Liminal Spaces: a Narrative Spirituality of the Bible Thomas J
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Digital Commons @ George Fox University Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations 3-1-2015 Liminal Spaces: A Narrative Spirituality of the Bible Thomas J. Rundel George Fox University, [email protected] This research is a product of the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at George Fox University. Find out more about the program. Recommended Citation Rundel, Thomas J., "Liminal Spaces: A Narrative Spirituality of the Bible" (2015). Doctor of Ministry. Paper 109. http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/dmin/109 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY LIMINAL SPACES: A NARRATIVE SPIRITUALITY OF THE BIBLE A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GEORGE FOX EVANGELICAL SEMINARY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY THOMAS J RUNDEL PORTLAND, OREGON MARCH 2015 George Fox Evangelical Seminary George Fox University Portland, Oregon CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL ________________________________ DMin Dissertation ________________________________ This is to certify that the DMin Dissertation of Thomas J. Rundel has been approved by the Dissertation Committee on February 16, 2015 for the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Spiritual Formation. Dissertation Committee: Primary Advisor: Evan Howard, PhD Secondary Advisor: Carole Spencer, PhD Copyright © 2015 by Thomas J. Rundel All rights reserved. ii DEDICATION To my Dad . iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ................................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. vii ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... ix PREFACE .......................................................................................................................... xi INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 Liminal Space ......................................................................................................... 4 The Paradigm of the Three Themes ........................................................................ 7 A Problem in the Church ...................................................................................... 13 Lack of Acknowledgement ....................................................................... 14 Lack of Hospitality ................................................................................... 17 Lack of Education ..................................................................................... 18 The Ramifications: Unsustainable Church ........................................................... 19 CHAPTER ONE: THE DESERT/WILDERNESS ........................................................... 22 Word Study ............................................................................................... 23 Geography Study ...................................................................................... 25 Misconception of Desert ........................................................................... 27 The Desert Theme in the Bible ............................................................................. 27 Hagar ......................................................................................................... 28 Israel .......................................................................................................... 29 Jesus .......................................................................................................... 32 Common Elements ................................................................................................ 37 Solitude ..................................................................................................... 37 Encounter .................................................................................................. 38 Trajectory .................................................................................................. 39 Addressing the Problem ........................................................................................ 41 Acknowledgement .................................................................................... 42 Hospitality ................................................................................................. 43 Education .................................................................................................. 44 Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 45 CHAPTER TWO: THE PIT/GRAVE .............................................................................. 50 Word Study ............................................................................................... 53 Geography Study ...................................................................................... 54 Misconceptions of the Grave .................................................................... 55 The Theme of the Pit/Grave .................................................................................. 58 Joseph ........................................................................................................ 59 Daniel ........................................................................................................ 61 Jesus .......................................................................................................... 63 iv The Harrowing of Hell .............................................................................. 67 Common Elements ................................................................................................ 71 Helplessness .............................................................................................. 71 Faith .......................................................................................................... 72 Vindication ................................................................................................ 72 Addressing the Problem ........................................................................................ 73 Acknowledgment ...................................................................................... 73 Hospitality ................................................................................................. 74 Education .................................................................................................. 75 Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 75 CHAPTER THREE: EXILE/PILGRIMAGE ................................................................... 78 Word Study ............................................................................................... 79 Misconceptions of the Exile ...................................................................... 82 The Theme of Exile/Pilgrimage ............................................................................ 84 Adam and Eve ........................................................................................... 85 The Nation of Israel .................................................................................. 87 Jesus .......................................................................................................... 93 Common Elements, Unique Elements .................................................................. 97 Creation ..................................................................................................... 97 Failed Testing ............................................................................................ 98 Exiled to Till Land .................................................................................. 100 Uniqueness of Jesus ................................................................................ 101 Common Elements to All ........................................................................ 102 Addressing the Problem ...................................................................................... 103 Acknowledgement .................................................................................. 103 Hospitality ............................................................................................... 104 Education ................................................................................................ 104 Conclusions ......................................................................................................... 105 CHAPTER FOUR: LIMINALITY IN CHURCH HISTORY PART ONE: ITS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ......................................................................................... 110 The Triad ............................................................................................................. 110 Advent as Liminal Space .................................................................................... 112 Lent and Holy Week as Liminal Space ............................................................... 117 Paschal Mystery