This August I will present three different topics for my D. Min. project. I will provide an introductory paragraph for each topic I am interested in pursuing. They all follow guidelines laid out for the program, thus the formality of writing. I will end up spending the next 5 years researching and writing upon one of these subjects.
Which one seems most interesting?
Here they are in order of interest:
Christ without Compromise: Applying Covenantal Apologetics to the Crisis of Identity in the Urban Context
I am studying covenantal apologetics. In particular, I am interested in how it may be applied to the crisis of identity in the urban context. I will seek to answer the ministry question, “How may we apply covenantal apologetics to the crisis of identity within the urban context?” I want to answer this question so that I may develop an apologetic model tailored specifically to the challenges of identity within the inner-city. This research is intended for the urban community, particularly the African American community, I minister in. I plan to develop a series of lectures and an apologetic handbook that applies Covenantal Apologetics to the urban situation by covering the following four structural components: (1) the method of covenantal apologetics, (2) commending the faith, (3) defending the faith, and (4) attacking unbelief. I will carry out this ministry in the fall of 2019 and Spring of 2020. I will evaluate this ministry through two methods: (1) I will provide a response questionnaire for participants, and (2) I will solicit peer review by sending out the handbook to specialists in the field of apologetics and urban ministry.
The Death of Hostility in the Death of Christ: How the Death of Christ is the Foundation for Unity in the Body of Christ
I am studying the implications of soteriology for ecclesiology. In particular, I am interested in how the death of Christ serves as the foundation for unity in the Body of Christ. I will seek to answer the ministry question, “How does the death of Christ, in destroying hostility (Eph. 2:11-22), serve as the foundation for racial unity in the Body of Christ?” I want to answer this question so that I may develop a framework for understanding the impact of soteriology on the everyday relationships that unfold in the urban context. This research is intended for the urban community, particularly the African American community I minister in. I plan to preach a sermon series on this topic in the Fall of 2019 stretching through to the Spring of 2020. I will evaluate this ministry by providing feedback forms after each sermon.
Hopelessness in the Hood: The Problem of Evil and the Hope of Christ in the Urban Context
I am studying the problem of evil. In particular, I am interested in how to address the problem of evil in the urban context. I will seek to answer the ministry question, “How does the gospel of Christ offer hope to the hopelessness of the hood?” I want to answer this question so that I may develop a clear and compelling argument for the hope within as a counter to the hopelessness of the urban context. This research is intended for the urban community, particularly the African American community I minister in. I plan to develop a study guide which will cover 12 weeks of study comprised of one-hour segments. I will carry out this ministry in the fall of 2019 and Spring of 2020. I will evaluate this ministry by providing a response questionnaire for study participants.
Christ without Compromise 