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2012 |
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The Genuine Theologian
“The genuine theologian” wrote Herman Witsius, is one “imbued with the knowledge of God and divine things, under the teaching of God himself; who celebrates his adorable perfections, not by words alone, but by the ordering of his life, and is thus entirely devoted to his Lord.”[1] Witsius went on to describe the soul of the theological student as “like a little sanctuary, in which God dwells by his Spirit and where the Spirit, when sought unto by ardent prayer, often reveals those things which the princes of this world, with all their efforts, are unable to attain.”[2] The task of the genuine theologian is to “give all diligence to keep the mirrors of the soul untarnished, and spiritually pure, that it may be fitted to receive that pure Spirit, and his spiritual communication.”[3] I find these thoughts inspiring and instructive as Westminster engages a new season of forming students for ministerial and theological leadership. Our desire is to teach and study theology under God and unto God. That’s why we begin every class with prayer. It’s why we have professors who instinctively point their students to the doxological and ministerial implications of their content. And it’s why we intentionally provide opportunities for students to engage with God and translate the classroom into communion with their Lord. I thought I’d mention just one of those opportunities in this issue. At its last meeting the faculty voted to set aside October 11 as a day of prayer and fasting. On that day we will be seeking God for the spiritual life of our community, thanking him for the ways in which he has sustained us in the last year, and laying our needs and requests before him together. Throughout the day there will be a prayer room open where students and faculty can gather privately or in groups to pray through requests. The focal point of the day will be at 10:30am when we will gather in the chapel to be lead in prayer as a body. I wonder if you might consider joining us in prayer at that time, even from a distance. Could you mark 10:30-11:00 on 10/11 out on your calendar as a time to pray specifically for Westminster? If you live near campus would you like to come to Rust Auditorium and join us? This could be a great opportunity for current and former students to approach the throne of God together thanking God for what he has done through Westminster and asking him to continue that work for generations to come. [1] Herman Witsius, “The Character of the Genuine Theologian,” in Princeton and the Work of the Christian Ministry, ed. James M. Garretson, trans. Archibald Alexander (Edinburgh, UK: Banner of Truth Trust, 2012), 214, italics added. [2] Witsius, “Genunine Theologian,” 222. [3] Witsius, “Genunine Theologian,” 222. Partnering with you for kingdom purposes,  Rev. John Currie, MAR, dean of student development and alumni support
P.S. Sign-up and login for access to all our rich, historic audio archives. The Media Center is easily accessible for your ongoing equipping. At www.wts.edu, go to popular links on the lower right hand corner of the page. 2012 Preaching Conference |
CCEF Conference
Join us for the 2012 CCEF conference, October 26-28 in Chattanooga, TN. The topic for this year's conference is Guilt and Shame. Join CCEF Faculty Ed Welch, David Powlison, and others for a conference that aims to understand and speak to guilt and shame through the truth of Scripture, and to equip those who attend with the resources to do the same—in their own lives and the lives of others. For more information and to register, visit ccef.org/conference. Westminster will be hosting an alumni dinner on the Friday of the conference, October 26th from 5-6:30pm. Register for the dinner at the Westminster website here. Day of Prayer and Fasting
October 11, 2012 As we began this fiscal year in July, we gathered as a community for a day of fasting and prayer. The faculty has called the friends of Westminster to another solemn day of prayer and fasting on October 11. Please join with us to humble ourselves before the Lord and call on Him to bless the work of our hands. We will gather for corporate prayer at 10:30 AM in Rust Auditorium. Class NotesDr. Elmer Dortzbach (B.Div. '49, Th.M. '50): "At 10:30 Sunday morning September 16 as saints were gathering for worship around the world, Elmer Dortzbach was gathered into the presence of his Lord and Savior. Elmer was a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, Westminster Theological Seminary and Colorado University. He went gently after a long, slow decline. His memorial service will be Saturday, Nov 3 at 2:30 PM at Penney Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be sent to the scholarship fund at Westminster Seminary (Contact Cris Simpson at supportwts@wts.edu, or call the Development office at 215-935-3875)."- Karl Dortzbach (M.Div. '75) Art Fox: "I graduated with an MDiv in 1985,newly married that March to Olivia Dioda, and entered the ministry at first as a one year intern in 1987-88 at Calvary Orthodox Presbytery Church in Cedar Grove Wisconsin, under Pastor Henry Fikkert, himself a WTS alum. From there I served as an ordained pastor in my first call at Winner Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Winner, South Dakota from 1988-1992. I then took some time off to help care for my mother-in-Law until I was called to and began to serve as pastor of Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Middletown, Pennsylvania on January 1, 1994. I have remained here to this very day." The Alumni Office at Westminster is always interested to hear how the Lord is using you in ministry. Drop us an email anytime at alumni@wts.edu and share what’s new in your life. Interview with Tim Lane
President and faculty member at The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) "It is encouraging to see so many students who are not in a formal counseling program at Westminster take many of the CCEF courses as electives. We are thankful to have such an important shaping influence in the lives of future leaders serving in various capacities within the local church. We are two separate institutions who seek to partner together for the benefit of the broader body of Christ."
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