January 2003
Back Issues

Contents

• Alumni family suffers tragedy
• Faculty and staff recognized for long service
• From the President: Finances: Gratitude & Concern
• Meditation: Into The Wind
• Clipnotes
• Book Review: Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad?
• DMin quote of the month
• Faculty News
• Development & Recruitment on the Road

The Emmanuel family received word that James (MAR ’89/MDiv ’89) and Dora Gazaway lost their parsonage-home in a fatal fire December 17, 2002, which claimed the life of their 20-year old son, Jeremiah. James has served as pastor of Trafalgar Christian Church (DOC) in Indiana for the past six years and as Post Chaplain for Trafalgar Post 416 and Chaplain of the National Guard’s 2/150 Infantry Battalion. James and his older son, Josh, and younger daughter, Rebecca, were not home when the fire broke out. Dora is recovering from burns and smoke inhalation. All of their belongings were lost in the fire, including James’s extensive library. The church insurance policy did not cover contents of the home. For those wishing to help the family, contributions may be sent by check payable to the Trafalgar Christian Church (P.O. Box 147, Trafalgar IN 46181) with “Gazaway Fund” on the memo line. For specific needs of the family, you may contact the church at 317-878-4161. For more information on the tragedy, visit the website www.indystar.com/print/articles/7/009300-9177-092.html. n

Three of Emmanuel’s faculty and staff were honored in 2002 for twenty-five years of faithful service to the Seminary: R. Howard Cannon, Robert F. Hull, and Fred W. Norris.

Howard Cannon has served as the Seminary’s Printer for more than twenty-five years. Howard served seven years in the Army, including service during the Korean War in Iceland. During his career as a printer, Howard has worked for over ten newspapers, including the Baltimore Sun, the Washington Post, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. After returning to his roots in East Tennessee, Howard joined the Emmanuel staff June 1, 1976. He has been married to his wife, Lois, for 48 years and has two adult children, Kathy and Steve, and three grandchildren.

Bob Hull was a member of the first entering class of Emmanuel School of Religion, earning the M.Div. degree in 1971. After receiving his Ph.D. in biblical studies from Princeton Theological Seminary, Bob served churches in Kentucky and Maryland before he began teaching at Emmanuel in 1977. He now serves as Dean and Professor of New Testament. Bob is married to Loretta, and they have three adult children, Laura Lynne, Eric, and Tempa, and five grandchildren.

Fred Norris earned his B.D. and Th.M. from Phillips University and the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degree from Yale University. Before coming to Emmanuel in 1977, Fred ministered with churches in Tennessee and Oklahoma and taught at Milligan College, University of Tübingen, and was on staff at the Institute for the Study of Christian Origins in Tübingen. He now serves as Professor of World Mission/Evangelism and is the Dean E. Walker Professor of Church History. Fred and his wife, Carol, have two adult children, Mark and Lisa, and two grandchildren. n

From the President:
Finances: Gratitude & Concern

Professor Thomas E. Stokes retired from the Tennessee Army National Guard on October 31 after 28 years of service. His last duty assignment was as the State Area Command Chaplain. Chaplain Stokes was awarded the Legion of Merit, which is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States without degree for exceptionally outstanding conduct in the performance of meritorious service to the United States. Stokes has served as Librarian at Emmanuel since 1975 and is Director of the Doctor of Ministry degree program. n

Meditation:
Into The Wind

Years ago I spent my summer traveling with a group of students. We were at a different church or camp almost every day. In Florida, we found ourselves with two days, no commitments, and a family with the gift of hospitality. Their gift was made more delightful by a home on a bay, a swimming pool, and a small catamaran — a “wet sailor,” they called it.

Before long, fast approaching the far shore, it was time to turn around and head home. My sailing lesson was about to begin. Crossing the bay with the wind had taken minutes. Sailing home, into the wind, took hours! I made every blunder of the novice sailor. I found out why they call it a “wet sailor.” I made it back — safe, if not so sound.

1 Peter 1:6b–7 (NIV) : “…Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” n

RICK BLAKENEY (MDiv ’83) served as president of the Eastern Christian Convention held in Hershey, Pa., November 8–10, 2002. Rick serves as minister at Parkway Church of Christ in Allentown, Pa., and resides in Kutztown, Pa., with his wife, Reba.

BEN CACHIARAS (MDiv ’92) published the essay “Thinksgiving” in the November 24, 2002, issue of Christian Standard. Ben serves as senior minister with Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Md.

ED CHARLTON (MDiv ’81) relocated from Columbus, Ohio, to Washington, Pa., to plant and pastor the Vineyard Church of Washington. Both Ed and his wife, Jodi, graduated from the Vineyard Leadership Institute in May 2002.

DWAYNE CURRY (MAR ’00) and his wife, Tia, announce the birth of their son, Thomas Gavin Curry, born on October 24, 2002. Gavin joins sister Madison and brother Braden. Dwayne serves as youth minister at Capital City Church of Christ in Raleigh, N.C.

JIM DAHLMAN (’80–’81) wrote a response titled “Which ‘Old Time Religion’ Do You Want?” in the Mailbox feature of the November 24, 2002, issue of Christian Standard. Jim is associate professor of communications at Milligan College and lives in Johnson City, Tenn.

BRAD DEWING (MDiv ’98) and his wife, Nancy, celebrated the birth of Benjamin John Dewing on November 29, 2002. Brad is in this third year as teaching pastor at Venture Christian Church in suburban Minneapolis, Minn.

RANDY EKSTROM (MDiv ’97) and his wife, Melody, announce the birth of a baby girl, Sophia, born December 9, 2002. Melody, Dietrich, Gabriel, and Sophia are in Eugene, Ore., while Randy is on a six-month deployment to the Middle East as a Navy chaplain on the USS Austin.

MARK GALLAGHER (MDiv ’76) published the essay, “Christmas Day Caroling In Hawaii,” in the December 22, 2002, issue of Christian Standard. Mark works with Kaimuki Christian School in Honolulu, Hawaii.

MIKE GEISERT (’82–’87) and his wife, Tammy, have relocated to Pearcy, Ark., to minister with the Hot Springs Christian Church.

THOMAS HUCKABA (MAR ’98) published an article on cytokinesis in the November 2002 issue of Current Biology, and spoke on his research at the national meeting of the American Society of Cell Biologists in San Francisco in December. Thomas is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in cell biology at Columbia University in New York City. He also ran the New York City Marathon in November.

ALEX JACK (MDiv ’97) now serves as a chaplain in the USAF and is currently stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas.

JESSE KEARNS (MDiv ’96) and MARY KEARNS (MDiv ’96) celebrated the birth of son Connor Andrew on September 25, 2002. He joins big brothers Graham and Cameron. Jesse is Associate Regional Minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia. Mary serves as Family Life Minister at Memorial Christian Church in Lynchburg, Va.

MARK S. KRAUSE (MDiv ’83) co-authored the article, “The Next Generation,” published in the November 3, 2002, Christian Standard. Mark is academic dean at Puget Sound Christian College in Mountlake Terrace, Wash.

DOUG LAWSON (MDiv ’80) retired from ministry as a Navy chaplain after more than 25 years of service. He and his wife, Cindy, reside in Joplin, Mo.

DAVID LIMIERO (MDiv ’92) transitioned from senior minister of Naperville (Ill.) Christian Church to church planter with the Northern California Evangelistic Association in January 2003.

WALLY LOWMAN (’97–’01) has started his third year of ministry at South Lansing (Mich.) Christian Church.

SAM LUBAG (MDiv ’91, DMin ’99) serves as senior minister of First Filipino American Christian Church in Long Beach, Calif., where he and his wife, Juanita, reside.

R. GLEN MILES (MDiv ’88) begins a new ministry with Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, Mo., in January.

COREY MILLER (’92–’95) served as president of the Iowa Christian Convention in 2002. Corey ministers with the Carroll Church of Christ in Carroll, Iowa.

CODY MOORE (MAR ’00) and his wife, Rachel, announce the birth of their son, Aidan Isaiah, born on October 17, 2002. Cody is senior minister of West Side Christian Church in Denver, Colo.

LARRY ODOR (MDiv ’00) and TAY (SHIELD) ODOR (’97–’02) are the proud parents of Josiah Shield Odor who arrived October 25, 2002. The family resides in Piney Flats, Tenn.

JOEY POTTER (’79–’80) concluded a fifteen-year youth ministry with Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Md. He and his wife, Cathy, reside in Forest Hill, Md.

THOMAS R. SHEPHERD (MAR ’77) and his wife, Delores, celebrated 25 years of ministry at Southside Church of Christ in Lebanon, Ore., on August 14, 2002. Tom serves as senior minister.

MARK STEVENS (MDiv ’97) participated in mission trips to China and Juarez, Mexico, in 2002. Mark is Business Manager for Boise Bible College and resides with his wife, Kathy, in Meridian, Idaho.

JOHN WASEM (MDiv ’87) has been named Director of New Church Leadership at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary in Illinois. John currently serves as Senior Minister at SunCrest Christian Church in St. John, Ind.

MATTHEW WILSON (’00–’01) relocated to New York City with his wife, Sarah, to pursue an acting career. His work includes independent films, plays, performing improv at the New York Comedy Club, and playing Clifford the Big Red Dog in the Toys “R” Us Times Square Holiday Parade. Look for Matt as background talent in the upcoming Julia Roberts film, Mona Lisa Smile. n

By Timothy George
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002

Since 9/11 I have been asked to speak to various church groups on the topic of Islam. The most common and persistent question that I find myself being asked is, “Is the God of Islam the same as the God of Christianity?” This is a question that cannot be answered in the few minutes that usually remain at the end of a lecture. Furthermore it is misleading to answer the question with a simple yes or no. To answer yes is to disregard some fundamental differences. To answer no is to disregard some similarities. Timothy George addresses this question in his book, Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad?, but, as the title suggests, he does so from the more helpful perspective of Christology.

This excellent little book by the Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University would make a good study guide for church groups who want to understand something about the faith and practice of Islam from the perspective of an uncompromising faith in Jesus Christ as Incarnate Son of God. It is free from any caricature of Islam while avoiding an unseemly “My God is better than your god,” polemic. As the author says, “Patience and perseverance will help us avoid two approaches to Islam — neither of which is likely to advance the Christian gospel. The first approach majors on truth but lacks love; the second seeks to be loving but hedges on the truth” (128).

The primary objection of Muslims to Christian faith is the doctrine of the trinity. For a Muslim, the notion of the trinity is polytheism, and fundamental to Islam is the Shahada that begins “There is no god but God.” Thus Dean George has an extended section discussing both the meaning and the history of the doctrine of the trinity. This section should be especially helpful to Christians who are witnessing to Muslims.

At the end of the book, there is a helpful glossary of Islamic terms as well as a suggested guide for further reading. Unfortunately there is no index, but this is a minor inadequacy in an otherwise immensely helpful book. n

By Dave Snyder, D.Min. student

“In Emmanuel’s DMin program I found a great opportunity to continue my educational and professional growth. The DMin program is great for those at the crossroads of life who realize that while we are called upon to mentor others, we still need mentoring by elder brothers and sisters in Christ.”

For information about Emmanuel’s Doctor of Ministry degree program, contact Melissa Noble at 1-800-933-3771. n

PAUL M. BLOWERS was married to Sandy Trivette on October 27, 2002, and now resides in Elizabethton, Tenn. He appeared in the role of Teiresias the prophet in Oedipus the King, a joint production of the theater departments of Milligan College and East Tennessee State University in November 2002. Dr. Blowers will begin the ministry of eldership at Grandview Christian Church, Johnson City, Tenn., in January 2003. He continues on his sabbatical until the fall of 2003.

ELEANOR A. DANIEL will be teaching a course in Small Group Ministry at Christian Church of Redmond in Redmond, Ore., January 6–10, 2003, and leading a workshop there on January 11. She will teach the same course at Turner Christian Church in Turner, Ore., January 13–17, 2003, and lead a workshop there on January 18.

JACK B. HOLLAND is designing the Mentoring Program for the Youth In Ministry project, which is a partnership of Emmanuel School of Religion and Milligan College funded by the Lilly Endowment of Indiana to encourage youth to consider full-time ministry. He will conduct a week-long workshop on lay counseling for the Cherry Lane Christian Church in Meridian, Idaho, January 18–26.

ROBERT F. HULL attended the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature in Toronto November 22–26. He served as van driver and overnight host for the Interfaith Hospitality Network at Grandview Christian Church, Johnson City, Tenn., during the week of December 1–7.

THOMAS F. JONES taught a Sunday school class for the Alive Class at First Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., on December 8. He will hold a consultation with Journey Christian Church, a new church in New Orleans, January 10–11. He will attend the Association for Theological Field Education Biennial Consultation in Chicago January 22–25. He will teach a church planting seminar at Emmanuel School of Religion January 27–31.

FRED W. NORRIS was recently published in “The Transfiguration of Christ: The Transformation of the Church,” Reading in Christian Communities: Essays on Interpretation in the Early Church [Festschrift for Rowan A. Greer], ed. Charles A. Bobertz and David Brakke (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2002) 188–198. Dr. Norris was one of four members of a panel on “Writing Global Church History” at the meeting of the American Society of Church History January 2–5 in Chicago. He presented a paper, “Vision and Violence,” at the meeting of the History of the World Christian Movement Consultants January 5–7 in Chicago.

CHRIS A. ROLLSTON delivered two lectures on the Israeli-Palestinian Crisis at the Presbyterian Campus Ministry House of East Tennessee State University in October. He attended the Annual Meeting of the American Schools of Oriental Research and the Society of Biblical Literature in Toronto in November. At the SBL meeting, Dr. Rollston presented a paper on the growing number of inscriptions in Hebrew that are appearing on the antiquities market (and thus not found by archaeologists) which are probable modern forgeries. Part of his paper, which was recently published, treated the “Jacob (James), son of Joseph, brother of Yeshua Ossuary” that was purchased on the market some time ago. He will be teaching an Old Testament survey course at Boones Creek Christian Church in Gray, Tenn., January through March.

BRUCE E. SHIELDS attended the Academy of Homiletics meeting December 5–7, 2002, at Boston University. Dr. Shields published an article in the Fourth Quarter 2002 issue of Leaven titled, “Ministry—A Matter of Death and Life: 2 Cor. 2:14–17.” His review of the book The Resilience of Conservative Religion: The Case of Popular, Conservative Protestant Congregations by Joseph B. Tamney appeared in the December 15, 2002, issue of Christian Standard.

THOMAS E. STOKES preached for two morning services at the Gray United Methodist Church in Gray, Tenn., on November 17, 2002.

C. ROBERT WETZEL published the essay “Salvation by Chocolate?” in the October 20, 2002, issue of Christian Standard. n

DAVID FULKS to Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, Auburn University, the Florida Campus Ministries Retreat, and the FTE Forum for Lilly Endowment Programs for Strengthening Congregational Leadership in Indianapolis, Ind., in January. To Puget Sound Christian College, Northwest Christian College, Johnson Bible College, and to the Gatlinburg Collegiate Conference in February. To Bowling Green State University, Great Lakes Christian College, and Kentucky Christian College in March. To Atlanta Christian College and Berry College in April.

DAN LAWSON to southern Florida and Arizona in January; to Arizona and southern California in February; and to southern California and eastern Kansas in March.

JEFF MCNABB to Maryland in January; to North Carolina and South Carolina in February; to northern Ohio and Indiana in March; to northern Indiana, northern Illinois, and southern Michigan in April; to Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., in May.

JERRY RUDBERG to Portland, Beaverton, Roseburg, and Salem, Ore.; the Rice-Siefke/Northwest Christian College Conference; Seattle and Mountlake Terrace, Wash.; and Johnson City, Tenn., in January. To Portland, Gladstone, and Roseburg, Ore., and to Seattle and Mountlake Terrace, Wash., in February. To Milwaukie, Salem, Portland, The Dalles, Beaverton, and Roseburg, Ore.; Seattle and Pomeroy, Wash.; and the Mountlake Terrace Gospel Festival at Puget Sound Christian College in March.

C. ROBERT WETZEL to Chaparral Christian Church in Scottsdale, Ariz., January 5; to Buffalo Valley Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., January 12; to the Martin Luther King Breakfast in Johnson City, Tenn., January 18; to Spring Road Christian Church, Lanett, Ala., January 26; to the Retreat for Contributing Editors of the Christian Standard in Orlando, Fla., January 27–29; and to the Faculty Retreat in Black Mountain, N.C., February 7–9. n