The Academic Dean’s Forum exists to explore topics of church, culture, and theology in a casual atmosphere with more depth than is often possible in classes. We invite our community and the general public to join us for these monthly discussions on a variety of topics. All forums are live streamed on Facebook. Registration is only required for our limited in-person attendance and lunch. Please see below for more information on our upcoming events.
In the year of Jubilee, Israel was commanded to proclaim the cancellation of debts, freedom for the enslaved, redemption of the land, and restoration for the dislocated. This ensured that every 50 years, once in every generation, they would encounter the Lord as a Savior who redeems from bondage and restores the inheritance of every covenant son and daughter.
How did early Christians understand human identity and human possibilities? This lecture analyzes how major thinkers of the fourth and fifth centuries (including Athanasius, Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine, Cyril of Alexandria, and Nemesius) approached topics such as human nature, the image of God, the fall, redemption, the human telos, and providence.
This presentation will survey the interpretation of the most important passages of the Old and New Testament relating to women in ministry in light of the their historical and cultural contexts, as part of an argument affirming women in all forms of ministry. Aspects of biblical teaching about marriage may come into the conversation.
2025-2026
The Exodus is the seminal moment in Israel’s history as a nation. This act of God’s saving power liberated Israel from oppression in Egypt, enabling the Israelites to serve God freely.
All seminary students and pastors are familiar with the dreaded phrase “out of context.” We all know that we should interpret each biblical passage in light of its historical and literary.
Music is often called “the universal language” but digging deeper, we can see how music helps us communicate values, deeply felt needs, complex feelings, and core identities.
If Christians would wholeheartedly embrace humility, our witness in the world can be radically improved. Humility is often misunderstood, overlooked, or even disparaged.
Navigating a suicide crisis requires spiritual grounding, community support, and concrete action. Key strategies include relational support, actionable hope, and practical safety.
2 Corinthians has been called the sleeping giant of Paul’s theology. At its heart lies a paradox: “My grace is sufficient for you,” Jesus tells Paul, “for my power is perfected in weakness.”
In the church, the wisdom of God is made manifest in the folly of the gospel. Somehow God puts his goodness and glory on display through the weak, the foolish, and the broken.
In many theological discussions of immigration, explore how Romans 13 speaks to immigration, and where current systems may fall short of a biblical vision of the state.
This lecture seeks to open a compassionate, biblically grounded conversation about how Christian leaders and counselors can support survivors of domestic violence.
2024-2025
Can God suffer in his divine nature and still be God? If not, can he adequately respond to human suffering? How does the cross relate to such questions?
Discuss how to embrace pain, disappointment, and failure as pathways to greater intimacy with God and usefulness for the cause of Christ.
See how ministry workers can partner with mental health professionals and utilize their insight without compromising the vision, mission, and orthodoxy of the Church.
2023–2024
Dr. Zack Eswine expounds how pastoring and preaching are done best when seen as acts of love and wonder hovering within the ordinary lives of particular people.
Dr. Carmen Joy Imes uses Genesis to offer a meaningful path forward in addressing the issues of the new sexual revolution and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Leading evangelical authors and scholars explore how the church can engage with modern culture through Christ-centered cultural apologetics and missions.
Small-town pastors and Gordon-Conwell professors Dr. Stephen Witmer and Dr. Jason McConnell share about living a fruitful and significant life devoted to small-place ministries.
Rev. Dr. John Huh shares about mental health and pastoral counseling needs in the Asian American context and ways to encourage and equip our churches.
Dr. Richard Lints, Senior Distinguished Professor of Theology, speaks on how the church can respond to an increasingly divided world.
2022-2023
Dr. Joel Lawrence, Executive Director of the Center for Pastor Theologians, and Dr. Gordon Isaac, Gordon-Conwell professor, on the ancient call of the pastor to be a theologian.
Crawford Loritts reflects on the reality that we are headed toward the very presence of God, which should motivate us to complete His assignments for us with focused intentionality.
Dr. George Yancey analyzes what reforms show promise, and how communities can heal and improve race relations through the promotion of collaborative conversations.
What can we learn from one another as we seek to be a worshipping community? Hear from this diverse panel as they address these important questions, and others.
Dr. Wesley Hill presents a biblical, pastoral theology of sexuality in light of the present and future kingdom of God, in which God promises redemption for our whole selves in Christ.