Check Out Our Summer Classes!

May 14-25: Counseling for the Home  by Dr. Jim Newcomer Counseling for the Home will address the major issues for the Christian home with regard to premarital, marital, and parental counseling. Some of the issues that will be covered include the …

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Congratulations Dr. Lehner!

Today’s guest post is written by Dr. Jim Newcomer. Pastor Jim teaches Counseling here at CBTS as well as pastoring at Colonial Baptist Church. Jonathan Edwards once wrote, “The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel …

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1st Prize Winners Announced!

The NCAA Final Four is set. And that means, the 1st Prize winners of the 2012 CBTS Bracket Challenge have been determined! As a reminder, the team you chose to win the championship only needed to make it to the …

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Ancient Wisdom Points to Jesus

Have you ever faced a life-changing decision that left you quite perplexed? Perhaps it involved your career, your future spouse, or a big move. Most likely with sweaty palms and a gnawing in the pit of your stomach you painstakingly …

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Check Out Our Summer Classes!Congratulations Dr. Lehner!1st Prize Winners Announced!Ancient Wisdom Points to Jesus

Apr
20

Check Out Our Summer Classes!

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May 14-25: Counseling for the Home  by Dr. Jim Newcomer

Counseling for the Home will address the major issues for the Christian home with regard to premarital, marital, and parental counseling. Some of the issues that will be covered include the four purposes of marriage, marital roles, premarital counseling, living with an unbelieving or disobedient spouse, rescuing a marriage in the wake of infidelity, rebuilding communication, and parenting train­ing in the local church. Prerequisite: 102 Introduction to Biblical Counseling.

 

May 28-June 7: Apologetics (resident and online) by Dr. Eric Lehner

Apologetics is an introduction to the theological discipline of de­fending the Christian faith. The course will address the theological justification for apologetics, the necessity of engaging the disci­pline on the epistemological level, and the utility of the discipline for the gospel ministry.

 

 

June 11-15: Hebrew Exegesis of Job by Dr. Kyle Dunham

Hebrew Exegesis of Job is an exegetical course based on the Hebrew text of Job. Special attention will be given to the literary, historical, grammatical, and theological issues of Job, including an overview of the book’s content, structure, and literary character. Select portions of Job will be more thoroughly examined with a view toward establishing the theological message of the book. Prerequisites: 203 Hebrew Grammar 1, 204 Hebrew Grammar 2, 205 Hebrew Exegetical Method 1, and 206 Hebrew Exegetical Method 2.

 

June 18-29: Church History 2  by Dr. Michael Windsor

Church History 2 is a survey of Christianity from the 16th century to the 19th century, addressing topics like the Reformation, the Great Awakening, Anabaptism, Revivalism, and the birth of Evangelicalism. In addition, this course also covers the Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, John Calvin, George Whitefield, and Martin Luther.

 

 

July 9-20: Missions and Evangelism  by Dr. Jim Newcomer & Dr. Tim Keesee (Guest Lecturer from Frontline Missions)

The goal of Missions and Evangelism is two-fold: (1) to introduce the student to a biblical philosophy of missions and (2) to provide each student with the theological and practical foundations for communicating the gospel with clarity, biblical fidelity, and cultural relevance.

 

 

July 23-27: NT Introduction (online only) by Dr. Daniel Ebert 

NT Introduction introduces the student to the disciplines of New Testa­ment study and the issues pertaining to it. The main focus of the course examines the historical, literary, and linguistic backgrounds of the New Testament in their various dimensions. In addition, the course addresses such important matters as translation, textual criticism, history and theology of the New Testament canon, the Jesus Seminar and quests, the synoptic problem, critical method­ologies, and the history of New Testament research.

**REGISTER NOW FOR YOUR SUMMER CLASSES!**

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Apr
17

Congratulations Dr. Lehner!

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Today’s guest post is written by Dr. Jim Newcomer. Pastor Jim teaches Counseling here at CBTS as well as pastoring at Colonial Baptist Church.

Jonathan Edwards once wrote, “The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.” While Edwards is obviously describing the totality of the persevering Christian’s earthbound life, his words nonetheless take on fresh meaning for my colleague and Academic Dean.

Up to this point you have known him as Professor Eric Lehner. I now refer to him as Prof. Lehner 2.0. His upgrade was inevitable. I want to be one of the first to publicly congratulate him on the successful defense of his dissertation. It’s officially “Dr. Lehner” now.

If you know Dr. Lehner, you know of his passion to study Jonathan Edwards and to teach Jonathan Edwards. This has been a focus of Eric’s for years, and it was only natural for him to punctuate his terminal degree with a tribute and treatise on his hero. Edwards often quipped, “Grace is but Glory begun, and Glory is but Grace perfected.” Poignant statements like this, as well as exhaustive theological treatments, defined Edwards’ pilgrimage as a pastor and gave Dr. Lehner much to sift through. His greatest challenge in writing his dissertation was no doubt what to leave out! If you talk with Dr. Lehner about Jonathan Edwards, you will feel like you’re talking to one of Edwards’ best friends. Eric’s admiration of Edwards is amazing. His connection with his mind is incredible.

For Dr. Lehner, it is a blessing for him to “know” Jonathan Edwards.

For me, it is a blessing to know Dr. Lehner.

We are almost the same age, but I look up to him as a mentor and leader. I have known Dr. Lehner for over 7 years, and his life has been one of integrity, intensity, patience, and gospel-saturation. As a professor, he has not only driven our seminary students towards excellence worthy of Christ, but he himself was also in the trench right beside them as he worked on his PhD. That’s a true leader–not content to merely point the way but to lead the way. I know that my colleagues and CBTS students alike have no hesitation to read these words and think Dr. Lehner: “So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands” (Ps 78:72).

Congratulations, Dr. Lehner. Well Done.

Thank you for introducing us to Edwards. And I’m not just talking about through your dissertation. I’m talking through your life and ministry.

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Mar
27

1st Prize Winners Announced!

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The NCAA Final Four is set. And that means, the 1st Prize winners of the 2012 CBTS Bracket Challenge have been determined! As a reminder, the team you chose to win the championship only needed to make it to the Final Four for you to win the 1st prize – Zondervan’s Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism. So… if you chose Louisville, Ohio State, Kansas, or Kentucky to win the championship, you won the first prize! The first prize winners are listed next to the team they chose to win the Championship.

Kentucky: Jon Anderson, Nate Birkolz, Clayton Campbell, Matt Campbell, Michael Campbell, Mark Cannon, Clifford Cone, Kyle Dunham, Robbie Glazner, Jonathan Hewitt, Tim Hill, Andrew Hughes, Andrew Jaspers, Wesley Kouba, Jeremy Miller, Tom Robbins, Ross Shannon, Ben Smith, Carissa Smith, Patrick Tilson, Mike Windsor, Matt Vanderwarker, Josh Walton, Jonathan Watson, Michael Whitcomb, Nate Winans

Kansas: Joel Gearhart, John Varner, Ryan Wilder

Ohio State: Charles Adams, Darrell Post

Louisville: Nobody

If your name is listed above, please email me your mailing address at eestes@baptistseminary.edu by Tuesday, April 3rd. We will be shipping the books to the first-prize winners all at once. If we do not have your mailing address by April 3rd, you will be unable to receive your prize.

GRAND PRIZE UPDATE: Who will win the $25 cash prize and Osborne’s Matthew commentary? Currently, Nate Birkholz (CBTS alumnus) has a commanding 32-point lead at 276 points. Only one contestant has a chance of beating him – John Varner (CBTS alumnus). The only way John Varner can win is if Louisville and Kansas both win their games on Saturday, and then Kansas beats Louisville in the Championship on Monday.

 

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Mar
23

Ancient Wisdom Points to Jesus

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Have you ever faced a life-changing decision that left you quite perplexed? Perhaps it involved your career, your future spouse, or a big move. Most likely with sweaty palms and a gnawing in the pit of your stomach you painstakingly surveyed your options, fearful of making the wrong choice. You sought counsel from others, prayed about it, and reflected carefully. Road SignYour dilemma was a common experience we have all faced. In fact, an innate desire to navigate successfully the uncertainties of life is nothing new. From the beginning of time, effective people have devoted themselves to acquiring this skill. The ancients called this pursuit wisdom.

Wisdom in the ancient world included more than just expedient decision-making. It encompassed both skillful discernment and moral integrity. The wise person was not merely intelligent or clever. He was righteous. Of all the sages of the ancient Near East, Solomon is described in the OT as the wisest. “God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kgs 4:29–30, ESV).

A chief sourcebook for Solomon’s wisdom is the book of Proverbs, which begins with the title “The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel” (Prov 1:1). In Proverbs, Solomon the sage presents the supremacy of divine wisdom to the young men of Israel so as to prepare them for the pressures and temptations they would face as future leaders. In the opening chapters (1–9), Solomon provides a tightly-woven series of ten wisdom speeches offering appropriate responses in light of life’s potential pitfalls. Interposing a brief beatitude (i.e., a blessing pronounced by an authority figure—in this case the sage himself) between two of these speeches, he offers a benediction for the young man who successfully acquires wisdom: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding” (Prov 3:13, ESV). Solomon depicts in vivid terms the blessings which wisdom brings. “Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. . . . She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her and any who hold firmly to her are blessed” (3:16, 18, author’s translation).

Solomon uses two highly descriptive metaphors to convey the benefits of wisdom. First, a promise of long life, riches, and honor represented symbols of royalty. The author of Chronicles presents David as possessing these traits at the end of his life: “Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor” (1 Chron 29:28, ESV). The reference suggests that wisdom affords to the young man advantages and privileges exclusive to the king, an exceptional figure who was viewed in the ancient world as the archetype of wisdom. Second, Solomon’s allusion to the tree of life harks back to the pristine environment of the garden of Eden. Before sin entered and perverted the created order, man was created in a state of moral purity. The metaphor describes wisdom’s ability to reverse the effects of the debilitating curse for those who obtain her insights.

Given the rich repository of wisdom that he had to draw upon, we might expect Solomon to have been surpassingly successful in applying these insights. Sadly, the Scriptures indicate this was not so. Instead we discover that “when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kgs 11:4, ESV). Solomon failed to live up to his own ideal of wisdom.

Through the lens of redemptive history, however, we are glad to discover that Solomon’s downfall is not the end of the story. Luke presents in his Gospel the boy Jesus as the ideal young sage who confounds the teachers of the Law at Jerusalem (2:41–51) and advances in his pursuit of deft insight: “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52, ESV). As the narrative of his life unfolds, Jesus consistently displays divine wisdom. In fact, Jesus not only answers each aspect of OT wisdom but also uniquely exhibits both blessings Solomon pronounced for the one who acquires wisdom. First, Jesus is poised to obtain all the requisite symbols of royalty. He will one day reign as the consummate Davidic king enjoying length of days, riches, and honor. Psalm 72 depicts Jesus Christ in his eschatological reign as the king who is feared and worshipped throughout all generations (vv. 5, 15, 19; length of days), who receives gold and tribute from the nations (vv. 9, 10, 15; riches), and whose fame is enduring and universal (vv. 17–19; honor). Second, through God’s redemptive wisdom Jesus has reversed the consequences of the destructive curse. The apostle Paul focuses on the reversal of the fall that Jesus has accomplished through his redemptive cross-work: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us . . . so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles” (Gal 3:13–14, ESV). This integral connection between Jesus and wisdom reaches its apex as Paul ascribes to Christ this lofty summation: “And because of [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor 1:30, ESV). The believer can rejoice that God’s wisdom, manifest supremely in the cross of Christ, has confounded the world’s pseudo-wisdom. It is precisely here in the fullness of the person and work of our perfectly wise and redemptive sage, Jesus Christ, that our salvation—and eternal blessing—is secured.

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Mar
20

Meet the Profs: Part 3

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Dr. Tom Dailey – What do you get when you cross CBTS VA Beach with Hawaii?  Dr. Tom Dailey.

Being an authentic Hawaiian, you would think that Dr. Dailey would hear Hawaiian shirts to work every day. But he doesn’t. (Only people who wish they were Hawaiian wear Hawaiian shirts every day.) An authentic Hawaiian like Dr. Dailey more subtly expresses his Hawaiian heritage. He wears sandals to work. Nice sandals. And he even wears them while he teaches! But his sandals will be the last thing on your mind when you’re in his Systematic Theology classes. His fascinating theological presentations create interactive discussions in the classroom. These discussions don’t stop in the classroom either. He often walks through the library during the afternoons just to talk with students about issues of theology. He is engaging – in every meaning of the word. Click here to read his testimony.

 

Dr. Mike Windsor – I would be willing to trade in my 500GB Macbook Pro for 500GB of Dr. Windsor’s memory.

Just a quick story – One day, I came to our library to find a rather obscure book. Our librarian, Dr. Windsor, was at his desk, so I asked him if the library had it. Nonchalantly, he said, “Yes. You can find it at 237.16.” I was blown away! I struggle remembering my own 9-digit social security number. And here he was – remembering the reference number of one book out of a 40,000+ volume library! Dr. Windsor’s incredible memory can also be seen in the classroom. If you want a fun challenge, try stumping him with your hardest Church History question. He’ll probably give you the right answer before you can even say “Great Awakening.” In my opinion, a professor is most qualified when he himself is an eager student of the subject he teaches. Dr. Windsor is a perfect example of this. He has been an eager student of Church History for decades. When you take his classes, you get to reap the benefits of that study. So listen closely! Click here to read his testimony.

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Mar
16

What’s up with the Tabernacle?

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So, what’s with the tabernacle and levitical system? Why is so much space in the Bible devoted to detailed explanations, some of which are simply redundant? Is this just an antiquated worship system which the ancient Israelites had to follow under a strict legal system? Do the biblical descriptions have any significance to us in the 21st century? Although questions along these lines are not among the most popular and common issues discussed in biblical studies, many students of Scripture would admit to have struggled with these issues in the past, if not in the present as well.The Tent: Full-Scale Replica of Israel's Tabernacle; in Israel

As I progressed through my seminary studies, focusing a great deal on the Old Testament, I heard very little discussed relative to these matters. Most of what was discussed dealt with comparative ancient near eastern worship. And most of those discussions seemed to be somewhat aligned with the perspective taken in 19th century higher criticism. That is, the tabernacle and levitical system was an ancient legal arrangement of worship, albeit divinely ordained. For myself, I could never be satisfied with that type of an approach. Contrary to the perspective of higher critical scholars who saw in the Old Testament scriptures a progression of theological development from polytheism, to monalatry, to monotheism, to ethical monotheism, I firmly believe that the ancient Israelites were as theologically intelligent—probably moreso—than are we today. If that is a valid assumption, then how could intelligent people, capable of abstract thinking, devote themselves to the processes and procedures required by the levitical system?

The answer to that question, I believe, is that the Israelites fully understood the rituals required by the law as being symbolic of a higher reality. For example, when a man brought a burnt offering to the priest, and laid his hand on the animal as it was about to be slain, he fully understood that what he was doing was symbolic of the theological reality which he faced, namely, God requiring just and due retribution for sin, with the sacrifice being symbolic of God acceptance of vicarious atonement. Just as when Christians today go through the waters of baptism, or remember the Lord at his supper, they (generally) do not think of the ritual itself as accomplishing anything. Rather, the symbolism represented in the ritual tends to bring into relief abstract theological realities.

If these thoughts are valid, then we as Bible students should pay much closer attention to the significance of the symbols to the ancient near eastern peoples. When careful thought is dedicated to that end, I am convinced that a study of the tabernacle and levitical system will yield rich and profound truths, theological realities which are as relevant today as they were 3,500 years ago.

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Mar
13

CBTS Bracket Challenge

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I love March Madness. I started getting excited about 2012 March Madness the day after the 2011 Championship was played. I just can’t get enough of the underdog stories, the buzzer-beaters, and the Masters golf tournament commercials. But most of all, I love filling out my bracket. But March Madness goes by each year, and I am always left with “bracket let-down” because Georgetown loses in the 2nd round… and Whatchamacallit State makes it to the Elite 8. And then my whole bracket is shot.

The problem – I NEVER win anything in any bracket I fill out!
The reason – I NEVER fill out a perfect bracket!
The answer – CBTS Virginia Beach.

In addition to providing you high-quality seminary education in a pleasing geographic location, we provide you with a high-percentage opportunity to be a March Madness winner. In fact, the team you pick to win the championship only needs to make it to the Final Four to qualify you for a prize! Read on for the details.

Who: Anyone (Share this blog post with your friends!)
How: Click on this link – http://cbtsvb.mayhem.cbssports.com/e?ttag=12_cbsinv and follow the 4 steps below:
1. Create a personal account with cbssports.com
2. Once the account is created, click on this link – http://cbtsvb.mayhem.cbssports.com/e?ttag=12_cbsinv
3. Enter the following pool password – “virginia”
4. Make your picks! (You might want to check the “group rules” tab to see how the points are awarded)
*You will automatically become added to the “CBTS” pool. (As mentioned earlier, the password to this pool is “virginia”)
When: Fill out your bracket BEFORE Thursday, March 15, 11 AM EST.
Note: Only 1 bracket per person (if you wish to qualify for the prizes below!)

First Prize
-If the team you chose to win the championship reaches the Final Four (they don’t even have to win!), you will receive…
–A brand new copy of Four Views of Evangelicalism. This is a great book edited by Andy Naselli and Colin Hansen. The conclusion itself is worth the cost of the book. Zondervan, the book’s publisher, has graciously offered to participate with us by providing these copies to first-prize winners!
Grand Prize
-If you pick the best bracket out of the contest participants, you will receive…
–A brand new copy of Osborne’s commentary on Matthew from Zondervan’s Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament Series. (Also provided by Zondervan)
–$25 in CASH! (Graciously donated to the seminary for a little extra incentive :) )

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Mar
09

Meet the Profs. Part 2

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Dr. Eric Lehner: Five years ago, I walked into Dr. Lehner’s 1st year Greek Grammar class without any knowledge of the Greek language. If you would have asked me what an alpha was, I would have told you it was the chief male in a tribe of monkeys. As it turns out, it’s actually the first letter of the Greek alphabet! And by the end of Dr. Lehner’s 1st year Greek Grammar, I was routinely translating verses from the Greek New Testament. I consider his Greek Grammar class to be one of the best classes I have ever taken. I’ll never forget him explaining a complex concept in Greek grammar by telling a story about footballs, touchdowns, peanut butter, and jelly. He just has a knack for explaining things in ways you will never forget. But his exceptional gift in teaching doesn’t stop with clever illustrations. His Apologetics class is a student favorite here at the CBTS VA Beach. He’s teaching it again this summer (May 28-June 7), and I’m planning to sit in on it. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Anyone who can use peanut butter to teach Greek Grammar and turn a deep subject like Apologetics into a student favorite is a professor you don’t want to miss.

Dr. Kyle Dunham: Our Hebrew grammar and Old Testament professor, Dr. Dunham is CBTS’s newest professor from John MacArthur’s seminary. He’s as tall as Goliath and as peaceful as one of David’s lambs. I think he actually might have Beethoven’s Water Music playing in his head all day long. The only way to tell if he’s frazzled is if you’re his wife…. so you’ll probably never know! He’s also got a sneaky sense of humor. This week he kept a purple pacifier on his desk just as a conversation piece because it had a funny story behind it. In addition to his peacefulness and purple pacifiers, he is an incredibly clear thinker and communicator. I’ve taken one class with him – Exposition of Haggai and Malachi. His class notes were as clear and helpful as any commentary I have ever read. I hope he publishes them. He made Haggai and Malachi came alive to me. And I can’t wait to take my next class with him. Follow him on Twitter.

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Mar
07

7 Reasons to Come “Discover Central”

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If you are looking for a good opportunity to check out Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Virginia Beach, we’ve got the perfect weekend for you! Here’s 7 reasons why you should “Discover Central” March 23-25:

  1. Experience a live Greek and Hebrew grammar class.
  2. Listen in on a fascinating presentation on the theology of the Holy Spirit.
  3. Eat lunch with the entire seminary faculty and have the opportunity to ask any question you want to about the seminary.
  4. Enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal with a few of our students at a seminary professor’s house.
  5. Play a round of golf with the Director of Admissions. That’s me. I’m always looking for an opportunity to get out on the golf course. If you’re not interested in the seminary, but you still want to play golf, we’ll make it happen!
  6. Join the seminary family for a formal evening planned by our Student Body Council. On the schedule for that evening is an Italian dinner and a live round of “Faculty Jeopardy” with Dr. Daniel Davey, Dr. Tom Keiser, and Dr. Jim Newcomer. Find out more about our three contestants (Meet the Profs Part 1).
  7. Participate in a worship service at Colonial Baptist Church in order to see the theology of the seminary fleshed out in a local church context.

If you’re interested in “Discovering Central,” contact me at eestes@baptistseminary.edu. If you’re in-town, let me know which of the above events you would like to participate in. If you’re out of town, ask me about our travel reimbursement plan for prospective students.

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Feb
28

Meet the Profs: Part 1

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Dr. Daniel Davey: Two adjectives describe our president – jovial and serious. These two character traits might be a contradiction in any other man, but not Dr. Davey. He’s got a laugh as big as Texas – it shakes his whole body. Just watching him laugh makes me laugh. But that’s not all that’s contagious. His intense sobriety that characterizes his approach to the Word rubs off on others. He’s a spiritual role model to many on campus – myself included. He carries his jovial seriousness into the classroom as well, which makes for a dynamic learning environment. His teaching methods have resulted in some of the best classroom discussions I have ever experienced in the classroom.

Dr. Jim Newcomer: He’s a pretty simple guy to understand. He likes knives, karate, and kounseling. Yes, I know I misspelled “counseling.” But I like alliteration. If you know the 3K’s of Dr. Newcomer, you know Dr. Newcomer. And if you like the 3K’s also, he will LOVE you, and you might become his best friend. One of the things that makes Dr. Newcomer such a great teacher is how much he loves counseling. He loves teaching students how the theology of the Gospel can be incorporated into any and every counseling situation. And his years of experience as a counselor are an invaluable contribution to each of his classes. As a counseling pastor, he literally walks out of the counseling room into the classroom at CBTS. If you want to read something from him, check out his new book! …

Dr. Thomas Keiser: If Dr. Keiser wasn’t so tan and in such good shape, he’d look exactly like Santa Claus. But don’t let the white beard and grandfatherly persona fool you. Dr. Keiser will push you…hard; great teachers always do. Be ready to “sweat” a little bit when you enroll in his Greek and Hebrew classes. But you can know that not one minute spent working on his class projects will be wasted. He has contributed to my own love and appreciation for the original languages. His classes make the Old and New Testaments come alive with “color” and “detail” you never knew existed. He likes to say that the difference between reading the Bible in English vs. reading the Bible in the original languages is comparable to the difference between watching the Super Bowl on a 13-inch B&W television vs. watching the Super Bowl on a 55-inch HD flat screen.
It’s interesting…
a 55-inch HDTV at Best Buy costs $799.99 (taxes not included).
Taking one of Dr. Keiser’s classes costs $795 (tax deductible).

 

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