|
 |
|
|
Columns |
|
|
| The Third Degree: Religious and Theological Studies |
| Pod Bhogal |
| Published 17 January 2006 |
| |
In the evangelical student world, theology can hardly be said to have a good name. ‘Ivory Tower’, ‘God in a box’ — such are the slogans used to describe and dismiss the rigorous thinking-through of biblical truth.
Added to this, the secular academy has had a long history of antagonism towards any place for personal belief within its theology and religious studies departments, providing a significant challenge for any evangelical students. So, Dr. Bruce Winter, Warden and Director of Tyndale House, writes:
‘The academy is a very difficult place in which to live and speak for Christ. There, above all other places, many bow at the altar of knowledge and those who possess it are puffed up. There are seemingly impregnable citadels that have been erected contrary to the knowledge of God.’
For around half a century, UCCF’s Religious and Theological Studies Fellowship (RTSF) has, in various guises, existed to support, encourage and equip evangelical students of theology and religious studies. Like Paul speaking to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1.8-18, they have been helping students to be ready to safeguard the gospel, to spread the gospel and to suffer for the gospel.
I caught up with Mike Reeves, the new RTSF co-ordinator, to find out about the work they are currently involved in, and his vision for the future of this strategic ministry.
PB: Tell me something about your background?
MR: I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t a Christian, but I do remember my time as a history student in Cambridge, picking up a lot of wrong theology which messed up my life for a while. It was then for the first time that I really saw how it is that theology, good or bad, affects the most practical day-to-day things of our lives. Wonderfully, there were many in the CICCU there to help me. From Cambridge I went on to the Cornhill training course and Oak Hill College before being ordained for an assistant curacy at All Souls, Langham Place, which I did alongside doctoral studies in theology at King’s College.
PB: Why the move into the national student scene with RTSF?
MR: My passion is to equip Christians to think through the gospel; for it is when good theology is fed straight into the minds and hearts of Christians that the Church can grow. It is through deeper engagement with the theology of the Bible that we grow and are better equipped to do evangelism. Theology is not a specialist discipline but what every Christian does. I want to help Christians do it well. RTSF is a wonderful opportunity to work out that passion in a most essential mission-field.
PB: So, I know that RTSF meets in groups in departments around the country. What are RTSF groups about?
MR: RTSF groups are revolutionary theological communities dedicated to rebelling against the world-order of the idols and replacing it with the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Just as Gideon smashed down the altar of Baal and lopped down the Asherah pole, so in RTSF groups, students seek to demolish the idols in our minds and in our world, and turn to the Living God.
PB: What’s your vision for the future of RTSF?
MR: My wide-angle vision is to see every Christian theology and RS student better equipped through their RTSF group and through all the resources we provide to grow in love for Jesus, the Bible and good theology, and to become mature and fervent evangelists. To do that I’m keen to provide the best theological training and support for students; and I’d like that support to become ever more comprehensive and systematic. In so doing I want to aim at doing ourselves out of the job of reacting to issues, students having been ready-equipped to engage intelligently with them.
Pod Bhogal
If you are interested in finding out more about this vital ministry, or in supporting the work of RTSF, either financially or in prayer, please contact Mike at mr@uccf.org.uk.
|
| |
© Evangelicals Now
This column is used with permission. |
|
|
|
|
|
