09.27.05


Dr. Don Fairbairn, above, in Cambridge in front of the "Bridge of Sighs."

Seminary professors take theology abroad

Three Erskine Seminary professors taught outside the United States this summer, taking their theological knowledge to classrooms in Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom.

FLOCKING TOGETHER

Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Missions Dr. Donald Fairbairn, who also serves as associate academic dean, probably logged the most miles of the three, traveling to Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as twice to Belgium.

"The Fairbairns are a pretty travel-savvy family," he said, noting that he and his wife Jennifer, herself an adjunct professor of missions at Erskine Seminary, have lived in the former Soviet Union, taken teaching trips to Eastern and Western Europe, and traveled with son Trey, now nearly four.

This year both Trey and sister Anna, who has just turned two, went on three of the four teaching trips, visiting Belgium, England, Wales and Canada.

Fairbairn is a part-time professor at the Evangelical Theological Faculty in Leuven, Belgium, so the family accompanied him on a trip there in late May, when he taught a two-week course on the early Church's understanding of the person of Christ.

The Fairbairns' two preschoolers provided color and comedy. "Highlights of that trip were riding paddleboats in the rain, and visiting some pet deer near the school where I was teaching," Fairbairn said. "In case you are wondering, deer do not seem to like eating rocks—or pinecones."

Next stop for the family was Cambridge, England, where Fairbairn taught a one-week course on the doctrine of God. "This gave Trey the opportunity to relive scenes from his favorite movie, 'Chariots of Fire,' much of which was filmed in Cambridge," Fairbairn said.

While in England, the family took a side trip to Wales, visiting the church where Jennifer and the Erskine mission team ministered in the spring, and stopping to see one of Don's former students.

After returning briefly to Due West, the Fairbairns moved on to Prince Edward Island, Canada, where Fairbairn taught a one-week course on Augustine of Hippo at a study center developed by Dr. Jack Whytock, an ARP missionary who works in mobile theological training.

Finally, in early September, Fairbairn took off for Belgium once more, leaving the family behind. Trey wanted to go with his father, and begged, "Mama, let the boys go to Belgium and the girls stay here."

INVITATION ACCEPTED

Assistant Professor of New Testament Dr. James Hering, who directs the Master of Arts in Practical Ministry Program, taught in Germany with World Witness.

Like Fairbairn, Hering is an old hand at overseas work. "As an associate missionary with the ARP mission board, World Witness, I have the privilege to periodically teach in overseas theological institutions," he said. "The teaching ministry of World Witness is known as MT3, which is in-house lingo for 'Mobile Theological Training Team.'"

Hering said missionaries with MT3 teach a variety of courses. "At a foreign institution's invitation, we teach modular courses in theology, Bible, missions, etc., depending on the need of the host institution."

This year, Hering accepted an invitation from the Martin Bucer Seminary in Berlin, assisting with an intensive 10-day seminar that included exegetical exercises from the book of Romans. "I taught together with Ken Matlack, a PCA missionary, and Thomas Schirrmacher, the German rector of the seminary there."

He enjoyed becoming acquainted with his students in Berlin. "It was an excellent time together," he said. "The students were top-notch and motivated to learn."

Noting similarities between Erskine Seminary students and his students in Berlin, Hering said, "Much like our Erskine Seminary students, the German students are heavily involved in local ministry, often holding a pastoral position in a local church."

Hering envisions further contact with his students overseas. "I was inspired by their dedication to the task of building the church in Berlin," he said. "It is my hope that we may soon be able to invite some of the German students for a time of study here at Erskine, thus closing the circle of learning, as we benefit from their presence among us."

REFORMATION TOUR

Professor of Church History Dr. Dale Johnson, who directs the Master of Arts in Theological Studies Program, assisted with a Reformation course and tour in the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria.

Johnson's summer teaching in Europe was part of a course sponsored by Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, N.C. He said the school offers a Reformation course and tour from mid-July to mid-August each year, under the leadership of Dr. Harold O.J. Brown, professor of systematic theology and philosophy, who has organized and taught the course for the last six years. Last year, Brown began sharing his teaching duties with Johnson.

"Dr. Brown knows the territory well, having studied at Marburg University and served as a pastor in Switzerland for many years," Johnson said.

"The tour begins in Prague where the students examine the life and influence of John Hus and the Bethlehem Chapel where Hus preached for many years," he explained. "The central location for the course is a three-week residence in Wittenberg, Germany, next to Martin Luther's home, the Black Cloister Monastery of the Augustinian Order."

Johnson said he and Brown lectured on the Protestant Reformation each weekday morning during the tour. Each has his own area of special interest and expertise: Brown wrote his dissertation on the Polish reformer John a Lasco and Johnson wrote his dissertation on John Knox.

Seven theological seminaries were represented on the tour, Johnson said, and he noted that the students received a dose of history as well as theology.

"In addition to the lectures, the group toured Wartburg Castle where Luther translated the New Testament into German in 1522," he said. "Students also made their way to Berlin, and in the past the tour traveled to Dresden to see the magnificent reconstruction after the complete devastation in World War II, as well as Vienna, the cultural capital of Austria and the old capital of the Hapsburg Empire."

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