The Development of the Concept of Salvation in Lutheran and Seventh-day Adventist Parochial Secondary-school Students
Problem: This study took an initial look at the development of the concept of salvation in Lutheran parochial school adolescents, comparing them with Seventh-day Adventist parochial school adolescents. This was the first study to compare denominations using the Salvation Concept Interview (SCI).
Method: This study was descriptive and comparative. The SCI was used to interview 16 Lutherans and 21 SDAs ages 15 to 18. Subjects also completed a religious activities survey and a drawing. Parents completed a survey of demographic data and personal and family religious activities. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.
Results: The concept of salvation developed slightly with age. Adventists appeared to develop more in their understanding than Lutherans. Adventists also demonstrated more formal operational thinking than Lutherans. Lutherans were more certain of their salvation, although Adventists' assurance of salvation increased with age. Lutheran and Adventist subjects differed most on the group concepts of sin, assurance of salvation, Jesus, the role of works and grace in salvation, and the impact of sin on one's relationship with God. These differences appeared to be related to different theological emphases. Both denominations grew most in understanding at age 16. Adventist subjects who attended church school for a longer time agreed more in their responses than those who attended for a shorter time.
Conclusions: (1) The level of understanding of salvation concepts generally increases with age and may develop more during adolescence for Adventists than for Lutherans. (2) Lutherans appear to be more certain of their salvation than Adventists, although assurance appears to increase with age among Adventists. (3) More Adventists than Lutherans used formal operational thinking on the SCI. (4) A period of growth in understanding occurs during ages 16 to 17 for both denominations. (5) Considerable differences between the responses of the two denominations appear to be related to differences in theological emphases. (6) The longer adolescents are in parochial schools, the less variation appears in their thinking about certain topics. (7) A modified version of the SCI is useful with Lutherans.
Method: This study was descriptive and comparative. The SCI was used to interview 16 Lutherans and 21 SDAs ages 15 to 18. Subjects also completed a religious activities survey and a drawing. Parents completed a survey of demographic data and personal and family religious activities. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.
Results: The concept of salvation developed slightly with age. Adventists appeared to develop more in their understanding than Lutherans. Adventists also demonstrated more formal operational thinking than Lutherans. Lutherans were more certain of their salvation, although Adventists' assurance of salvation increased with age. Lutheran and Adventist subjects differed most on the group concepts of sin, assurance of salvation, Jesus, the role of works and grace in salvation, and the impact of sin on one's relationship with God. These differences appeared to be related to different theological emphases. Both denominations grew most in understanding at age 16. Adventist subjects who attended church school for a longer time agreed more in their responses than those who attended for a shorter time.
Conclusions: (1) The level of understanding of salvation concepts generally increases with age and may develop more during adolescence for Adventists than for Lutherans. (2) Lutherans appear to be more certain of their salvation than Adventists, although assurance appears to increase with age among Adventists. (3) More Adventists than Lutherans used formal operational thinking on the SCI. (4) A period of growth in understanding occurs during ages 16 to 17 for both denominations. (5) Considerable differences between the responses of the two denominations appear to be related to differences in theological emphases. (6) The longer adolescents are in parochial schools, the less variation appears in their thinking about certain topics. (7) A modified version of the SCI is useful with Lutherans.
URL:
Availability:
Free
Publication Date:
2002
Author:
Megan G Brown
Publisher:
| Andrews University Press Sutherland House 8360 W Campus Circle Dr Berrien Springs, MI 49103 | Phone: 616 471 6134 or 800 467 6369 FAX: 616 471 6224 Email: aupo@andrews.edu URL: https://www.andrews.edu/universitypress |
Order Information:
Full text available online through ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Completed through Andrews University.
Topics:
Language:
English
Resource Type:
Unpublished Plans & Papers; Internet Resources
Resource Objective:
Research
Level:
Grade 9-Grade 12
Audience:
Researcher
Religious Origin:
Seventh-day Adventist