A Note to Ph.D. Students: Here’s What We Are Really Looking for in a Job Interview
One of the scariest aspects of pursuing a Ph.D. (aside from thesis defense) is the poor job prospects on the other side. After slogging through many years of intense research, late nights writing, spouse working, and no money, it is a bit discouraging to realize the job opportunities are few and far between.
Of course, I always warn my own students of this reality if they express interest in getting a Ph.D. It is a noble pursuit, but one that does not always translate into to steady, financially-viable employment.
So, whenever a Ph.D. student does get that rare job interview (and they are rare!) they will need to make the … Continue reading...
Was Early Christianity Hostile to Women?
Since we live in a culture that is obsessed with gender identity and gender issues, it is not surprising to find Christianity on the receiving end of serious criticisms regarding its view of women.
Christianity–particularly if it embraces a complementarian theology–is viewed by many in our culture as oppressive and harmful to women. It does not provide, we are told, a friendly and welcoming environment where women can grow and thrive.
But, this is not just a problem for modern Christianity. The oppression of women, it is argued, was especially a problem in early Christianity. After all, in the first few centuries of the church, critics insist that the Christian … Continue reading...
Did Papias Know the Apostle John?
I just received in the mail the latest issue of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. And I noticed that it contained my review of Monte Shanks’ recent volume, Papias and the New Testament (Pickwick, 2013). (I can’t keep track of when my book reviews appear!).
Seeing this review reminded me of one of the key debates in discussions of the emerging New Testament canon, namely whether Papias, the bishop of Hierapolis in the early second century, knew the apostle John. This is a key question simply because Papias provides one of the earliest explicit references to the gospels of Mark and Matthew.
So, where did Papias get … Continue reading...
Where Are They Now? @RTSCharlotte Alumnus Tyler Dirks
Over the last number of years, God has really used RTS Charlotte to help train folks headed into two strategic areas: campus ministry and church planting.
In fact, we have an entire institute designed for the former, the Institute for Reformed Campus Ministry (IRCM), and we just announced the Center for Church Planting to help prepare folks for the latter.
The next installment in our Where Are They Now? alumni series highlights a person who has done both of these. Tyler Dirks (class of 2007) was the RUF pastor at Johnson and Wales University and now is the church planting pastor for East Charlotte Presbyterian Church.
Here is his … Continue reading...
@RTSCharlotte Appoints Blair Smith as New Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology
As many of you now know, our beloved Dr. Doug Kelly, Richard Jordan Professor of Theology, will be retiring May 31, 2016.
Although someone like Dr. Kelly can never really be “replaced,” a press release will be going out today announcing our excitement that D. Blair Smith, a RTS Charlotte grad, will be taking up that position in systematic theology.
Since Blair was a student of Dr. Kelly’s, and has specialized in the same field as Dr. Kelly (patristic theology), we cannot imagine a more fitting successor.
Blair earned a B.S. in Marketing Management and Social Studies from Bob Jones University, and a M.Div. from RTS Charlotte. He earned his … Continue reading...