Theses/Dissertations - Church-State Studies
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Browsing Theses/Dissertations - Church-State Studies by Author "Davis, Derek, 1949-"
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Item Conceiving coexistence: an exposition on the divergent Western and Islamic conceptualizations of tolerance.(2006-07-29T18:22:55Z) Tyler, Aaron M.; Davis, Derek, 1949-; Brackney, William H.; Nederman, Cary J.; Church and State.; Baylor University. Institute of Church-State Studies.This dissertation provides a brief analysis of select writings and practics of tolerance in Western and Islamic histories to show how an intercultural understanding of tolerance is well within the philosophical, theological, and practical parameters of both traditions.Item The responses of the church in Nigeria to socio-economic, political, and religious problems in Nigeria: a case study of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).(2007-01-22T22:40:48Z) Mbachirin, Abraham T.; Davis, Derek, 1949-; Church and State.; Baylor University. Institute of Church-State Studies.This dissertation evaluates the activities of the church in Nigeria and its contribution to national development. Christianity came to Nigeria through missionary activities of various parts of the western world and South Africa and was firmly established in the late eighteen century. Today, Christianity is one of the major religions in Nigeria with a significant numerical strength as well as a profound social, economical, political, and religious influence both inside and outside Nigeria. Since its establishment, Christianity has made great achievements in the areas of education, healthcare, and rural development. This study aims to: first, show that the church in Nigeria has been part of nation building and in some areas has been ahead even the government. Second, to unveil the social, economic, political, and religious problems in Nigeria, and discuss their interconnection, intensity, as well as how they impede development in Nigeria. Third, to investigate the motivations or philosophy responsible for the emergence of Christian religious organizations, especially the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the umbrella of Christian churches in Nigeria. Fourth, to identify and analyze the approaches of the church to socio-economic, political, and religious problems, and unveil the implications of these responses on the church and the Nigerian society in general. This study demonstrates that the responses of the church in Nigeria have more to do with socio-economic, political and religious realities than a theological and philosophical conviction. The responses of the church are situationally motivated and compelled. The socio-economic and political realities in Europe and Africa played a major role in the coming of missionaries to Nigeria. In fact, the Nigerian church and its organizations are pragmatic in their activities and approaches to socio-economic, political, and religious issues. In some cases, the approaches taken by the church to address societal problems have created more problems than they have solved. Nevertheless, the church acting through (CAN) has made notable achievement.Item The revival of political hesychasm in Greek Orthodox thought: a study of the hesychast basis of the thought of John S. Romanides and Christos Yannaras.(2006-12-11T16:57:05Z) Payne, Daniel P.; Davis, Derek, 1949-; Church and State.; Baylor University. Institute of Church-State Studies.In the 1940s Russian émigré theologians rediscovered the ascetic-theology of St. Gregory Palamas. Palamas's theology became the basis for an articulation of an Orthodox theological identity apart from Roman Catholic and Protestant influences. In particular the "Neo-Patristic Synthesis" of Fr. Georges Florovsky and the appropriation of Palamas's theology by Vladimir Lossky set the course for future Orthodox theology in the twentieth century. Their thought had a direct influence upon the thought of Greek theologians John S. Romanides and Christos Yannaras in the late twentieth century. Each of these theologians formulated a political theology using the ascetic-theology of Palamas combined with the Roman identity of the Greek Orthodox people. Both of these thinkers called for a return to the ecclesial-communal life of the late Byzantine period as an alternative to the secular vision of the modern West. The resulting paradigm developed by their thought has led to the formation of what has been called the "Neo-Orthodox Movement." Essentially, what the intellectual and populist thinkers of the movement have expressed in their writings is "political hesychasm." Romanides and Yannaras desire to establish an Orthodox identity that separates the Roman aspect from the Hellenic element of Greek identity. The Roman identity of the Greek people is the Orthodox Christian element removed from the pagan Hellenism, which, as they argue, the Western powers imposed on the Greek people in the establishment of the modern nation-state of Greece in 1821. Romanides and Yannaras want to remove the Western and pagan elements from the Hellenic identity of the people, and replace it with the Orthodox identity rooted in hesychast spirituality based on the teachings of Gregory Palamas. Using an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the thought of Romanides and Yannaras, the work employs constructivist sociology with history and theology to arrive at a complete understanding of their politico-theological arguments. Furthermore, the work examines the theological sources as well as the historical setting for the development of their thought. Additionally, the project assesses their political theology and provides opportunities for further theological development.Item Studying the relationship between church and state: practical limits of church, state, and society programs in higher education.(2006-05-27T19:46:43Z) Meyer, Catharine Anna.; Davis, Derek, 1949-; McDaniel, Charles A.; Corey, David D.; Marsh, Christopher, 1969-; Church and State.; Baylor University. Institute of Church-State Studies.Over the course of the last half-century, a distinctive category of new degree-granting programs has emerged in American institutions of higher education. These programs, collectively referred to as programs of Church, State, and Society, are devoted to studying the relationship between state authority and religious practice, and the subsequent effects this relationship has on society. As this curriculum is relatively new to higher education, it is the purpose of this thesis to critically examine the fundamental nature of Church, State, and Society programs. The thesis will argue that programs of Church, State, and Society should be oriented by an epistemological philosophy of higher education--one that limits the scope of its practical activities yet nevertheless embraces the practical utility that results as a by-product of such epistemological activity.