Sean P Shetler
Sean Patrick Shetler is a graduate student at Houston Christian University, pursuing a Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) with a passion for deepening his understanding of Scripture and serving others through ministry and evangelism. He is married to Libni “Libby” Shetler, originally from Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, and they have two children, Josiah (7) and Raelynn (5).
A U.S. Army veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Sean completed two deployments to Iraq, serving a total of 26 months. His military service shaped his dedication to faith, service, and perseverance.
Sean and his family are active members of First Baptist Church in Marble Falls, Texas, where they volunteer with the Mission Center, serve as greeters, and participate in the contemporary choir. He also assists with worship, greeting, and audio-visual ministry at Refuge Church, using his gifts to create meaningful worship experiences and serve his community.
Supervisors: Dr. Robert Bugg, Dr. Joshua Heavin, Dr. Chris Kugler, Dr. Steven Edworthy, Dr. Jason Maston, and Dr. Justin Horton
A U.S. Army veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Sean completed two deployments to Iraq, serving a total of 26 months. His military service shaped his dedication to faith, service, and perseverance.
Sean and his family are active members of First Baptist Church in Marble Falls, Texas, where they volunteer with the Mission Center, serve as greeters, and participate in the contemporary choir. He also assists with worship, greeting, and audio-visual ministry at Refuge Church, using his gifts to create meaningful worship experiences and serve his community.
Supervisors: Dr. Robert Bugg, Dr. Joshua Heavin, Dr. Chris Kugler, Dr. Steven Edworthy, Dr. Jason Maston, and Dr. Justin Horton
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Papers by Sean P Shetler
This critical book review analyzes Roland Allen’s Missionary Methods: God’s Plan for Missions According to Paul, which examines the apostle Paul’s missionary approach as a model for contemporary evangelism and church planting. The book, originally published in 1912 and updated in 2017, is divided into five parts, exploring strategic missionary practices, the role of miracles, financial stewardship, training and discipling church leaders, and the principles of authority and unity within the church. Allen emphasizes the centrality of biblical principles, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the necessity of contextualization in mission work. This review critically evaluates the relevance of Allen’s insights in light of modern challenges in global missions, considering how his emphasis on self-sustaining, Spirit-led methods contrasts with contemporary mission strategies. The paper concludes by reflecting on the ongoing significance of Paul’s example for current mission practice and the potential for revitalizing mission approaches today.
Project at The Mission Center (TMC) and Refuge Recovery Church (RRC)
This journal article reflects on a short-term mission project undertaken over the course of eight weeks in Marble Falls, TX, at The Mission Center (TMC), in partnership with Refuge Recovery Church (RRC), His Joshua House (HJH), Open Door Recovery House (ODRH), and the Highland Lakes Crisis Network (HLCN). The mission focused on supporting individuals in recovery from addiction and homelessness through service preparation, operational support, and community outreach. The author contributed 7 hours to setting up services, preparing music, and creating visual slides for RRC worship, as well as volunteering 3 hours assisting with office tasks, distributing Bibles, and providing support at TMC. Additionally, the project expanded to canvassing local towns, including Marble Falls, Kingsland, Burnet, and Granite Shoals, where the author distributed Bibles, engaged in prayer with individuals, and offered spiritual support. The outreach emphasized the importance of personal connection and prayer in evangelism, demonstrating the power of small acts of kindness in both uplifting individuals and enriching the missionary. Rooted in Psalm 46:1, the mission emphasized God as refuge and strength, empowering those in recovery. The article concludes with reflections on how short-term mission projects, even when time-limited, can plant seeds of faith, foster long-term relationships, and contribute to lasting community transformation, supported by organizations such as HJH, ODRH, and HLCN.
The framework is intentionally designed in the form of a heptagon, a seven-sided figure symbolizing divine completeness and perfection in Scripture. Just as the number seven signifies God’s wholeness—seen in creation, the sevenfold Spirit of God, and biblical patterns of fulfillment—this model reflects the fullness of Christian prayer and spiritual growth. By following this Christ-centered structure, believers can cultivate a deeper, more intentional prayer life, aligning their hearts with God’s will and experiencing His transformative power daily.
This exegetical essay examines 2 Corinthians 3:18, highlighting the transformative journey believers experience as they behold the δόξα (doxa) of the Lord. A key concept in Paul’s theology, this verse underscores the ongoing process of sanctification and spiritual transformation, empowered by the Πνεῦμα (Pneuma), the Holy Spirit. The essay explores the Greek term κατοπτρίζομαι (katoptrizomai), which refers to reflecting or beholding as in a mirror. This word is significant in illustrating how believers, through contemplation of God's glory, begin to reflect His image. Unlike passive observation, this word suggests an active, transformative process where the believer’s life mirrors the glory of the Lord, much like how a mirror reflects the image of those who look into it.
By considering the historical, literary, and theological context, the essay contrasts the παλαιὰ διαθήκη (palaia diathēkē) and the νέα διαθήκη (nea diathēkē), the old and new covenants, and their implications for Christian life. Through the Greek term ἀτενίζω (atenizō), meaning "to gaze at" or "to look intently," the passage reveals that believers are not only passively seeing but actively reflecting God’s glory as they grow in likeness to Christ. The journey of being transformed ἐκ δόξης εἰς δόξαν (ek doxēs eis doxan), from glory to glory, is a continuous process, powered by the Spirit, as believers progressively become more like Christ. Through this analysis, the essay emphasizes that sanctification is a divine, ongoing work, inviting believers to engage deeply with God's glory and anticipate the transformative power of His Spirit in their lives.
This paper provides a critical review of Merold Westphal's Whose Community? Which Interpretation? by exploring his theological examination of the relationship between the Church and biblical interpretation. Westphal argues for a nuanced understanding of the Church as both a community shaped by the authority of Scripture and as a community tasked with interpreting that authority. This review delves into Westphal’s insights on the complexities of hermeneutics, the role of tradition in interpreting Scripture, and the implications for ecclesial identity. Additionally, the paper considers the relevance of Westphal’s arguments in contemporary debates within Christian communities about how Scripture should be read and applied. The review critically engages with Westphal’s emphasis on the interplay between the interpretive community and the text itself, highlighting how communal practices and theological traditions influence biblical understanding. Moreover, this paper reflects on how Westphal's work offers valuable perspectives for addressing challenges in contemporary evangelical and ecumenical contexts, especially concerning the tension between personal and corporate interpretation. Ultimately, this review emphasizes the significance of community in shaping theological interpretation and offers reflections on the ongoing conversation between faith, tradition, and biblical exegesis.
This paper examines the interpretative theory and exegetical practice of St. Thomas Aquinas, focusing on his approach to Scripture within the broader framework of medieval scholasticism. Aquinas’ hermeneutical method is deeply rooted in the fourfold sense of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—demonstrating a synthesis of Aristotelian logic and patristic tradition. By analyzing key texts such as the Summa Theologiae and his Commentaries on the Gospels, this study explores how Aquinas integrates reason and faith to uncover theological truths. His emphasis on the primacy of the literal sense, while harmonizing it with spiritual interpretations, showcases his commitment to a holistic reading of Scripture. Furthermore, this paper highlights Aquinas’ influence on later biblical interpretation, particularly in Catholic theology and systematic exegesis. Through a critical engagement with his methods, this study affirms the enduring relevance of Aquinas’ interpretative framework for contemporary theological discourse. Additionally, this paper considers Aquinas’ use of Aristotelian epistemology in shaping his exegetical principles, particularly his approach to divine revelation and human reason. By situating his interpretative methods within the intellectual currents of the 13th century, this study underscores his role in bridging classical philosophy with Christian theology.
This critical book review analyzes Roland Allen’s Missionary Methods: God’s Plan for Missions According to Paul, which examines the apostle Paul’s missionary approach as a model for contemporary evangelism and church planting. The book, originally published in 1912 and updated in 2017, is divided into five parts, exploring strategic missionary practices, the role of miracles, financial stewardship, training and discipling church leaders, and the principles of authority and unity within the church. Allen emphasizes the centrality of biblical principles, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the necessity of contextualization in mission work. This review critically evaluates the relevance of Allen’s insights in light of modern challenges in global missions, considering how his emphasis on self-sustaining, Spirit-led methods contrasts with contemporary mission strategies. The paper concludes by reflecting on the ongoing significance of Paul’s example for current mission practice and the potential for revitalizing mission approaches today.
Project at The Mission Center (TMC) and Refuge Recovery Church (RRC)
This journal article reflects on a short-term mission project undertaken over the course of eight weeks in Marble Falls, TX, at The Mission Center (TMC), in partnership with Refuge Recovery Church (RRC), His Joshua House (HJH), Open Door Recovery House (ODRH), and the Highland Lakes Crisis Network (HLCN). The mission focused on supporting individuals in recovery from addiction and homelessness through service preparation, operational support, and community outreach. The author contributed 7 hours to setting up services, preparing music, and creating visual slides for RRC worship, as well as volunteering 3 hours assisting with office tasks, distributing Bibles, and providing support at TMC. Additionally, the project expanded to canvassing local towns, including Marble Falls, Kingsland, Burnet, and Granite Shoals, where the author distributed Bibles, engaged in prayer with individuals, and offered spiritual support. The outreach emphasized the importance of personal connection and prayer in evangelism, demonstrating the power of small acts of kindness in both uplifting individuals and enriching the missionary. Rooted in Psalm 46:1, the mission emphasized God as refuge and strength, empowering those in recovery. The article concludes with reflections on how short-term mission projects, even when time-limited, can plant seeds of faith, foster long-term relationships, and contribute to lasting community transformation, supported by organizations such as HJH, ODRH, and HLCN.
The framework is intentionally designed in the form of a heptagon, a seven-sided figure symbolizing divine completeness and perfection in Scripture. Just as the number seven signifies God’s wholeness—seen in creation, the sevenfold Spirit of God, and biblical patterns of fulfillment—this model reflects the fullness of Christian prayer and spiritual growth. By following this Christ-centered structure, believers can cultivate a deeper, more intentional prayer life, aligning their hearts with God’s will and experiencing His transformative power daily.
This exegetical essay examines 2 Corinthians 3:18, highlighting the transformative journey believers experience as they behold the δόξα (doxa) of the Lord. A key concept in Paul’s theology, this verse underscores the ongoing process of sanctification and spiritual transformation, empowered by the Πνεῦμα (Pneuma), the Holy Spirit. The essay explores the Greek term κατοπτρίζομαι (katoptrizomai), which refers to reflecting or beholding as in a mirror. This word is significant in illustrating how believers, through contemplation of God's glory, begin to reflect His image. Unlike passive observation, this word suggests an active, transformative process where the believer’s life mirrors the glory of the Lord, much like how a mirror reflects the image of those who look into it.
By considering the historical, literary, and theological context, the essay contrasts the παλαιὰ διαθήκη (palaia diathēkē) and the νέα διαθήκη (nea diathēkē), the old and new covenants, and their implications for Christian life. Through the Greek term ἀτενίζω (atenizō), meaning "to gaze at" or "to look intently," the passage reveals that believers are not only passively seeing but actively reflecting God’s glory as they grow in likeness to Christ. The journey of being transformed ἐκ δόξης εἰς δόξαν (ek doxēs eis doxan), from glory to glory, is a continuous process, powered by the Spirit, as believers progressively become more like Christ. Through this analysis, the essay emphasizes that sanctification is a divine, ongoing work, inviting believers to engage deeply with God's glory and anticipate the transformative power of His Spirit in their lives.
This paper provides a critical review of Merold Westphal's Whose Community? Which Interpretation? by exploring his theological examination of the relationship between the Church and biblical interpretation. Westphal argues for a nuanced understanding of the Church as both a community shaped by the authority of Scripture and as a community tasked with interpreting that authority. This review delves into Westphal’s insights on the complexities of hermeneutics, the role of tradition in interpreting Scripture, and the implications for ecclesial identity. Additionally, the paper considers the relevance of Westphal’s arguments in contemporary debates within Christian communities about how Scripture should be read and applied. The review critically engages with Westphal’s emphasis on the interplay between the interpretive community and the text itself, highlighting how communal practices and theological traditions influence biblical understanding. Moreover, this paper reflects on how Westphal's work offers valuable perspectives for addressing challenges in contemporary evangelical and ecumenical contexts, especially concerning the tension between personal and corporate interpretation. Ultimately, this review emphasizes the significance of community in shaping theological interpretation and offers reflections on the ongoing conversation between faith, tradition, and biblical exegesis.
This paper examines the interpretative theory and exegetical practice of St. Thomas Aquinas, focusing on his approach to Scripture within the broader framework of medieval scholasticism. Aquinas’ hermeneutical method is deeply rooted in the fourfold sense of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—demonstrating a synthesis of Aristotelian logic and patristic tradition. By analyzing key texts such as the Summa Theologiae and his Commentaries on the Gospels, this study explores how Aquinas integrates reason and faith to uncover theological truths. His emphasis on the primacy of the literal sense, while harmonizing it with spiritual interpretations, showcases his commitment to a holistic reading of Scripture. Furthermore, this paper highlights Aquinas’ influence on later biblical interpretation, particularly in Catholic theology and systematic exegesis. Through a critical engagement with his methods, this study affirms the enduring relevance of Aquinas’ interpretative framework for contemporary theological discourse. Additionally, this paper considers Aquinas’ use of Aristotelian epistemology in shaping his exegetical principles, particularly his approach to divine revelation and human reason. By situating his interpretative methods within the intellectual currents of the 13th century, this study underscores his role in bridging classical philosophy with Christian theology.