Teaching Biblical Reformed Theology to the World
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Daily Quote
We are still hard at work. Iván recently traveled to Mexico and El Salvador. Dr. Smith is focused on book publicity and development of related instructional materials. Ezequiel, David, and Ana organized movie discussions. The Friends of the Center continue to gather and discuss the book they are reading. Webinars continue online. As a team, we continue to plan and pray about our ministry.
Movies depict our culture and help us to understand the worldviews of our unbelieving friends. They express values and provide role models. They are an asymmetrical way of teaching the biblical story, theology, and worldview, as well as fostering critical thinking and empathetic listening. Fifteen attendeed.
John Frame wrote, "I see the 'messages' of the films in the context of the general culture and of those great cultural debates which are at the bottom theological. My approach is to stand back from each film and ask, what is it trying to tell me? What is its worldview, its law, its gospel?"
In Centro Kuyper, we also ask how and what the movie is telling us about thinking. What Christian symbols and themes does the film utilize? How is common grace and general revelation manifested? How does sin and redemption function in the movie?
In late May, we watched the documentary, The Minimalists: Less Is Now, which deals with consumerism and how it cultivates our minds, values, and habits. In late June, we watched the Marvel film, Thunderbolts, focused on the issues of meaning and identity, guilt and pardon.
One person commented, "I enjoyed the discussion. Listening to and sharing different opinions was very good. This time was a blessing and very enriching. I'm taking away the importance of evangelism and the centrality of Christ."
Last month, Richard spoke about the question, "What is the Cultural Mandate and is it still relevant today? (Gen 1:26–28)." The audience were Christians associated with a political party in Argentina. There were 15 attendees and the participants included Baptists, Presbyterians, and Pentecostals, among others.
Richard explained the Mandate within the context of Genesis 1–2 and the complexities of "this present evil age" (Gal 1:4), beginning in Genesis 3. This month, Iván will speak about Public Theology to the same gathering. We will explore ways to provide ongoing instruction for this ministry focused on the political sphere.
Iván traveled to Mexico and participated in a conference called "Being Reformed," organized by the Seminario Presbiteriano Reformado de México in Mexico City. He also spoke at a conference called, "Art, Culture, and Neo-Calvinism," organized by the Instituto Teología para la Vida and La Alianza Estratégica of Mexico City, with 110 attendees.
In El Salvador, he gave a series of lectures in the city of Ahuachapán about a biblical theology of culture, biblical worldview and its relationship to sanctification, as well as presuppositional apologetics.
In both locations, Iván spoke in several small groups and developed many promising relationships. Above, at the church with artistic types: 35 attendees.
Richard's book, Love God with the Mind: Lessons from the Old Testament, is now available (Spanish version). The English version, For Such a Mind as This, is available on Amazon in the U.S.
A pastor and professor in Mexico received a copy and posted this message on Facebook: "Without a doubt, this book is not only recommended, but essential reading. Having participated in a reading and discussion group about it before its Spanish publication, gives me the basis to say the following: It's definitely best to get your hands on the book and discover it for yourselves!"
A woman bought the book at a church bookstand and told us: "I haven't even had the book for twenty-four hours and I'm already devouring it. Honestly, I love the amount of information, the amount of biblical basis and support. I love how it's explained. There's so much to learn, so much to absorb. I think everyone should honestly read it, so they can love God more, honor Him, glorify Him, and live in a way that's more consistent with Him."
“God's global aim in creation and redemption is not only the glory of his name, but also the gladness of the peoples.”
