UPDATE Magazine | Fall 2022

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westminster seminary california

A Better Way FOR MINISTRY READINESS

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READINESS FOR MINISTRY: GROWING TOWARD THE GOAL

by Bradley J. Bitner

EVERY TRIBE, TONGUE, AND NATION

by Mark George

WSC ALUMNI, BIBLICAL SEXUALITY, & THE CRC

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2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

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ver the last couple of years we have read or heard on what seems like a weekly basis about pastors leaving the ministry. The challenges of navigating pandemic politics and culture wars have been heavy burdens to bear for those in leadership positions, especially in the pastoral ministry. These developments have led seminaries to consider the important role they play in pastoral resilience. Of course, the goal should be far greater than merely keeping pastors in the ministry. We desire to see these men thrive in ministry as they serve their churches faithfully.

While ultimately the church determines whether a man is ready for pastoral ministry, seminary education is a crucial part of that preparation. At Westminster Seminary California, we believe that readiness for ministry is holistic and continual. It includes the mind in learning to exegete Scripture, preach the Word of God, and apply wisdom in pastoral care. It also includes the heart in being prayerful, humble, wise, and a man of godly character. Most importantly, it includes the comforting knowledge that readiness for ministry relies on the Lord. As 1 Cor. 1 reminds us, God chose the weak and flawed to take the Gospel to the world so that none may boast, except in the Lord.

In this issue, Dr. Bradley J. Bitner explores this very issue of readiness for pastoral ministry (p. 4). In addition, we report on the instrumental role WSC alumni played in recent developments in the Christian Reformed Church (p. 16). Current student Mark George also shares his story of the Lord leading him to WSC and his experience as a student (p. 8).

Thank you for your continued friendship and prayers as WSC strives to serve Christ’s Church through the preparation of her servants for a lifetime of ministry.

Cordially in Christ,

“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’”

Joel E. Kim WSC President

1 COR. 1:30-31

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UPDATE | FALL2022

UPDATE | FALL2022 PRESIDENT Joel E. Kim EDITOR Marcus McArthur DESIGNER Megan York

CONTENTS 04

INFOCUS

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PRINTER Precision Litho

by Bradley J. Bitner

UPDATE magazine is a publication of Westminster Seminary California.

For address changes, duplicate mailings, or additional magazine requests, please write or call.

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Westminster Seminary California 1725 Bear Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92027

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FAX (760) 480-0252 EMAIL development@wscal.edu WEBSITE www.wscal.edu

MISSION: The purpose of UPDATE is to showcase Westminster Seminary California’s distinctively Christ-centered, graduate education through the work of its faculty, students and alumni who are serving as pastors, teachers, missionaries, and leaders worldwide in light of our overarching mission “to glorify God through graduate theological study. . . for those who will serve in the Christian community and the larger society.”

Since 1979, Westminster Seminary California has offered a distinctly Reformed and rigorous education in order to glorify Christ, promote His Gospel, and serve His Church. The strength of our degree programs lies in our faculty’s unified commitment to the inerrant Scriptures and the Reformed confessions. Westminster Seminary California is the only dually accredited seminary in the Western United States serving confessionally Reformed churches.

2021-2022 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mr. Daniel J. Bryant Rev. CJ Den Dulk Mr. Lyle Faber Rev. Joel D. Fick Rev. Dr. David W. Hall Mr. Milton D. Hodges Dr. Solomon Jo Rev. Dr. Terry Johnson Rev. Dr. Lloyd H. Kim Rev. Richard E. Landry Mr. Mark Memmelaar Rev. Steven D. Oeverman Mr. Ronald W. Prins Mr. Roger A. Swets Rev. Dale A. Van Dyke Mr. Kent Van Groningen Dr. Thomas D. Vander Veen

Every Tribe, Tongue, and Nation

by Mark George

PHONE (888) 480-8474

PERMISSIONS: UPDATE grants permission for any original article to be photocopied and distributed, permitted that the wording is not altered in any way, no fee is charged beyond the cost of reproduction, and no more than 500 copies are made. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by Westminster Seminary California. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: This article originally appeared in UPDATE, a publication of Westminster Seminary California (WSC) and is reprinted with permission. For more information about WSC, visit www.wscal.edu or call (888) 480-8474.

Readiness for Ministry: Growing Toward the Goal

Westminster Village Construction

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Seminary for a Day

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41st Annual Commencement

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2023 Annual Conference

ONMISSION

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WSC Alumni, Biblical Sexuality, & the CRC

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Alumni News Updates

INPERSON & INPRINT

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WSC Faculty in Ordination & Installation Services

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Morning Devotions Series

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Honorarium + Memorial Gifts

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2021-2022 Annual Report

©2022 Westminster Seminary California All rights reserved.

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INFOCUS

READINESS FOR MINISTRY GROWING TOWARD THE GOAL

by B R A D L E Y J . B I T N E R 4

UPDATE | FALL2022

READY OR NOT?

GROWING IN COMPETENCE

estminster Seminary California (WSC) prepares men and women to be ready to serve Christ’s church in a variety of places and callings. What readiness for service looks like in those callings is worth considering at greater length. But the focus of this piece aligns with the core degree offering of the seminary, namely, the MDiv. So, we may narrow the question by asking, “When is a man ready to be ordained as a minister?” It’s ultimately a question for the churches, to be answered on the basis of God’s Word. WSC serves a variety of churches, but they tend to answer this question in similar ways.

In fact, there are detailed denominational accounts of readiness linked with licensure and ordination exams. As churches describe what it looks like to be ready, they use recurrent phrases and themes: Is the man “competent in human learning”? Does he know his Bible and theology well? Does he exhibit a “holiness of life becoming to the gospel”? Does the man demonstrate a “worthy example” of Christian love and maturity? Is he “sound in faith” and “apt to teach”? Is he characterized by “wisdom and discretion”?

Ideally, readiness for ministry embraces all these areas and more. But there are times when candidates for the ministry of word and sacrament – even seminary graduates – are more ready than others. In his book Calvin’s Company of Pastors, Scott M. Manetsch recounts an instance where a candidate was deemed not quite ready: “Though Léonard Constant was judged very knowledgeable in theology, he was ‘still not trained or fashioned in preaching’ and was thus ‘not yet ready to step into the pulpit.’”

In our context, we might say Constant aced his systematics and historical theology classes but needed more work on his preaching, both with his professors in the classroom and with ministry supervisors in his field education experiences. At WSC we aim to prepare candidates like Constant to be ready by means of the entire seminary curriculum and close partnerships with the churches.

Ministry readiness means being prepared for all the necessary duties of ministry: preaching the Word of God, administering the sacraments, and exercising wise and godly pastoral care and discipline. Yet readiness is not perfection. Certainly, there is a baseline necessary for starting out in ministry. But there will be continued growth and progress over a lifetime. No one is ready for every circumstance. Nevertheless, churches rightly expect their ministers to be theologically and pastorally ready.

At Westminster Seminary California, we believe that readiness calls for graduates who are deeply rooted in the Bible and its original languages. They are ready to be crystal clear on the Gospel. They know and embrace the creeds and the Reformed confessions which clarify, connect, and amplify the teaching of Scripture. Readiness calls for alumni who are adaptable, prayerful, and wise. It involves godly character, perhaps especially humility and self-control in our present cultural moment. What are some of the ways the rigorous curriculum and formational learning community at WSC contribute to this kind of readiness?

One way to consider readiness is in terms of competence. In 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Paul speaks of a competent ministry. He insists his competence is not from himself or his own prowess.

Rather, it is a competence granted by God (3:5). Likewise, God is the one who makes competent any gospel minister of the new covenant (3:6). He does this by his Spirit and through means.

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul returns to the theme of ministerial competence. He exhorts Timothy to entrust the sound doctrine he received “to faithful men who will be competent also to teach others” (2:2). This competence is multifaceted. And WSC contributes to it in many ways.

First, this is a competence involving significant content. It includes revealed knowledge and saving doctrine. Paul speaks in 2:2 of “the things which you heard from me through many witnesses.” In the context of 2 Timothy, this is unpacked. It includes “the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus” (1:1) and “the testimonial about our Lord,” namely, “the Gospel” (1:8). It is tied to God’s gracious, saving work in Christ who “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (1:10). What must be passed on to faithful men so that they will be competent and ready for ministry is the “pattern of the sound words” and “the good deposit” (1:13-14). This is biblical, theological, Gospel competence.

Several current and recent WSC students have reflected on how the rigorous and coherent curriculum has helped them grow toward precisely this kind of competence. One student commented: “What is unique and powerful is the coherence of the curriculum. All the professors are making one coherent argument for Reformed theology.” Another student noted the curricular design and learning experience: “You start off with the biblical languages. And when you get to systematic [theology] you have to demonstrate the doctrine exegetically. There’s a fundamental difference to how the curriculum flows … [that] makes the school different.” One great benefit in this, in the words of several students, is that “WSC gets the Gospel.” And an important result of this consistency, coherence, and clarity across the curriculum is that our graduates demonstrate the competence ministry requires. They are ready with the Gospel.

They are learning to love, guard, and communicate the message about Christ Jesus Paul refers to in 2 Tim 2:2.

Secondly, this is a competence oriented towards teaching.

It is not knowledge for its own sake. It is Gospel doctrine for preaching and teaching and catechizing unashamedly, clearly,

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“Readiness calls for alumni who are adaptable, prayerful, and wise.”

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and wisely (2 Tim 1:7-8; 3:14-17; 4:2-5). Paul wants more and more faithful men who are competent to teach these things. This competence is both taught and caught. Students grow toward it in their exegesis, systematics, and preaching classes. They learn from experience and feedback as they exhort in partner churches as part of an intensive and structured Field Education program.

And they see this modeled by their professors in the pulpit and at the lectern. According to one: “WSC faculty love the Gospel and bring it out in many areas of teaching naturally and compellingly.” In these ways and more, WSC seeks intentionally to cultivate the kind of competent readiness Paul envisions in 2 Timothy 2:2.

GROWING IN CRAFTSMANSHIP Readiness is also tied to a kind of craftsmanship. Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” The language and imagery is that of a skilled craftsman. This is skill gained and exercised only by hard work and painstaking effort. Paul’s imperative (“do your best”) appears in other Greek texts dealing with workers and builders who are exhorted to “make an effort.” It suggests both diligence and excellence. The study of the Bible, of sound doctrine, and of pastoral care requires hard work. So, too, of course, does the application of these things once ordained ministry commences. The goal of this effort is approval – ultimately

by God. The workman must labor in such a way that he will be unashamed before both God and people. And central to the minister’s craftsmanship is his interpretation and application of God’s Word and of right doctrine. He is trained and skilled in “rightly handling the word of truth.”

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“The workman must labor in such a way that he will be unashamed before both God and people.”

At WSC, there is certainly effort required to learn and practice the exegetical, theological, and pastoral skills necessary for ministry. One student put it simply, “This school will teach you and stretch you.” The content and sequence of the curriculum are important. WSC is one of the only seminaries continuing to insist on 110 credits for an MDiv degree. This is because we want our graduates to be as ready as possible for ministry. But growing in the craft of becoming a pastor-theologian needs more than the cumulative informational content of a rich, classical, theological curriculum. Learning from a faculty who are themselves cultivating their craft, and doing so face-to-face in the classroom with a community of learners, is powerful preparation for approved workmanship in Christ’s church.

Although there may be many available modes of learning the pastoral and theological craft, WSC is committed to – and the faculty and students take delight in – the growth and preparation that may be uniquely possible in a face-to-face teaching and learning environment. Once again, our students say it eloquently. One had begun to study online through another institution. He appreciated the information but felt his skills were not growing as he hoped: “I wanted more than I was getting in terms of languages and systematics … I felt like, I need a professor in person. I need students in the classroom. I need in-person guidance. I feel like I’m doing this solo. I would talk to my pastor or someone else and would still feel like I wasn’t finding the right answers.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this sentiment is echoed by many students. Another, who had studied online for several years before coming to WSC, reflected on the contrast: “Oh, this is a real learning community. We get to share and talk about our work both in and outside of class … This is what it’s like to be in seminary! I’m learning and discussing it with my classmates … there is a pedagogy that creates a kind of learning community.” Still another commented: “It’s difficult to quantify, but the myriad little interactions that only happen in person add up to a whole education that complements the classroom instruction and really drives learning.”

These myriad interactions add up significantly over the course of an MDiv. They result in a growing craftsmanship with the word of truth that is more than the sum of its parts.

One final student reflection underlines how the WSC learning experience hones the effort, skill, and wisdom suggested by 2 Timothy 2:15: “There is a level of education that is only UPDATE | FALL2022

1 TIMOTHY 4:15-16 possible with face-to-face. There is the pushback from peers and professors that sharpens or corrects your views. There is compassion that grows when you face the people you have discourse with, humility … when you have to vocalize thoughts publicly. And [face-to-face learning] helps maintain your attention.” By design, the teaching and learning community at WSC requires and supports growth in the pastoral and theological excellence called for in 2 Timothy 2:15.

READY TO BEAR GOSPEL FRUIT At the end of their studies, we hope our students will be ready. But we recognize that they will (and must!) continue growing during their ministries. After all, the preparation is in service of the ultimate goal: ministering Christ’s gospel in Christ’s church for God’s glory. Competence and craftsmanship are instrumental – they enable the kind of ministry that will bear Gospel fruit.

Paul’s first letter to Timothy includes a series of exhortations reflecting this necessity. There is both initial readiness and continued growth. 1 Timothy 4:15-16 says, “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

This is a helpful summary for considering readiness. A brief gloss on these verses shows how in many ways, they apply both to the learning experience at WSC and to the context of congregational ministry. wscal .e d u

Practice these things.

That is, cultivate theological knowledge and pastoral skill.

Immerse yourself in them.

In other words, submit to divine truth and the craft of ministry with a posture of deep commitment.

So that all may see your progress.

Growth should be visible and obvious on the road to readiness and faithful ministry. A ministerial candidate’s growth in knowledge and godliness should be evident to his professors, his classmates, his brothers and sisters in the local church.

Keep a close watch on yourself and the teaching.

Be mindful and reflective about your godly character and your doctrine.

Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Faithfulness of this kind serves a great purpose. It is used by the Lord for the salvation of sinners.

The churches WSC serves need pastors who, with the Lord’s help and with the benefit of an excellent seminary education, are more ready than Léonard Constant was.

The minister’s readiness matters, not only to himself but to the people who will sit under his ministry and benefit from his care.

Each Wednesday morning, WSC faculty and students gather in prayer groups.

Recently, an exchange between students celebrated the kind of visible progress toward ministry readiness spoken of by Paul in 1 Timothy 4:15. One student finishing his MDiv recounted his intensive summer internship. He was in the pulpit weekly and spent many hours of relational time with church members. He asked for wisdom in accepting opportunities to continue exhorting alongside his studies and for discerning a call after his graduation. As soon as he finished speaking, another student interjected, “Wow, you have grown so much during these years we’ve prayed together.” It was a precious moment, a perception of progress in knowledge, skill, and godliness. It was a recognition of emerging readiness that will be confirmed eventually by the ecclesial body that calls and examines this student.

Wonderfully, his is only one example among many of the kind of growing competence and craftsmanship that Christ’s churches need. Indeed, it’s the sort of readiness we take great pleasure in being a part of in our teaching, learning, and serving together at Westminster Seminary California.

Bradley J. Bitner is Associate Professor of New

Testament at Westminster Seminary California.

Dr. Bitner and his wife, Kathi, have seven children.

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ONCAMPUS

EVERY TRIBE, TONGUE, AND NATION

by M A R K G E O R G E

H O M E T O W N : Pune, India / P R O G R A M : MDiv

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reetings from the church in Australia!” the preacher said from the pulpit. He was not the first (nor the last) pastor to exhort at our church in Sri Lanka from another country.

While I may not remember what their sermons were about exactly, I could never forget the immense joy and awe I felt as I heard them bring news about the church from other countries. These preachers were stand-ins for their congregations miles and miles away, testifying that the gospel was going to the ends of the earth. I would sit there in my small Pentecostal church in Sri Lanka thinking, “I have family all over the world.” This thought still humbles me today, and the Lord in his mercy is allowing me to participate in his everexpanding story of redeeming sinners into the global family of God. My name is Mark George, and I am a second-year student in the MDiv program at WSC. I was born and raised in Sri Lanka, and I came to Nashville, Tennessee, for college when I was 19 years old. Over the last 8 years in the U.S., I have received an undergraduate education at Vanderbilt University, gotten married to my wonderful wife, Ariana, during a global pandemic, worked as an engineer for 3 years, and led the youth ministry

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at my church in Nashville. Through that process, the Lord continued to place on my heart the vision of the global church, and after a few trips back to Sri Lanka, I began considering if I ought to follow this call to be a pastor and missionary. After much prayer and many conversations with pastors, family, and friends, I was encouraged to do just that. And I knew that I wanted to be equipped for ministry by studying at WSC. You may be surprised to hear that a Sri Lankan who grew up in a Pentecostal church ended up at WSC! During my time at our church in Nashville, I encountered reformed theology and slowly began embracing it as I heard and understood the fullness of the gospel for the first time.

Many of the books written by professors here were integral in my journey into the reformed faith and tradition. Additionally, one of my closest friends from Nashville attended WSC, and we would spend hours on the phone discussing everything that he was learning. He even told me how serious the students here are about ping pong!

What sealed the deal for me was when I visited the campus in 2019. I remember sitting at the back of Dr. Horton’s class, amazed at the Creator/Creature distinction and God’s revelation; I remember Dr.

“This isn’t a place where you just get a theological education, but where theology meets practice as well.”

Julius Kim teaching on preaching (by example!); I remember listening to Dr. VanDrunen dive into the Pactum Salutis and union with Christ. But above all, I remember that the professors all spoke to me after class. You cannot deny the world-class education we receive at WSC, but I will always appreciate being able to speak freely with professors who are fellow pilgrims saved by grace. This isn’t a place where you just get a theological education, but where theology meets practice as well.

Eager to begin studying at WSC, my wife and I uprooted our lives in Nashville and made the trip to sunny San Diego UPDATE | FALL2022

during the summer of 2021. It was a difficult move for us as we left our home behind. Ariana had to adjust to a new job, and I had not been in school for more than 3 years. We soon found out just how much of a blessing it is to live in the WSC Village.

The Lord provided us with amazing friends and peers who have upheld us in prayer, meals, fun, and encouragement. I have found such relief in knowing that I am not alone in taking on the rigorous curriculum at WSC. In fact, I love it here so much that I am now working part time as an Admissions Counselor!

My wife and I have also found an amazing community at our church, Resurrection San Diego (Res Pres for short). The first Sunday we attended, a group of church members invited us to eat lunch together in Balboa Park. We have been a part of the Res Pres community ever since. I am a pastoral intern there and am serving the church on the worship team and in the children’s ministry with my wife. I also had the opportunity to preach a sermon in August. I am so thankful that the Lord calls us into His presence each Sunday to be reminded of His forgiveness and grace through Word and Sacrament.

After seminary, my wife and I plan to move back to Sri Lanka as missionaries.

I first started thinking about pursuing ministry in Sri Lanka in January 2019. I went home for a month-long visit after being away for almost 3 years. My father is a pastor there, and he runs a ministry that has planted more than 10 churches in its 27-year history. Its primary function now is to train pastors and church workers through its Bible school. Visiting the Bible school and churches caused my heart to be drawn to these pastors and workers; I wanted to come back and serve in this context. When I expressed this desire to my dad, he asked me to come help run the ministry and Bible school. Currently, that is the external call that, Lord willing, I will pursue after graduation.

This past summer, Ariana and I traveled to Sri Lanka during the month of July. It was her first time visiting the country, so it was a time to meet my family and get a glimpse of what our lives will look like when we move there. We both enjoyed

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visiting the Bible school and attending church on Sunday and classes on Monday. The school is in an impoverished region of Sri Lanka where most people are Hindus. As the Lord has been calling people to Himself, men have stepped into a pastoral role out of necessity, even though they’re not trained. Those men are now able to receive training at the Bible school so they can continue ministering more effectively. Additionally, pastors from local churches send men and women who want to serve the church in a greater capacity to study at the school.

One thing we observed during our trip was the need to strengthen churches in the doctrines of grace and gospel-centeredness, as the threat of legalism, moralism, and the prosperity gospel is quite prevalent. Furthermore, Protestantism is a very small minority, with most Sri Lankans identifying as Buddhists. By working with my dad’s ministry, we hope not only to minister to non-believers directly, but also to influence the pastors and workers who will preach the gospel to their communities.

You might have noticed that I used the pronoun “we” instead of “I” in that last paragraph. After seeing the need for gospelcentered ministry in Sri Lanka, Ariana has felt the Lord calling her into ministry as well! After much prayer and counsel, she has decided to pursue a Masters of Theological Studies from WSC, and, Lord willing, will begin that program next fall.

We are looking forward to entering into ministry together, knowing that we will be thoroughly equipped.

We are so grateful for the education we’re able to receive here at Westminster.

We have fallen more in love with the gospel as we have marveled at God’s glory revealed to us in Christ, and we are eager to bring that message to the center of our ministry in Sri Lanka. From sitting in church hearing the greetings from the church global to being called as laborers in the vineyard, we are looking forward to being a small part of the Lord’s work in establishing His kingdom.

"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'"

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New Construction The Westminster Village opened its doors in 2018 to the first residents – students and their families. The 64 apartments have been occupied since then, and there is a waiting list. The Board of Trustees approved the construction of the additional 8 three-bedroom apartments, and construction started in summer 2022.

“The entire trajectory of my life and ministry have been altered by this wonderful institution, its faculty, and its staff. Coming here to do my MDiv was the best decision I have made in my life, and I am so grateful for the opportunity, along with the generous financial support I have received from the seminary.”

“The time I’ve shared with my fellow students and future ministers outside of the classroom has been just as influential as that spent inside. It has helped me to process and discuss what I have been taught…I know I will have these relationships for the rest of my life. They are my brothers in arms and I am so thankful for them. This community has been such a blessing for my family.”

“The affordable housing made it possible for me and my family to attend seminary. It was a huge blessing.

Both my wife and I made so many friends that it made it hard for us to leave.”

The Westminster Seminary California community of faculty, staff, students and Village residents give thanks for the Lord’s provisions.

To learn more about this initiative, visit WSCAL.EDU/CAMPAIGN or call 888-480-8474, EXT. 130.

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UPDATE | FALL2022

Do you know a future pastor? Theologian?

Bible teacher? Scholar?

Tell them about Seminary for a Day!

JANUARY 13, 2023 | MARCH 10, 2023 This is a FREE, campus-wide event all about prospective students!

Easy registration at WSCAL.EDU/SFAD

Don't forget about our travel grant! $400 toward their travel expenses + 2 nights of FREE lodging during their visit

SPECIAL OFFER Anyone who brings a SFAD participant with them in January will receive FREE registration for the 2023 Annual Conference!

JAN. 13-14, 2023 | WSCAL.EDU/CONFERENCE 11

41ST ANNUAL

COMMENCEMENT

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estminster Seminary California’s 41st Annual Commencement took place on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at 10 am at Escondido United Reformed Church. Thirty-two master’s degrees were awarded, including 26 Master of Divinity (MDiv) and 6 Master of Arts (MA) degrees. The Class of 2022 is comprised of men and women from 8 U.S. states and 6 countries, including 2 graduates from China. These graduates join more than 1,200 alumni who are serving as pastors, church planters, missionaries, teachers, scholars, counselors, and lay leaders in more than 30 countries throughout the world.

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, WSC President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Church History, delivered the commencement address, “Stars and Snow,” based on Psalm 147. Dr. Godfrey encouraged the graduating class that God is doing his work of gathering his people, even during times of discouragement and distress in minis-

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try. Other guest participants included Dr. Calvin L. Troup (President of Geneva College), Rev. Bradley Jones (Pastor of Arise Presbyterian Church in Vista, CA), and Rev. Jonathan Kerhoulas (Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in San Diego).

Disruptions caused by the global pandemic have only reinforced for us the importance of learning together in a community of faith, face-to-face, by sharpening one another in understanding theology and shaping one another in loving and serving God’s people. We recognize how difficult this past year has been for families, churches, and communities both near and far, but as we returned to “normal,” we are thankful. We are grateful for our students, who remained faithful and resilient despite many changes and challenges, for our faculty and administration, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support the students, and for friends and partners of the seminary, who remained generous and faithful in the midst of uncertainties.

DANIEL KIM | MDiv “You’ll share countless conversations, meals, and tears with fellow students but most importantly, you’ll cherish Christ and His Gospel because of your time here.”

Most of all, we give thanks to the Lord for his abundant provisions and protection. Despite at times overwhelming change, we believe in and find comfort in the One who does not change, our Father in Heaven. Firmly believing that Christ works through His Word to build His Church, WSC is committed to preparing and launching faithful ministers and teachers who will lift up the name of Christ Jesus on high wherever the Lord places them. As we celebrate the Lord’s goodness in the lives of the Class of 2022, please join us in praying that they will be filled with the joy of Christ and His Gospel wherever the Lord calls them to serve.

Video from the commencement service and personal reflections from six of the graduates are available online at wscal.edu/ commencement-2022

QINGJUN LUO | MDiv “Westminster has taught me what to learn, but most importantly, why to learn.”

UPDATE | FALL2022

STARS AND SNOW The following is an excerpt from Dr. W. Robert Godfrey’s 2022 commencement address, “Stars and Snow.”

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oday we increasingly live in a world in which people think Christianity is a liability – and perhaps even dangerous – and where the criticism of longstanding Christian convictions comes as if Christians have just very recently invented the “crazy” ideas to which they adhere. And so you all go out to different challenges. You go out to a world in which the influence of the church is certainly reduced…. And so I encourage you to think today – as you are filled with celebration and confidence and joy – how will you run the race? How will you remain faithful? I think Psalm 147 will be a great help to us because it is such an un-American psalm. It doesn’t ask you to do anything except sing praise to God. Psalm 147 is un-American in the sense that it reminds us that all of the work of Christ’s church and his kingdom is the work of God. Now that’s not a calling to laziness or indifference or fatalism. But it is a calling to keep our priorities really straight – that the work of ministry ultimately is the work of God. The work of

the church ultimately is the work of God. Our calling in the first place is a calling to celebrate the work of God. The great celebration of our lives has to be the celebration of our God and his work.

And if we keep that clear as our focus, I think it will help us in the discouraging days, in the difficult days, in the distressful days. God is still doing his work even in hard times. God is still doing his work even when it seems the heretics are having all the success. God is still doing his work when culture warriors seem to be winning battles against what we believe. The great encouragement Scripture gives us is that not one of the elect will be lost. However bad your sermon is on a Sunday, however bad your school lesson is, not one of the elect will be lost.

That’s no excuse for a bad sermon, but it’s the encouragement. God is at work.

God is fulfilling his great vision and his great plan. And this psalm celebrates, in three stanzas, aspects of God’s work. The first celebration is of God’s purpose. We celebrate God’s purpose because he will

“God is still doing his work even in hard times. God is still doing his work even when it seems the heretics are having all the success.”

CASSADY GILMOUR | MA “It is my hope and prayer that the centrality of God’s Word is a commitment that we will all carry with us into whatever endeavor the Lord may be calling us.” wscal .e d u

JONATHAN BOYD | MDiv “Thanks and praise to God for the ways he has shown his kindness to us through these years and brought us to this point.”

CHRISTIAN MCARTHUR | MDiv “Ultimately, that work, those grades, this diploma, says very little about who we are...because what is true of us is hidden in Christ on high.”

accomplish his purpose. And his purpose is to gather a people into a community, spoken of in this psalm as the building up of Jerusalem. Not the Jerusalem in contemporary Israel, but the Jerusalem on high, the heavenly Jerusalem. The Jerusalem that will one day appear in glory in the new heaven and the new earth.

That’s the Jerusalem that God has a purpose to build and to people.

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ROMAN CATHOLICS in AMERICA WITH D.G. HART

A

familiar face returned to WSC’s campus this summer as Dr. D. G. Hart taught an elective class on Roman Catholics in America, commencing the return to the classroom for students this Fall. Dr. Hart served as Professor of Church History and Academic Dean at WSC from 2000-2003, and since has returned to campus several times to teach courses on American Presbyterian History and Reformed Spirituality. He has served as Distinguished Associate Professor of History at Hillsdale College in Michigan since 2010. Many current students and alumni who have not had the opportunity to take classes with Dr. Hart are familiar with him through his many books, including The Lost Soul of American Protestantism (Rowman & Littlefield, 2002) and Defending the Faith: J. Gresham Machen and the Crisis of Conservative Protestantism in Modern America (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994).

The one-week intensive course in early August covered the transformation of Roman Catholics from cultural and religious outsiders (1800-1950) to leading figures in the conservative movement that launched Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and even Donald Trump. Dr. Hart led students in examining the assumptions that Protestants made about America and the ways post-World War II Roman Catholics “Americanized.” This transformation of Roman Catholicism is largely responsible for many Protestants converting to Rome. As such, the course has implica-

tions for Reformed ministry in contemporary American society.

The course was open to students, alumni, and auditing community members, and was well-attended both in person and online. Alumni, especially, took advantage of the opportunity to "return to the classroom," with 60 registered to audit Hart's course. WSC alumnus Mason Depew said he was grateful to be able to take the elective. "The class has been good," said Depew. "It helps me understand some of the differences between various groups of Roman Catholics in the US and Europe."

Although electives are offered to students to help them fill degree requirements, they are a great resource for WSC alumni as well. Depew, who graduated in 2021, said he relished the opportunity to return to WSC for the class. "I've read articles and books by Dr. Hart but never heard him lecture," said Depew. "I'm very grateful to the school for letting me do this and it's great to see the familiar classroom, as well as some familiar names (on Zoom) and voices (in the classroom). It makes me very nostalgic."

WSC alumni are allowed to obtain a Listener's Pass for free to audit courses offered throughout the year, and several of the summer and winter electives offer online options, allowing those dispersed around the country and the globe to continue benefiting from the rich well of learning and instruction provided by WSC faculty and visiting professors.

“The class has been good...It helps me understand some of the differences between various groups of Roman Catholics in the US and Europe.”

wsc winter refresher course

THE MILLENIUM

14

in Revelation

FREE

AUDITING FOR WSC ALUMNI!

A course with DR. S.M. BAUGH IN P E R SO N + O NLINE | JAN. 10 – 13, 20 23

The class will help students to advance in their exegetical knowledge and facility by studying the issue of the millennium in Revelation. The class will focus on syntactical, lexical, literary, and theological analysis of Revelation and other New Testament passages in the light of this topic.

UPDATE | FALL2022

THE POWER OF GOD FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

JANUARY 13-14, 2023 | ON THE CAMPUS OF WSC • ESCONDIDO, CA John Calvin said that faith is the axis around which everything in the Christian life rotates. Westminster Seminary California is pleased to invite you to join us for our 2023 Annual Conference: From Faith to Faith: The Power of God for the Christian Life. Our conference will explore various facets of doctrine and life as they touch upon the centrality of faith in the Christian life. In particular we will examine the nature, heart, gift, challenges, and hope of faith.

PLENARY SESSIONS & SPEAKERS

REGISTER TODAY! Three ways to register now:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 | 7PM PST

• Online: (recommended) Visit wscal.edu/conference

The Anchor of Faith | M I CH A E L S . H O RTO N The Heart of Faith | A . CRA I G T ROX E L

• Phone: Call (888) 480-8474

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14 | 8AM PST

• Mail: Complete, detach, & mail the form below to:

The Gift of Faith | J O E L E . K I M The Crisis of Faith | W. RO BE RT G O D FRE Y The Hope of Faith | BRA D LE Y J. BI T NE R Questions & Answers | S PE A K E R PA NE L NOTE: Cancellations and refund requests must be made in writing, by email to conference@wscal. edu, or by fax to (760) 480-0252, and received by January 2, 2023, in order to receive a full refund, less a $10 cancellation fee.

Westminster Seminary California Attn: Annual Conference 2023 1725 Bear Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92027

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WSC ALUMNI, BIBLICAL SEXUALITY, & THE CRC

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estminster Seminary California alumni played a central role in the Christian Reformed Church’s (CRC) recent affirmation of biblical sexuality. In June, the CRC Synod voted to affirm that the term unchastity in the Heidelberg Catechism includes adultery, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, polyamory, pornography, and homosexual sex, all of which violate the seventh commandment. The relatively lopsided vote – 123-53 – surprised many commissioners and observers, especially in light of what many considered to be a progressive trend in the denomination over the last several decades. In its vote, the CRC adopted a 175-page report from the “Committee to Articulate a Foundation-laying Biblical Theology of Human Sexuality.” Two WSC alumni served on this important committee, a WSC graduate served as chair of the advisory board for the human sexuality report, and WSC alumni served as president and vice president at this year’s Synod.

In her excellent reporting and reflection on these developments (“The Christian Reformed Church Corrects Course,” The Gospel Coalition, July 29, 2022), Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra highlights the pivotal role of WSC graduates in the CRC’s orthodox turn.

In 2016, the CRC erected a committee to clarify the church’s position on human sexuality in light of rapid cultural developments related to LGBT issues. Among those appointed to serve on the committee were Dr. Matt Tuininga (MDiv, 2009) and Rev. Jose Rayas (MDiv, 2001). Dr. Tuininga serves as Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and the History of Christianity at Calvin Theological Seminary, the denominational seminary of the CRC. Rev. Rayas pastors Valley Ridge Community Church (CRC) in Socorro, TX, and has been a regular delegate to Synod since 2004. Rayas also serves as clerk of Consejo Latino, which is an association of Latino ministers in the CRC organized to support one another, increase the number of Latino pastors in the denomination, and explore the challenges and opportunities of serving in a denomination rooted in a different immigrant community and history. The product of this committee – a 2021 report on biblical sexuality – took an orthodox stand, even calling for church discipline for CRC congregations that dissent from biblical teaching on human sexuality.

The committee’s report and Synod vote represent a significant development in denominational debates over human sexuality in recent years. In 2015, Synod did not accept a request to “instruct and admonish” two CRC churches in Grand Rapids to discipline members associated with All One Body.

Formed in 2011, All One Body is an organization that seeks to push the CRC toward reversing its 1973 condemnation of homosexual practice as sinful. Classis Minnkota submitted the request to Synod, arguing that members involved with All One 16

Rev. Jose Rayas (Photo by Steve Herppich courtesy of The Banner.

Used by permission. // TheBanner.org)

Body should face church discipline since the organization advocates “full inclusion in the church” of practicing homosexuals. Debates continued over a report to the 2016 Synod that allowed CRC ministers to officiate civil same-sex marriages.

Then in 2020, Neland Avenue CRC in Grand Rapids installed a woman involved in a same-sex marriage as a deacon of the church. In a congregational letter, Neland’s church council defended their decision by pointing to a 2016 Classis Grand Rapids East report that “showed a wide range of biblical interpretations one can support with a reformed view of Scripture.”

In the letter, Neland’s council said it deliberated with Classis Grand Rapids East before deciding to install a married lesbian as deacon. The council also contended that previous synodical reports related to homosexuality, such as that in 1973, constituted mere pastoral advice rather than an interpretation of the confessions. Neland’s action caused considerable debate among faculty at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary, as well as within Neland’s congregation. Several members left Neland Avenue CRC over this decision.

When the report of the Committee to Articulate a Foundation-laying Biblical Theology of Human Sexuality was published, one-third of the Calvin College faculty – as well as some staff – sent a letter to Calvin President Michael Le Roy, contending that their academic freedoms would be constrained should Synod approve the report. More conservative groups within the CRC came out in support of the committee report, including ethnic minority groups in the denomination such as the Korean Council of the CRC and the Consejo Latino. In an interview with Zylstra, Rev. Rayas commented, “In Consejo Latino, we saw that Scripture calls out the sinner regardless of whether they’re Hispanic or African American or Asian or Anglos. It calls out all of our failures and give us hope.”

Debate and tensions within the CRC ecosystem continued leading up to the 2022 Synod. The day before the Synod vote on the committee’s report, more than 140 Calvin College faculty and staff signed a letter sent to the school’s administration recommending removal of the sentence “Marriage is understood by the university and the Christian Reformed Church, with which it is affiliated, to be a covenantal union between UPDATE | FALL2022

a man and a woman,” from the staff handbook. While 2022 Synod delegates were meeting at Calvin College to vote on the committee report on human sexuality, around 200 protesters stood outside waving rainbow flags and singing. Meanwhile inside, delegates voted in convincing numbers to approve the committee’s orthodox report.

One may assume the progressive push in the CRC was coming from the younger generation, but Zylstra observed, “Often, those who argued for the welcome and inclusion of homosexual lifestyles had grey hair and wrinkles. Many of those who spoke for biblical sexuality were visibly younger.”

Part of the reason for this appears to be the fidelity of some of the confessional seminaries producing ministers who remain faithful to the Word of God, unpopular as that message may be to our current culture. Zylstra noted, “Of the leaders at synod this year, president Jose Rayas, vice president Derek Buikema, and the chair of the advisory board for the human sexuality report Tim Kuperus are all [WSC] grads.” Rev. Buikema (MDiv, 2012) told Zylstra, “I can’t make the same assumptions about marriage or sexuality that my grandpa [Dr. Derke Bergsma, Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology at WSC] could.” He continued that the 2022 sexuality report improved on the 1973 statement because “it’s more conservative, more biblically sound – and more compassionate, broader, and more direct about the need for the church to love LGBTQ people.”

Zylstra also interviewed Rev. C. J. den Dulk (MDiv, 1990), who is a WSC alumnus, pastor at Trinity CRC in Sparta, MI, and a WSC Trustee. Rev. den Dulk wanted to encourage the denomination to continue in this orthodox direction. “The good news is, whenever you honor God’s Word, he’ll pour out his blessing on it…. God often gives warnings, but he also gives gracious rewards and blessings. I want to remind the CRC that they can’t fathom the blessings that will come on their life and churches. Yes, repentance is hard. But putting off the old and putting on the new – you couldn’t have a greater joy.”

This is not the first time that members of the WSC community attempted to steer the CRC toward biblical fidelity. In Rev. Derek Buikema (Photo by Steve Herppich courtesy of The Banner.

Used by permission. // TheBanner.org)

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“Effective preparation for pastoral ministry also includes learning to be a churchman who is valiant for truth.” the 1960s and 1970s, debate over the propriety of the ordination of women as ministers and elders emerged in Reformed churches. WSC President Emeritus W. Robert Godfrey was involved heavily in the debates within the CRC. Professors who were ordained in the CRC, including then-President Robert Godfrey, Michael Horton, and Derke Bergsma, eventually left the CRC for the newly-formed United Reformed Churches (URC) in 1997 after the CRC approved the ordination of women. The following year, President Godfrey explained to Christian Renewal, “In recent years I with others through a variety of organizations have tried to change the direction of the Christian Reformed Church and have met with what we concluded was an unwillingness to change that direction…. We decided it was best to seek to leave the denomination and serve the Lord in another context. We’re not saying that the CRC is a false church; it just seems to me that it is no longer really a disciplined confessionally Reformed church. So, I leave the CRC with a great deal of sadness. It was a spiritual mother to me.”

A few years later, responding to the rising tide of progressive trends in the church and broader culture, Westminster Seminary California’s faculty published A Testimony to Our Time, a defense of biblical and confessional teaching on the inerrancy of Scripture, the interpretation of Scripture, the historicity of Adam, the ordination of women, abortion, and homosexuality. This counter-cultural defense of the Bible’s teaching on these issues facing society and, as a result, the church came in the early 2000s when it was not yet vogue for Reformed seminaries to issue such declarations. WSC has remained firmly committed to Scripture’s teachings on these issues over the years. In a WSC education, readiness for ministry entails more than learning biblical languages, how to preach effectively, systematic theology, counseling, and church history – as critical as all of those are to a seminary education. We believe effective preparation for pastoral ministry also includes learning to be a churchman who is valiant for truth, even when that truth is not culturally expedient – outside the church or within it. We are thankful the Lord has continued to use WSC alumni as a voice for truth in love in the work of the CRC. As Drs. Godfrey and Bergsma “tried to change the direction of the Christian Reformed Church” in the 1990s, Westminster graduates continue to do the work of faithful churchmen in guiding the CRC toward biblical orthodoxy. Please join us in praying for our graduates, as well as all of the other faithful ministers contending for the truth of God’s Word.

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ALUMNI NEWS 1984 David Bennett (MAR, MDiv) recently retired from being a chaplain at Florence Prison for the past 6 years. He now serves at Chandler Regional Hospital and is starting his 17th year serving with Barrio Nuevo Phoenix, a faith-based non-profit doing local community work.

Jeff Taylor (MDiv) published More Than Heaven: A Biblical Theological Argument for a Federal View of Glorification in June 2022.

1991 Gary Findley (MDiv) resigned on April 16, 2022, from his full-time job as the Protestant Chaplain for Wasco State Prison in Wasco, CA. Gary retired in order to accept a call to serve as the pastor for the Roslyn Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Roslyn, WA. He was installed as pastor to the Roslyn congregation on June 26, 2022, in a service that involved fellow WSC alumni Rev. Nathan Lewis.

1992 Scott Brazil (MAR) just completed the PhD program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina in May 2022.

His dissertation was entitled, “The Significance of Old Testament YHWH-Texts Applied to Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels.” His second reader was WSC alum Dr. Benjamin L. Merkle, and his external reader was WSC Faculty Emeritus Dr. Dennis E. Johnson.

1993 Mbanongon Antiev (MAR, DMin, 1998) was recently nominated and elected as the Secretary for the Board of Trustees of Nigeria’s NKST (Universal Reformed Christian Church). His wife, Eunice, was also recently appointed the Secretary of the TEKAN (Fellowship of Christian Churches in Nigeria) Women’s Fellowship.

2000 Danny Hyde (MDiv) successfully defended his PhD in the Faculteit Religie en Theologie at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam with a dissertation entitled, “These are the Times: Public Worship as Manifestation of a New Age of Theo-Politics in the Theology of John Owen."

2002 Susan Erikson (MAHT) published a new book entitled, Reflections on Revelation in the Time of COVID, in June 2021.

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John O (MDiv) served at Good News Church (PCA) in Delaware before being deployed with his National Guard unit for a year-long deployment to Sinai, Egypt. He returned in May and is prayerfully seeking God’s leading toward a call while serving as the chaplain for the 1-104th CAV REG (PA ARNG).

2003 Daevid Yoon (MDiv) became the senior pastor of Gracepoint North Church (PCA) in December 2021.

2005 Michael Preciado (MDiv) recently published a book entitled, “A Reformed View of Freedom: The Compatibility of Guidance Control and Reformed Theology."

2007 Darren Hsiung (MDiv) has served as a campus minister for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship in the Graduate and Faculty Ministries since August 2020. His team recently held a faculty roundtable on science and religion at UC Berkeley with over 40 professors in attendance from across multiple fields and religious and nonreligious backgrounds. The response from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive.

2008 Stephen Roberts (MDiv) published a booklet through Core Christianity entitled, “The Christian and the Military” in November 2022.

2009 Iwan Baamann (MDiv) sustained his ordination exam on September 23, 2022, at the meeting of the OPC’s Presbytery of the Northwest in Roseburg, OR. He has taken a call to Redeemer OPC in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada and will be ordained on November 17, 2022.

2010 Chuck Tedrick (MDiv) is commencing his third year as dean of students at WSC. He loves interacting with the students and participating in the community’s life. Chuck also welcomes opportunities to preach at various churches, as well teaching adult Sunday School, overseeing internships, and serving Christ United Reformed Church, Santee. Michele is currently enrolled in a Holistic Chef program, having completed her National Board Certification in Health and Wellness Coaching. She enjoys being able to serve and help people through these

means. The Tedricks would welcome a visit; please let them know if you are in the area.

2011 Nozomi Kusunoki (MABS) began working with Ligonier Ministries earlier this year to develop their website in the Japanese Language. Nearly 100 website articles (some written by WSC faculty), the Ligonier Statement on Christology, and daily quotes by R.C. Sproul are now available in Japanese.

She also launched a translation ministry called TREE - Translating Reformed Essentials, which seeks to make good theological books available to Japanese readers, both in Japan and overseas.

Joshua Moffit (MDiv) recently became the executive pastor of Kaleo Church (Reformed Baptist).

2013 Ross (MDiv) and Joanna (MABS) Hodges moved to Montgomery, AL, in 2019 for Ross to serve as a pastor at his home church, Eastwood Presbyterian (PCA). Joanna serves various roles at Eastwood, and she also works part-time at First Choice Women’s Medical Center, a Christian crisis pregnancy center in Montgomery. The Hodges have four covenant children: Elias (b. 2015), Charlotte (b.

2016), Isaac (b. 2017), and Abel (b. 2018).

Jordan Huff (MDiv) and his wife, Jana, welcomed their seventh child, Felicity Miriam Huff, on August 6, 2022.

2014 Mike Awtry (MDiv) became the pastor of Chehalem Valley Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Newberg, OR, in August 2022.

2015 Wesley Holmes (MDiv) recently became the discipleship pastor of Jordan Valley Church (PCA).

Harrison Perkins (MDiv) was installed as the pastor of Oakland Hills Community Church in Farmington Hills, MI, on October 14, 2022. Dr. Scott Clark participated in the service by giving the charge to Harrison.

2016 Traever Guingrich (MDiv) and his wife, Andrea, welcomed their sixth child, Amelia Sue, on June 9, 2022.

2018 Erik O'Dell (MATS) currently teaches high school Humanities at The Connection School of Houston, a private K-12 Classical Christian school. He is also preparing to take the UPDATE | FALL2022

PCA licensure exam with the goal of serving local churches in Houston, TX, through pulpit supply during the summer months.

one of Nate's guests, along with fellow WSC alumnus Rev. Eric Hausler (MDiv, 1989).

2020 Caleb Frens (MDiv) and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their first child, Jael Jeanne Ceralde Frens, on Sunday, October 2, 2022.

Marc Scaturro (MDiv) accepted the call to be the associate pastor at Little Farms Chapel (OPC) in Coopersville, MI, and will be ordained and installed on Saturday, October 22, at 1pm.

Collin Welch (MDiv) invites fellow alumni to join him in giving thanks to God for his faithfulness to Madison Reformed Church (URC), a church plant in Madison, IN. The church recently ordained their first deacon, celebrated the baptism of an adult convert, and received several families into formal membership.

Ty Gregory (MABS, MATS) switched roles at Denver Presbyterian Church from pastoral intern to pastoral resident in September 2022. He will soon become an intern of the Rocky Mountain Presbytery and begin preparing for ordination in the PCA. Additionally, his first baby girl, Mila Evangeline Gregory, was born in July 2022.

2021 Phillip Han (MDiv) and his wife, Ha-Eun Mary Kim, recently married on October 23, 2022.

Charles Vaughn (MABS, MATS) started a new position as the junior high history teacher at Calvin Christian School on August 1, 2022.

Nate Paschall (MDiv) was ordained as the pastor of Providence Church (OPC) in Madison, WI, October 7, 2022, alongside Joseph Wan, who will serve as the pastor for Providence’s Chinese service and congregants. Dr. Bryan Estelle participated in the service as

2022 Christopher Calvi (MDiv) accepted a call to be an assistant pastor at Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bowie (PCA), and would like to thank Dr. Estelle for connecting him to the senior pastor of this church, fellow alum Dr. Stephen Fix.

Alumni Serving with RUF

isters on college campuses: Chris Colquitt (Northwestern University), Matthew DeLong (George Mason University), Kyle Grow (San Jose State University), John Kong (University of California, Berkeley), Nate Osner (Purdue University), and Conrad Quiros (Southern Methodist University). Four of those six were involved in RUF as undergraduates, either as interns or regular participants.

The Lord has been blessing the work of these men on their respective campuses. John Kong only began his position at Berkeley this past summer, but already has seen large numbers of students attend the gatherings, with more than half of the 70 attending the first gathering being new or transfer students to Berkeley. The WSC connection to RUF Berkeley grew stronger this summer with that campus’s former intern becoming a new student at Westminster. In October, President Joel Kim visited Berkeley’s campus to encourage RUF students and John with a talk titled, “A Few Ordinary Christians.” John had to run out and order more food for the standing-room-only crowd in attendance for President Kim’s talk.

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stablished in 1973 with a mission to reach college students with the hope of Jesus Christ, Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) has expanded to more than 120 campus ministries throughout the United States and the world. The organization started in the Southeastern US as a missions work of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Eventually RUF began to establish branches on campus of universities located on the West Coast, hosting its first West Coast Conference in 2020 on the Westminster Seminary California campus. This expansion west has seen an increase in undergraduate students involved in RUF groups coming to study at WSC, as well as more WSC alumni and former students going to serve as full-time RUF ministers around the country. In addition, the seminary has a scholarship for WSC students interested in pursuing campus ministry with RUF. As of fall 2022, six WSC alumni/ former students are serving as RUF min-

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David Chin (MDiv) recently became the youth and college pastor of Promise Church of Orange County (KPCA).

Kyle Grow (MDiv) became a campus minister associate for RUF at San Jose State in June 2022. After becoming a Christian through RUF 10 years ago, he is honored by the opportunity to serve others through this ministry.

Dustin Karzen (MDiv) was licensed in the OPC’s Southern California Presbytery in February 2022 and began serving as a pastoral intern at Christ Reformed Church (URC) in June 2022.

Christian McArthur (MDiv) was ordained in the OPC’s Presbytery of Southern California on May 29, 2022, and began serving as an associate minister at Providence Presbyterian Church (OPC) at the beginning of June. He and his wife, Jolene, welcomed their third child, Ellis Charles McArthur, in August.

Joe Steenholdt (MDiv) sustained his Classical Examination at the Classis Minnkota meeting in September and was ordained as a minister of the Word on September 18, 2022, at Luverne CRC.

Chris Colquitt went to serve as RUF minister at Northwestern University after graduating from WSC in 2018. Northwestern was a natural fit for Chris, who understands the pressures students face at prestigious academic institutions from his own experience as an undergraduate student at Princeton University. Early in the 2020-2021 academic year, Chris wrote a thoughtful article for The Gospel Coalition about ministering to college students today (“How Things Have Changed: Reflections of a Millennial Pastor in a Gen Z World,” September 30, 2020). You can read more about how his time at WSC prepared him for his current role as RUF minister in the Fall 2019 issue of UPDATE magazine.

WSC is grateful for the mission and work of RUF ministers throughout the country and the world, and we look forward to receiving students from RUF campuses and sending more graduates to serve college students. Please join us in praying for our alumni RUF ministers and the students they are serving.

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INPERSON + INPRINT

WSC FACULTY IN ALUMNI INSTALLATION & ORDINATION SERVICES

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ach year, the graduating seniors of Westminster Seminary California share reflections on their time as students and express appreciation for the unique blessings of a WSC education. One of the most common refrains in these reflections is gratitude for the unparalleled access to the seminary’s esteemed faculty that students enjoy. Not only does WSC’s in-person educational model allow for casual conversations and follow-up discussions during class breaks, but the regular campus schedule also includes weekly faculty-student prayer groups and opportunities to hear from professors outside of the classroom during Thursday morning chapels. Every professor offers some sort of formal office hours, and many have a quite literal open-door policy - a stroll down “faculty row” on any given day will reveal open doors to several faculty offices, with classical music drifting into the hallway from one and the sounds of birds chirping through an open window in another.

This remarkable accessibility to WSC’s faculty benefits students personally, and in their future ministry, in a number of ways. One of the most important is that it lays the foundation for mentorship relationships that continue long after these students graduate and begin serving Christ’s church in various capacities. Graduating seniors often work closely with their professors to seek out placement opportunities in Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, and occasionally our faculty are honored to receive invitations from alumni to speak at their ordination or installation services. This Fall, two such invitations were received and joyfully accepted by Dr. Bryan D. Estelle, Professor of Old Testament, and Dr. R. Scott Clark, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology.

Rev. Nate Paschall, center (MDiv, 2021)

Rev. Dr. R. Scott Clark and Rev. Dr. Harrison Perkins

On October 7, alumnus Nate Paschall (MDiv, 2021) was ordained in the Presbytery of Minnesota and Wisconsin of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and installed as the pastor of Providence Church in Madison, WI. In this unique service, Rev. Paschall was ordained simultaneously with his fellow pastor, Joseph Wan, who will serve as the pastor for the Chinese congregation that worships alongside Providence OPC. Dr. Estelle had the privilege of preaching from Acts 17 during the service and was delighted to bring greetings from the seminary to both congregations, specifically from Dr. Chenxi Fu, a current MDiv student at WSC who was converted and discipled in the church during his time in Madison nearly a decade ago. Fellow WSC alumnus Rev. Eric Hausler (MDiv, 1989) also participated in the service after mentoring Nate during his year-long internship at Christ the King Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Naples, FL. Just one week later, Dr. Clark traveled to Farmington Hills, MI and had the privilege of giving a charge to alumnus Rev. Dr. Harrison Perkins (MDiv, 2015) during his installation as the pastor of Oakland Hills Community Church in the OPC Presbytery of Michigan and Ontario on October 14. Westminster Seminary California delights in rejoicing with alumni as they step into the Lord’s calling for their ministry and particularly gives thanks for these special opportunities to celebrate the ongoing relationships that our faculty maintain with many former students after graduation.

“One of the most common refrains in these reflections is gratitude for the unparalleled access to the seminary’s esteemed faculty that students enjoy. ” 20

UPDATE | FALL2022

UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS december

FACULTY WRITING BOOKS

10 | President Joel E. Kim preaches at prayer service at Sa-Rang Community Church (Anaheim, CA).

Transfiguration and Transformation Hywel R. Jones

11 | President Joel E. Kim preaches at Sa-Rang Community Church (Anaheim, CA).

Our Bibles consistently use the noun ‘Transfiguration’ with regard to Jesus but ‘Transformation’ with regard to the Christian – and yet it is one and the same verb, transliterated ‘metamorphosed,’ that is used in those places in the original text. Why is that so? Is there an important difference between them? And why does the noun ‘metamorphosis’ which is familiar to us never occur in the New Testament?

18 | Dr. A. Craig Troxel preaches at Escondido OPC (Escondido, CA).

january

1 | Dr. David VanDrunen preaches at Theophilus OPC (Anaheim, CA).

6 | Dr. David VanDrunen presents a paper at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Christian Ethics (Chicago, IL).

Hywel R. Jones presents answers to these questions in this book. In the course of doing so he shows how the divine can penetrate the human without destroying it as in the Person of Christ, and how the human can become conformed to the divine without its ceasing to be human as in the case of the Christian.

16 | Dr. Michael Horton speaks at Theological Global Conference (India, Singapore).

20 | President Joel E. Kim preaches at Cerritos Presbyterian Church (Artesia, CA).

23-25 | Dr. David VanDrunen speaks at Mukhanyo Theological College (Durban, South Africa).

For more faculty books, see the bookstore ad on p. 27 or visit us online at wscal.edu/bookstore.

ARTICLES

david vandrunen

27-29 | President Joel E. Kim speaks at Christ Central of Southern California Retreat (Artesia, CA).

“The Relationship of Virtue and the Law of God: Early Reformed Thought and Its Contemporary Appropriation,” in Recognizing a Transcendent Good, ed. Petruschka Schaafsma, (New York: Routledge, 2022), 121-38.

february

“Theonomy: A Theological Critique,” The London Lyceum (thelondonlyceum.com) (posted July 1, 2022).

24-26 | Dr. A. Craig Troxel speaks at Corporis Conference (London, ON, Canada).

march

2/27-3/1 | President Joel E. Kim speaks at Open Word Conference (Sanford, FL).

15 | Dr. A. Craig Troxel preaches at Grove City College Chapel (Grove City, PA).

17-19 | Dr. Michael Horton speaks at Cornerstone Christian Church Spring Lectures (Medford, OR).

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“Christian Anthropology and the Moral Life,” Tabletalk (September 2022): 20-25.

bradley j. bitner “Grace, Gratitude, and Glory in 2 Corinthians 4:15.” Pages 309-330 in God’s Grace Inscribed on the Human Heart: Essays in Honour of James R. Harrison. Edited by Peter G. Bolt and Sehyun Kim. Macquarie Centre, Australia: 2022.

r. scott clark “Why I changed my mind about Thomas Aquinas: The Classical Reformed Approach to Thomas Aquinas” in Credo Magazine volume 13.2 (June 24, 2022).

“Old Side Presbyterians and the Ordinary Means” Nicotine Theological Journal volume 16.2 (Spring 2022), 5–6.

R. Scott Clark and Casey Carmichael, ed. Justification by Faith Alone: Selected Writings from Theodore Beza (1519-1605), Amandus Polanus (1561-1610), and Francis Turretin (1623-1687). Classic Reformed Theology Series, vol. 6 (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2022).

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FALL 2022 MORNING DEVOTIONS:

The Letter of James

“The church’s light shines brightest in moments of tension and trial not because of its organization, not because of its influence or wealth, but because of God who is faithful to his people and his church.”

PRESIDENT JOEL E. KIM

What does it mean to be a doer of the word, not merely a hearer? James seeks to answer that question in multifaceted ways. The Letter of James is one of the most interesting, misunderstood, and helpful books in the New Testament. This letter is full of rich doctrinal, practical, and prudential truths. For the Fall 2022 semester, WSC introduced a new series, titled "The Letter of James," in which the WSC faculty guided us through James’ letter to the churches.

The spiritual life of Westminster Seminary California is nurtured by Morning Devotions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All devotional exercises are governed by the Word of God, which remains the true guide in Christian worship and prayer, as well as in all other activities of the Christian life and life on campus. You can access these devotions on the WSC YouTube page.

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“Jesus still loved them because he loves sinners...who give birth to sin and death in their hearts. He knew that when he came. He knew that when he carried the cross up Golgotha.

He knew that when he breathed out his last.”

R. SCOTT CL ARK

“Whatever your trials are, whatever they will be...as severe as you can even imagine, but your heavenly Father wants you to know He is with you to the end of the age.”

D R . B R YA N D . E S T E L L E

UPDATE | FALL2022

HONORARIUM & MEMORIAL GIFTS IN HONOR OF

Gifts Received from May 16, 2022, through November 3, 2022

IN MEMORY OF

Mr. John K. Andrews Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn

Mrs. Noreen Abbot Rev. Robert D. Abbot

Rev. Dr. William H. Kooienga Mrs. Marilyn Kooienga

Rev. Dr. And Mrs. Derke P. Bergsma Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn

Mrs. Theresa Broers Mrs. Mary Vanderbyl

Baby Miles E. Paauw Dr. and Mrs. James D. Paauw

Mrs. Edna Brower Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn

Mrs. Mari A. MacVey Rev. William C. Godfrey

Mr. Cornelis Prins Mrs. Grace D. Prins

Ms. Marilyn J. Frank Mr. Burton D. Santee Jr.

Mrs. Esther Howerzyl Rev. and Mrs. Joel E. Kim

Mrs. Jane E. Prins Mr. and Mrs. Jacob E. Brouwer

Rev. Dr. W. Robert Godfrey Mr. and Mrs. Brad Chang

Mrs. Mary S. “Katie” Irwin Mrs. Nellie den Dulk Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kats

Mr. Jake Stap Mr. and Mrs. Scott Korthuis

Rev. Peter H. Kim Rev. and Mrs. Joel E. Kim

Mr. William Van Iwaarden Mrs. Mary Vanderbyl Mr. Steven David Kelley Anonymous Mrs. Kathryn Kelley Miss Lori Pehrson

Mrs. Wilma E. “Willie” Taylor Dr. and Mrs. Paul W. Taylor Mrs. Jane Waardenburg Mrs. Mary Vanderbyl Dr. Leon Yuan Mrs. Mary Vanderbyl

Deacon Hee-Bong Kim and Rev. Kyung – Ja Jun Mr. and Mrs. Chung-Whun “David” Kim

HAS SOMEONE TOUCHED YOUR LIFE IN A SPECIAL WAY?

Now you can remember that special someone through a tribute gift. Give “in honor” of someone special or “in memory” of someone who has died. And your gift will help support the students of Westminster Seminary California (WSC).

HONORARIUM GIFTS provide an opportunity for you to celebrate a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday, wedding or graduation, to recognize an outstanding achievement, or simply show your appreciation to that special friend, colleague, or loved one.

MEMORIAL GIFTS provide an opportunity to express

sympathy to a family who has lost a loved one. The dictionary defines a memorial as “something designed to keep remembrance alive.”

You are invited to support the education and preparation of students for ministry with a tribute gift today. Your gift will be acknowledged with a card to the honored friend, or to the family of the deceased. Please let us know who you want to honor, or who you want to remember. Both your name and their name will be recorded in the UPDATE Magazine. (The amount of your gift remains confidential.) Call 760-480-8474 ext. 102

wscal .e d u

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WSC Annual Report ACADEMIC YEAR 2021-2022

ACADEMICS

126

TOTAL STUDENTS

christian reformed church in north america

independent/ reformed baptist

9%

5%

32 master of arts

1 visiting/nonmatriculating

presbyterian church in america

WSC ALUMNI SERVING

9%

WSC continues to graduate more men in the Master of Divinity program than all other

other

programs combined

21%

orthodox presbyterian church

12%

united reformed churches in north america

FACULTY

ACCREDITATION

ALUMNI

12 Members

Association of Theological Schools

1,200+

10.5 : 1

ORDINARY INCOME tuition other

37%

Graduates

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Student/faculty ratio

FINANCES

korean presbyterian

5% 15%

24%

of 93 master divinity

other reformed/ presbyterian denominations

$8,000

$8,775

average scholarship/grant

average net cost

ORDINARY EXPENSES instruction & programs

$16,775

80%

4%

Tuition per Full-time Student

$4.6 MILLION $4.6 MILLION 59% 7%

13%

unrestricted gifts fundraising & development

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general & administrative

WSC does not receive direct funding from the

government or from any specific church denomination

UPDATE | FALL2022

Stewards Fund A Convenient and Tax-Efficient Way to Give

Thank you for your support which enables Westminster Seminary California to carry out this important mission to which God has called us! We recognize your generosity also extends to other ministries, and we want to help make your giving as simple, flexible and tax-efficient as possible. That’s why we’ve partnered with Barnabas Foundation to offer you a donor-advised fund called the “Stewards Fund.” Like a “charitable giving account,” you can give to a single fund, and then request grants be made to Westminster Seminary California and the other charities close to your heart.

BENEFITS OF USING THE STEWARDS FUND Timing. Receive an immediate tax deduction at the time you make a gift into the Stewards Fund. Then, at a time that works best for you, advise how you wish your gifts to be distributed.

Flexibility. Grants can be requested at any time of the day using a convenient online e-grant system. Give in one-time or recurring increments, and you may choose to designate your giving.

Simplicity. Simplify your giving and record-keeping by making all gifts of cash, stocks or appreciated assets into a single account.

Privacy. You can choose the option to make any or all grants anonymously.

Expertise. Benefit from the knowledge and expertise of Barnabas Foundation staff who will manage and liquidate your non-cash asset gifts for the benefit of charitable causes.

Cost-effective. Many families choose to use their Stewards Fund account as a cost-effective and less complex alternative to establishing a private foundation.

SHARED VALUES When you give to the Stewards Fund, you can be sure your gifts will be used only in ways that bring glory to God and serve the needs of His treasured creation. Barnabas Foundation, unlike other donor-advised funds, will not make distributions to organizations with a mission inconsistent to your Christian values or for a purpose or project in conflict with biblical principles.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

Barnabas Foundation’s goal is to make sure your favorite ministries receive your recommended distributions, while also providing you with the potential to grow the balance in your Stewards Fund account. If you plan to keep a balance in the account for at least two years, there are investment options for you to consider.

Fixed Income Fund Conservative Fund Balance Fund Long-Term Growth Fund Aggressive Growth Fund The main factors in determining the best option for you are your investment risk tolerance and the timing for the distribution of the balance in your Stewards Fund. Barnabas Foundation can help you evaluate the options that best fit your goals and circumstances.

All of the underlying assets of these funds are actively managed by professional investment managers, and investment performance reports for all funds are available each month.

How the Stewards Fund Works

Donor Gift of Property or on-Cash Asset

Income Tax Deduction

Stewards Fund Account Distributions through Grant Requests

Westminster Seminary California

testimonial

“The gifts into this account are my first fruits.

The Lord is welcome to my money before I do anything else. The Stewards Fund is just an amazing tool for me.”

Michael J. Wolthuis, Stewards Fund Client wscal .e d u

LEARN MORE To learn more about setting up your Stewards Fund account, call WSC at 760.480.8474 or email info@wscal.edu.

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IRA Gifts in December If you are 70 ½ or older, you can make a sizable gift from your individual retirement account (IRA) to Westminster Seminary California (WSC) AND receive significant tax benefits in return. Give a tax-wise gift up to $100,000 per year, knowing your gifts will have significant impact.

However, if you plan to make an IRA gift in December, there’s some important information you’ll want to know. . .

1 2

IRA Administrator Deadline If your gift is coming directly from your IRA administrator, you must complete your paperwork in time for your administrator to send a check which is postmarked or hand-delivered to Westminster Seminary California on or before December 31.

Unlike option #1 wherein checks come directly from IRA administrators, it is not enough that the check you write be postmarked or even hand-delivered by December 31.

Option #2 requires that a charity process and cash the gift by December 31. Please allow plenty of time for these options to fulfill your charitable goals and count toward your RMD. Thank you for allowing Westminster Seminary California to be part of your stewardship of God-given treasures. We hope you will support us not only with gifts, but also with your prayers.

As Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Mt. 6:21

NEED HELP? If you have any questions about how best to support WSC – including through IRA gifts – please call us at 888-480-8474, ext. 130.

IRA Checkbook Deadline If you have been given an IRA checkbook, your check must be received AND PROCESSED by December 31 in order for it to count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD). It is NOT enough that personal IRA checks are postmarked or even hand-delivered by December 31.

Because of the popularity of this excellent giving option. Many IRA administrators have created checkbooks for their constituents to simplify the giving process. If your administrator offers this capability, you can now make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to WSC by writing a check from your IRA account.

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UPDATE | FALL2022

FACULTY BOOKS AVAILABLE NOW

Transfiguration and Transformation

The Primary Mission of the Church

Recovering Our Sanity

Politics After Christendom

by Hywel R. Jones (Banner of Truth, 2021)

Engaging or Transforming the World?

How the Fear of God Conquers the Fears that Divide Us

Political Theology in a Fractured World

Basics of Faith Series

by Bryan D. Estelle (Mentor, 2022)

by Michael Horton (Zondervan, 2022)

by David VanDrunen (Zondervan, 2020)

by A. Craig Troxel (P&R, 2019)

Justification

Journeys with Jesus

Echoes of Exodus Tracing a Biblical Motif

Aquinas Among the Protestants

Every Path in the Bible Leads Us to Christ

by Bryan D. Estelle (IVP Academic, 2018)

Edited by David VanDrunen (Wiley-Blackwell, 2017)

Saving the Reformation The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort

by W. Robert Godfrey (Reformation Trust Publishing, 2019)

2-Volume Series, New Studies in Dogmatics

by Michael S. Horton (Zondervan, 2018)

Learning to Love the Psalms

Rediscovering the Holy Spirit

by W. Robert Godfrey (Reformation Trust, 2017)

God's Perfecting Presence in Creation, Redemption, and Everyday Life

by Michael S. Horton (Zondervan, 2017)

What is the Priesthood of Believers?

What is Man? Basics of Faith Series

by A. Craig Troxel (P&R, 2010)

The Majesty on High Introduction to the Kingdom of God in the New Testament

by S. M. Baugh (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017)

by Dennis E. Johnson (P&R, 2018)

Ephesians

Core Christianity

God's Glory Alone

Evangelical Exegetical Commentary

Finding Yourself in God's Story

The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life

by S. M. Baugh (Lexham Press, 2016)

by Michael S. Horton (Zondervan, 2016)

by David VanDrunen (Zondervan, 2015)

Calvin on the Christian Life Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever

by Michael S. Horton (Crossway Books, 2014)

Visit our campus Bookstore! | wscal.edu/bookstore wscal .e d u

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WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN CALIFORNIA 1725 BEAR VALLEY PARKWAY ESCONDIDO, CA 92027 WWW.WSCAL.EDU

THE POWER OF GOD FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

michael s. horton

28

a. craig troxel

joel e. kim

w. robert godfrey

bradley j. bitner

JANUARY 13-14, 2023 | WSCAL.EDU/CONFERENCE UPDATE | FALL2022