Volume 1, Number 2
Reverse Innovation: In Search of Better Solutions than Best Practices
Necessity drives innovation. As the needs of the Church continue to change, as new theological questions emerge in new contexts, and as pressures increase on traditional delivery systems that have developed over hundreds of years, theological education is in need of innovation. However, in both theology and education, innovation comes slowly. Theology rightfully approaches innovation… read more
InResponse: Five Loaves and Two Fish: A Response to Olive Oil, Theological Education, and Economics
One day, the disciples found themselves in a situation that would be a nightmare for any president of a theological institution. They were challenged to provide food for thousands of hungry students! The disciples were troubled, knowing that vast resources would be required. However, Jesus urged them to first find out what was already available:… read more
Relevance and Faithfulness: Challenges in Contextualizing Theological Education
The relevance of theological curricula to specific contexts has always been a challenge. In our pluralistic world where graduates minister in greatly varying contexts and cultures, theological education has to be both relevant and faithful. It is no longer enough to ensure that students have mastered core theological concepts and truths, learned biblical knowledge, and… read more
Toward Theological Integration Using Action Research: Reflections from an Arab Context
This article describes our attempt to use an abbreviated version of action research in an integrated learning module of the Theology Program at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, Lebanon. Practical theological and theological educators can make effective use of this social scientific method within the context of the theological school. Among the benefits… read more
A Tectonic Shift: The Rapid Rise of PhD Programs at Evangelical Theological Schools in the Majority World
In recent years, the number of evangelical theological schools in the Majority World conferring the PhD has grown considerably. This article shares results from a survey of twenty-three schools conducted as part of the Doctoral Initiative sponsored by the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education. The results show a steep increase in program offerings and… read more
Ted Ward: A Global Legacy
In January 2016, Dr. Ted W. Ward entered eternal rest. He is internationally recognized for his enduring contribution to educational studies and Christian education as Professor of Education at Michigan State University, and as Professor of Christian Education and the founder of research doctoral programs in Education and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.… read more
A Legacy that Speaks Today
African cultures value the lasting memories of those who have passed on as evidenced by John Mbiti’s famous documentation of the African philosophy of “the living dead,” which immortalizes the legacy of ancestors. The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews provides a striking analogy that enriches this traditional African concept. Like righteous Abel, who… read more
An Indelible Mark
My first encounter with Dr. Ward was in 1995 at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. I had been accepted into the doctoral program in Educational Studies and Dr. Ward was a major reason why I decided on this program. I first heard about Ted from Dr. Jim Pluddeman, my academic adviser at Wheaton… read more
The Gift of Listening
We praise God for the life of Ted Ward. We first met him in the early 1990s when Bulus was studying at TEDS. We reconnected a decade later when Rose came back to earn her PhD at TEDS. We consider ourselves Ted’s “academic grandchildren.” We were both students of Victor Cole at Jos ECWA Evangelical… read more
A Friend with a Global Perspective
“Ho, Ho, Ho! You must be wishing that you could be back home in Singapore,” said a smiling Ted Ward to me on a cold winter morning in Deerfield, Illinois. He was holding a mug with steaming brewed coffee in one hand and a briefcase in the other. He was walking toward his office on… read more
