DOCSLIB.ORG

The Twenty-First Century Pastor: His Calling, Character and Competencies

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Twenty-First Century Pastor: His Calling, Character and Competencies View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Liberty University Digital Commons LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PASTOR: HIS CALLING, CHARACTER, AND COMPETENCIES A Thesis Project Presented to Dr. Frank Schmitt and the Faculty of Liberty Theological Seminary ____________ In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY ____________ By Seth N. Polk May 11, 2007 Copyright 2007 by Seth N. Polk All rights reserved LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET ________________________ GRADE ________________________ MENTOR ________________________ READER ABSTRACT THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PASTOR: HIS CALLING, CHARACTER, AND COMPETENCIES Seth N. Polk Liberty Theological Seminary, 2007 Mentor: Dr. Luke Kauffman This paper defines modern ministry utilizing timeless and unchanging biblical principles, thereby providing a guide that pastors can utilize in fulfilling their God given responsibilities. It discusses, outlines, and synthesizes the calling, character, and competencies of the twenty-first century pastor. Directives related to calling and character come primarily from biblical and historical research. Based on surveys sent to pastors of middle sized churches, the project researches how modern ministry is being practiced related to the competencies of preaching, pastoral care, and church administration. Directives are then given concerning how modern ministry should be practiced based on the Word of God. Abstract length: 100 words. CONTENTS Page TITLE PAGE ………………………………………………………………………………i COPYRIGHT ……………………………………………………………………………..ii SIGNATURE PAGE ………………………………………………………….………… iii ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………………….…..... iv CONTENTS …………………………………………………………………….………... v Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………............... 1 A. Statement of the Problem ……………………………………………………... 1 The Author’s Purpose ……………………………………………………. 2 Consideration of Pastoral Ministry Models …………………………….... 3 Non-negotiable Biblical Ministry Principles ………………………..…… 3 B. Statement of the Boundaries ………………………………………………..… 4 Terminology …………………………………………………………….... 4 Limitation of Ordained Ministry to Men Only ………………………...… 6 Consistency of Calling and Character …………………………………..... 6 Denominational Scope of Research …………………………………...…. 7 Research Focus on the Pastor of the Middle Sized Church …………….... 7 C. Profile of Survey Respondents ……………………………………………...… 9 Average Budget and Worship Attendance of Churches Surveyed ……..... 9 v Education and Experience of Pastors Surveyed ……………………….….9 Tenure at Current Place of Ministry ……………………………………. 10 D. Statement of Scriptural Instruction and Methodology ……………………..... 10 The Call to Ministry ………………………………………………....….. 11 The Character of the Pastor ……………………………………………... 13 The Competencies of the Pastor ……………………………………….. 15 A Biblically Compelling Model of Leadership ……………………...…. 16 God as Shepherd in the Old Testament ………………………..... 17 Undershepherds in the Old Testament ………………………….. 17 Undershepherds in the New Testament ……………………...…. 18 Shepherds in the Twenty-First Century ……………………...…. 19 An Unbiblical Model for Pastoral Ministry …………………...... 19 Jesus as the Model for the Twenty-First Century Pastor …...…... 21 The Three Primary Competencies of the Pastor Introduced ………….... 25 Preaching ……………………………………………………….. 25 Pastoral Care ……………………………………………………. 25 Church Administration …………………………………………..26 E. Review of the Literature …………………………………………………...… 27 F. Conclusions ………………………………………………………………...… 28 II. THE CALLING OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PASTOR …………..….... 29 A. The Call to Salvation …………………………………………………………29 A Call to All Men …………………………………………...…………...30 A Call From the Holy Spirit ………………………………………...…...30 vi A Call to Faith in Jesus Christ ………………………………………….. 31 Elements of the Call To Salvation …………………..………………….. 33 B. The Call to Service …………………………………………………………... 34 A Call Based on a Relationship ……………………………………...…. 34 A Call to Complete Surrender …………………………………………... 36 C. The Call to Selected Men ………………………………………………….… 37 A Special Call to Selected Men ……………………………………...…. 37 Old Testament Examples of the Call ………………………………...…. 38 New Testament Examples of the Call ………………………………....... 43 Other Significant Examples of the Call ……………………………….... 46 The Grace of God as the Foundation of the Call ……………………..… 47 Elements of the Call to Selected Men …………………………………... 49 Spiritual Gifting and the Call ………………………………………….... 49 D. The Confirmation of the Call ……………………………………...…….…... 51 Confirmation Through Other Christians ……………………………..…. 51 Confirmation Through Trusted Counselors …………………………..… 52 Confirmation Through Licensing in the Local Congregation …………...53 Confirmation Through Ordination in the Local Congregation …….…… 54 The Importance of Public Confirmation of the Call …….………….…... 56 The Importance of Educational Preparation …………………….……… 57 The Call to Serve a Specific Local Congregation ………………….…… 58 Confirmation of the Call Through Results in the Ministry ………….….. 59 The Importance of Having Confidence in the Call ………………….….. 60 vii III. THE CHARACTER OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PASTOR ….............. 61 A. Character in Living Out His Faith ………………………………………..…..61 Blameless in Character …………………………………………….…… 63 A Steward of God …………………………………................................. 64 Temperate in Lifestyle ………………………………………………….. 65 A Lover of What is Good ……………………………………………..…65 Not Given to Wine …………………………………………………….... 66 Not Violent …………………………………………………………..…..67 Not a Novice …………………………………………………………..... 69 B. Character in Relating to His Family ……………………………………...….. 69 Husband of One Wife ………………………………………………..…. 70 Ruler of His Own House ………………………………………………... 72 C. Character in Leading His Flock ………………………………..……………. 74 Hospitable ………………………………………………..……………... 74 Not Greedy for Money ……………………………………………..…… 75 Able to Teach ………………………………………………………….... 76 Guardian of Truth …………………………………………………..…... 77 A Good Testimony With Outsiders …………………………………..… 78 The Root of Moral Failures in Service to God ………………………..... 79 Publicized Moral Failures Among Pastors …...……………………..….. 79 Keys to Safeguarding Character ……………………………………..…. 82 The Importance of Private Prayer and Devotion ……………………...... 83 The Importance of Maintaining Priorities ……………………................. 90 viii The Importance of Walking in Humility and Contentment ………….…. 91 The Importance of Knowing Your Weaknesses ………….…………….. 92 The Importance of Standing Firm ………………………………………. 92 The Importance of Maintaining Accountability ……………………...… 92 IV. THE COMPETENCY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PASTOR IN PREACHING ………………………………………………………….94 A. Foundations for Preaching ……….………………………………………….. 94 Old Testament Focus of Preaching …………………….……………….. 94 New Testament Focus of Preaching ………………………….………… 95 Preaching Defined ………………………………………………….…... 96 B. The Elements of Preaching ……………………………………..…………… 98 The Preacher……………………………………………………….…… 98 The Message …………………………………………………………... 100 The Listeners ………………………………………………………...... 101 The Holy Spirit ………………………………………………………... 102 C. Preaching Styles ………………………………..…………………………... 103 Expository Preaching ………………………………………….………. 103 Topical Preaching ………………………………………………….….. 107 Textual Preaching ……………………………………………….…….. 109 Narrative Preaching ………………………………………………….... 111 Comparison of Preaching Styles …………………………………….… 114 D. Sermon Delivery ……………………………………………....…………… 115 Manuscript Delivery ………………………………………………...… 115 ix Memorized Delivery ………………………………………………...… 117 Free Delivery ……………………………………………………...…... 118 Extemporaneous Delivery …………………………………………...... 118 The Importance of Good Delivery …………………………………...... 119 E. Preaching Survey Conclusions and Directives ……………....……………... 121 Preparation for Preaching …………………………………………..…. 121 Current Factors Impacting Preaching …………………………..……... 123 Growing Biblical Ignorance ………………………………...…. 123 Impact of Attention Spans and Use of Technology ………..….. 126 Congregational Expectations …………………………….……. 127 Differences in Competency Levels …………………………….……… 128 Consistency of Human Needs …………………………………….…… 129 Variations in Preaching Abilities ……………………………….……... 129 Visionary Role of the Pastor …………………………………….…….. 130 F. Core Components of Preaching …………………....……………………….. 132 A Reliance on the Word of God ……………………...…………….…. 132 A Focus on the Glory of God ………………………………………….. 133 A Reliance on the Holy Spirit to Effect Change ………………….…… 133 A Focus on Practical Application ………………………………….….. 134 V. THE COMPETENCY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PASTOR IN PASTORAL CARE ………………………………...……………..… 136 A. Foundations for Pastoral Care …………………………………………..….. 136 Emulating Jesus ………….……………………………………………. 137 x B. Elements of Pastoral Care …………………………………………..……… 138 Pastor’s Prayer Life and Ministry of Prayer …………………………... 139 Relating to People ……………………………………………………... 142 Guiding and Protecting the Flock ……………………………...……… 144 The Pastor’s Role in Church Discipline ………………………. 146 Pastoral Visitation ………………...…………………………………… 147 Visiting in Times of Need ………………………………...…… 147 Difficulties in Visitation ……………………………………..... 149 Developing a Culture of Nurturing ……………………………...…….. 152 Biblical Pastoral Counseling ……………………………………...…… 152 Premarital Counseling and the Wedding Ministry …………......158 Marriage Counseling ……………………………………...…… 161 Crisis Counseling ………………………………………...….… 162 Death and Funeral Ministry ………………………………………...…. 164 Shepherding Leadership and Pastoral Care ………………………...…. 165 C. Pastoral Care Survey Conclusions and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Robert Harron Ç”Μå½± ĸ²È¡Œ (Ť§Å…¨)
    RoRbeRr RtR HaRnHçHTH” Rµ eRåR½RbR± eHTRäR½HTH” R ¸RåR½RbR± R² RèHçRtHaR½HT¡ The One with the https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/the-one-with-the-routine-50403300/actors Routine With Friends Like https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/with-friends-like-these...-5780664/actors These... If Lucy Fell https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/if-lucy-fell-1514643/actors A Girl Thing https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/a-girl-thing-2826031/actors The One with the https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/the-one-with-the-apothecary-table-7755097/actors Apothecary Table The One with https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/the-one-with-ross%27s-teeth-50403297/actors Ross's Teeth South Kensington https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/south-kensington-3965518/actors The One with https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/the-one-with-joey%27s-interview-22907466/actors Joey's Interview Sirens https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/sirens-1542458/actors The One Where https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/the-one-where-phoebe-runs-50403296/actors Phoebe Runs Jane Eyre https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/jane-eyre-1682593/actors The One Where https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/the-one-where-ross-got-high-50403298/actors Ross Got High https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/682262/actors Батман и https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD-%D0%B8- Робин %D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%B8%D0%BD-276523/actors ОглеР´Ð°Ð»Ð¾Ñ‚о е https://bg.listvote.com/lists/film/movies/%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE-
    [Show full text]
  • August 26, 2014 (Series 29: 1) D.W
    August 26, 2014 (Series 29: 1) D.W. Griffith, BROKEN BLOSSOMS, OR THE YELLOW MAN AND THE GIRL (1919, 90 minutes) Directed, written and produced by D.W. Griffith Based on a story by Thomas Burke Cinematography by G.W. Bitzer Film Editing by James Smith Lillian Gish ... Lucy - The Girl Richard Barthelmess ... The Yellow Man Donald Crisp ... Battling Burrows D.W. Griffith (director) (b. David Llewelyn Wark Griffith, January 22, 1875 in LaGrange, Kentucky—d. July 23, 1948 (age 73) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California) won an Honorary Academy Award in 1936. He has 520 director credits, the first of which was a short, The Adventures of Dollie, in 1908, and the last of which was The Struggle in 1931. Some of his other films are 1930 Abraham Lincoln, 1929 Lady of the Pavements, 1928 The Battle of the Sexes, 1928 Drums of Love, 1926 The Sorrows of Satan, 1925 That Royle Girl, 1925 Sally of the Sawdust, 1924 Darkened Vales (Short), 1911 The Squaw's Love (Short), 1911 Isn't Life Wonderful, 1924 America, 1923 The White Rose, 1921 Bobby, the Coward (Short), 1911 The Primal Call (Short), 1911 Orphans of the Storm, 1920 Way Down East, 1920 The Love Enoch Arden: Part II (Short), and 1911 Enoch Arden: Part I Flower, 1920 The Idol Dancer, 1919 The Greatest Question, (Short). 1919 Scarlet Days, 1919 The Mother and the Law, 1919 The Fall In 1908, his first year as a director, he did 49 films, of Babylon, 1919 Broken Blossoms or The Yellow Man and the some of which were 1908 The Feud and the Turkey (Short), 1908 Girl, 1918 The Greatest Thing in Life, 1918 Hearts of the World, A Woman's Way (Short), 1908 The Ingrate (Short), 1908 The 1916 Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages, 1915 Taming of the Shrew (Short), 1908 The Call of the Wild (Short), The Birth of a Nation, 1914 The Escape, 1914 Home, Sweet 1908 Romance of a Jewess (Short), 1908 The Planter's Wife Home, 1914 The Massacre (Short), 1913 The Mistake (Short), (Short), 1908 The Vaquero's Vow (Short), 1908 Ingomar, the and 1912 Grannie.
    [Show full text]
  • Inventory to the Baptist World Congress Collection
    BAPTIST CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS COLLECTION AR 40 2 Baptist Congress Proceedings Collection AR 40 Prepared by: Taffey Hall, Archivist Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives August 2004 Updated October, 2011 Summary Main Entry: Baptist Congress Proceedings Collection Date Span: 1885 – 1912 Abstract: Collection contains papers, addresses, and discussions from Baptist Congress meetings. Title page of proceedings includes list of speakers and topics. Baptist intellectual think tank from 1882 – 1912 and forum for theological, social, and ethical discussions and debates among members of Baptist churches. Modeled after the Episcopal Church Congress and existed to “promote a healthful sentiment among Baptists through free and courteous discussion of current questions by suitable persons.” Size: 1.5 linear ft. Collection#: AR 40 Biographical Sketch The Baptist Congress, a pioneering Baptist intellectual think tank and forum for theological, social, and ethical discussions and debates among members of Baptist churches, existed from 1882 to 1912. The need for an intellectual outlet through which Baptists from various traditions could discuss important and relevant issues of the time was first proposed by Providence, Rhode Island pastor Elias Henry Johnson. Johnson and thirteen other prominent Baptist scholars met in New York City November 29, 1881 and held an informal discussion panel on germane topics. At the meeting, Johnson officially proposed the formation of a Baptist Congress. The first official meeting of the organization was held in Brooklyn, New York in 1882. The Baptist Congress met annually for the next thirty years across the United States and Canada, with the exception of 1891 when no meeting was held. Due to decreasing attendance, the Baptist Congress held its last meeting in Ithaca, New York in 1912.
    [Show full text]
  • Kafka Sends a Missive to His Father
    Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. If electronic transmission of reserve material is used for purposes in excess of what constitutes "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. Loser Sons Politics and Authority Avita! Ronell Universityof Illinois Press Urbana, Chicago, and Springfield "within" part was no longer locatabl and was working under the new ma1 the most part unrecognizably hande, be fair, Heidegger, too, when his tUI Chapter 4 interiority of self. But I don't see mt Heidegger's motif of the call with may The Good Loser of a lost friend that stays forever on tli and storyline for the call he had to ta Kafka Sends Off a handle its damages is another story I Missive to Father Kafka, for his part, could barely c the determined constraints of childh the writer's pose: one is bent over, wr pared to submit. The so-called "Lett submission, and, if I am not mistake11 "Was wissen die Kinder!" ("What do children know!") their limit of intelligibility wheneve: -Kafka, "Letter" denning birthday, a sexual encountE of manning up, attaining legal majoi "Bittendes Kind" ("Pleading Child") to something like adulthood would l -Schumann, Kinderszenen op.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyright © 2014 John Daniel Mcdonald
    Copyright © 2014 John Daniel McDonald All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. TOWARD A BAPTIST VIEW OF METAPHILOSOPHY: AN ANALYSIS OF E. Y. MULLINS, JOHN NEWPORT, RICHARD CUNNINGHAM, AND L. RUSS BUSH A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by John Daniel McDonald May 2014 APPROVAL SHEET TOWARD A BAPTIST VIEW OF METAPHILOSOPHY: AN ANALYSIS OF E. Y. MULLINS, JOHN NEWPORT, RICHARD CUNNINGHAM, AND L. RUSS BUSH John Daniel McDonald Read and Approved by: ____________________________________________ Theodore J. Cabal (Chair) ____________________________________________ Michael A. G. Haykin ____________________________________________ James Parker III Date________________________________ To Angie McDonald, whose sacrifice and support made this dissertation possible; to Maddie, Libby, and Emma, whose patience and understanding are beyond their years; to Charles and Shelly McDonald, who instilled in me a love of the Lord and of learning; and to Ted Cabal, who first introduced me to philosophy and its value for the service of Christian theology. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................... VIII PREFACE ....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • RUDOLPH VALENTINO January 1971
    -,- -- - OF THE SON SHEIK . --· -- December 1970 -.. , (1926) starring • January 1971 RUDOLPH VALENTINO ... r w ith Vilma Banky, Agnes Ayres, George Fawcett, Kar l Dane • .. • • i 1--...- \1 0 -/1/, , <;1,,,,,/ u/ ~m 11, .. 12/IOJ,1/, 2/11.<. $41 !!X 'ifjl!/1/. , .....- ,,,1.-1' 1 .' ,, ,t / /11 , , . ... S',7.98 ,,20 /1/ ,. Jl',1,11. Ir 111, 2400-_t,' (, 7 //,s • $/1,!!.!!8 "World's .. , . largest selection of things to show" THE ~ EASTIN-PHELAN p, "" CORPORATION I ... .. See paee 7 for territ orial li m1la· 1;on·son Hal Roach Productions. DAVE PORT IOWA 52808 • £ CHAZY HOUSE (,_l928l_, SPOOK Sl'OO.FI:'\G <192 i ) Jean ( n ghf side of the t r acks) ,nvites t he Farina, Joe, Wheeze, and 1! 1 the Gang have a "Gang•: ( wrong side of the tr ack•) l o a party comedy here that 1\ ,deal for HallOWK'n being at her house. 6VI the Gang d~sn't know that a story of gr aveyard~ - c. nd a thriller-diller Papa has f tx cd the house for an April Fool's for all t ·me!t ~ Day party for his fr i ends. S 2~• ~·ar da,c 8rr,-- version, 400 -f eet on 2 • 810 303, Standord Smmt yers or J OO feet ? O 2 , v ozs • Reuulart, s11.9e, Sale reels, 14 ozs, Regularly S1 2 98 , Sale Pnce Sl0.99 , 6o 0 '11 Super 8 vrrs•OQ, dSO -fect,, 2-lb~ .• S l0.99 Regu a rly SlJ 98. Sale Pn ce I Sl2.99 425 -fect I :, Regularly" ~ - t S12 99 400lc0 t on 8 o 289 Standard 8mm ver<lon SO r Sate r eels lJ o,s-.
    [Show full text]
  • From Church Competence to Soul Competence: the Devolution of Baptist Ecclesiology
    Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry Vol. 3 No. 1 (Spring 2005): 145-163 From Church Competence to Soul Competence: The Devolution of Baptist Ecclesiology John Hammett Professor of Systematic Theology Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Post Office Box 1889 Wake Forest, NC 27588 The thesis of this paper is threefold: (1) that congregational polity in Baptist ecclesiology was undergirded, particularly in its early days, by a conviction that Christ had granted to each local church power and authority (what I call competence) to order its own affairs; (2) that over a long period of time, but particularly in the late nineteenth century, a variety of factors developed in American life that began to undermine the idea of church competence and replace it with an idea enshrined in the phrase “soul competence;” and (3) that this development should be regarded as a devolution in Baptist ecclesiology, for it seems linked to a variety of deleterious ideas and practices that have been and are continuing to weaken and trouble Baptist church life. This threefold thesis will be developed in the three main sections of this paper, with each section devoted to one of the three aspects of the thesis. As the documentation will suggest, I am looking primarily at what has happened to Baptists in North America, particularly my own context of Southern Baptists. I do not know how applicable it will be to Baptists from other geographical contexts, but I believe it will have some relevance for most evangelical groups in the North American context, because the factors that affected Baptists were not completely unique to them.
    [Show full text]
  • Phillip Cary EU Philosophy Club Sept. 18, 2012 Reading the Canaanite Genocide
    Phillip Cary EU Philosophy Club Sept. 18, 2012 Reading the Canaanite Genocide The Problem I suppose you know what I mean when I talk about “the Canaanite genocide.” I'm thinking especially of a commandment given in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, by Moses in the book of Deuteronomy. He speaks to the people of Israel as they are about to enter the promised land, where they will encounter many nations (usually given in a list of 6 or 7, including Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites and so on) whom they are commanded to exterminate: “in the towns belonging to the peoples that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, but you shall devote them to complete destruction.” Deut. 20:16f (cf. Deut. 7:1-5). In the book of Joshua we have narratives of this commandment being partially carried out. I suppose it's obvious that this poses a moral problem. This doesn't look like acceptable Christian behavior. I want to think about this problem from a particular angle, which will change the shape of the problem in what I hope will be a helpful way. The angle is that of someone who must teach and preach the Bible as God's Word. I'm thinking of the kind of questions that pastors must ask themselves as they prepare to preach on a text such as this. But also a bit more broadly: how shall passages such as these be understood when they are read in church, as part of the worship of the Christian community which, like the worship of the Jewish community, centers in large part around the reading aloud of sacred Scripture, its use in liturgy and song and worship, as well as in preaching and exegesis.
    [Show full text]
  • Sovereignty Without Nationalism, Islam Without God a Critical Study
    Sovereignty without Nationalism, Islam without God A Critical Study of the Works of Jalal Al-e Ahmad by Sohrab Shiravand A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of sociology University of Alberta © Sohrab Shiravand, 2015 Abstract Jalal Al-e Ahmad (1923-1969) is widely perceived, particularly in Iran, as the leading social critic in Iran’s post- Mosaddeq, pre Khomayni era (1953-1978) and also as an inspirational figure for Iran’s 1978-1979 revolution. His concept of “occidentosis” (Gharbzadeghi in Persian), or “Westernization,” as the main or even the only cause of Iran’s political, economic, and social problems, seemed to many Iranians to accurately diagnose their country’s ills. More importantly, his “cure” for the “disease” of occidentosis was his ringing call for Iranians to return to their authentic (Perso-Islamic) “self” and to use a rejuvenated Islam as a defense against Western imperialism. This call galvanized many Iranians, particularly among the Leftist intellectuals and Muslim clerics, and made Al-e Ahmad a revered figure following Iran’s successful revolution. This thesis argues that a close reading of a selection of Al-e Ahmad’s fiction, Occidentosis (1961), and autobiographical writing does not support the popular perception of him. The thesis’s title -- “Sovereignty without Nationalism, Islam without God” -- refers to the double paradox at the heart of his writing and thought: he called for Iran’s sovereignty in the face of Western imperialism, but felt no sense of community with his fellow Iranians, and he called for a “return to Islam,” but had no personal faith in either this or any other religion.
    [Show full text]
  • A Radical Notion of Wilderness
    University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 3-5-2003 Dwellness: A Radical Notion of Wilderness Martin J. Wortman University of South Florida Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the American Studies Commons Scholar Commons Citation Wortman, Martin J., "Dwellness: A Radical Notion of Wilderness" (2003). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/1509 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Dwellness: A Radical Notion of Wilderness by Martin J. Wortman A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Philosophy College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Major Professor: Willis H. Truitt, Ph.D. James A. Bell Roy C. Weatherford Peter A. French Date of Approval: March 5, 2003 Keywords: environment, environmentalism, environmental ethics, philosophy, wilderness © Copyright 2003, Martin J. Wortman Dedication For my wife Jill and my daughter Riva – and for the world she will inherit. Acknowledgements I wish to thank the faculty, staff, and students of the University of South Florida Department of Philosophy. My time there has been truly rewarding, enriching, and inspiring. I also extend special thanks to the department’s graduate program assistant, Darlene Corcoran, for her patience and hard work that enabled me to complete my dissertation and defense. I would also note the contributions of various educators who I have learned from throughout my life.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyright © 2020 Paul Anthony Sanchez All Rights Reserved. The
    Copyright © 2020 Paul Anthony Sanchez All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. CHRISTIANITY AT THE CROSSROADS: WILLIAM LOUIS POTEAT AND LIBERAL RELIGION IN THE BAPTIST SOUTH __________________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary __________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy __________________ by Paul Anthony Sanchez May 2020 APPROVAL SHEET CHRISTIANITY AT THE CROSSROADS: WILLIAM LOUIS POTEAT AND LIBERAL RELIGION IN THE BAPTIST SOUTH Paul Anthony Sanchez Read and Approved by: __________________________________________ Gregory A. Wills (Chair) __________________________________________ John D. Wilsey __________________________________________ Stephen J. Wellum Date______________________________ For Joy, Dixie, and Jackson TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE ........................................................................................................................ viii Chapter 1. POTEAT'S PATH TO LIBERALISM ...................................................................1 Religious Background ..................................................................................................3 Early Education ............................................................................................................4 "The Coming of a
    [Show full text]
  • Edgar Young Mullins Papers on Microfiche
    http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c88k79nr No online items Edgar Young Mullins Papers on Microfiche Finding aid created by Fuller Theological Seminary-David Allan Hubbard Library Archives staff using RecordEXPRESS Fuller Theological Seminary-David Allan Hubbard Library Archives 135 North Oakland Ave. Pasadena, California 91182 (626) 584-5311 [email protected] https://library.fuller.edu/ 2020 Edgar Young Mullins Papers on CFT00060 1 Microfiche Descriptive Summary Title: Edgar Young Mullins Papers on Microfiche Dates: 1880-1928 Collection Number: CFT00060 Creator/Collector: Mullins, Edgar Young, 1860-1928 Extent: 1000 microfiche Repository: Fuller Theological Seminary-David Allan Hubbard Library Archives Pasadena, California 91182 Abstract: The collection comprises microfiche copies of original material from the personal manuscript collection of Edgar Young Mullins. The collection contains primarily personal and professional correspondence from Mullins' student days in the 1880s until his death in 1928 as president of the Baptist World Alliance. Language of Material: English Access Accessible with general microfiche collections. Scholarly use within parameters of copyright law. Publication Rights All rights reserved. Preferred Citation Edgar Young Mullins Papers on Microfiche. Fuller Theological Seminary-David Allan Hubbard Library Archives Acquisition Information Purchased Biography/Administrative History The original manuscript collection of Edgar Young Mullins is housed at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Scope and Content of Collection The collection contains primarily personal and professional correspondence from Mullins' student days in the 1880s until his death in 1928 as president of the Baptist World Alliance. There are also some newspaper clippings, pamphlets, classroom lecture notes, and unpublished essays. Indexing Terms Southern Baptist Convention Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Edgar Young Mullins Papers on CFT00060 2 Microfiche.
    [Show full text]