1977. / Includes bibliographical references (100-106).

Thesis (M.A.)--Columbia Graduate School of Bible and Missions, 1986. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-166).

This dissertation argues in light of a careful hermeneutic of application that preaching the Great Commission necessitates exhorting every believer in the congregation to go and engage intentionally in both evangelism and discipling less mature believers among all the nations of the earth. Chapter 1 states the thesis and explains the need for this study. Chapter 2 establishes the hermeneutic of application used in the dissertation. Rather than principlization, this chapter argues for the advantageous use of Abraham Kuruvilla’s conceptualization of the world in front of the text for determining sermonic application. Chapter 3 begins the interpretive analysis of verse 19 by attempting to answer the question of for whom the Great Commission is intended. After summarizing five main views, the chapter argues that Matthew intends the imperative to apply to every believer; this conclusion derives not only from interpretation of the pericope, but also from Matthew’s overall narrative and rhetorical purpose in the gospel. Chapter 4 seeks to answer three remaining exegetical decisions which are necessary before determining contemporary application: what Matthew means by “make disciples,” the best translation of πορευθέντες, and the meaning of πάντα τὰ ἔθνη. Using linguistic analysis, rhetorical criticism, and narrative criticism, the chapter concludes that Matthew’s conceptualization of “make disciples” involves both evangelism and discipling less mature believers, πορευθέντες has an imperatival function, and πάντα τὰ ἔθνη includes both Jews and Gentiles. Chapter 5 takes the conclusions drawn from chapters 3 and 4 to explain the transhistorical intentions and contemporary exemplifications that a preacher may extrapolate from Matthew’s intended meaning. The imperative is for every believer, obedience requires intentionality, disciple-making includes both evangelism and discipling less mature believers, and the context is both one’s community and the nations. The final chapter summarizes the preceding material and offers a brief explanation of how a preacher can apply this passage in a sermon. It also suggests additional lines of inquiry for further study of preaching the pericope. In order to further illustrate the homiletical implications of the conclusions of this dissertation, an appendix provides a sample sermon of Matthew 28:16-20.

This dissertation seeks to theologically analyze three prominent church planter profiles. Chapter 1 explains the need for such a study by giving consideration to the place of church planting in the Great Commission and the importance of leadership within church planting. Chapter 2 provides a historical overview of assessments in a variety of fields that led to the inclusion of assessments within church planting. This chapter also introduces the three profiles as well as some lessons learned from the use of profiles in assessment. Chapter 3 introduces the first area of theological analysis. The chapter discusses the pastoral qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Considerable attention is also given to apostles and the role of apostles in church planting. Chapter 4 provides an overview of the nature of the church. For a church planter to lead a church, he needs to understand the nature of the organization he is seeking to lead. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the church that can be used to analyze the profiles in terms of their understanding of the church. Chapter 5, building upon the previous two chapters, is the theological analysis of the three profiles. The analysis of the profiles follows the content of the previous three chapters and examines the three profiles according to the nature of the church, which also surfaced the concern of the leader's relationship with God, the character issues raised in the Pastoral Epistles, and the role of apostles in church planting. Chapter 6 provides concise answers to the research questions which guided the dissertation. The chapter also offers suggestions about changes to church planter assessments in light of the analysis. Additional suggestions are offered also with respect to potential areas of further study related to church planter assessments.

This dissertation analyzes the missiology of I. T. Tichenor, corresponding secretary of the Home Mission Board from 1882-1900, and provides implications of his missiology on contemporary Southern Baptist North American Missions. Chapter 1 introduces the need for this dissertation and gives the thesis, background, limitations, and methodology of the dissertation. Chapter 2 gives a brief biography of I. T. Tichenor. Tichenor lived from 1825 to 1902, which was one of the most transitional periods in American history. His early life, pastorates, service as a civil war chaplain, service as president of Alabama A&M, and service as corresponding secretary of the Home Mission Board are highlighted. Chapter 3 gives the biblical and theological foundations of Tichenor. Tichenor's beliefs about God, the condition of man, the work of Christ, the nature of the Bible, salvation, and the Christian life are examined. Additionally, his view of evangelism, ecclesiology, the cultural mandate, and the end times are examined. Chapter 4 presents the missiology of I. T. Tichenor in regard to the Great Commission, the use of demographics, cooperation, church planting, church planting missionaries, indigenous leadership, the church building, and use of resources are presented. Chapter 5 gives implications on contemporary Southern Baptist North American missions. After giving the condition of Southern Baptist North American missions, implications are given from Tichenor's missiology that could spur a Great Commission Resurgence. Chapter 6 draws conclusions from the previous chapters. The conclusion states this dissertation gives Southern Baptists a historical precedence in accomplishing a Great Commission Resurgence. / This dissertation is under embargo until 2012-11-19.

Thesis (M.T.S.)--International Christian Graduate University, School of Theology, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-106).

Thesis (M.T.S.)--International Christian Graduate University, School of Theology, 1987. / Bibliography: leaves 102-106.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 431-487).

Thesis (M.T.S.)--International Christian Graduate University, School of Theology, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-106).