This dissertation examines the suitability of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum physics for use in Christian theological and apologetic endeavors. Chapter 1 introduces basic issues in quantum physics in non-technical language and defines the basic position of the Copenhagen interpretation. Chapter 2 gives a thorough account of the core interpretational components of the Copenhagen interpretation and indicates that some of these set up potential conflict with Biblical-based Christian beliefs about God and the world He made. The chapter also discusses how famed scientists such as Albert Einstein and Erwin Schrödinger attempted but failed to dissuade the physics and philosophy communities from adopting the Copenhagen interpretation by formulating landmark thought-experiments that aimed to expose absurdities entailed by said interpretation. Chapter 3 examines how scholars and popular-science writers have applied the Copenhagen doctrines to sociology, philosophy, and science. Topics include feminism, race relations, finance, business management, philosophy of science, epistemology, logic, and the sciences of consciousness and cosmology. Chapter 4 discusses applications of the Copenhagen interpretation in metaphysics and theology, with particular emphasis on applications in Eastern and holistic worldviews as well as debates about free-will and divine action in Christian theology. Chapter 5 attempts to show that the Copenhagen interpretation is unsuitable for adoption in Christian theological and apologetic endeavors for several reasons. First, the Copenhagen interpretation was forged by a handful of philosopher-physicists who consciously sought to ensconce indeterminism as an ontological rather than merely epistemological element of quantum theory. Second, there are several scientific and science-historical counter-indicators to the Copenhagen view. Third, several entailments of the CI run counter to important elements in the Christian worldview. Chapter 6 gives a summary assessment of the Copenhagen interpretation and suggests avenues for continuing the science-theology dialogue in light of the current state of quantum science. / 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.

To follow the development of the theology of William Milligan (1821-1893) is to gain an insight into the Scottish theological world of the nineteenth century and to discern how one man succeeded in making manifest the true centre of theology, its proper scope, and its catholic imperatives. In the first chapter attention is given to the faculty and curriculum of United College and St. Mary's Divinity Hall at St. Andrews University. The second chapter consists of a presentation and analysis of William Milligan's Divinity Hall essays. He is seen as a perceptive student who had learned his lessons well, but not without the exercise of his own judgment. Withal Milligan was at that time a convinced devotee of the Common Sense philosophy and its "intuitive" principle of causality.

The role of scriptural interpretation in the Monarchian controversy of the early 3rd century C.E. has received relatively little scholarly attention. This oversight is due, in large part, to a persuasive if unstated belief held by many modern scholars that Scripture is a secondary or tertiary factor in the construction of doctrine. This thesis will argue that scriptural interpretation played a primary or generative role in the construction of doctrine. The Proto-Trinitarians and Monarchians believed their position to be superior to that of their opponents’ precisely because it made better sense of the scriptural data. This thesis will argue that the modern view which sees the early church fathers as poor exegetes may have more to do with questionable modern assumptions about the interpretive enterprise (especially when doctrine is considered) than it has to do with any interpretive incompetence of the early Christian interpreters. The introduction will offer a survey of the modern status quo view of patristic interpretation in general and patristic interpretation in a doctrinal context in particular. It will then consider some dissenting voices to the status quo view. Chapter 1 will offer a brief history of the Monarchian movement and examine the Monarchian doctrine of God and its scriptural basis, seeking first to provide an accurate picture of Monarchian belief and secondly to show that the Monarchians took Scripture seriously in their theologizing. Chapters 2 and 3 will consider the two most influential treatises in the demise of Monarchianism, the Contra Noetum (chapter 2) and Tertullian’s Adversus Praxeas (chapter 3). It will be demonstrated that scriptural interpretation was the decisive factor in their theological construction of the nature of God and that the Gospel of John played a decisive role in their rebutting of the Monarchian position.

In modern theological studies, ecclesiology has became a very important concern in Western academic circle. However, it has not caught the attention of many theologians in Chinese academic circle. This thesis will use the Ideal Type method to construct a set of three typologies of ecclesiology in Modern Protestant Theology, named as Liberal, Confessional, and Subversive. Each type will pick two or three important modern Protestant theologians as the representative, Friedrich Schleiermacher and Paul Tillich represent the Liberal, Karl Barth, Jurgen Moltmann and Stanley Hauerwas represent the Confessional, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Graham Ward represent the Subversive. By this research, we can have a more comprehensive framework to understand the development of ecclesiological studies, and to compare the strength and weakness of each typology. After analyzing the typologies, the later part of this thesis will use them to analyze the contemporary Chinese context. It aims at pointing out the meaning and the relevance of these typologies of ecclesiology to Chinese Theology and Hong Kong Churches. / 李駿康. / Adviser: Pan Chiu Lai. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-03, Section: A, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 210-229). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in Chinese and English. / Li Junkang.

Abstract not available

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [80]-87).

Thesis (M.A. in Religion)--Vanderbilt University, May 2007. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

This study consists of three main aspects. Firstly, an overview of the major theories of metaphor as proposed during the past two millennia was given. The overview concluded with a summary of the most important aspects, which should be considered in the interpretation of metaphor. It was Indicated that the conceptual theory of metaphor provides an effective definition to identify and interpret metaphors. Secondly, the most prominent problems pertaining to the exegesis of the book of Jeremiah, which could influence the interpretation of metaphors, were identified and discussed. In the light of these problems, a canonical approach of the book of Jeremiah was opted for in order to focus on the theological significance of expressions, and passages. Thirdly, the diction and metaphorical concepts pertaining to the relationship between YHWH, Israel and the gods were identified. Selected terms, names/epithets of gods, and worship details were discussed in order to compile a picture of the nature and extent of the idolatrous involvement of Israel. Occurrences of these expressions elsewhere in the OT, and information from extra-Biblical and archaeological sources were examined in order to glean information for the interpretation of metaphors. Selected metaphors referring to the gods were analysed, as well as the Jeremianic marriage metaphor. This study showed that metaphor is the only way in which the devotee cognitively can understand and experience the divine, and ultimately express himself/herself religiously. The analyses of metaphors and related terminology indicated that the ANE theological worldview constitutes an important factor in the interpretation of these metaphors. The other deities were denigrated in pejorative language to the status of non-gods by the Yahwistic prophet/author(s), and described as lifeless, worthless deceptions that are of no benefit to Israel. In contrast, YHWH is exalted e.g. as the caring Husband, Leader, Advisor and Rainmaker, the true, living God and King, worthy of his status and the worshipping of Israel. Israel is described in accusatory language as the guilty party, and as sufferer under the punitive measures of YHWH. The Yahwistic interpretation entailed that Israel's involvement in idolatrous activities caused the fall of the Judean kingdom and the exile. In this, YHWH is depicted as the Punisher who is actively involved in Israel's disastrous circumstances and who employs nations to serve his goal. However, He was also actively involved in preparations of a new future for the remnant of Israel. It was concluded that the polemic against the other gods in the poetry was directed mainly towards the images representing the deities, as well as the alliances formed by Israel with foreign political powers and their gods. The images of the other gods and the foreign powers were regarded as intruders in YHWH's territory, and as third parties meddling in his relationship with Israel. The worthlessness of the other gods was viewed against the ANE concept, namely that a deity worthy his status must provide security, agricultural blessings and guidance to the devotees in his territory. Against this background, YHWH is celebrated by the Yahwists as the incomparable, one and only, true and living God who is worthy of his status as deity and is capable of helping Israel. Israel is called upon to trust in Him to secure their future, and not in mortal beings and their human-made idols. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2000.

No description available.

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1988. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 154-165).