Foreword

Tune in for this interview with our Dean, Dr. Graham Cole, hosted by Dr. James Arcadi and Dr. Michelle Knight.
We talk about angels, satan, and demons, as well as systematic theology and Vegemite.
Make sure to head over to Crossway to pick your copies of Graham's two new books:
(1) Against the Darkness: The Doctrine of Angels, Satan, and Demons(2) Faithful Theology: An Introduction

Joining Foreword this week is Dr. David C. Kirkpatrick, Assistant Professor of Religion at James Madison University. David is a historian of religion, politics, and social movements working at the intersection of Latin America and the United States. He completed a PhD. at the University of Edinburgh’s prestigious Centre for the Study of World Christianity, but not before passing his way through TEDS, earning an MDiv and MA in Intercultural Studies. Dr. Fellipe do Vale and Dr. Madison Pierce have a lovely conversation about David’s work on Latin American Evangelicals and their contributions to understandings of how evangelicalism is defined.

David’s work focuses on 20th-century figures like René Padilla, Samuel Escobar, and Orlando Costas, evangelical theologians who called for a holistic understanding of the gospel that extended to concern for the poor as a corrective to approaches that neglected such dimensions. They trained alongside and in conversation with familiar figures like John Stott and Carl F.H. Henry, yet often speaking from convictions forged in their own Latin American contexts. There is something noticeably distinct about these figures; while they are recognizably evangelical in their doctrinal commitments, they also differed strongly from their North American conversation partners on social issues, even whether Christians ought to engage them, and David brings out these differences well. This, of course, is a fundamental question about what the gospel is and its relationship to every element of life, and the answer of these evangelicals is illuminating for the contemporary concerns of many Christians. Finally, David shares about his rewarding experiences teaching in a research university as a Christian.

Along the way, listeners will discover...

• What makes the state of Wisconsin so wonderful
• What Madison was like as a seminary classmate
• Which TEDS professors had the biggest impact on David in shaping his studies

To learn more about Dr. David C. Kirkpatrick, we encourage you to check out his book, and keep an eye out for his two other forthcoming books, Global Visions of Violence: Agency and Persecution in World Christianity and Blood and Borders: Violence and Intolerance at the Intersection of Latin America and the United States. See also his department page at JMU, where he teaches some excellent courses!

SPECIAL NOTE: We recorded this interview in early February before global recognition of the devastating effects of COVID-19 on communities. We think this discussion of isolation, economic devastation, and the role of the Church for individuals to thrive is timely, but only thanks to the providence of God. As for us, Lord willing, we'll keep recording and sharing our slice of life.
In this episode, Dr. James Arcadi and Dr. Madison Pierce interview Dr. Donald Guthrie, who is Executive Director of the Center for Transformational Churches, Director of the PhD in Educational Studies, Professor of Educational Ministries, the Jeanette L. Hsieh Chair of Educational Leadership here at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. (As we say in the episode, he does a lot around here!)
Donald offers us some excellent insights into ministry through his work with the CTC, his time ministering in Pittsburgh after the collapse of the steel industry, and his 30 years as an elder in the PCA. Perhaps most importantly, he also shares his research concerning how we might avoid burnout in ministry.
If you enjoy the interview, we encourage you to pop over to IVP and grab a copy of one Donald's books: Resilient Ministry (2013) and The Politics of Ministry (2019).
But before our chat with Donald, Madison and James talk all things Texarkana and critters, including some important tips for avoiding snakes in Texas.

Leslie Rogers, who is the Director of the Intercultural Development Office here at Trinity, joins Dr. Joshua Jipp and Dr. Michelle Knight for a conversation. The IDO serves to “promote unity in diversity through engaging students in each of their journeys through identity development, spiritual formation, and intercultural competency,” and Leslie’s brilliant vision and commitment helps make it the beautiful place that it is.

Josh and Michelle begin by asking Leslie about her story, a truly inspiring account of how she originally did not want to attend university but was inspired to do so by Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates (a friend of the pod!). During her time, positive interactions with professors and nourishment from her community helped her to find an inroad in academic study, ultimately earning both her undergraduate degree and MDiv at Trinity. During this time, Leslie developed a passion for developing leaders with a special focus not so much on garnering a platform but in shaping their character in the entirety of who they are. Being well-acquainted with the school, Leslie also shares what she considers to be the blessings and shortcomings of being at TIU. She loves the togetherness and proximity a Christian university offers, but realizes that there is a challenge to being a Black woman in an evangelical institution, especially in its limitations with regard to offering students of color an opportunity to learn deeply from their own communities. She helpfully provides some advice for those facing similar challenges, assuring students that God sees them, validates them, and grants them dignity and worth. She also recommends having designated places of “refilling” in order to avoid being burnt out.

Along the way, listeners will also discover...

• Which Foreword spouse has preached alongside Leslie
• How good of a cook Michelle really is
• The value and benefit of having a good community as one studies

Leslie’s directorship of the Intercultural Development Office is truly impressive, and you can learn more about it here. You can also enjoy Leslie’s preaching and writing here, and be sure not to miss her podcast, In Process, which explores Christian leadership.