A quick glance at the headlines, a short listen to the water cooler, a look around most communities. It doesn’t take much to reveal that our world is broken. Frayed around the edges and crumbled at its core. We’d be tempted to turn from current news programs to vintage cartoons, except Bluto keeps trying to crush Popeye. There’s no hiding from our world’s brokenness; pieces are everywhere.
Each year the faculty and students at Corban focus on a theme. Themes are chosen for their foundational role in a biblical worldview. We have centered on authority and truth as well as creation in past years. This year our focus is the Fall and its fallout. Though the subject can be depressing, it is central. Only the Fall explains why such a marvelous creation suffers so now. Only the Fall illuminates why redemption is so incredible.
Dedicated has taken an edition each fall to share some of the reflections of Corban scholars on the annual theme. This issue we look at four elements of the Fall.
Professors Alan Scharn (Criminal Justice) and Allen Jones (Biblical Studies) have teamed to bring historical and biblical insight to the subject of imprisonment. What they uncover may surprise you as they explore the purposes behind imprisonment.
Professor Gary Derickson surveys the usage of nekros (dead) in the New Testament. He focuses on the figurative usages of the term to help define its proper meaning in crucial passages on faith.
Professor Tim Anderson examines what the Fall has done to our personal relationship with God. He reveals some of the barriers sin has built that have blocked our intimacy with God.
Professor Collette Tennant (Humanities) shares a portrait through her poetic skills, beautifully exposing our fallen desires and their true identity.
A special bonus in this issue are two video presentations by Dr. Mark Yarhouse, Christian psychologist and expert on ministering to those struggling with homosexuality. The links are to his chapel presentation and to his pastor forum.
In our book reviews, Mark Jacobson reviews Slow Church by Smith and Pattison. If you’re weary of the “McDonaldization” of ministry by the megaministries today, you’ll enjoy this challenging and refreshing perspective. Gary Derickson reviews The Crucified King by Treat. Dr. Derickson critiques what he considers a classic and clear treatment of Reformed hermeneutics.
If you put the paper down, weary of all the bad news, take heart. It’s not the last edition.
