RTS Charlotte Women’s Bible Study Has a New Look
As many of you know, from 2014 to 2016 I led a women’s Bible study on the RTS Charlotte campus on the book of Romans–42 installments in all.
Starting in 2017, the women’s Bible study resumed with the book of Hebrews. This past fall, we just finished the 25th installment and plan to wrap up the book in the Spring.
We continue to be encouraged to hear that the videos are being watched by folks all over the country and the world. I even heard a recent story of someone coming to Christ by watching the videos in California.
For those interested in getting the videos and handouts, RTS just … Continue reading...
Seven Lessons for Evangelical Scholars in the Secular Academy
Over the last couple of weeks, many evangelical scholars (including myself) attended the annual conferences of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature (not to mention, the Institute for Biblical Research).
Many good papers were delivered (and heard), old friendships were rekindled, and everyone was asked the same question over and over: “So, what are you working on right now?”
While such conferences remind me of the joys of scholarship, they also remind me of the challenges. Sadly, there are many stories of well-intended evangelical scholars who set out to influence the academy, and the academy ends up influencing them. Some end up abandoning the very … Continue reading...
Off to Denver for the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society
Today, I am heading to Denver for the 70th meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. ETS is one of the world’s largest gatherings of evangelical scholars. This year’s theme is “the Holy Spirit.”
As some of you may know, this year I am serving as the president-elect of the society (next year I am president) and thus I had the privilege of inviting all the plenary speakers. And we have a great lineup ahead.
Given the potential breadth of this year’s theme, the meeting has been designed to explore the Holy Spirit from multiple angles. Most naturally, of course, this theme will be studied from a theological perspective. But, … Continue reading...
Will Ross Joins the Faculty of @RTSCharlotte as Assistant Professor of Old Testament
I am asked all the time about which faculty positions are hardest to fill. Although the answer is debatable, I think that finding solid Old Testament professors is a significant challenge.
There are a variety of reasons for this. One is that there are just fewer of them. In the Reformed world especially, we have many more folks in systematics, historical theology, and church history. But fewer in biblical studies (especially OT).
Beyond sheer numbers, there may be an even bigger reason that solid OT guys are rare. Arguably, the OT is filled with proportionally more historical and theological challenges. Such challenges include the days of Genesis, the question of … Continue reading...
Is It a Waste of Time for Seminary Students (and Pastors) to Learn the Biblical Languages?
It’s that time of year again.
A few weeks ago, a new crop of seminary students began the grueling month-long experience of Summer Greek. And, like all seminary students before them, they will begin to ask the question of why studying these ancient languages even matters. After all, a few years after graduation all will be forgotten. In the midst of a busy pastoral life, who could possibly maintain proficiency in the languages?
As a result of these questions, some students decide (very early on) that the biblical languages are just something to be endured. They are like a hazing ritual at a college fraternity. No one likes it, but … Continue reading...