ن�شــرة مو�سمية تصدر عن

JUNE 2014 كلية الالهوت لل�شرق الأدنى ISSUED OCCASIONALLY by the NEAR EAST SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY, BEIRUT - FOR RELATED CHURCHES, SUPPORT AGENCIES AND A SMALL CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

P.O.Box: 13-5780 Chouran, Beirut 1102 2070 Lebanon • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.theonest.edu.lb Tel.:(961-1) 349901 / 738639 • Fax: (961-1) 347129

FromFrom The The PresidentPresident

s the Syrian crisis affecting N.E.S.T?” – A in ; Peter (‘80) holds fast in , despite “Iquestion our international friends and partners random shelling; Ma‘an (’88) steadfastly remains with often ask us. Located in Lebanon, N.E.S.T. is not directly his church in Mharrdeh and . Ya‘coub (’09) was and physically affected by the violence and destruction kidnapped by religious extremists, then released, but he taking place in many Syrian cities, towns and villages. remains faithfully alongside his flock in , and so We have been able to bring to a close this academic year does Mufid, currently in our STM program. Mufid and peacefully and without any interruptions. Life is normal Yacoub commute regularly to Beirut, often under danger, at the Seminary; foreign students from the region and to continue their studies on top of everything else they do. from Europe and Canada have just completed 9 months To all those alumni of N.E.S.T. we say: May God bless of serious study on our campus in Beirut. To be sure, you and protect you and give you strength to continue N.E.S.T. is affected by the Syrian situation in the same serving His Church and all suffering people in war-torn measure as the country of Lebanon is – adverse effects Syria. N.E.S.T. is proud to count you among its alumni! on the political, economic, and social levels. Politically “Is N.E.S.T. affected by the Syrian crisis?” To be sure, the country is sharply divided between supporters of the in the ways mentioned above and more. Many of our Syrian regime and supporters of the Syrian opposition; activities, discussions in and out of class, and daily chapel economically, the loss of tourism due to the Syrian events services often revolve around the Syrian conflict and the and the lack of governmental effective rule that drives fate of Christians and others there. What is happening prices out of control are weighing heavily on people’s in Syria haunts our hearts and minds. Yet, our Syrian ability to cope; socially, the presence of around one and a students have demonstrated remarkable spiritual maturity half million Syrians – around one third of the population and professed profound faith. Two of our female students of Lebanon – has had adverse effects on the country. All come from Kessab – an Armenian Syrian town that was these things are felt by all of us in Lebanon, and N.E.S.T. overrun by religious extremists in March. Their families is no exception. But we are also more closely involved in had to leave the town very suddenly leaving everything what is going on in Syria. Two of our faculty members behind and becoming refugees in Syria and Lebanon are Syrian; the largest national group among our students overnight. Talar and Liza were deeply affected, sad, is Syrian; some of our employees are Syrians; many of depressed, worried, but they did not allow that to disrupt the residents in the building are Syrian students from our their commitment to theological education. Valiantly they churches who study at neighboring institutions, and last continued going to classes and participating in seminary but not least, many of our alumni are serving in Syria, life. Liza led a chapel service recently in which she spoke and we are constantly in touch with them. To them existentially and movingly about her experience as a N.E.S.T. wishes to pay a warm tribute. Bchara (’88), student whose family is now suffering in Syria. I would Houry (’88), Serop (’96), Harout (88), Ibrahim (‘97), like to end this message with her words: Yusuf (’74), and Simon (’07) are besieged in , and “… we need to be confident that God is faithful, and he though they have the option to leave, they remain with will not allow us to be tested beyond our strength, “but their congregations: witnessing, consoling, caring and with the testing he will also provide the way out” so that providing material needs. Salam (’01) serves in Latakia we may be able to endure it. (I Cor. 10:13) This invites and manages relief work; Sevag (’05), displaced from us all, to entrust ourselves to Him; in every situation or Kessab, refuses to abandon his refugee congregation circumstance and to have hope in the midst of suffering.” 2 NEST

President’s USA trip

n December 2013 President ISabra travelled to the U.S.A. at the invitation of the Overseas Ministries Study Center, New Haven., to lecture on “Christian Mission in the Wake of the Arab Spring.” His presence in the US was an occasion to visit the headquarters of the PCUSA in Louisville, KY, where he met with several leaders of the Church, spoke about N.E.S.T. and promoted its programs for expatriate students and pastors.

While in Louisville, Dr. Sabra visited Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and met with faculty member, Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick (former Stated Clerk), Dean Sue Garret, as well as President Michael Jinkins, and discussed With Grayde Parsons, Stated Clerk, PCUSA possible ways of cooperation between the two institutions.

The next stop was California, where Dr. Sabra visited Fremont Presbyterian Church in Sacramento and delivered an address on the situation of Christians in the Middle East and the work of the N.E.S.T.

Dinner with Fremont Mission Committee NEST 3

From Sacramento he went to Berkeley where Ms. Carole Dolezal had organized a rich program of meetings and lectures. At the Graduate Theological Union Dr. Sabra met with several presidents and deans of the GTU, informing about NEST’s programs and answering questions about the situation in the Middle East. Later that evening, Dr. Sabra delivered an address on “The Impact of the Arab Spring on the Christians of the Middle East”. That same address was delivered in the Adult Education class of Moraga Valley Presbyterian church, where Dr. Sabra attended worship along with his hosts, Faiz and Rima Makdisi, and gave a word of greeting in the Service. President Riess, Sabra, Dolezal

With Faiz Makdisi at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church

In Berkeley, Dr. Sabra visited the Rev. Ben Weir – longtime Presbyterian missionary in Lebanon and member of the N.E.S.T. Board.

Rev. Ben Weir 4 NEST

Christian-Muslim Dialogue and Relations

anel discussion on “The ‘Gospel’ (al- Pinjil) in Christianity and Islam” was held on January 14, 2014. Speakers were Dr. Mohammad an-Nuqari and Dr. Johnny Awwad. A Panel Discussion on “The Role of Christ at the End of Times” was held on March 20, 2014. Panelists were Sheikh Mohammad Ahmad al-Hijazi (Shi‘ite scholar), Fr. Anotine Mikhael (Maronite Kaslik University), and Dr. Hilal Darwish (Sunni scholar). Nuqari, Sabra, Awwad

Mikhael, Darwish, Hijazi, Sabra

Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Sidon

.E.S.T. Faculty and students were invited to Ntake part in a one-day conference in Sidon in January 2014 on the topic, “With Christ (PBUH) in His Life and Teachings”. The conference was organized by the Islamic Jinan University in Sidon. Two faculty members, Awwad and Ford, along with some students, attended. Dr. Ford gave a lecture on “The Positive Portrayal of Christ by the Egyptian Muslim Modernist ‘Abbās Mahmūd al-‘Aqqād.” Life at NEST

Christmas 2013

NEST community celebrated Christmas with a Communion Service in which Re. Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of Haigazian University, preached. A Christmas dinner was held after the service during which a love offering was collected for a home for battered women in Ras Beirut – Beit el Hanan.

Dr. Haidostian

Christmas Service

Christmas Dinner

N.E.S.T. Choir Life at NEST

Easter Service

Holy Week and Easter were observed in one Communion Service, as is the custom at N.E.S.T. on Holy Tuesday. The preacher was the newly installed pastor of the French-speaking Protestant congregation in Beirut, Rev. Pierre Lacoste. The celebrant was the Rev. Dr. Habib Badr.

Rev. Lacoste

Day Trip to Anjar

The Spiritual Life Committee organized a one-day retreat in the form of an excursion to Anjar on Saturday May 10, 2014. The visit to Anjar was not simply to enjoy a day in the country or to visit the historical ruins, but to meet with displaced Syrian families and listen to their experiences and pray with and for Worship at Anjar The NEST group

them. After a worship service celebrated in the Armenian Evangelical boarding School, students and faculty members divided themselves into six groups that visited six displaced Armenian families from the Syrian town of Kessab. Special thanks goes to our alumnus, Rev. Hagop Akbasharian, pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Anjar, for hosting and organizing the visits.

Lunch

Visiting the ruins 8 NEST

Public lectures

Receiving His Holiness

Catholicos Aram 1 receiving a gift of recognition

he January Public Lecture entitled “40 Years of the TEcumenical Movement in the Middle East: What Remains to be Done?” was delivered by His Holiness Keshishian, Catholicos of the Armenian Orthodox Church of Cilicia. It was an occasion for N.E.S.T. to recognize and honor one of its most distinguished His Holiness Catholicos Aram 1 graduates and a great ecumenical leader. NEST 9

March Public Lecture April Public Lecture “Misinterpretations (in ) of a Missionary “Renewing Policy: Philosophy in Islam: The American Horizons and Mission’s Conflict Impasses in with Butrus al- Thinking” Bustani and John Wortabet” Dr. Nader el-Bizri Ms. Uta Zeuge American University Humboldt of Beirut University, Berlin

N.E.S.T. Publications

n February of this academic year, N.E.S.T. published an Arabic translation of Martin Luther’s famous Reformation writing On Christian Liberty. Dr. Sabra revised, completed and wrote an Iintroduction for an Arabic translation of the book that had been partially done by the late Rev. Morris Seale (N.E.S.T. faculty in the late 1960s and 1970s). N.E.S.T. celebrated the launching of the book with a panel discussion of the book on Feb. 20. The project was made possible by a grant from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Mr. Samer Fares Dagher, a member of the Rabiya Presbyterian Church in Lebanon.

Fr. G. Khawwam, Sabra, Fr. George Massouh discussing Luther's book. 10 NEST

Resource Center Activities

The Resource Center for Christian Education held several training sessions:

A. TEENOLOGY 302

he training took place on Saturday March 15, 2014, and was attended by 43 youth Tleaders from churches, fellowships and social organizations. Two sessions were conducted on the following topics: TEENOLOGY Participants

• The Challenge of Atheism: Equipping Youth Leaders to Equip Teens. Speaker: Dr. George Sabra • Spiritual Temperaments of Youth: Ways Teens Connect with God. Speaker: Mrs. Patty Ford.

B. BIBLIODRAMA Leaders Training

ibliodrama Leaders Training took place between May 22-25, 2014, in the Dhour El Shweir Evangelical BCenter, Lebanon. Our long time friend and partner from DanMission, Rev. Agnete G. Holm, who has led many Bibliodrama sessions in the CERC, along with Mrs. Ele Bonde led our training event of three days. It was a real blessing for all who participated. The group, which must needs be very small for such a training in Bibliodrama, consisted of 11 participants. Bibliodrama Leaders Training Participants

Reformed-Roman Catholic International Dialogue

s a member of the International Commission of AReformed-Catholic Dialogue Dr. George Sabra attended the Fourth Session of the dialogue held in Glasgow, Scotland in April 2-14. Discussions focused on producing a statement that links Justification, Sanctification and Justice. NEST 11 NEST NEST Goes to the Churches

Seminary Sundays As part of its activities to relate to churches and to make its ministry known, and also to interest prospective students, N.E.S.T. faculty organized several Seminary Sundays in the spring of 2014. One faculty member accompanied by 3-4 students take part in the Sunday Service and speak about N.E.S.T. The Armenian Evangelical Church of Nor TEENOLOGY Participants Marash (Beirut), International Episcopal Church, Zeitouneh (Beirut), Minyara Presbyterian Church, and the Rabiya Presbyterian Church. At Arm. Evangelical Nor Marash Church

N.E.S.T. Lectures in

Again this year, N.E.S.T. was requested to send a professor to deliver lectures at the Redeemer Episcopal Church in Amman, Jordan, within their program of public lectures. Dr. Sabra was the lecturer for this year on the topic, “The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity and its Relevance to Faith and Life Today.”

Community Course

A Community Course was given again this spring in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church. One of our faculty members, Dr. Sylvie Avakian Ma’amarbashi taught a course entitled “Understand What You Believe: An Introduction to Christian Doctrines” over a period of ten weeks. 12 NEST Preserving Protestant Heritage in the Middle East

Greetings from the Archives

ince the launch of the Preserving SProtestant Heritage in the Middle East (PPHME) project six months ago, the N.E.ST. Library has been a buzz of activity. The PPHME Director, Dr. Christine Lindner has catalogued over 1,500 archival pieces, assisted by M. Div. student Ms. Talar Marashlian. This includes a teaching certificate for a highly qualified woman named Labiba Kurani, which was analyzed in the new ‘Quick Studies of Protestant Heritage in the Middle East’ series of the N.E.S.T. Theological Review Plans for the future development of the PPHME 34/2(2013). Other noteworthy items include hand- project are currently being prepared. These include written yearbooks from the Athens School of the renovation of the Special Collections Room in Religion (a predecessor of N.E.S.T.), rare copies order to expand its holding capacity and to ensure of Nahda literature (including pieces by Farida the continued preservation of this invaluable Attiyeh), correspondences regarding the founding collection. Another project entails the digitization of the Gerard Institute in Sidon and an unparalleled of fragile items to prevent further deterioration. collection of Protestant periodicals (such as al- These projects require substantial initiating costs Nushra, Kaukab al-Subh al-Munir and the Syria and the PPHME project is looking for prospective News Quarterly). donors. The PPHME team would like to thank the alumni and friends of NEST for your prayers and support. We look forward to hearing from you-whether it be a story that you like to share, an inquiry about a family member or former school, or your participation at one of our events. If you are interested in learning more about the Preserving Protestant Heritage Project, particularly ways to support its development, please contact PPHME Director Dr. Christine Lindner [email protected] and visit the project’s website: Christine B. Lindner (PPHME director) http://protestantheritagenest.omeka.net/ Visitors & Events In January Marilyn Borst with a group from Delegation from Church the Outreach Foundation, which supports many activities at the Seminary, visited N.E.S.T. and of Scotland met with President Sabra, faculty and students. A delegation from the Church of Scotland visited N.E.S.T. on January 27, 2014. The Revs. Andrew McLellan (Convener of the World Mission Council), Kenny Roger (Middle East Secretary), and Ian Alexander (Council Secretary), met with President Sabra and discussed ways of furthering cooperation between N.E.S.T. and the CoS. Lately, the Church of Scotland has been very helpful in procuring support for the project Preserving Protestant Heritage in the Middle East at the Seminary.

Visit of Armenian Evangelical World Council On April 29, 2014, N.E.S.T. held a dinner in honor of a visiting delegation from the Armenian Evangelical World Council. It was the Council’s first visit to the Seminary; many of its members are alumni of N.E.S.T. Representatives of the In the Archives Room - N.E.S.T. Library Board Churches as well as other Lebanese churches and faculty members attended. Continuing Education Seminar for EKHN Pastors A group of 14 pastors and a bishop from the German Lutheran Church of Hessen-Nassau on a study trip spent a week at N.E.S.T. (April 23-29). Led by Rev. Bernd Apel, a former participant in the Pastors Sabbatical Program at N.E.S.T., the group’s focus was on the theme “Christians in the Middle East”. The Seminary organized for them encounters with church Donation to Library leaders as well field trips to churches and historic sites in the country. The German Board of the Studies in the Middle Program (SiMO) donated to the N.E.S.T. Library the complete set (14 volumes) of one of the best internationally known encyclopedias of religion and theology: Religion Past & Present. 14 NEST

Hospital during the summer. We got took part in an Assyrian Sunday to know them casually - socializing, service, visited Qadisha Valley with playing volleyball and basketball, a Maronite priest, and we were guests The enjoying the seaside together at at a Greek Orthodox monastery in the the Corniche, and all that in a few Metn region. With Dr. Peter Ford we SIMO days. Then they had to leave, as the received a very interesting overview semester at their university in Syria of the history, theology and practice was about to resume. They went of Islam in the Middle East that also Program back to their homes – to Damascus. included many field trips to Mosques Growing up over the last twenty-odd and an Islamic university. I am very years in Germany, fortunately, all of grateful for this opportunity and I us never had any personal experience want to thank all our lecturers for of war. The whole concept was these special classes. But even more something alien to us, something we than these classes, our everyday life read about in the media, or something at N.E.ST., the dinner and coffee our grandparents had told us about. To conversations, made us understand us, it was unimaginable that someone, what life is like for Christians in who managed to leave a country at Lebanon and the whole Middle East. war behind for some fortunate reason While visiting Anjar, we learned about as an internship, could possibly want the historical fate of the to go back there for such a trivial and with our two fellow students reason as continuing one’s education! from Kessab, we shared their grief But they did go back. They left and in the recent developments. In chapel This year the Studies in the came back during the course of the we prayed together with our whole Middle Program (SiMO) had year for a conference. Their reality in community for peace in this war-torn five students: 4 Germans and Syria didn’t change that much over region. 1 Canadian. Here are the this period. But how much we have impressions of one student changed in our understanding of what Regardless of how one might who came from Ruprecht- that reality is like: every week people describe it - wonderful, interesting Karls University, Heidelberg, came over the border from Syria and or even life-changing in some ways, Germany. told us new stories from there - stories these last nine months were an intense about snipers, shelling, explosions, and experience. In class, on the field trips, “Very soon we will be leaving constant fear. We were with our fellow and especially during our weekly this country that bore so many and students from Kessab when their volleyball and basketball games we varied experiences for all of us. Very beautiful hometown was overtaken made friends. I am very sad when I by rebel groups and their families had soon we will have to leave N.E.S.T., think about leaving N.E.S.T. in three to leave everything behind and flee to an institution that taught us a lot, weeks from now. But I am sure, I will Latakia. We also felt the tension in our especially about the history and life of return, one day. And back in Germany, own country, Lebanon: we could feel Christians and their Muslim brothers I will continually include N.E.S.T., my the anxiety of the people on the streets and sisters in this region. But not only fellow students, my friends, and the in late November even in Hamra. the institution: We will leave N.E.ST., whole region in my prayers. May the Some of us heard the explosion in next SIMO generations come here to the building that slowly but steadily the Downtown Beirut shortly after a more peaceful region, a more stable has become a home to us. And we will Christmas, and on one trip in February country, where none of them has to have to leave N.E.S.T., the community, we passed by an already cleaned up get used to this euphemism called the the people, that we have all grown so explosion site in the southern suburb political situation that all the locals and fond of. of Beirut. Somehow it seemed that, even us, the SIMO group of 2013/14, over time, we got used to all this this. The first and most lasting have adapted to during these difficult impression of my first week in Lebanon Over the last nine month we times.” last September meeting Syrian medical learned about history, liturgy, and students who stayed at N.E.ST. for an theology of several Eastern Churches internship at the American University in Dr. George Sabra’s class. We (Verena Urban) NEST 15

Appeal for Donations: Renovating the Student Coffee Shop

Faculty member Shaké Geotcherian, in collaboration with students and the Administration, is leading a campaign to renovate the Student Coffee Shop. Here is the appeal that was sent to all Dr. Raja Tannous alumni, friends and former Board Member Dr. Raja residents in the building: Izzat Tannous, Honorary Professor at the Ameri- can University of Beirut, passed away on February Dear Alumni/ae and Friends of N.E.S.T., 26, 2014. The Coffee Shop at N.E.S.T. no doubt was one of your favorite places Dr. Tannous was appoint- where you spent countless hours of discussion, socializing, arguing, ed to the Board in the laughing and warm times of fellowship. It still is the gathering place for spring of 2013 as the third students and residents. representative of the Epis- • The Coffee shop is now over 40 years old, and it is in need of serious copal Church, Diocese of renovation! Jerusalem. He was able • The total cost for renovation will be $5,000. to attend only one Board Meeting, then he fell ill. • We come to you with a request for a donation to renovate the place that It was with much sorrow was an important part of your life in the building, whether you were that N.E.S.T. received the a student at N.E.S.T. or a resident attending one of the neighboring news of his passing away. universities around us. Dr. Tannous was a wise • We would appreciate any contribution towards this project which we and positive presence on hope can be done in the summer of 2014. the Board and its commit- For your donations: tees. We thank God for the life and contribution of You can pay in person at the Accountant’s office. Dr. Raja Tannous. Or Send a check to: Near East School of Theology Or Bank Wire Transfer: See wire transfer Information on the back cover. (please mention “Coffee Shop”) We continue to depend on your prayers and support. Our ministry is indeed your ministry. You can continue to support us in any of the following ways:

• Through the PC (USA) Make your checks payable to: Presbyterian Church (USA) Indicate on your check: For deposit to ECO 862612 (N.E.S.T., Beirut) Mail your contribution to: Presbyterian Church (USA) P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

You will receive a receipt from the office in Louisville for your tax-deductible contribution. You will also receive a letter of thanks from the President of N.E.S.T..

• Direct checks in the name of N.E.S.T.: Near East School of Theology P.O. Box 13-5780 Chouran Beirut 1102-2070 Lebanon • Bank wire transfers: Byblos Bank, Bliss Branch - Beirut, Lebanon Account Name: Near East School of Theology Byblos Bank Swift Code: BYBALBBX Account #: 475-2100883-008 for Dollars Transfers Account #: 475-2100883-009 for Euro Transfers IBAN: LB43003900000004752100883008 for Dollars Transfers LB16003900000004752100883009 for Euro Transfer

Your contribution is deeply appreciated

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Near East School of Theology P.O. Box 13-5780 Chouran Beirut 1102-2070 Lebanon