Date
8-6-2025
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Leadership (PhD)
Chair
Arlynne Perley-Huebscher
Keywords
Human Dignity, Marginalized, Poverty, Family-Brokenness, Genesis, Creation, First Blessing, Christian, Leadership
Disciplines
Christianity
Recommended Citation
Belcher, Jeffrey K., "A Phenomenological Study of Christian and Non-Christian Views on Human Dignity Among Marginalized Persons in Essex, MD" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7253.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7253
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand Human-Dignity views among marginalized persons living in Essex, MD, with Human Dignity being rooted in a biblical worldview, and how these views potentially relate to marginalized persons’ perceived experiences of marginalization. For the purposes of this study, Human Dignity is founded upon principles expressed in Genesis Chapters 1 and 2, and is defined as all people, made in the image of God, created to live in relationship with God, called to reflect the nature and character of God, as possessing intrinsic worth based upon God’s purpose for and calling upon humanity (Kilner,2015, p. 105). Marginalization refers specifically to people being forced away from the societal center and to the periphery (J. Roberts, 2014, p. 191), where they experience diverse sociological challenges, and Essex, MD is a community with a significant number of marginalized people. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with eight participants, all residents of Essex, MD, ages 18 years and older, and who faced Issues of Marginalization, including Family-Brokenness and Poverty, and at least one of the following: Exposure to Violence, Addiction Issues, and Lack of Education. This study’s theoretical framework was informed by Durkheim’s (1947) Functional Theory, Weber’s (1978) and Simmel’s (1955) Conflict Theory, and Mead’s (1934) Symbolic Interactionist Theory. The results could help church and community leaders to serve the needs of the marginalized, including equipping and empowering marginalized persons to overcome the challenges they face and helping them to live healthy and meaningful lives according to God’s design and desire.
