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This thesis investigates how two Christian communities — differentiated primarily by their medium of communication — characterize and cast Christian community. The method of fantasy theme analysis was used to explore this thesis's central research question; namely, are content differences present in the ways in which face-to-face and digital communication systems characterize and cast the Christian sense of community? After an analysis of St. Pixels Church of the Internet (digital communication) and St. Luke's United Methodist Church (face-to-face communication) it was found that the online community demonstrated a rhetorical vision of koinonia, while the face-to-face community demonstrated a rhetorical vision of ekklesia. / Department of Telecommunications

From the early 1990s, and especially since September 11, 2001, numerous scholars, politicians and political analysts alike have characterized terrorism as global, religious, irrational and rising. The theory of the emergence of this "new terrorism" is well established and can be considered as conventional wisdom. The main characteristics of the "old terrorism", its political, local and rational character, are obsolete in accordance with this line of thinking. In particular, Al Qaeda is thought to be an enemy worth changing the National Security Strategy of the United States and even suspending some civil not to mention human rights. However, the decline or disappearance of many prominent terrorist figures or entire groups have been ironically overlooked, or selectively ignored as irrelevant to the "new" terrorism. This thesis challenges the aforementioned common knowledge and suggests that the "new terrorism" has very few if any differences from the "old" one. It remains a purely political, mainly local and definitely rational activity in a steady or declining stage.

Whereas the ecological crisis has elicited a response from many quarters of American Christianity, classical (or denominational) Pentecostals have expressed almost no concern about environmental problems. The reasons for their disregard of the environment lie in the Pentecostal worldview which finds expression in their: (1) tradition; (2) view of human and natural history; (3) common theological beliefs; and (4) scriptural interpretation. All these aspects of Pentecostalism emphasize and value the supernatural--conversely viewing nature as subordinate, dependent and temporary. Therefore, the ecocrisis is not problematic because, for Pentecostals, the natural environment is: of only relative value; must serve the divine plan; and will soon be destroyed and replaced. Furthermore, Pentecostals are likely to continue their environmental disregard, since the supernaturalism which spawns it is key to Pentecostal identity.

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This dissertation examines the relationship between the influence tactics used by senior pastors in Southern Baptist churches, follower outcome levels, and types of congregational change. The intent of this study is to understand the relationships between these three variables as they relate to pastoral leadership. In chapter 1, the researcher introduces the topic and exposes the lack of research in influence tactics in ministerial contexts. In addition, the researcher develops five research questions that drive the research process. In chapter 2, the researcher gives an overview of the precedent literature concerning the theological and theoretical foundation of the topic. In addition, the researcher defines the categorical variables as they relate to the research objectives. In chapter 3, the researcher outlines the methodological design that will be used to gather the data. Instrumentation, statistical analysis, and methodological design are detailed. In chapter 4, the researcher reports on the findings of the research. The researcher uses a variety of tables and charts in order to present the data. In addition, the statistical analysis is given concerning the findings of the quantitative methods. In chapter 5, the researcher summarizes the data and provides conclusions based upon the research findings. In addition, the researcher provides applications for pastoral leadership and gives suggestions for further research. The researcher surveyed 408 Southern Baptist pastors who at the time of this study were currently serving as the senior pastor in churches associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The selected pastors participated in an online questionnaire developed by the researcher. Statistical analysis was performed on each of the select variables along with demographic information. The findings of this research contributed to the understanding of specific influence tactics of senior pastors, the affect of certain influence tactics on church members, and the relationship of these variables to types of congregational change. / 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 argues that the comparative method in the academic study of religion can be a valuable missiological tool for Christians. Chapter 1 explains the need for Christians to have an in-depth understanding of the Sunni worldview in order to better contextualize the gospel. Chapter 2 provides a history of the comparative method in the academic study of religion, and discusses the seven most common objections to the approach. Chapter 3 responds to the seven most common objections to the comparative approach, proposes a method of comparison, and presents this dissertation's case study. Chapter 4 begins with an overview of the Reformed worldview, and presents the themes found in the OT and NT concerning God's purposes behind the suffering of his people, and how his people should respond. Chapter 5 includes an overview of the Sunni worldview, and presents the themes found in the Qur' an and Sahih Al-Bukhiiri concerning God's purposes behind the suffering of his people, and how his people should respond. Chapter 6 compares the themes found in the Sunni and Reformed texts, and ends with a brief discussion of some missiological implications from the study. Chapter 7 summarizes the overall arguments and findings of the dissertation.

This dissertation examines the impact of contemporary narrative homiletics on interpretation and preaching. Chapter 1 provides the groundwork for the study by laying out the thesis and methodology to be followed. Chapter 2 defines hermeneutics and homiletics from a traditional, historical perspective. The goal of this chapter is not an in-depth study of these fields but the basic presuppositions underlying each as they have historically worked together. Chapter 3 builds on the historical relationship between hermeneutics and homiletics in traditional methods of preaching. Chapter 4 examines the shift in homiletical methods which became known as the New Homiletic. Specifically, this chapter examines the foundational work of Fred B. Craddock in setting forth a predominant model for preaching in mainline preaching today. Chapter 5 defines narrative homiletics according to three current narrative homiletical streams. Chapter 6 offers a conclusion for the study, stating the impact of narrative homiletics on interpretation, preaching, and the church. Finally, suggestions for the future use of narrative elements in traditional homiletics are offered. / 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.

Chapter 1 introduces the significance of theological anthropology in counseling for theological coherency. Specifically, I discuss the anthropological issues of the spiritual nature and sin and their implications for what I call theo-anthropological holism. The epistemology of the three counseling models is summarized to establish background context in examining their anthropology in chapters 2 through 4. Chapter 2 highlights the anthropological framework of Christian psychology. Specifically, it examines Eric Johnson’s structural anthropological framework and Robert Roberts’ emphasis on virtues for an understanding of their holistic approaches to anthropology. Their views on personal responsibility and sin shapes their understanding of the spiritual nature. Chapter 3 reveals a distinct form of anthropological dualism between the spiritual and psychological nature in integrationist counseling. The psychological nature is emphasized based on at least three factors: (1) a narrow view of the spiritual nature, (2) a priority on psychological healing, and (3) the view on personal responsibility and sin. Chapter 4 explains why biblical counselors argue for the sufficiency of Scripture from an anthropological perspective. Based on the biblical view of the heart, biblical counselors view the spiritual and psychological natures as a part of the heart. Their view of the heart also shapes their view of sin and the holistic nature of sanctification. Chapter 5 evaluates the key anthropological themes from the three counseling models based on the structural, functional, and relational aspects of the image of God. I describe a covenantal schema as a holistic approach that supports theo-anthropological holism. A covenantal schema is appealing for its coherency with theological anthropology and emphasis on a relationship with God for spiritual renewal. Chapter 6 concludes the dissertation by summarizing my research findings and offering future areas of research. I also present a case study with “Jake”, based on a covenantal schema to highlight key components and contrast it with the other three counseling models.