The Henry Center announces that Bradley Nassif, Professor of Biblical & Theological Studies, North Park University, will replace Thomas Oden in the Henry Center’s Scripture & Ministry lecture series on January 21-22, 2009.  Dr. Oden had to withdraw due to scheduling difficulties.

The Center eagerly anticipates Dr. Nassif’s hour-long lecture on January 21, 2009 on “Scripture and the Quest for Holiness in Christian Antiquity.”  The following is a snapshot of the talk’s focus:

“Contemporary Christians are increasingly turning to the past for wisdom and guidance in the 21st century. While some of the past is best left behind, other portions offer burried treasures for Christian life and ministry. This lecture will examine the nature of holiness in the great Desert Fathers and Mothers in Egypt, Palestine and Syria from the 3rd – 6th centuries, with an emphasis on the role of Scripture in personal development and pastoral counselling. We’ll examine the rise of the great desert disciples and the role Scripture
played in cultivating a life of holiness. For them, the Word was not only to be interpreted with the mind, but also to be “seen” as an exegeted text. A wholistic “hermeneutic of the desert” emerged in the context of personal discipleship and a life of prayer, fasting and
inner watchfulness.”

Please do note these change, and please do join us for what will be a stimulating and searching lecture.

The Center is very pleased to present the video and audio files for the recent Trinity Debate featuring Wayne Grudem and Bruce Ware vs. Tom McCall and Keith Yandell.

Video of the Trinity Debate
Audio of the Trinity Debate

The debate was intensive and rich. It is recommended that you use Hansen Fellow Andy Naselli’s excellent live-blog to follow along.

These resources are free as always and available to be widely distributed on the web. The Center looks forward next year to a debate of similar weight and significance.

The Henry Center is looking forward with great anticipation to the Timothy Series talks by pastor K. Edward Copeland of New Zion Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. Pastor Copeland will speak in TEDS chapel on Tuesday, November 18 and Thursday, November 20 and will host a free lunchtime question-and-answer session following chapel.

The following provides a little preview of what pastor Copeland will cover in his chapel messages:

“A grasp of the basic concepts, principles and skills is essential for success in every field of endeavor. If you would be an all-star basketball player, you must master the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, shooting the ball, spacing the floor, and playing defense. Spectacular slam-dunks will get you on the ESPN highlights but excelling in the fundamentals will get you a championship ring.

Creativity is hampered when the basics are not mastered. You cannot do calculus if you do not know how to multiply. You cannot write poetry if you do not understand sentence structure. You cannot become a chef if you do not know the difference between boiling and broiling. Regardless of the arena you cannot reach your full potential until you learn the basics. Once the fundamentals are grasped, however, there is no limit to what the Holy Spirit can create through human personality. There are some basic concepts in Christianity in general and ministry in particular that we must constantly review and revisit if we are to prove ourselves faithful and fruitful servants.”

–Excerpted from “Riding in the Second Chariot: A Guide for Associate Ministers” by K. Edward Copeland

For the Timothy Series on November 18 and 20 Rev. K. Edward Copeland will be focusing on the scripturally mandated “Ministry Fundamentals” that are essential for the spiritual progress of modern day Timothys. Special attention will be paid to 1 Timothy 4 and 2 Timothy 4.”

If you are a TEDS MDiv student or a person interested in learning more about the high calling of the pastor, please do join us for these messages and for a free lunch provided by the Henry Center afterward.