Theology and Missions

Irony in the Three Life-Stages of Søren Kierkegaard

Student Scholarship: Samuel Sadler
Faculty Advisor: Randall Bush

One of the central issues to German Idealism in the early modern era is that of the subject-object problem. Even Descartes dealt with the challenge of our consciousness of other things. Kant bridged the gap between the empiricist and rationalist approach, but his successors continued to develop ways to solve the subject-object divide. Fichte, Hegel and Schelling represent three approaches which try to solve this divide through a primarily rational synthesis. Schelling is unique in his elevation of the will over the rational principle, yet his solution still relies heavily on dialectic. Søren Kierkegaard offers a different solution to the subject-object problem which relies on a paradoxical synthesis through faith. In this schema, irony represents an essential part of the individual's existence in the world.

Justice in Augustine's 'City of God' and How it Relates to Critical Race Theory (CRT)

Student Scholarship: Caleb Green
Faculty Advisor: Jacob Shatzer

This paper will argue that the three primary aspects of Justice within Augustine's City of God are justice within man, justice between God and man, and justice in the city. Justice within man is determined by the correct ordering of the soul. Justice between God and man is determined what man owes God. Justice in the city is determined by how the men within the city relate to God. These three aspects of justice will be used to critique justice within Critical Race Theory. CRT does not factor in God when thinking about justice, it assumes God is not needed for a just city and ignores the centrality of justice in man's relationship to God.

An Exploration of Tradition in the Eastern Orthodox Church

Student Scholarship: Melanie Nassif
Faculty Advisor: Jacob Shatzer

This research project explores the importance and essence of Tradition in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Through the centuries, the apostolic faith has been discerned by weighing subjects and questions in light of the Tradition of the Church. Using this Tradition to understand the Scriptures, articulate doctrines, and answer theological questions is a complicated process that lies at the very heart of Orthodox theology. This research will first define Tradition, for the Eastern Orthodox understanding is different from Western Christians. It will then examine how the different parts of Tradition sanctify the Christian, each edifying the life of the individual believer in a unique way. Finally, this project will explore key theologians that are representative of various periods of church history. These significant thinkers show us exactly how Tradition was used to discern true apostolic faith. While examining their works, we can learn how Tradition operates and find the answers to many common objections to the Orthodox view of Tradition today.

Paul’s Reimagination of Jewish Resurrection

Student Scholarship: Jacob Collins
Faculty Advisor: Mark Dubis

In his first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul suggests that the resurrection is the central doctrine of the Christian faith. But belief in the resurrection of the body has come under attack in the past 200 years from various sources, fueled in part by the accusations of some theologians. They suggested that Paul read into the Hebrew Bible something foreign to the Jewish faith, as the Hebrews had no concept of rising from the dead. But is this assessment true? Do the Jewish Scriptures teach resurrection? Important Second Temple period Jewish and Greco-Roman texts will be used to argue that the Pauline theology of bodily resurrection is unlike the Greco-Roman idea of disembodied bliss. Instead, the resurrection story presented in 1 Corinthians 15 is fundamentally grounded in Paul’s beliefs as a Jew and reimagined around the person of Jesus.

Accidental Translation Mistake or Intentional Wordplay? The Septuagint Psalter and the New Testament

Student Scholarship: Nathan Maroney
Faculty Advisor: Mark Dubis

Since the Old Testament was written in a Hebrew script without vowels, there are times when the LXX reads a different vocalization than the traditional MT. Variant readings in two Psalms will be examined. Psalm 2:9 MT reads “break your enemies;” the LXX has “shepherd your enemies.” Psalm 18:5-6 has “cords of death;” the LXX reads “birth pangs of death.” Aren’t these clear mistakes? Allusions to these LXX readings in the New Testament force modern readers to think otherwise and to take seriously the wordplay these alternate readings create. This wordplay also finds resonances in the OT Pseudepigrapha and Qumran Texts. Through an analysis of Micah 5 and Hosea 13, it will be suggested that other OT texts influenced the LXX translator of the Psalms. Implications for our understanding of the LXX and the doctrine of inspiration will be examined.

The Doctrine of Divine Impassibility

Student Scholarship: Riley Boggs
Faculty Advisor: C. Ben Mitchell

The doctrine of divine impassibility is rarely discussed in the evangelical community, especially outside of academic circles. To say that God is impassible is to say that He does not suffer, and attributing this to God changes the way we view Him drastically. We see this specifically when thinking about God’s love. It significantly changes the way we approach Him in worship and in prayer, both of these being essential to the Christian life. Furthermore, it would be of little help to appeal to the doctrine of impassibility and not discuss some of the other classical doctrines of God such as the immutability of God, the simplicity of God, and the aseity of God. These doctrines help lead us to see that God is indeed impassible and we should worship Him for it. Because of this, the evangelical community should strive to recover the doctrine of impassibility as a doctrine that we proclaim boldly.

An Apologetic for Mindfulness: A Dialogue Between the Church Fathers and Popular Psychology

Student Scholarship: Zachary Tyler
Faculty Advisor: C. Ben Mitchell

Mindfulness is a concept that has been heralded by many in the field of popular psychology. Through various practices, it seeks to bring the individual’s attention to the present moment. Its use has been incorporated into a wide range of therapies with significant results. However, there are some individuals within the evangelical tradition who are hesitant to accept the practice due to its similarities to far Eastern spiritual practices. In order to properly discern whether these practices can, or should, be incorporated, it is crucial that the older traditions of Christianity be consulted. Examination of early Christian writers and ascetics reveals that concepts similar to that of mindfulness have been present within the Church for thousands of years. In light of these traditions, there are practices of mindfulness that are fruitful for the individual believer.

The Evangelical Setting in Modern-Day France

Student Scholarship: Mary Swisher
Faculty Advisor: C. Ben Mitchell

Western Europe is becoming increasingly secular, and the rest of the Western world is following suit. Despite a rich cultural history imbibed in Christianity, there is a push for Western European nations to abandon their Christian ideals in favor of worldly ones. One of these historically Christian countries leading this push towards secularism is France. Although Catholicism still remains the predominant religion in France, a large portion of French Catholics are non-practicing people from older generations, who believe that in order to be French, one must also be Catholic. However, in younger generations this is no longer the prevailing belief. The movement of the culture is towards a total rejection of organized religion. This rejection is not only affecting the souls of French citizens, but also causing long-term effects on the souls of the future Western world, whose cultures will follow suit. As Christians, it is our responsibility to follow through with the Great Commission and evangelize these souls. In order to evangelize well, one must observe French society’s past and present attitudes towards Christianity in order to find a method for effective evangelism and change the culture for the better, creating a better future. French society has its own specific culture, therefore it is necessary to look at its religious history and current cultural structure to understand how to better evangelize within the framework of the increasingly secular French society.

A Biblical Theology of Mutual Dependency: Examining the Relationship Between Men and Women as it Relates to the Life of the Church

Student Scholarship: Madde Ely
Faculty Advisor: C. Ben Mitchell

In light of changing cultural approaches towards gender and sexuality, the question of women’s role in ministry has come to the forefront of discussion again in Christian communities. Traditionally, the church has limited women from serving in leadership roles based on Paul’s prohibition in 1 Timothy 2:12; however, resurfaced discussion has led many to abandon this traditional view, advocating for the inclusion of women in leadership roles. Is there Scriptural justification for this position? Based on the biblical theology, a convincing argument can be made for the inclusion of women in church leadership roles. The Creation Narrative establishes a relationship of equal responsibility to image God to the world. Traced throughout Scripture, this theme of Creation, appearing in relation to men and women, establishes a relationship of mutual dependency and mutual responsibility between men and women–a relationship which should be reflected in the life of the Church today.

In Search of Mark’s Intention: Revisiting the Canonicity of the Longer Ending of Mark’s Gospel

Presenter: Brandon Harper
Faculty Advisor: Mark Dubis

Should the so-called Longer Ending (LE) of Mark (16:9–20) be considered as authentically canonical and therefore suitable for pastoral exegesis? The nature of the LE has remained one of the most debated considerations in textual criticism, especially in the last few centuries of scholarship, wherein critics have tended to favor an ending at verse 8. This paper offers an overview of both internal and external evidences as well as a verse-by-verse analysis of the LE’s text, with special attention given to how well the LE literarily and thematically coincides with the preceding pericope (16:1–8). I conclude that while Markan authorship of the LE cannot be entirely certain, the text should be considered authentic, and is therefore suitable for authoritative teaching as it offers insight into Christ’s resurrection appearances and the life of the early Church.

Annihilation or Transformation?: The Eschaton of 2 Peter 3

Presenter: Briley Ray
Faculty Advisor: Mark Dubis

Y2K, asteroids, global warming, and the year 2012 all have one thing in common: end-of-the-world prophecies. From conspiracy theorists to contemporary evangelicals, it seems as if the destruction of the world is near. Even more so, the element of fire or the world burning up appears to loom in the background. In fact, those arguing that God will annihilate the earth through fire make biblical arguments, most notably from 2 Peter 3. Peter asserts that the heavenly bodies will melt, and God will usher in a new heavens and a new earth. This paper argues that Peter speaks of a metaphorical conflagration, not a literal one. Several factors indicate this: (1) an exegesis of 2 Peter 3 that accounts for stylistic and grammatical issues, (2) an exegesis of other New Testament texts that speak of creation’s telos, and (3) an attestation from the patristic fathers.

On Traditional Arguments for the Existence of God

Presenter: Jacob Collins
Faculty Advisor: Brad Green

The claims made by post-Enlightenment Christian apologists are often centered on an elevated view of human reason and an assumption that the essence of God is something that can, at the very least, be understood. Because of this, they often operate under the belief that God must be explained rationally using human logic and Enlightenment belief. This paper will challenge the so-called “traditional proofs of God’s existence,” such as the cosmological and teleological argument, and suggest that it is through stories we come to know the reality of God’s existence. That is, narrative is the primary method through which man’s love is shaped for God. The paper concludes with an analysis of what Lewis calls “latent Christianity” as an appropriate apologetic method.

Revisiting Biblical Feminism: A Biblical Theology of Women In Ministry

Presenter: Madde Ely
Faculty Advisor: Brad Green

The feminist movement--a movement surrounded by many polarized connotations--has brought about many changes to the way society views women today. With these changes, the Church has had to ask many questions regarding the nature of manhood and womanhood, as outlined by Scripture, specifically: what is the role of women in ministry? Traditionally, the Church has affirmed the Complementarian position; however, there has been a recent growth of the Egalitarian position within some circles. This research outlines the biblical theology of both the Complementarian and Egalitarian views of women’s role in ministry with the aim of illustrating that the issue might not be as black and white as many have understood it to be. In doing so, this examination attempts to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each argument, illuminating areas where each side can learn from the other, as Christians strive to cultivate a unified, faithful understanding of the issue.

Harry Potter and the Power of Words

Presenter: Brandon Harper
Faculty Advisor: Hal Poe

In J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, we see a variety of spiritual principles come into play, including the integral power of speech. Through her usage and formation of various etymological methods, Rowling crafts a philosophy of words that speaks to the seemingly limitless potential of our communication. From live-giving incantations to death-bringing curses, we see in Harry Potter (but even more so in Scripture) that careless words can have drastic consequences, while intentional and loving communication can provide revival.

God, His People, and Mission to the Nations: A Biblical Theological Exploration of the Theme of Mission in the Old and New Testaments

Presenter: Jonathan Edward Pope
Faculty Advisor: Ray Van Neste

Though there is a plethora of biblical theological themes that constitute the complex infrastructure of Scriptures, few are more important and multifaceted than the theme of mission. The theme of mission lies at the heart of God's story, which is why the church has viewed the Bible as the narrative of God's redeeming and shaping a people for his own possession. But understanding this theme in its Old and New Testament contexts raises certain questions: what is the relationship between the people of God and the nations? Did ethnic Israel have an evangelistic mission to the nations? How does mission shift from the Old to the New Testament? The goal of this project is to examine particularly significant texts concerning the theme of mission in each major epoch of redemptive history in the hope that we might address these questions adequately and acquire a deeper understanding of how God's mission of salvation for the nations fits into the overall story of the Bible.

John Calvin and the Real Presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper

Presenter: Ryan Sinni
Faculty Advisor: Justin Barnard

This paper addresses the question of whether there is room for a view of the Lord's Supper that is both a Calvinistic/Reformed view and a "real presence" view. The paper consist of an exegesis of Calvin's view of the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper, an overview of ideas about the real presence throughout church history, and an argument that there is room for a Calvinistic real presence view. The paper contrasts a Calvinistic view of the Lord's Supper with memorialist views on the one hand, and substantialist views on the other. The paper concludes that understanding Calvin's view of the Lord's Supper as a real presence view requires an ontology that prioritizes events over substances.