Theological News On-Line

Issue 15 May 2003

Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance 

Editor: David Parker  dparker@pacific.net.au 
Email Distribution: Dr. Paul C. Murdoch   Murdoch@ead.de

Welcome to WEF Theological News On-Line - this is an on-line version of our printed quarterly, WEF Theological News (ISSN 0260-3705). WEF TN On-Line is issued approximately monthly. The content of the printed and on-line versions overlap but are not identical. For more information, visit our website www.worldevangelical.org/tcpubs.html#ert

We welcome news reports on theological matters for both versions - they can cover theological institutions, conferences, publications, faculty, trends and developments, etc. of interest to evangelical theologians around the world.

For more information on the work of the Theological Commission, contact the Executive Chair, Dr Rolf Hille on r.hille@bengelhaus.de

In this issue:

•  Special request - early copies of Theological News wanted
•  WEA Theological Resources CD on sale again
•  New Centre for Studies in Ethics and Bioethics in Padua, Italy
•  Pioneer Australasian Bible College History available on CD
•  ACTEA eNews - en français
•  Books of interest

WEA Theological Resources CD on sale again

The Theological Resource Library CD is again available for sale. This CD contains the full text of Evangelical Review of Theology (ERT) up to Oct 2000, all the TC books and monographs, several other WEF publications and a number of Bibles and other resources. After a period when it was sold out, it is now available again at a cost of US$40 plus $5 shipping. In addition a supplementary CD is also available containing ERT for 2001 and 2002 in PDF format for US$10 including shipping. Ordering details for both CDs may be obtained by contacting WEA TC Publications on email dparker@pacific.net.au Thanks is expressed to those who responded to earlier notices in TN On-line about an updating and expansion of the content of this CD. However, it has been decided not to proceed with this, and instead to offer the initial version of the CD again.

Full details of the CD will be available on the WEA TC website very soon - go to www.worldevangelical.org/theology.html and follow the link (if it is not ready yet, please try again later).

New CENTRE FOR STUDIES IN ETHICS AND BIOETHICS in Padua, Italy

For more than ten years the I.F.E.D. (Evangelical Institute for Formation and Documentation) study centre in Padova has been actively involved in ethical research, particularly in the area of Bioethics. The first step, back in 1992 was an edition of the magazine Studi di Teologia entitled "Ethics and Medicine". This was followed by another monograph in 1996 entitled "The Bible and Sickness", with the national annual seminar being dedicated that year to Bioethics. 

This year IFED is launching CSEB (Centre for Studies in Ethics and Bioethics) with the intention of creating an Evangelical point of reference, principally for Italy, but which will relate extensively to the Evangelical Churches world-wide. The challenges of contemporary society are such that at the present time the evangelical voice can all too easily be dismissed as a minority opinion which appears to be totally irrelevant. IFED's desire is that through CSEB, under the leadership of its new director, Dr. Leonardo De Chirico, the Church of Christ will be able to vitally interact from its own specific view point and show itself to be salt and light in the health-care sector of society. 

The twin objectives of the Institute are to develop and communicate an evangelical worldview in the area of Ethics and Bioethics, and to assist in the formation of Christians who will be able to significantly interact on these issues within society. All too often the Evangelical church has been almost totally absorbed by the more vocal Roman Catholic expressions of morality or just simply standing on the side-lines watching the game being played out on the field. The heart-beat of CSEB is to develop an alternative biblical option which is not just a fruit of natural theology and which can be put into practice by professional people who are involved at all levels of society. There is the anticipation of the formation of working groups studying particular issues and the development of courses which can prepare nurses, doctors, professors, teachers, pastors, etc. to be Christians who are actively involved in this very practical area. 

The principal activities which are being launched this year are: 

1. A course in Ethics and Bioethics which will be tailored to meet the needs of health-care workers, professional medical personnel, teachers, pastors, etc.
2. A two-day Congress in May 2004 which will conclude the academic year.
3. A special supplement to the magazine, Studi di Teologia, which in the future will be published every autumn and will have articles, book-reviews, critical studies, and bibliographical references covering the entire field of study developing within CSEB. 

The intention is to establish a specialised study centre which will progressively develop an Evangelical vantage-point to which Christians and laity can look for a qualified biblical opinion on these contemporary issues. This will mean ongoing research and continued interaction with a controversial world, but if we do not seize the opportunity today to be at the forefront of our society, tomorrow we will be left behind reaping the fruits of a secular society which found God to be distant and obsolete. The sovereign Lord is never that and IFED's desire through CSEB is to confess his glory even in these very down to earth matters. 

For more information, contact Dr Leonardo De Chirico, CSEB, C.P. 756, 35100 Padova, Email ifed@libero.it 

(translated by CSEB from the website www.ifeditalia.org/cseb/index.htm)

PIONEER AUSTRALASIAN BIBLE COLLEGE HISTORY AVAILABLE ON CD

The history of the first Bible missionary training Bible college in Australia and New Zealand is now available on a CD. The original college was established in Adelaide, South Australia, and was known as Angas College after its benefactor. The history, in the form of a university dissertation was written by John Calvert, who teaches Church History at the Bible College of South Australia, founded by two early graduates of Angas College. The CD, costing AUD $25, which contains the history in PDF format, covers the beginning of the Bible college movement worldwide and centres on Adelaide as home of the first Bible College in Australia. Included are a number of photos covering student groups at Payneham and Victor Harbor. Ordering details from admin@biblecollege.sa.edu.au 

ACTEA eNews - en français

Le COHETA est très heureux d'annoncer que son bulletin électronique, eNews COHETA, est maintenant disponible en français par e-mail.

eNews COHETA est un forum sur courrier électronique pour un échange périodique des nouvelles, informations et ressources issues de le Conseil pour l'Homologation des Étabissements Théologiques en Afrique (COHETA), des institutions connexes à celle-ci et des programmes théologiques, des organismes de soutien et des personnes intéressées.

Si vous voulez vous abonner à la nouvelle version de ce bulletin, envoyez un e-mail à : actea.africa@gmail.com 

See also the ACTEA website - www.TheolEdAfrica.org

Books of interest

WEF TC Study Unit Textbook on Eschatology: Hope Does Not Disappoint (ISBN 3-932829-31-X) edited by Dr Jochen Eber - covers not only the biblical and theological teaching on the topic, but also sets eschatology in relation to mission interests, various cultural, intellectual and geographical contexts around the world, especially the major world faiths and traditional religions. Published in Germany by Verlag fuer Kultur und Wissenschaft in the series, Mission reports vol. 9. For further information contact Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, Friedrichstr. 38, D-53111 Bonn, Germany or Phone 0228/965038- www.bucer.de or Dr Eber 123.45@gmx.de or Theological Book Trust, PO Box 9529, Bangalore, 560 095, India tbtindia@blr.vsnl.net.in

Faith, Health and Prosperity: A report on 'Word of Faith' and 'Postivie Confession' Theologies by ACUTE, edited by Andrew Perriman (Paternoster, 2003) ISBN 1-84227-188-1 acute@eauk.org

The Nature of Hell: a report by ACUTE (Paternoster, 2000) ISBN 0-95329-922-8 acute@eauk.org

Christian Ministry: Models of Ministry and Training by J. B. Jeraraj (Bangalore: Theological Book Trust, 2002) ISBN 81-7475-040-1 jbjeyaraj@hotmail.com

WEA Theological News On-line

This is an electronic edition of WEF Theological News (ISSN 0260-3705) published by World Evangelical Fellowship Theological Commission; Chair: Dr Rolf Hille www.worldevangelical.org/theology.html

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WEA Theological News

The printed version of WEA TN is published quarterly. To subscribe send your name and address to the editor, Editor, WEA TN, 17 Disraeli St, Indooroopilly Qld, Australia, 4068 Enquiries Parker_david@compuserve.com Fax (+61 7) 3878 3108. A voluntary donation equivalent to approx US$10 for 2 years is invited to assist with production costs. Donations can be sent to the editor in US $$, Euros, Sterling or Australian $$ (payable to Theological Commission)

WEF Theological Commission On-Line Forum

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