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
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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
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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
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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