A Theological Comparison Between Social Science Models and a Biblcal Perspective of Servant Leadership

Abstract

This dissertation examines servant leadership and its biblical antecedents with from specific biblical texts and non-biblical literature. Chapter 1 introduces the research concern that the Bible presents a comprehensive servant theology that is consistent through both Testaments. As well it introduces the idea that servant leaders are slaves of God, servants to the Body of Christ, and Ambassadors to the world. Chapter 2 explores servant leadership theory by connecting the theory to its biblical origins. It presents a biblical theology of servant leadership utilizing the lens of biblical slavery as a model for Christian leadership discovered in Mark 10:42-45 as well as introducing the Christological paradox: “power through powerlessness.” Chapter 3 examines social science perspectives of servant leadership. While tracing the development of the theory through the writing of Robert K. Greenleaf and through conducting a critical probe of Greenleaf’s attempt to blend Eastern spiritualism with secular humanism, and Christianity. Chapter 4 addresses the categorical differences between a biblical worldview and the worldview of the social sciences in servant leadership research. Further, it delves into the work of Larry C. Spears, Kathleen A. Patterson and others in the social sciences who have proposed various models and theories of servant leadership. Chapter 5 examines Walter C. Kaiser’s Principilizing Model for moving beyond theology to propose a means to discover biblical principles of servant leadership as well as offer suggestions for future research.