http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2 2026-10-19T06:49:40Z 2026-10-19T06:49:40Z Zabell, Jacob D https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8567-8555 http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7788 2026-10-14T20:39:21Z 2026-02-20T00:00:00Z

Deceptive Legends: The Use of Miracles in Early New Testament Apocrypha Zabell, Jacob D; https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8567-8555 "Early texts of the New Testament apocrypha contain some of the most fascinating and entertaining stories in the realm of Christian literature. From the beginning of the New Testament Church, stories began to circulate about Jesus’ childhood years, the apostles’ missionary adventures, and other biblical characters that early Christians were eager to hear more about. Scholarly research views the New Testament apocrypha as an essential part of Christianity today. However, all that glitters is not gold. Though entertaining and fascinating on the surface, the contents of the New Testament apocrypha are deceptive and problematic. Christians ought to draw a careful line between Scripture and apocrypha. Though the miraculous events in the New Testament apocrypha seem similar to what we see in the canonical New Testament, they could not be more different. The miracles in Scripture serve to communicate Christ and to point to his work as our Savior. In contrast, the miracles in the New Testament apocrypha paint deceptive legends that the very first Christians were forced to contend with."

2026-02-20T00:00:00Z Wordell, Joshua D https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7969-2689 http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7787 2026-10-14T20:38:02Z 2026-02-20T00:00:00Z

Language Outside the Temple: An Evaluation of Profanity in the Christian Worldview Wordell, Joshua D; https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7969-2689 This study explores how Christians might faithfully navigate the presence of profanity in today’s world. It begins by exploring the central question of whether certain words are inherently sinful or whether their moral weight depends on intention, context, and effect. Using a combination of linguistic, historical, theological, and practical evaluations, the research investigates how profanity functions in human speech and how Scripture and the Christian tradition have handled coarse or taboo language. The study uses different approaches to evaluate both the nature of profane speech and the responsibilities of Christian speakers and hearers. The findings suggest that while language itself is not inherently right or wrong, Christian speech is called to serve God and neighbor. This requires discernment in how believers use words and respond to the words of others. The study concludes by offering principles meant to guide Christians toward speech that reflects wisdom, biblical principles, and identity in Christ within a profane world.

2026-02-20T00:00:00Z Westra, Caleb L https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7460-1762 http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7786 2026-10-14T20:30:41Z 2025-12-07T00:00:00Z

Shepherding Teens and Adults in the 21st Century Westra, Caleb L; https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7460-1762 "Church attendance has been steadily dwindling at a downward trajectory. People are leaving the Church at an alarmingly fast rate. This includes people of all ages, but this paper will focus primarily on the fact that young people are leaving the Church. Why are they leaving? What are issues going on in their lives that make them walk away from Church? What can a church be doing to keep young people engaged? What strategies can a church employ to retain its young members? This paper will address these questions by pulling on information from various resources."

2025-12-07T00:00:00Z Wendland, John L https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3835-2246 http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7785 2026-10-14T20:29:39Z 2026-02-20T00:00:00Z

The Imago Dei in Confessional Lutheran Theology: Establishing Biblical and Historical Foundations for Understanding Narrow and Broad Senses Wendland, John L; https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3835-2246 The Imago Dei in Confessional Lutheran Theology: Establishing Biblical and Historical Foundations for Understanding Narrow and Broad Senses The doctrine of the imago Dei grounds Christian teaching on human dignity, ethics, and identity. However, confessional Lutheran theology has focused almost exclusively on the narrow sense of the image—original righteousness lost in the Fall and restored in Christ—leaving the broader sense less explored. This thesis examines the biblical foundations and historical development of the imago Dei within confessional Lutheranism to define clear boundaries for understanding both senses. Through historical-grammatical exegesis of key Old and New Testament passages (Gen 1:26–28; 5:3; 9:6; Jas 3:9; Col 1:15; 2 Cor 3:18; 4:4–6), this study applies an ontological and functional framework to understand the image of God in both narrow and broad senses. The distinctions between the two emerge from theological challenges faced by the orthodox Lutheran church, as shown by a historical review of confessional Lutheran sources from the Reformation to today. This synthesis equips pastors to navigate contemporary issues related to natural law, human dignity, and biblical anthropology without compromising Lutheran principles.

2026-02-20T00:00:00Z