With: Richard Middleton and William Brown.
In this WTCLive episode, Matt continues the discussion on the subject of creation, violence and God with two of his favourite Old Testament scholars. Creation and the question of violence occupy an important place in the work of these Old Testament gurus. Plus, they’ve both just come out with some fantastic new books that you’ll want to read to help you navigate these topics and to open up new worlds. Middleton’s book is A New Heaven and A New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology (Baker 2014) and Brown’s is Wisdom’s Wonder: Character, Creation, and Crisis in the Bible’s Wisdom Literature (Eerdmans, 2014).
This is the second in our series on ‘Creation, Violence and God of the Old Testament’ (see part one here.)
Speakers
J. Richard Middleton, PhD
Richard earned a Ph.D. from the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, in a joint-degree program with the Institute of Christian Studies, Toronto. His other degrees include: M.A. in Philosophy, University of Guelph (Canada), 1985, and B.Th., Jamaica Theological Seminary, 1977. Dr. Middleton has done additional graduate studies in the Old Testament at Colgate Rochester Divinity School (1986-1988), and in religious studies and philosophy at Syracuse University (1984-1985).
He is widely published in religious periodicals and journals, as well as the author of four books. His most recent books are The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1 (Brazos) and A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology (Baker Academic). He has edited a volume of essays on Caribbean Theology for Pickwick Publications, and is working on a manuscript for Abingdon Press on the dynamics of human and divine agency in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Special areas of interest are Old Testament theology, the Christian worldview, the books of Genesis and Samuel, the doctrine of Creation, and Christianity and postmodern culture. He also serves as an adjunct professor of Old Testament at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology in Kingston, Jamaica, and is the president of the Canadian Evangelical Theological Association.
William P. Brown, PhD
William earned his Ph.D. at Emory University, his MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and his BA from Whitman College. He has abiding interests in the use of scripture in the life of the church and the world, particularly in the context of ecology and justice. Specific interests include creation theology, faith and science dialogue, the Psalms, and wisdom literature (Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes). Recent books include The Seven Pillars of Creation: Bible, Science, and the Ecology of Wonder (Oxford University) and Wisdom’s Wonder (Wm. B. Eerdmans). Recently, he helped Columbia Seminary earn one of 10 grants totalling $1.5 million awarded by the American Association for the Advancement of Science to integrate science into the seminary’s curriculum.
Brad is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, Canada. He earned his Ph.D. from Bangor University, Wales, and has completed post-doctoral research at the University of Nottingham. He teaches Graduate Gospel Studies for WTC. After serving as a pastor and church planter for twenty years, he now attends Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship, an ‘Isaiah 58 church’, where his wife, Eden, is the lead pastor. Brad’s focus today is on writing accessible theology, facilitating ‘listening prayer’ seminars, and teaching college courses. His emphases are the Gospels, the theology of the Cross, and contemplative spirituality applied to prophetic justice. He is currently chair of the board of Soul Stream (www.soulstream.org) and associate editor of The Plain Truth magazine (www.ptm.org). Among Brad’s various books are Her Gates will Never be Shut: Hope, Hell and the New Jerusalem (Wipf and Stock, 2009), Fear No Evil: Breaking Free from the Culture of Fear (Fresh Wind, 2006), Kissing the Leper: Seeing Jesus in the Least of These (Fresh Wind, 2006), Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God who Speaks (Fresh Wind, 2003) and A More Christlike God, A More Beautiful Gospel (Plain Truth, 2015).
Richard is Dean and the George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School and is internationally recognized for his work on the letters of Paul and on New Testament ethics. His scholarly work has bridged the disciplines of biblical criticism and literary studies, exploring the innovative ways in which early Christian writers interpreted Israel’s Scripture.
Lincoln is Lecturer in Systematic Theology at St Mellitus College, and author of the recent 
Andrew is Professor of Sport and Christian Outreach in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of Gloucestershire, and is the co-author of the recent 
Brian is a reader in the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen. Brian’s teaching focuses on practical theology, ethics, and scriptural interpretation. He is the author of Christian Ethics in a Technological Age (Eerdmans, 2010) and Singing the Ethos of God: On the Place of Christian Ethics in Scripture (Eerdmans, 2007), and has edited several other books. In addition, Brian has written a recent article entitled ‘
Dr. Dave Landrum has been director of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance since June 2011, when he joined the Evangelical Alliance from his previous role as parliamentary officer for the Bible Society. Dave also serves on the board of directors of WTC. He has a first-class degree in contemporary politics and urban policy studies and a doctorate in politics and policy process in education. Well-respected in parliament, Dave’s passion is to see Christianity making an impact on society by being at the centre of political, cultural and economic life.
Dr. John Stackhouse serves as Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor, Theology & Culture at Regent College, Vancouver. He has published more than 500 articles, book chapters, and reviews in the history, sociology, and philosophy of religion, in ethics, and in theology. He has authored seven books and co-authored, edited, or co-edited seven more, many of which address the place of Christianity and the public sphere.
Brad is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, Canada. He earned his Ph.D. from Bangor University, Wales, and has completed post-doctoral research at the University of Nottingham. He teaches Graduate Gospel Studies for WTC. After serving as a pastor and church planter for twenty years, he now attends Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship, an ‘Isaiah 58 church’, where his wife, Eden, is the lead pastor. Brad’s focus today is on writing accessible theology, facilitating ‘listening prayer’ seminars, and teaching college courses. His emphases are the Gospels, the theology of the Cross, and contemplative spirituality applied to prophetic justice. He is currently chair of the board of Soul Stream (www.soulstream.org) and associate editor of The Plain Truth magazine (www.ptm.org). Among Brad’s various books are Her Gates will Never be Shut: Hope, Hell and the New Jerusalem (Wipf and Stock, 2009), Fear No Evil: Breaking Free from the Culture of Fear (Fresh Wind, 2006), Kissing the Leper: Seeing Jesus in the Least of These (Fresh Wind, 2006), Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God who Speaks (Fresh Wind, 2003) and A More Christlike God, A More Beautiful Gospel (Plain Truth, 2015).
Michael is lead singer-songwriter for the alt-folk collective 
Matt is an Old Testament scholar and the Dean of Studies at Westminster Theological Centre. His research interests include the theology of Isaiah and ethics in the Old Testament. Matt is the author of Monotheism and Institutions in the Book of Chronicles (Mohr Siebeck, 2014) and various articles on the Old Testament. Matt is particularly interested in helping students grasp the theological and literary contours of the Old Testament, wrestle through its ethical and historical challenges, and understand its ongoing significance. Matt is married, and has two children .
Lucy is the Principal of WTC, and a lecturer in Systematic Theology. Lucy’s areas of research are Spirit Christology and Mission. She has written The Disciple: On Becoming Truly Human (Wipf and Stock, 2012) and Women and Worship at Corinth (Wipf and Stock, 2015). Lucy lives in Bristol with her husband, Nick Crawley, where they lead Crossnet Community. She has four sons, loves pastoring young people and students and enjoys the good things in life.
Brad is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, Canada. He earned his Ph.D. from Bangor University, Wales, and has completed post-doctoral research at the University of Nottingham. He teaches Graduate Gospel Studies for WTC. After serving as a pastor and church planter for twenty years, he now attends Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship, an ‘Isaiah 58 church’, where his wife, Eden, is the lead pastor. Brad’s focus today is on writing accessible theology, facilitating ‘listening prayer’ seminars, and teaching college courses. His emphases are the Gospels, the theology of the Cross, and contemplative spirituality applied to prophetic justice. He is currently chair of the board of Soul Stream (www.soulstream.org) and associate editor of The Plain Truth magazine (www.ptm.org). Among Brad’s various books are Her Gates will Never be Shut: Hope, Hell and the New Jerusalem (Wipf and Stock, 2009); Fear No Evil: Breaking Free from the Culture of Fear (Fresh Wind, 2006); Kissing the Leper: Seeing Jesus in the Least of These (Fresh Wind, 2006); Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God who Speaks (Fresh Wind, 2003) and A More Christlike God, A More Beautiful Gospel (Plain Truth, 2015).
Bob is a theologian and missionary. He has spent 25 years in international mission and is particularly passionate about working with the poor and ethnic minorities, as well as teaching on Mission and Social Justice Classes. Bob is an international speaker and has authored three books including Reading the Bible With the Damned (WJK, 2005). He founded the Tierra Nueva outreach ministry which ministers to prisoners and runs a social coffee farming project.