Seminary Professor to Tackle Controversial New Testament Issues

Jeffrey Weima, a professor at Calvin Theological Seminary, will be discussing three controversial issues in the New Testament as part of a daylong seminar set for Saturday, Sept. 24, at Ebenezer CRC in Jarvis, Ont.

Along with looking at what the Bible has to say about same-sex activity, the professor of New Testament will examine how Scripture addresses “the Rapture” as well as the matter of faith versus works as portrayed by the New Testament writers James and Paul.

Weima said the most controversial topic of the three is likely to be same-sex activity, an issue that Synod 2016 dealt with and responded to by establishing a new study committee on human sexuality.

“This is a very relevant topic in our church today,” said Weima, who has been named to the committee, which has five years to do its work.

Several others have also been named to the study committee, and the final members will be appointed later this month by the CRC Board of Trustees.

“Many Christians have no idea what the texts say on this subject [same-sex acts],” said Weima. “My goal is to present people with the biblical evidence.”

When he preaches at CRC congregations, which he does frequently, Weima is aware that this is often an issue with which many people are grappling.

He is concerned that synod may have given the study committee too much time to address the subject, given the urgency of the situation: attitudes in the broader culture are changing quickly, and many in the church are seeking advice on how to deal with the issue.

When talking about “the Rapture,” the belief that Christians will suddenly be whisked away by the Lord as part of end-time events, Weima will look at 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

This passage says, “The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

Although the idea of “the Rapture” was made popular again recently in the Left Behind series of books (over 65 million copies sold), Weima argues that “this idea is a mistaken one according to a right reading of the Bible.”

The third talk that Weima will give raises the question “Does James contradict Paul on Faith versus Works?” The daylong seminar begins at 9 a.m. For more information and to register, click here.