WESLEY BIBLICAL SEMINARY

2017COMPASS

CELEBRATING DR. COCKERILL’S 35YEARS OF SERVICE

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Wesley Biblical Seminary exists to advance Christ’s Kingdom through the Church and make disciples of Jesus by offering life-transforming theological education producing Spirit-filled shepherd-theologians and leaders for the 21st century, who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to trinitarian faith, Christ-centered holiness, biblical authority, and personal accountability.

OUR MISSION

WESLEY BIBLICAL SEMINARY

COMPASS STAFF

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Stephen FairchildCONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Dr. John E. Neihof, Jr.Dr. Gary CockerillDr. Steve BlakemoreDr. David SchreinerDr. Matt FriedemanLeah GeyerThe Family of Dr. Gary CockerillWBS AlumniWBS StudentsWBS Staff

CONTACT INFORMATION

P. O. BOX 9938JACKSON, MS 39286WWW.WBS.EDU601.366.8880LEARN@WBS.EDU

COM·PASS (kum´pəs), n. An instrument for determining directions

(Webster’s College Dictionary)

As a compass helps the traveler navigate the unknown, we hope this publication will chart for you the new ground WBS is breaking in our endeavor to be loyal to God’s call “to serve the present age.”COMPASS

WHY SEMINARY? WHY WESLEY?During my 19 years of education in Christian schools, I

learned the stories of faith. When I enrolled in the University of Kentucky at the age of 25, I encountered stories far different from the kind on which I’d been raised. Stories with labels like “science,” “subjectivism,” and “socialism.” For a time, I entertained these stories. But while they promised answers to all life’s questions, they left me questioning. Instead of wisdom, they brought confusion. Instead of truth, they offered lies. Instead of peace, they caused chaos.

Over the past 25 years, God has been sanctifying my mind through His story, the story of Scripture. The story that delivers what it promises.

As Christians, we have a story to tell: the thrilling story of Scripture, the inspired and inerrant Word of God. Our story teaches us where we come from, where we are now, and where we are headed in the dramatic culmination. It is the story of creation, humanity, sin, and salvation. It has moral virtue. It makes sense. It gives us answers. It follows through in delivering wisdom, truth, and peace.

A world in desperate need of hearing this story needs good storytellers. We are all called to tell the story, but some are called to lead the storytelling revolution. They are called to be the master storytellers.

That’s why Christian education—and seminary in particular—is important. In good seminaries, master storytellers apprentice others called to the storytelling mission. Students intimately learn the art of the story and how to tell it well so they can pass on the legacy of the greatest story ever told.

Wesley Biblical Seminary trains storytellers. In a world where some seminaries have fallen prey to the lure of science, subjectivism, and socialism, WBS refuses to dilute or distort the story. We remain committed to the inerrancy of the source: Scripture.

We also refuse to waiver on what the veracity of this story means for us now. We believe the story calls us to holy lives enabled by the grace of our triune God.

In the pages of this Compass, I pray you will see evidence of this commitment. That you will get to know some of our storytellers. I hope that you are excited about our graduates going into the world to tell the story and about our cooperative efforts in Oklahoma that will expand our storytelling mission.

Friends, thank you for supporting the legacy of the story. We cannot tell the story and make disciples without your generous giving and faithful prayers.

Seminary is important. Wesley Biblical Seminary is important. Please continue to pray about how God wants you to use your gifts to send storytellers around the world.

Telling the story,

Dr. John E. Neihof, Jr.

Dr. John Neihof with OKWU President, Dr. Everett Piper

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DR. GARY COCKERILL CELEBRATION OF 35 YEARS AT WBS

REFLECTIONS UPON RETIREMENTGareth Lee Cockerill taught his first course at Wesley Biblical Seminary in the fall of

1979, joining the faculty of the fledgling seminary while he was on home assignment for his missionary work with the Wesleyan Church. Back on the mission field in 1981 for another three-year term, he returned to WBS to teach, research, and serve as Academic Dean and, most recently, Vice President of Academic Affairs. During his 35 years at WBS, Dr. Cockerill has taught his three daughters, both of his sons-in-law, and his wife. To celebrate his ministry at WBS, his daughters reflect on his legacy.

From Allene Vinzant, married to alumnus and current assistant professor, Carey Vinzant, “I realized early in my career as a high school teacher that my approach to teaching was shaped by my father’s example. While he was always willing to help us with our schoolwork, he never answered a question directly; instead, he met our questions with a question of his own designed to help us figure out the answer for ourselves. He taught us how to learn. When I signed up for his Fundamentals of Greek class, I experienced the classroom version of this. (Of course, I ended up sitting next to a handsome young seminarian whose presence proved to be a bit distracting!) As a foreign language teacher I still use pedagogical tools from his toolbox. (And despite the distractions, I did get an “A.”)”

From Ginny Cockerill, now working in higher education in Alabama, “While I took Hebrew and the Gospel of John as a non-degree student at WBS, some of my favorite memories of WBS and my Dad are the times we spent talking about his courses and the ways he had changed them over time. He was always ready to try something new, whether it was a piece of technology, illustrations from pop-culture, or a pedagogical technique. And while the classroom focus was on connecting with the content, he never lost sight of the ultimate goal of personal spiritual growth for himself and everyone around him. His ongoing desire to be a better husband, father, teacher, scholar, and Christian inspires me every day.”

From Kate O’Donnell, a WBS alumna now living and working overseas with her family, “Newly married with some time on our hands before heading overseas, my husband and I found ourselves in one of my dad’s evening classes. What I found most interesting was my dad’s consistency. He was intense in his love for scripture and his desire for truth in the classroom just as he had taught us to be around my family’s breakfast table. But he was also always up for a laugh even when our class sabotaged his PowerPoints with clip art of pizzas flying into every slide. He was just as encouraging preparing our class for finals as he had been teaching me to ride a bike. I realized that my dad’s academic accomplishments weren’t a separate part of him, but instead flowed out of who he is—fun, driven, and loving.”

No story about Gary Cockerill would be complete

without his wife, Rosa. From Christmas cookies to leading

women's meetings, she has been involved and supportive

of his work and WBS from the very beginning.

Dr. Cockerill accepts a book of essays on Hebrews compiled in his honor and edited by WBS alumnus Caleb Friedeman (M.A. ’13). Caleb is now a Ph.D. candidate in New Testament Theology at Wheaton College. Among the many contributors to this surprise project were WBS faculty/adjunct faculty: Dr. Matt Friedeman, Dr. Rick Boyd, Dr. Chris Bounds, Dr. Tom McCall, Dr. Matt O’Reilly, and Dr. Carey Vinzant. The book, Listen, Understand, Obey (Wipf and Stock, 2017), is available from the publisher.Click here and order the book now.

Dr. Cockerill enjoys the fellowship at the 2017 Graduate and

Alumni Banquet. He received much recognition at this event.

One of the honors bestowed upon Dr. Cockerill at the banquet was the

announcement that funds for two Zoom (virtual) classrooms had been

generously given in his honor by Bob Hamil of Mama Hamil’s Restaurant

in Madison, MS. Here he accepts the check from Dr. John Neihof.

For the last time as Academic Dean, Dr. Cockerill gave the

commencement address at graduation and announced the

graduates as they came forward to receive their diplomas.

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https://www.amazon.com/Listen-Understand-Obey-Hebrews-Cockerill/dp/1498278531/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497223994&sr=8-1&keywords=listen+understand+obeyhttps://www.amazon.com/Listen-Understand-Obey-Hebrews-Cockerill/dp/1498278531/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497223994&sr=8-1&keywords=listen+understand+obey

WBS ALUMNI @ OKWUMark Weeter (M.Div. ’83): Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs,Dean of the School of Ministry and Christian Thought, Professor of Theological Studies

In 1977, just two months after marrying my wife, Brenda, we packed up and moved to Mississippi to attend WBS. It was still in its infancy and was meeting in a mansion on State Street. As I crammed three years into six for my studies, while I pastored churches and taught at Wesley College, I had the joy of being taught by true saints such as Dr. Delbert Rose and Dr. Eldon Fuhrman. Upon graduating in 1983, I was able to teach Elementary Greek for the seminary.

As I complete my 31st year at Oklahoma Wesleyan, I cannot imagine a better partnership. Not only will the M. Div. program meet a real need in the Tulsa area, I cannot think of any two institutions who are more closely aligned in their views on biblical authority, scriptural inerrancy, and heart holiness. I anticipate this truly to be a partnership made in heaven, with wonderful outcomes.

Devon Smith (M.Div. ’98): Director of The Master of Arts in Theology and Apologetics

I have served in four different states in several different positions, including as a youth pastor, church planter, senior pastor, the dean of online learning at OKWU, and now as the director of our Master of Arts in Theology and Apologetics program as well as the Josh McDowell Institute. I still lean on the training I received at WBS while training the next generation. WBS taught me to seek the Lord, trust him with all my heart, and walk by faith. Along with my peers, I am excited to be a part of bringing this same spirit, mission, and passion to the Tulsa/Bartlesville, Oklahoma area.

I have been married to Annette for almost 22 years and we have two teenage children, Micah and Levi. Micah has answered the call to ministry, and I pray that he will seek WBS for his seminary training.

Jerome VanKuiken (M.Div. ’00): Associate Professor of Ministry and Christian ThoughtRoughly two decades before John Neihof became the president of WBS, he was my class sponsor at Kentucky

Mountain Bible College. He cast a classmate and me—both of us Missionary Kids—as a married couple in the sophomore play. Two years later, I married her for real. That fall, I started my M.Div. at WBS. My time at seminary enriched me in so many ways: the theologically and biblically solid teaching, mentoring by godly professors, classmates’ camaraderie, and birth of a daughter (during exam week!). I graduated in 2000 with a sense of calling to higher education and have taught in colleges ever since.

In 2011, I moved my wife, daughter, and son to Oklahoma to teach full-time at OKWU. For some time, I’ve hoped that OKWU and WBS would form a partnership. The two institutions are so similar in their theological, missional, and cultural commitments that I was sure they’d make a good match. I’m thrilled that my hope has begun to materialize. Maybe that’s how President Neihof felt twenty-something years ago when a couple of his sophomores started dating.

Chris Breiland (M.A. ’13): Director of Residential Life

As a first generation college student, I fell in love with OKWU. Like many freshmen, I struggled with the transition from high school to college. Once I found my bearings, I realized that, for me, college was not only a place for getting an education; it was a place for serious spiritual growth and ministry. After OKWU, a seminary education at WBS was an obvious next step for me. During this time, I found a passion for campus ministry to college students and was hired on to the staff at OKWU.

The partnership between OKWU and WBS will give students access to a quality seminary education close to Bartlesville. I always tell students that they will love WBS for the same reasons they love OKWU. Not only are the professors experts in their particular field of study, but they are actively engaged in ministry within their community. I only wish this partnership had happened years ago!

I live in Bartlesville, Oklahoma with my wife, Whitney, and our two dogs, Scout and Lola. Baby Breiland is due October 2017.

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Wesley Biblical Seminary’s official statement of faith has guided its mission to train God’s servants since its founding. However, readers of such doctrinal summaries may not immediately understand or appreciate the depth and beauty of their implications. With that in mind, President Neihof offered me the privilege and responsibility of presenting an exposition of our statement of faith to the seminary’s board of trustees earlier this year. This became a framework for energetic faculty discussions which produced consensus and a few refining edits. Below is a resultant systematic expression of our shared theological convictions.

In this theological credo, the holy self-revealing Source of all—the Triune God—is our focus. Other doctrinal

commitments receive meaning only in relation to God’s nature, identity, and purposes.

• The Bible exists to tell us infallibly of this God who is Love.• The Church serves this God, who loves the world He created and is redeeming His rebellious creatures. • Our salvation is the gift of this God’s personal grace and holy presence. • Acting to save us, this God has shown us our true human nature as the image of God, our sinful rejection of His sovereign Love, our utter helplessness to save ourselves, and our God-ordained redemption and destiny in Christ.

Continued on next page...

BY:DR. STEVE BL

AKEMORE

Dr. Steve Blakemore, WBS Professor of Christian Thought, answers one of the key questions in this issue of The Compass:

WHY SEMINARY?“Why should I go to seminary? If God has called me, won’t the Spirit empower me for ministry?” That is a legitimate question, since education alone cannot prepare or equip anyone for the service of God. Yet, neither are a call from God, passion, and spiritual gifts sufficient in themselves.

Preparing for such serious, holy service is central to our faithful response to the Lord’s summons. A better question, therefore, is, “Where should I entrust my mind to be sharpened, my heart filled, and my soul formed for such a significant task as serving God’s Kingdom and leading Christ’s Church?”

Exploring the depths of the truths outlined in this doctrinal statement that we might proclaim them clearly and faithfully, being shaped by the glorious mystery of the Gospel to lead and serve as “laborers together with God” (I Corinthians 3:9)—that’s “Why seminary?”

Engage more in the “Why Seminary? Why Wesley?” dialogue on WBS’ News and Media page at wbs.edu.

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1 WHO HAS MADE HIMSELF KNOWN—His will and nature—by His mighty, personal acts of salvation and providence in the history of Israel and through Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of God’s self-revelation. The written account and exposition of God’s historical revelation is the Holy Bible, the sacred scripture of the Christian Church, written by authors divinely inspired and guided by the same self-revealing God, and is to be received and believed as the unerring, infallible, and foundational authority for of all Christian doctrine and practice.

2 WHO IS THE HOLY TRINITY—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—definitively made known to us in Jesus of Nazareth by His teachings, personal claims, and miraculous acts. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct as divine persons but are in their triune relations the one and only Self-revealing God—as defined by the orthodox creeds of the ancient Church, especially the first seven fully ecumenical councils of the undivided Christian Church.

3 WHO BECAME INCARNATE, SAVING FALLEN CREATION, BRINGING HIS KINGDOM through uniting our humanity to His divine life in the Second Person of the Trinity as the historic man and Son of God Jesus of Nazareth. He was conceived miraculously by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary—fully God and fully human—to be the world’s only Redeemer by His sinless human life, sacrificial death, and resurrection from the dead. All of this took place in fulfillment of the history of Israel and the promises of God found in the Old Testament.

4 WHO IS AT WORK IN ALL PERSONS FOR THEIR SALVATION through the work of the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit—the prevenient, restoring, immanent, and transforming divine presence. Because of Jesus Christ’s atoning life as a universal healing and reconciling gift to all of the human race, the Holy Spirit works in and enables all persons by grace to feel their need of God and to respond to the Gospel of Christ. Because of the Spirit’s work, those who yield to this prevenient grace are drawn to saving faith and those who reject Christ are responsible for doing so.

5 WHO CREATED HUMANITY UNIQUELY IN HIS OWN IMAGE by a special act of creation to be loved by Him, to know Him, and to reflect His holiness. Yet, we became deeply fallen and alienated from God Himself and God’s image in our own nature by our unwillingness to trust God’s goodness and our willful disobedience against God’s purposes. Such a turn from God cannot be forgiven or healed by our own efforts, so apart from God’s redeeming grace we are calamitously enslaved to our own sinfulness and hopelessly alienated from God’s saving presence.

6 WHO GRANTS LIBERTY TO THE BELIEVER IN SALVATION so that we can persevere in faith by a grace-enabled free response of personal trust in God’s saving love and obedience to God’s will, thereby living a “present tense” and continuing faith. This personal response is enabled but not coerced by the Holy Spirit, because God’s will is for us to love Him in a redeemed liberty that reflects His original purposes in creating us in His Image. While forfeiting this saving grace and sustaining power is tragically possible, God desires to save us more than we long to be saved, so we affirm that the Spirit sustains us in Christ by faith through our struggles and temptations and failings; and even those who fall from grace are restored when they return to the Lord in true repentance and faith.

7 WHO SAVES US TO RESTORE US TO TRUE HOLINESS OF HEART AND LIFE through the gift of the New Birth granted to believers through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit restores the image of God in fallen human beings, thereby enabling us to live by faith and grow in grace and giving us assurance of salvation in the witness of the Spirit. Creating in those born again a hunger for more of God, He is the agent of sanctifying grace to those who yield to His work. The Spirit draws them and enables them to experience a definitive, deeper, subsequent, and distinct encounter with God’s transforming holy love. This work of grace must be received—as must all acts of God’s grace—by faith in God’s ability to perform His will in us and bring us to a complete devotion to Him. As we so trust in God, the Holy Spirit purifies the heart, will, and desires of the responsive believer and grants power to have victory over habitual and voluntary sin. We grow, as a result of this subsequent work of God, more deeply and consistently in Christ-like character and become bolder and more fruitful and effective in our service to God.

8 WHO HAS ESTABLISHED FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE IN THE WORLD called the Church, which is created and sustained by the Holy Spirit’s presence in and among believers and founded upon the faith and proclamation of Christ’s Apostles in their witness to His Lordship and Gospel. God’s Church is visibly present among congregations of all Christian traditions. The signs of the Church are: proclamation of the Apostolic faith and Gospel of Jesus Christ, works that endeavor to bring persons to salvation and make disciples of all nations, celebration faithfully and rightly of the Sacraments of Christ, manifestation of God’s Kingdom by ministries of compassion that reflect holy love and Biblical justice, and demonstration of the majesty of Jesus Christ to an unbelieving world in Christians’ love for one another with pure and fervent hearts.

9 WHO WILL JUDGE THE WORLD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS bringing everlasting blessedness and joy awaiting all the faithful who die in Christ, as well as unending sorrow for those who refuse God’s grace and die apart from Christ in their willful, sinful alienation from God. The Holy Trinity does not desire that any should perish but that all should receive His grace and Eternal Life, nevertheless God will not save us apart from our freely receiving His grace offered in Christ and freely exercising saving faith in the Son of God.

10 WHO WILL COMPLETE THE REDEMPTION OF THE WORLD BY THE RETURN OF THE INCARNATE LORD and renew Creation, establish the Reign of God in all its fullness, gather the Church to himself, destroy all evil, judge the world, and rule perfectly over God’s New Heaven and Earth in holy love and complete righteousness by His intimate union with His people in the New Jerusalem.

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On the morning of May 13th, WBS held its 40th annual commencement ceremony. Highlights included Dr. Cockerill’s commencement address, the graduation of our first Shepherd Project (formerly Mission Possible) students (one of whom was able to attend), our first M.A. Apologetics graduates, Dr. Neihof’s charge to the class, and the lively singing of hymns together.

2017 GRADUATE & ALUMNI BANQUET

Dr. John and Rev. Marshall Daigre (M.Div. ’07) recognize Dr. Matt Friedeman’s 30 years of service at WBS. Marshall presented Dr. Friedeman with a

gift from the alumni of WBS.

Dr. John and Rev. Marshall Daigre (M.Div. ’07) recognize Dr. Matt Friedeman’s 30 years of service at WBS. Marshall presented Dr. Friedeman with a

gift from the alumni of WBS.

The WBS Board of Trustees presents Dr. Cockerill with cards and gifts at the banquet in appreciation

for his service.

The WBS community gathered the evening before commencement for the annual Graduate and Alumni Banquet at the Jackson Hilton. Attendees celebrated Dr. Cockerill’s retirement and service, honored Dr. Friedeman’s service milestone, listened to Alumnus Marshall Daigre’s charge to the Class of 2017, and enjoyed dinner and fellowship.

Class of 2017 grad Stan Lewis.

2017COMMENCEMENT

Graduate Melissa Clayton delivered a heartfelt testimony about the Lord’s faithfulness through her studies.

Graduates and their families, alumni, staff, faculty, the board, and faithful friends of WBS pray and

worship together.

Graduates, faculty, administration, and the trustees prepare to march at the 2017 commencement ceremony.

Graduate Tywanda Flowers lines up with her classmates

for the processional.

Dr. John Neihof presents Mary Shields Stewart with her diploma.

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PAUL EKAL LOKOLLodwar, KenyaMaster of Arts in Christian Studies“Seminary has enhanced my theological

understanding in appreciating the wider scope of tradition, scripture, reason and

experience but remaining true to the centrality of God’s power in transforming lives.”–Paul Lokol

TYWANDA FLOWERSLouisville, MississippiMaster of Arts in Apologetics“After much prayer, I chose to attend Wesley Biblical Seminary because of the commitment to

biblical truth and accuracy as well as the understanding and

acceptance of women in ministry. However, what really sold me was the warmth and compassion I received via numerous emails, phone calls, and visits to the school as I pondered my decision. I felt right at home. I saw the love of Christ from the staff and administration and I wanted more.”-Tywanda Flowers

STANLEY BRIAN LEWISJackson, MississippiMaster of Arts in Apologetics“Seminary helped me stay focused and grow in Christ during a very difficult period of my life. I am so glad that I chose Wesley because it is theologically conservative but, at the same time, allows freedom to think for yourself.”–Stan Lewis

JOSHUA ROBESON FRIEDEMANJackson, Mississippi

Master of Divinity: Biblical Languages“My WBS education was a key step in preparing me for more effective ministry because it equipped me with biblical and theological understanding and gave me the tools I needed to apply that knowledge to whatever ministry I am called to.”

–Joshua Friedeman

THE CLASS OF 2017

RAYMOND K. TONUINairobi, Kenya

Master of Arts in Christian StudiesMARSHALL S. LILLIE

Corry, PennsylvaniaMaster of Arts in Apologetics

CORY JACKSON PHILLIPSMadison, Mississippi

Master of Arts in Christian Studies

JASON DALE ANDINGGrenada, Mississippi

Master of Arts in Christian Studies“I always told myself that if I was

to go into ministry that I owed seminary training to myself and most importantly I owed it to the parishioners that I would minister to. I knew that going to seminary would train and prepare me to better defend and share the life transforming news of our Savior in a culture that is lost.”–Jason Anding

KENNEDY KIMUTAI KIRUIEldoret, Kenya

Master of Arts in Christian Studies“My studies at WBS have been transformational. Every class I have taken has had a direct impact on my life and ministry. I am extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to join the WBS family. To all who made it possible for me to study, God bless you, I am not the same.”

-Kennedy Kirui

MELISSA KAY CLAYTONJackson, MississippiMaster of Divinity“God’s holy fragrance of Christ’s knowledge urges me to know him and make him known. This ripple effect of Holiness lived and taught at WBS is what shapes future shepherd theologians who will not compromise the canon’s message but with grace and holy love join in the triumphal procession of the saints and spread the aroma of salvation, and entire sanctification to impact culture (2 Cor. 2:14).”-Melissa Clayton

EMILY CHLOE SMITHMesquite, Texas

Master of Arts in Christian Studies“To be the people we are called by

God to be, we must understand how the Good News is actually ‘good’ news. Apart from the discipline and life-changing theological expertise that WBS offers, I would have been defining this ‘Good News’ to the world by my own fleeting feelings and opinions. WBS is not the anchor of truth that sustains me, but has been the rope that leads me to Him.” –Emily Smith

MARY SHIELDS STEWARTMeridian, MississippiMaster of Arts in Christian Studies

“Attending Wesley Biblical Seminary was important to me because I had a desire for a

good quality seminary education. I have grown so much spiritually since my time at WBS because of the wonderful faculty and staff. I feel that I am well prepared for a lifetime of ministry and for that I am truly thankful.”-Mary Stewart

AMANDA CATHARINA PETTITVicksburg, Michigan

Master of Arts in Christian Studies“WBS stands in the tradition of believing the Christian experience doesn’t end at the point of forgiveness in salvation…Jesus died for victory over willful sin and testimonies of the professors I’ve encountered who have experienced this work of grace and teach it are the reason I chose and promote WBS over any other seminary.”

–Amanda Pettit

BENJAMIN JOSEPH PETTITVicksburg, Michigan

Master of Arts in Christian Studies“Scripture commands that we love the

Lord our God with all our heart, soul, MIND and strength. Wesley called entire sanctification as a second, definite work of grace ‘the highest doctrine of the

Gospel.’ …We must call the church back to holiness our spiritual inheritance!”

-Benjamin Pettit

MICHAEL A. CULPCircleville, Ohio

Master of Arts in Christian Studies

CORY ADAM CLARKMarion, Indiana

Master of Divinity: Teaching

JEFFREY SCOTT BAKOSNewaygo, Michigan

Master of Arts in Theology

CLIFF DAVID CHANDLERCastries, Saint Lucia

Master of Arts in Christian Studies

COLIN MATTHEW CONNERFort Worth, Texas

Master of Arts in Christian Studies

JOE A. MACK, SR.Jackson, Mississippi

Master of Arts in Christian Studies

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When Cyrus the Great rode into Babylon on October 30, 539 BCE, he ended the Neo-Babylonian Empire and solidified the foundation for one of the largest empires the world has ever known. For God’s people, Persia meant the end of the Exile and the inauguration of a new dispensation. Employing a policy of controlled autonomy, Persia permitted God’s people to return and rebuild their social and religious institutions—all with their approval, of course.

Predictably, such a geographic reach invited turmoil. By the middle of the fifth century BCE, Persia faced increased pressure from the Greeks and the Egyp-tians. Thus, it was forced to tighten its imperial policies, which meant a more rigid control over Judah and its sur-rounding regions. All of this eventually produced a serious threat for the identity of God’s people.

Nehemiah and Ezra ministered in the middle of this tumultuous context. Both enjoyed the sanction of the Persian Em-pire, and each was tasked with provid-

ing stability in Judah through a variety of reforms. Nehemiah’s chief concern was the walls of Jerusalem, but social issues (Neh 5) and religious reforms (Neh 13) also came into play. Ezra is remembered for his fierce religious reforms, most famously the denouncement and rejec-tion of mixed marriages. To our mod-ern sensibilities, Ezra’s reforms are, at least, difficult, perhaps even offensive. How can one demand such extreme action like forced divorce (Ezra 10)? Doesn’t God’s community transcend ethnic boundaries, to be inclusive to all? Indeed, these are hard but legitimate questions. To try and answer them, let’s begin by taking a deeper look at Ezra’s pedigree.

We are formally introduced to Ezra in the seventh chapter, where it reveals that he was “a scribe skilled (רֵפֹס ;in the law of Moses” (7:6 ¹(ריִהָמNRSV). In v. 10, we find that “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach the statutes and ordinances of Israel” (NRSV). So, we see that Ezra was a scholar,

a highly-trained intellectual who has spent years honing his interpretive skills. However, Ezra was not an ivory tower academic. Verse 10 reveals that his devotion to the Scriptures (i.e. the law of the Lord) was no mere intellectual pursuit. His pursuits sought to produce action as well as the edification and education of God’s people. He set his heart to the law…to do it…to teach it. These convictions fostered boldness and purpose, qualities that would eventually serve him well.

According to the letter from Artax-erxes (Ezra 7:11–26), Ezra was dis-patched to make “inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem” (v. 14), fortify the daily activities at the temple (vv. 15–20), and organize the community in general (vv. 25–26). In other words, he was to provide social stability with the law of the Lord as his inspiration. Yet as he implemented his plan of action, other issues bubbled to the surface. Ezra 9:1 says that “after these things” the officials approached Ezra to discuss issues of intermarriage. Immediately, Ezra de-

EZRAA M A N D E V O T E DBY DR. DAVID B. SCHREINER

scended into a period of intense prayer and fasting to discern the next course of action. Realizing the gravity of the situation—that such a course of action left unchecked would result in the same egregious errors that caused the Exile in the first place (9:5–15)—Ezra instituted a drastic course of action that sought to purge the community of its source of pollution.

You see, Ezra understood that the identity of God’s people existed on a knife’s edge during the Second Temple period, and a lax commitment to God’s social vision would eventually result in the evaporation of their identity. All they had was their Scriptures and their temple. To ignore them, or to undermine them, would virtually ensure they would be forgotten. So, before we wrinkle our noses at this man, let’s try and understand the urgency of his context

and ministry… and let us certainly not question his devotion.

The theme of this volume is, “Why Seminary? Why WBS?” The story of Ezra answers such questions nicely. In a time when pressures constantly seek to relegate the role of Scripture, peo-ple who are “skilled” in understanding Scripture and committed to defending and proclaiming it are at a premium. A quality seminary not only realizes this but is committed to providing a context where this need can be met. A quality seminary is a place to study linguis-tics, history, philosophy, culture, and theology—all of which are critical to orthodoxy but are not necessarily com-monplace. Perhaps more importantly, a quality seminary must also emphasize that a devotion to Scripture cannot be purely cerebral or academic. It must foster an engagement with our commu-

nities and edify the Church. With Ezra, we read how his devotion to Scripture allowed him to understand the urgency of his context and fortify him to lead his community through a dramatic but necessary course of action.

A good seminary, like WBS, is committed to these ideals. It seeks to develop the next generation of Church leaders, to help the faithful discern and achieve their place in the Kingdom of God, to equip the faithful with the tools necessary for the proper interpretation of Scripture, and to nourish a commit-ment to social transformation in light of God’s holiness. To that, I say, “Amen!”

DR. DAVID SCHREINER

WBS is excited to announce that Dr. David Schreiner is transitioning from adjunct professor to Assistant Professor of Old Testament.

Dr. David Schreiner obtained his bachelor’s from Indiana Wesleyan University and his Master’s and Ph.D. from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has published on a variety of subjects, including biblical archaeology, the history of biblical interpretation, and the exegesis of a number of Old Testament passages. He has also contributed to a variety of lay publications, including Bible Study Magazine. In addition, he is an active reviewer for a number of scholastic journals, is active in the Society of Biblical Literature and the Institute for Biblical Research, and is the co-chair of the Old Testament Study Group for the Society of Biblical Literature’s Southeast Region. His current research interests include 1 and 2 Kings and the synthesis between archaeological research and biblical studies.

David and his wife, Ginny, have two daughters, Maddie (6) and Bailey (3). They currently live outside of Lexington, Kentucky. His hobbies include camping and being active. A son of a United Methodist minister, Dr. Schreiner is a member of the Free Methodist Church of America.

When used as a participle it refers to a scribe, a distinct social institution within Israelite society. (For .רפס sōphēr) is a participle from the root) רֵפֹס¹ a discussion on scribal society in Ancient Israel, see Christopher Rollston, Writing and Literacy in the World of Ancient Israel [Archaeology and Biblical

Studies; Society of Biblical Literature: Atlanta, 2010]). ריִהָמ (māhīr) is an adjective, appears 4 times in the Old Testament (Is 16:5; Ps 45:2; Prov 22:29; Ezra 7:6), and refers to the skilled or efficient execution of an action. In Ps 45:2 it appears with רֵפֹס.

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DR. MATT FRIEDEMAN30 YEARS OF SERVICE AT WBS

IN HIS OWN WORDS...Over the last 30 years, Dr. Matt Friedeman, Professor of

Evangelism and Discipleship, has made his mark on Wesley Biblical Seminary in far more than just the classroom. His teaching, ministry, and parenting philosophies; his heart for a variety of compassionate ministries; his bold involvement in media and politics; his books; and his commitment to Jackson have permanently shaped the entire WBS community. Dr. Friedeman recently reflected on the impact he has seen in his time at WBS.

ON DOING IN ORDER TO TEACH…We say in the classroom, “If you make disciples by sitting

around and talking don’t be surprised if your disciples sit around and talk.” American evangelicalism specializes, it seems, in making disciples with open Bibles and our lattes nearby, but precious little action towards the needy in our communities. It’s my conviction that compassionate ministry modeled after the ministry of Jesus is the greatest missing link in the church’s discipleship methodology.

At any rate, when we cease to act towards the most vulnerable, the sick, the hungry and thirsty, the imprisoned…we get isolated and lazy. And then, we die. God will not honor an inward-directed faith. We were meant for the great commandments of an outward-bound life.

ON PRISON MINISTRY…I said something on radio about crime and criminals that

irritated the Sheriff, and he asked if I would accompany him for a tour of the Penal Farm. After he showed me around, I asked him if there was any chance that I could come out and talk with those guys about the gospel. Soon I had a badge and a weekly prison ministry.

One day I announced that I was going to have a discipleship group that would meet in the seminary parking lot at 6:00 p.m.—we would pile into a van, sing hymns and pray on the way to the Detention Center, minister, then debrief and have a Bible study on the way back.

ON MINISTRY OUTSIDE JACKSON’S ONLY

ABORTION CLINIC…Across several years [WBS] students have been on hand as

hundreds of babies—nearly a thousand—have been saved from the abortionists…You see, we are the real pro-choicers out at the clinic—many of those ladies don’t think they have a choice; we’ve got to tell them they do have a choice and that we will help them any way we can if they choose life. That presence helped us to be used of the Lord in a mighty way. I doubt any other seminary in the nation does anything close to something like discipleship-by-abortion-clinic ministry.

ON OPPORTUNITIES TO INFLUENCE

THROUGH MEDIA INVOLVEMENT… Occasionally a U.S. Senator or a governor or a congressman

(even a presidential candidate) would hear something I wrote or said and request an audience. It was not all that unusual to have a major politician striding through the hallways of WBS to come to my office or to the studio for a broadcast. I’ve done dozens of TV tapings in my office at the seminary. Those conversations were very humbling, I can tell you. I felt honored to be a part of it all.

ON THE IMPACT OF HIS BOOK DISCIPLESHIP

IN THE HOME…I continue to receive significant feedback about the book that

grew out of my family experience –Discipleship in the Home.…One of our board members…said that his friend confessed

to him one of his worst fears—that his children might not want to go to his alma mater, Ole Miss. Our board member told him, “Don’t worry…you have Ole Miss license tags, Ole Miss pillows in your house, Ole Miss t-shirts and hats and coats, you talk about Ole Miss in every conversation, you go to all the Ole Miss games, visit the campus every chance you get and give a nice proportion of your money to the Ole Miss alumni association—of course your kids are going to go to Ole Miss!” I thought on that moment—switch out Ole Miss for Jesus and His will and ways and guess what—your kids will follow Him.

So that is basically what Discipleship in the Home is about—intentionally inculcating in the family the pattern of following Jesus.

ON MISSISSIPPI AS HOME… I grew up in one town, one house, one set of parents. That

seems normative for me. Thirty years ago in April or May, I received a call inviting me to interview for a position at WBS. That day I set my mind and heart towards Jackson, Mississippi. Sixteen years ago we planted a church [DaySpring Community Church], which only solidified our destiny here.

I also believe this—longevity matters. The longer you do the right thing over and over and over again in one place, the more likely you are to have an influence that will last.

Read the full interview on the WBS News and Media page at wbs.edu.

Matt at Jackson’s WAPT with former MS Governor Ronnie Musgrove.

Matt, his wife, Mary (center), with their six children: Elijah, Caleb, Ezekiel, Hannah, Isaiah, and Joshua.

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Chris Lohrstorfer is from Elizabeth, Indiana, where he met and married his childhood sweetheart. He now resides in Raymond, Mississippi where he and his wife Mary are the parents of two teenagers, Diana 17, and Nicolas, 15. Chris has served as Senior Pastor at Hinds Independent Methodist Church in Raymond since 1997 and has been actively involved in higher education for 25 years both teaching and as an administrator. He received his B.A. in Pastoral Ministries from Wesley College, his M.A. in Theology from WBS, and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from the University of Manchester.

Dr. Lohrstorfer is currently finishing his third book with Teleios Press entitled, Learning to Breathe: Mastering the Art of Spiritual Respiration.

He says, “I have a lot of love and respect for WBS. It is a privilege to be able to serve the faculty and students in this way. I look forward to both the challenges and the celebrations to come as we follow God’s leading for the Seminary.”

JOINING THE TEAMDR. CHRIS LOHRSTORFER AND JOSHUA FRIEDEMAN

Josh Friedeman was born and raised in Jackson, MS and spent many formative years around Wesley Biblical Seminary. He received his B.A. from Asbury University and his M.Div. from WBS and is currently pursuing doctoral work through Regent University. While working on his master’s, he spent three years serving at a school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras as chaplain and Bible teacher. He has also worked as a resident director and is currently serving as the worship leader at DaySpring Community Church in Clinton, MS where he lives. His long-term ministry interest has been mission work, but he is excited to begin his work as Director of Development, sharing WBS’s story and finding ways for donors to partner with the mission of the seminary to make an impact for the cause of Christ around the world.

DR. CHRIS LOHRSTORFERV I C E P R E S I D E N T O F A C A D E M I C A F F A I R S

JOSHUA FRIEDEMAN D I R E C T O R O F D E V E L O P M E N T

Wesley Biblical Seminary’s vision depends upon partners like you. Your prayers and giving underwrite the long-term life and growth of our mission. Our sustainability rests upon the twin pillars of enrollment and annual fund. WBS is recruiting students with a goal of 120 for the upcoming year. The friends of WBS will help us to raise an annual fund of

$600,000 throughout the upcoming year.

Here is a breakdown of our current sources of income for our upcoming operating budget:

The trustees and administration of Wesley Biblical Seminary are committed to advancing the mission and vision of WBS while keeping tuition affordable. We need individual,

church, foundation, and business partners to underwrite and expand our capacity.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

TuitionAuxiliaries &Others Current Giving5% of Investments

Sources of Income2017-2018 $12,000

$500,000

$150,000

$600,000

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WBS’ Shepherd Project allows national pastors and leaders from majority world countries to pursue an M.A. in Christian Studies online. Qualifying students must:

•Come from, live in, and serve in a majority world country •Be recommended by a recognized mission agency or church

•Invest in their own education by paying for books and non-tuition fees

Your gift/your church’s gift of:$450 sponsors one hour of academic instruction

$1,350 sponsors one course$2,700 sponsors an average semester

$8,100 sponsors an average academic year$22,500 sponsors a 50-hour degree for a majority world Christian leader.

“Classes at WBS are widening my understanding and sharpening my skills for ministry. For example, for many years I have felt very ill equipped to engage the thousands of Muslims…that are here with us. But through the Islam course…I learned a lot and developed confidence to reach out to my Muslim brothers. I’m grateful to study without leaving my ministry context and the flexibility has allowed me time for family and ministry. I thank God for WBS and am so grateful for all who have made it possible for me to be a part of this big global family. “-Kennedy Kirui, Shepherd Project Graduate (M.A. ‘17), Uganda

Generous friends of WBS are funding five annual full-tuition scholarships for ordained United Methodist clergy in Mississippi to study in The John Case Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership

for Transformational Ministry.

GENEROUS DONORS FUND FIVE ANNUAL D.MIN. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MISSISSIPPI UM STUDENTS

LITTLE COUNTRY CHURCH, BIG GLOBAL IMPACTWBS Alumni Cameron (M.Div. ’11) and Tanya (M.Div. ’07, M.A. ’10) Ury pastor and serve at Little Country Church in Waynesburg, Ohio. In October 2016, they invited Dr. Neihof to serve as an evangelist for their church’s revival. While there, Mrs. Barbara Wheeler, the church’s missions treasurer, indicated that the church’s mission society wanted to scholarship international students in the WBS Shepherd Project program (formerly Mission Possible). Their generous gift sponsored an outstanding Kenyan pastor serving with the Africa Gospel

Church, the denomination established by World Gospel Mission.

“I had, in the past, thought about pursuing a Doctor of Ministry, but things never came together. I

assumed that time had passed...I cannot say how thankful I am to be a part of this cohort of learners (as well as a part of the WBS family) but humbled I am to

be one of the Case Scholars! “ -Rev. Andy Stoddard

P.O. Box 9938 Jackson, MS 39286 | 601.366.8880 | development@wbs.edu | wbs.edu

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mailto:development%40wbs.edu?subject=John%20Case%20Doctor%20of%20Pastoral%20Leadership%20for%20Transformational%20Ministryhttp://wbs.eduhttp://wbs.edu/academics/doctor-of-ministry/

The Miracleof Man

Evidence for God from Human Nature

From the WBS Board Chairman

“At a time when apologetics has become largely a technical conversation between academicians, Howard has

given us a book designed to help the average lay person talk to their unbelieving friends about the deep questions they have

about God and existence in a crazy world.”-Harry Lee Poe

Charles Colson Professor of Faith and Culture Union University

Jim Howard is an attorney in Edmonton, Kentucky, with thirty-six years of experience. He served one year as Judge on the Kentucky Court of Appeals. He is an active layman in his church, a frequent lay speaker, and serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of

Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi.

787 E. Northside Drive Suite BP.O. Box 9938 Jackson, Mississippi 39286

https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Man-Evidence-Human-Nature/dp/1498206123/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497223580&sr=8-1&keywords=the+miracle+of+man+Jim+Howard

Friedeman 30EzraCockerillRevealing

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