Faith formation for children with disabilities
Christian education of children with disabilities.
Faith development.
Children with disabilities -- Religious life.
By Pace, Allison, 2019 -- "Every person with a disability deserves every accommodation possible because we are all created in the image of God. I am inspired to write on this topic because of my experience working with children with disabilities and because of my nephew's condition.
Through my own experience and participation in the Episcopal Church, I have seen few examples of the active participation and incorporation of children with disabilities. l do not have a disability, and do not know what it is like to have a child with
a disability, but through my own gifts and passion, I hope to inspire churches to create room for, minister to, and fully welcome children with disabilities and their families. My
goal is to provide a foundational understanding of disability for all who feel called to work with this precious part of God's community." -- Chapter 1
Pace, Allison McGehee Miller
See <a href="http://librarycatalog.vts.edu/record=b1769867~S1" target="_blank" title="Library Catalog" rel="noreferrer noopener">Library Catalog</a> for print version details.
Virginia Theological Seminary
2019
© Copyright 2019, Allison Pace.
PDF
The Use of story in spiritual direction
Storytelling -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.
Narrative theology.
Spiritual direction -- Christianity.
By Harre, Jeffri, 2019 -- Story is one of the primary ways in which Christianity has been transmitted through generations. Formation leaders, spiritual directors, and clergy frequently stress the importance of storytelling in sharing our faith. Yet when asked to tell their stories of faith, many people become uncomfortable, unable, or even unwilling to share their stories. How can a spiritual director then help directees to tell their very personal stories of faith in the process of spiritual direction? How do the stories of faith in the Bible help a spiritual director work with directees to integrate their personal stories into the wider Christian narrative?
This paper explores some of the ways in which storytelling has been an important part of Christian tradition and how Christians have been rediscovering that importance. It provides some practical tools for a spiritual director to help directees form, articulate and integrate their personal stories of faith.
Harre, Jeffri
See the <a href="http://librarycatalog.vts.edu/record=b1769856~S1" target="_blank" title="Library Catalog" rel="noreferrer noopener">Library Catalog</a> for details of the print version.
Virginia Theological Seminary
2019
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, 2019.
PDF
The kingdom of God in the Gospel of Luke and its social implications for the church in China
Bible. Luke -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Bible. Luke -- Parables.
Kingdom of God -- Biblical teaching.
By Lin, Wen-En, 2019 -- There is consensus among New Testament scholars that the kingdom of God is the central theme of Jesus’ message in the Synoptic Gospels. This thesis seeks to demonstrate that self-sacrificial love and social service to those in need are particularly significant to Luke’s understanding of what the kingdom of God means to Jesus’ followers, and they are inspiring and instructive for the faithful and effective mission of the Church in the modern Chinese context. This thesis (1) discusses the nature and traits of the kingdom of God in the ministry and teaching of Jesus as presented in the Gospel of Luke, (2) shows that the kingdom of God is already a present reality but one with eschatological hope for a full consummation, and (3) argues that the kingdom of God has important ethical implications for Jesus’ followers.
The Introduction presents my research questions, reviews recent scholarly contributions, and outlines my methodology. The First Chapter elaborates on the claim that the kingdom of God in Luke’s Gospel has been realized in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The kingdom of God is a present reality with important implications for social services. Most noticeably, Jesus welcomes all kinds of people, especially the marginalized, into the kingdom of God. The Second Chapter puts forth several ideas regarding the kingdom of God in the teachings of Jesus. The less fortunate in society are beneficiaries of the kingdom of God. Love for enemies, though counter-intuitive, is a basic characteristic of the kingdom of God. Love of neighbor should be manifested in practice. The disciples of Jesus are to show mercy
to the neighbor. Those who wish to enter the kingdom of God must show hospitality to the marginalized. The Third Chapter analyzes the theme of the kingdom of God in the parables of Jesus, many of which are found only in Luke. In summary, the kingdom of God is a present reality to be experienced and to embody. It is a remarkable manifestation of God’s salvation, and it is a resounding call for a positive response in life. In the Conclusion of this thesis, I suggest how Luke’s view of the kingdom of God may be applied to the Church in China in modern Chinese contexts.
Lin, Wen-en
See <a href="http://librarycatalog.vts.edu/record=b1768138~S1" target="_blank" title="Library Catalog" rel="noreferrer noopener">Library Catalog</a> for details on print version.
Virginia Theological Seminary
2019
© Copyright Wen-En Lin, 2019.
PDF
Clergy wellbeing : toward a rule of life in Myanmar's local context
Clergy -- Health and hygiene -- Burma.
Clergy -- Burma -- Conduct of life.
Clergy -- Mental health -- Burma.
Clergy -- Job satisfaction -- Burma.
Clergy -- Job stress -- Burma.
Clergy -- Burma -- Psychology.
Spiritual life -- Christianity.
By Phyu, Nant Elizabeth Ei Huin, 2019 -- "Clergy hold a place of honor in society in Myanmar’s local context. Clergy are the role models for spiritual figures and congregations have high expectations for them. However, the wellbeing of clergy serving in Myanmar is not a priority in the Church and clergy do not pay attention to how to do self-care for them. For this reason, this capstone project explores the importance of self-care for clergy by developing a rule of life in Myanmar’s local context from theological, spiritual and contextual perspectives. The intended audiences are clergy who are serving in ministry in Anglican churches in Myanmar as well as seminarians who are preparing to serve in ministry. The guideline of how to develop a rule of life will be a resource for clergy serving in Myanmar that addresses the importance of self-care in doing ministry. " -- Abstract
Phyu, Nant Elizabeth Ei Huin
See record for print version in <a href="http://librarycatalog.vts.edu/record=b1769857~S1" target="_blank" title="library catalog" rel="noreferrer noopener">library catalog</a>.
Virginia Theological Seminary
2019
©Copyright, 2019, Nant Elizabeth Phyu.
PDF
The alchemical eucharist : the Christian influence on Medieval esotericism
Occultism.
Lord's Supper -- History of doctrines -- Middle Ages, 600-1500.
Alchemy -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- Middle Ages, 600-1500.
Creation -- History of doctrines -- Middle Ages, 600-1500.
By Evancho, Nicholas, 2018 -- "Because the foundation of medieval philosophical and conceptual thought was the context of Christian doctrine and practice, when inquiry began into the workings of the natural world it was done from the same theological origin. God was seen as the origin of all things and the supreme governor of the world and so it was firmly believed that anything which was true of God would be true of the world at least in a limited sense. Within the medieval consciousness, there was an assumed link between the study of the Creator and the study of the creation and each was able to inform the study of the other.
In today’s world, the idea that scientific inquiry should begin within the framework of Christian theology seems misguided and antiquated. However, in the Middle Ages there was not yet an intellectual distinction between the veracity of theology and that of physical science. This allowed for a sort of spiritual science which conceived of a divinely infused world in which all perceived truths were intimately related and knowledge of the Creator dictated the understanding of the creation. It is difficult for the modern mind to blend the beliefs of faith with the distinctions and formulas of science but for the medieval theologians and esotericists it was impossible to separate the two without somehow admitting that one was not fully true. Through the recovery of the spirit of these esoteric doctrines, the modern Christian can regain an openness to a universe of divine immanence and action during a time where the natural world is understood solely through a mechanical lens."
Evancho, Nicholas
See record for print version in <a href="http://librarycatalog.vts.edu/record=b1744145~S1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Library Catalog</a>
Virginia Theological Seminary
April 26, 2018
© 2018, Nicholas Evancho
PDF
Beyond the Binary: Worshipping a Non-Binary, Gender-Queer God
Gregory, of Nyssa, Saint, approximately 335-approximately 394. Ad Ablabium.
Coakley, Sarah, 1951-
Foucault, Michel, 1926-1984.
Gender nonconformity -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.
Gender identity -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.
Homosexuality -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.
By Robert Grant Mansfield, 2018 --"God is GenderQueer, thus humanity is GenderQueer! God is Non-Binary, thus humanity is Non-Binary! Such powerful, prophetic proclamations of who God is, has always been, and will always be, especially for the hundreds of thousands of individuals who understand and locate themselves outside of the current societal and Christian understanding of humanity and the Divine. These statements are shocking, confusing, and offensive to many. Excluding small, growing, committed branches of the church that promote a wide array of expansive language and imagery to describe and experience God, the Church as a whole, over the course of its life, has overwhelmingly and continues to teach and see God as a white, European, heterosexual man. Of course my original statement brings about strong opposition and confusion; if the Church cannot easily accept diverse images of God that reside within its own constructed gender binary (God as female, God as homosexual, etc.) that it has established to understand humanity and God, what else would the response be to a proclamation that God is also beyond that very binary that has been used to understand ourselves and our God for most of human history?" -- page 3
Mansfield, Robert Grant
See record for print version in <a href="http://librarycatalog.vts.edu/record=b1744144~S1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Library Catalog</a>
Virginia Theological Seminary
2018
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. All other rights reserves by US copyright.
PDF
A constructive missiological approach to short-term mission
Short-term missions.
Theology, Doctrinal.
Evangelistic work.
Missions.
By Robin Elaine Denney, 2017. -- This thesis moves toward a constructive theology of mission amidst the core problems associated with short-term mission: paternalism, dependency and disempowerment, and lack of critical reflection. Voices in World Christian are prioritized by engaging these problems in conversation with world theology, the contextualization of scripture, and critical reflection on mission practice. From this conversation, nine principles are identified to shape constructive practice : encounter, incarnation, worship, empowerment, narrative, proclamation, repentance, reconciliation, and discernment. These principles are applied to case studies of innovative short-term mission and cross-cultural relationships.
Denney, Robin Elaine
See record for print version in <a href="http://librarycatalog.vts.edu/record=b1503300~S1">VTS Library Catalog</a>.
Virginia Theological Seminary
2017
Copyright © 2017 Robin Elaine Denney
Developing a theology of personhood : the case of dementia.
Dementia -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.
Theological anthropology -- Christianity.
Church work with people with disabilities.
Human body -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.
Memory -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.
Dementia -- Patients -- Religious life.
By Janice M. Hicks, 2017. "1. The argument in this thesis is that the over-valuing of rationality in Western culture has distorted our view of personhood, especially as applied in the case of dementia. Christian and secular philosophers and theologians, as well as contemporary science, “our local culture,” have privileged rationality. 2. It is not just rationality that makes us human. It is not just intellect that makes us closer to the divine nature. But we still fall into the Cartesian idea that the rational part, thinking, defines “who am I?” The human brain is more complex than previously thought, and consciousness that arises from it distinguishes us from other animals and serves as the source of the properties previously attributed to the soul. Qualities such as emotion, instinct, love and spirituality also make us human. 3. We cannot know all the subtleties the person with dementia is experiencing. Some of the qualities may not be diminished even in severe dementia. 4. In our society, dementia functions like the “otherness” of disability, and that created by racism, sexism, classism, and heteronormativity, etc. The illnesses that cause dementia are illnesses of the brain, no more and no less, and we should not stigmatize it. 5. David Kelsey’s theological anthropology does the work of re- establishing the balance that can include those previously treated as other. The basis for the value and relationship of the human being lies in God, that is, outside the human beings themselves. Kelsey says that personhood is “a status before God” dependent on God’s relating to who I am (a vertical orientation) and others’ relating to who I am (a horizontal orientation.) God’s relating is not lost in dementia or any illness; rather, our ultimate context is that God seeks us more than we seek God. Secondly, the community is accountable to maintain the quotidian identity of the person in the proximate context. 6. The lens of science and theology together with stories can help us understand the physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of dementia." -- (p. 6-7)
Hicks, Janice M.
See record for print copy in <a href="http://librarycatalog.vts.edu/record=b1503301~S1">VTS Library Catalog</a>.
Virginia Theological Seminary
05/2017
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives-4.0 International License, © Copyright Janice M. Hicks, 2017.