Towards a Theology of Worship

216 Pages·2016·8.02 MB·English

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Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research
2003
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John S. Nixon
Andrews University
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Nixon, John S., "Towards a Theology of Worship: an Application at the Oakwood College Seventh-day
Adventist Church" (2003). Dissertation Projects DMin. 90.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/90
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Andrews University
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
TOWARDS A THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP: AN APPLICATION
AT THE OAKWOOD COLLEGE SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST CHURCH
A Dissertation
Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Ministry
by
John S. Nixon
May 2003
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TOWARDS A THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP:
AN APPLICATION AT THE OAKWOOD
COLLEGE SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST CHURCH
A dissertation
presented in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Ministry
by
John Stephen Nixon
COMMITTEE:
1
Hrectprin D.Min. Program
Skip Bell
Associate Professor of Christian Ministry
Walter Douglas Dean, SDA Theological Seminary
Professor of Church History John McVay
JulyAZ, £003_____
!J
Oafaies North/ ^ Date approved
Professor'di Pastoral Care and
Chaplaincy
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ABSTRACT
TOWARDS A THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP: AN APPLICATION
AT THE OAKWOOD COLLEGE SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST CHURCH
by
John S. Nixon
Adviser: R. Clifford Jones
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ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH
Dissertation
Andrews University
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Title: TOWARDS A THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP: AN APPLICATION AT THE
OAKWOOD COLLEGE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Name of researcher: John S. Nixon
Name and degree of faculty adviser: R. Clifford Jones, D. Min., Ph.D.
Date completed: May 2003
Problem
There is an ongoing conflict between the members of the Oakwood College
Church regarding what constitutes appropriate and meaningful worship. The conflict
is most pronounced between the church’s two largest constituencies, college students
and senior citizens. The lack of unity on this issue hinders both nurture and outreach
efforts on behalf of the church and is a constant source of member dissatisfaction.
Initial observations suggest that the problem is traceable, at least in part, to the lack of
a clear understanding as to what should be the basis for determining corporate
worship practice.
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Method
This study presents a review of historic worship practices among Seventh-day
Adventists with an interest in building upon them for further development of a
biblical theology of worship. It draws on New Testament principles as revealed in
the worship practices and counsels relative to the church of the book of Acts and later
New Testament churches. It seeks to integrate these principles with those of the
Protestant reformers in their attempts to return the church to its biblical roots, drawing
principally from the theology of Ulrich Zwingli.
Conclusions
The ultimate goal of this project is to assist the Oakwood College church in
the development of worship that is biblically sound and pleasing to God, and to make
a contribution to the overall Seventh-day Adventist church in the area of worship
theology.
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