This thesis presents a study of the use made of tympana in English Romanesque portals and the evidence they offer for religious, social and cultural expression in village churches where the vast majority of examples are preserved. In order to achieve this a significant proportion of the analysis has been addressed to the manner in which people may have interpreted what they saw. For the convenience of the reader basic descriptions of all examples noted during the course of the research and details of manorial and patronal circumstances are given as the Handlist in Volume 2. The first two chapters establish the parameters of the research, outline the social and religious environment during the period, and the art historical principles underpinning the research. Chapter III examines the distribution of examples in geographical terms and the use made of tympana in different categories of building. In chapter IV the structural and compositional formulation of tympana is analysed and the use made of geometric ornament. Chapter V assesses images of Christ and the relationship between these and the representation of power. Chapter VI examines other human figural iconography through the categories of figure-types depicted. The subject of chapter VII is the use of compositional types as a means to assess the use made of beast imagery. The thesis demonstrates for the first time in a systematic and quantified manner that tympana are a significant feature of English Romanesque portals and that a strong decorative character is shared by all tympana, thus contributing to the adornment of the house of God in a befitting manner. It argues that the iconography was composed so as to ensure the utility of the images as a focus for devotion for a wide variety of audiences and as a means of expressing social values, particularly through the relationship between the figures depicted and the representation of temporal power. The thesis also confirms that the religion presented by examples with figural sculpture is centred on the authority of God and the saints and on iconic symbols, rather than exemplars for emulation, reflecting the conservative nature of devotion in local communities. The thesis therefore raises important issues in relation to our understanding of portals as architectural features, the expression of religious devotion and social values in local communities during the period, and the use of portals in the practice of religious devotion.

This thesis offers an account of dualist heresy in medieval Aquitaine. The first part asserts that the heresy referred to in early eleventh-century sources was dualist and originated in Balkan Bogomilism. It does this by combining two established methodologies. Through the first, reading the sources in their social context, it finds the poor experiencing increased poverty and oppression, and that some amongst the laity and clergy were observing signs prefiguring The End of historical time. Not unexpectedly, some responded through dissent and demanded reform and justice: a new system of values, in other words. Then the thesis adopts a comparative methodology in a 'global' context. It finds that the accounts of dissent do more than identify Apocalypticism or primitive communism. They make reference to dualist cosmology and practice. Dualists in the Balkans were intent on spreading their teaching world-wide, and this period saw increased contacts with the west. The spread of Bogomilism to Aquitaine was thus both likely and possible, and appears to have had some success. The second part of this thesis makes three contributions to the history of Catharism. First it suggests why twelfth-century Aquitaine was almost entirely untouched by the heresy except in the county of Agen. It points to actively Catholic lay authority and a relatively dynamic monasticism in Aquitaine, and finds these largely absent in the heretical Agenais. Second, it examines the Cathar diocese of Agen and the impact upon it of the Albigensian Crusade and the Medieval Inquisition. In this it argues that Agenais lay society was very diverse and divided, but notes close collaboration between its heretics and those of neighbouring Quercy. Third, it argues that a better understanding of aspects of the crusade can be gamed through its examination in the context of relations between the dukes of Aquitaine - who were also kings of England - and the counts of Toulouse, the kings of France and the Papacy.

This thesis attempts to understand what it is like to live and work as a ‘sincere’ and ‘committed’ Christian in Gamrie, a small fishing village of 700 people and six conservative Protestant churches, whose staunch religiosity is itself on the cusp of dramatic economic, social and spiritual change. More than this, it is an attempt to show how the everyday religious experiences of Christians in Gamrie are animated by – but not reducible to – their social context. It seeks to do so by considering how local folk theologies relate to larger social processes occurring within Scotland and the north Atlantic. Arguing that these realms are necessarily (and simultaneously) ideational and material, my theoretical focus is upon the relationship between belief and experience – a relationship mediated, first and foremost, in and through the significance of ‘The Word’. Where beliefs have objects and where objects ‘have’ materiality, beliefs are held to be essentially material. Equally, where material happenings in the world are framed by theological (say, eschatological) ideas, objects and events are held to be unavoidably implicated in belief. Thus, my aim is to present an analytic of the relationship between the lived local experiences of belief and objects, materiality and language.

This collection of creative non-fiction essays is written from the perspective of a Protestant Christian church leader’s daughter emerging into adulthood and independence. She labors to define her relationship with God, family, and friends and to determine the complicated, but pervasive role of faith in her life while coping with depression and anxiety; a brain aneurysm and malformation among other health problems; working in an all-male environment in the Houston Chronicle Sports department; the death of her grandparents; the death of a Muslim friend in a murder-suicide shooting; and her troubled relationship with an agnostic friend. Although she expresses her doubts in each scenario, she identifies purpose in the trials and accepts the challenges that accompany being the child of the priest.

This thesis begins with a review of primary and secondary sources followed by an examination of theological and theoretical issues. The 1859 movement is then contextualized with an analysis of the politico-economic, social and ecclesiastical-spiritual situation/environment in which it occurred: in effect this tests the theories about the circumstances/conditions commonly held to precede and be conducive to the commencement of revivals. Perceptions of the revival are then presented with a consideration of stimuli, transmission, geographical coverage and duration, together with denominational opinions, popular responses, concerns, criticisms and evaluations. Research then focuses on the city of Glasgow, supposedly one of the localities most impacted upon. Confining the study to a restricted and well-defined geographical area applies a methodology unique to the subject. This approach permits a meticulous search of sources which have hitherto received only cursory attention. It also facilitates the introduction and utilization of unknown local sources, or sources not before considered relevant. These include local newspapers, kirk session and presbytery proceedings, police and prison reports, and the diaries, autobiographies, correspondence etc. of local people. An innovative approach to in-depth investigation of the impact and effects of revival at a local level is thus introduced. The adoption of this method results in the production of a highly detailed local chronology which provides for a much greater understanding of the operation of the movement in the city. It pinpoints more precisely the districts affected, identifies duration and different phases within it, and highlights the adoption by local revivalists of new tactics. A method of evaluating the impact of revival at a local level is then suggested, one made possible by the methodology initially adopted, namely a comparative analysis based on contextualization.

This doctoral thesis concentrates exclusively on the Historiae adversus paganos, an apologetic history in seven books written by the presbyter Paulus Orosius in the early fifth century AD. This thesis is ultimately an exposition of Orosius's philosophy of history, within which the themes of divine providence, monotheism, and imperial authority are central. This thesis has endeavoured to establish what the Historiae is in terms of content, purpose, and genre, a more complex task than this simple statement suggests. At every stage of analysis this research has worked to uncover the ideology and apologetic underlying Orosius‘s historical narrative, in particular the significance behind Orosius‘s stylistic habit of rhetorical comparison. This thesis consists of six chapters, unified in methodology but encompassing a broad diversity of subject matter. Chapter One examines the constructed text and its genre, as well as issues of opponent, audience and self-representation. Chapter Two provides a philosophical and technical treatment of time. Chapters Three and Four explore the representations of monotheism and imperial authority in the emperors Augustus and Theodosius. Chapter Five is concerned with Orosius‘s representation of warfare, and Chapter Six considers the retributive and redemptive aspect of the sack of Rome.

The Christian Church has undergone a process of institutional transformation since its establishment almost two thousand years ago. This transformation has changed an originally fluid and charismatic organisation into an hierarchical one, with its leadership (Roman Catholic) entrusted only to the ordained clergy. This type of Christian Church brought to Nigeria by the early catholic missionaries has both its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages is the increasing membership of the Roman Catholic community and the increased production of indigenous priests. However, the strategy of early missionary evangelisation marginalised the role and effectiveness of the Catholic laity in Church activities. Thus, the management of the Church as an organisation is wholly in the hands of the ordained. However, the continued worldwide decline in the recruitment and number of priests, and the unfavourable priest-to-laity ratio - particularly in Nigeria - both indicate a need for a change. Furthermore, the influence of both celibacy and contemporary social factors (for example, the unwillingness to enter a life-long relationship that priestly and religious life demands), and the innovation which the Second Vatican Council advocated all cast doubt on the viability of the continuation of the status quo. These issues, therefore, make - greater, involvement of the Christian faithful in Church management and leadership inevitable, particularly in those countries like Nigeria where the demand for priestly ministration is on the increase, and the laity are increasingly willing to use their pneumatic gifts within the Church. These (pneumatic gifts) are the spiritual and other gifts received by baptised members, and include preaching, administration and prophecy. It is the manner of the laity's involvement on the universal and arch/diocesan levels that are explored in this thesis. The thesis also examines the major factors that contribute to the shortage of priests, and candidates for priestly and religious life, and explores the arguments for and against the continuation of the existing ecclesiastical law of clerical celibacy. Some recommendations are suggested that could ensure that the Roman Church continues to be relevant in the contemporary time to Catholics everywhere both on the universal and arch/diocesan levels. For the archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria, the need to reorganise the archdiocesan structure is highlighted, as is the possibility of introducing some 'new' ministries particularly to involve the many pneumatically gifted laity is offered. Finally, it is argued that if the initiatives engendered by the Second Vatican Council were followed through, the conclusions and recommendations arrived at in this thesis are inevitable, and the Roman Church could either generously initiate these changes now or allow the changes to force themselves upon the Church in the future.

No description available.

Thesis advisor: Mark Massa / Thesis advisor: Dominic Doyle / Civil religion is a necessary unifying force in a religiously plural society such as the United States, but it can also usurp the place of Christianity in the believer’s life. This is always a danger for Christianity which can only be the “good news” if it is inculturated by drawing upon a society’s own symbols. But it must also transcend the culture if it is to speak a prophetic word to it. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2017. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

楊豪萬. / Holograph. / Thesis (M.Div.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1979. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 398-438). / Yang Haowan. / Chapter 第一章 --- 導言 --- p.1 / Chapter 第一節 --- 基督教「本色化」的需求 --- p.2 / Chapter 一 --- 「本色化」的意義在歷史中的演進 --- p.2 / Chapter 二 --- 具體的「本色化」運動 --- p.8 / Chapter 第二節 --- 教義與實踐 --- p.11 / Chapter 一 --- 以辯證為依歸的神學 --- p.11 / Chapter 二 --- 信仰的理論與行動 --- p.15 / Chapter 第三節 --- 天主教與更正教的關係 --- p.17 / Chapter 第四節 --- 人物的寫照 --- p.21 / Chapter 第五節 --- 結語 --- p.24 / Chapter 第六節 --- 注釋 --- p.26 / Chapter 第二章 --- 吳經熊生平 --- p.48 / Chapter 第一節 --- 童年時代 --- p.50 / Chapter 第二節 --- 婚姻生活 --- p.53 / Chapter 第三節 --- 學校生涯 --- p.57 / Chapter 第四節 --- 事業發展 --- p.60 / Chapter 第五節 --- 慘痛的經歷 --- p.62 / Chapter 第六節 --- 裡性的甦醒 --- p.64 / Chapter 第七節 --- 信仰的委身 --- p.66 / Chapter 第八節 --- 戰亂之中 --- p.59 / Chapter 第九節 --- 出使教廷 --- p.71 / Chapter 第十節 --- 講學與著作 --- p.73 / Chapter 第十一節 --- 享負盛名 --- p.76 / Chapter 第十二節 --- 祖國渡晚年 --- p.78 / Chapter 第十三節 --- 結語 --- p.81 / Chapter 第十四節 --- 注釋 --- p.82 / Chapter 第三章 --- 吳經熊對中國文化與基督信仰之著作──方法與重點 --- p.105 / Chapter 第一節 --- 吳經熊研究基督信仰與文化的方法 --- p.109 / Chapter 一 --- 「文化」的意義 --- p.111 / Chapter 二 --- 對東方文化的重法 --- p.116 / Chapter 1 --- 仁的修養 --- p.117 / Chapter 2 --- 行的哲學 --- p.120 / Chapter 3 --- 天人合一 --- p.123 / Chapter 三 --- 西方文化的重點 --- p.128 / Chapter 四 --- 中西文化的調和 --- p.132 / Chapter 五 --- 基督信仰與中西文化 --- p.141 / Chapter 1 --- 調和的方法 --- p.142 / Chapter 2 --- 信仰與文化表達的重心 --- p.145 / Chapter 3 --- 基督在文化中的意義 --- p.148 / Chapter 六 --- 小結 --- p.152 / Chapter 第二節 --- 有關「愛」的研究 --- p.155 / Chapter 一 --- 愛的內涵 --- p.158 / Chapter 1 --- 對神的愛 --- p.160 / Chapter 2 --- 對己的愛 --- p.164 / Chapter 3 --- 對人的愛 --- p.168 / Chapter 二 --- 愛的實踐 --- p.177 / Chapter 1 --- 愛的萌芽´ؤ´ؤ淨化的層面 --- p.181 / Chapter 2 --- 愛的開花´ؤ´ؤ啟發的層面 --- p.185 / Chapter 3 --- 愛的結果´ؤ´ؤ融合的層面 --- p.188 / Chapter 三 --- 小結 --- p.193 / Chapter 第三節 --- 「喜樂」的精神 --- p.196 / Chapter 一 --- 儒家之喜樂 --- p.200 / Chapter 二 --- 道家之喜樂 --- p.204 / Chapter 三 --- 禪學之喜樂 --- p.209 / Chapter 四 --- 基督信仰的喜樂 --- p.214 / Chapter 五 --- 小結 --- p.222 / Chapter 第四節 --- 「簡樸」的特質 --- p.224 / Chapter 一 --- 「簡樸」的意義 --- p.226 / Chapter 二 --- 中國文化中的簡樸 --- p.229 / Chapter 1 --- 儒家 --- p.229 / Chapter 2 --- 道家 --- p.232 / Chapter 3 --- 禪學 --- p.237 / Chapter 三 --- 基督信仰中的簡樸 --- p.240 / Chapter 四 --- 小結 --- p.247 / Chapter 第五節 --- 結語 --- p.249 / Chapter 第六節 --- 注釋 --- p.255 / Chapter 第四章 --- 對吳經熊思想之討論 --- p.331 / Chapter 第一節 --- 「文化」看法上的弱點 --- p.333 / Chapter 第二節 --- 「本色化」運動的質疑 --- p.344 / Chapter 第三節 --- 「個人主義」的危機 --- p.353 / Chapter 第四節 --- 對「人性」看法的過份樂觀 --- p.359 / Chapter 第五節 --- 結語 --- p.367 / Chapter 第六節 --- 注釋 --- p.371 / Chapter 第五章 --- 結論 --- p.384 / Chapter 第六章 --- 參考書目 --- p.398 / Chapter 一 --- 吳經熊在基督教與中國文化方面的著作 --- p.398 / Chapter 二 --- 吳經熊翻譯之作品 --- p.400 / Chapter 三 --- 中文參考書目 --- p.400 / Chapter 四 --- 英文參考書目 --- p.421 / Chapter 五 --- 雜誌、期刊 --- p.428 / Chapter 六 --- 工具書、字典 --- p.433-438