Last night was the annual meeting of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar. For those of you that are unfamiliar, this seminar is part of the Paideia Center and is responsible for works such as “Behind the Text,” “After Pentecost,” and “Out of Egypt.”

I had the privilege of listening to 12 brief presentations outlining various elements that should be a part of theological interpretations. Some of these topics address the recovery of historical criticism as a theological (not atheological) endeavor, theology in service of the ecclesia, and the telos of theological interpretation.

Here is Dr. Heath Thomas speaking on the Telos of Theological Interpretation:

Here is Craig Bartholomew speaking on Theological Interpretation for all Life:

It is important to forewarn those of you licking your chops that this endeavor is in its initial phases.

After the Seminar, we met for dinner. I was honored to speak with Knut Heim, the Vice-President of Trinity College in Bristol, Phillip, a recent PhD grad, and Ron, a PhD candidate at Trinity Divinity.

I must say that though these men (Heath Thomas, Craig Evans, Craig Bartholomew, Chris Wright, Paul House, and Scott Hafemann) are kings in their fields, I came away from that dinner feeling like a king. That isn’t because I am anything or anyone special. I have noticed at conferences that people won’t talk to you if you aren’t a professor or a PhD candidate. Oh, you’re a ThM student at SEBTS, let me find a way out of this conversation so that I can find someone that can stroke my ego.

These guys exhibited true humility. They listened, were attentive and inquisitive, and were willing to humbly offer advice. Thanks to all of you in the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar! I am already looking forward to next year.