Senior Theses: Recent submissions
Now showing items 81-100 of 356
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How the Literary Features of the Book of Esther Support its Primary Purpose
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2022-02-18)The Book of Esther is controversial for a variety of reasons. Amid the countless debates about the book, it is easy to look past its literary beauty and powerful message. This study is an appreciation of the Book of Esther’s ... -
The Gospel According to Leviticus? Interpreting and Applying Old Testament Law - the Year of Jubilee
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)This paper will give an overview of the different ways the Year of Jubilee is interpreted and applied by modern scholars and theologians. First, Lev 25, the Jubilee chapter, will be given a detailed overview with major ... -
"I Am Going To Proclaim To You”: Learning Strategies For "For You" Preaching From The Book of Acts
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)Christian preaching hinges on the specificity of both law and gospel. “This is for you.” This is not only a dogmatic conclusion, but an exegetical one. Both law and gospel, as they are proclaimed in Scripture, necessitate ... -
Educational Debt at MLC: A Historic Look to Raise Awareness and Help Guide Future Discussions
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)Educational debt is now a burden that the majority of students who have graduated from Martin Luther College are going into the ministry burdened with. Students are seeing record-high amounts of educational debt that they ... -
The Theology of the Cross in Martin Luther and Fyodor Dostoyevsky: The Only Solution for the Twenty-first Century
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)Fyodor Dostoyevsky was a Russian author and Christian apologist living in the nineteenth century. Martin Luther was a German monk, Christian pastor, and theologian living in the sixteenth century. Both emphasized the ... -
C.S. Lewis: His Views on Scripture, Mythology, and Their Application to the Book of Esther
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)This paper seeks to analyze C.S. Lewis's beliefs about the inspiration of certain parts of Scripture, particularly Esther and the Old Testament. Lewis thought it likely that the book of Esther was work of fiction. In this ... -
Help My Unbelief: Where to Turn When the Human Experience Does Not Match the Divine Truth
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)At the heart of biblical and Lutheran doctrine, we see justification by faith. Through the work of his son, God has taken away the sins of the world (John 1:29 NIV). Through faith, the benefits of that work are received ... -
A Proper Lutheran Response to the Pitfalls of the Social Gospel and Quietism Concerning the Roles of the Church and the Christian in Society
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)This thesis explains the pitfalls of the Social Gospel and Quietism concerning the roles of the church and the Christian in society. While it responds to these pitfalls in a Lutheran way, it answers the question: “What is ... -
Trends is Spanish Language Capability Among Immigrant Children: Effects on Evangelism
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)One challenge for multicultural congregational outreach is the language barrier. Spanish is a growing language in the United States and is also on the rise within WELS congregations. As the church works with Latinos, it ... -
Why Lutherans Need to Know What They Are Doing: The Importance of Educating Congregations in The Dynamic of Lutheran Worship
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)If someone were to walk into a church and see many ceremonies being carried out, a question might enter their minds. That question would be: “why are they doing these things; and why this way?” The answer to that question ... -
Growing in Grace: How a Pastor's Personal Growth in His Various Vocations Influences and Enhances Ministry.
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)The pastor is tasked with a multitude of duties in his ministry that he strives to do well. The pastor’s vocational responsibilities do not stop at the church’s door. He has various vocations outside of ministry that will ... -
Changing Media and the Changeless Message: Sharing the Gospel Through New Media
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)For longer than we may realize, technology has been involved in the transmission of God’s Word. Early Christin communities were united through a piece of technology—a book. During the Reformation, Luther and the other ... -
Shepherding Digital Sheep: Pastoral Responsibility Regarding to Members' Use of Social Media
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)The pervasiveness of social media is unquestionable. It has become a part of a majority of people’s lives. As the sheep of God’s flock move into a digital landscape, they may encounter a variety of problems that may pose ... -
Comparing Generation Z and Generation X: The Struggles of Teens Following in the Faith of Their Parents
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)Roughly every two to three decades, a new generation comes on the scene. The newest generation, Generation Z, is the largest on record. Spanning approximately from 1995-2015, this generation accounts for 32 percent of the ... -
Protecting the Children: The Need for Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Churches to Enact Sexual Misconduct Policies
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)The churches of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod demonstrate care for children in many aspects of their ministry. Yet, many churches overlook important steps in protecting the children, especially from sexual abuse ... -
Putting the Reality in Virtual Reality: A Look at the Viability of Virtual Reality for Applications in Ministry
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)The Christian church has always wrestled with the idea of how best to convey the gospel through media. At this time, virtual reality (VR) is a new frontier of digital communication. Can the church benefit from adopting ... -
Curse or Cross? How do I, A Lutheran Pastor, Minister to the Cancer Patient?
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)Cancer. It is the elephant in the room no one ever wants to mention. It is considered taboo in today’s culture and often referred to as “the big C” or another nickname. Though it may be difficult, it is the Lutheran pastor’s ... -
Evangelical Listening: Listening Skills can create Strong Opportunities to Share the Gospel
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)One-on-one communication has the power to change how people perceive each other and their message. Listening is a vital skill in communication, but people may be more concerned about speaking when they should begin with ... -
You Need to Repent: What Repentance Is and its Implications for Life and Ministry
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)This thesis began primarily as a doctrinal endeavor to deepen my knowledge of biblical repentance, but at a certain point, my focus began shifting towards how all the information I was learning might be applied. I became ... -
Stained-Glass Windows in WELS: Artistic Whimsy or Authentic Witness?
(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, 2021-02-19)Stained-glass windows have been a practical and useful staple in the buildings of the Christian church for over a thousand years. The WELS is a beneficiary of this rich heritage. Although many WELS congregations have this ...