Westminster Theological Seminary Bulletin Volume 43, Number 2, Fall 2003

Excerpted from the Bulletin, the quarterly newsletter of Westminster, Fall 2003

Electronic Exegesis
Alumnus Puts Technological Advances to Work for the Gospel

Alumnus and software designer Mike Bushell in his home office in Virginia

What has Silicon Valley to do with Jerusalem? The work of alumnus Michael Bushell, '77, demonstrates that in today's world of Bible software, a special relationship has been forged between the two, and it is a relationship where "the potential benefits are as great as the possible abuses." +++ He should know. Bushell is the creator of BibleWorks, a Bible research software package used primarily by preachers, missionaries, and seminary professors and students. Version 5 of the software features 90 Scripture translations in 28 languages, plus original language texts with morphology databases, Greek and Hebrew lexicons, the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, and other practical reference works. One of the tools offered by BibleWorks (and other software packages) is the Westminster Hebrew Morphology, created by a team of scholars at the Westminster Hebrew Institute led by Professor J. Alan Groves. A Physicist Believes Bushell was working on his M.S. in physics at Texas Tech University when a friend from high school led him to Christ. He soon found himself reading Calvin and Warfield. "I became committed to the Reformed faith," he says, and when he decided to pursue a Master of Divinity degree, "Westminster was a natural and inevitable choice." +++ Having worked for 17 years as a physicist for the Department of Defense, utilizing technology for ministry was also a natural choice. It was "just a simple matter of need," he recalls. In the early 1980s, he purchased one of the first IBM home computers. "It became clear early on that a lot of useful things could be done with computers to make things like concordance searches easier and more powerful." +++ Bushell initially created BibleWorks as a personal Bible study tool, and that purpose continues to motivate him. "We listen intently to users," he says, "but the bottom line has always been the question 'how will this new feature help me study Scripture more efficiently?' The advantage of this approach is that we never get very far from the reason that BibleWorks exists: to facilitate the study of Scripture." A Revolution Begins The software's 30,000-plus registered users demonstrate that computerized study aids have "revolutionized the way people study the Bible." Bushell argues that these tools "save pastors and scholars countless hours of tedious labor." +++ The newest advances include large electronic libraries, searchable collections of books and articles available on CD-ROM. Like Stephen King's experimental internet-only novels, the future of significant electronic libraries is unclear. "There is something of a frenzy in the Bible software industry in this direction," Bushell reports. His company has avoided the issue "as much as possible" because of both "the lack of any real publishing standards to protect users' investments" and because "the high cost of electronic books makes print books a better long-term investment. But there is great promise here," he says. "For missionaries who cannot move books around with them, the benefits are obvious." A Balance is Sought Like other aspects of contemporary culture, technology is a two-edged sword. Bushell is mindful of maintaining appropriate balance. "As it becomes easier to amass lists of Scripture references and bibliographical entries, it also becomes easier to give the impression of depth without the substance," he warns. "The study of Scripture is hard work, and there are no real shortcuts. It involves taking the time to chew on the words and digest the material over time and with much prayer." +++ The software designer and his seven employees are working hard on a new release, continuing to improve their product and services. At the same time, having devoted the last twelve years to software development, Bushell hopes to personally cut back a little in the near future and tackle other projects. "I would like to express in writing some of the wonder and awe that the doctrines of grace have deposited in my heart," he says. "I've worked on a commentary on the Westminster Confession for many years but have not found the time to bring it to fruition. Perhaps the Lord will give me grace and time to do that." +++ Looking back, Bushell is grateful for the theological foundation he received at Westminster. "I have a deep love for Reformed theology as well as an appreciation for the importance of sound scholarship and exegesis in the original languages," he says. "These were nourished at Westminster, and BibleWorks never would have existed without them."

Making the Most of Bible Software
Michael Kelly, Assistant Professor of Old Testament

The advent of Bible study software has profoundly impacted personal Bible study. Programs are becoming increasingly easy to use, continue to gain stability, and now include a number of scholarly resources as companies digitize standard Bible dictionaries, lexicons, and encyclopedias. While this new generation of software has tremendous advantages for the pastor, Bible study leader, or student, these recent trends are not without their dangers. +++ The advantages of these programs are obvious, but for readers who have not experimented with Bible study software, I will summarize them. Bible Translations Most programs come with several Bible translations, and many allow the user to open several translations in one window. For example, I ordinarily compare three English, a German, a French, and a Spanish translation for every biblical passage I study. I see how these different translations handle exegetical difficulties in the Greek or Hebrew text, also open in the same window. I can look at ancient translational and interpretive decisions by opening the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament). Even for users who have never studied Greek or Hebrew, the discipline of comparing English translations can greatly enhance any study of the Scriptures. Resources Many standard Greek and Hebrew lexicons have been digitized and are available with the click of a button. Most programs have indexed standard original language concordances like Strong's to the King James translation. Thus, even users with no knowledge of Greek or Hebrew can do quick word studies on Greek or Hebrew words. Some programs have extensive digitized libraries of encyclopedias, dictionaries, theological textbooks, and atlases available for additional purchase. Original Languages Several software packages include the Greek New Testament and the Hebrew Old Testament. One of the distinct features of these digitized texts is the parsing that accompanies the text. Every word is broken down into its essential components and analyzed according to its part of speech. The usefulness for students learning Greek or Hebrew is apparent. The programs often give an English gloss, provide the parsing, and allow the student to do quick searches for similar grammatical phenomena in Scripture. This feature can be particularly helpful for review of the biblical languages and rapid reading of Greek or Hebrew Bibles. Note Keeping Several programs allow users to keep detailed, searchable notes on passages. For example, a user could search his or her note files for all the personal notes taken on a subject like "justification." +++ Less obvious are the disadvantages and dangers, which I raise here as a caveat to expecting too much from Bible software programs. Word-Level Meaning The user must be careful not to construct the meaning of a passage at the level of the word, rather than the sentence, paragraph, and whole discourse. Of course, this is not a problem with the programs, but users can fall easily into thinking that to understand a particular word, one compares how the word is used in other passages, rather than how the word is used in the passage being studied. A distinct danger of losing the rhetorical thrust and redemptive-historical significance of a passage exists when the biblical text is fragmented into parts and too much attention is given to individual words. One does not truly understand a passage in the Old or New Testament just because one can parse every verb or give an English definition of every noun. Dependence Students face a peril if they become dependent on the software for working with biblical languages. The provision of an immediate English gloss aids rapid reading of the Greek or Hebrew Bible, but one can subtly cease reading Greek and Hebrew as communicative languages, and instead view each Greek or Hebrew word as an individual unit that merely refers to an English word. Ease of Use As with all computer programs, users must work with a program consistently over an extended period of time to gain expertise. While interfaces have improved dramatically, every program I have used has its own idiosyncrasies with which the user must become familiar. Assume that you will need several months of repeated use to become comfortable with any program and fully explore its features. +++ Finally, keep in mind these considerations when purchasing a Bible software program: Know Your Needs Different programs have different features and strengths, and have been engineered for different needs. Some programs emphasize research in original languages; others have a tremendous number of digitized resources available for additional cost. The missionary wishing to travel with a research library on a hard drive may prefer one program; the pastor preparing a sermon, another. Some users may not foresee the need to do complex grammatical analysis on the Greek or Hebrew texts; others will require this feature. Budget Appropriately Some programs require additional purchases to "unlock" resources like other Bible dictionaries or encyclopedias. These resources can be immensely helpful to the pastor and student, but add to the cost of the program. Be sure to identify the precise components that come bundled with the package you purchase, to avoid unforeseen costs down the road.

THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE
Samuel T. Logan, Jr.

One of the great privileges of my position is the correspondence I receive on behalf of the Seminary. Postcards, letters, emails, and faxes pour into this office, expressing gratitude, encouraging us in our commitments, telling amazing stories, and offering instruction where the writer believes necessary. These letters are as fascinating as they are diverse. I recently received two letters, one addressed to "Your Excellency" and the other "Yo Wassup Homey"! +++ By far, my favorite letters are those from alumni and others closely associated with our community, writing to express their gratitude for the spiritual maturity that grew out of their experiences at Westminster. They often recount specific professors and classes that drew them deeper into Scripture and the tenets of the Reformed faith. They describe their current ministries and how the Lord is using the gifts they honed here to preach, train, or evangelize around the world. And they praise God for his faithfulness to them and to this institution. +++ Sarah Chan, '89, emailed me about her work in England with Christian Witness to Israel. "My time at Westminster helped me to realize that it was not missiology that I needed to be better equipped," she writes, "but theology in which I needed to be firmly rooted. I am truly grateful for my professors' living testimonies of the Word and for Westminster's strong emphasis on the teaching of the Word. Through my work in CWI, I'm more aware of the importance of a sound theological foundation for a missionary. Mission is not only about statistics, case studies, or another 'ology' but about 'The Word became flesh.'" Amen! +++ A similar letter came from the Reverend Breno Prudente de Oliveira, Jr., a Th.M. student at Mackenzie University in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where Westminster professor Richard Gaffin was a guest lecturer. "The courses with Dr. Gaffin were extremely helpful," he writes. "Dr. Gaffin did not give us just a taste of Reformed theology, but a complete meal!" After finishing his course work in Brazil, Breno spent some time on our Philadelphia campus researching for his thesis, an experience which he says fulfilled his "long-standing dream of coming to Westminster." +++ Thank you, Sarah and Breno, for taking the time to remind us of our purpose and encourage us in our ministry. Because of you, I gratefully look forward to reading the mail. Keep the letters coming!

Westminster Announces New Alumni Director
If you thought this man was our director of Texas development, you were right! A native of the land of the ten-gallon hat, the Reverend Steve Cairns, '83, is pleased to wear more than one hat for Westminster. While continuing to work as a member of our development team, Cairns has undertaken the rewarding mission of serving as Westminster's new director of alumni relations. +++ A graduate of West Texas State University, Cairns received his M.A.R. from Westminster in 1983, and his M.Div. the following year. In 1986 he was ordained by the OPC and is now a teaching elder of the South Texas Presbytery of the PCA. Before joining the development office, he was a full-time evangelist and pastor. He and his wife Paula live in Boerne, Texas. +++ If you have not already met him, be sure to introduce yourself by emailing him at scairns@wts.edu. Or come to Philadelphia in October and greet him in person at one of the class reunions during the 2003 Institute on Biblical Preaching.

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ON CAMPUS

Jue Joins Church History Faculty
Jeffrey K. Jue (B.A., University of California at Irvine; M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary in California; Ph.D. candidate, University of Aberdeen) has been appointed assistant professor of church history. A specialist in post-Reformation historical theology, Jue's doctoral dissertation is entitled "'Heaven Upon Earth': The Apocalyptic Legacy of Joseph Mede."

"I am delighted to have Jeff on board," says Associate Professor of Church History and Historical Theology Carl R. Trueman. "He combines impeccable orthodoxy and great potential as a scholarly historian with a passion for the church, particularly on cross-cultural issues. His addition to the faculty will further enhance Westminster's scholarly profile while helping to break down traditional disciplinary boundaries, such as those between church history and missiology, in a manner that can only benefit those training for church leadership in the twenty-first century."

A former lecturer at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jue has been a lecturer in church history at Westminster since January. He assumed the new appointment July 1.

Tipton Appointed Lecturer
Lane G. Tipton was recently appointed full-time lecturer in systematic theology for 2003-2004. Tipton (B.A., Southwestern Oklahoma State University; M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary in California; Ph.D. candidate, Westminster Theological Seminary) has preached to numerous congregations, lectured at Reformed Theological Seminary, and is co-editor with K. Scott Oliphint of a forthcoming book on Reformed apologetics.

Professor Emeritus Announced
At the May meeting of the board of trustees, Westminster conferred the title of emeritus to retiring professor Manuel Ortiz. Now professor emeritus of ministry and urban mission, Ortiz (B.S., Philadelphia College of the Bible; M.A., Wheaton Graduate School of Theology; D.Min., Westminster Theological Seminary) has served the Seminary with distinction since 1987. He will continue to lecture and serve in an advisory capacity.

A pastor and former Christian school teacher and headmaster, in 1981 Ortiz founded the Apprenticeship School of Urban Ministry in Chicago. He is the author of several books, including The Hispanic Challenge: Opportunities Confronting the Church (InterVarsity, 1994) and One New People: Models for Developing a Multiethnic Church (InterVarsity, 1996).

Dr. Timothy Z. Witmer succeeds Ortiz as coordinator of the practical theology department.

Booknotes

That You May Believe: New Life in the Son (Crossway, 2003) by Joseph "Skip" Ryan, '76, pastor of Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas. In this collection of expository sermons on the Gospel of John, Ryan emphasizes the Jesus that John knew and loved. Sinclair Ferguson calls this book "theology in a popular dress - clearly expressed, practically applied, full of grace and good news - and, in addition, it's a great read!"

The Word Became Flesh: Evangelicals and the Incarnation (Paternoster, 2003) by David G. Peterson. Countering the claim that evangelicals misunderstand or neglect the doctrine of the Incarnation, this compilation of papers first presented at the Oak Hill Annual School of Theology provides biblical, theological, and philosophical reflections, paying particular attention to the working out of the doctrine in modern church life. Includes an essay by Carl R. Trueman, associate professor of church history and historical theology, on "The Incarnation and the Lord's Supper."

In commemoration of the tercentenary of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), numerous books about the life and theology of the brilliant colonial preacher have been published this year. Among them are:

Jonathan Edwards: A Life (Yale, 2003) by George M. Marsden, '63. Arguably the most eloquent and accurate biography of Edwards ever produced, Marsden's portrait is critical, yet sensitive to the complex theology to which Edwards subscribed. Drawing on sources recently made available, all 615 pages of meticulous research are well crafted and readable. In honor of this work and his numerous other contributions to American religious history, Westminster presented Marsden with an honorary doctor of divinity at this yearÕs commencement exercises.

The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards: American Religion and the Evangelical Tradition (Baker, 2003) edited by D.G. Hart, '81, Sean Michael Lucas, '02, and Stephen J. Nichols, '95. In 13 essays, this volume examines Edwards' spiritual and evangelistic vision, the significance of his thought to contemporary theology, and the contributions of his theology to the major debates of the nineteenth century. Includes a forward by Sam Logan and a chapter by Scott Oliphint, associate professor of apologetics.

To order, call 888-WTS-BOOK.

CLASSNOTES
Mariano Di Gangi, '46, is enjoying active retirement, preaching, completing an Italian commentary on Philippians and Colossians, and writing a study on the works of English Puritan Richard Sibbes.
Walter Arkell, '59, recently completed two years as interim pastor of The Presbyterian Church at Hammonton, N.J., and has returned to retirement.
On May 30, Yong Choon Kim, '63, was the commencement speaker at Evangelia University in Anaheim, Calif.
David R. Jackson, '75, '78, is head of biblical studies at William Carey Christian School in Sydney, Australia, and author of a forthcoming book from Continuum entitled Enochic Judaism. He is married to Pat (Schroeder)
Jackson, '75, '78, who currently serves as deputy principal of
William Carey Christian School.
J. Cameron Fraser, '78, '86, recently graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill., with a D.Min. in pastoral ministries. He pastors Burdett Christian Reformed Church in Alberta, Canada.
Former professor of New Testament and dean of faculty at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., Daniel Doriani, '79, '86, is now senior pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in St. Louis. His sixth book, Women and Ministry, was released by Crossway in April.
R. Scott Robertson, '82, is now a family doctor practicing in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. He and his wife Jennie have three grown children.
Since September of last year, Paul Randolph, '87, '96, has been counselor and director of church outreach at the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation in Glenside, Pa.
On May 1, Charles Clayton, '86, former executive director of World Vision UK, became group chief executive of the Shaftesbury Housing Association, the UK's largest Christian registered social landlord.
Tim Yates, '89, '97, is dean of the M.A. in biblical counseling program at China Reformed Theological Seminary, Taiwan, and pastor of Friendship Presbyterian Church, English section.
Cody Ray, '01, was ordained by and installed as organizing pastor of Reformed Bible Church in Hickory, N.C., on June 6.
On May 17, Meredith Riedel, '02, received the Th.M. degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J.

We love to hear from our alumni! Email your update to mwithrow@wts.edu.

DEATHS
Lloyd A. Kalland, '46, on February 9, 2003. In addition to Westminster, he received degrees from Gordon College, Reformed Episcopal Seminary, the University of Pennsylvania, and Northern Baptist Seminary. A former pastor, he taught at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary from 1955-1987 and for three years served as acting president. He was 88.
Alexander C. De Jong, '47, on April 10, 2003. He was a graduate of Calvin College and the Free University of Amsterdam. Ordained by the Christian Reformed Church in 1947, he pastored seven churches, and from 1966-1968 served as the first president of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill.
Raymond E. Commeret, '48, on May 24, 2003. Ordained by the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in 1949, he served five churches full-time for 43 years. After retirement, he became associate pastor of Harvest OPC in Grand Rapids, Mich., and with his wife Rosemary maintained a visitation ministry to the sick and elderly. He was 81.
Nathaniel W. Pearson, '53, on March 27, 2003, at the age of 80. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he attended Wheaton College and then earned his M.Div. at Westminster. He was a member of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, and ministered to several churches in Maine over a span of 40 years.
Calvin D. Freeman, '56, on November 29, 2002. A graduate of Calvin College, he pursued additional studies in biology after seminary. He taught at Wilkes College, Cleveland State University, and Geneva College, where he was chairman of the biology department, retiring in 2000. He frequently preached in local churches and had an ongoing ministry to the physically challenged.
E. E. "Ted" MacDougall, '62, on March 7, 2003. A man of many talents, he was a scientist, radio broadcaster, InterVarsity leader, and for over 40 years ministered to a congregation on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Byron Bitar, '72, on June 2, 2003, of cancer. He graduated from Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Virginia. A professor of philosophy at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa., he was named Teacher of the Year in 1993 and published several books. He was 55.
George Hilger, '87, on April 10, 2003, of leukemia. A 1981 graduate of Montclair State College (now University), N.J., he was a music teacher in the New Jersey school system and established Amor, a counseling and reconciliation service.
Gene Ellerbe, current student, on August 7, 2003, of complications from an organ transplant. A native of Brooklyn and a graduate of Nyack College, he was in his second year in the M.Div. program and planned to pastor or plant churches after seminary. He was 47.

What is the Westminster Hebrew Institute?
The Westminster Hebrew Institute applies computing and related technology to the study and teaching of the Hebrew Bible and language. Formerly known as the Center for the Application of Technology to Theological and Biblical Education (CATBE), it was formed in 1986 as an outgrowth of ongoing research in the area of Hebrew Bible and computing at Westminster, under the executive direction of Professor J. Alan Groves. Today the Institute is staffed by Director Kirk Lowery, a Hebraicist with skills in both linguistics and computing. Part-time support is supplied by Professor Michael Kelly, as well as by several graduate student assistants.

The Institute currently sponsors (bi-annually) a January seminar in Hebrew Text-Linguistics. In addition to Professors Groves and Lowery, Professor Eep Talstra of the Free University, Amsterdam, regularly participates, as well as other scholars. The Institute also serves as a resource center for the academic research needs of faculty and students in Hebrew and related study. It is noteworthy that the Institute participated in some of the earliest attempts at computer-aided instruction of the Hebrew language.

The Institute authors, contributes to, or consults on four ongoing projects: the electronic Biblica Hebraica Stuttgartensia; the Westminster Hebrew Morphology; the Quest Morpho-Syntactic Database; and the Biblica Hebraica Quinta, a new text-critical edition of the Hebrew Bible.

Inquiries for further information should be directed to Professor Lowery at 215-572-3854 or
klowery@wts.edu.

Commencement 2003
At the 74th annual commencement on May 29, we welcomed 144 new alumni, our largest graduating class ever. God is good! Dr. Luder G. Whitlock, Jr., '66, president of Excelsis, gave the address on "The Stewardship of Your Life." Photo Album is host on Westminster's website.