Serious Joy 2015.1

VOL . VI, NO. 2

Serious Joy A Semi-annual Report to Friends of Bethlehem College & Seminary

THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHRISTIAN HEDONISTS R OOTS THAT CREATED THE PRESENT AND SECURE THE FUTURE

BY JOHN PIPER

SPRING 2015

WOVEN TOGETHER: BY TIM TOMLINSON

FROM THE PRESIDENT

NEWS & EVENTS

A Conversation with Ralph Enlow Bethlehem College & Seminary recently received initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education.

Dr. Ralph Enlow, president of the association, traveled to Bethlehem College & Seminary in April to visit with friends of the school and to present the school’s credentials publicly. In this installment of “Woven Together,” President Tim Tomlinson chats with Dr. Enlow about his own story, his position in higher education, and the future of Christian higher education.

Christian occupations desire to be equipped and mobilized for it. That is what I see in Bethlehem College & Seminary under the teaching of John Piper.

In the ABHE, we have a lot of institutions joining us who are very young and that is exciting.

I also see a proliferation of modalities in higher education. We have online education and adult degree completion programs. We are also seeing an expan-

EVENT

Bethlehem College & Seminary’s 2015 Commencement Ceremony 7pm, Friday, May 15, 2015 Bethlehem Baptist Church, Downtown Campus

The Graduating Class, Faculty, and Bethlehem College & Seminary request the honor of your presence at the Fifth Annual Commencement Exercises. Reception to follow.

SAVE THE DATE

Bethlehem 2016 Conference for Pastors & Church Leadership in Partnership with Desiring God Monday, January 25–Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Minneapolis Convention Center For more information: www.bcsmn.org

Plenary sessions will be anchored by chancellor John Piper with other special speakers to be announced. Workshops will focus on pastors, elders, worship leaders, women’s ministry leaders, and more.

sion of institutions to the graduate level, and not necessarily with a traditional seminary design. At the same time there are exciting developments with Tim Tomlinson, President, Bethlehem College & Seminary

many smaller entities being assimilated into larger institutions; smaller weaker institutions are merg-

Bethlehem Institute Online is the virtual ex-

ing into larger institutions.

tension of Bethlehem College & Seminary. We

T: Given your work under the authority of the U.S. T: Ralph, to begin, what attracted you to the presi-

Department of Education (U.S.D.E), have you seen

dency of ABHE?

any challenges presented to the God-centered, Bi-

Dr. Enlow: Well, Tim, there is a long version and

ble-focused work of the ABHE?

short version to that answer. Basically, when asked

E: Not so far. Everybody is coming under increas-

to consider the position of president for the ABHE, I

ingly granular governmental demands, but for us,

had been involved in the ABHE from the standpoint

the U.S.D.E. has been particularly protective of us

of membership. My dissertation research was on ac-

and the laws that protect our religious mission. Per-

ademic quality of Bible colleges. I was looking into

haps the most imminent threat for our institutions

the assumption that Bible colleges are academically

is in the area of sexuality. If sexual identity becomes

inferior. That is when I became involved in the larg-

a constitutionally protected right, our schools will

er dialog of biblical higher education. At first when

have to address a host of questions.

the board approached me regarding ABHE leadership in 2006, I was not particularly interested as involvement in accreditation was not my core pas-

NEW COURSES

Bethlehem Institute Online

T: Are intentionally small schools as viable as these bigger schools, which are assimilating others?

offer a variety of rigorous, God-centered, Bible and theology classes to equip men and women to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.

New Online Courses God’s Global Glory and Christian Missions Introduction to Biblical Manhood and Womanhood The Kingdom has Come The Sovereignty of God and the Doctrines of Grace Introduction to Biblical Theology For more information or to enroll in a class visit www.bcsmn.org/online

sion. But as I thought about it and talked with the

E: I say, “Let a thousand flowers bloom.” The Lord

board, I realized that accreditation was just one of

tends to sow a lot of variety. In terms of economic

the many things that the ABHE does. Our primary

viability, all of our institutions are about three bad

business is to create and deliver value for our mem-

decisions away from extinction. One of the most

bers and increase the credibility of our member

common mistakes than an institution makes is that,

$20 off Introduction to Arcing

schools. That was far closer to my core passion. The

instead of maintaining and marketing their distinc-

June 1–29, biblearc.com/sjdeal

board asked me to lead the ABHE more aggressively

tiveness, they get into a mindset of “we are just as

in that direction.

good as x” instead of defining, honing, and marketing to their own distinctive.

I am excited to be involved in education that is right at the heart of what God wants to do in the world.

RESOURCE

Biblearc

“Arcing … has been the methodological key to all that I have seen in the Bible …” — John Piper Introduction to Arcing is an online, interactive

T: What do you see as some of the challenges for

course teaching you to go deep in the scriptures

smaller, theological schools?

through the Bible study method called Arcing.

E: Small religious schools used to have an economic advantage as a cheaper educational option, and that is readily disappearing as public policy drives cheaper community college education. Also, there

T: As you look out from today toward the future, what are the most significant trends you see in biblical higher education?

higher education.” By that I am mean, schools are conforming to the idea that “Education is all about my employability,” which, I feel, is a sell-out of the

E: Within our sector? I am very encouraged about the

purpose of education in terms of the church’s “per-

trend for new institutions that are being formed out

sonal peace and affluence” ethic that the late Francis

of spiritual movements. The pattern of institutions

Schaffer warned about.

like those we serve springing up around spiritual movements dates all the way back to the 19th century founding of Nyack and Moody in the 1880s and

2

has been an increase of the “commodification of

T: To conclude our time today, what hope do you see for Christian higher education?

a few in the 1870s. These institutions arise out of the

E: The most hopeful thing I see is that God is going

combination of significant movement of the spirit,

to nurture and nourish us. I am excited to be in-

people being drawn toward Christ, and the result-

volved in education that is right at the heart of what

ing desire to study the Bible. Those in vocational

God wants to do in the world.

BETHLEHEM COLLEGE & SEMINARY

Worshipers at the 2015 Conference for Pastors

IN ONE ACCORD: CHURCH-BASED

Students come from far and wide to receive their education in the context of the life and community of Bethlehem Baptist Church.

•

34,884 + HOURS OF STUDENT SERVICE AT BETHLEHEM PER SCHOOL YEAR

20+ Ministry Areas: Wednesday Night Connection, Small Groups, Worship Team, Adult Discipleship, Bethlehem Urban Initiatives, Bookstore, Nursery, Career Adult Ministry, Children & Family Discipleship, Barnabas Group, Choir, Communion Server, Junior & Senior High Ministry, Kitchen Ministry, Pastoral Assistants, Neighborhood Outreach, Security Team, Media Ministry, Adult Education, Welcome Ministry

Jesse Albrecht, Fourth Year, Seminary Ministry Assistant, Senior High

Kenzie Abell, Sophomore in College Children & Family Discipleship, Small Group Leader

Daniel Simmons, Sophomore in College Worship Leader, Junior & Senior High

“The interwoven relationship between Bethlehem College & Seminary and Bethlehem Baptist Church may be my favorite distinctive. What a gift to be at a seminary in a church-based context where God stretches my heart and hands as deeply as my mind!”

JOHN SUPICA , THIRD YEAR SEMINARY STUDENT NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH

Nate Steller, Degree Completion Program Senior High, Small Group Leader

198

Ryan Eagy, Second Year, Seminary Ministry Assistant to Dan Holst, Campus Pastor

12

STUDENTS

FACULT Y

(2014–2015)

(FULL-TIME)

Hannah Leake, Sophomore in College Kitchen Ministry

SPRING 2015

SERIOUS JOY

3

THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHRISTIAN HEDONISTS ROOTS THAT CREATED THE PRESENT AND SECURE THE FUTURE

BY JOHN PIPER

Every time we open our mouth we have an opportunity to do what we were created to do. The gift of speaking exists to exalt Him by expressing our enjoyment in Him. Sermon on 2 Corinthians 10:12–18; Bethlehem Baptist Church; March 21, 2015.

Courtney Friesen, PhD

Jason Meyer, PhD

The Bethlehem Institute, Class of 2004

The Bethlehem Institute, Class of 2001

Instructor of Greek, University of Oxford

Pastor for Preaching and Vision

Faculty of Theology and Religion

Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN

In his research and teaching, Courtney aims at the discovery of a conversation between scripture and the Greco-Roman world in order to gain fresh perspectives on its enduring meaning and significance.

A

s I look back over the decades of ministry that gave rise to

Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:21). He revealed himself. By

Bethlehem College & Seminary, there are three ways to de-

the word of the Lord.

scribe how it came to be. Each of these roots will also define the

God has spoken in his word that we might know his worth. He inspired a book

school’s future.

that we might see his beauty. And what we have seen is that he is sovereign. Abso-

First, there is the decisive decree of God. He willed this school, and it came to

lutely sovereign. This is the most comprehensive, comforting, and catalytic truth

be. The apostle Paul was very jealous that this be clear in his own ministry. So he

in the world.

said to Corinthians: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the

SERIOUS JOY

growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). And he said to the Romans, “I will not venture to

Since God is sovereign, he is never frustrated by limits imposed from outside. He

speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me” (Romans

is an invincibly happy God. He knows wrath. And his Spirit can be grieved. But

15:18). Could it be clearer? God is the decisive reason this school exists.

these are purple strokes that make even more beautiful the bright canvass of bril-

Second, there were persons in God’s hands. I used to say that my main role in

liant yellows and oranges and reds.

the engine of Bethlehem Baptist Church was to be the sparkplug that exploded

Joy is part of who God is, not just what he gives. Eternally, the Father has de-

in the piston chamber once a week. Tom Steller built the transmission, the drive

lighted in the glory of his Son, and the Son in the glory of his Father. And now the

train, the axles, and the wheels. He converted the van (picture as a 1960’s vw with

Son has come into the world that his joy might be in us and ours might be full.

Christian Hedonist decals) into a little school house on wheels.

This is why the world was made. Because God is most glorified in us when we are

As we drove along he pulled hundreds of lay people into his ltttr classes

most satisfied in him. Joy is a very serious business.

(Leadership Training Through Theological Reflection), and dozens of young men into his apprenticeship vision. That grew into tbi (The Bethlehem Institute), And

FUTURE

tbi grew into Bethlehem College & Seminary.

Those three roots of Bethlehem College & Seminary (God, persons, convictions)

Third, the persons in God’s hands had convictions about how to read the Bible,

and those three convictions (Sacred Book, Sovereign God, Serious Joy) define the

what kind of God dominated the Bible, and what kind of life flowed out of this

school’s future.

Bible-saturated vision of God. Let’s call these convictions: Sacred Book, Sover-

God is alive. We have no reason to think his decree has been rescinded. We

eign God, Serious Joy. There would be no Bethlehem College & Seminary without

believe he wills for us to be, and to be strong. He is raising up persons year after

these three convictions. They define who we are.

year like those you see in this edition of Serious Joy. And these persons share the

SACRED BOOK

convictions that make this school what it is.

Tom Steller’s faithfulness for 35 years “entrusting [the truth] to faithful men

Tom Steller and I learned together that the Bible is not a string of lovely pearls,

who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2), is bearing far-reaching

but a chain of linked truths. There is a way to read God’s Book that reveals not just

fruit. From where I stand, as chancellor and professor and former spark-plug, the

the brightness of the links, and the firmness of the linkage, but also the unbreak-

legacy of what we cherish looks sacred and solid. According to the Sacred Book we

able beauty of the entire chain “from him and through him and to him” (Romans

have every reason in Christ for Serious Joy in our Sovereign God.

11:36). Bethlehem College & Seminary is designed to teach students how to read like this—read the world, and read the word.

SOVEREIGN GOD

We are not content to read the Bible for the sake of new thoughts, not even the strongest chain of thoughts. We read to know God. “The Lord revealed himself to

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BETHLEHEM COLLEGE & SEMINARY

John Piper, D.Theol., is Chancellor & Professor of Biblical Exegesis at Bethlehem College & Seminary

The goal of biblical spirituality is the goal of the Christian life itself: to glorify God by enjoying fellowship with God, growing in the knowledge of God, and seeking godly conformity to his image and character.

Chapel Message, Bethlehem College & Seminary, February 2015.

Justin Taylor The Bethlehem Institute, Class of 2000 Senior Vice President and Publisher for Books at Crossway in Wheaton, IL

W.A. The Bethlehem Institute, Class of 2003 Gospel Teacher and House Church Multiplier, South Asia Hand Pump Project Manager

“My years at Bethlehem helped shape a vision of ministry where we value the proclamation of the gospel and repentance rooted in joy in God.”

Steven Lee Master of Divinity, Bethlehem College & Seminary, Class of 2012 Pastor of Small Groups & Community Outreach, College Church, Wheaton, IL

“Jesus’ call of discipleship is not a hard, burdensome calling, but in fact it is an act of love by our Savior. Jesus calls us to give our lives for the gospel so that we can gain the world, and to die to the frivolous pleasures of the world so we can take joy in the most satisfying person in all the universe.”

Sermon on John 21:15–25; College Church; February 2015

The central joy of the new creation is not God’s gifts; it is God himself. Yes, of course we’ll enjoy all the good things, but mostly we’ll enjoy the One who actually makes those good things good.

From Eternity Changes Everything: How to Live Now in the Light of Your Future. London: Good Book Company, 2014

Stephen Witmer, PhD The Bethlehem Institute, Class of 2000 Pastor of Pepperell Christian Fellowship Pepperell, MA

SPRING 2015

SERIOUS JOY

5

TO STUDY PRACTICE & TEACH: FACULTY & ALUMNI

John Beckman’s Journey When John and his wife Olivia

In addition to the classwork, Dr.

moved to Minnesota in 1997 with

Beckman also taught Greek and

his freshly minted Stanford Ph.D.

Theological Foundations at The Beth-

in engineering, their goal was to

lehem Institute, writing extensive

get Biblical and cross-cultural

curriculum materials for both classes

training and then head over-

as he taught them. Encouraged by his

professional

joy in teaching and feedback from his

training to reach people whose

students and pastors, John and Olivia

governments prohibit them from

decided that he should pursue a career

hearing the Gospel. So when Beth-

as a full-time Bible professor rather

seas,

using

their

lehem Baptist Church started The

than as an overseas missionary engi-

Bethlehem Institute in 1998, they both

neering professor. Since Bethlehem

joined the inaugural cohort of track 3,

College & Seminary did not yet exist,

which was an M.A. program in mis-

the Beckmans moved to Boston in

sions offered in partnership with the

2004 in order for John to attend Gor-

U.S. Center for World Missions. That

don-Conwell Theological Seminary

year, Bethlehem also began track 2,

before enrolling in a second Ph.D.

the vocational elder training program

program, this time in Near Eastern

that was the precursor to Bethlehem

Languages and Civilizations at Har-

College & Seminary’s M.Div. program.

vard University.

“As I got to know the track 2 interns,”

Seven years later, he received a sur-

John said, “I was amazed at them and

prising call from his former pastor and

said to myself, ‘I’ve just got to study

teacher, Tom Steller, now Academic

Bible with guys like that!’”

Dean at Bethlehem College & Sem-

So after learning the pre-requisite

inary, asking if he would consider

Greek through The Bethlehem Insti-

teaching at Bethlehem. “It was perfect

tute’s Tuesday evening Greek class,

timing, because I had just completed

John matriculated as part of the third

all of my on-campus obligations at

Students have seen the Hebrew language coming to life under Beckman’s teaching because he powerfully combines serious academic study with heartfelt worship of God in the classroom.

Dr. John Beckman, Ph.D. Professor of Hebrew, Bethlehem College & Seminary

course to a flipped educational model

including seminaries overseas that

in which students watch his lectures

have translated his materials into

before coming to class. This allows

Chinese and Russian. And his own

him to spend the class time drilling

students, after being called on to ex-

students, constantly asking them to

plain the principles of Hebrew and

explain not only what the Biblical

Biblical exegesis to him in class after

text means, but also how they know

class, are equipped to teach others all

that. Former student, Chris Powers

that they have learned from him.

explains that in Beckman’s classroom,

“The students we have at Bethlehem

“the progress in Hebrew is natural and

are amazing,” John remarks. “When I

the knowledge is lasting.” Students

came to Bethlehem, the reason I start-

have seen the Hebrew language com-

ed the track 2 internship was because

ing to life under Beckman’s teaching

I thought to myself, ‘I’ve got to study

because he powerfully combines se-

the Bible with guys like that.’ Now, al-

rious academic study with heartfelt

though I am on the opposite side of the

cohort of track 2. In that program he

Harvard,” he noted. So he returned

worship of God in the classroom.

desk, it is a dream come true that I still

studied Biblical exegesis, preaching,

to Bethlehem in the summer of 2011,

Bethlehem College and Seminary

get to study Bible with guys like that.’”

and theology under John Piper, Tom

this time as a faculty member teaching

exists to spread a passion for the su-

Steller, and Tom Schreiner. “Pastor

Hebrew language and Old Testament

premacy of God in all things for the

John and Pastor Tom trained me to

exegesis while working on his doctor-

joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.

study the Bible in Greek using the

al research on the Hebrew language.

As part of that mission, Dr. Beckman

arcing and sentence-diagramming

As he teaches Hebrew, Dr. Beck-

designs his courses and makes all of

techniques that had been so fruitful

man continually asks himself, “How

his materials freely available so that

in their own studies. I was hooked! I

do I explain the language and drill

anyone who knows Hebrew will have

felt ‘where has this been all my life?’ It

students in such a way to make it as

all that they need in order to teach

was like a fish being released from a

easy as possible to learn and to re-

Hebrew. His recorded lectures and

fishbowl into the ocean, I had found

tain long term?” In pursuit of this, he

materials are already being used by

what I was made for!”

has switched his first-year Hebrew

professors at several other seminaries,

This May, Dr. John Beckman will graduate with his second Ph.D., this time from Harvard University in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. His dissertation, titled “Toward the Meaning of the Biblical Hebrew Piel Stem,” applies linguistic theory and cross-linguistic evidence to the Hebrew verbal system and examines every Piel verb and corresponding Qal in the Old Testament to challenge several current explanations for the meaning of the Piel stem and to adapt to Hebrew a recent theory regarding the D stem in Akkadian.

NEW BY FACULTY & ALUMNI AUTHORS

What Jesus Demands from the World: Bible Study Book

Knowing the Bible Series Daniel: A 12-week study

Killjoys: The Seven Deadly Sins

Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love in the Church as a Celibate Gay Christian

The Whole Story of the Bible in 16 Verses

Perspectives on the Extent of the Atonement: 3 Views

BRIAN J. TABB

TODD WILSON

MARSHALL SEGAL , ED.

WESLEY HILL

CHRIS BRU NO

ANDREW DAVID NASELLI & MARK SNOEBERGER, ED.

Remember to select Bethlehem College & Seminary as your charitable organization on AmazonSmile.

A portion of your purchases on Amazon Smile, books or otherwise, will help provide students with affordable tuition that lets them launch immediately into ministry without student loan debt.

6

BETHLEHEM COLLEGE & SEMINARY

WE WANT YOU TO KNOW: ADVANCEMENT

FACT:

Student loan debt creates financial entanglement that constrains ministry.

$33,000 $57,500 AVG U.S. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT DEBT

AVERAGE YEARS TO STUDENT LOAN DEBT RETIREMENT

/ 2036

AVG U.S. GRADUATE STUDENT DEBT

41 million Americans now owe $1.2 trillion in student loan debts.

Percentage of U.S. students graduating with debt 2000

28%

2014

70%

21

43

YEARS

AGE

YEAR OF LOAN RETIREMENT FOR AVG 2015 U.S. GRAD

Student loan debt alone is 36% of an average U.S. graduate’s household’s income.

72+28+L FACT:

Bethlehem College & Seminary promises debt freedom.

e provide a high-value, intellectually-rigorous, W Christian education in a lean, no-frills environment.

Every resident student receives a Serious Joy Scholarship funded by generous givers.

72 . 5% Student Instruction & Facilities

SEMINARY

COLLEGE

Tuition

$16,100

$10,700

Serious Joy Scholarship

$11,400

$4,940

Net Student Tuition

$4,700

$5,760

27.5% Administration

0% Institutional Debt Service

Bethlehem College & Seminary receives no funds from the federal or state governments, no denominational support, a modest amount of cash support from Bethlehem Baptist Church, and no funding from Desiring God Ministries. The school depends entirely on God and the generosity he stirs in the hearts of his people.

FACT:

We cannot keep this promise of debt freedom without your help.

250 Serious Joy Scholarships are needed each year.

SUPPORT MULTIPLE STUDENTS

SUPPORT ONE STUDENT

JOIN WITH OTHERS

or a single student’s four-year degree program

for one year of study

to fund Serious Joy Scholarships

$45,600 / $19,760

$11,400 / $4,940

$1,000 / $500 / $250 / $100

Seminary / College

Seminary / College

Every gift avails much

Pulpits are being filled, ministries staffed, the nations reached, theological scholars established, and various vocations populated with men and women who know that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.

ONLINE CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE MADE VIA WWW.BCSMN.ORG/DONATE

SPRING 2015

SERIOUS JOY

7

Serious Joy IN THIS ISSUE From the President A Conversation with Ralph Enlow The Next Generation of Christian Hedonists

by Chancellor John Piper In One Accord Grounded in the Local Church The Journey of John Beckman

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 3844 Twin Cities, MN

BETHLEHEM COLLEGE & SEMINARY 720 13TH AVENUE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55415

We Thank God for You It would be impossible to express my deep thankfulness for all that God did in my life through

Bethlehem College & Seminary.

I love being a pastor of a small, growing church in Albert Lea, MN. I love the preparation and proclamation of preaching God’s word. I love walking through life with God’s people. I’m so grateful to have a congregation to call home and be a gospel outpost to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ in our neighborhoods and the nations.

I can do this because of those at Bethlehem College & Seminary. I am standing on the shoulders of professors who pour their lives into students’ academic and spiritual development. I am standing on the shoulders of a mentor in Jason Meyer who would not settle for less than a life-­‐changing relationship that remains to this day. I am standing on the shoulders of a group of donors who allow men like me to be trained and immediately sent out without any school debt, even while raising a family.

In a few months, Nick Roen (a 4th year seminary student) will graduate and join me in Albert Lea as our worship pastor and is able to do so for similar reasons.

God is raising up a band of brothers ready academically, spiritually, and financially to be heralds of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ through Bethlehem College & Seminary. To him be all the glory!

Dave Zulegar, MDiv ‘14 Pastor for Preaching, Sojourners Church, Albert Lea, MN