Date of Award
Spring 1995
Document Type
Dissertation - Restricted
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Theology
First Advisor
Hinze, Bradford E.
Abstract
The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, while from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: "This is the way; walk in it," when you would turn to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30: 20-21 This passage from the prophet Isaiah represents the impetus for the initial step on my journey of faith which began more than twenty years ago. Reflection on these words provided me with the courage to seek the bread of knowledge and the life giving waters of faith. The promise of guidance from my Teacher set my feet on the path. I was compelled by an insatiable hunger for wisdom and truth while continuously buoyed up by the waters of faith. All of this may sound like the impassioned ramblings of an idealist or a hopelessly romantic Irish woman--guilty as charged. But in truth this is a journey which has required of me the utmost courage and strength. Knowledge can breed skepticism and doubt. The result can be a watered down faith (pseudo-agnosticism) or the loss of faith altogether. This was a risk I was willing to take so that my faith would be more deeply grounded and genuine...