Promoting Biblical Truth by Networking Theologians
The Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance exists to promote biblical truth by networking theologians to serve the church in obedience to Christ.
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By internationalizing theological frameworks.
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By encouraging original theological reflection and research.
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By defending and confirming the gospel.
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By focusing discussion on practical and relevant themes in varied contexts.
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By articulating biblical truth in forms accessible to all Christians.
The main channels for achieving these aims are:
1.
Networking evangelical theological organizations and theologians worldwide.
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Organizing theological reflection teams, task forces, study groups, dialogue groups and other international gatherings.
3.
Disseminating theological reflection about biblical truth in clear and concise formats for use at by the church at all levels.
To meet these objectives the TC will
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Establish effective communicative networks of theologians, educators and church leaders.
2.
Partner with regional and national Evangelical Fellowships of Theologians to sponsor joint conferences, plan joint publications and foster exchange of theological educators.
3.
Partner with other organizations that are involved in theological education, dissemination of literature and student scholarship programs.
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Form strategic alliances with organizations that share our goals and objective.
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Mobilize volunteers, part-time staff and recruit other full-time staff to work toward agreed goals.
6.
Engage in a vigorous program of research and publications of topics that apply biblical understanding to relevant problems facing the churches in their ministry. Examples of topics might be: the uniqueness of Christ, the nature and mission of the church, the role of pastoral care in the face of epidemic disease, the Christian response to homosexuality.
7.
Structure and Organization
As of October 2004, the TC consists of a group of about 10 people representative of its core activities and spread regionally, denominationally and by gender. Currently the personnel are Dr Rolf Hille (Germany) Executive Chair; Dr Ken Gnanakan (India), Vice-chair; Dr David Parker (Australia) Director of Publications and Administration; Dr Brian Edgar (Australia); Dr David Hilborn (UK); Dr Jae Sung Kim (Korea); Dr Thomas Oden (USA); Rev Per D. Pedersen (Armenia); Dr Claus Schwambach (Brazil); Dr George Vandervelde (Canada); and Dr Carver Yu (Hong Kong), and WEA Secretary-General (or representative, ex officio). Other names are pending.
The Executive consists of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Publications Director, Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Director (as and when appointed). The WEA Secretary-General is a member ex officio.
(Please note that this replaces the previous arrangement of a Commission with up to fifty members which was set aside several years ago. The above are the only members of the TC at this point.)
In addition Task Forces, Study Groups and other forms of activity are set up as required. At present these consist of a group engaged in the WEA-Roman Catholic conversations, (Dr George Vandervelde, Convenor), Environmental Stewardship (Dr Ken Gnanakan), and the WEA Statement of Faith (Dr D Hilborn). Others are in process.
It is also planned to set up a Council of Reference of well known Evangelical theologians.
Our publications are a major channel of communication and forum to reflect global evangelical theology.
Periodicals We have regular periodical publications in the form of a journal and a newsletter. Each one has a corresponding CD-ROM version and there is also an electronic version of the newsletter.
Evangelical Review of Theology - first published 1977; Index 1977-95 - Oct 1995; CD-ROM, 2005
Theological News first published 1969 - merged with Theological Education Today 1982-90 CD-ROM 2005
Books
Discerning the Obedience of Faith: a short history of the WEA Theological Commission
by David Parker
Covers the story of the establishment of the Theological Commission in 1968 as ‘Theological Assistance Program' (TAP) under the leadership of Dr Bruce J Nicholls, and its evolution into the ‘Theological Commission' in 1974. The achievements of the TC in the thirty year period since then are then detailed with information about key figures.
140 pages, illustrated with 24 photos of significant leaders and events, indexed and with a Fact Sheet of TC personnel, activities and publications.
Responsible Stewardship of God's Creation
by Ken Gnanakan
Written by a leading Indian evangelical theologian recognized for his writing, lecturing and practical leadership in the important field, this 133 page book covers biblical, historical and administrative and sociological aspects of the topic. Each eight chapters is written is easy-to-understand language and is supplemented by stories, discussion questions and ideas for ‘Plan and Act' and inspirational and devotional material. Suitable for church study groups, youth fellowships, seminaries and Bible colleges and schools.
Hope does not disappoint: Studies in Eschatology
Essays from Different Contexts
Edited by Jochen Eber $8.00 + postage
Order direct from:
TBT, 54 KHB Colony, 5th Block, 2nd Cross, Koramangala,
Bangalore 560095 Karnataka, South India.
Journal and Newsletter
Evangelical Review of Theology - a quarterly 96 page journal of articles and book reviews with an international perspective for the purpose of discerning the obedience of faith published on our behalf by Paternoster Periodicals.
Contact: Paternoster Press, PO Box 300
Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 0QS
United Kingdom
Announcing the release
of the 3rd edition (2006) of the popular
Theological Resource Library CD-ROM
WEA Theological News - a quarterly 4 page news sheet of the TC, carrying information about theological trends, conferences, seminaries and faculties, books and other publications.
WEA Theological News on CD in fully searchable form from its initial issue in 1969 to the end of 2004.
Theological News is the official newsletter of the WEA Theological Commission (ISSN 0260-3705) which has been published in various formats since 1969 (with some gaps). Now the entire run to the end of 2004 is available on a fully searchable CD and each page reproduced on-screen in the original format. During the 35 year period included on this CD, a wide range of news of evangelical theology and theological education has been covered, as well as information about the work of the TC itself. It therefore provides an invaluable easily accessible record of global activity. It will enable libraries and others who have not been able to receive the newsletter from the beginning to have the information it contains and make it available to their readers.
Price: US$40 (shipping included) (equivalent in other major currencies ) please contact before sending any payment
** WEA Theological News On-line TN is available on-line. It will be updated about every month and will not contain the same material as the printed version. To receive your electronic copy free of charge, send an empty email to listmgr@ead.de with the following character string in the "Subject" line of the email header: subscribe wef-tc-tn
** WEA Theological Commission On-Line Forum This is an opportunity for theologians around the world to discuss matters of common interest electronically. The WEA TC On-line Forum is now open for your contributions and views. We want you to share matters of concern and interest - either respond to on-going conversations or initiate topics from your own perspective.
To join, send an email to Murdoch@ead.derequesting your email address to be added. You may withdraw at any time by sending an empty mail tolistmgr@ead.dewith the following character string in the "Subject" line of the email header: unsubscribe wef-tc-forum
To contribute, send your contribution/material in an email towef-tc-forum@ead.deand it will be automatically and instantly forwarded to all addresses on the list (at present some 100 affiliates of the WEA-TC).
Occasional Papers- a series of small books on a variety of topical subjects.
Orders and Subscriptions
You can subscribe to the WEA Theological Commissions publications
2001 Kuala Lumpur (WEF 11th General Assembly ): Ecclesiology
2002 Woelmersen, Germany (joint with FEET): 'European Theology in World Perspective'
2003 High Wycombe, UK (joint track with ICETE) 'Theology of Theological Education'
2004 Sept-Oct: Bangkok, Thailand: Joint session with LCWE Theology Working Group, and in also Issue Groups of the LCWE 2004 Forum on World Evangelization, Pattya.
2005 Sept-Oct Seoul, Korea: Joint session with Korea Evangelical Theological
Society in Third International Conference on Evangelical Theology: 'The Task
of Evangelical Theology for the Church of the 21st Century.'
Directors:
Dr Bruce J. Nicholls - 1969-1986
Dr Sunand Sumithra (1986-89)
Dr Bong Rin Ro 1990-1996 (acting 1989-90) on furlough 1995-96
Dr James J. Stamoolis - 1998-2001
Chair:
Dr B. Kato 1975
Dr A. Clemenhaga 1975-1980
Dr David Gitari 1980-1986
Dr Peter Kuzmic 1986-1996
Dr. Rolf Hille 1996-
Administrator:
Dr David Parker 1995-6, 2003-
Dr Rolf Hille 1996-98, 2001-3
Scholarship Program
Please note that the scholarship program is no longer active.
For a fascinating look at the work of the Theological Commission, see Harold Fuller's book, "People of the Mandate", chapter 10: 'One God, Many Worlds'.
