From the Paper
" 18b All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I will be with you always,
to the very end of the age.

These verses, when seen in the context of the entire passage in Matthew 28 which has come to be known as the "Great Commission" (vv. 16-20), have become the primary impetus for Christian evangelism since the time of the first Pentecostal event following Jesus' ascension into Heaven. These two verses, particularly v. 19, have also led to considerable confusion in the churches concerning the relationship, manner, and mode of.."

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the missionary efforts that were directed at the native peoples of Mexico over time. The paper explains that the attempts to convert the native peoples to Christianity were initially met with little resistance and that this was at least partly due to similarities between Christian religious philosophy and the religious philosophy of the Aztecs. The paper then discusses some of these similarities and contrasts the lack of resistance of the natives to the greater degree of difficulty missionaries encountered in trying to convert the African slaves who arrived in the region. Finally, the paper explains why the natives of Mexico never fully accepted all of Christian philosophy, the damage the missionaries caused by their zealousness and the how the missionaries also benefited Latin America.

From the Paper
"Catholic missionaries in New Spain were zealously driven to save savage souls by bringing the indigenous people under the spiritual authority of the Pope even as the Conquistadores brought them under the civil jurisdiction of the King of Spain. After crushing the Aztec Empire, the Spanish simply took it over, maintaining the tribute system and other aspects of its infrastructure as they gradually developed a colonial government."

Tags:mesoamerican, tradition, azteca, divined, conquest, spanish, god, powerful, divinity

Abstract
The paper states that the conversion of the Rus - the medieval political entity centered on the city of Kiev - is dated from 988, when its pagan ruler, Vladimir, and his subjects were baptized under the auspices of the Byzantine emperor, Basil II. The writer explains that the acceptance of Eastern Christianity may have been determined as much by geography as theology. The paper explains that, over time, the architecture, decorative arts and music, in the area of the Kievan Empire, began to reflect Byzantine style. The writer shows that one of the most significant consequences of the conversion of the Kievan Empire was the division between church and state. The paper explains that the Byzantine view of church-state relations suited the rulers of Kiev and later the Russian Tsars, who saw themselves as Caesars, who were all-powerful in their realms. It explains that autocracy has been a factor in the development of Russian leadership until the time of the Soviet Union, which itself had all-powerful leaders. In conclusion, the writer posits that had the Kievan Empire not converted to Eastern Christianity, the society and culture in Russia today would be far different from what would have developed in the absence of that conversion a millennium ago.

From the Paper
"The acceptance of Eastern Christianity by the Kievan Empire may have been determined as much by geography as theology. Kiev, strategically situated on the Dnieper River, in the tenth century dominated the established trade route between the Baltic Sea in the north and the Black Sea in the south. This so-called "route from the Varyagi (Varangians or Vikings) to the Greeks," permitted trade from northern Europe to the Byzantine Empire, the Eastern Mediterranean, and various parts of Asia. The prosperity and influence of Vladimir's Kiev depended on the use and control of this route, which involved many rivers, lakes, and the portage of simple rafts and open boats between bodies of water (Barraclough 114-15). "Byzantium was not only Kiev's principal partner in this north-south trade, the two also at times fought wars against each other and at other times aided each other against the threat of third powers. In fact, the most direct cause of the conversion of Vladimir may have been an agreement between Vladimir and Emperor Basil that called for Vladimir to provide 6,000 troops to help Basil put down the rebellion of Phocas, one of Basil's generals, who had declared himself Emperor, taken over most of Asia Minor, and besieged Byzantium (Shchapov 58-59). What Vladimir got out of the agreement was marriage to an Imperial Princes, Anna, the Emperor's sister. "

Tags:autocracy, byzantine, church, state

Abstract
The paper looks at mystagogy and at its role in integrating catechumens into the parish community. In reviewing this role, the paper ponders whether or not the technical, systematic type of mystagogy illustrated by catechesis to the newly-baptized is the best vehicle for integration, or whether a more informal type of mystagogy that emphasizes support networks and friendships is superior - or at least as critical. In the end, the paper looks at the dueling perspectives and suggests that proper mystagogy really needs both formal and informal approaches if it is to be successful.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at the Christian initiation of adults; specifically, the next few pages will look at mystagogy and at its role in integrating catechumens into the parish community. In reviewing this role, the paper will ponder whether or not the technical, systematic type of mystagogy illustrated by catechesis to the newly-baptized is the best vehicle for integration, or whether a more informal type of mystagogy that emphasizes support networks and friendships is superior - or at least as critical. In the end, the paper looks at the dueling perspectives and..."

Tags:mystagogy, christian, initiation

Abstract
This paper covers a general background of the Amish in the United States before discussing the practice of rumspringa. The paper shows that when Amish teenagers reach the age of 16, they are given much wider latitude in the community and permitted to experience the outside world and even experiment with it. The hope is that this practice will grant the children just enough freedom that they will not feel stifled if (and usually when) they decide to return to the community to be baptized as adults.

From the Paper
"Some believe that the teenagers are drawn back to the Amish lifestyle because even though it does not offer the materialistic amenities of the Western world it possesses physical, emotional, and spiritual security that cannot be easily found outside the Amish world. In an Amish community, all will be provided for so long as each individual follows the exacting code of conduct of the community. For this reason, despite the sensory overload and materialist appeal that the Western world might offer Amish teens on rumspringa, returning to the community is almost assured."

Tags:baptism, Pennsylvania, community

Abstract
The following paper looks at the Christian initiation of adults; specifically, at mystagogy and at its role in integrating catechumens into the parish community. In reviewing this role, the paper discusses whether or not the technical, systematic type of mystagogy illustrated by catechesis to the newly-baptized is the best vehicle for integration, or whether a more informal type of mystagogy that emphasizes support networks and friendships is superior - or at least as critical. In the end, the paper looks at the dueling perspectives and suggests that proper mystagogy really needs both formal and informal approaches if it is to be successful.

From the Paper
"At the same time, a church - more so in the non-Western world, though it is also applicable to churches in Western Europe and America, as well - may be prompted for a host of reasons to emphasize the technical definition of mystagogy when welcoming newcomers. At the top of this list is the fact that there are millions of Christians (most of all in Third World nations) who have no access to the written Gospel and/or to the conventional ecumenical documents except via oral transmission or via mnemonic devices (Naude, 235+)."

Tags:Christianity, adult initiation, mystagogy

Abstract
The paper explains that "Go Tell it on the Mountain" gives the reader insight into what it was like to be black in America and what it was like to rebel against your parents and search for yourself in the black society of the time. The author points out that, spiritually, this is a commanding novel, filled with the joy of religious fervor and abandonment; the believers of the Temple of the Fire Baptized typified the black religious experience of the period. The paper contends that Baldwin's writing is lyrical and poignant, and he is at his best when he creates dialogue between the characters.

From the Paper
"Baldwin's story is moving and memorable, and it follows the story of the young protagonist, John, with pathos and understanding. Clearly, Baldwin had experienced what he wrote about, and he understood the longings and worries that plagued a fourteen-year-old growing up in Harlem in 1935. John wants desperately to please his father, as most young people do, but the barrier between them is far too big for John to understand or identify. It is quite easy to empathize with John and his growing up, because it has happened to everyone, and his struggles indicate that regardless of race, we all have the same insecurities and longings as we turn from children into adults. John thinks to himself, "And he wanted to be one of them, playing in the streets, unfrightened, moving with such grace and power, but he knew this could not be"."

Tags:insight, parents, spiritual, lyrical, dialogue

Abstract
This paper discusses how the lives, passions and destinies of Dorothy Day, who co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement and Saint Augustine of Hippo have close resemblances and are strikingly parallel. It looks at how they were both born into comfortably well-off families and how both were in search of something they vigorously sought from their youth. It examines their strong links with their parents and similarities in education. It shows how Augustine had received a Christian education, although his father was baptized into Christianity only before his death and shows how Day spontaneously found serenity and beauty in the desolate and drab streets of Chicago's south side at the time. It discusses how both possessed sharp intellect and unbreakable will and how both went through great and varying tests in their commitment to the commandments of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ and in fulfillment of their inner calling.

From the Paper
"Augustine's mother brought Christianity very close to him, and although he was already searching for answers in his youth, he did not perceive the connection his search had with his mother's Faith (Knight). When once seriously ill, he asked for baptism, but when he recovered, he refused it and immersed himself in the current of licentiousness, idleness and worldliness of his time. He also associated with "men of prayers", who impressed him with the concepts of Divine Providence, the future life, and Christ the Savior. But the fires of these concepts and his deep search were doused for 15 years by "every circumstance" (Knight): his success in school, insincerity in prayer, vices of youth, competitiveness and sensuality, which bore him a son. His pride also subjected him to gross error by falling into the snare of the Manichaeans, Oriental thinkers, who enticed him with a philosophy without the entanglement of faith."

Tags:catholic, church, christianity, baptism

Abstract
The paper compares and contrasts Robert Gilmore's "Ozark Baptizings", "Hangings", and "Other Diversions", Harold Bell Wright's "The Shepherd of the Hills", and Al Capp's classic comic strip "Li'l Abner". All of these works represent a unique portrayal of the culture of the Ozark valleys.

Abstract
This paper discusses the life of Charlemagne. The paper contends that Charlemagne is not only important because of his scores of military victories or the vast empire he recreated, but because he combined the inherited with the inventive. The paper explains that Charlemagne was a Germanic warrior in the traditional sense, spending most of his life in battle and to many he was a ruthless avenger. The paper states that to the Catholic church, Charlemagne was the great protector and the emperor who "baptized with a sword".

From the Paper
"After the Aquitanian war, Charlemagne was called to face the Lombards of Italy, to have the pope's estates returned. He offered to pay for the return of the pope's estates, but King Desiderius would not relent the property. Charlemagne exiled the king of the Lombards and his son, Adalgis, from Italy and gave the conquered land to Hadrian.
The Saxons were battled numerous times, since they would relent, offering their loyalty to Charlemagne, but never kept their oath. At the end of the war with the Saxons, Charlemagne took thousands of Saxons from their homes and placed them in Gaul and Germany. Charlemagne forced the Saxons to convert to Christianity and destroyed their heathen temples and to become a Frank, so that the Saxon culture ultimately vanished. This battle and its outcome became one of the ways, Charlemagne fused the Germanic, Roman and Catholic cultures."

Tags:aquitanian, lombards, saxons