Theological News On-Line

Issue 52    May 2007	'Promoting Biblical Truth by Networking Theologians'

Published by Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance

Editor: David Parker tc@worldevangelicalalliance.com
email distribution: Dr.Paul C. Murdoch Murdoch@ead.de

Welcome to WEA Theological News On-Line - this is the electronic version of our printed quarterly, WEA Theological News (ISSN 0260-3705). WEA TN On-Line is issued approximately six-weekly. The content of the printed and on-line versions overlap but are not identical. We also publish Evangelical Review of Theology. For more information, visit our website http://www.worldevangelicalalliance.com/commissions/tc 

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 r.hille@bengelhaus.de

In this issue:

•  TC-07 Philadelphia - Seeking new members - Studying Engagement and Foundations
•  Evangelical Review of Theology CD-ROM - Supplementary Disc
•  Can you help with books?
•  Participate with the TC through Global Membership
•  Progress at Lanka Bible College & Seminary
•  Why Did Jesus Die?
•  The Evangelical Training Database
•  Worship pioneer Robert Webber dies of pancreatic cancer at 73
•  Book Reviews
  •  Carlos R Bovell, Inerrancy and the Spiritual Formation of Younger Evangelicals
  •  D.A. Carson (editor), New Testament Commentary Survey

TC-07 Philadelphia - Seeking new members - Studying Engagement and Foundations

At its annual session to be held in Philadelphia USA July 30- Aug 3, the WEA Theological Commission is seeking new members and will study theological foundations for engagement with public life and Christian witness. With recent changes in TC membership, including the loss of long time member the late Dr George Vandervelde, new executive members from Canada and from USA are needed. The TC is looking for recognized evangelical theologians (any field), female or male, who have a vision for the work of the TC and enjoy the confidence of the evangelical community. The core group of the TC consists of about twelve people drawn from each continent and area of the world. There are also vacancies from other areas including Asia, Francophone Africa and Latin America. Suggestions and recommendations may be made confidentially to the Executive Chairman of the TC, Dr Rolf Hille or to the Director of Administration, Dr David Parker - contact via email tc@worldevangelicalalliance.com).

The 2007 annual meeting of the TC will feature a mini-consultation on the topic, 'How faith in providence affects political involvement'. This will be held at Palmer (Eastern Baptist) Theological Seminary on July 31 where the keynote speakers are Dr Ron Sider (Palmer, Evangelicals for Social Action) and TC member, Dr Claus Schwambach (Brazil). There will be other supporting papers, and discussions to be led by Dr Brian Edgar, Director of Public Theology for Australian Evangelical Alliance, leading to the publication of a pastoral statement and other papers. On Aug 1, there will be a Symposium and Networking sessions with theologians and other key leaders at Westminster Seminary. The topic is 'The necessity of theological foundations and reflection for Christian ministry and witness today', with speakers Dr Peter Lillback (President, Westminster Seminary) and Dr Dennis Cheek, (Kauffman Foundation). An invitation is given to theologians, doctoral students, church and mission leaders and other interested people to attend. (Details available on application). TC-07 will conclude with the annual strategy and planning sesson to be held on Aug 3 which will consider the study program of the TC, appointment of new members, future conferences and dialogues, funding and other matters.

Enquiries about participation in TC-07 should be made urgently with the Director of Administration - tc@worldevangelicalalliance.com

Evangelical Review of Theology CD-ROM - Supplementary Disc

The Theological Commission's popular Theological Resource Library CD-ROM, featuring in particular all issues of its flagship journal, Evangelical Review of Theology (ERT) up to the end of 2005 will be supported by a new supplementary disc from June 1. This disk will contains issues of ERT published during 2006 in PDF format. This will enable purchasers to have access to an electronic form of the journal at a very modest cost, of US $10 plus pack and post, making a total of $15 airmailed. Orders are now being received for supply after the release date. Enquiries and instructions on payment methods are welcome at tc@worldevangelicalalliance.com

Can you help with books?

Robert Mdoka, Principal of Ecumenical Theological College, P/Bag 16, Zomba, Malawi has issued a request for books to assist his students who study for the three year Diploma in Theology. If any readers can help, please contact Principal Mdoka at the above address or at r_mdoka@yahoo.com

Participate with the TC - Global Membership

Join the TC's Global Membership-categories for individual theologians; seminaries, missions churches and other institutions; and National Evangelical fellowships and their theological units. Annual membership brings subscriptions to TC publications (ERT and TN) and the ability to share in the TC's annual conferences, networking and planning sessions, TC study units and task forces. For more information, contact tc@worldevangelicalalliance.com

Progress at Lanka Bible College & Seminary

The head of LBC's Publishing Unit, Caleb Sri Karnaikumar, has been selected to represent the Sri Lankan college and seminary at a post-graduate diploma course in translation. The University of Peradeniya has selected thirty distinguished translators for this programme. A spokesperson for the college said they were delighted that LBC has met the criteria set by the University for selection into this special group, and looks forward to the benefits it will bring as they continue to spearhead theological publications in the country. LBC's theological text books are used by other seminaries and colleges in Sri Lanka, India, Hong Kong and Singapore.

This publishing work is backed up by a strong campus-based tuition program. Twenty senior pastoral candidates recently enjoyed Dr David Tan of Singapore lecturing in an MDiv module on the Acts of the Apostles. Dr Tan is one of many overseas scholars who visit the seminary to deliver modules. An invitation is given to other who have burden to equip the next generation of leaders through the Sri Lanka's premier training institution to contact LBC at P O Box 2, Christopher Road, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, or email lbc@slt.lk

Why Did Jesus Die?

Prolific New Zealand author and Bible teacher, Dick Tripp is publishing, a new book in his series 'Exploring Faith Today', Why Did Jesus Die? What the Bible Says About the Cross. Its 260 pages cover the biblical material comprehensively, with an additional section on how the cross relates to other topics such as the Trinity, the love and justice of God, suffering, Easter Saturday, the resurrection, discipleship, and other religions. It also contains sermon outlines. Former WEA TC Director, Dr Bruce Nicholls says that in this book 'we have a work of outstanding and lasting worth-an amazingly comprehensive reference to all the biblical texts that point to Christ's death, its meaning and significance for today's Church.' The text is already available on the author's website www.christianity.co.nz where the material may be freely used although permission is required for and printing or translation. Contact: Dick Tripp, R. D. 1, Lyttelton, New Zealand: Phone 64 3 329 9752: Fax 64 3 329 9525: email dick.tripp@christianity.co.nz

The Evangelical Training Database

The Evangelical Training Database is a free searchable online database at www.trainforChrist.org with information on evangelical pastoral, theological and missionary training courses world-wide. The goal is that people everywhere can more easily find the training they need to serve the Lord. Now available in English, Spanish and Portuguese, the interface is also being translated into other languages. The aim is that there be one database with information on all evangelical courses world-wide which can be accessed through many interfaces in different languages. Any evangelical association can have its own free search-page in which members of that association are pre-selected in the search criteria. Searches can be carried out by subject category, keyword, academic level, country and region, and evangelical association.

The database is now open for all evangelical institutions to register as Training Providers at www.trainforChrist.org. After choosing one’s language, please click on “Training Provider Registration”. During the process of registration please note the evangelical associations to which your institution belongs so that searches specifying these will identify your courses. You will receive a password by e-mail through which you will be able to post details of your courses – which you will be able to modify at any time. It is important to register the courses as without this your institution will not be found in the searches. There is no charge or advertising. We hope that you will take advantage of this service which is offered as a sacrifice to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The project is backed by Dr Christopher Wright, Director of the Langham Partnership International, chairman of the Lausanne Theology Working Group, and formerly principal of All Nations Christian College. Geoff Tunnicliffe, CEO of the World Evangelical Alliance, has kindly integrated it into the WEA home page at www.worldevangelical.org.

For more information, contact Ian Benson, Coordinator, The Evangelical Training Database, webenquiry@trainforChrist.org / www.trainforChrist.org 

Worship pioneer Robert Webber dead

SAWYER, Mich. (ABP) -- Robert Webber, one of the most influential figures in Christian worship during the last half century, died April 27 of pancreatic cancer in his Sawyer, Mich., home. He was 73. The author of more than 40 books on worship, Webber was best known in recent years for his emphasis on "ancient-future worship" -- an effort to infuse contemporary and emergent worship with the liturgical practices of the pre-modern church. Webber was professor of ministry at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Ill., and president of the Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Fla., which he founded. Before going to Northern, he was a professor of theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., for 32 years. Although best known in evangelical circles, Webber's experience and influence spanned the spectrum of Christian traditions. More than 30,000 people attended his worship workshops. Webber leaves behind a wife, Joanne, and four children and seven grandchildren.

Born in the Congo to Baptist missionary parents, Webber received his bachelor's degree from ultraconservative Bob Jones University in 1956. He earned a divinity degree from Reformed Episcopal Seminary in 1959 and a masters degree in theology from Covenant Theological Seminary in 1960. He held a doctoral degree in theology from Concordia Theological Seminary. Among his books are Worship Old and New, The Complete Library of Christian Worship, Ancient-Future Faith and The Younger Evangelicals. In the 1985 book Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail, Webber described his own gradual shift from his fundamentalist roots to the Anglican tradition. He was a regular columnist for Worship Leader magazine and was on the advisory board of FaithWorks magazine, published by Associated Baptist Press.

"Bob Webber significantly influenced many in our generation with the understanding that worship is the key to the renewal of the church," said James Hart, provost and president-elect of the Institute for Worship Studies, which now bears Webber's name. "We mourn the loss of our friend and mentor, but rejoice with him in worshiping the risen Christ." "He was one of my heroes and he will be missed," said Southern Baptist composer and denominational leader Bob Burroughs of Greer, S.C. "Bob Webber was a living, breathing icon for worship changes in churches of all denominations. He was in the forefront leading us to consider coming carefully into the 21st century with our worship styles to meet the needs of today's generation, as well as holding on to important worship trends of the past and present. His degree program has changed literally hundreds of lives and as a result, churches that allowed their minister of music to get an advanced degree from Webber's school are enjoying the fruits of transition without the baggage of controversy."

"Robert Webber helped evangelicals rediscover the missing jewel of worship," said David Dockery, president of Baptist-affiliated Union University. "His many publications enabled an entire generation to understand how the church has carried out the worship of God throughout history. Whether liturgical, free church or charismatic, Robert Webber influenced all aspects of Christianity. We give thanks for his life and ministry." "Without any doubt Robert Webber has impacted the theology and practice of Christian worship especially among evangelicals," said Roger Olsen, theology professor at Baylor's Truett Theological Seminary. "I continue to meet many evangelicals who joined him and others on the 'Canterbury Trail' toward liturgical worship. Robert's contribution to evangelicalism will have a lasting impact for many years to come."

By Greg Warner, Associated Baptist Press, May 2, 2007 (7-49) http://www.abpnews.com/www/2119.article 

Book Reviews

Carlos R Bovell, Inerrancy and the Spiritual Formation of Younger Evangelicals
(Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 2007), Pb pp 173.

The author of this book writes out of deep personal experience with one of the most prominent tenets of evangelicalism, the doctrine of scripture, and a deep desire that spiritual welfare of younger evangelicals be no jeopardized (as his was) on account of the commonly held notion of inerrancy. Defining evangelical by the doctrinal standard of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society, he believes that inerrancy is often held as an unexamined mantra, a 'sacred postulate' which is 'psychologically necessary' to hold for acceptance in the mainstream evangelical world, even though the reasons given for such a position are at root non-theological, and unworthy of the faith, untenable and inadequate as a basis for sound belief. He is concerned that inerrancy as commonly assumed is 'unhelpful to younger evangelicals' and to continue to insist on it in the way which it has been presented is to place 'the spiritual welfare of the next generation of evangelicals . . . at stake.'

Covering an extremely wide range of disciplines and aspects of the topic, the main part of the book consists of six 'recognitions' or case studies that he has worked through in his own pilgrimage, to demonstrate his case. These include the idea that adopting a world view as a presupposition destroys the possibility of examining the nature and claims of scripture on their own terms, through to the problems of associating the human and divine qualities of scripture with the dual natures of Christ, and the openness of the canon as an historical fact. An interesting historical example from the Reformation shows how 'younger evangelical can learn from an old controversy.' (see Evangelical Review of Theology, 30 (2006) 322-338)

Although Bovell does not see himself as a younger evangelical himself or as a post-modern, his line of approach addresses such concerns. Nor is his book directed to these groups, but to the older generation, calling upon them to present the case for the authority of scripture in a manner that relates to the concerns of younger people, and in a way that is credible and does not 'ignore or neglect critical data.' Working inductively, he contends that 'historical and biblical scholarship should more openly and critically inform evangelical philosophy and theology' because the 'conversation between the disciplines has gone in the other direction for too long'. He realizes that many 'older' evangelicals hold the doctrine of inerrancy in a 'more nuanced' way than popular understandings would indicate. However, because younger evangelicals are so dependent on the teaching and example of their seniors, it is the latter's 'spiritual responsibility' to 'more actively support the fledgling disbelievers among them in their search for ways out of wholesale liberalism or even total unbelief.'

This is likely to be a controversial book, but the author is frank and open about his position, including chapters addressed to younger evangelicals and justifying his use of pragmatic arguments. Taken in the spirit intended, it is, as the title indicates, a challenge for 'evangelical leaders and teachers . . . who are concerned about the spiritual formation of their students.'

D.A. Carson (editor), New Testament Commentary Survey, 6th Edition
(Michigan: Baker Academic, 2007) (Pb, pp 160, Name index).

This useful Survey has been updated to be current as of early 2006, with information on American and British publishing in particular. With clear explanations of the parameters used in selecting books for notice and evaluations of them, it includes discussions about types of commentaries, the relative value of series in comparison with individual works, and listings of various sets, including those definitely worth noting through to those at the other end of the line, not omitting older classics. Another section reviews NT introductions (including the author's own co-written 2005 volume) and theologies (Marshall's 2004 work eclipses Ladd). Then follows the main part of the Survey with 21 parts, about 100 pages in all, on each of the NT books or groups. Recent and in some cases related books are covered with a frank, often extended, appraisal of each, including those that receive a negative comment, old, re-printed, and out of print titles. The aim, to enlighten 'theological students and ministers [not "the mature scholar"] with a handy survey of the resources, especially commentaries, that are available in English', is well met, providing account is taken of the author's own biases. However, each succeeding edition grows larger making the name index and especially the final chapter-'Best Buys'-increasingly useful. So for Mark it is France; Luke, Bock; John, Keener; Romans, Moo; 1 Corinthians, Thiselton; Philippians, O'Brien; Hebrews, Ellingworth; and Revelation, Beale. Reviewed by David Parker, Editor, Evangelical Review of Theology

WEA Theological News On-line

This is an electronic edition of WEA Theological News (ISSN 0260-3705) published by World Evangelical Fellowship Theological Commission; Chair: Dr Rolf Hille  www.worldevangelicalalliance.com/commissions/theological.htm

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