Senior Theses: Recent submissions
Now showing items 101-120 of 356
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Free at Heart: A Lutheran Response to Writings on Biblical Masculinity by David Clines and John Eldredge
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)Many have attempted to construct a definition for biblical masculinity. From Bernard of Clairvaux to John Eldredge, Christian men have struggled with the question, “What does it take to be truly masculine in God’s eyes?” ... -
Digging Up the Past: How Christian Responses to the 1918 Influenza Epidemic Influence the Church's Approach to Modern Pandemics
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)This thesis examines the words and actions of Christians during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic and the strain of influenza which they faced. By doing so, parallels are drawn to the modern pandemic of COVID-19, to determine ... -
Let the Gospel Predominate: Exercising Evangelical Patience in the Growth of New Christians
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)Jesus promises that the gospel will work to change hearts, and changed hearts eventually lead to fruits of faith, but the timeline and visible results involved in this spiritual transformation can vary greatly. As a result, ... -
To Dance or Not To Dance: Exploring Considerations to Determine How Dance Can Belong in the Church as a Welcome Worship Practice
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)Dance can become a respectable and godly practice in churches when understood and approached with the right considerations. This thesis seeks to expand churches’ perspectives about dance in two major ways. First, to recognize ... -
An Assessment of Cultural Differences Among Pastors for Effective Pastoral Leadership
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)A review of current Lutheran literature demonstrates that limited material is available regarding cross-cultural leadership methods the pastor considers in his cross-cultural ministry setting. Additionally, a traditional ... -
A Slave Story: A Historical Survey of American Slavery and Christianity
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)This thesis is not an exhaustive history of the life of slaves. It does not examine Indian slaves, child labor, or indentured servants. It does not speak on racism in the modern era. While it may make brief excursions, its ... -
How Can I Keep from Singing? The Effect of COVID-19 on Congregational Participation in Worship
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)COVID-19 has had drastic, far-reaching consequences throughout society, and the Lutheran church is no exception. For three months, many Lutherans and other Christians in America were prohibited from worshiping in person ... -
Ministering to Young Adults: How the Attitude of the Pastor And His Congregation Play a Role
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)This paper will focus on developing the faith of young adults. When young adults have more freedoms after high school, they face many new problems and temptations. To help me know and understand these struggles, I interviewed ... -
The Lutheran Student: Rooted in the Word, Ready for Anything
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)God commands believers in Scripture to instruct children in the knowledge of salvation and his ways. What is the best way to carry out that command? It is easy to see why many Christian churches see the Christian elementary ... -
ENDURING BY HIS GRACE: AN UPDATED HISTORY OF THE LUTHERAN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN JAPAN FROM 1957 THROUGH 2019
(2020-03-15)In 1982 the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod along with the Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church, the WELS’ sister synod in Japan, celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of mission work in Japan. A history of the ... -
Enduring by His Grace: An Updated History of the Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church in Japan from 1957 Through 2019
(2020)In 1982 the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod along with the Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church, the WELS’ sister synod in Japan, celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of mission work in Japan. A history of the ... -
Chosen By God: Teaching the Doctrine of Election to Encourage our People in Outreach
(2020)While it is considered by many as a difficult and tricky doctrine, Scripture shows us that election is nothing to be afraid of. It is the purpose of this thesis to explore the application of this doctrine to our gospel ... -
Upon the Lips of Another Christian: Private Confession and Absolution as Described by Lutheran Pastors Today
(2020)Confessional Lutherans know from Luther’s Small Catechism that private confession and absolution is good and scriptural, but is it feasible to implement into twenty-first century gospel ministry? We know our great ... -
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod's Reaction to World War Two
(2020)Two great events marked the first half of the twentieth century: the First and Second World Wars. The common theme of these two catastrophic events is that Germany found itself on the wrong side of history in both ... -
Incurvatus in Se(lfie): Understanding How a World Framed by Social Media Promotes the Theology of Glory
(2020)Social media is a prevailing force in the world today. It shapes the way that people view the world. Consequently, social media affects the way that people think and act. In particular, social media caters to the natural ... -
Proselytizing and Stealing Sheep: Historical Lutheranism's Perspective on Evangelizing the Heterodox
(2020)Is it acceptable to evangelize those who are already Christians? Such a question has likely come into the mind of many pastors who have looked to do evangelism but noticed that many of those around them are not unchurched. ... -
StrengthsFinder and Its Use Within the WELS
(2020)WELS pastors have a multitude of thoughts about StrengthsFinder. They have a variety of responses along with different opinions on how it should or shouldn’t be used. This thesis explores StrengthsFinder as a whole. ... -
The Development of Lutheran Preaching: A Review of Select Sermons by Martin Luther, C.F.W. Walther, and Siegbert Becker
(2020)The phrase Sola Scriptura rings loudly in the minds of Lutheran ministers. Scripture alone is the means by which God brings his life saving message to all people. Pastors want to rightly handle the Word of God as they ... -
Multi-Site Ministry: How This Model can Enhance the Ability of WELS Congregations to Adopt a Mission Mindset
(2020)Multi-site ministry has captivated the attention of congregations in recent decades by showing the potential for greater impact in surrounding communities. This thesis investigates the nuances of multi-site ministry ... -
Christ on Screen: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Christian-Based Visual Media in Evangelism and Entertainment
(2020)Christian-based media has tended to be a one-or-the-other kind of situation or scenario. Either a production will be doctrinally sound but have distractingly poor production values, or it will have a large budget but ...