My study centres on Karl Barth’s pneumatology with special attention to its inseparable relationship with his vision of the Christian life. Many critics say that Barth’s emphasis upon the gracious God revealed in Christ improperly undermined both the role of the Spirit and the importance of human agency. In contrast, my research will demonstrate that it is possible to read Barth as offering a robust Spirit theology, which resulted in rich reflection upon the Christian life. More specifically, my thesis will first examine Barth’s pneumatology within the context of his incomplete doctrine of redemption. I will show that his unique understanding of redemption was largely shaped by his exegesis of Paul’s Spirit theology, in which he developed central pneumatological motifs, including the Spirit’s incorporation of humanity into the intra-divine fellowship, mediation in the form of pneumatic prayer, and the shaping of moral agency. I will, then, examine these redemptive works of the Spirit within a more comprehensive context of his theology, coordinating synchronic and diachronic approaches. In particular, I will read ‘through’ and ‘across’ Barth, tracing underpinning pneumatological themes, with special focus on the three modes of the Spirit’s work in the opera ad extra – the mediation of divine and human logic in revelation, the drawing of creation into God’s self-glorification movement through beauty, and the calling of individuals through community into God’s drama of salvation. In short, unlike criticisms that Barth reduced pneumatology to the subjective possibility of revelation, my study will show that his pneumatology is mainly about our prayerful participation in God, the constitution of human agency and a new vision of the Christian life under the direction of the Spirit.

Thesis advisor: John Houchin / The objective of this project was to attempt not only to adapt the novel "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov to the stage, but rather to translate it in both time and place to the stage. It has been more than 60 years since the novel was written, and as such the concerns of the characters have changed both in time and locale. Not only are their objectives adjusted, but the novel is ultimately that: a novel. Being a theatrical adaptation, the play must acknowledge its own existence as such and take issue with its form as much as "The Master and Margarita" does its own. The play is, ultimately, a failed one in my opinion. The greatest downfall thereof being the fact that theatre, drama, is centered around a single thing: conflict. The devil can be in conflict with no one but the divine, and as such any time he is on stage there is simply something missing. The failure is, to a certain extent, befitting of the piece for what it takes to heart as its issues. Enjoy. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: College Honors Program. / Discipline: Theater.

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Schopenhauer utiliza a ideia de redenção no sentido religioso para tratar a supressão do caráter que define a negação da vontade. Ele afirma que essa supressão é justamente aquilo que, na Igreja cristã, é muito apropriadamente denominada renascimento e o conhecer, do qual provém, efeito da graça. Tal comparação parece surpreendente quando consideramos que Schopenhauer se declara um filósofo ateu e que, para ele, a fé e o saber são coisas fundamentalmente diferentes e que devem ser mantidas separadas. Mas há na ideia de graça uma característica que pode justificar o recurso que Schopenhauer faz a ela: a ausência de uma causa que possa explicar a sua manifestação. Assim, tanto no sentido religioso quanto no modo como Schopenhauer concebe a negação da vontade, a redenção como efeito da graça pode ser entendida como uma benção concedida gratuitamente, pois não é possível conquistá-la voluntariamente através do esforço pessoal. Entretanto, se não há uma causa que determine a negação, há dois caminhos que podem direcionar a vontade até o ponto em que a negação pode ocorrer espontaneamente. O que há em comum entre esses dois caminhos é a presença do sofrimento como pré-requisito para que eles possam ser atravessados. O sofrimento é essencial para que se possa compreender a negação porque ele é o elemento que permite combater a tese segundo a qual haveria uma relação entre a virtude e a felicidade, de forma que o inocente seria poupado da dor e, portanto, ele poderia ser feliz. Por ser contrário a essa tese, Schopenhauer considera que, quanto mais o homem padece, mais ele se aproxima da verdadeira finalidade da vida, que consiste em compreender que viver é necessariamente sofrer. Para a explicação da analogia entre os conceitos da filosofia de Schopenhauer e os dogmas cristãos, o texto foi dividido em dois capítulos. No primeiro apresentamos as razões que podem justificar a relação que Schopenhauer estabelece entre a sua filosofia e o cristianismo, através da qual ele compara os dogmas do pecado original e do efeito da graça aos conceitos de afirmação e negação da vontade. Porém, apesar de propor essa comparação e afirmar que sua filosofia é a verdadeira expressão da religião cristã, Schopenhauer defende também uma separação estrita entre religião e filosofia, pois ele recusa uma mistura que possa resultar em uma filosofia religiosa. Para respeitar a separação que Schopenhauer prescreve entre esses dois tipos de saber, o segundo capítulo terá como objetivo compreender a transição da afirmação para a negação da vontade independentemente da relação que estes conceitos possam ter com as alegorias religiosas. / In order to deal with the suppression of character which defines the denial of will Schopenhauer applies the idea of redemption in a religious sense. He declares that this suppression corresponds precisely to what the Christian Church properly calls rebirth and the knowledge, which the effect of Grace results from. Such a comparison seems to be a surprising one when we consider Schopenhauer proclaiming himself an atheist as well as declaring faith and knowledge as fundamentally diferent concepts that should be kept separate. There is, though, in the idea of grace a distiction that can justify Schopenhauers resource on using it: the lack of a cause which can explain its occurence. Thus, both in a religious way and in the manner Schopenhauer conceives the denial of will, redemption can be understood as a blessing freely granted, because it is not possible to conquer it by personal effort. However, if there is not a determined cause for the denial, there are two ways that can guide the will to the point in which it can spontaneously occur. In both ways there is the presence of suffering and it is a prerequisite for their crossing. Suffering is essential for understanding the denial of will because it is the element that permits to confront the thesis according to which there would be a relation between virtue and happiness, so that the innocent person would be free from pain and then would be happy. In opposition to this thesis Schopenhauer considers that the more a human being suffers the closer he gets to the real meaning of life that consists in the comprehension that to live is necessarily to suffer. For the explanation of the analogy between the concepts of Schopenhauers philosophy and the Christian dogmas the text was divided into two chapters. In the first we demonstrate the reasons wich can justify the relation that Schopenhauer establishes between his philosophy and Christianity, through which he compares the dogmas of the original sin and the effect of grace to the concepts of assertion and denial of the will to live. Nevertheless, in spite of establishing this comparison and declaring his philosophy as the expression of the Christian religion, Schopenhauer also proclaims a strict dissociation of religion and philosophy, for he refuses the combination that can result in a religious philosophy. In respect to the dissociation that Schopenhauer prescribes between these two kinds of knowledge the second chapter will focus on the purpose of understanding the transition from the assertion to the denial of will independently of the relation these concepts can have to the religious allegories.

Thesis (S.T.L.)--Catholic University of America, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-135).

This study examines the question of whether the faith-estranged could be guided from their natural state of estrangement from God and resultant wounded ness since the Fall as well as subsequent wounds inflicted on earth due to traumatic events, by way of counseling and prayer into experiencing God's salvation in Christ. The section on basis theory has shown that a Biblical-pastoral anthropology is the foundation of Biblical pastorate. Man's estranged and wounded condition since the Fall and the resultant secondary wounding and suffering at the hand of fellow man on earth,presents the pastorate with a unique opportunity regarding the facilitation of and guiding towards both a spiritual and emotional healing process. This pastoral intervention addresses both primary and secondary wounded ness within the faith-estranged. The work of the Holy Spirit, confession of sin and guilt, prayer, forgiveness and faith, form part of the pastoral counseling process pointing towards salvation, healing and restored intimate communion with God. The meta-theoretical section brought to light the fact that the traumatized person is dealt not only a physical, cognitive and/or emotional wound but in fact also a spiritual wound by these events. A strong correlation was discovered between the healing of the body and the healing of the mind or spirit - in this regard forgiveness of the abuser, the self and of God (by implication a confession of personal rebellion) seemed to playa central role. It was also confirmed that an important link exists between, on the one hand, success in the therapeutic process with the wounded person, and on the other hand, the creation of a secure therapeutic environment, healthy relational structures as well as evoking hope in the heart of the counselee. The empirical section has proved to be of extreme importance regarding the distinctive role of the counselor in demonstrating God's closeness in Christ and His sharing in the pain of the counselee. The counselee does have an active role in this process of healing by accepting ownership of his future life choices and rational decisions. Perspectives derived from the sections of both basis theory and meta-theory has ultimately led to the formulation of a suitable practice theoretical model called Theo-phospromissio therapy. This model demonstrates the path along which there can be a pastoral engagement with the faith-estranged towards accepting God's redemption through Christ's finished work on the Cross. Furthermore, this model opens up a distinctive eschatological perspective on the final purpose of man's life on earth as it gives meaning to life here and now amidst seemingly unending life-crises and trauma, given the eternal hope it promises in God as the only secure anchor. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010

This study examines the question of whether the faith-estranged could be guided from their natural state of estrangement from God and resultant wounded ness since the Fall as well as subsequent wounds inflicted on earth due to traumatic events, by way of counseling and prayer into experiencing God's salvation in Christ. The section on basis theory has shown that a Biblical-pastoral anthropology is the foundation of Biblical pastorate. Man's estranged and wounded condition since the Fall and the resultant secondary wounding and suffering at the hand of fellow man on earth,presents the pastorate with a unique opportunity regarding the facilitation of and guiding towards both a spiritual and emotional healing process. This pastoral intervention addresses both primary and secondary wounded ness within the faith-estranged. The work of the Holy Spirit, confession of sin and guilt, prayer, forgiveness and faith, form part of the pastoral counseling process pointing towards salvation, healing and restored intimate communion with God. The meta-theoretical section brought to light the fact that the traumatized person is dealt not only a physical, cognitive and/or emotional wound but in fact also a spiritual wound by these events. A strong correlation was discovered between the healing of the body and the healing of the mind or spirit - in this regard forgiveness of the abuser, the self and of God (by implication a confession of personal rebellion) seemed to playa central role. It was also confirmed that an important link exists between, on the one hand, success in the therapeutic process with the wounded person, and on the other hand, the creation of a secure therapeutic environment, healthy relational structures as well as evoking hope in the heart of the counselee. The empirical section has proved to be of extreme importance regarding the distinctive role of the counselor in demonstrating God's closeness in Christ and His sharing in the pain of the counselee. The counselee does have an active role in this process of healing by accepting ownership of his future life choices and rational decisions. Perspectives derived from the sections of both basis theory and meta-theory has ultimately led to the formulation of a suitable practice theoretical model called Theo-phospromissio therapy. This model demonstrates the path along which there can be a pastoral engagement with the faith-estranged towards accepting God's redemption through Christ's finished work on the Cross. Furthermore, this model opens up a distinctive eschatological perspective on the final purpose of man's life on earth as it gives meaning to life here and now amidst seemingly unending life-crises and trauma, given the eternal hope it promises in God as the only secure anchor. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010

Thesis (Th. M.)--Reformed Theological Seminary, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 402-416).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 1991. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-183).

Thesis (B.A.)--Haverford College, Dept. of Religion, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.