archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/159 2012-2016. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:14:18 GMT 2026-04-27T14:14:18Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/25031 Barth and Pentecostal Hermeneutics Anderson, Christian This thesis contends that in the search of a Pentecostal hermeneutic, Karl Barth's approach to Scripture should be considered as it shares many values with the Pentecostal views of Scripture. Additionally, it further asserts that Barth's hermeneutic has more in common with Pentecostal values than historical-grammatical and post-modern proposals. After a brief survey of different hermeneutic proposals made by Pentecostals, this thesis identifies three distinct aspects of a Pentecostal approach to Scripture: 1) reading Scripture as an encounter with God; 2) presumed access to the apostolic experience; and 3) an emphasis on transformation. This thesis employs a conceptual analysis of three hermeneutic proposals using the aforementioned aspects as a measurement of Pentecostal values. The three hermeneutic proposals considered are a historical-grammatical proposal by Roger Stonstad, a reader-response proposal by Kenneth Archer, and a proposal from Barth described in this thesis as an analogical hermeneutic. It concludes with a theoretical conversation between these three authors that highlights the contrasts and affinities of their proposals. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/25031 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/25029 Psalms of Lament as a Resource for Contemporary Christian Worship Strickler, Joshua This thesis claims that Contemporary Christian Worship (CCW) currently does not include songs of lament which were significant in the worship of Israel and the Early Church. Moreover, a proper understanding of both the genre and function of lament can play a formative role in the enrichment of CCW which seeks to be genuinely biblical. It begins with an overview of the biblical usage of lament in the Old and New Testaments, with special emphasis given to the way Jesus transforms the lament for a New Testament context. Through a qualitative analysis of the most popular songs in the CCW movement the thesis shows that lament is missing from its music. Since this thesis argues that lament should be sung in CCW services it also demonstrates the importance of singing for Christian worship. Using four lament psalms as examples of the genre it focuses on four primary lessons that laments teach the contemporary Christian, concluding with the creation of two laments in CCW style music as examples of how the genre can be used in a contemporary context. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/25029 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/25028 Constructing an Eco-Theology Through the Framework of Eschatology Reich, Greg The aim of this thesis is to develop and explore an eco-theology through the lens of eschatology that sees the good creation of God as redeemable and ultimately restored. Looking at current trends of eco-theology it is possible to see that it can be constructed using many different theological paradigms. This thesis will build an eco-theology through an eschatological model offering the reader a glimpse into the future hope of God’s redeemed creation and how it applies to our current environmental views. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/25028 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/25030 A History of, and Response to, Theological Thinking About Ordaining Gays and Lesbians in the Presbyterian Church (USA) Yeadon, Keith The purpose of this paper is to explore the theological concept of humanity created in God's image as a context for a discussion of humans created as fully embodied persons that includes their sexuality, leading to the research question: is a leadership position within the Presbyterian Church (USA) a unique calling requiring specific human characteristics and excluding others? Presbyterians believe Jesus Christ calls individuals to ordained ministries. Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/25030 2012-11-09T00:00:00Z