Author Archive

Posted on December 7, 2011 - by King's Evangelical Divinity School

Make a New Year Resolution With a Difference

We’re fast moving into the Christmas holiday season (how did it get here so fast?) and with it New Year. By the end of December millions of us will be contemplating our New Year’s resolutions for early January. For many people the start of a brand new year is simply an opportunity to put the excesses of the Christmas season behind them (more diets are started – and end – in January than at any other time of the year). But for others 1 January represents something a little more serious: an opportunity for a fresh start, a time to wipe the slate clean and move on, the start date for ditching a particular habit, or else the ideal time to do or try something new.

Of course, one can draw a line under the past, kick a habit, or take up something new at any time of the year… there’s no need whatsoever to revolve life changes around the somewhat abstract concept of New Year. Yet given how the work, school and family yearly cycles tend to operate, together with how society seems to invest so much into the concept of a fresh start at New Year, it is difficult not to see 1st January as an opportunity to make those desired changes. The problem is, many New Year resolutions rarely make it to the end of the month. The long dismal winter ahead (at least here in the northern reaches of the globe), the abrupt introduction of an ascetic lifestyle following a month of feasting, unrealistic resolutions, and the cold light of (wintry) day all combine to make us fail at the first hurdle.

So this coming New Year why not make a decision to do something realistic, worthwhile and beneficial in early January, rather than a well-meaning resolution which will fall by the wayside within a week or two? Apparently New Year’s decisions which seem to succeed most are the proactive kind, the ones in which people set about engaging a new interest, learn a new skill, or make a decision to study. Thus, the New Year offers an excellent opportunity for those who have contemplated studying the Bible in greater depth, those wanting to study Theology for whatever reason, or perhaps individuals who feel a vocational calling to ministry but have never done anything about it. So this holiday season why not give serious thought to studying Theology at King’s in  early January? Moreover, unlike most schools and colleges, our flexible distance learning programmes permit you to begin studying straight away – this very January – rather than having to wait until next September. Applications received during December will be processed in time for an early January start for new students, well before the post-season blues have had a chance to set it.

We offer a Bachelor of Theology with a strong focus on biblical interpretation, a Master of Arts in Evangelical Theology, and a Graduate Diploma in Theology for those already holding a degree in another subject, all validated by the University of Chester. We also offer our own Knowing Your Bible short courses for those seeking a deeper knowledge of the Bible without the study commitments of our validated courses. So whatever your reason for studying the Bible and Theology – whether part-time or full-time ministry, future teaching or higher studies in Theology, to become more effective in lay ministry, or else purely out of personal interest and spiritual development – consider making a New Year’s resolution with a difference this December.

Posted on August 27, 2010 - by King's Evangelical Divinity School

Israel and the Church: A Common Heritage and Uncertain Future (8-9 Oct, London)

King’s Evangelical Divinity School and Chosen People Ministries are jointly hosting the above conference at the London School of Theology on 8-9 October 2010. Speakers are Darrell Bock (Dallas Theological Seminary), Mitch Glaser (Chosen People Ministries), Jules Gomes (London School of Theology), Richard Harvey (All Nations College), Barry Horner (author of Future Israel) and Calvin Smith (King’s Evangelical Divinity School). Full details of the conference, including programme, paper titles, speaker details and booking options, are available on the King’s website. The conference also includes a meal on the Friday night and a concert scheduled for Saturday evening.

Don’t miss this opportunity to attend a conference exploring an increasingly polarising issue within Evangelical circles, together with its theological and missional impact, by speakers who between them have written and spoken widely on various aspects of the issue. Bookings are on a strictly first-come-first-serve basis, so book quickly to avoid disappointment.

Posted on February 23, 2010 - by King's Evangelical Divinity School

KEDS Tutor’s Family Enjoy BAFTA Success

KEDS tutor of theology Chris Lazenby, who also regularly contributes to this blog under the pen name Provocateur, and his wife Pam were overjoyed when their daughter Emma Lazenby won the Short Animation category during last weekend’s BAFTA awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the British equivalent of the Oscars) held at Covent Garden, London, on 21 February. Emma’s short film, entitled Mother of Many, is based on her mother’s midwifery career spanning 27 years, during which time she delivered many, many babies in Silsden, Yorkshire. Chris and Pam are naturally very proud of Emma’s achievement and we congratulate them all.

Posted on April 24, 2009 - by King's Evangelical Divinity School

Calvin L. Smith’s New Book on the Church and Israel

King’s Evangelical Divinity School Principal Calvin L. Smith has edited a new book entitled The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism: Resources for Christians, which is due out imminently. Additional contributions include Andy Cheung, Tony Pearce, Jacob Prasch, Howard Taylor, Stephen Vantassel and Paul Wilkinson. There is also a foreword by Mitch Glaser (formerly Jews for Jesus and now President, Chosen People Ministries, New York) and a preface by Mark S. Sweetnam, Research Fellow at Trinity College, Dublin. The book has been endorsed by leading Evangelical scholars such as Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Darrell Bock, Robert L. Thomas and Amos Yong, among others. King’s Talks With Scholars has an interview with Calvin on the main college site, where you can find out further information about the new book. There is also a new website for the book, which is www.thechurchandisrael.com

Posted on December 29, 2008 - by King's Evangelical Divinity School

Article on Christianity and Islam in Northern Nigeria

In 2007 the Evangelical Review of Society and Politics published an article entitled Islam, Christianity and Power Struggle in Northern Nigeria, by Dr Emmanuel Sule. For those interested in the continued bitter strife between Muslims and Christians in this part of the world, this article offers an invaluable historical survey which has just been made available to non-subscribers. See full title, keyword and abstract details. To purchase go to the King’s Evangelical Divinity School online shop.

Posted on January 18, 2008 - by King's Evangelical Divinity School

MidBible Students: Interact Now!

We’ve just launched several a new forum feature on the Midlands Bible College’s Virtual Campus, greatly adding to the college’s interactive distance learning programmes. Log in and have a look. In time, as the two new categories are exploited by students, various new forums will be added. For now, play around with the new forums and make yourself aware of their features. See this new feature as a valuable resource to interact with the Midlands Bible College community (both staff and fellow students) concerning a whole range of issues, including asking and discussing theological questions, posting information on resources, sharing news, socialising and forging friendships, asking fellow students about course-related issues, and so on. The software permits you to edit your profile, change how the forum looks on your screen, upload an image (avatar), set up messaging when new posts are added etc.

Posted on January 15, 2008 - by King's Evangelical Divinity School

Book review of Melanie Phillips’ “Londonistan”

In the last edition of the Evangelical Review of Society and Politics, Midlands Bible College and Divinity School tutor Chris Lazenby wrote a useful review of Daily Mail and Spectator coulmnist Melanie Phillips’ Londonistan. Anyone interested in the current British social and political milieu, especially in relation to Islam, religious expression, anti-Semitism and political correctness, should take a look at Chris’ excellent review, which concentrates specifically on the columnist’s take on the interaction between state and religion in Britain today. The article can be found on the Midlands Bible College and Divinity School’s theological resources page, which also includes various other theological articles.

Posted on January 4, 2008 - by King's Evangelical Divinity School

Bible Translation Thoughts

The Midlands Bible College is blessed to have Andy Cheung recently join and begin working with us, both as a Biblical Studies tutor and a highly skilled coordinator of student resources. He is the person currently updating the college’s virtual campus with various new valuable resources, providing students with access to many excellent resources for their studies. Andy is also a scholar, having recently embarked on his third degree, a Ph. D. in the field of Bible translation at the University of Birmingham, England.

From now on, Andy will be contributiing various thoughts on the issue of Bible translations under a new category for this  theological blog, entitled Bible Translation Thoughts. Andy’s approach to his task of updating the college’s virtual campus has been highly pastoral, seeking to provide his students and readers with practical tips, theological analysis, and access to good, solid, thought-provoking resources aimed not only at encouraging debate, but also equipping students to be more effective in their ministry as they prepare to meet the challenges of serving God in the twenty-first century. Given his style and approach, his blog entries in the field of Bible translation promise to be exciting and relevant and we look forward to his contributions. We trust you will enjoy them also.