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This dissertation explored the possibility of quantifying and measuring the experience of divine calling to develop and utilize a biblically based instrument, the Vectors of Calling Survey (VCS), with older Christian adolescents to discover the extent of their encounter with God's call. The measure was also used to explore the relationship between calling, identity development, and purpose in life. Divine calling was identified as a life-shaping experience for Christian adolescents, available to all believers, and applicable to all of life. The need for divine calling was juxtaposed to critical issues in post-modern adolescent development, such as ambiguity, adult abandonment, excessive choices, and superficial spirituality. The effect of calling was compared to the psychological concepts of identity, positive development, purpose, and transcendence. A conceptualization of calling was developed from a review of the biblical, historical and practical dimensions of divine calling. The study endorsed a perspective of calling as the intersection of vectors, including listening to God, discovering self, and embracing the world's needs. The development of the VCS included field testing, item analyses, revisions, and validation. The research procedures of the study were explained, including the administration of the VCS with the Ego Process Identity Questionnaire and the Purpose in Life Test to freshman students at three Christian universities. An analysis of findings provided details about the sample and the statistical results. Data from the VCS indicated a sense of divine calling was largely present in the research sample, likely to be expressed by beliefs more than behaviors, and positively associated with identity achievement and purpose in life. A surprise was the significant correlation between foreclosure and a sense of calling. Suggestions for improvements of the research design were offered. Among the conclusions derived from the study were these: (1) a strong sense of calling strengthens identity; (2) calling has broader application than pre-defined ministry roles; and (3) a sense of divine calling can be measured. Implications included the need to advocate calling and to study calling from a developmental perspective. Suggestions for further study included the effects of calling and the facilitation of personal receptiveness to calling.

This thesis explores the relationship between theology and laughter. It adopts the Superiority theory, confirmed through biblical and theological analyses. Chapter 1 discusses recent theologies of humor and outlines the occasion for the present one. Chapter 2 begins with an historical review of the church's attitude towards laughter and discusses humor's relationship to major areas of theology. Chapter 3 traces the development of the Superiority Theory and contends that much of our laughter is the ridiculing of a butt. Laughter performs a didactic function when it enforces a moral perspective by mocking deviants. Chapter 4 combs Scripture to confirm the theory. Chapter 5 observes that because of competing perspectives, laughter must have an eschatological dimension. It concludes that Heaven will contain the sounds of joy and triumph, defeat and derision. Chapter 6 discusses the implications for a postmodern context and makes application by affirming the role of humor in preaching. / 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.

Thesis advisor: Margaret Guider / This thesis is informed by the reality of human suffering as it manifests itself globally throughout the world, regionally in Asia, particularly East Asia, and more specifically in the context of Korea. Globally speaking, the complexities of human suffering as well as the qualitative and quantitative magnitude of human suffering are beyond the understanding and control of individuals, groups and nations. Mindful of this reality, the thesis asserts that there exists an urgent need for interreligious cooperation among adherents of all religions of the world so that together they may find ways of responding to those who suffer. It argues that interreligious cooperation directed toward the alleviation and prevention of human suffering is not an option but an obligation to all adherents of all religions. The thesis takes as its particular focus the interreligious cooperation of Christians and Buddhists. It asserts that while Christians and Buddhists have distinctive and differentiated understandings of the nature and meaning of human suffering, both religions share a common concern for and commitment to those who suffer. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

The thesis explores the experience of Christian faith for those who live with mild to moderate dementia. Whilst spirituality is increasingly recognised as a factor in wellbeing, there has been relatively little in-depth exploration of how dementia affects faith, or conversely, how faith affects the experience of dementia, particularly, within the context of the evangelical faith tradition. Located within the field of Practical Theology, Osmer's four tasks provide structure for the research and discussion. The qualitative study uses a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology to discover insight from the lived experience of eight Christians who live with mild to moderate dementia. Theological reflection on issues arising from the phenomenological accounts, seeks understanding of the profound questions which dementia brings to faith experience. In conversation with theological writing, Christian tradition, and in the light of Scripture, the discussion looks for mutually critical correlation between experience and theology, investigating what it means to be a Christian living with dementia. The reflections are structured using a model of orientation, disorientation and reorientation, reminiscent of Brueggemann's scheme, looking for what this discloses about how faith is experienced in the life-changing challenges brought by dementia. Gadamer's notion of fusion of horizons discloses ongoing insight into the thesis question. The study concludes that faith is dependent primarily on relationship with God, expressed within the community of faith. Counterintuitively, it reveals a growing, positive experience of faith in the light of dementia, and highlights the significance of Christian hope. The thesis contends that faith experience and growth do not end with diagnosis, even though experience and practice begin to change in some respects. The research brings fresh theological insights, and highlights the need for new, creative practices which enable the faith nurture and support of disciples of Christ who are living with this disease. This period of early to moderate dementia provides opportunity for consideration of these issues, and for hearing the voices of those who live with dementia.

陳家偉. / 手稿本, 複本據手稿本影印. / Thesis (M.Div.)--香港中文大學, 1990. / Shou gao ben, fu ben ju shou gao ben ying yin. / Includes bibliographical references: leaves 161-171. / Chen Jiawei. / Thesis (M.Div.)--Xianggang Zhong wen da xue, 1990. / Chapter 一 --- 諸論：「宗教多元化所產生的問題」 --- p.1 / Chapter 二 --- 龔漢思(Hans Kung)的回應 --- p.6 / Chapter 1 --- 前期思想 --- p.8 / Chapter I --- 教會以外，還有救思嗎？ --- p.8 / Chapter II --- 所有宗教都是一樣嗎？ --- p.18 / Chapter III --- 小結 --- p.25 / Chapter 2 --- 後期思想 --- p.30 / Chapter I --- 真宗教的準繩 --- p.34 / Chapter II --- 神學的再思 --- p.40 / Chapter III --- 小結 --- p.51 / Chapter 三 --- 希克(John Hick)的回應 --- p.54 / Chapter 1 --- 三種對其他宗教的態度 --- p.59 / Chapter 2 --- 耶穌的神性地位 --- p.75 / Chapter 3 --- 上帝觀 --- p.85 / Chapter 4 --- 小結 --- p.93 / Chapter 四 --- 關心的問題 --- p.96 / Chapter 1 --- 衡量宗教的準則 --- p.97 / Chapter 2 --- 耶穌基督身份的掙扎 --- p.104 / Chapter 3 --- 上帝的本質 --- p.110 / Chapter 4 --- 宗教是關心人的生活 --- p.114 / Chapter 五 --- 結論 --- p.118 / Chapter 六 --- 注釋 --- p.121 / 第一章注釋 --- p.121 / 第二章注釋 --- p.123 / 第三章注釋 --- p.143 / 第四章注釋 --- p.145 / 第五章注釋 --- p.160 / Chapter 七 --- 書目 --- p.161

This thesis proposes that Augustine introduces into the title – word Confessions a new dimension that has implication for the Donatists; the right of the pastoral bishop to speak and to be heard. It argues the claim that the Confessions is an innovative didactic document, intentionally constructed by a pastoral bishop, the guardian of souls. The Confessions is examined from the standpoint that Augustine is addressing a contemporary pastoral problem which has particular application to the Donatist controversy. That Augustine relates the Donatist inspired division in the Church to human presumption is a key concern. Through a process of close reading the thesis explores the themes that reflect and area relevant to the issues raised by the dispute. It draws on the literary devices of analogy, exemplar, allusion, inference, the pointed metaphor and biblical imagery. It takes into account the rhetorical skill and art of Augustine, and that central to Augustine’s dealings with the Donatists is the Word of Scripture, Christian humility and charity. A definite literary structure is found in the Confessions. Themes outlined in Book one are developed in the course of the Confessions and culminate in the pastoral concerns of Book thirteen. The themes illuminate the pastoral problems directory related in Augustine’s mind and heart to the unity of the Church. The thesis argues that the distinctive literary form of the Confessions, with its focus on the ambiguity of human speech, the significance of human silence, and the dispositions of the human ‘heart’ as the locus of both good an sinful thoughts, enables the pastoral bishop to communicate with is Donatist audience. This thesis is intended to contribute to the scholarly debate on the literary unity and purpose of the Confessions. It reasons that the bishop’s plea for the Church unity is made manifest in the unrest that permeates the Confessions and in his striving to be at one with God and in the peace of communion with others. Through a process of self-examination Augustine is able to draw an analogy between the turmoil in his own heart and the turmoil at the heart of the Church, notably reflected in the ecclesial disruption fuelled by Donatist opposition.

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University

It has been over 50 years since the last doctoral dissertation on the Gospel of John in the Greek lectionary tradition. The present dissertation on the pericopae of the Gospel of John in the Synaxarion section of the Greek Gospel lectionary hopes to ignite an interest in the lectionary tradition within the discipline of New Testament Textual Criticism. The pages of this dissertation are the groundwork for the lectionary phase of the International Greek New Testament Project and its major critical edition of John. During the Middle Byzantine period (8th-11th century) the Gospel lectionary emerges as a liturgical codex of the Byzantine Church. One hundred and twenty-six Greek Gospel lectionaries from this period are examined at forty-four carefully selected test passages in John. One places the manuscripts in their Byzantine context, studies the lectionary evidence as documents, highlights the textual and paratextual variation in the lectionary tradition, discusses genealogical issues, explores the method of lectionary construction, and investigates the relationship between the lectionary tradition and the continuous text manuscript tradition.

This study explores the healing praxis of Bill Johnson as it is outworked in the context of Bethel Church, California. Engaging in practical theology, this study uses the pastoral research cycle to examine and analyse this healing praxis. Drawing on primary source material and empirical research findings, it identifies the central tenets of Johnson’s healing praxis by teasing out the espoused and operant theology. The research findings are brought into dialogue with Randall Collins’ interaction ritual chains theory, as well as with others who have developed Collins’ theory. This thesis critiques Johnson’s theology and recommends that he engage more intentionally with academic theology particularly in relation to Christology, soteriology and eschatology. This thesis seeks to modify Johnson’s Christological position through a dialogue with academic kenotic theology. It proposes that Johnson account for the elements of mystery, suffering and disappointment often neglected in his theology. Additionally, this study offers a means of conceptualizing the local and global significance of Bill Johnson and Bethel Church in relation to the healing praxis. It is the first academic study focusing on these subjects and as such provides insight into the local and global phenomenon stemming from Johnson and the Bethel Church community.