Date of Award

3-6-2025

Document Type

Project Portfolio

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

David McDonald, DMin

Second Advisor

H. Colleen Butcher, DMin

Third Advisor

Leonard I. Sweet, PhD

Abstract

There is a societal upheaval evidenced by a rise of Christian nationalism, deconstruction from the Christian faith, and a general lack of flourishing engulfing the nation, like an unmanned boat adrift at sea, unmoored from safe harbor. Both Christians and non-Christians can sense the danger of rough seas, perhaps even rugged shoals that could irreparably ruin the craft, our nation. As a College Professor, I have both seen and heard the concern about future, both one’s own personal future and that of the larger civic national structure. We have arrived here as a nation because the historical concepts and principles comprising the cultural foundation have been forgotten, now largely unknown or misunderstood. This doctoral project is a 12- part podcast designed to address the social upheaval that has roiled both the nation and the USA church. The podcast uses semiotics to craft and deliver key images and metaphors to the listener to shine new light onto lost or misunderstood history. The central focus of the podcast is examining key historical evidence that explores my contention that the USA civic construction was a unique design at its inception. At the center of this national formation stands Christianity as the source of the nation’s moral and virtue foundation, a foundation the Founders of the nation considered crucial for success. Lacking historical understanding of this formation and how Christianity played a role has led both Christians and non-Christians to argue for new definitions and comprehensions of that role, leading further into turmoil. My vocational context as an ordained Reverend and College History Professor who also presents public history lectures provides the foundation and standing to examine the historical evidence with legitimacy.

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