Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Posted on September 13, 2010 - by Calvin L. Smith

KEDS Question Time

I’ve previously posted here concerning a joint King’s-CPM conference, to be held at London School of Theology on 8-9 October, entitled Israel and the Church: A Common Heritage and Uncertain Future. Recently, myself and Mitch Glaser were discussing how we might encourage those attending to raise some thoughtful and probing questions so that all of us – speakers, attendees and several attending members of the Christian press – get the very most out of this aspect of the conference. I, for one, genuinely believe this conference, which seeks to take a somewhat fresh approach to the whole Israel-Church-Middle East issue, will raise all manner of questions, and therefore we want to maximise the time and importance given to the Question/Answer aspect of the event.

As such, we’re adjusting the timetable slightly so that an extra session will be added at the very end of the second day (Saturday 9th October), so that we have a panel of all the speakers to answer questions fielded by those attending the conference. The aim is to make this aspect of the conference very similar to the BBC’s Question Time in order to encourage wider debate and offer something not always found at similar academic conferences. I will chair the event (though I admit, after attending several Question Time events and meeting David Dimbleby, I can’t promise to be quite as slim, elegant and fluid as he), while speakers will take turns responding to questions fielded by those attending the conference (we’ll even have introductory music to make it feel like the real thing, composed by our very own Chris Lazenby, B.Th. worship modules tutor!).

Cards will be issued at Registration for people to write their questions down, and we will try to get through as many questions as possible (panel members will not see questions beforehand). Questions which are brief, to the point and interesting (regardless of the ideological/theological stance they take) will likely go to the top of the pile, and each panel member will be asked to respond in turn. Where relevant, we will come back to panel members and the person asking the question to widen the debate. This will be a great way to end the paper aspect of the conference.

It’s not too late to book for the event. Full details can be found here, and we really hope you can join us. (For King’s students, so far I can confirm Andy Cheung, Chris Lazenby and myself will be there throughout the entire event and we’d love to catch up with you.)

Posted on June 24, 2010 - by Calvin L. Smith

Christians and Personal Finance

An area I find intriguing and have wanted to blog about for some time is Christians and personal finance, specifically a biblical theology approach to handling personal finance. A Reformed Protestant focus upon thrift, evidence that better money management following conversion has contributed to Pentecostal upward social mobility in regions such as Latin America, and biblical theology themes such as good stewardship, all demonstrate the relevance of this subject for everyday Christians. The current economic climate, too, and what may yet transpire in, for example, the Eurozone (together with a wider global knock-on effect), arguably make it even more relevant. Today’s brief post, then, will be the first of several thoughts on the issue over coming months. Of course, when it comes to personal finance there are so many issues to explore, but rather than spend time writing one or two lengthy, detailed essays offering a comprehensive biblical theology of personal finance I thought I would simply share brief thoughts as and when, beginning with the suggestion that wise management of personal finance is indeed a Christian principle. (more…)

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 October 12, 2009 - by Calvin L. Smith

Intercultural Theology: Postmodern and Christian Definitions

Over on my personal blog I’m running a competition asking participants to supply the two best definitions (postmodern and Evangelical) of intercultural theology, the prize being the chance to write a guest blog covering a topic of your choice. Details can be found at http://www.calvinlsmith.com/2009/10/fun-exrcise-maybe.html. All will become clear (one hopes) when you read my entry there. If you do plan to take part you will need to post comments on that site, rather than after this entry. Many thanks.

Posted on September 16, 2009 - by Calvin L. Smith

The Clash of Moralities

I’ve commented before about how the new morality – that hysterical crusade against climate change, which seeks to make individuals feel guilty for switching on a lightbulb, driving to work, having children, eating meat or keeping cows – is nothing less than a new form of imperialism. (It’s also hypocritical, with the leading climate changers clocking up by far the greatest amount of airmiles as they busily set about their grand plan to ave the world or holiday at their Italian villas, but that’s another issue.) But two stories today demonstrate how the new morality is now directly challenging traditional moral values in a way that threatens real lives. The first concerns a group of doctors writing in an academic journal who urge fellow doctors to take the lead on climate change. For them this issue is paramount and worth any price, especially as it might reap substantila health benefits in the future. The second story concerns a major charity warning that diverting funds to combat climate change could lead to 4.5 million children dying in the short term. Now leaving aside the massive numbers cited by either side (in today’s news-driven world it seems the only way to get noticed is to bandy about eye-watering statistics), the choice presented to us is a stark one: to throw resources at a problem which may not even be man-made (indeed, may not even exist), which might benefit future generations, or else divert those resources to helping real people alive today who definitely will benefit from those valuable resources. I suggest the new morality is nothing of the sort.

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Posted on April 1, 2009 - by Andy Cheung

Talks With Scholars: Dr George Guthrie

A new season of Talks With Scholars has begun with an interview with Dr George Guthrie of Union University in Jackson Tennessee. Many KEDS students will be aware of the important work that Dr Guthrie has produced in Biblical Exegesis. In this interview, Andy Cheung asked Dr. Guthrie about some of his current work in New Testament studies.

Read the interview here.

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 November 27, 2008 - by Calvin L. Smith

Culture at The Bridge

Yesterday I commented briefly on Christianity’s engagement with culture, a theme I intend to explore further over forthcoming weeks. In the meantime, on Sunday 30 November I’m speaking at Bridge Lane Fellowship (also known affectionately as The Bridge), London, which is Tony Pearce’s church. I’m speaking both morning and evening, and during one of these (I’m not sure which) I’ll be exploring the issue of Christianity, culture and postmodernism. If you are already in the area I hope you can come along. Full details of The Bridge and how to get there can be found here.