In this episode, we talk to Dr. David Gustafson on his newest book “Gospel witness through the ages” and discuss the history of evangelism. Each generation has its own challenges of making Jesus known to the world. But as we study the history of evangelism, we see that the challenges of one generation or culture have also been the same challenges which other believers have faced in other times and places.
Category: TEDS
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Advice to anyone considering seminary
Four years ago today, I graduated seminary with my Master of Divinity degree. I picked a highly academic seminary where I was blessed to study under world class professors. But as I reflect this year, I’m struck by the thought of how an intensive masters degree from seminary still only scratches the surface of studying the Bible.
I feel like the more time that goes by since graduating from seminary, and the more I continue to study the Bible and theology, the more I realize how much I still have to learn. Sure, I have a pretty well rounded knowledge of the subject. But there are plenty of secondary and tertiary theological issues that I haven’t studied as thoroughly as I would like.
Theology and Biblical studies are a vast ocean. Theologians and Biblical scholars write volumes on these subjects. Martyn Lloyd-Jones who was a British preacher in the last century wrote a 14 volume commentary on the Book of Romans. Just that one book of the Bible. It’s over 5,000 pages long. Francis Turretin’s systematic theology is over 2,300 pages. And I could go on and on. The depths of the Bible can never be fully plumbed.
I’ve thought a lot about seminary today. I think it’s valuable for anyone who is serious about pastoral ministry (as well as other areas of ministry). But if I were to speak to someone who’s considering seminary, I would want to encourage them that an MDiv can help give a good theological foundation but that the training and knowledge must be cultivated over a lifetime. I think it’s important to not expect more than what the MDiv can give you. You’ll get some answers, but it’s not the place to get all the answers. You’ll learn skills that will help you in ministry but the MDiv alone won’t make you a good minister. You’ll learn more about the Bible but seminary alone won’t transform you and make you someone who lives Biblically.
Don’t get me wrong. I think seminaries care about their students growing in all of these areas and helping to equip them as much as they possibly can. But it can’t do everything. What it does best is trains people in the languages, theology, and Biblical studies.
Four years after graduation, I feel like I’m much more aware of all of the things I don’t know about theology today than I was when I started. I feel like I’ve learned almost as much in the last four years as I did in my four years of seminary. But it was seminary that helped give the foundation and the Biblical and theological lenses through which I’ve continued to learn.
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Apoloigst, theologian Norman Geisler dies at 86
Photo from the website of Norman Geisler. Norman L. Geisler, a 20th century giant in Christian apologetics, theology, philosophy, and ethics passed away on Monday at the age of 86.
He was an author, contributor, or editor of 127 books in his prolific academic career. He taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Dallas Theological. He was part of the committee that wrote the Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy in 1978. He served as president of the Evangelical Theological Society and founded the International Society of Apologetics and two seminaries: Southern Evangelical Seminary and Veritas Seminary. (more…)
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EFCA removes premillennialism from Statement of Faith
The Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) had an historical event yesterday at their bi-annual EFCA One Conference. The churches voted to alter the Statement of Faith. The change comes to article nine, which previously stated:We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
-EFCA Statement of Faith, Article 9
The change is just one word. Instead of saying “we believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ” the Statement of Faith will now say “we believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (more…)
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American pastor Andrew Brunson released from Turkish custody
Credit: Facebook The Turkish government has released American pastor Andrew Brunson after more than two years in custody.
Brunson was arrested in the aftermath of a failed coup on the Turkish government and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Brunson had nothing to do with the coup. At the time, he had been in the country for over 20 years serving as a pastor and was taken as a political prisoner.
There had been several times over the past year where Brunson’s release seemed possible, but the Turkish government and courts were resistant. In July, Brunson was allowed to go on house arrest.
Today, he was convicted of terrorism charges but allowed to be released based on time served. The 50 year old pastor had faced 35 years in prison.
Brunson’s release will allow him to leave Turkey and head back to the United States.
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