Topics on the Theology Day
Speakers
Rev Dr Jacob Lett
Vice Principal (Academics), Dean of the Faculty, and Senior Lecturer in Theology (NTC)
I joined the faculty of Nazarene Theological College in the summer of 2021. I was “thrown into” (Heidegger’s geworfen) theology while living in remote region of Asia. It was in my interactions with people from various Asian minority areas that I was confronted with the strangeness of Christian ideas and developed a passion for testing the elasticity of Christian theology. The questions that arose during our time in Asia led me to pursue theological research at NTC as a MA and a PhD student and continue to inform the way I theologize.
I teach and supervise research in the areas of theology, historical theology, and contextual/integrative theology. My recent research is on Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar. I have published articles and a book on his Christology.
When I’m not in the office, I’m with my family: Whitney and our children, Rowan and Beatrice. We spend most of our time walking in parks, riding bikes, reading, tree watching, and gardening. I also roast my own coffee, and, when I had spare time before having kids, I enjoyed woodworking and remodeling our home.
Revd Dr MiJa Wi
Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Global Mission (NTC)
Although originally from South Korea, I have journeyed through diverse countries, such as Bangladesh, the Philippines, and the UK, as a mission practitioner and as an academic. Some of my cross-cultural mission and ministerial experience include working with Operation Mobilization in Bangladesh while living with a Bengali family and initiating and pastoring a Nazarene house church in a Manila slum. The experience of living as a “resident alien” while seeking a “home” in various countries has profoundly shaped my identity and how I engage with God and the Bible.
My lived experience in Bangladesh and the Philippines led me to explore the meaning of the scriptural expression, ‘good news to the poor’ in Luke’s Gospel, both in its biblical context and considering its implications in today’s world, as my doctoral research (The Path to Salvation in Luke’s Gospel: What Must We Do? London: T&T Clark, 2019) . Continuing my journey as a “resident alien” in the UK, I have been exploring the intersection of my multiple identities—East Asian woman, church minister, and Bible teacher. At the heart of this exploration is Bridging Worlds, a Centre for those seeking to find a “home” or “community” in Christ while navigating the complexities of multiple (or hyphenated) identities. I am interested in a wide range of fields, such as wealth and poverty in the NT, the intersection of the Bible and mission, Diaspora and global Christianities, and various Asian approaches to biblical interpretation.
Besides teaching and directing the Centre at NTC, I am involved in ministering in a Korean (and International) Nazarene congregation with my husband, Eun Ho.
Revd Dr Wolfgang Kohler
CLUSTER CHAIR AND LECTURER IN BIBLICAL STUDIES (EUNC)
Wolfgang completed his PhD at Heidelberg University in the Old Testament Studies, completing a dissertation entitled “The Hardening of Israel in the Book of Isaiah. Study of a Theological Motif.” As well as an MA in Christianity and Culture, he holds and MSc in Applied Computer Science, and uses both of these in his two lines of work: first, as a Software developer in Lueneburg, and second, since 2014, as a senior lecturer, Learning Centre Coordinator, and ‘Cluster Chair’ in Biblical Studies, for European Nazarene College.
Wolfgang was ordained as an elder in 2016. He speaks German, English, Polish and Dutch, alongside his knowledge of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He’s a passionate cyclist, and loves football.
As well as teaching at EuNC, he is a graduate of the College. He comments, “I was impacted by getting to know Christians from many different countries and cultures and understand their background beyond the surface, which is only possible when interacting with each other in day-to-day situations. During my time at EuNC, my conviction grew that there is power in Scripture and that it is the source of every spiritual renewal. This became my motivation to do further studies in the area of biblical studies and eventually, become a Bible teacher.”
Arpit Waghmare
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, SIBS
Arpit Waghmare is the Executive Secretary of South India Biblical Seminary Ministries. He is also the National Coordinator of the Operation Nehemiah (ON) movement – a holistic movement for Financial Integrity for church and missions in India – bringing the best expertise from lay Christians, in different organisational areas, to help churches and missions build effective organisations with integrity.
In this capacity Arpit also serves on the executive committee of the Lausanne movement’s Global Integrity Network (GIN), and is currently the board chair of the Evangelical Financial Accountability Council (EFAC) out of which has come the peer accountability group for India called NobleRank.
Originally from the Church of North India, Arpit has also led three church plants in Mumbai – in English and in Hindi – between 2002-2006. An engineering graduate, with a management degree, He also holds an MA in Theological Studies from SAIACS.
Arpit is passionate about integrating the gospel of Jesus into everyday life and believes that the most important calling and challenge is to become like Jesus, and therefore busy exploring how this works in all the different spheres he is engaged in – family, work, church, art (music) and business.
He is married to Shilpa who is a counsellor and writer, specialising in healing from sexual abuse and trauma through creative therapy. They have two daughters – Tiara and Kezia – both of whom are professional musicians.
Frank Holleman
Frank Holleman is the founder of Fork Ranger, an organization that turns research about climate change and food into practical tips and recipes. He wrote the book Solving Climate Change with Food. As the son of two pastors, he truly found his calling as a ‘pastor for sustainability’ and regularly speaks about the connection between food, climate change, and ‘The Good Life.’
Heartbreaking – this is how Frank describes his feelings the moment he truly realized the consequences of climate change: for humanity, for the earth and for his own environment. Frank grew up in Switzerland, and is fascinated by mountains and glaciers, especially the Aletsch Glacier, the largest in Europe.
In his presentations, Frank playfully makes it clear how easy it is to start making an impact today. As in a video game, you start at level 1 and not immediately at 3.