Update Spring 2014 by Westminster Seminary California

SPRING 2014

Christian Scholarship Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

The Call of the Christian Scholar by David VanDrunen p. 4

What Good Is Theological Education? by Michael S. Horton p. 7

plus: Funding the Future p. 9 Annual Conference 2014 p. 12 Students, Scholarships, and Social Media p. 14 and Alumni Winter Refresher p. 15

President’s Corner In some of his last words to his young apprentice, the apostle Paul exhorted Timothy to “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” (2 Timothy 2:15). As a graduate of “St. Paul’s Theological Seminary,” Timothy had been taught, mentored, and discipled by the great apostle for years. And yet, Paul’s exhortation was a reminder—and an encouragement—continually to work hard at handling God’s word of truth rightly. Timothy’s theological learning and pastoral apprenticeship had begun with Paul but would last a lifetime as the young church planter served God and His Church. This call to proper preparation and continued learning is one that the faculty, students, and alumni of Westminster Seminary California (WSC) take to heart. It’s the reason they teach at WSC, the reason they study at WSC, and the reason they continue to return to WSC. In this issue of UPDATE, WSC’s Dr. David VanDrunen and Dr. Michael S. Horton reflect on the call and value of Christian scholarship. Dr. VanDrunen reminds us that Christian scholarship is a noble vocation pleasing to God and beneficial to Christ’s church (p. 4). He writes that WSC instills “scholarly skills and habits to nourish a lifetime of learning” and provides “a robust, biblically-grounded theology by which [Christian scholars] can discern truth from error as they … add their own winsome voice for others’ edification.” Additionally, Dr. Horton makes a case for the value of theological education for pastors, stating that “[i]f we say God is great and worthy of our praise, then we must also believe He is worthy of our sacrifices for theological education” (p. 7). He concludes that good theological education for pastors “is part of a dedicated, focused apprenticeship that aims not only at the head but also the heart,” and that it should teach “how Biblical faith and godly practice go together, how right doctrine produces right living, and how knowledge of truth directs daily application of truth.” Also in this issue, WSC’s staff reports some very encouraging news concerning new students (p. 14) and returning alumni (p. 15). WSC welcomed 67 new students this past academic year—including the largest new spring semester enrollment in the seminary’s history! And while most of the new students registered for the Master of Divinity program with others registering for the various Master of Arts programs, all of them came to do their best and to learn from some of the best theologians in order to give their best to God and His Church. Additionally, over 30 WSC alumni returned to their alma mater this past January to make use of the seminary’s Alumni Winter Refresher. They came from around the country and from various denomination—several to attend the Annual Conference, many to audit the Winter Term elective courses, and some to do both. Yet all of the alumni who participated in the Alumni Winter Refresher returned to WSC to continue doing their best and continue learning from the best in order to continue giving their best to Christ and His Church. Finally, while pastors are especially called to do their best at rightly handling God’s Word, attendees of WSC’s Annual Conference 2014 were reminded that all believers are called to do their best at rightly applying God’s Word by the power of His transforming and sanctifying grace (p. 12). This year’s faculty speakers helped attendees understand that those whom God justifies by faith He also sanctifies by faith, and that only a biblically grounded, Christ-centered, and clearly defined doctrine of sanctification protects us from weakening the power of God’s law and His gospel. Moreover, the reason all believers are called to do and give their best is because God Himself did and gave His best to justify and sanctify us in Jesus Christ. As WSC continues to prepare and equip God’s preachers and teachers to rightly handle God’s truth, we are thankful for all of our friends who continue to give their best to support the seminary. Thank you! Cordially in Christ,

W. Robert Godfrey President P.S. Make sure to listen and watch all the plenary sessions of this year’s Annual Conference! Visit wscal.edu/resource-center and click “WSC Conferences.”

UPDATE Spring 2014

UPDATE Spring 2014 PRESIDENT W. Robert Godfrey

Table of Contents

EDITORS Brenda Jung Christopher A. Sandoval DESIGNER Kristine J H McClure, HighlyAnimated Studios

IN FOCUS

PRINTER Precision UPDATE magazine is a publication of Westminster Seminary California. For address changes, duplicate mailings, or additional magazine requests, please write or call. Westminster Seminary California 1725 Bear Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92027

The Call of the Christian Scholar by David VanDrunen

What Good Is Theological Education? by Michael S. Horton

PHONE (888) 480-8474

ON CAMPUS

FAX (760) 480-0252 EMAIL Development@wscal.edu WEBSITE www.wscal.edu 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. Mission: The purpose of UPDATE is to showcase Westminster’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, WSC 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. WSC is the only accredited seminary in the Western United States serving confessionally Reformed churches. 2013-2014 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mr. Daniel J. Bryant The Rev. Andrew Cammenga The Rev. LeRoy Christoffels The Rev. C. J. den Dulk Mr. Lyle Faber The Rev. Dr. David Hall The Rev. Sung Yun Han The Rev. Terry Johnson Mr. Craig Knot Mr. James W. Onnink Dr. James D. Paauw Mr. Ron Prins Mr. Pete Sara Dr. Benjamin E. Sasse Dr. Scott Swanson Mr. Roger Swets The Rev. Dale Van Dyke The Rev. Brian D. Vos

Funding the Future Advancing Christ, His Gospel, and His Church

Annual Conference 2014 God’s Transforming Grace

Students, Scholarships, and Social Media The Academic Year in Review

Alumni Winter Refresher Continued Education and Refreshment TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

Alumni Features M. Kurugh Antiev—Serving God’s People in Nigeria Judith Riddell—Teaching God’s Children in Northern Ireland Lloyd Kim—Equipping God’s Evangelists in Asia Alumni Class Notes News and Events

21 22

Faculty Speaking Faculty Writings

UPDATE Spring 2014

wscal.edu

W. Robert Godfrey President P.S. Make sure to listen and watch all the plenary sessions of this year’s Annual Conference! Visit wscal.edu/resource-center and click “WSC Conferences.”

UPDATE Spring 2014

UPDATE Spring 2014 PRESIDENT W. Robert Godfrey

Table of Contents

EDITORS Brenda Jung Christopher A. Sandoval DESIGNER Kristine J H McClure, HighlyAnimated Studios

IN FOCUS

The Call of the Christian Scholar by David VanDrunen

What Good Is Theological Education? by Michael S. Horton

PHONE (888) 480-8474

ON CAMPUS

Funding the Future Advancing Christ, His Gospel, and His Church

Annual Conference 2014 God’s Transforming Grace

Students, Scholarships, and Social Media The Academic Year in Review

Alumni Winter Refresher Continued Education and Refreshment TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

21 22

Faculty Speaking Faculty Writings

UPDATE Spring 2014

wscal.edu

IN FOCUS

The Call of the Christian Scholar by David VanDrunen

mission of training scholars and to encourage students and alumni who seek to be scholars to press on along good paths. The Honorable and Useful Calling of a Scholar What is a scholar? The term is familiar, but is not necessarily easy to define. I suggest the following: a scholar seeks to advance human learning on a particular subject, through extended periods of research and reflection followed by communication of that learning through writing and/or speaking. Being a scholar is a noble vocation, in short, because God made us to seek the truth and to put our knowledge to use in our life in this world. WSC student in class

Westminster Seminary California (WSC) exists first and foremost to train ministers for the church. But sometimes we also speak of another goal: to teach students to be scholars. In part, this latter goal exists for the sake of the first. We believe that good pastors should be competent scholars of a sort, because scholarly skills enable them to be good students of the Bible. While pastors must obviously be much more than simply scholars, WSC strives to instill scholarly skills in ministerial students to prepare them, within whatever constraints they face in their ministries, for lifelong growth in the right handling of God’s word (1 Tim 2:15). Other WSC students are not aspiring for the ministry, and scholarly skills are very important for many of them as well. This is especially true for those who enter Ph.D. or other graduate programs, who may desire to become scholars as their primary calling, and not simply as a means for doing other work well.

WSC strives to instill scholarly skills in ministerial students to prepare them for lifelong growth in the right handling of God’s word. In this article, I reflect on the scholarly life as a noble vocation pleasing to God and the benefit of scholarly work for Christ’s church. I also wish to reflect on some of the virtues required to be a good scholar, none of which are easy to attain but some of which especially run counter to the values of our present culture. I hope this discussion will help readers better understand WSC’s

UPDATE Spring 2014

From the beginning God made human beings with tremendous capabilities for understanding truth, yet we know relatively little by instinct. Useful knowledge is gained only in the experience of life, by learning from others what has already been discovered or investigating and experimenting in order to discover new things. A great deal of new knowledge emerges when people simply stumble upon it, not even knowing ahead of time what they were looking for, as many inventors and entrepreneurs will testify. But even if such people do not know ahead of time exactly what they will find, new knowledge tends to come to people who are looking. Scholars are those who devote themselves to such looking in a particular field of study. In a sense, gaining knowledge through scholarly endeavor is a good in and of itself. God is a God of truth, wondrous in understanding. He has filled the world with His glory (Ps 19:1) and the fabric of creation reflects His wisdom (Prov 8:12-36). Even more remarkably, the Scriptures He inspired are an inexhaustible fount of knowledge. This God made us in His image, in part to forsake falsehood, to seek the truth, and to gain knowledge in reflection of His perfect knowledge (Col 3:9-10). Therefore, to explore the ways of the world, to search out the depths of Scripture, and to discover new truths latent in them is a high privilege of bearing God’s image. Scholars, however, should not merely delight in knowledge for its own sake but also strive to serve others through the fruit of their labors. When God blesses a person with a gift, He expects him to put that gift to work and thereby to bless others in turn. Scholars—including Reformed professors, pastors, and seminary students!—

should not get so caught up in learning for its own sake that they fail to direct their studies toward the good of their neighbor. In the eyes of the world, biblical and theological research seems like a massive waste of time, in comparison with the practical benefits of research in other areas of learning—in medicine, for example. Yet God has greatly used biblical and theological scholarship for the good of His church. The harvest of scriptural study in the Reformation and its aftermath, triggered by the recovery of knowledge of Greek and Hebrew and by renewed appreciation for reading original sources, enabled our churches to develop the Reformed system of doctrine and the Reformed confessions and catechisms upon which we still lean so heavily today. Ongoing biblical scholarship, aided by research in archeology, ancient history, linguistics, and

Being a scholar is a noble vocation because God made us to seek the truth and to put our knowledge to use in our life in this world. other fields, supply ministers with an ever-expanding trove of insight into the text of Scripture. The training of pastors as scholars, furthermore, enables them to sift through this material with careful and discerning eyes so that they may open up the treasure of Scripture faithfully and insightfully to the people of God. WSC strives to be a helpful part of this dynamic as it trains both future pastors and future graduate students aiming to be full-time scholars. For both of these callings (and others besides), WSC tries to instill scholarly skills and habits to nourish a lifetime of learning and to provide a robust, biblically-grounded theology by which these servants can discern truth from error as they examine the variety of claims about God’s world and Word and add their own winsome voice for others’ edification. The Pursuit of Excellence as a Scholar Some of what I say above presumes that much bogus “scholarship” exists (perhaps in theology above all) that ends up promoting deception and unbelief rather than truth. Therefore, I offer a few reflections now about how scholars can pursue their craft with excellence. Perhaps most importantly, scholars and aspiring scholars must recognize the kinds of virtues necessary for their task. Mastering a field of learning in which intelligent people have been plowing for many generations

takes a long time, and to make a new contribution to such a field means much more work in addition. To be a good scholar, therefore, requires virtues of discipline, industriousness, patience, and perseverance. It requires the habit of delayed gratification, a willingness to invest years of work in hope of attaining an uncertain outcome years in the future. Needless to say, our contemporary culture’s obsession with instantaneous information and opinion, epitomized in the blogosphere and social media, as well as our culture’s materialistic emphasis on present consumption, make these already challenging virtues all the more arduous to cultivate. Good scholarship also requires humility: to acknowledge how little even the most learned person really knows, to recognize how our scholarly labor builds on so much work done by others before us, and to be able to admit when we are wrong and to steer our work in better directions. A final virtue to mention is courage. Scholars feel much pressure to conform to what their audience already thinks is right and to gain applause by echoing conventional wisdom. To say what one believes to be true even when it is against the grain and provokes disapproval from his audience requires courage (with wisdom and love).

WSC students chat in the library.

Another element in pursuing scholarly work with excellence, I believe, is recognizing what kind of scholarship one is and ought to be doing. Though the dividing line is not entirely clear, two kinds of scholarly work may be distinguished: most scholars advance learning primarily by evaluating, rearranging, and representing the ideas of others, while a small number advance learning by proposing new ideas and paradigms. Both sorts of work are important, and practitioners of one ought to respect the work of the other. The originators, as I will call them, keep the current state of knowledge from getting stale and repetitive, but are wscal.edu

IN FOCUS

The Call of the Christian Scholar by David VanDrunen

UPDATE Spring 2014

WSC students chat in the library.

What Good Is Theological Education? by Michael S. Horton

Scholars should not merely delight in knowledge for its own sake but also strive to serve others through the fruit of their labors. also often prone to flights of fancy and to eccentric and unbalanced ideas. The evaluators, as I will call the others, play an important role in preserving the gains of the past, communicating them in the present, and helping originators to stay properly grounded. But as evaluators critique originators they ought to keep in mind that they need their originator colleagues in order to have new material to discuss and that originators in fact do things of which the evaluators themselves may not be capable. Evaluators stand to originators in a way analogous to how coaches and journalists stand to the athletes whose performance they analyze. In both cases, the latter can help to keep the former in check (who often don’t want to be, but also need to recognize their jobs’ dependence on the unique abilities of the former). Scholars do well to recognize where their own abilities lie and to be aware of the pretensions to which each mode of scholarly work is subject.

To be a good scholar requires virtues of discipline, industriousness, patience, and perseverance … as well as humility and courage. It seems appropriate also to mention here, finally and briefly, that not all who aspire to life as a scholar will be able to attain such a life. To use another sports analogy, many young boys dream of playing in the NBA, but only a tiny fraction will actually do so; the world cannot support as many professional basketball players as the number of people who desire to be one. So also only a limited number of people who dream of a scholarly life will attain it; the world can only support a limited number of full-time, paid scholars. Aspiring scholars in numerous fields, including theology, need to realize that job prospects are often not plenteous. As many very good basketball players need to enjoy the game as an avocation rather than vocation, so many with good scholarly aptitudes will need to pursue their love of learning while seeking gainful employment somewhere other than in a full-time scholarly position.

UPDATE Spring 2014

was unnecessary or impractical to invest in training. Not having made their own short-term sacrifices, however, they often find themselves entirely dependent on the sermons, books, and research of the experts (i.e., seminary-trained folks). Many will even plagiarize the readily available sermons of famous preachers.

Dr. Bryan D. Estelle talks with a WSC student on campus.

Conclusion WSC professors aim to be pastor-scholars, a high calling but not an easy one. We seek to be scholars out of love for the truth, and pastors out of love for people whom we believe need to know the truth and will be blessed by it. And we desire to instill the virtues and perspective of the pastor-scholar in our students. The majority of these students will be called as pastors, but we hope they will also exemplify scholarly habits in support of their preaching and teaching. Other students will be full-time scholars. We applaud their work as well, and hope they will exhibit pastoral traits as well as they seek to advance learning in a sinful world often resistant to truth.

Some of us recall Pink Floyd’s line, “We don’t need no education.” In a highly expressive, pragmatic, individualistic, egalitarian—and (dare I say) narcissistic culture, expertise is seen as dispensable if not outright elitist. Of course, this isn’t the case in every arena of life. There is still tremendous respect for expertise in sports, entertainment, business, and leisure hobbies—the things that we still enjoy and tend to take very seriously. So perhaps it’s not simply that we’ve thrown out the experts, but rather that we’ve shifted our concerns, interests, and loyalties.

There are, of course, notable exceptions to the rule— great preachers and missionaries who were used by God even though they had little or no education. But most of us aren’t so extraordinarily gifted by God. At a time when our culture and even many professing Christians don’t take God or His church seriously, faithful ministers must take a stand. If we say God is great and worthy of our praise, then we must also believe He is worthy of our sacrifices for theological education.

At WSC, all full-time faculty are “in the trenches” as ministers and elders in local churches … stress[ing] the importance of [students] participating in a local church while in seminary.

Playing by Ear

Good Theological Education

Apparently, I have a “good ear” for music. But after years of piano lessons, my parents eventually realized that I was faking it. Instead of putting in the practice time and acquiring expertise in the little things (like reading the notes), I simply aped what I remembered when my teacher played the notes. It would be overstating things considerably for me to say that I “play the piano,” when in reality I’m limited to a narrow repertoire of show tunes, unknown gospel songs, and my own amateur improvisations.

Furthermore, when so much is at stake, it’s not just theological education that matters, but good theological education. When the fear of God is no longer the beginning of wisdom, theological education can be dangerous. Studies of several mainline church denominations show that while up to 80% of the laypeople fall in a category of “moderately conservative” or “conservative,” the same percentage of clergy are liberal. Since, presumably, most clergy come from churches, the seminaries must have been a central culprit in their defection from the faith. But this can happen in conservative seminaries, too. It is easy to treat seminary as merely “grad school.” Your brother went to law school, while your sister went to medical school, and now you’re off to seminary. Even at WSC, the pressure of papers, exams, and grades can be a tempting distraction from regular patterns of personal and family prayer and meditation on God’s Word. As teachers and students, we work hard to swim against that tide in various intentional ways.

If we say God is great and worthy of our praise, then we must also believe He is worthy of our sacrifices for theological education. Unfortunately, there are a lot of preachers who “play by ear” with a limited repertoire, “covering” other musicians’ songs and playing mostly from personal experience. Their initial gifts and talents could have been honed, but at some point these preachers concluded that it

Nobody has asked me to make a pitch, but I’ll do it anyway. At WSC, all full-time faculty are “in the trenches” wscal.edu

What Good Is Theological Education? by Michael S. Horton

UPDATE Spring 2014

Dr. Bryan D. Estelle talks with a WSC student on campus.

At WSC, all full-time faculty are “in the trenches” as ministers and elders in local churches … stress[ing] the importance of [students] participating in a local church while in seminary.

Playing by Ear

Good Theological Education

Nobody has asked me to make a pitch, but I’ll do it anyway. At WSC, all full-time faculty are “in the trenches” wscal.edu

ON CAMPUS

Funding the Future Advancing Christ, His Gospel, and His Church as ministers and elders in local churches. When we say that theology is for the church, we aren’t merely stating a theory. Each of us is accountable to our respective churches, which know what we teach in the classroom and how we conduct our lives outside the classroom. Additionally, the faculty of WSC stresses the importance of participating in a local church while in seminary. I recall as a WSC student myself overhearing a prospective student ask a professor, “What’s done here for spiritual formation?” A bit confused, the professor replied, “Well, we expect students be active members in a church.” WSC doesn’t pretend to be a monastery or academy where students unlearn previous years of churchmanship. Instead, they are participating actively in the life of the church while attending classes, debating and joking with each other in the student lounge, and researching in the library. Moreover, we require our Master of Divinity students to log at least 700 hours of “field education” as pastoral interns at churches. We know that professors and books cannot teach everything these students need to know, so we incorporate on-the-ground and in-thetrenches learning alongside seasoned pastors into our curriculum. So theological education isn’t an end in itself. It has to be good—that is, God-honoring and Church-edifying— if it is to serve the kingdom of Christ well.

Good theological education, therefore, especially for pastors, is part of a dedicated, focused apprenticeship that aims not only at the head but also the heart. Becoming “An Approved Workman” When the chief end of man is “to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question & Answer 1), expertise is required in interpreting and applying Holy Scripture. And yet, while we still respect the idea of long apprenticeships for upand-coming chefs, vintners, and athletes, we are losing our patience for such arduous tenures when it comes to up-and-coming preachers of God’s Word and pastors of God’s people. This lack of patience with pastoral training and theological education is ultimately at odds with our

UPDATE Spring 2014

religion, which is based not on subjective experience or intuitive hunches, but on facts—especially God’s mighty acts in history.

WSC Trustee Rev. LeRoy Christoffels, who is currently in his twentieth year of service and served on WSC’s first Board of Trustees, remembers marveling at how God provided for the seminary’s needs in the early days. “It was affirming and inspiring to watch the Lord give us everything we needed to get off the ground— everything from the leadership of Dr. Strimple and Dr. den Dulk, to our administrative staff, to our faculty, and, of course, our first group of donors who supported the work of WSC with their prayers, resources, and finances. The seminary’s first Trustees were also its first donors.”

And for however much talk there is today about discipleship—being disciples and making disciples —there is little understanding of discipleship as apprenticeship. Discipleship is not “playing by ear”, but means “shadowing” a master expert and submitting to His commands, instructions, and methods. Thus, Jesus —the perfect Master—chose His disciples to daily follow and learn from him for three years and then appointed them as apostles to teach, exhort, and even write in his name. Furthermore, through these apostles, Jesus established the ongoing offices of pastor-teacher and elder to continue to feed His sheep by “rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).

Through the generous giving of many, over 1,000 WSC alumni in over 30 countries are preaching and teaching the Good News.

Good theological education, therefore, especially for pastors, is part of a dedicated, focused apprenticeship that aims not only at the head but also the heart—not merely disseminating information, but teaching wisdom. Good theological education teaches how biblical faith and godly practice go together, how right doctrine produces right living, and how knowledge of truth directs daily application of truth. There are a lot of things you can get by on with Google and a YouTube “how-to” clip. There are many more things you can learn by conferences, books, and online courses. But these still keep me in charge and “playing by ear” more than forcing me to submit to expertise. More than this, they allow me to keep my anonymity, privacy, and distance. I can learn what I want, when I want, how I want. Discipleship—or apprenticeship—is far different. There is a community of teachers and students to which I submit in order to be formed into the type of person who can help shape churches in a similar way, under Christ the Good Shepherd. Recall some of the last words of instruction Jesus gave to His disciples, recorded in John 12:15-17. “Peter, do you love me?”, He asked—not just once, but three times. Each time, Peter answered, “Yes, you know that I do,” and each time Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” Pastors aren’t co-redeemers, social architects, CEOs, therapists, or entertainers. They’re shepherds who feed, guard, and lead Christ’s flock to green pastures. Before they can do that, they have to be there themselves.

“We are so thankful for the strong base of friends— brothers and sisters in Christ—who share their time, talents, and financial resources with us year after year,” says Cynthia McBurney, WSC Senior Director of Development. “So many of our donors give because they understand the simple truth that healthy churches are led by well-prepared, well-educated pastors—and that those pastors are usually graduates of good seminaries.” Faithful Stewards Dr. Michael S. Horton interacts with WSC students on campus.

Faithful Friends Since the founding of Westminster Seminary California (WSC) in 1979, God has sustained the seminary by means of faithful friends who give prayerfully and financially to the mission of WSC. These faithful friends, by God’s grace, sustain the seminary and enable it to fulfill its mission to provide the best theological education for the next generation of Reformed pastors, teachers, and leaders who will serve the Church and the world. Through the generous giving of many individuals and churches over the past three decades, more than 1,000 alumni in over 30 countries are preaching and teaching the Good News of God’s gracious provision for sinners in Jesus Christ.

Today, one of the most important questions facing seminary advancement efforts is: How do we help the next generation learn to give like their parents and grandparents did? The effort to sustain the work of WSC in the long term—beyond the lifetimes of its current constituents—is more challenging today than in previous decades. “There is a lack of biblical stewardship education in churches today,” says Henry Doorn, WSC Director of Stewardship. “Add to this the nationwide drift away from regular church attendance and the strong narcissistic, ‘me-first’ attitude in today’s culture, and we find ourselves talking to people who haven’t been taught the proper relationship between God and their money. The need is not just to raise money but to develop lifetime relationships; the greater need is to raise up faithful stewards whose hearts grow rich toward God and become

wscal.edu

ON CAMPUS

UPDATE Spring 2014

religion, which is based not on subjective experience or intuitive hunches, but on facts—especially God’s mighty acts in history.

Through the generous giving of many, over 1,000 WSC alumni in over 30 countries are preaching and teaching the Good News.

wscal.edu

Meet the WSC Advancement Team generous as Christ is generous.” Surveys validate this need. Numerous research studies document the fact that as the income of Christians increases, the percent of total income given to charitable causes decreases. Raising up the next generation to grow in Christ-like generosity is foundational to the fundraising process at WSC. What distinguishes fundraising at WSC is not only that financial goals are met, but how they are met.

The God taught at WSC is the God revealed in the Scriptures. He is a gracious, generous God. ...He is the God of abundance.

Faith-filled Fundraising

The need is not just to raise money ...the greater need is to raise up faithful stewards whose hearts grow rich toward God...

Faith-filled fundraising is trusting in God’s gracious provision for His people. It is fundraising that responsibly respects people, encourages communication, and facilitates opportunities to give from our God-given resources, but relies on God to work in the hearts and minds of His people to generate giving.

“We have a lot of development experience on our small team—over 50 years combined,” says Dawn Doorn, WSC Vice President for Advancement. “But we need more than the best practices of fundraising to do our jobs; we also need to integrate principles of biblical stewardship. As Christians we have been called by God to be His faithful stewards. As fundraisers who are Christians, we are called to build relationships between our constituents and the seminary and have faith that the Lord will advance the work and provide the increase.”

“The God taught at WSC is the God revealed in the Scriptures,” says WSC President, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey. “He is a gracious, generous God. He is the God who never demands from sinners what He does not also provide for them. Assuredly, He is the God of abundance.” “Our development team has a ‘toolbox’ of skills, such as how to develop long-range plans and how to work toward achieving annual-budgeted gift income goals while maintaining integrity, faith, and donor trust,” says

7 Ways to Grow the Work of Westminster Seminary California 2

Leave a gift in your will to Westminster Seminary California Consider using non-cash assets for a legacy gift, such as property or appreciated stock 3 Name WSC as a beneficiary of your IRA or pension plan 4 Name WSC as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy 5 Remember deceased loved ones with honorariums or memorial gifts 6 Create a donor-advised fund to maximize and simplify your charitable giving 7 Leave an endowment gift to sustain WSC for the future

Westminster Seminary California (WSC) works with Barnabas Foundation, which serves charitable organizations like us. Together we can assist you in exploring charitable arrangements that might present ideal financial arrangements to fit your personal state of affairs.

Dawn Doorn. “However, we know that these tools and our experience alone are insufficient to garner gifts for furthering God’s kingdom.” Since the seminary’s beginning, our founders and leaders have intentionally operated out of confident trust in the Lord to provide everything we need to sustain our commitment to Him, His Word, and His Church. The WSC Advancement team is determined to continue raising funds in a Christ-honoring, Gospelcentered way—in faith for God’s gracious provision for the seminary. “We are to faithfully preach and teach the doctrines of grace and know that the Holy Spirit will inspire personal responses to the Gospel,” say Dr. Godfrey. “No pastor, professor, or advancement staff can create a generous heart. Only the good news of grace can do that.”

Nothing gives us more encouragement than knowing that a donor experienced joy because he gave to the cause of educating pastors and leaders... The stories behind the faith-filled gifts are what motivate WSC’s Advancement team year after year. They are stories of worshipful thanksgiving—thanks to God expressed through giving. “What is most important to us as a team of development professionals is creating opportunities through which our donors can experience the joy of generous giving to the God who has given generously to them,” says Dawn Doorn. “Nothing gives us more encouragement than knowing that a donor experienced joy because he gave to the cause of educating pastors and leaders who will honor Christ, preach His Gospel, and serve His Church.”

Dawn Doorn, CFRE Vice President for Advancement Dawn has led the Westminster Seminary California (WSC) Advancement Team since 2006. With over 30 years of experience in development, public relations, and marketing with organizations like Coca-Cola, The Nature Conservancy, and White Horse Inn, Dawn is a devoted student of the fundraising and development profession. In 2003, she earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, making her one of only 5,700 individuals worldwide with that distinction. The regular renewal of her CFRE credential testifies of her ongoing zeal for the highest standards of professional competence and ethical practice in the philanthropic sector. Henry Doorn Director of Stewardship Henry has initiated and directed biblical stewardship efforts for WSC since 2003. Prior to WSC, he worked with the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals to found and develop Reformation Societies around the United States. Henry’s Credentialed Christian Nonprofit Leader (CCNL) certification from Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) demonstrates his commitment to biblical principles and professional standards in Christian ministry leadership. Cynthia McBurney Senior Director of Development Cynthia joined the WSC Advancement team in 2009 with more than 20 years of experience in higher education fund development for the University of California, Los Angeles and the Indiana University Foundation. Her work in prospect research and gift planning primarily focuses on WSC’s donors and friends in the Midwest and Eastern US, helping them in their current and long-term support of the seminary.

Contact the WSC Advancement Department at (760) 480-8474 ext. 130 or 131, or Barnabas Foundation at (888) 448-3040.

UPDATE Spring 2014

wscal.edu

The God taught at WSC is the God revealed in the Scriptures. He is a gracious, generous God. ...He is the God of abundance.

Faith-filled Fundraising

The need is not just to raise money ...the greater need is to raise up faithful stewards whose hearts grow rich toward God...

7 Ways to Grow the Work of Westminster Seminary California 2

Contact the WSC Advancement Department at (760) 480-8474 ext. 130 or 131, or Barnabas Foundation at (888) 448-3040.

UPDATE Spring 2014

wscal.edu

Annual Conference 2014 God’s Transforming Grace

is by faith, meaning that the power of sanctification is in Christ, not in our own striving. He explained, “Our sanctification is as rooted in faith in Christ as our justification.” Having been redeemed by faith in Christ, we now walk by faith in Christ.

“Justification is Christ for us; sanctification is Christ in us.”

WSC faculty answer questions during the Annual Conference 2014.

Since its inception over 30 years ago, Westminster Seminary California (WSC) has been passionate about the grace of God. On January 17-18, 2014, WSC welcomed nearly 300 alumni, trustees, prospective students, and friends to its campus for the Annual Conference 2014. This year’s conference theme, “Transforming Grace: Our Need for Holiness,” examined the transformative, or sanctifying, quality of God’s grace.

“Prayer and Bible reading are not metrics for holiness, but means of grace.” WSC faculty members addressed various aspects of the doctrine of sanctification in six plenary sessions. Dr. David VanDrunen kicked off the conference by exploring the relationship between justification and sanctification. He explained that the two doctrines are intrinsically linked because God justifies us with the end goal being our sanctification. The common tendency to conflate sanctification and justification, however, necessarily undermines the power of both. As the Westminster Larger Catechism puts it, though sanctification is inseparably joined to justification, yet they differ. In “Sanctification Explained,” Dr. S. M. Baugh used Romans 6:1-14 to demonstrate that sanctification

UPDATE Spring 2014

Dr. Michael S. Horton gave an overview of the various ways in which sanctification has been, and continues to be, undermined in Christian churches. He identified the primary heresies that undermine sanctification as both legalism and antinomianism, or lawlessness. According to Dr. Horton, both heresies confuse law and gospel. The result is both a weaker law and gospel than we find in Scripture. Legalism and antinomianism weaken the law in order to make its standards more achievable, and weaken the gospel by minimizing the role of God’s grace. Dr. Bryan D. Estelle discussed sanctification applied in the Psalms, and observed that the third use of the God’s law (in which believers turn to God’s law as a guide to holy living) is found throughout the Psalter. In “Sanctification Preached,” Dr. Dennis E. Johnson explained that pastors should preach sanctification by preaching Christ as a complete savior. The way we start our Christian life, he reminded us, is the same way we finish. We start with the Spirit and finish with the Spirit. Dr. Johnson noted the important role of God’s instituted means for aiding our sanctification. “Prayer and Bible reading are not metrics for holiness,” he explained, “but means of grace.” After a question and answer session with all of the conference speakers, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey concluded the conference by synthesizing the previous sessions. Summarizing the distinction between justification and sanctification, he observed, “Justification is Christ for us; sanctification is Christ in us.” Dr. Godfrey explained that while we continue to struggle with sin, our cosmic identity has changed. We now belong to Christ and are free to live according to that new identity by grace. The

Rev. Kevin Efflandt (center, in blue) and 25 members from Zion United Reformed Church (Ripon, CA) at the Annual Conference 2014

journey of sanctification is one marked by repeated failure and disappointment, but we can have confidence that the good work started in us will be brought to completion. Paraphrasing from the Synod of Dort, Dr. Godfrey noted, “The weakness of our flesh cannot prevail against the power of our God.” That is the great assurance of our sanctification. In addition to the standing-room-only crowd in the chapel, the live video stream on the WSC website received nearly a thousand views. Some remote attendees followed the conference through social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, even submitting questions that the faculty speakers addressed during the question and answer session. Many echoed the positive feedback of the following attendee who found the conference encouraging and uplifting. “I was thrilled and challenged by the depth and breadth of the presentations. [In] some places [I was] almost moved to tears by the glory of the Gospel that came through. Thank you!”

Dr. Dennis E. Johnson speaks at this year’s Annual Conference.

The Annual Conference 2015, “Christ Our Wisdom: Between Life and the Law of God,” will be held January 16-17, 2015, on the WSC campus. Faculty speakers will examine what the Scriptures have to say about wisdom, especially Christ as the embodiment of wisdom. We hope you will join us for more study of God’s holy and inspired Word.

WSC Annual Conference 2014 - Watch & Listen Again! Visit wscal.edu/resource-center and click “WSC Conferences” for FREE video and audio recordings of all Annual Conference 2014 plenaries. Video and audio recordings from previous Annual Conferences are also available!

wscal.edu

Annual Conference 2014 God’s Transforming Grace

“Justification is Christ for us; sanctification is Christ in us.”

WSC faculty answer questions during the Annual Conference 2014.

UPDATE Spring 2014

Rev. Kevin Efflandt (center, in blue) and 25 members from Zion United Reformed Church (Ripon, CA) at the Annual Conference 2014

Dr. Dennis E. Johnson speaks at this year’s Annual Conference.

wscal.edu

Students, Scholarships, and Social Media

Alumni Winter Refresher

The Academic Year in Review

Continued Education and Refreshment

WSC is enabled to keep tuition as affordable as possible. In fact, WSC’s per credit tuition rate is in the bottom 25% of all seminaries accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. Praise God for providing financial support and student scholarships to WSC, and please pray that He would continue to supply support for WSC’s students.

WSC students study in the library.

This academic year, Westminster Seminary California (WSC) welcomed to its campus 67 new students from around the US and the world. The fall semester saw 42 new students enroll at the seminary, with several registering for Master of Arts programs and the majority registering for the Master of Divinity program. The spring semester saw 25 new students enroll, constituting the largest new spring semester enrollment in the seminary’s history! The new students came from 17 different states throughout the US, and from 7 foreign countries around the world—Brazil, Canada, Japan, Malawi, Romania, South Africa, and South Korea. Praise God for bringing so many new students to WSC this past academic year, and please pray that He would send out these same students back into the world to preach and teach His Word.

Finally, WSC’s Enrollment Department continued promoting the seminary through social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, allowing daily contact with prospective students, alumni, and friends of WSC. Through these social media websites, WSC provides easy access to fresh content from our faculty through written blogs, recorded audio, and promotional videos. These websites are also the fastest way to “get the word out” about special events on campus and faculty book releases and speaking engagements. To date, WSC’s social media audience includes over 8,000 Facebook fans and 7,000 Twitter followers. Praise God for supplying the technology to promote the seminary, and please pray that our online friends would be blessed and encouraged through WSC’s online resources.

WSC also awarded over $450,000 in non-repayable scholarships and grants this academic year—averaging $3,450 in financial aid per eligible student. We are thankful for the many special scholarships and for the annual contributions of WSC’s friends that make these scholarships and grants possible for our students. With the generous support of our friends who contribute to more than half of our annual operating budget each year, Dr. Bryan D. Estelle teaching in class.

Experience Seminary for a Day at WSC! Tour the campus, attend chapel, sit in classes, meet the faculty, interact with students, and learn about the application process. Join us for Seminary for a Day! September 18, January 15, & March 5. For more information, visit wscal.edu/visit or call (760) 480-8474.

UPDATE Spring 2014

Alumni Homecoming As part of this year’s Alumni Winter Refresher during the month of January, Westminster Seminary California (WSC) welcomed back nearly 30 alumni to its campus. WSC alumni from every decade, from around the country, and from many denominations Alumni Rev. Mark Schroeder (1989) returned to their and Rev. Eric Watkins (2000) chat during a break at the Annual Conference. alma mater to audit Rev. Watkins traveled from Florida to for FREE various oneattend the Conference and audit a week elective courses Winter Term course. during the Winter Term, including: - Introduction to Pastoral Counseling - Kierkegaard on Faith, Modern Culture, & the Church - Calvin & His Institutes - Witness to the College & University Campus - Major World Religions & Their Contemporary Cult Expressions - Witness to the Jewish People. Many of the alumni also attended this year’s Annual Conference and had plenty of time for fellowship with each other and WSC faculty—all while enjoying great Southern California weather! Renewed Training The annual Alumni Winter Refresher is especially valuable for alumni pastors looking for a short sabbatical to renew their training in practical ministerial subjects like pastoral counseling, discipleship, and evangelism. This year alumnus, Rev. Andrew Compton (2007), attended the Alumni Winter Refresher for the second time and audited Introduction to Pastoral Counseling with Rev. Dr. Alfred Poirier. “Most ministers get into the pastorate and realize that counseling is probably one of their weak suits and that they didn’t take enough classes in

seminary,” says Rev. Compton. He had already taken the course as a student, but taking the course again with a different professor was “a chance to keep growing in an area that’s so relevant and important in the day-to-day pastorate.” There was “a lot of overlap, of course,” say Rev. Compton, “but also a different perspective—the more knowledge the better.” Rev. Compton also noted that his church elders were especially supportive in giving him time away from ministry to take the counseling course at WSC. “They see the value in continuing education, especially in counseling,” he says. In addition to helping his counseling (and even preaching) ministry, Rev. Compton hopes that the courses he’s taken during the Alumni Winter Refreshers will also prepare him for a future Doctorate of Ministry degree in Biblical Counseling. Ongoing Education The courses offered during WSC’s Alumni Winter Refresher are not the only ones available for alumni to audit for free. WSC alumni may also audit for free any courses offered during any academic term from any degree program. An alumnus who received a Master of Divinity degree, for example, may audit courses offered within the Master of Arts in Historical Theology program. For more information about the Alumni Winter Refresher and ongoing education at WSC, please contact WSC’s Alumni Relations Associate, Chris Sandoval, at alumni@wscal.edu or (888) 480-8474.

Some of the 15 WSC alumni who audited a course on Calvin with Dr. Michael S. Horton (fifth from left)

Systematic Theology Refresher - Strimple Lectures Online & Free! Visit wscal.edu/strimplelectures to download FREE audio recordings of Dr. Robert B. Strimple’s entire Systematic Theology lecture series. wscal.edu

Students, Scholarships, and Social Media

Alumni Winter Refresher

The Academic Year in Review

Continued Education and Refreshment

WSC students study in the library.

UPDATE Spring 2014

Some of the 15 WSC alumni who audited a course on Calvin with Dr. Michael S. Horton (fifth from left)

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

M. Kurugh Antiev

Judith Riddell

(M.A., 1993; D.Min., 1998)

Serving God’s People in Nigeria

Teaching God’s Children in Northern Ireland

Kurugh received his Doctorate of Management from St. Clements University and is currently the resident pastor of the Universal Reformed Christian Church in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Why did you decide to attend WSC? I decided to attend Westminster because the Lord Almighty Himself called me to service in His vineyard and I wanted to receive quality theological training for His call. I was looking for a biblically Reformed theological seminary where I could study the Word of God and teach others. In my search, God directed me to Rev. Jacob Akpera, then a student at WSC, and he introduced me to the seminary.

At WSC, I learned Biblical truths… I also experienced a lot of Christlike love from the professors, staff, and students… What particular truths or experiences gained at WSC do you find most important and valuable now? At WSC, I learned biblical truths— especially that Jesus alone is our Savior. I also experienced a lot of Christlike love from the professors, staff, and students, and there was no racial discrimination whatsoever. I am thankful for the financial support I received through student work-study jobs, Westminster scholarships, and from local churches. Do you have any unforgettable memories from WSC? When I was awaiting an external examiner’s approval and final comment on my dissertation for

UPDATE Spring 2014

my Doctor of Ministry degree, I did not receive any answer until 4pm on the very last day of classes at Westminster. All day I prayed with tears, and I could not eat or drink water while awaiting the outcome of my work. God answered my prayers, my work was approved, and I graduated—I’ll never forget that day! What are your present responsibilities and how has your WSC education prepared you for them? I am always proud and thankful to God for the training I received at WSC by renowned, God-fearing, and respectful professors. Thanks to them, given any responsibility, I do it very well. Since returning to Nigeria, I have served at several church posts, including General Secretary of the Universal Reformed Christian Church, member of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, and pastor of many congregations. The encouraging responses and commendations I receive from people wherever I minister are a testimony to the education I received at WSC. What do you think makes WSC a unique and important institution? In my opinion, what makes WSC such a unique and important gift from God is the seminary’s evident fear of God. At WSC, God comes first and there is trust in God. For example, although they are not as well remunerated as their secular counterparts, the professors at Westminster still happily give their best for the Lord and do so with love.

What makes WSC such a unique and important gift from God is the seminary’s evident fear of God. What advice would you give to prospective students considering seminary? I would encourage prospective students (and even those considering Reformed theological education in general) to consider WSC because they will not be disappointed— spiritually, morally, academically, or professionally. Where God leads, where God is enthroned, and where God provides, you will never be let down. What I gained in my Christian life from the WSC community cannot be overemphasized. I continue to pray for Westminster and all those who stood and continue to stand by the seminary. Westminster, you have done what your eyes cannot see in the lives of men and women across the globe— God bless you!

(M.A., 2005)

Judith is an English teacher at a girls grammar school in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Why did you decide to attend WSC? In the mid 1990s, Ray Dillard and Tremper Longman III came to speak at an annual conference that used to be held in Northern Ireland, called the Presbyterian and Reformed Youth Conference. They were inspiring and challenging, and it got me thinking about theological education. It was years later that I discovered WSC’s website. I saw the faculty at WSC and had read some of their books. I knew that this was the seminary I wanted to attend. What particular truths or experiences gained at WSC do you find most important and valuable now? I think a lot of it has to do with getting your categories right. I’m thankful for my studies that helped emphasize the law/gospel distinction. Westminster reminded me that the gospel is not only for unbelievers, but for the believer’s comfort and strength as well. Discovering the works of Meredith Kline also helped sort out other categories, but from my Biblical Studies classes to Systematics and Historical Theology, everything intertwined to help me form a holistic understanding of the Reformed faith. Do you have any unforgettable memories from WSC? My Westminster days were some of the happiest days of my life. What’s not to like? Early morning theological discussion over Raisin Bran, mid-morning theological discussion over Starbucks coffee, late morning theological discussion at the ping pong table… you get

the picture. It was such a privilege to be with like-minded people who wanted to delve into the riches of their faith and to be taught by godly, scholarly men who loved their work and cared about their students. I had the honor of working in the library with Mr. Lund, sharing in the family life of the Hortons, and hanging out with the best class ever (yes, that’s us, Class of 2005!). What are your present responsibilities and how has your WSC education prepared you for them? I left Westminster to return to my teaching career in Belfast. My theological education reminded me that we can glorify God in our vocations. Having a clear understanding of the human condition is very beneficial when you’re teaching literature and when you’re teaching teenage girls! Augustine wrote that we should “love understanding wholeheartedly” and I hope to inspire my students to do just that. I am also able to lead a Scripture club after school each week, and in church I teach the Senior Bible Class (Grades 9-12) and help with an organization called the Boys’ Brigade, where I get to teach the Bible to little boys who are 4-8 years old (as well as playing some very competitive dodge ball!). Someone once wrote that it takes all our learning to make things simple. I am so thankful that I have my theological training to help explain the great truths of God’s word in a simple form to help children understand and come to know, love, and follow their Creator and Redeemer.

My Westminster days were some of the happiest days of my life. … It was such a privilege to be with likeminded people. What do you think makes WSC a unique and important institution? The emphasis on the means of grace at WSC is very refreshing and a real antidote to the culturally conditioned methods of evangelizing and discipling we see in so much of the church today. The passion for the gospel, the wisdom to see the value in the creeds and confessions, and a concern that God’s Word be read in its original languages to enrich the depth of our understanding of God’s special revelation are aspects of WSC that make it such an important place for its students. What advice would you give to prospective students considering seminary? Seminary costs. Its costs aren’t only financial; there’s the time involved in learning and understanding. A theological education isn’t just about your GPA, it’s about giving yourself to study things of eternal significance. You may also have to guard against getting a wee bit arrogant and a touch obnoxious. Be wise. But really, what can outweigh the immense joy of studying God’s Word and His Church with His people? I couldn’t recommend studying at WSC highly enough. To misquote Charles Dickens, ‘It was the best of times…It was the best of times!’

wscal.edu

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

M. Kurugh Antiev

Judith Riddell

(M.A., 1993; D.Min., 1998)

Serving God’s People in Nigeria

Teaching God’s Children in Northern Ireland

Kurugh received his Doctorate of Management from St. Clements University and is currently the resident pastor of the Universal Reformed Christian Church in Makurdi, Nigeria.

UPDATE Spring 2014

(M.A., 2005)

Judith is an English teacher at a girls grammar school in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

wscal.edu

Lloyd Kim

(M.Div., 1999)

Equipping God’s Evangelists in Asia Lloyd received his Ph.D. in New Testament studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and is currently the International Director of Asia-Pacific for Mission to the World (MTW), the missions branch of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). He and his family reside in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Why did you decide to attend WSC?

Do you have any unforgettable memories from WSC?

My journey began with a desire to serve overseas as a long term missionary. After college, I moved to Los Angeles and joined a very mission-minded Korean-American PCA church, New Life Mission Church. Most of the pastors of the church graduated from Westminster in California and did not have to sell me on attending their alma mater. I saw in these men a passion for the Word of God and for the propagation of the gospel.

Two memories immediately come to mind. The first memory is of my classmates and I sitting in the student lounge. One of them was sitting by the phone and he asked me if I knew how to use the phone to connect with one of the professors on campus. This particular professor’s office extension was 11. My friend kept pressing 11 but it wouldn’t go through, so I suggested that he try pressing another number first, like maybe the number 9. So that’s what he did—he pressed 9-11. It connected immediately, but not to the professor! Once the student realized what happened, he did what any intelligent, seminary student would do—he hung up. Needless to say, that did not help the situation. I don’t remember if the firemen ever made it to campus, but I’ll never forget the look on Professor Clark’s face as he rushed up to the student lounge to see what was going on!

What particular truths or experiences gained at WSC do you find most important and valuable now? What I appreciate most is the Westminster culture of thoughtful reflection and theologizing on issues related to the church. This culture of reflection has been especially helpful as Christ’s church faces new issues and challenges. For those ministering in a multi-cultural, global context—it is invaluable. But I also appreciate the humble, steadfast labors of the professors. I remember sitting in Greek class where one of the students blasted the professor for some trivial issue. And yet instead of responding in anger, the professor graciously, patiently reasoned with the student, resolving the problem. I can think of many more examples of how the professors dealt graciously with us, often prideful and obstinate students. Seeing evidence of the gospel working in their lives gave greater credibility to the truths they taught.

UPDATE Spring 2014

The other memory is of my meeting with Dr. Ed Clowney after I preached in my senior preaching class. Preaching professors normally scheduled a time to meet in their offices with individual students to go over their sermons, so I was surprised to get a note from our professor, Dr. Clowney, inviting me to meet over breakfast with one other student. We met at a restaurant and there Dr. Clowney spoke with us not only about our sermons, but our faith, our marriages, and our lives— and he even picked up the bill after we finished. I felt so privileged that he would show so much kindness to us, but also a bit embarrassed that

he would single us out to show us such favor—until I found out that he did this for all the students! What are your present responsibilities and how has your WSC education prepared you for them? I am a missionary with Mission to the World (MTW) and currently residing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, but serving as the International Director for Asia-Pacific. Our main goal is church planting. My role is helping to recruit, equip, train, encourage, support, and serve national church planters and missionaries. What has been wonderful is our ongoing connection with Westminster. Professors Joel Kim and Julius Kim and Rev. Ted Hamilton (all WSC alumni as well) have come out to Southeast Asia to teach and encourage local church planters and pastors. The same WSC culture of thoughtful reflection that has been invaluable for me in my current role has also been taught and modeled for the pastors here in Asia by these professors. Anything else you would like to leave us with? I’d like to put in a plug for overseas service and encourage students and prospective students to be open to serving as missionaries. The world class education you receive at Westminster will be invaluable in helping the growing church in the global South work through new and difficult issues. Missions is certainly not for the faint of heart, but for those who are called, it is an incredible privilege and honor.

Alumni Class Notes

From around the country and the world, WSC alumni share their professional and personal updates. 1984 David Crenshaw (also class of 1985) was called as Pastor of Faith PCA (Robertsdale, AL) in May of 2013. His co-authored a book, Calvinism —Is It Biblical? Two sides to the Issue, was released in October 2013. 1987 Ezra Hyun Kim (also class of 2000) and White Jeon (class of 1998) founded and have served at the International Theological College and Seminary (ITCS) in Cambodia since 2008. Christopher Perrin (also class of 1988) received his Ph.D. in Apologetics from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, PA) in 1992, and has three children with his wife, Christine. After eight years in church ministry, he served as the founding headmaster of a classical Christan school in Harrisburg, PA from 1997 to 2007. He is currently the president of Classical Academic Press and a consultant for start-up classical schools.

Danny Hyde recently published “The Holy Spirit in the Heidelberg Catechism,” in A Faith Worth Teaching: The Heidelberg Catechism’s Enduring Heritage in May 2013, and had two publications recently translated into Portuguese: Por Que Cantamos os Psalmos (Why We Sing the Psalms) and O Que é um Culto Reformado? (What is Reformed Worship?). 2001

David Barcelo and his family give thanks to the Lord for the birth of their fourth child, Abraham, born on November 20, 2013. David reports that his spiritual family is growing, too. The church he pastors, Iglesia Evangelica de la Gracia, in Barcelona, Spain, will soon be renting a newer and bigger facility to accommodate more members and guests.

John Carter was serving as Installation Chaplain for Naval Station Everett in the Seattle, WA area. He is now with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group at Camp Lejeune, NC and will deploy later this year as Chaplain with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Peter Watson recently started working as the Site Administrator at the Downtown Men’s Shelter for Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission (WA). He also recently placed second in a regional swing dancing competition.

Chris Caughey received his Ph.D. from Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) in 2013. He is pursing the publication of his dissertation, Puritan Responses to Antinomianism in the Context of Reformed Covenant Theology: 1630-1696.

Charles Sy and his family thank God for the birth of twin boys, Luke Walker and Kyle Ryu, born on August 28, 2013.

Jeff Jue and his wife were blessed with their second child, Andrew Henry, born on December 22, 2013.

Steve Moulson (also class of 2013) and his wife thank God for their second child, Jael Mercy, born on November 5, 2013. In May 2014, he finished a year-long internship at Trinity OPC in Hatboro, PA.

2000

2002

Matt Holst received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from New Geneva Theological Seminary (Colorado Springs, CO) in 2010, and was ordained and installed as Assistant Pastor of High Plains Fellowship (PCA) in Falcon, CO in 2013. He writes, “I will always value my time at WSC and pray that God will continue to bless an institution that continues to faithfully and boldly defend the doctrines of the Reformation, and, more importantly, the doctrines of Scripture.”

Aaron Hoak’s church plant was constituted in September 2013 and is now Grace Baptist Church (Warsaw, IN).

1998

2003

Patrick O’Banion and his wife were blessed with the arrival of their first child, Joshua Patrick, on December 18, 2013.

2004

2005 Michael Chung’s church, Indelible Grace Church (Castro Valley, CA), became a mission work of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in October 2013. Edward Jensen was ordained and installed as the pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Des Moines, IA on September 27, 2013. Michael Preciado married Alexandra Mitchell on August, 24, 2013. He has also begun Ph.D. studies in Philosophical Theology at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland) through Highland Theological College. Chris Sandoval married Carrie Anne Jurgensen on November 16, 2013, in Atlanta, GA.

wscal.edu

Lloyd Kim

(M.Div., 1999)

Why did you decide to attend WSC?

Do you have any unforgettable memories from WSC?

UPDATE Spring 2014

Alumni Class Notes

Charles Sy and his family thank God for the birth of twin boys, Luke Walker and Kyle Ryu, born on August 28, 2013.

Jeff Jue and his wife were blessed with their second child, Andrew Henry, born on December 22, 2013.

Steve Moulson (also class of 2013) and his wife thank God for their second child, Jael Mercy, born on November 5, 2013. In May 2014, he finished a year-long internship at Trinity OPC in Hatboro, PA.

2000

2002

Aaron Hoak’s church plant was constituted in September 2013 and is now Grace Baptist Church (Warsaw, IN).

1998

2003

Patrick O’Banion and his wife were blessed with the arrival of their first child, Joshua Patrick, on December 18, 2013.

2004

wscal.edu

NEWS AND EVENTS

2006 Quentin Falkena and his wife welcomed their second daughter, Annika Joy, on October 1, 2013. Quentin has been ministering at First URC (Chino, CA) since 2008 and is completing his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree at the Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies (Sanford, FL).

Stephen Roberts returned from a deployment in Afghanistan as an Army Reserve chaplain at the end of January and resumed his labors as an Evangelist with Sterling OPC (Sterling, VA) in March. John and Katie (Wagenmaker) Terrell are delighted with the birth of their second child, Josiah Daniel, on September 28, 2013.

2007

2009

Shane Lems (formerly with the United Reformed Church of Sunnyside, WA) accepted a call to pastor Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Hammand, WI in October 2013. In November 2013, Presbyterian and Reformed (P&R) Publishing released his first book, An Introduction to the Doctrines of Grace: Student Edition.

Jason Ching was installed as pastor of Grace Community Church in Minden, NV on January 12, 2014.

Clay Werner’s first book, On the Brink: Grace for the Burned Out Pastor, will be released by Presbyterian and Reformed (P&R) Publishing in June 2014. 2008 Naomi (Buser) Ching and her husband, Jason Ching (class of 2009) were blessed with the birth of their second son, Caleb Thomas, on December 27, 2013. Richard Cunningham is a full-time Religious Studies lecturer at the University of California, Riverside. He and his wife are expecting their third child.

Jeff Locke and his wife welcomed their third child, Emmanuelle Wise, on July 20, 2013. Jeff’s church plant, Grace Alameda (Alameda, CA) celebrated its one year anniversary in March of this year, and they currently meet on Sunday evenings at Alameda CRC (where Dr. Godfrey began his journey into Reformed theology!). Mark Vander Pol was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor of Christ URC (Santee, CA) on February 2, 2014. In January, he started working as a Quality Assurance Chemist at Air Products and Chemicals in Carlsbad, CA. 2010

2012 David Bruner was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) on June 16, 2013, and is serving as an Associate Pastor at Harbor Church at UTC (San Diego, CA). On July 13, 2013, he married Gretchen Jennings.

Josh Henson and his wife welcomed their first child, Cohen John, on November 13, 2013. Josh completed his Th.M. at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY) and plans on beginning his Ph.D. in Old Testament studies program this fall. Ben Rochester was called to serve as pastor of Pilgrim Presbyterian Church (PCA) in El Cajon, CA. 2013 Tyler Frick is pursuing a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Want to share what’s new with other alumni? Send professional and personal updates to WSC’s Alumni Relations Associate, Chris Sandoval, at alumni@wscal.edu.

Tommy Myrick married Abigail Marie Yerxa on October 5, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Tommy continues as Assistant to the Senior Pastor at Fourth Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Bethesda, MD.

The WSC Alumni Job Postings webpage regularly posts and updates job openings as a free service to you, our alumni. Visit wscal.edu/alumni-job-postings or contact Chris Sandoval at alumni@wscal.edu or (888) 480-8474.

UPDATE Spring 2014

July

Dr. David VanDrunen: Speaking Near and Far In addition to teaching his regular Systematic Theology courses at Westminster Seminary California (WSC) and speaking at the seminary’s Annual Conference 2014, Dr. David VanDrunen also lectured near and far this past academic school year.

Brian Heinrich died on January 12, 2014.

FREE Alumni Job Postings - Serving You as You Serve Christ

Faculty Speaking

In July 2013, Dr. VanDrunen gave the keynote lecture, “Natural Law for Reformed Theology: A Proposal for Contemporary Reappropriation”, at the 10th biannual conference of the International Reformed Theological Institute (Sárospatak, Hungary). Later in the year, he presented “The Foundations of Law in Genesis”, a lecture given for the Christian Legal Society’s San Diego, CA chapter in November 2013. In February 2014, Dr. VanDrunen spoke at the “Love and Law” conference at Pepperdine University School of Law (Malibu, CA), lecturing on “Why Christian Love Is an Inappropriate Category to Apply to Law: A Contrarian Perspective”. Twice this spring, he lectured remotely to the Christian Union at Harvard Law School—“Practicing Law Between the Ages” in February and “Pilgrim Lawyers in a Pagan World” in March. This coming August, Dr. VanDrunen will once again speak overseas at several universities and colleges throughout South Africa. For more information on this and other upcoming speaking engagements for Dr. VanDrunen and other WSC faculty, please see the “Upcoming Faculty Speaking” listing below.

Upcoming Faculty Speaking: Coming Soon—and Close to You! Mark your calendars for these upcoming WSC faculty speaking engagements: June

15-18—Dr. J. V. Fesko teaches a course on the doctrine of baptism at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) in Atlanta, GA. 24-26—Dr. Michael S. Horton speaks at the 2014 White Horse Inn Weekend in Vail, CO. August 4-8—Dr. David VanDrunen speaks on the early life of King David at the OPC Presbytery of the Midwest’s Camp Westminster in Green Lake, WI. 11-15—Dr. Michael S. Horton teaches “Reformed Churches and a Changing World: Reformed Theology Meets Contemporary Culture” at Presbyterian Theological College in Sydney, Australia. 13-25—Dr. David VanDrunen speaks in South Africa at North-West University (Potschefstroom), the University of Stellenbosch, the University of the Western Cape, George Whitefield College, and the Bible Institute of South Africa. 18-22—Dr. Michael S. Horton teaches “Calvin on the Christian Life” at Moore Theological College in Newtown, Australia. October 3-5—Dr. Michael S. Horton speaks at The Gospel Coalition’s New England Conference in Boston, MA. 17-19—Dr. W. Robert Godfrey speaks at the Reformation Conference at Anchorage Grace Church in Anchorage, AK. 23-26—Dr. W. Robert Godfrey speaks at the Reformation Worship Conference at Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Powder Springs, GA. 31-Nov 2—Dr. J. V. Fesko speaks at the Reformation Bible Conference at Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Peachtree, GA. November 7-8—Dr. W. Robert Godfrey speaks at the Reformation Conference at Zion United Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

3-6—Dr. W. Robert Godfrey speaks at a colloquium for the Synod of the United Reformed Church in North America (URCNA) at Trinity URC in Visalia, CA.

19-21—Dr. Dennis E. Johnson presents his paper, “Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord” at the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) annual meeting in San Diego, CA.

23-26—Dr. Dennis E. Johnson speaks at the Rafiki Foundation’s Enrichment Week for overseas staff in Eustis, FL.

22-25—Dr. Michael S. Horton participates in a panel discussion at the Annual Conference for the American Academy of Religion in San Diego, CA. wscal.edu

NEWS AND EVENTS

2007

2009

Jason Ching was installed as pastor of Grace Community Church in Minden, NV on January 12, 2014.

Tommy Myrick married Abigail Marie Yerxa on October 5, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Tommy continues as Assistant to the Senior Pastor at Fourth Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Bethesda, MD.

UPDATE Spring 2014

July

Brian Heinrich died on January 12, 2014.

FREE Alumni Job Postings - Serving You as You Serve Christ

Faculty Speaking

Upcoming Faculty Speaking: Coming Soon—and Close to You! Mark your calendars for these upcoming WSC faculty speaking engagements: June

3-6—Dr. W. Robert Godfrey speaks at a colloquium for the Synod of the United Reformed Church in North America (URCNA) at Trinity URC in Visalia, CA.

19-21—Dr. Dennis E. Johnson presents his paper, “Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord” at the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) annual meeting in San Diego, CA.

23-26—Dr. Dennis E. Johnson speaks at the Rafiki Foundation’s Enrichment Week for overseas staff in Eustis, FL.

22-25—Dr. Michael S. Horton participates in a panel discussion at the Annual Conference for the American Academy of Religion in San Diego, CA. wscal.edu

Faculty Books Available Now: Faculty Writings Calvin on the Christian Life by Michael S. Horton This spring, Crossway Books released Dr. Michael S. Horton’s latest book, Calvin on the Christian Life: Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever. Dr. Horton offers fresh insights into the Reformer’s personal piety and practical theology by drawing not only from Calvin’s Institutes and biblical commentaries, but also from lesser-known tracts, treatises, and letters. The book uses Calvin’s theology and ministry to explore the heart of his spiritual life—confident trust and unwavering joy in the sovereign grace of God. Divine Covenants and Moral Order by David VanDrunen Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company recently released Dr. David VanDrunen’s Divine Covenants and Moral Order: A Biblical Theology of Natural Law. Dr. VanDrunen draws on both his Reformed theological heritage and the broader Christian natural law tradition to develop a constructive theology of natural law through a thorough study of Scripture and biblical covenants. Songs of a Suffering King by J. V. Fesko In April, Reformation Heritage Books released Dr. J. V. Fesko’s Songs of a Suffering King: The Grand Christ Hymn of Psalms 1-8. In his book, Dr. Fesko hopes to awaken the church to the majesty, beauty, and splendor of the Psalms through a devotional exploration of Psalms 1–8, in which David, as the suffering king, prefigures Jesus Christ, the King of kings. The Theology of the Westminster Standards by J. V. Fesko Later this summer, Crossway Books will release Dr. J. V. Fesko’s The Theology of the Westminster Standards: Historical Context and Theological Insights. Dr. Fesko walks readers through the background, context, and theology of the Westminster Confession, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism. Organized according to the major categories of systematic theology, this book incorporates quotations from other key works from the same time period to shed light on the history and significance of these influential documents.

UPDATE Spring 2014

NEW!

Other Faculty Publications R. Scott Clark The Doctrine of the Covenant and Testament of God by Johannes Cocceius, translated by Casey Carmichael (September 2014). This is the third volume of the Classic Reformed Theology series, edited by Dr. Clark. Bryan D. Estelle Review of G.K. Beale’s Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament in Modern Reformation (March/April 2014). Review of Elaine Pagels’ Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, & Politics in the Book of Revelation in Modern Reformation (May/June 2014).

Calvin on the Christian Life

Divine Covenants and Moral Order

Songs of a Suffering King

The Theology of the Christ and the Desert Tabernacle Westminster Standards

Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever

A Biblical Theology of Natural Law

The Grand Christ Hymn of Psalms 1-8

Historical Context and Theological Insights

by Michael S. Horton

by David VanDrunen

by J. V. Fesko

(Crossway Books, 2014)

(Eerdmans, 2014)

(Reformation Heritage Books, 2014)

(Crossway Books, 2014)

by J. V. Fesko (Christian Focus, 2012)

Salvation Through Judgment and Mercy The Gospel According to Jonah by Bryan D. Estelle (P&R, 2005)

J. V. Fesko “Baptize Them,” in Tabletalk (April 2014). “Arminius on the Doctrine of Justification: Reformed or Protestant?” in Church History and Religious Culture 94 (2014). “Romans 8:29-30 and the Question of the Ordo Salutis” in Journal of Reformed Theology 7 (2014). “Rejoinder to Ryan McGraw, ‘Is Roman Catholic Baptism Valid?’ A Review of J. V. Fesko’s Word, Water, And Spirit with a Friendly Debate over the Validity of Roman Catholic Baptism” in The Confessional Presbyterian 9 (2013). “The Accommodated Scriptures: A Response to Cornelis Venema” in The Confessional Presbyterian 9 (2013).

Westminster Seminary California

Pilgrilm Theology

A New Old School

Core Doctrines for Christian Disciples

by W. Robert Godfrey and D. G. Hart

by Michael S. Horton

(Westminster Seminary California, 2012)

John Calvin

Pilgrim and Pastor by W. Robert Godfrey (P&R, 2009)

Word, Water, and Spirit A Reformed Perspective on Baptism by J. V. Fesko (Reformation Heritage Books, 2010)

(Zondervan, 2012)

Him We Proclaim

The Gospel Commission

Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures

Recovering God’s Strategy for Making Disciples

by Dennis E. Johnson (P&R, 2007)

by Michael S. Horton (Baker Books, 2012)

Michael S. Horton Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World, published by Zondervan (October 2014). David VanDrunen “The Next Generation of Ministers” in New Horizons (November 2013).

Psalm 119 for Life

Living Today in the Light of the Word by Hywel R. Jones (Evangelical Press, 2009)

Living in God’s Two Kingdoms A Biblical Vision for Christianity and Culture by David VanDrunen (Crossway Books, 2010)

Natural8 Law and the Two Kingdoms

A Study in the Development of Reformed Social Thought by David VanDrunen (Eerdmans, 2010)

Recovering the Reformed Confession Our Theology, Piety, and Practice by R. Scott Clark (P&R, 2008)

The Law Is Not of Faith

Essays on Works and Grace in the Mosaic Covenant edited by Bryan Estelle, J. V. Fesko, and David VanDrunen (P&R, 2008)

A New Testament Greek Primer (3rd Edition) by S. M. Baugh (P&R, 2012)

Visit our campus Bookstore - now located in the library! wscal.edu 23 wscal.edu/bookstore

UPDATE Spring 2014

NEW!

Calvin on the Christian Life

Divine Covenants and Moral Order

Songs of a Suffering King

The Theology of the Christ and the Desert Tabernacle Westminster Standards

Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever

A Biblical Theology of Natural Law

The Grand Christ Hymn of Psalms 1-8

Historical Context and Theological Insights

by Michael S. Horton

by David VanDrunen

by J. V. Fesko

(Crossway Books, 2014)

(Eerdmans, 2014)

(Reformation Heritage Books, 2014)

(Crossway Books, 2014)

by J. V. Fesko (Christian Focus, 2012)

Salvation Through Judgment and Mercy The Gospel According to Jonah by Bryan D. Estelle (P&R, 2005)

Westminster Seminary California

Pilgrilm Theology

A New Old School

Core Doctrines for Christian Disciples

by W. Robert Godfrey and D. G. Hart

by Michael S. Horton

(Westminster Seminary California, 2012)

John Calvin

Pilgrim and Pastor by W. Robert Godfrey (P&R, 2009)

Word, Water, and Spirit A Reformed Perspective on Baptism by J. V. Fesko (Reformation Heritage Books, 2010)

(Zondervan, 2012)

Him We Proclaim

The Gospel Commission

Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures

Recovering God’s Strategy for Making Disciples

by Dennis E. Johnson (P&R, 2007)

by Michael S. Horton (Baker Books, 2012)

Psalm 119 for Life

Living Today in the Light of the Word by Hywel R. Jones (Evangelical Press, 2009)

Living in God’s Two Kingdoms A Biblical Vision for Christianity and Culture by David VanDrunen (Crossway Books, 2010)

Natural8 Law and the Two Kingdoms

A Study in the Development of Reformed Social Thought by David VanDrunen (Eerdmans, 2010)

Recovering the Reformed Confession Our Theology, Piety, and Practice by R. Scott Clark (P&R, 2008)

The Law Is Not of Faith

Essays on Works and Grace in the Mosaic Covenant edited by Bryan Estelle, J. V. Fesko, and David VanDrunen (P&R, 2008)

A New Testament Greek Primer (3rd Edition) by S. M. Baugh (P&R, 2012)

Visit our campus Bookstore - now located in the library! wscal.edu 23 wscal.edu/bookstore

Non-Profit Org. US Postage

1725 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027 WWW.WSCAL.EDU

PAID

Permit #2325 San Diego CA

W E S T M I N S T E R S E M I NA RY C A L I F O R N IA

Annual Conference 2015

Christ Our WisdOm: BetWeen Life and the LaW Of GOd SAVE THE DATE! January 16-17, 2015 The WSC faculty will address what the Scriptures have to say about wisdom, not only as a literary genre in the Bible, but Christ as the embodiment of wisdom, and its necessity for the Christian life. featured speakers: W. Robert Godfrey, Michael S. Horton, David VanDrunen, Joshua Van Ee, Dennis E. Johnson, and Bryan D. Estelle pLease pLan tO jOin us! CheCk WsCaL.edu fOr mOre infOrmatiOn in septemBer 2014.