Issue #101 | January 13, 2011 |
SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR BIBLICAL LANGUAGES
The RTS/Jackson Summer Institute for Biblical Languages (SIBL) has been created in order to provide thorough, intensive introductions to all three biblical languages. Hebrew and Greek will be offered each year during the summer, five days a week, three hours per day, for seven weeks. During this seven week period, students will complete a full year of language study (Hebrew 1 and 2 or Greek 1 and 2). Aramaic can be offered every other year or as needed by request (two hours a day, five days per week for three weeks – 2 credit hours). Read more here.
CHUCK COLSON TO SPEAK AT RTS/ORLANDO PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
Dr. Don Sweeting, former pastor of Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church in Colorado, will be inaugurated on Thursday, February 10, at 4pm at RTS/Orlando, 1231 Reformation Drive, Oviedo, Fla, 32765. Chuck Colson, syndicated columnist, author international speaker, radio commentator, founder of Prison Fellowship, former aide to the late President Nixon, and former employer of Dr. Sweeting, will deliver the address at his inauguration. For more information click here for the inauguration Web page.
DR. MICHAEL MILTON’S NEW CD JUST RELEASED
Through the Open Door, Dr. Michael Milton's latest CD, has just been released. His music blends folk, bluegrass, rock and gospel music together. On this new album, for the song "God is Calling Faithful Men," Michael Card sings on lead and backup vocals.The album can be purchased through Music for Missions. Dr. Milton has directed 2/3 of the proceeds of the sales to go to RTS. Click here for more information.
DR. NICOLE - PROFESSOR EMERITUS - PASSES AWAY
Just one day after his 95th birthday, Dr. Roger R. Nicole passed away on Dec. 11, 2010. He was ready to meet his Savior. Dr. Nicole was a former adjunct professor of theology at RTS/Orlando from 1989 to 2000 and emeritus beginning in 2000. Born in 1915, he was a native Swiss Reformed theologian with an M.A. from Sorbonne, a Th.D. from Gordon Divinity School and a Ph.D. from Harvard University, Dr. Nicole has long been regarded as one of the preeminent theologians in America. He is predeceased by his wife, Annette who passed away on Feb 8, 2008.
He was ready to meet his maker. As we mentioned in our previous e-letter, just a few days before his death, Dr. Nicole said, “I’m ready to go, I’m actually quite comfortable, nothing hurts, I’m not hungry. I actually thought dying was going to be a lot harder. I’m thankful to be in the hospital. Whether I die here or at the Village is inconsequential. It’s a lot more important where I lived and how. I’m not afraid of judgment because all my sins have been wiped out completely by the blood of Jesus Christ. All I look forward to is the joy of the life to come.”
His funeral was held on Dec. 15. at First Baptist Church Sweetwater in Longwood, Fla. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Roger's name to Reformed Theological Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary or First Baptist Church Sweetwater, Longwood, Fla. Read his obituary here.
REMEMBERING DR. NICOLE: FROM FRIENDS OF RTS
Dear Reformed community,
I just read in the Boston Globe internet edition that Roger Nicole went to be with the Lord on Dec. 11. I did not know Dr. Nicole personally, but appreciated his strong stand for Biblical inerrancy, his warm heart for the Reformed faith, his gracious personality, and his academic achievements. May the Lord bless his memory and legacy to our churches, our students, our seminaries, and our world.
Sincerely in Christ,
Kim Batteau, minister of the Reformed Church (Liberated) of The Hague, The Netherlands
Dr. John Muether shares the foreword he wrote for Standing Forth about Dr. Nicole. Click here to read it.
FAITH FOR LIVING – NEW TV PROGRAM WITH DR. MICHAEL MILTON
Faith for Living, a new Bible study series with Dr. Michael Milton, the chancellor/CEO elect of Reformed Theological Seminary, will air on the NRB Network each week on Direct TV channel 378 on Mondays at 8:30a.m., Thursdays at 3:30a.m. and Fridays at 7:30a.m., beginning January 3rd. Sky Angel will carry the program on channel 126. You can also watch the program online at FaithForLivingTV.com.
For 2011, the series is titled “A Doxology in the Darkness: How God Transforms our Pain into Praise.” Dr. Milton invites you to tune in by TV, radio or online to learn about what could also rightly be called a Christian response to suffering.
The Faith for Living radio program currently airs on WHVN, 1240 AM and 104.3 FM, in Charlotte, NC at 10:00a.m. and 9:30p.m. on Sundays. It also airs in several areas of South Florida: In the Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Fla area, it airs on WAFG-FM 90.3 at 7:30p.m., on Sundays. In the Key West area, it airs on WKZG-FM 88.3 in Key West and WKGZ 106.9 in Marathon, Fla on Sundays at 7:30p.m. The broadcast is also available for listening 24/7 on www.accradio.com and on www.sermonaudio.com and is updated weekly.
GOSPEL CENTERED LIFE CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN JANUARY
“The aim of this conference is to help you see that the gospel is not merely what ignites the Christian life, but that it's the fuel that keeps Christians going every day.” The Gospel Centered Life Conference will be held at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla, Jan. 21-23. Click here for more information.
RTS/ORLANDO CELEBRATES DR. WALTKE'S SERVICE
During a recent luncheon in his honor, the faculty and staff of the Orlando campus of RTS celebrated with Dr. Bruce Waltke his 14 years of service as professor of Old Testament at RTS. A luncheon in his honor was held on campus where he was presented with a framed resolution of appreciation by the RTS faculty and a framed photograph of the campus signed by faculty and staff. It was a great time of fellowship.
Dr. Waltke is currently distinguished professor of Old Testament at Knox Seminary in South Florida.
Pictured above (l to r) Dr. Mark Futato, Dr. Bruce Waltke and Dr. Don Sweeting holding the presented resolution and photograph.
CAMPUS EVENTS
Winter Term in progress. Spring Semester begins Feb. 1.
RTS/ATLANTA
This spring, the class “Acts & Romans” will be held at the historic First Presbyterian Church in Rome, GA. Dr. Bruce Lowe will teach on four Saturdays: Feb. 5, 12 and April 9, 30.
Jan. 22 - Seminar on Islam – (8:30-4:45pm) - Join friends of RTS for a one-day seminar that will examine Islam in light of the Word of God. Taught by a former practitioner of Islam, the seminar will consider the history, beliefs, and strategies of Islam, and will help you to develop a personal ministry for introducing your Muslim friends to the Lord Jesus Christ. The instructor will be Dr. Atif Debs (Ph.D. from M.I.T.), who became a Christian after years of comparative study of both the Bible and the Qur'an. The registration cost ($35/person, $65/couple) includes lunch and a notebook with all presentation materials and supporting documents. RSVP by January 19 as registration is limited. For more information visit this link.
RTS/HOUSTON
Two classes will be offered for the upcoming Spring Term:
Scripture/Theology/Anthropology (5ST508/01 ST I) taught by Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas for 3 credit hours. This class meets on Friday evenings (7 to 9pm) and on Saturdays (8am - 4pm): Jan. 28-29, March 11-12, Apr. 15-16 and May 6-7. This is an engaging and foundational study you don’t want to miss! It is a foundational course for all of your other studies! You will learn about theological prolegomena (introduction of purpose, goals, and, theological method), doctrine of Scripture (revelation, inspiration, authority), theology proper (God, Trinity, creation, providence) and anthropology (man, Fall, sin). Our survey of doctrine will be based on the exegesis of Scripture, with continual reference to historical theology. All along we will refocus on the crucial nexus between faith and life, doctrine and practice, and endeavor to stress the importance of these doctrines for Christian thought, life, and ministry.
Apologetics (5ST530/01) taught by Dr. James Anderson for 2 credit hours. This class meets on Friday evenings (7 to 9pm) and on Saturdays (8 am - 4pm): Feb 4-5, March 4-5, and Apr. 8-9. What are the most frequently raised objections to the Christian faith? How do you answer these objections? Is there a better way to respond to these objections? In this challenging and interesting course you will engage various apologetic methodologies that will strengthen your own faith and your own ability to give answers to those objections.Contact admissions.houston@rts.edu for more information about classes scheduled for the spring semester, or click here.
RTS/ORLANDO
Feb. 10 - PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
Dr. Don Sweeting will be inaugurated as president of the Orlando campus of Reformed Theological Seminary on Feb. 10. Click here for more details.
March 12 - Get a Glimpse of RTS Orlando! Discover what RTS Orlando has to offer and see how accessible graduate studies at RTS are. The Preview Day at RTS/Orlando will help you find the answers to your questions about RTS and continuing education – whether this is your first interaction with us or if you're ready to apply. You will leave feeling enriched and prepared to begin your admissions process. Reserve your spot today, click here, and take your first step into a learning community. Questions? Contact Kim Trouten at ktrouten@rts.edu or 407.366.9493
RTS/CHARLOTTE
April 1-2 - 4th Annual Women's Conference
RTS/VIRTUAL
Upcoming dates for Orientation Seminars are:
January 24-26, 2011
Feb. 21-23, 2011
April 18-20, 2011
June 20-22, 2011
Jim McAlhaney, (M.A.R; M.S.), director of admissions/student services, will run the Charleston “Riverfront” Marathon in South Carolina on January 15. This is a 26.2 mile race to raise additional scholarship funds for RTS/Virtual students. If you are interested in supporting Jim in the 26.2 Virtual Campus Scholarship Fundraiser, email him at jmcalhaney@rts.edu. If you would like to mail your contribution, make the check payable to: Reformed Theological Seminary and mail to Reformed Theological Seminary Virtual Campus, Attn: Jim McAlhaney, 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. Note: Please put: 26.2 Virtual Scholarship in the memo line of your check.
If you choose to make a contribution for this cause online, you can do so here, and be sure to put 26.2 Virtual Scholarship in the notes area of the online form. Your donation is tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt.
RTS/JACKSON
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement will be taught Monday evenings, Jan 17 - Apr 24. Professors from Belhaven College, Mississippi College, Wesley Biblical Seminary, and Reformed Theological Seminary (our own Elias Medeiros and Ligon Duncan) are teaming up to offer this course that has been taught all over the world in the last 20 years. For more information on what the course has to offer, visit www.perspectives.org or contact Joe Martin (Belhaven Biblical Studies Professor) at jmartin@belhaven.edu.
ALUMNI SNIPPETS
Douglas J. McKay (M.Div. ‘74) has published his thesis, "Healing Words of Hope: Inspirational Essays of Hope Born of Suffering.” Click here to order the book.
Hank Wilson, II (M.Div. ‘07), a US Navy chaplain working with the 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, has had a busy year of transition with his wife Linda. They have arrived at Camp Pendleton, Calif. (They were formerly stationed in Italy). Hank has been spending time in the field and training with the Marines. Linda has been getting the house set up the way she likes. But with all of the transitions taking place there is none more important than the fact that they are expecting their first child. After 17 years and tons of prayers the Lord has blessed them with the best gift they could expect over Christmas.