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Didache Volume 17 Number 1
Didache: Faithful Teaching 17: 1 Introduction
Dean G. Blevins, Sr. Editor
Welcome to Didache: Faithful Teaching, Volume 17:1, this volume marks the beginning of our 17th year of exploring the intersections of theology, culture and education within the Wesleyan Tradition. This current edition reflects a range of writing, new and old, that encompasses those areas of engagement for the sake of higher education. The edition begins with explorations into one of the primary theological challenges in our global society, prosperity theology; a challenge often overlooked by our tradition. However, the journal also celebrates theological responses by students based on social justice and missional engagement. The edition then addresses the role of theological education, primarily through seasoned educators and theologians. Finally, the journal concludes with two essays that embody the overall flow of this volume, offering new and mature visions of theological education that may well embody the promise and wisdom of our collective future.
As noted, the first two offerings of this edition come from global settings dealing with variations of prosperity theology, also known as the health and wealth gospel. Dorothy Bullón opens the edition with an English and Spanish language reflection on health, prosperity and victory in a Latin American context. A respected educator and minister within the Mesoamerican region, Bullón rasies several key questions about the theological underpinnings of prosperity theology, commensurate with other studies, before offering a constructive response within a Wesleyan vision. Kirsten Jeffery explores similar themes from an African context before turning to the writings of the apostle Paul in Romans. Ms. Jeffery, a recent graduate of NTC Manchester, offers her student submission with a recommendation from Dr. Svetlana Khobnya, Ph.D. Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Languages, Nazarene Theological College. Our thanks to Dr. Khobnya in recommending Ms. Jeffery’s well written adaptation of her thesis.
Readers should acknowledge that prosperity theology remains a peculiarly USA export, one that now plagues all global regions. Anchored not only in Pentecostalism, but also the New Thought movement of the 19th century, this aberrant theological vision persists in the USA. Church practitioners may note both blatant examples, like televangelists, and more nuanced expressions through congregational movements like the Prayer of Jabez, or practices like money-back guarantees on tithe offerings. With recent changes in the US political landscape, prosperity theology may well represent an entrenched populist view of Christianity reflective of other world regions. Bullón and Jeffery invite Wesleyans into a needed conversation around this controversial movement.
The journal then offers two additional, yet indirect, responses to prosperity theology through the writing of Nazarene Theological Seminary graduates Jason Phelps and Tami Lundgren. Jason Phelp’s reflective engagement of Jublilee-Sabbath, in the face of the rapidly expanding gap between wealth and poverty, serves as this year’s Tom Nees Social Justice Award. Tami Lundgren explores how missional theology’s engagement within several cultural paradigms requires a multidisciplinary approach. Ms. Lundgren’s paper received the Dean’s Award in academic writing at NTS. We are thankful to Dr. Roger Hahn, Dean of the Faculty, for supporting both student submissions.
The next set of writings reflect a different perspective, engaging theological education both as a global endeavor and a disciplinary challenge. Missionary and educator Daryll Gordon Stanton opens this section with a vision for theological education in Africa anchored in Christology. Stanton’s view includes not only an organizing scheme for theological education but also strategies for teaching and leading amid a myriad of economic and justice issues reflective of the African context. Stanton serves as a bridge between many of the concerns of the first half of this edition and moving forward as educators for the sake of the globe.
Three rather unique articles follow Stanton’s academic reflections. Dean G. Blevins, David Wesley, and Henry W. Spaulding II originally wrote their essays as inaugural addresses at Nazarene Theological Seminary from within their respective disciplines of Christian discipleship, intercultural mission, and philosophical theology. Historically, NTS published these addresses through its private newsletter/journal, The Tower. However, the seminary discontinued that publication during the intervening years. At the same time NTS supported the ongoing publication of this journal, so it seems appropriate to publish these academic writings, even if portions of the essays no longer fully reflect the authors’ thought. Readers may find within these reflections seeds for ongoing study, whether anchored in acknowledging the awkward transition from the baby boomer generation to millennials (Blevins), a struggle with managerial missions (Wesley), or countering the prevailing human subjectivity, and limited role of the Holy Spirit, in theology (Spaulding). Each address may stand the test of the last decade, and offer opportunities to envision the future in a new light.
Envisioning the future for theological education and ministry summarizes the final two offerings for scholars whether beginning their journey, or culminating years of leadership, in theological education. Ryan Giffin, a PhD candidate in Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, offers an essay of his own journey of self-exploration in theological education. Ryan’s naming and pursuit of teaching as “midwifery” represents an emerging vision. While other theorists embrace the concept of teaching as a form of midwifery, Giffin’s grounded essay displays the inner awareness of a theological vision for education coming to life (metaphorically “being born”) during the writing. While Reverend Giffin’s essay reflects new thought, Dr. Roger L. Hahn’s commencement address represents the accumulated wisdom of an educator who has taught and lead in theological education more than thirty years. Dr. Hahn retires as Dean of the Faculty at Nazarene Theological Seminary this July 1, 2017 after fifteen years of service. Hahn will continue to teach, yet his commencement address represents a seasoned vision concerning the challenges to ministry (particularly in the United States) and the resources for response. Hahn’s address not only serves as a fitting close to the section on theological education, but also to the journal edition. Regardless of the challenges the church faces, faithful teachers can find resources from within our understanding of scripture and the Wesleyan tradition to guide future students and communities of faith.
Just a note on the next edition. Spring 2018, The Church of the Nazarene will host the next Global Theology Conference, currently planned in the USA. The Conference theme and sections will follow a given format with written presentations and responses available through the journal.
GTC2018 Theme: Christology - “To Know Christ” (Phil 3:10)
Session 1: “Who do You Say I Am?” - Knowing & Becoming More Like Jesus Christ
Session 2: “Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me” - Becoming More Faithful To Jesus Christ
Session 3: “As the Father Sent Me So I Send You” - Joining the Mission of Jesus Christ
As always, please note the journal publishes articles along the themes of theology, culture, and education within a Wesleyan heritage. Guidelines for submissions are available at the website. Professors may also submit outstanding student papers (with student permission) as long as they will agree to serve as the reviewer. This edition provides an excellent example of this approach.
I again thank Ernalyn Longcop Fausto, with the staff of the Asia Pacific Region, who works diligently in the formatting and maintenance of our website, and Dr. Tammy Condon who works tirelessly promoting Didache: Faithful Teaching, as she does in the development of the Wesleyan Holiness Digital Library (WHDL) https://www.whdl.org/.
Table of Contents
pdf Introduction (96 KB) , Dean G. Blevins
pdf Are We Being Blessed, Prosperous and in Victory? (135 KB) Dorothy Bullón
pdf Estamos Bendecidos, Prosperados y en Victoria? (143 KB) Dorothy Bullón
pdf Love, Power, and Suffering: Salvation in Ghanaian Pentecostalism and Romans 8:35-39, (167 KB) Kirsten Jeffery
pdf Understanding the Wealth & Poverty Gap: A Peek through the Lens of Jubilee-Sabbath, (121 KB) Jason Phelps
pdf Missional Theology: A Multidisciplinary Approach, (176 KB) Tami Lundgren
pdf Christ-Centered Higher Education Strategies in Africa, (215 KB) Daryll Gordon Stanton
pdf Castles of Sand or Heaven on Earth: Discipleship for the 21st Century, (128 KB) Dean G. Blevins
pdf Naming the Whirlwind: Preliminary Thoughts on the Liturgical Consummation of Philosophy, (127 KB) Henry W. Spaulding II
pdf Midwifery, Scaffolding, and Hospitality: The Value of Controlling Metaphors for the Ministry of Teaching, (111 KB) Ryan K. Giffin
pdf To Boldly Go Where the Church Has Gone Before, (93 KB) Roger L. Hahn
