Such is Life
9
BLOGGING ABOUT ....
WORLD WATCH
Monday 12 February 2007
The Board of the Reformed Theological College is pleased to announce that it has called Rev Dr Murray Capill to the position of Principal of the
College to commence on 1 January 2008.
Dr Capill brings to the role a wealth of experience in both pastoral and academic backgrounds. He ministered in New Zealand for 10 years prior to joining the RTC Faculty in 2001 and is a sought-after conference speaker in Australia and New Zealand in the areas of preaching and
leadership.
Rev Dr Henk DeWaard, who has served the RTC from 1981 and since 1997 as Principal, will officially retire at the end of 2007. Even so for the next few years he will remain very much involved with the College in a lecturing and administrative role. Beyond that it will also allow him greater time to spend in mission, ecumenical affairs and teaching
Dr. Bruce Metzger of Princeton Seminary died 13 Feb. at the age of 93. Though identified as a conservative in the contemporary Presbyterian Church (USA), Metzger was a key figure in the development of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible and General Editor for its successor, the New Revised Standard Version. Products of the National Council of Churches, both deviate from the Received Text and contrast with the Authorized Version of 1611.
In a Council of Churches statement, Rev. Bob Edgar, NCC General Secretary, stated, “I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say the RSV would not have happened had it not been for Bruce Metzger.” Edgar continued, “His leadership and scholarship were the reasons there is a translation of the Bible we call the New Revised Standard Version.”
Metzger helped produce the United Bible Societies' /Greek New Testament/ and wrote several books on textual criticism, including /The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration/ (1964, 1968, 1991) and /Manuscripts of the Greek Bible: An Introduction to Palaeography/ (1981).
At the time of his death, Metzger was the George L. Collord Professor Emeritus of New Testament Language and Literature at Princeton Seminary.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from Lebanon Valley College in 1935, Metzger obtained the bachelor of theology in 1938 and the doctorate in classics in 1942 from Princeton University. Metzger began teaching ant Princeton and remained with the institution for 46 years.
Metzger entered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1939 as other Princeton men were leaving to form the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the Bible Presbyterian Church and Westminster and Faith Seminaries.
A DAY AT PTS, INDIA
Browsing around on the Internet - actually looking for a digital copy of Patrick Fairbairns commentary on Ezekiel - I came across another "pedia" - Theopedia. It looks like an interesting addition to Wikipedia, which has come under some criticism in recent days. Some educational institutions are frowning on the use of Wikipedia by their students, maintaining that it's too subjective and unreliable as an information source.
Another critic, and another alternative to Wikipedia has emerged - Conservapedia. This headline appeared recently [March 2] in the Guardian: "Wikipedia – or Wickedpedia: Conservapedia - the US religious right's answer to Wikipedia." Bobbie Johnson, technology correspondent, writes: The online reference site Wikipedia has a new foe: evangelical Christians. A website founded by US religious activists aims to counter what they claim is "liberal bias" on Wikipedia, the open encyclopedia which has become one of the most popular sites on the web. The founders of Conservapedia.com say their site offers a "much-needed alternative" to Wikipedia, which they say is "increasingly anti-Christian and anti-American"".
The founder of Conservapedia, Any Schlafly, tells how he's tried to edit the material on Wikipedia, but, he says "In one case my factual edits were removed within 60 seconds - so editing Wikipedia is no longer a viable approach."
The general direction of Conservapedia is seen in the following comment: "Among his criticisms listed on Conservapedia, Mr Schlafly explains how many Wikipedia articles often use British spelling instead of American English and says that it "refuses" to give enough credit to Christianity for the Renaissance. "Facts against the theory of evolution are almost immediately censored." Further, its stated that "Conservapedia was created as a project for home-schooled children" and Mr. Schlafly "believes it could eventually become a reference for teachers in the US."
According to a Report by Kate Kelland [Reuters, London, March 13] "Children as young as four are being taught about same-sex relationships through fairytales and storybooks with gay and lesbian characters.
A pilot scheme to introduce children to gay issues is running in several schools across England with stories such as "King and King", about a gay prince, or "And Tango Makes Three", about gay penguins who fall in love and raise an adopted child." The project, the article goes on to say, "is designed to help schools adjust to new rules on promoting homosexuality as a lifestyle."
There has been opposition to the project. Stephen Green, Director of the religious campaign group, Christian Voice, says that its "homosexual propaganda" and "Child abuse". He says: "The whole project is nothing more than propaganda aimed at primary school children to make them sympathetic to homosexuality."
It would seem that this is a gay fairytale in more ways than one.
GAY FAIRYTALES
Rev. Dr. Herman Ridderbos, one of the foremost developers of the redemptive-historical approach to Biblical theology, a hallmark of Westminster Theological Seminary, died 8 March, having celebrated his 98^th birthday on 13 March. Among his more widely distributed writings were “Redemptive History and the New Testament Scriptures,” “Paul and Jesus,” and “Paul: An Outline of His Theology.” Reportedly Ned Stonehouse once said this of Ridderbos: “Wherever the Dutch language is read Professor Herman Ridderbos is recognized as an outstanding New Testament scholar and theologian . . .”
+ Christian Observer, 9400 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, Virginia 20110
Wikipedia, Theopedea Conservapedia and Wickedpedia!
DR BRUCE METZGER
HERMAN RIDDERBOS
NEW PRINCIPAL APPOINTED
The Presbyterian Theological Seminary (PTS) was established by American Presbyterians in 1969. It began in the city of Roorkee in North India and was later transferred to its current location at Dehra Dun, a thriving city in the foothills of the Himalayas. PTS has maintained a Reformed witness into the 21st century, despite the turmoil associated with ecclesiastical unions after independence in 1947.
The witness of PTS has led to some churches adopting Reformed doctrines and Presbyterian government, such as the Reformed Presbyterian Church of NE India in 1979. Other Presbyterian churches are rediscovering their roots through the ministry of graduates from PTS. Other churches, like the Free Churches of Central India (FCCI), have benefited from PTS trained ministers. Samit Mishra will graduate this year and minister in the FCCI.
Over 100 students are enrolled in various courses at PTS. Most do a pre-theology course to improve their English and understanding of the Bible. They go on to do a three year BTh degree. Others are doing a post graduate MDiv course. The principal, Dr Mohan Chacko, is a national, as are the majority of the faculty. Guest lecturers are an important component of the PTS program. I taught two courses in the eight weeks I was at PTS.
The PTS campus of about two hectares is well forested with some giant gums and beautiful lychee trees. It has a large auditorium built in the last ten years as well as academic building, men's and women's hostel, and staff housing. From the roof of the guest room where I stayed the Himalayas could be seen rising to almost 3000m. They were especially beautiful when it snowed.
Morning Chapel
Life at PTS is regulated by bells. The first is at 6am, when students rise and have their quiet time. If I wanted a hot bucket bath I had to get up earlier to switch on the water heater. The 7am bell saw students hurrying to the dining hall for breakfast. My neighbour kindly brought me a cup of chai and some parathas (fried flat bread) about this time. At 7.55am there was a warning bell for class at 8am, which started with another bell. The next class, at 9am, was announced by ringing the bell.
At 10am each day all students and faculty met for chapel. After some singing there would be an expository sermon by a member of faculty, testimonies by three students, or a ministry report by some students. The students loved singing and I would often hear them practicing late into the night. The student testimonies were most interesting and encouraging. It was here that I got to know about students who were not in my class. Some would share of their wonderful conversion from Hinduism. Others were from Christian families but also wonderfully converted. Many from NE India are second or third generation Christians. It was amazing to learn how each one was led to study at PTS.
Students came from all over India and from four neighbouring countries. They came from different language and cultural backgrounds. Sometimes they sang special songs in their own language, but all teaching and conversing at PTS was in English as this was the only common language.
During the summer break students went to minister in a church, often their home church. Some spoke of the difficulties they had as they went back to liberal churches. Other spoke of opposition they encountered from Hindus as they conducted mission meetings. One student was rejoicing that he had been counted worthy to suffer for Christ. It was during this time of sharing that I heard Prasoon say he was from Jabalpur and ministered in a place called Katni. He later told me he was member of the FCCI in Jabalpur. He and Samit shared about the opposition they faced from militant Hindus in this city and state.
After morning chapel everyone enjoyed a cup of chai and a chat. A news report was given and announcements made for the whole community. Those having a birthday would give everyone a treat (a sweet or cake). After singing 'happy birthday' someone would pray for the birthday person. Sometimes the principal would introduce visitors to PTS. One day there were brothers from the Presbyterian Church in Brazil. They assured us that this church, with over 3000 pastors, was Orthodox Presbyterian and not 'Charismatic' Presbyterian (of which there are some Brazil). Another visitor was a PTS graduate who had planted a church near Rishikesh, a Hindu pilgrimage centre in North India.
More Classes
At 11am the bell went for classes to resume. After two more classes students headed to the dining hall for a large plate of rice and curry. The final two classes for the day were from 2-4pm. This was not an ideal time to be teaching the Book of Revelation. Thankfully the weather was not too hot so, despite a big meal of rice, the students usually stayed awake.
At 4pm the bell went and classes ended for the day. The students would hurry to do their duties, which included sweeping up leaves for the men, and cleaning the rooms for the women. At 4.30 all gathered around the volley ball court to watch an inter-house match of volley ball. I was not obliged to do duties or to play volley ball, so I walked down to the shops to buy some supplies.
It was not hunger but another bell which signalled dinner at 6.45pm. A bell at 7.30 saw students slowly making their way to the library to study until 9pm. After this they were free. Some chose to practice their singing in the hall next to the guest room at this time.
I often went to a faculty home to enjoy an evening meal. My neighbour made tasty chicken curries. Another lecturer was from the Presbyterian Church of America so I enjoyed some American style food. Another was from the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands (Liberated). John was from the PCA in Melbourne. Raja was a convert from Hinduism who in the providence of God had come to PTS to study. He embraced Reformed doctrine and Presbyterian government and joined the faculty of PTS. The principal also hosted me for dinner a number of times.
At 10pm the nightwatchman went on duty. His duty included ringing the bell on the hour every hour throughout the night. He walked around the campus blowing a whistle and tapping his stick to scare away any intruders- and to assure those trying to sleep that all was well.