Redeemer Seminary Community Spring 2016

SPRING 2016 NEWSLETTER

Great Art Resists the Fall NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT President Martin Ban gave a sensitive presentation on the life of Vincent van Gogh and his spiritual life at a small gathering in the home of board member Jack Denman and his wife Patti. Though many of his paintings are religious in subject, general consensus is that he lost his faith and died rejecting the church.

Martin, though, is dissatisfied with this conclusion. A closer look at the life, paintings, and letters of van Gogh reveals a deeper faith: one that has surely been tried by tragedy and rejection, but often out of dark trials comes a deeper faith, and frequently beautiful art.

Martin introduced the evening by stating, “God cares about beauty.” In creation, God is revealed to be an artist, a careful creator of all. His creations are good, and they are beautiful. So

in art, mankind makes sense of this fallen beautiful creation.

“Not all art is pretty, but good art is beautiful. Great art resists the fall.” Van Gogh grew up in a family of artists and clergymen. His desire was to join the ranks of the latter, but for theological differences his own father and uncle voted against his ordination. His one love rejected him, calling him crazy, pushing him out of her life. After multiple episodes and asylum stays, he learned a name for his psychological traumas, but gained no healing. A dejected would-be-minister, lonely, forgotten or abandoned by much of his family, a painter who sold only one piece during his lifetime, van Gogh is a study in beauty out of weakness.

Watch for our coming booklet, for more of van Gogh’s story including a look at his final year of life, in which he produced 90 paintings, and the letters to his brother which give us a glimpse into his own mind.

Please confirm your address with us by emailing rhast@redeemer.edu to make sure you receive your copy.

Order your FREE booklet today

L♥ VING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO L†FE!

Email: rhast@redeemer.edu or

Spirituality of Vincent Van Gogh

Call: Rachelle Hast 214.334.1937

REDEEMER SEMINARY

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6060 NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY, SUITE 700

SPRING FUNDRAISING DINNER Thursday, April 21, 2016 Belo Mansion

Email rhast@redeemer.edu or Call Rachelle Hast - 214.334.1937 to request a table host packet |

DALLAS, TEXAS 75206

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214.528.8600

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INFO@REDEEMER.EDU

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REDEEMER.EDU

DALLAS STUDENTS SERVE | Joshua Heavin Josh Heavin is in his final year at Redeemer Seminary. While completing his seminary work, Josh has worked at a banking software company and served as a pastoral intern at Grace Community Presbyterian Church (PCA). Though drawn to ministry since the age of 17, he quickly recognized the value of a seminary education: “While working with youth at a church in West Texas, I became aware of my need for training. I could see I needed help to learn how to better interpret scripture.”

Josh came into Redeemer with a cursory knowledge of reformed theology and an interest in serving the church. Through his time in seminary, he says he has come to understand the depth and richness of Christianity in new ways, seeing more so the power of the Gospel to shape life. “Particularly through Dr. Smith’s class on Acts and Paul, the themes of union with Christ, story shaping life, and the kingdom of God being already and not yet come have gripped my imagination,” Josh shares. “It is powerful to feel called to God’s mission.”Crucial to such a deepened faith is a grasp of the Christian’s union with Christ. This is one reality of the faith particularly stressed by Redeemer professor Dr. Sinclair Ferguson.

Josh explains, “this has been powerful for my own formation, and will flow into my ministry. I have died with Christ. Out of our own personal and cultural narratives which have been marked by sin and death, we are called. We die with Christ, are raised, are seated with him as he remakes this world by his Spirit.”

Thursday Chapels

Time at Redeemer has greatly shaped how Josh approaches ministry. Having a fuller understanding of how the Gospel changes lives, he says leads to a better love of people through a better appreciation of how culture leads us to understand our identity.

“In general, seminary has made me aware of my weakness,” says Josh. “Not in a skeptical way, but it has made me appreciative of the historic church, and changed my view of the Gospel as the good news of cosmic restoration in the kingdom of God. My view of the importance of the church has grown.

It is a means of grace in word, sacrament, and prayer, in God’s mission to renew his kingdom.” Redeemer Seminary strives to educate and mold men and women to be godly ministers to this body.

“The church is not a group of individuals each on their own solitary spiritual journey, but a joined people, united to Christ, in whom and by whom God is accomplishing his work.”

Our Thanks

You're Invited!

Enjoy a light lunch and worship with the Redeemer Dallas family! Drop in any time for our Thursday chapel starting February 4th. A student, alum, professor or special guest will lead our time with a brief message.

Lunch Worship

12:15 - 12:45 p.m.

12:45 - 1:30 p.m.

All articles prepared and written by: Mrs. Lauren Shaffer, MAR 2015 Lauren teaches at West Dallas Community School.

Spring Newsletter 2016 | Page 3

NOW TRENDING | #redeemerseminary

Two of our esteemed professors, Dr. Douglas Gropp (Hebrew and Old Testament) and Dr. Steve Bagby (Church History), were interviewed by Third Millennium Ministries for a study of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. IIIM is an online-based resource for pastors and ministry leaders seeking further theological education. Interviews with prestigious professors and pastors are compiled for videos and papers to be marketed for free to those seeking further ministry training. We are honored to have professors like Dr. Gropp, Dr. Bagby, and in 2015 Dr. Dan McCartney (New Testament) be called upon for their contributions!

Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, Professor of Systematic Theology, just released The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance-- Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters. Through a look at the eighteenth-century controversy, Dr. Ferguson addresses the church’s struggle to navigate the relationship of law and grace.

WHERE’S MARTIN? President Martin Ban is looking forward to engagements this Spring, preaching at Trinity Rye Presbyterian Church in New York, speaking at RUF at Penn State, the ECO Presbytery in Pennsylvania, and at RUF at SMU. Martin is also participating in a think tank meeting with New City Commons, "a social impact consulting firm that seeks to support institutional leaders in the work of re-imagining the common good, reinvigorating cultural institutions, and renewing civic life" (newcitycommons.com).

Martin will be preaching at Park Cities Presbyterian Church on April 10th.

Please keep our faculty members in your prayers as they not only work to care for and educate our students, but to serve the good of the church and the community at large.

Page 4 | Spring Newsletter, 2016

AUSTIN STUDENT SPOTLIGHT | Brad Mills My name is Brad Mills and I just began my studies at Redeemer this fall. My wife and I moved to Austin so I could attend seminary and I’d like to take a minute to share a few things about my experience. It’s been a major transition from a year living in The Netherlands where we were serving in campus ministry with Cru, newly married, from our hometown in Michigan. I felt a call to church planting about two years ago. Redeemer first came onto our radar when I began searching for seminaries to attend, knowing it to be the next step toward that call.

Redeemer was the last school I applied to, but after reading about their vision online and talking with a staff member, I was sold for two reasons: I asked a question along the lines of “how will you prepare me to plant churches — what does that look like at Redeemer?”

And I was taken aback by the answer. I was told Redeemer wasn’t as concerned with preparing me for church planting, but rather with the type of church planter I would become, spiritually. I knew that in seminary there is a risk of gaining lots of knowledge but losing the desire to pursue God more deeply,

and I was so excited that Redeemer’s first priority would be my relationship with God. The second reason was simple—student scholarships. Redeemer is concerned about the cost to their students and is willing to make sacrifices so that the people they send into ministry are going with little or no debt. These were the people I wanted to entrust with my education.

In short, my seminary experience so far has been both great and challenging. I really enjoy the content of the courses. In the “Introduction to Theological Studies” class, we had a 12hour conversation with our professor about the Gospel in and throughout the entire Biblical story. What a great foundation for beginning a seminary degree. It has had challenges, though.

I like to say yes to too many things, and though I enjoyed all of my classes, I had to drop one because of the work load. I was actually encouraged in this by the professor when I explained my situation, and again, I felt spiritually cared for by the staff-even in the process of dropping a class.

In short, what drew me to this seminary was that Redeemer values the right things: making sure students’ studies are rooted in the Gospel and that they are spiritually prepared to better serve and equip God’s global church. My experience has had plenty of ups and downs, but primarily I have been spurred on by staff and classmates to love Christ more and let that play out in my life by loving others.

AUSTIN UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday Chapels You're Invited!

Join us at the Austin Campus for Chapels on Tuesdays Lunch Worship

12:00 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

Campus, C 3 Church & City On the first Thursday of each month, the Austin campus students and alumni are invited to have lunch with a local pastor to share a meal, ask questions, and spend time getting to know each other better. This is a great opportunity for our Austin Campus to connect with area churches and learn from other pastors in the city.

For more information about these and other events at our Austin Campus email: austin@redeemer.edu Spring Newsletter 2016 | Page 5

LOOKING BACK . . .

L♥VING FORWARD

Posada Celebration

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2 1

Martin Ban Inauguration

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Pictured above: 1) Nicole Foster & Isaac Banegas as Mary and Joseph 2/3) Shepherds and an Angel all dressed up ready for the costume contest 4/5) Two of our devils were Amanda Payne & Tricia Schoon 6) Abigail Powell

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8

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Martin Ban Lunch

Pictured above: 1) Memorable moment as the Board of Trustees pray over Martin Ban 2) Andrew Russell with Brian Piper and his band 3) Bill Burns and Crystal Bagby enjoy the concert 4) John Hawkins 5) Eric Faires, Guitar 6) Austin students and staff enjoying the celebration 7) The Ban Family 8) Sally Lloyd Jones reading from her book “Story of God’s Love for You”

Redeemer Reception 1 2

4

1

3 4

Pictured above: 1/4) Martin Ban speaking on Christianity in a Secular Age 2) Brad Bradley 3) Matthew O’Hearn giving his testimony Page 6 | Spring Newsletter 2016

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Pictured above: 1) Patti Denman

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5

2) Robin Gropp

3) Martin Ban

4) Jane Riddlesperger

5) Claudia Jones Spring Newsletter 2016 | Page 7

PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT | Dr. Esther Meek, Adjunct Professor of Apologetics Dr. Esther Meek, Adjunct Professor of Apologetics, is passionate about philosophy for the common man.

Through her classes and books, Dr. Meek ripples the plane of popular thought: in how we think about thinking. “In her words, caring is central to gospel work; and to care for others, we must know how to engage people. To engage people, we must know people.” Her courses at Redeemer Seminary focuses on just that: how does man think? How (and what) has he thought throughout history? It is a survey of Western Philosophy met with a study of human nature, and a forum to explore what that means for apologetics and ministry, in the context of Biblical studies. Dr. Meek says many students come into the course “expecting to learn lots of information to be ammunition for some adversarial debate,” but by the end of her course, “seeing a view of apologetics through a new fundamental presumption of knowledge is freeing and transformative for church ministry.”

It makes a difference to think of knowing as transformation. Dr. Meek’s term for this is “Covenant Epistemology.” To consider that to know something, to know someone, means a mutuallyaffecting relationship, is a somewhat foreign idea. But when we consider the life and ministry of Christ, and what we hope our own ministry might do, namely bring and encourage others into a deep relationship with Christ, the sensibility is breath-taking.

If the way we know God is through a relationship which changes us, why would that not be a norm for the human experience?

We know by relationship and so can know more deeply. So,

Join us this Spring for our Friday Luncheons and Lectures at our Dallas Campus!

apologetics becomes an invitation to relationship of what might be foreign, but viewed and treated with dignity and value, with that which is desired-- relationship itself, and ultimately with the God of all. In conjunction with Redeemer’s robust Biblical Theology classes, Dr. Meek’s Apologetics classes lead students to build and grow with an understanding of scripture a capacity to interpret, to know, to love, to engage, and to sensitively compel the world towards its God. Dr. Meek is working on a few projects currently: a revision and publication of her dissertation, Contact with Reality: Michael Planyi’s Realism and Why it Matters, and a book in which she plans to work out more to what drew her to philosophy in the first place: the question of reality. How do we know reality outside of our mind exists? How do we interact with it? How do we trust that God is who he says he is in that reality? In this opportunity, as Dr. Meek looks back at her own writing over the years and development through time of faith and trust, she comments, “You spend your whole life figuring out what God wants you to do.

Unfortunately you can’t stop life to figure it out. But as years go by, the message God forms within you becomes evident. You and the message he had for you are one thing.”

We are changed by what we know. To know an all-knowing, allpowerful, all-loving God, through his son, is a beautiful thing.

To seek to become more like Jesus, by knowing him better, to bring others towards him, is a high calling for our students. So we are all the more thankful for professors like Esther Meek who can guide and facilitate the thoughtful spiritual formation of our students as they prepare for such ministry.

Recommended books by Esther Meek for further study: A Little Manual of Knowing (Cascade Books, 2014), Longing to Know: A Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People (Baker Press, 2003), and Loving to Know: Covenant Epistemology (Cascade Books, 2011).

Enjoy complimentary lunch followed by a message from one of our distinguished faculty members.

12:00 PM Lunch

12:30 PM Program

Friday, March 18, 2016

Friday, April 22, 2016

Dr. Esther Meek Visiting Professor of Apologetics

Reverend Dr. Craig Higgins Visiting Professor of Ethics

Author of Longing to Know: The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People (Brazos Press, 2003), Loving to Know: Covenant Epistemology (Wipf & Stock, 2011), and A Little Manual for Knowing (Cascade Books, 2014) A Little Manual for Knowing will be available for purchase and Dr. Meek will be available to sign any purchases.

Page 8 | Spring Newsletter 2016

Dr. Higgins is the founding and senior pastor of Trinity Church.

He is a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, (1983, B.A. in philosophy), Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (1989, Master of Divinity), and of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry near Pittsburgh (2005, Doctor of Ministry).

$

Average Comparative Costs of Tuition (scholarships) students pay at Redeemer vs. other seminaries.

Seminary tuition rates range from $475-$900 per credit hour.

$490

Redeemer Seminary costs only per credit hour and has a pay as you go system for students which encourages them to leave seminary debt-free

AGE

5 21 Episcopal 4 Evangelical 1 Nondenominational 18 Presbyterian 38 Reformed 1 Anglican

22-64

Baptist

Majority of our students are between 25-29

GENDER

7

25 63

REFORMED UNIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP CAMPUS MINISTERS † † † † †

CHURCH PLANTS

6 1

Lehigh Univ RUF UT Austin RUF International and also UT Austin RUF SMU RUF International and also SMU RUF UNT RUF Auburn RUF

7

CONTINENTS SERVED

in US in Turkey

Spring Newsletter 2016 | Page 9

REDEEMER’S NEW BOARD MEMBER | Tracy Taylor Redeemer’s newest board member Tracy Taylor serves because the church has served him. Over the years, men like Jim Rose, Skip Ryan, and Mark Davis have made a big impact on Tracy’s life.

Because of the ministry of godly pastors who have cared for him and contributed to the spiritual growth of his wife, Diane, his children, and grandchildren, he has a desire to see men and women replicate that good work.

Tracy contributes his time, effort, prayer, and resources to helping Redeemer educate and train men and women to be godly, thoughtful, loving ministers of the gospel. The culture is changing, and Christianity is being marginalized with growing hostility. “The pastors and teachers we are sending out from seminaries have to be trained to go into a hardened world,” says Tracy, “and be especially built in faith and knowledge to handle the criticism.” Redeemer seeks to prepare men and women for such ministry, but not at the expense of a caring role in the lives of those served. Tracy calls this “the dream: to build pastors who can build relationship with their members, and really love them and care for them.” That is certainly our dream as well, and it is a blessing to hear testimony of those well served by such ministers as Redeemer strives to equip.

Tracy is an elder at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, husband of Diane, father of five, grandfather of twelve (thirteen in April!), and local real estate businessman. To Redeemer he has brought the giftings and experience of a devoted follower of Christ, servant of the church, father and husband, and many years served on the board of seminaries. We are blessed by his wisdom

and service, and Tracy claims his sacrifices have been outweighed by the relationships gained with Martin, fellow board members, faculty members, and students.

Redeemer needs supporters like Tracy who recognize our efforts as a good investment in Christ’s kingdom. We cannot do it alone, and we would not want to. We work to equip men and women to serve the church, for her good, for the glory of God, in service of Jesus Christ. We are deeply thankful to all those who stand with us in this effort and spur us along in prayer, words, service, and giving. Thank you, Tracy; thank you, all of our board members; and thank you to all of you who invest in our ministry.

“I have been more blessed than I deserve,” he shares. “As a businessman, I think about return on investment; and I see an opportunity here to have a great return on investment of my time and money because these pastors have an opportunity for a great ripple effect. One well-trained pastor can have a huge effect on a community that he loves well. I see that as a very good investment of our time and money.”

LEAVING YOUR LEGACY There is good economic news for seniors interested in making a charitable gift to Redeemer Seminary thanks to a recent tax code amendment that included a permanent extension of the IRA charitable rollover.

Donors age 70½ or older can now make tax-free charitable gifts of up to $100,000 per year directly from their Individual Retirement Accounts to eligible charities, including colleges, universities and independent schools.

HOW IT WORKS: Taxpayers age 70½ and older are required to take annual distributions from their IRAs, which then are included in their adjusted gross income and subject to tax. The IRA charitable rollover permits taxpayers to make donations directly to charitable organizations from their IRAs without counting them as part of their AGI. This rollover distribution counts toward the required minimum distribution for IRA holders.

Page 10 | Spring Newsletter 2016

Other opportunities include :

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Appreciated gifts of property or stock Charitable Gift Annuities Life Insurance Wills

Double your impact!

Look on the GIVE page at www.redeemer.edu and click on matching gifts to see if your employer will match your donation and/or volunteer hours!

For more information on how to make a gift with a lasting impact contact: Rachelle Hast Executive Director of Ministry Resources 214.334.1937 rhast@redeemer.edu

Conference Keynote Speaker

Keith Getty

SAVE THE DATE

October 18, 2016

Dinner and Concert with Ireland’s own Keith and Kristyn Getty, writers of modern hymns and carols, present their 2016 album tour

Facing a Task Unfinished Dinner & Concert For more information on the conference and sponsorships, Contact: Rachelle Hast at rhast@redeemer.edu

Spring Newsletter 2016 | Page 11

Redeemer Theological Seminary 6060 N. Central Expressway, Suite 700 Dallas, Texas 75206

For more information, please contact us at one of our two campus locations: Dallas Campus 6060 N. Central Expressway, Suite 700 Dallas, Texas 75206 214.528.8600 Austin Campus 2111 Alexander Avenue Austin, Texas 78702 512.600.6481

info@redeemer.edu redeemer.edu

Join us in celebrating the 6th Graduating Class of Redeemer Seminary The Board, Staff, Faculty, President and Students invite you to attend the Sixth Annual Commencement Exercises Monday, May 16, 2016 7:00 p.m.

Park Cities Presbyterian Church Main Sanctuary 4124 Oak Lawn Avenue Dallas, Texas 75219

Page 12 | Spring Newsletter 2016