CALVIN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
FORUMSPRING 2016
Missional Living of Scripture HOW NOW SHALL WE LIVE? Providing Theological Leadership for the Church Volume 23, Number 1: Spring 2016
Articles From the President: How Now Shall We Live? 03 by Jul Medenblik
Every Believer Called to Mission 04 by Cory Willson
Prayers from the Missional Conference 06 by Mary Vanden Berg and Sarah Schreiber
Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics 08 by John Bolt
Meet Herman Bavinck 09 by Jessica Driesenga The Calvin Theological Seminary Forum is published three times Fostering Formation for every academic year. 12 Calvin Theological Seminary Mission in Our Classrooms 3233 Burton St. SE, Grand by Kristy Manion Rapids, MI 49546. © 2016 Calvin Theological Is There a Future for Sacrifice? Seminary 15 Publications Mail Agreement No. by Erin Zoutendam 40063614 Return undeliverable Canadian Taste and See Israel Trip addresses to: 16 by Paula Seales Calvin Theological Seminary 3475 Mainway, LCD STN 1 BURLINGTON, ON L7M 1A9 Church Growth and Its Challenges in Ethiopia email: 18 by Fikre Norcha [email protected]
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by Jul Medenblik, How Now Shall We Live? President
As President of Calvin Theological two of which I would like together scholars, pastors and Seminary, I am blessed to be in to highlight: missionaries from three continents the middle. I am in the middle of When framed as selfish, to discuss what it looks like to equip various conversations related to individualistic, drive for sexual churches and Christian leaders church renewal, church planting fulfillment, it is obvious and clear to creatively align their ministries and leadership development as the that obedience and sacrifice are the with God’s mission in this world. seminary trains servants of the gospel only appropriate responses. Perhaps Here is a link to videos from who seek to form more servants of framing these dilemmas in the the 17 presenters: https://www. the gospel throughout the world. In context of the God-given desire for calvinseminary.edu/igcpr/resources/ the same day, I can speak to someone kinship within covenant marked by videos-from-missional-living-of- who has served over 60 years in self-emptying love might deepen our scripture-2015/ ministry and someone who is in the reflections and rein in our certainty. We are glad to present the new voice first six weeks of seminary training. of Professor Cory Willson who joined I am glad to be in the middle. We always need to be on the lookout that we don’t twist scripture and that our faculty this past summer and I have found myself in the middle we don’t fall for twisted teaching. teaches in the area of Missiology and of many conversations, emails, and And we all have our biases and Missional Ministry. He also serves as letters related to the last issue of prejudices. The danger of twisting Director of The Institute for Global the Forum which had the theme, scripture to fit ourselves and then Church Planting and Renewal. In “Biblical and Hermeneutical to justify our behaviors is a lurking addition, we are pleased to also hear Reflections on Same-Sex danger no matter what side you take. from Professor John Bolt who teaches Relationships.” In the middle, I have in the area of Systematic Theology. heard contrasting voices and even of Professor Bolt has faithfully worked I am glad that the FORUM contrasting actions: at bringing the treasured insights reader community does seek of Herman and J.H. Bavinck into “Thank you for addressing a complex to be centered and rooted on the current context, also writes to topic with clarity and thoughtfulness” being faithful witnesses to the set the “missional” conversation in a is countered by “I am very gospel. broader framework. Finally, you will disappointed in the tone and content have the opportunity to “overhear” a of the articles.” In this issue, the Forum Editorial conversation among faculty members A telephone call from a church pastor Committee hopes to continue to as to forming students for ministry. who asks for 100 more copies of serve the church by helping the As we continue to learn from one the Forum for their congregation is church explore the wider lens of the another as brothers and sisters shaded by hearing of another pastor “Missional Living of Scripture.” in Christ may we, as one person who tossed the same issue of the This issue of the Forum takes its wrote to me, “join in praying that Forum in the garbage. theme from the title of a recent God grant us humility for the I received many thoughtful conference held at Calvin Theological conversation, willingness to listen, comments in response to Seminary: “Missional Living of and submission to the Spirit the last issue of the Forum, Scripture.” This conference brought of Christ.”
Spring 2016 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | 3 Every Believer Called to Mission
by Cory Willson, Jake and Betsy Tuls Assistant Professor of Missiology and Missional Ministry
A few months into my job I had several encounters with local CRC pastors that have proved helpful to me in my new position as the professor of missiology and missional ministry at Calvin Seminary. “I have a church filled with really good folks,” the pastor will say to me. “They are hard-working, generous and eager to lend a helping hand to those in need. The only challenge is that they are insular as a group and are not good at reaching out to others.”
This communal trait is not an isolated lives: home, work, and public spaces. imagination to be guided by tradition phenomenon among CRC churches Being a Christian means we are called as we attempt to follow the Holy in Grand Rapids or, for that matter, to seek opportunities to share with Spirit’s leading in our contexts today. in Christian communities throughout others the good news of what God Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the North America. Decades before has done in Jesus to rescue us and this community of believers are needed for Darrell Guder and his colleagues world from the tyranny of sin, Satan such a calling. coined the term “missional” in the late and death. 90’s, Hendrik Kraemer, J.H. Bavinck In 2013, the Institute for Global and Lesslie Newbigin critiqued the There is a lot that these missionary Church Planting and Renewal hosted “introverted” and “insular” Church in theologians have to teach us about the Missional Reading of Scripture the West that had separated Christian how to see ordinary events of daily conference at Calvin Seminary. Plenary identity from God’s mission, and life as opportunities to show how the speakers N.T. Wright, Christopher called for a missionary encounter with Lordship of Jesus can bring shalom Wright, Darrell Guder, and Michael Western cultures and not just far-off into our jobs, neighborhoods, and Goheen explored how the Bible not lands.1 Being a Christian means that cities today. But faithful discipleship only conveys Christian truths and there is an inherent, intentional calling today requires more than simply moral principles but also tells the story of every follower of Jesus to live under restating what has been said in the of God’s ongoing mission in the world. the reign of God in every area of their past; it requires the courage and Like any good piece of literature, they argued, this unfolding biblical story invites the church into this drama as we participate in God’s mission in the world today. Reading Scripture as a story of God’s mission helps us make sense of the Bible and of our world today. But this hermeneutic also raises practical questions as we move from Bible reading to faithful living in our context today.
Christopher Brooks illustrates his holistic approach to ministry in his urban context.
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The 2015 Missional Living of Scripture After the conference I received an to embody a deep and winsome conference revolved around this email from an evangelical pastor who Reformed theology and missiology in central question: what does it look attended the conference that reminded the contexts to which God calls them. like to align your ministry with God’s me of why I was first drawn to the creative and redemptive work in your Reformed tradition during my early city? The conference gathered ministry ministry days. The email read: practitioners, scholars, students, and community members to examine “I have always been drawn to the way God’s mission impacts our the Neo-Calvinist tradition and day-to-day life, our ministries, and this conference reminded me our cities. why. [It] was utterly unique … there are plenty of conferences that celebrate reformed theology Speakers came from divergent and gospel-centered piety, and contexts, both rural and urban, in there are others that talk about Latin America, Europe, and North social justice, others which talk America. The diversity of contexts about worship, preaching and Janice McLean presents Living and experiences provided stories, mission, and still others which Scripture Missionally in New York City. frameworks, and practical tools talk about the intersection of faith for ministry and preaching. A few and culture. But, the conference The Institute for Global Church examples from the conference speakers at Calvin Seminary uniquely Planting and Renewal at Calvin will offer a taste of the rich experience. brought all of these themes Seminary seeks to be a critical link Christopher Wright and Michael together … and within the context between academia and the church, Goheen explored the relationship of a rich and beautiful liturgical enabling the seminary to learn from between biblical interpretation experience.” the needs of the church so that it can (hermeneutics) and Christian living provide theological resources to help (mission and ethics). Ruth Padilla Reading this email inspired me to the church address the pressing issues DeBorst drew on her current ministry reflect on why my wife and I felt in our world today. Embodying this in Costa Rica to show the ways in called to join the Christian Reformed posture of learning is a vital quality which faithful discipleship requires Church and the faculty of Calvin of the kind of Christian hospitality an embodied prophetic critique Theological Seminary. God has called that the Institute seeks to cultivate. of the prevailing cultural milieu in his church to play an integral part As the director of the Institute, I look Western society. Ida Kaastra-Mutoigo in his mission in the world. This forward to learning from pastors and discussed community development mission is cosmic: encompassing the local church leaders as we seek together through the work of World Renew; proclamation of the gospel of Jesus to cultivate faithful communities of Eric Jacobsen discussed a missional in word (evangelism), deed (justice, Christians whose rich theological theology of place and practical ways of mercy and love of neighbor), and heritage gives shape to an embodied analyzing the built environment of the our communal life (the pursuit of life together that blesses all nations neighborhoods around our churches; shalom). Given this reality, places like and peoples. In the weeks ahead please and Christopher Brooks drew Calvin Seminary have a strategic role visit the forthcoming blog, www. illustrations from his pastoral work in to play in helping support churches theologyfromtheroad.com to find out Detroit, Michigan as he put forward that desire to be faithful participants more about the work of the Institute a holistic approach to ministry in his in God’s mission. This requires finding for Global Church Planting urban context.2 ways of nurturing Christian leaders and Renewal.
1 See for example Kraemer’s A Theology of the Laity, Bavinck’s The Church Between Temple and Mosque and Newbigin’s Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and Western Culture. 2 Conference speakers included Christopher J.H. Wright, Ruth Padilla DeBorst, Eric Jacobsen, Janice McLean, Michael Goheen, Stefan Paas, Ida Kaastra-Mutoigo, Jan Van’t Spijker, Larry Doornbos, Ricardo Agreste Da Silva, Tommy Kiedis, Steve Andrews, Ronaldo Liborio, Christopher Brooks, Tyler Johnson, John Witvliet, Kevin Adams, David Bailey, and Tim Blackmon. Recordings of these sessions are available on the Institute for Global Church Planting and Renewal (www.calvinseminary.edu/igcpr/resources/).
Spring 2016 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | 5 Prayers from the Missional Conference A sample of the liturgy from the Missional Living of Scripture Conference, Calvin Theological Seminary,November 18-19, 2016
Offered by Professor Sarah Schrieber* We make petition this morning for your needy world. We see a world of war and rumors of war, a world of violence and All glorious God, we give you thanks: in your Son, Jesus Christ, injustice. We pray for those people who are holding the guns. you have given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly We pray for those people who are nervously waiting for news realms. You chose us, before the world was made, to be your of loved ones. We pray for those people who are displaced, who holy people, without fault in your sight. don’t know what to tell children who ask when they can go home. You adopted us as your children in Christ. You have set us free by his blood; you have forgiven our sins. You have made known Come quickly, Lord Jesus. There is trouble far away and trouble to us your secret purpose, to bring heaven and earth into unity right here, even in our own hearts. You alone see us as we are, in Christ. dear Savior, and so we beg for you to nurture us according to our needs, to minister to us according to our hurts, to heal us in You have given us your Holy Spirit, the seal and pledge of our all those places where you see that we are broken or sick. inheritance. O God of majesty and power, above the clamor of our violence, All praise and glory be yours, O God, for the richness of your your Word of truth resounds. Over nations enshrouded in grace, for the splendor of your gifts, for the wonder of your despair, your justice dawns. love. Grant your household a discerning spirit and a watchful eye to Father, you do as you please with the powers of heaven and the perceive the hour in which we live. Hasten the advent of that peoples of earth. We praise you for marshaling the powers of day when the weapons of war shall be banished, our deeds of heaven for the salvation of ill-deserving rebels, like us, and for darkness cast off, and all your scattered children gathered into securing the ultimate transformation of the cosmos. one. We sang our prayer: be thou my vision. Open our eyes, Lord. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, Help us to be expectant people. Bend our thoughts and whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, aspirations beyond the moment, beyond what we can see in who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, front of us at any given time. one God, forever and ever. It is easy, O God, for us to see why this world needs saving, Amen. but sometimes it is not so easy to believe that in Christ it has already been saved. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
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Offered by Dr. Mary Vanden Berg*
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Lord in your mercy, Indeed you are holy, O Lord, and most worthy of praise. Hear our prayer. All glorious God we give you thanks for in your Son, Jesus Christ, Give us this day our daily bread, you have given us every blessing. for we know that apart from your provision We praise you for the richness of your grace, and blessing, Lord, for the splendor of your gifts, our work would be in vain. and for the wonder of your love. Lord in your mercy, Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer. Hear our prayer. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, Thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in We know, O Lord, that even as we pray that you will destroy heaven. evil in our world How long, O Lord, must we wait? so very often we are part of the problem. It feels sometimes, Lord, like your kingdom is far from us. We are apt to seek your will only insofar as it does not It feels sometimes like evil’s word is stronger than your word undermine our own will. in our homes, our churches, and in the world. Forgive us, O Lord, just as we are fully determined as We lament the brokenness in our homes evidence of your grace in us to forgive where the call to serve our spouses and children our neighbors. can easily be drowned out by self-interest. Rule us by your word and Spirit, Lord Lord in your mercy, so that we can be examples of self-giving love to the world. Hear our prayer. We lament the brokenness in our churches where our own comfort often trumps our desire to bring Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the your good news to our neighbors. evil one where our fear of criticism thwarts our passion to speak the Because by ourselves we are too weak to resist the devil, the truth. world, and even our own desires. Keep you church strong and add to it, O Lord. Uphold us and make us strong with the strength We lament the brokenness of our world, Lord, of your Holy Spirit. Where the voices of terror and death have been loud of late in places like Paris, Beirut, and Syria. Lord in your mercy, Where people are forced to flee their homes or to face Hear our prayer. death. Destroy the devil’s work and every force which revolts against For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever your will. Amen
*Excerpts of these prayres are from The Worship Sourcebook (CRC Publications) and Rev. Scotty Smith’s blog, Heavenward (blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/scottysmith) Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Spring 2016 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | 7 Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics A ‘Missional’ Theology?
by Dr. John Bolt, Jean and Kenneth Baker Professor of Systematic Theology
article I dispute this presumption and because they are addressed to different argue that the Reformed Dogmatics is audiences with distinct needs can all still a valuable missional work. be true to biblical teaching. When we First, what does it mean for a compare John Calvin’s Institutes of theology to be missional? We may not the Christian Religion (16th century, start out with a pre-set idea of what Geneva) with Charles Hodge’s a missional theology should look Systematic Theology (1871–72, like and ask whether or not Bavinck USA) and Bavinck’s Reformed fits it. The first question we need to Dogmatics (1st ed. 1895–1901, The ask about any work of theology is: Netherlands) we see three Reformed “Is it true?” Does the way it talks works of theology with much similar about God actually comport with content yet distinct forms. Once we agree on the truth question Today we regularly hear the claim we can then ask about a theology’s that the church must become missional character. A true theology missional. This is often accompanied The first question could nonetheless be said to be by calls for a new missional theology not very missional if it did not because, so it is said, older theologies we need to ask intentionally promote the church’s are tied to Christendom, to defending about any work mission. Conversely, another work what is already in place rather could be very intentionally missional than sending us out. From that of theology is: but not entirely in harmony with perspective, a work of systematic “Is it true?” biblical teaching. I am convinced theology like Herman Bavinck’s that today a good systematic theology Reformed Dogmatics, now more than must be missional; our historical one hundred years old, might not who God really is? Theologies that context requires this. Hence the seem to qualify as missional. In this look very different from each other following definition:
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A missional theology understands Bridging cultural divides is one of the is. Conceptually, it is also a challenge the task of systematic theology to greatest challenges missionaries face to defend the notion that God is consist of providing comprehensive in communicating the gospel message a King to modern people who are and contemporary summaries of of salvation in Jesus Christ to people constitutionally wired for democracy, the Christian truth about God who are not at all familiar with the equality, and personal autonomy. with a view toward assisting the imagery of the biblical world. At a And how does one proclaim the church in effectively fulfilling the very elementary level, missionaries “good news” of eternal life to people Great Commission in wonder whether “the Lord is my whose worldview includes notions our day. shepherd” is a meaningful statement of ongoing cycles of reincarnation It is with that definition in mind that to native people who live in Arctic that feel like an oppressive burden? I judge Herman Bavinck’s Reformed regions, the barrios of Mexico City, Wouldn’t “good news” be a doctrine Dogmatics to be a profoundly or the favelas of São Paulo, or to in which we are set free from missional theology. others who have never seen sheep eternal life? and do not know what a shepherd continued on page 10
Meet Herman Bavinck By Jessica Driesenga
have much to offer us in the 21st. In notably through his editing work in our time of rapid social and cultural the English translation of Bavinck’s change, Bavinck’s articulation of the Gereformeerde Dogmatiek (Reformed Reformed tradition has a theologically Dogmatics). This work has exposed robust and culturally engaged word for Bavinck as a careful, articulate a church seeking to be engaged in the theologian; a man of “deep piety and mission of God in our world. great learning who faced head-on the challenges posed to Reformed Neo-Calvinism’s rich cultural vision orthodoxy by modernity.” It is difficult to be a theological has been accessible to the English voice that speaks winsomely to the speaking world through the words of In his Dogmatics Bavinck highlights theological and cultural questions Kuyper since the 1930s. He has been the task of dogmatic theology, “[to] that arise in our current context. long seen as a model for Reformed describe the deeds of God done for More difficult, however, is to provide Christians, and increasingly in the us and in us.” Bavinck’s thinking on a theological perspective that aptly broader evangelical world, of what it these matters has been accessible to the contributes to the faith and life of means to be a culturally and politically English speaking world for quite some Christians generations after you. engaged Christian. While Kuyper has time now. Following this is the task of Perhaps that is why it is not our been known, Herman Bavinck has ethics, “[to] spell out what those for natural inclination to look to voices remained relatively unknown within whom and in whom God has acted, in of the past in order to speak to the the English speaking world. love and grace, must now do.” Bavinck never finished his work on ethics, so pressing issues of our age. The relentless, dedicated work of few encountered his thoughts on the In the case of Herman Bavinck, John Bolt, amidst other translation matter – until now. however, we ought to do just this. efforts has succeeded in opening up His words, from the 19th century, the unique genius of Bavinck – most continued on page 10
Spring 2016 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | 9 continued from page 9 Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics
Missionaries need to have in-depth of such misunderstanding has been way in through witnessing an and, as much as is possible, existential chronicled by Canadian missionary unexpected ceremony. The Sawi awareness of the deepest longings and Don Richardson who worked among people were in a perpetual state of aspirations of those to whom they the tribal people of Western New war and effected a peace treaty with bring the gospel. A simple biblical Guinea, Indonesia. When he tried their enemies through a “peace child theology that summarizes the “truth” to explain the meaning of Christ’s ceremony” in which each village of Scripture in its own terms and atoning sacrifice at Calvary to the presented the enemy with an infant language (covenant; kingdom of Sawi people, he found that, as a as a “peace child.” As long as the God; justification, etc.) is inadequate people that valued cunning and child lived the village would live for this mission task. Unless deceit, they considered Judas the at peace. Richardson had found missionaries know how their message real hero of the story. Speaking the his breakthrough and used the will be received they risk being good news of the gospel into such a peace child as an analogy for God’s misunderstood and undermining the worldview presented a real challenge. redemptive love in Christ. gospel itself. A classic example Richardson found a Theologically, what is going on here? Reformed theology teaches that God is already present to all people, revealing himself to them; therefore, continued from page 9 their religions, their myths and legends, and their ritual practices, are Meet Herman Bavinck a response to this general revelation. If people are to understand the gospel, the special revelation of Bolt’s latest work, Bavinck on the Christian Life, is God’s saving work in Israel and an important achievement, providing readers with definitively in Jesus Christ, gospel invaluable insights into Bavinck’s convictions on this truth (or Christian doctrine) must application of theology, what it means to follow Jesus in be connected to what people already our daily lives. Bolt weaves together decades of insights know and believe about God and the into Bavinck’s understanding of the Christian life, world. A good missional theology articulating a vision that is vital both for those who are must relate the knowledge of God already enraptured by Bavinck’s thought and those who that is given in Scripture to the rest of don’t yet know how valuable it might be for their life our knowledge. It must relate biblical and ministry. This work illustrates the important wisdom that Bavinck truth to universal human experience. provides for Christians today seeking to think theologically, living as This is exactly what Bavinck does, devoted followers of Christ in our world. starting with his understanding of In this work, we see a vision of discipleship that encompasses the whole the Bible itself. He reminds us that of the Christian life: “The notion of Christian discipleship should Israel’s religious practices — including not be restricted to service that is explicitly linked to gospel ministry, covenant, circumcision, sacrifices, Christian witness, or Christian service. We live our Christian lives in and the priesthood — have much in the vocations to which God calls us, whatever they may be.” What common with those of her neighbors. follows is a wealth of Bavinck’s wisdom, embodying a Reformed witness Why? Because God is present to all for the way of Jesus in our world – one that is trinitarian, Christ- people; as God’s image bearers living centered, and culturally engaged: a timely vision for life in our world. in God’s creation they cannot avoid
10 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | Spring 2016 Missional Living of Scripture or evade responding to God. Biblical is the road to life. People saw this Calvin Seminary students Jin Li revelation does not drop out of the phenomenon in nature, where day and Mary Ma, who are translating sky; God comes to Abraham, to follows night and an awakening Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics into Moses, to post-exilic Jews in the days in the spring occurs after a winter Mandarin, asked me to prepare of Caesar Augustus and Quirinius, of hibernation or dormancy. a paper for the conference on its to the Greeks and to barbarians, (Reformed Dogmatics, III, 421) possible relevance for Chinese society, to Frisians and to native peoples Bavinck is not saying that Christ’s particularly Christian engagement everywhere, and calls them to himself death and resurrection should be with government. Here, in brief, is in language they can understand. treated merely as a sign of new life what I said. I pointed out that for All people, therefore, must respond just like the daffodils that come up Bavinck all Christian thinking has to God. The natural response, in the spring. He is simply observing to begin with the Trinity and that according to the Apostle Paul in that as people wrestle with the creation itself bears the marks of the Romans 1, is to suppress this general boundary issues of their own life Triune God. Furthermore, we can revelation and exchange it for an and death, they have religiously recognize these marks because “the idol. But even idolatrous responses created myths of dying and rising Logos [Word] who became flesh is teach us something about God that missionaries can tap into as the same by whom all things were and human longing. The religious entry points for the gospel. That is made,” and thus we who bear God’s traditions of the likeness and world show that image have they have some the capacity understanding of to see them. God’s power, an Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics Reality is an awareness that incarnation of there is a norm provides both a theological frame of God’s thought by which they and is created ought to live and mind that is missional and plenty of by the same that all people fail Logos who to meet, that we examples to help the missionary. created the laws need a deliverer, of thought in and the like. us. This leads to the important I consider insight that Bavinck’s all they are: entry points, nothing “just as God is one in essence and Reformed Dogmatics to be distinct in persons, so also the work helpful for the missional task of more. But entry points are essential for all mission work and Bavinck’s of creation is one and undivided, communicating the gospel because he while in its unity it is still rich in regularly introduces the main topics Reformed Dogmatics provides both a theological frame of mind that is diversity.” This Christian worldview, of theology by calling attention to finally, is eminently translatable into these universal expressions of response missional and plenty of examples to help the missionary. the Chinese traditions of Heaven’s to God’s general revelation. Consider Mandate and Dao and provides the following example from his Bavinck’s treatment of the Chinese Christians with a worldview chapter on Christ’s exaltation: fundamental Trinitarian doctrine of that honors unity, respects plurality, The death of Christ, the end of his God is even more important than and provides a perspective for how humiliation, was simultaneously such entry points. This was reinforced Christians relate to the state. the road to his exaltation. In all for me recently at a seminar for Chinese pastors and church leaders A missional theology must be true religions and philosophical systems, and helpful to the church in mission. one encounters the idea, expressed on the role of Christianity in helping create a flourishing society in China. Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics passes more or less consciously, that death both tests.
Spring 2016 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | 11 Fostering Formation for Mission in Our Classrooms
By Kristy Manion
Early this year, four members of the Calvin Seminary faculty met to talk about their goals and strategies for shaping students in their classes. Amanda Benckhuysen (Associate Professor of Old Testament), Danjuma Gibson (Lecturer in Pastoral Care), and Sarah Schreiber (Assistant Professor of Old Testament) assumed teaching responsibilities in 2014. Cory Willson (Jake and Betsy Tuls Assistant Professor of Missiology and Missional Ministry) began teaching at the Seminary in 2015. They spoke with Forum contributor and Calvin Seminary alumna Kristy Manion.
Kristy: Each of you to engage issues. They’re Amanda and I just presentation; but also, began teaching at Calvin not passive learners; they’re returned from a trip as you toured the site, Seminary within the last coming into the classroom to Israel and Palestine they’d say, “Hey look at two years. As you begin as active learners. They with students. We this—I read about this!” a new class, how do you need to contribute to visited biblical sites— They were teaching us as try to foster a welcoming the conversation. archaeological world instructors, and they environment for learning? heritage sites, or churches, were teaching their In my Hebrew classes, or other holy sites. And fellow classmates. one of my values is that we had our students give Amanda: One thing We had one student we’re in this together. So presentations about them. is creating a learning who was passionate community, a sense of if [you’re a student and] The students chose a site about Hezekiah’s Tunnel, [being] in this together, an someone close to you that they wanted to teach which is a water tunnel environment where people is struggling, you come the class about. I think you can crawl through can express their views and alongside them. It’s your that’s empowering for in Jerusalem. He was so opinions without feeling responsibility to help learning. They weren’t just pumped about it; but at somehow ashamed. Then them learn as much as it’s assigned a site; they could the same time, he was we can get into some my responsibility to help do research ahead of time terrified to go through good conversation around them learn. You empower and choose something they it himself. whatever subject matter students to be teachers as were really interested in. you’re teaching. He gave a great much as learners. Our students were presentation right before I want to help the passionate about their he went into the tunnel. students feel safe, and that Sarah: I love the idea sites. They not only All the other students said, they’re part of a broader of students teaching taught the students “Man—if you can do a community that has come one another. during the fifteen-minute presentation now, when
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By Kristy Manion
Amanda Danjuma Sarah Cory Benckhuysen Gibson Schreiber Willson
you’re so anxious about becomes a safe place where last year and a half with Danjuma: The classroom going into the tunnel, you you establish trust to have the courage that I see becomes electric. Before can preach anywhere!” a conversation, to see students engage in class. you know it the time has how students are It is really refreshing. run out. Kristy: What does the making connections. phrase “flipping the Kristy: Often we’ve I am always hoping that Sometimes I’ll stop class thought of the classroom classroom mean,” and how students in my classes are conversation and say, “Ok, as the place where students does it affect learning? in an environment where somebody pose a question come to gain knowledge they can go to those spaces that will help us take this and information. But it Cory: Flipping the that they were afraid to go, conversation to the next sounds like you’re seeing classroom is a paradigm or that culture has said, level.” If I can get classes class meetings—whether at of teaching in which a “Don’t get on that slope an archaeological site or in majority of the course to that place, I know because it’s slippery, don’t a room with four walls—as content is given through [they’re learning]. color outside those lines.” a place where students readings and activities When I’m learning from I want to push students themselves are formed. outside of class. the students, I know there, especially as I’m they’re all in. When the talking about pastoral care, So it’s not just content Amanda: We’ve come to center of learning has because we live in a society deliver through lecture understand our task at shifted from the teacher where people live on a in the class time. Class seminary as much larger to the student then you slope, not in safe spaces or is filled with Socratic than simply intellectual know that the “flipped controlled environments. dialogue and experiential formation. It’s also classroom” is working well. learning to critically For some students it’s character formation and analyze and assimilate new difficult, but I have been vocational formation … knowledge. The classroom pleasantly surprised in the continued on page 14
Spring 2016 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | 13 continued from page 13 Goals and Strategies
I would even say spiritual the seminary signed up Lord in a different way.” What are the lived needs formation. as counselees. or the questions that the Cory: gospel must address based Seminaries are known to Whether it’s that, or Are we forming on what you’ve just heard? be spiritual deserts. That having them go interview people to really inhabit the seems counterproductive someone that they would lives and questions of other What is the “good news” to me. Especially in North call a “sinner” … And after people? To take their ideas of the gospel that speaks to America where there’s a they’ve touched another and aspirations seriously these needs and questions? even if their questions are growing secularism, we human being, how does And [as you engage those don’t want to send people that impact how students disturbing or unsettling lived needs and questions], out who have lost their think about them? to us? you’re forced to make a faith at seminary. I’m not asking students to I assigned a reading from decision … You’re forced More than anything else, change their theological Peace Child by Don to go back to the biblical congregations need pastors propositions. But after Richardson, who worked text and say, “How is the to be the people who stand they have touched another in Papua New Guinea gospel good news [to these with the Sawi tribes. He up and say, “This is really human being, what does people]? Even if Scripture describes how the gospel true! We live in a world that do when they get to redirects those questions was contextualized in that where the resurrection a computer and reflect? and needs it cannot tribal context. really did happen. And Their concrete theological ignore them.” this is the difference it assumptions become There is one story he makes in our lives and discursive. described about the rancid It was one of those in our world.” death rituals of the Sawi “Aha!” moments with the Amanda: Students in my students. They began to When I went through people, and how they exegesis classes engage in a see how Scripture is way seminary, it was all about attempt to overcome practice called dislocated what was going on in the the curse of death. bigger as they engaged in exegesis. They go and read head. It’s got to be more this kind of “dislocated the text in an environment One of the students than that to sustain people, exegesis,” how Jesus and where they’re not very in our class was from to prepare people for the the gospel become more comfortable: a soup Southeast Asia. He said, challenges they’re going to beautiful. While engaging kitchen, a food bank, “I understand this.” He face in ministry today. the question might have began to tell us about Walmart. I ask them to been threatening to you Kristy: imagine reading the text the reasons within his What kinds of at first, it is ultimately practices are you asking through the lens of the culture why these death life-giving. students to engage in that environment they’re in, rituals exist. One of the help form them spiritually and see what that motivations for these I’m concerned with or vocationally? generates in them. rituals was the question of students’ theology; but I’m maintaining connectedness always trying to help them Students still come back to ancestors. Danjuma: Next week to me and say, “That was a not only exegete Scripture, my students are doing very meaningful exercise. I drew his comment into but also to exegete culture, marriage counseling in It helped me put myself in the classroom and invited to grow in empathy for the front of the whole class, the place of someone else the students to have a sake of communicating with staff members from and hear the Word of the conversation about it: the gospel.
14 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | Spring 2016 Is There a Future for Sacrifice? Coakley Says Yes.
by Erin Zoutendam, ThM Student
“The topic of sacrifice is urgently in need of theological and philosophical reclamation … if we are to confront some of the deepest challenges that currently threaten human flourishing worldwide,” said theologian Sarah Coakley, establishing the stakes for her Stob Lectures, delivered at Calvin Seminary in November.
Coakley is the claim of many feminist theologians and toward the feeding of the body. Norris-Hulse that sacrifice is a patriarchal concept This becomes a model for “ecstatic Professor of Divinity at Cambridge, an used to justify the victimization forms of moral response”—acts Anglican priest, and of women. of love that humans could not the author of God, In her second lecture, “Retrieving do without the divine graces of Sexuality, and the justification and sanctification. Self: An Essay ‘On the Sacrifice: Why a Classic Christian Trinity.’ The Stob Lecture Series, sponsored by (and Reformed) Theme Refuses Coakley concluded her lecture Calvin Seminary and Calvin College, is held to Die,” Coakley maintained that by returning to the question of annually in honor of Dr. Henry J. Stob and sacrifice, though it may at times whether sacrifice has a future. features topics related to ethics, apologetics, and philosophical theology. be used abusively, nevertheless has Drawing from her research into the potential to be life-giving. She the theological implications of the Coakley’s work is known for its then sketched the foundation for “a evolutionary concept of cooperation, interdisciplinary approach, and she vibrant theology of sacrifice” that she explained how sacrifice is has published on topics as diverse as would still be “truly cognizant” of becoming a foundational concept for Gregory of Nyssa, feminist theology, the dangers highlighted by its critics. evolutionary biology. “Selfishness and evolutionary biology. Her Stob is not the only story in evolution,” lectures displayed the same breadth Drawing from Calvin’s Institutes— of expertise, drawing from Calvin, a source she acknowledged as she said, noting that surrendering an Kant, Derrida, René Girard, and a particularly fitting given the location individual fitness trait for the sake slate of feminist theologians. of her lectures—Coakley responded of the whole species can lead to to the two critiques laid out in her stability and productivity. Coakley In her first lecture, “Modernity first lecture. Abusive actions can concluded, “This nexus of themes Against Sacrifice: From Kant via never be justified by Christ’s expiatory on evolutionary cooperation and Girard to Contemporary Feminism,” sacrifice, Coakley contended, since productive sacrifice is one without Coakley examined modern objections this act is unrepeatable and no further which final ecological survival cannot to sacrifice. After the horrors of the punishment is needed. now even be plotted or imagined.” Holocaust, there has been increasing resistance to the concept of sacrifice However, while Christians cannot With the survival of creation at stake, as a “rational or transformational offer or demand sacrifices of the Christian has a special call beyond spiritual project,” Coakley said. She expiation, they are called to make evolutionary processes. “Prayerful then examined two of the most sacrifices of praise and thanks, and costly entry into the Eucharistic important contemporary critiques especially through the Eucharist. sacrifice,” Coakley concluded, of sacrifice: the claim rising out of Though impossible without Christ’s “should issue forth in responsive and French thinker René Girard’s work expiatory sacrifice, the Eucharist prophetic action to protect the planet that sacrifice is mere violence, and the redirects sacrifice away from violence and protect others.”
Spring 2016 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | 15 Layers and layers of stone and mortar evident the first few days at some of the historical sites, particularly Taste and See in places like Masada and Beit She’an, were signs of the bitter reality of struggle and conquest among ancient civilizations. These ancient Israel Trip signs of conflict seemed to echo contemporary conflict between Israel and Palestine over occupation. Our Reflections on a Calvin Seminary Travel Course visit to Bethlehem Bible College (BBC) in the West Bank gave us by Paula Seales, ThM Student much educational fodder on the Israel/Palestine situation to chew Snow and long lines at security on. The everyday realities of the checkpoints greeted us as we started Palestinians: having to avoid certain our 13-day Taste and See Israel Course roads, traveling long distances to with Professors Sarah Schreiber and navigate around Israeli-controlled Amanda Benckhuysen, while some of us territory and being subjected to work curfews in Israel, also provoked some carried with us exhaustion and lingering emotions. Dr. Munther Isaac, one of flu symptoms. These were the realities the BBC faculty members, seemed to juxtaposed against the incredible reality of visiting the Holy echo the cries of the Christians there Land, where Abraham was given God’s promise of his in his thesis title, “Where is Christ at blessings, where Moses led the children of Israel through the the checkpoint?” wilderness assured of God’s cloud and pillar presence, and where God himself became one of us. So while we eagerly Conflicts over two sites considered looked forward to a “real” taste of ancient biblical history: sacred continued to remind us of dipping in the Dead Sea, boat-riding on the Sea of Galilee, humanity’s brokenness. The first, dirtying our hiking boots and gyms shoes, and savoring Temple Mount, is a most holy site some good Mediterranean food, there was perhaps also an for Muslims, Jews, and Christians, unconscious desire to taste and see hope in a land where and has long been a center of tension with each group protective of their God first put his footprint. sacred quarters. A second site, the
16 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | Spring 2016 Church of the Holy Sepulchre we voices singing, “Amazing Grace” and them our story,” he says. It’s a story of found was a center of tension among “It is Well With My Soul.” endurance and faith, of not knowing Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox sometimes where help will come and Armenian Churches, which There was also hope seen in the from. But it’s also a story of God’s all claimed rights to worship there. diverse group of CTS students whom help through many well-wishers and A ladder remains leaning against God brought together for the trip: supporters from abroad who continue the wall at the Church of the Holy some Korean, some Canadian, and to provide for the needs of the Sepulchre, untouched for some years, some African-American and Latino; Palestinian people. a visible sign of ongoing conflict. some Distance Learning students, Land mines also remain some yards and some Grand Rapidians: all just Cara DeHaan, one of the Calvin from the path to the Jordan River, not ordinary folks. We became like family, Seminary students who went on far from an abandoned church, where thanks to the wonderful leadership of the trip, wrote this blog: “On the in years past believers remembered Sarah and Amanda who in a spirit of day we visited Bethlehem Bible the baptism of our Lord. friendliness and knowledge, like that College, some of us ate lunch with of our experienced bus driver and Walter Brynjolfson, a student from So where, amidst such violence and tour guide, greeted us each morning Vancouver, Canada, enrolled in suffering, could we see glimpses of with the Hebrew words “Boker tov,” BBC’s brand-new MA in Peace hope? We saw hope in the people which means ‘Good morning!” Studies. Walter shared that he who continued to profess their faith is financing his education and in Jesus Christ and were baptized The Tent of Nations, located in supporting the local [Palestinian] in the Jordan River in spite of the the West Bank, was the last site we economy by transforming tear gas muddy water; in the tears and visited, and stood out like a beacon of canisters thrown by the Israeli army emotional stirrings in the hearts of hope. Palestinian Christians, Daher into Christmas ornaments. He fellow Calvin Seminary students who and his family – who own the Retreat collects the canisters littering the streets of Bethlehem (and even the grounds of BBC), removes the ash, paints them, and finishes them off with ribbon. His “peace parcels” are sold locally and on etsy.com - an inspiring example of how swords can be beaten into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4). Some of us left the Retreat Center thinking the world would be in good hands if there were more people like Walter and more people Calvin Seminary students at the Tent of Nations like Daher, who boldly declared, “We refuse to be an enemy!” This is were perhaps reminded of their own Center – faced many challenges: no the kind of hope that is grounded baptism; in the convergence of people running water, no plant-generated nowhere else but faith in Jesus Christ! from all around the world to the electricity, and, because of Israeli Holy Land because of their deep love government restrictions, no access We began the journey home for Christ and a desire to walk where to resources to develop their land, exhausted and had to undergo Jesus walked; and in the students and which the family has legally claimed more security checks. But we were professors from Western Theological for over 100 years. But Daher and returning with new eyes for reading Seminary and Calvin Theological his family remained optimistic. The the Old and New Testament, new Seminary who all gathered at St cave-turned meeting room, where we knowledge, new friendships, and a Anne’s Church and were enchanted gathered for a debrief, was flooded deeper love for God and his people. by the echoes of their harmonized with David’s passionate speech. “Tell What a trip!
Spring 2016 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | 17 Church Growth and Its Challenges in Ethiopia
by Fikre H. Norcha, MDiv Student
Ethiopia has been considered to be a Christian nation since the fourth Century. Christianity was a state religion until the last few decades. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) is a unique African church and is the largest denominations in Africa. However, evidence of genuine transformation in the lives of the people through faith in Christ has been minimal. During the twentieth century, Protestant missionaries and mission agencies have become effective for the Gospel. The downfall of communism has brought the freedom to exercise faith, and evangelical churches in Ethiopia are growing. Yet, the continuity of Christianity in Ethiopia and the present numerical growth of professing Christians have not been united with the improvement of living condition and the transformation of the socio-economic life of the nation which the gospel should bring.
18 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | Spring 2016 Missional Living of Scripture
The reality is that Ethiopia, with a population of almost 98 million, is constantly rated by the UN as among the world’s ten poorest countries and holds a position close to the bottom of the UNDP Human Development Index. Hunger, famines, and internal and external wars occur frequently. Severe drought and famine still threaten the national development of the nation. Despite the famine and drought, socio-political instability, the legacy of communist rule, and severe poverty, evangelical churches in Ethiopia are 43.5% Ethiopian Orthodox experiencing explosive growth by the 33.9% Muslim power of the Holy Spirit. Intensive 18.5% Protestant evangelistic effort and new church 2.7% Traditional planting is flourishing throughout 0.7% Catholic the nation. Many new converts come 0.6% Other mainly from animistic religions, (2007 est.) while others convert to Protestant Christianity from the Orthodox Church or Islam, creating sometimes “Evangelical Mekane Yesus Church.” The PCE has also been able to violent backlashes from those groups. This was the end of the Presbyterian organize development programs, In some areas of Ethiopia, churches Church in Ethiopia and there was no six elementary church schools, and are experiencing severe persecution. church under the name Presbyterian holistic activities. The spreading of the gospel in until recently. Since the Evangelical Churches of Ethiopia has been the preeminent In August 1997, after the fall of the Ethiopia in general and, specifically, long–term vision of the Presbyterian communist regime, a few Ethiopians the PCE, are growing rapidly, there Church since the turn of the last planted a new Presbyterian Church is a need for trained ministers to century. The United Presbyterian in an under-privileged and Muslim- continue to promote church-planting Mission of America planted the first populated area of the south-west efforts across the nation. Alongside Presbyterian Church in 1920 in West suburb of Addis Ababa, the capital poverty-alleviation, programs such Ethiopia. Until 1974, this planted of Ethiopia. Now, after 18 years of as child development, women’s church played an enormous role in ministry, the Presbyterian Church of empowerment projects, and access to the spiritual, educational, and social Ethiopia (PCE) has planted more education for children experiencing development of the country and than 116 local churches with 75,000 the most extreme poverty are formed the Bethel church synod. members all over the country. It has crucial. The PCE is praying for However, in 1974 the government become a recognized denomination potential partnership with Reformed was taken over by the communist and a member of the Evangelical and Presbyterian denominations, regime with its anti-capitalist Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia churches, organizations and sentiment. The Presbyterian Church (ECFE). The Presbyterian Church individuals for continued growth and has since been known as American of Ethiopia (PCE) is one of the new the advancement of the Kingdom Mission and was handed over to the and growing denominations in the in unreached areas in Ethiopia Lutheran mission, nationally called country with a Reformed perspective. and beyond.
Spring 2016 | CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM | 19 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 657 3233 Burton Street SE Publications Mail Agreement No. 40063614 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 3475 Mainway, LCD STN 1 Burlington ON L7M 1A9
Turkey and Greece: A Study Tour
January 3-17, 2017
Come, experience the world of the Bible through a 13-day course that explores the culture, geography, and history of Turkey and Greece. Join Prof. Jeff Weima along with current seminary students in visiting archaeological and sacred sites of biblical, historical, and religious significance that will illuminate your reading of Scripture. Limited seats reserved for non-students; please contact [email protected] for more information.
Temple of Apollo, TURKEY