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March 2003
Back Issues
Contents
Yale Dean David Bartlett to lecture at
Emmanuel
Emmanuel School of Religion is pleased to welcome Dr. David L.
Bartlett, Dean of Academic Affairs at Yale University, March 11–14
for the Myron Taylor Lectures in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry.
Bartlett’s areas of research include homiletics, biblical
exegesis and interpretation for preaching, and New Testament
theology. He has contributed articles to such journals as Interpretation,
The Christian Century, Journal for Preachers, and Lectionary
Homiletics. An ordained minister of the American Baptist
Churches, U.S.A., Bartlett has served congregations in Minnesota,
Illinois, and California, and taught at several seminaries and
theological schools.
Lectures will take place at 10:45 a.m. each day in Emmanuel’s
Mildred Welshimer Phillips Memorial Chapel.
Western
Student Scholarship dinners announced
Churches in the West will host their annual Emmanuel School of
Religion Western Student Scholarship Dinners March 15 through
April 13. The Western Student Scholarship program began in 1983 to
provide tuition aid to students coming from the west. 198
scholarships have been awarded to date.
The first round of dinners will be held March 15–23, with
Jack and Heather Holland as featured speakers. Jack is Assistant
Professor of Christian Care and Counseling at Emmanuel and is a
certified family life educator. His wife, Heather, is the worship
minister at Boones Creek Christian Church in Gray, Tenn., and is a
student at Emmanuel. The schedule of dinners is:
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Salem Area Dinner, Saturday, March 15, Ryan Nichols, Chair |
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Eugene Area Dinner, Monday, March 17, Nick
Nott, Chair |
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Roseburg Area Dinner, Tuesday, March 18, Ken Smith, Chair |
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Portland Area Dinner, Friday, March 21, Jim Keefe, Chair |
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Seattle Area Dinner, Saturday, March 22, Art
Sphar, Chair |
The second round of Western Student Scholarship Dinners will be
held April 6–13. Doug Lawson (MDiv ’80) will be the featured
speaker. Doug is a retired Navy chaplain who now resides in
Joplin, Mo. The schedule of dinners is:
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Twin Falls/Gooding Area Dinner, Sunday, April 6, Andy
Morris, Chair |
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Boise Area Dinner, Monday, April 7, Steve Moore, Chair |
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Enterprise Area Dinner, Tuesday, April 8, David Bruce, Chair |
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Grangeville Area Dinner, Wednesday, April 9, George Kraus,
Chair |
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Pomeroy Area Dinner, Thursday, April 10, Alan
Handman, Chair |
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Bend Area Dinner, Sunday, April 13, Rich Butler, Chair |
Summer courses scheduled
To register, or
for more information, contact the Dean’s Office at (423)
461-1520 or DeanOffice@esr.edu.
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Archaeology
& the Old Testament, June 17–27, Dr. Chris Rollston |
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The Campus
Ministry, July 21–25, Rich Teske, Bob & Debbie Clark |
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Seminar in
Preaching, July 29–August 8, Dr. Myron Taylor |
2003 DMin course schedule
To register, or for more information, contact the D.Min. Office
at (423) 461-1522 or DMinOffice@esr.edu.
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Ministry to Families, March 3–8, Dr. Jack Holland |
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Church & Ministry in NT Perspective, March 10–15,
Dr. James Crouch |
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Seminar: Church & University, July 14–19, Dr. Robert
Randolph |
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Seminar: Jeremiah, July 21–26, Dr. Gary Hall |
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Formation, Oct. 27–Nov. 1, Dr. Tony Twist |
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Pneumatology, November 3–8 , Dr. Kip Elolia |
Meditation:
Shopping for just
the right God
by Tim Knight, MDiv ’88
It had been a long day. I was headed from the church building
to my house. As I was driving through the tunnel that goes under
the east runway for the Seattle airport, I heard on the radio
about a web site where you can choose the religion that’s right
for you.
The web site is hosted by a local radio show, and the part that
caught my attention is called a belief system selector. So I went
to the web site to check it out—sure enough you answer multiple
choice questions about God, heaven, hell, suffering, nature,
prayer, homosexuality, abortion, war, and peace, etc. And based on
your answers, the site computes what religion you should be based
on what you believe! Maybe you’d be more comfortable with
Hinduism or Buddhism or even Atheism.
Sound good? The problem is that’s exactly 180 degrees in the wrong
direction!
The Bible says, “You shall have no other gods before me.”
That’s commandment numero uno!
We don’t create a god that fits our lifestyle and beliefs.
Rather we find out who God is by His revelation to us in the
written and living Word.
Then we conform our lifestyle and beliefs to fit who God
already is and what He expects from us as his creation.
I don’t know what kind of god you would want to create, but
through the cross we are reminded of who God is — a God who came
to earth in person. A God who loved us to death … literally. A
God who wants to be your Father and wants you to be His son or
daughter.
I don’t want to create God in my image! I’m quite thrilled
with the way God already is!
Clipnotes
DAVID W. BARNES (MDiv
’83) successfully defended his dissertation, “The Relationship
between Personality Type, Corporate Culture, and Hierarchical
Position and the use of Power and Influence Tactics in Project
Planning.” Dave will receive his Doctor of Philosophy in Adult
Education from the University of Idaho in May. He is Senior
Corporate Development Consultant at Idaho Power Company in Boise.
TROY BORST (’00–’01) began a ministry in December 2002
with First Church of Christ in Lock Haven, Penn., where he and his
wife, Kelly, reside.
CLAUDIO DIVINO (MDiv ’97) recently published an article in
the January 5 issue of Christian Standard titled, “Responding
to the ‘New Immigrants’ — Why Don’t They Look Like Us?”
Claudio ministers with Antioch Christian Church in Port Chester,
N.Y. He and his wife, Alzira, reside in Bridgeport, Conn.
DAVID (MDiv ’97) and ANGELA DOTY (MDiv ’00) have
relocated to Grinnell, Iowa. David concluded a four-and-a-half-year
ministry at Morrison City Christian Church in Kingsport, Tenn., and
now serves as children’s minister at Grinnell (Iowa) Christian
Church. Angela completed a two-year residency with the VA Medical
Center in Johnson City, Tenn., and now serves as chaplain at the
Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown, Iowa.
MICHAEL DUNN (DMin ’00, MDiv ’91) and his wife, Dawn,
welcomed a baby girl, Hollis Prieur, on December 6, 2002. She joins
Caleb, 8, Madeleine, 4, and Grace, 2. Michael serves the First
Christian Church in Houston, Texas.
RANDALL EDWARDS (MDiv ’76, MAR ’77) has been involved in
theological education in Australia for 25 years. He lectures in Old
and New Testament at Australian College of Ministries in both
Queensland and New South Wales as well as in Canberra and Perth.
KEVIN HARKEY (’73–’74) and his family have moved from
Georgia to Johnson City, Tenn., as Kevin has taken the position of
Assistant to the President of Milligan College. His
responsibilities are in the area of Development.
CLINTON J. HOLLOWAY (MAR ’98) recently closed a three-year
ministry with the Disciples of Christ Historical Society and has
begun a new work as a historical consultant for the World
Convention. He continues to serve as Minister of Discipleship for
First Christian Church, Nashville, Tenn.
TOM (MDiv ’88) and SALLY HOWARD (MAR ’87) announce
the arrival of a daughter, Mirielle Savannah, born on December 25,
2002. Her four brothers happily welcome her. Tom serves as minister
at Liberty Christian Church in Temple, Ga.
SCOTT ISOM (MDiv ’01) and his wife, Debbie, celebrated the
birth of a second daughter on November 20. Baby Haley joins sister
Hannah, who is 2. Scott continues as youth minister at Colonial
Heights Christian Church in Kingsport, Tenn.
BOB LAVER (MDiv ’87, DMin ’02) is concluding his ministry
at First Christian Church, Myrtle Point, Ore., to take the pulpit at
First Christian Church, Molalla, Ore., in April.
BETSY MAGNESS (MAR ’02) was ordained at Grandview Christian
Church, Johnson City, Tenn., on February 9, where she serves as
worship minister.
KEN MARSH (MDiv ’78) concluded a ten-year ministry with
First Christian Church of Brook, Ind., on January 12th. He gave the
opening prayer at the opening session of the Indiana State Senate on
January 13.
DOUGLAS MAXWELL (’81–’83) serves as a Human Resources
professional with Scottsdale Healthcare and resides in Phoenix,
Ariz. He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree from Grand Canyon
University.
TIM MCINTOSH (MAR ’92) and his wife, Vicki, began their
sixth year of ministry with First Christian Church in Dalton, Ga.,
in November 2002.
DENNIS OLSEN (MRE ’75) concluded a 15-year ministry with
Valley Christian Church in North Platte, Neb., and began as senior
minister with First Christian Church, Onawa, Iowa, in January 2003.
TONY PARKER (MAR ’02) has been working in southern Spain
and North Africa among the Muslim people.
SCOTT (MDiv’98) and HEIDI (NORRIS) PENCE (MAR ’99)
announce the birth of their first child, Keegan Daniel Pence, on
September 15. Scott ministers with Rosscarrock Church of Christ in
Calgary. Heidi serves as professor and Dean of Women at Alberta
Bible College and is on maternity leave until August.
JOHN RUMPLE (MDiv ’95) is completing his final year of
Ph.D. studies at the University of Edinburgh. He will be moving back
to the States from Scotland mid-summer to accept a New Testament
faculty position at Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tenn.,
starting Fall 2003.
GREG TATUM (MDiv ’90) published an article in the February
16 issue of Christian Standard titled, “Indy Welcomes You!”
Greg is minister to adults at East 91st Street Christian Church,
Indianapolis, Ind.
ALAN J. WHITE (’80) wrote the article, “A Chicago Church
Finds Challenges and Opportunities for Cross-Cultural Ministry,”
in the January 5 issue of Christian Standard. Alan serves as
senior minister at First Christian Church of Chicago. He and his
wife, Pam, reside in Oak Lawn, Ill.
DENIS L. WHITTET (MDiv ’79) published an article in the
February 2 issue of Christian Standard titled, “Paul:
Obedient Messenger.” Denis has served as pastor with Gladstone
(Oregon) Christian Church for the past eight years.
CHARLES WINGFIELD (MDiv ’71) and his wife, Ruth, celebrated
thirty years of ministry with First Christian Church of Florissant,
Mo., in September 2002, where Charles serves as senior minister.
Book
Review:
The
Bible and the Ancient Near East
By J. J. M. Roberts
Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2002
Reviewed by Christopher A. Rollston
Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Studies
J.J.M. Roberts is a distinguished Church of Christ scholar who
was trained at Harvard University and has been teaching at
Princeton Theological Seminary for many years now. The volume
reviewed here is essentially a collection of articles that he
published previously, especially in various journals and Festschriften.
It is particularly helpful to have them published together in a
single volume.
Roberts has traditionally focused, throughout his career, on “the
Bible in Context,” and this is readily apparent from the title
of, and the articles contained in, this volume. Two of the
articles in this volume discuss the ancient Near Eastern context
of the Bible in broad terms and are of (characteristic)
superlative quality. Another article within the volume is a
comparative analysis of biblical and ancient Near Eastern “historiography,”
and it critiques certain aspects of the “Biblical Theology
Movement.” One of the most valuable components of this volume
(and published for the first time in this volume) is a
transliteration and translation of the “Mari Letters” (written
in Akkadian, during the first half of the second millennium BC).
Because some of the letters from Mari are considered rather “prophetic”
in nature, they can sometimes serve as a “window” on certain
aspects of biblical prophecy, assisting us in our understanding of
biblical prophecy, and the nature of biblical prophecy. Additional
articles focus especially on various aspects of the book of Psalms
and the books of Samuel. One of the final articles in the volume
focuses on the “historical-critical method” and some of the
helpful and positive aspects of this method. The final article in
the volume is entitled “A Christian Perspective on Prophetic
Prediction” and is a fine piece as well.
Ultimately, the articles in this volume demonstrate the value
of historical and linguistic study of the Old Testament. In
addition, they further demonstrate that these tools are often “friend,
not foe” of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Roberts is a scholar
and churchman, an active member of the Stone-Campbell Movement,
and his work in languages and backgrounds reflects the same sort
of emphases that are present at Emmanuel: A confessional approach
to the Bible, which is also simultaneously convincing and
academically responsible. This volume would be profitable reading
for those interested in a solid historical and linguistic approach
to the Old Testament, by a distinguished churchman from the
Stone-Campbell Movement.
Faculty
News
ELEANOR A. DANIEL led
a workshop for the Youth in Ministry conference held in Johnson
City, Tenn., January 31–Feburary 1. Dr. Daniel published the
meditation “Sing to the Lord a New Song” in the February 16
issue of Christian Standard. She will lead a Christian
Education workshop at Christview Christian Church in Tulsa, Okla.,
March 29–30.
JACK B. HOLLAND led a seminar on lay counseling, pastoral
care, parenting, and aging at Cherry Lane Christian Church,
Meridian, Idaho, January 18–26. He preached at Sonlight Church of
Christ in Greeneville, Tenn., January 12, February 2, and February
23. He did a presentation, “Christian Counseling as a Vocation,”
at Milligan College on February 28. Dr. Holland is a teaching team
member for “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Bioethics” at East
Tennessee State University for the Spring Semester.
ROBERT F. HULL Jr. attended the 2003 Foundation for
Theological Education Forum in Indianapolis January 8–9 on the
theme “Awakening the Call to Ministry.” He attended the
Association of Theological Schools workshop on accreditation in
Pittsburgh January 24–25 and taught an adult Bible lesson for
Bellevue Christian Church in Pittsburgh January 26. He attended the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation workshop
in Atlanta February 19. Dr. Hull will attend the Chief Officers
Society Meeting in Santa Fe March 26–29.
THOMAS F. JONES Jr. taught the Alive Sunday School Class at
First Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., January 5. He
attended a grants application workshop for faith-based organizations
in Atlanta January 7. He met with Journey Christian Church (New
Orleans Church Plant) January 10–11. He attended the Association
of Theological Field Educators’ Biennial meeting in Chicago
January 22–25. He taught a church planting seminar at Emmanuel
January 27–31. He was a guest for Lincoln Christian College and
Seminary’s church planting practicum class via web communication
on January 27. He took a group of students to visit and observe
SouthBrook Christian Church in Centerville, Ohio, February 1–2. He
hosted a Church Planting Assessment Center February 25–27 at
Emmanuel. Dr. Jones will teach a workshop on church planting for the
King College Missions Conference March 14–15 in Bristol, Tenn. He
will attend the National New Church Conference in Atlanta March 26–27.
FRED W. NORRIS will give a lecture on theology and ethics for
the East Tennessee State University biomedical ethics class on
February 28. He will lead a workshop on the social mission of the
church at King College in Bristol, Tenn., March 15.
ROLLIN A. RAMSARAN led a study of “Paul’s Letter to the
Philippians” for the Christian Evangelistic Society’s Urban
Studies Program at New Hope Christian Church in Pittsburgh, Pa.,
January 13–17. He published a review of Daniel Patte’s book, The
Challenge of Discipleship: A Critical Study of the Sermon on the
Mount (Harrisburg: Trinity, 1999), in Encounter 63/4
(2002): 450–51.
CHRISTOPHER A. ROLLSTON preached at Northland Christian
Church in Michigan during late December and preached at Carter
Christian Church in Elizabethton, Tenn., twice during January. He
delivered a lecture on the “James Ossuary” at the Johnson City
Kiwanis Club in January. He is teaching a series on the Old
Testament, archaeology, and inscriptions at Boones Creek Christian
Church in Gray, Tenn., on Wednesday evenings January through May.
Dr. Rollston edits the journal, Maarav, of which Volume 9 was
published in late December 2002.
BRUCE E. SHIELDS served as on-call volunteer chaplain at the
Johnson City Medical Center visiting, counseling, and leading chapel
services on January 26 and February 23.
Development
& Recruitment
on the Road
DAVID FULKS
to Bowling Green State
University, Great Lakes Christian College, Kentucky Christian
College, King College, Tusculum College, Emory and Henry College,
and New Hope Christian Community Church in Pittsburgh, Penn., in
March. To Atlanta Christian College and Virginia Tech in April. To
the Campus Ministers Retreat in Spencer, Ind., in May.
DAN LAWSON to Atlanta,
Georgia, and eastern Kansas in March; to central Florida in April
and May; to Houston, Texas, in May; and to southern California and
Oklahoma in June.
JEFF MCNABB
to northern Ohio and Virginia in March; to Illinois and
Pennsylvania in April; and to Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., in
May.
JERRY RUDBERG
to Milwaukie, Salem, Portland, The Dalles, Beaverton, and
Roseburg, Ore.; Seattle, Pomeroy, and Everett, Wash.; and the
Mountlake Terrace Gospel Festival at Puget Sound Christian College
in March. To Twin Falls, Boise, Meridian, Nezperce, and Lewiston,
Idaho; Enterprise, Bend, Roseburg, and Portland, Ore.; and
Pomeroy, Wash., in April.
C. ROBERT WETZEL to University Christian Church in Muncie,
Ind., March 2; to Woodruff Road Christian Church in Greenville,
S.C., March 30; to the Restoration House Ministries Board Meeting
in Westchester, N.H., April 25–26; to Indiana May 18–19; to
the World Convention of Christian Churches/Churches of Christ
program planning meeting in Indianapolis, Ind., May 20; and to the
Emmanuel Administrators Retreat in Johnson City, Tenn., May 28–30.
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