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<p> Theology is often assumed to be outmoded as a mode of thought, unworthy of the respect due an academic discipline, especially in matters of public import. Recent penetrating interdisciplinary work by theologians in the orbit of Radical Orthodoxy, however, calls into question such a pat assessment of the value of theology to shape academic and public discourse. Sifting through the centuries for insight, these scholars wrestle to faithfully apply the history of ideas at crucial intersections&mdash;of the past, the present and the future; of the transcendent and the mundane; of faith and reason; of belief and doubt. No longer satisfied to be sequestered by the strictures of secularism, a theology that is both informed by and committed to furthering liturgical and doctrinal development in all its historical complexity now deigns&mdash;in the hope of shedding fresh light on recalcitrant debates to intervene in realms ranging from academia to public policy.</p>

<p> This project in ministry concentrates on the new evangelization for pastoral workers in an increasingly secular environment. The new evangelization calls upon pastoral ministers to respond to signs of the times. The Church by its very nature is missionary, and the new evangelization brings to the forefront in the hearts and minds of ministers awareness of the on-going missionary activity of the Church. The spirit of the new evangelization calls for more creativity and renewed verve in promoting the Gospel to those who do not know Christ and to those who have separated themselves from the Church, and to exercise greater pastoral care to those who belong to the local worshipping community. This project concentrates on ministering proactively to couples desiring to have their child baptized in their local parish and for the parish staff to build a relationship with young families. My pastoral experience has shown that the vast majority of parents seeking the sacrament of Baptism have not been associated with a parish for a number of years. </p><p> I examine the foundational causes of the growing decline in organized religion in the United States. The extensive research of Dr. Linda A. Mecadante helps to explore the increasingly popular &ldquo;I am spiritual but not religious&rdquo; ethos. This project also provides detailed analysis of the growth of secularism in the West, in particular, the intellectual and spiritual contribution of Pope Benedict XVI.</p>

<p> The context for this qualitative study is the church leadership in New England that is interested in revival. The hypothesis is the following: New England church leaders believe that revival is nurtured through practicing love, demonstrated by being secure in God's love, having mutual servant love, and valuing each other's giftings and calling. The hypothesis was tested by means of grounded theory. Data was triangulated from surveys, interviews, and focus groups of eighty-seven leaders who have ministered in New England. The hypothesis was proven, showing a remarkable consensus that love nurtures and sustains revival.</p>

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Midrash Aleph Beth belongs to the post-Talmudic collection of Jewish midrashim. Its structure and subject matter are centred on the Hebrew alphabet which provides sequential pairs of letters for the theme of ea.ch chapter. In the first part, the Midrash progresses from the first letter of the alphabet to the last, and its subject is the story of the universe from its creation to its destruction at the end of time. In the second and third parts, using different combinations of the alphabet, the ·:;tory is told of t he judgment and annihilation of all God's enemies in the heavens and on the earth. In the final part, a fourth combination of the alphabet is introduced to describe life in the world to Come for' the righteous remnant of Israel. In this Midrash we encounter' ideas and beliefs that can be found in similar or parallel form scattered throughout Jewish midrashic literature. It is an extremely useful text in that most Jewish thought from the first millennium of the common era concerning cosmology and eschatology is here collected together in one work. In presenting an orthodoxy account of Jewish thought on these subjects, heterodoxy ideas, questioning for example1 the supremacy of God and his role as sale creator of the universe, are included to be proved erroneous. Hence the Midrash is in effect a significant depository of both Jewish heterodoxy and orthodoxy.An edition 0f Midrash ,Aleph Beth , based on the one extant manuscript was published by S. A. Wertheimer" and subsequently reprinted with minor emendations by A. J. Wertheimer, but it has not hitherto been translated into any modern language. These edition"5 are highly inaccurate with m":3.ny differences from the manuscript, some of which seem to be deliberate alterations for dogma tic reasons. It is shown in this thesis to have no value as a basis for" scholarly study. The thesis present s a. critical edition of the text (making use of, but not relying on the previous editions), accompanied by an English translation. An introduction and commentary attempt to explain the contents of the Midrash and place it in its textual and historical context, taking into account the most recent debates concerning the nature and function of Jewish midrash.

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