Posts tagged: theology

With: Lucy Peppiatt, Brad Jersak, Matt Lynch and Bob Ekblad.

Violence in the Bible, and especially divinely authorised violence, is one of the most troublesome aspects of the Christian Scriptures. This is so not only for those outside the Church, but also for Christians. We don’t gain anything by pretending there aren’t real challenges to hearing the whole Bible as God’s word. I feel strongly that learning how to interpret difficult biblical texts, live in a place of trusting tension, and voice honest questions, are key ‘transferable skills’ to develop for the whole Christian journey. This WTCLive! event is an opportunity to hear how WTC’s faculty wrestle with issues of violence in the Bible, but also to participate by asking questions or making a comment on our discussion.

Speakers:

Matt Lynch, PhD

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 Peppiatt, PhD

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.

Rev Brad Jersak, PhD

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).

Rev Bob Ekblad, PhD

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.