ADC News

Simpson Lectures - February 2019

Dr. Stephen McMullin, Dr. Joel Thiessen, and Dr. Harry Gardner

The 2019 Gerald K. Simpson Lectures featured Dr. Joel Thiessen, a leading Sociologist of Religion and Professor of Sociology at Ambrose University. Joel leads the Flourishing Congregations research initiative and has authored books and articles that explain what is happening to the Canadian religious landscape during these times of great social change. In addition to the well-attended evening lectures that evoked much discussion each night, both by people in the room and from the large number of people watching online, Joel met with the ADC faculty for a wide-ranging discussion about his research and the state of the Christian Church in Canada. The lectures were engaging, firmly based on research, and they addressed questions that Canadian churches and their leaders need to understand as they seek to communicate the gospel in a changed society. View the lectures at acadiadiv.ca/simpson. In the photo to the right, left to right, are: Dr. Steve McMullin, Dr. Joel Thiessen, and Dr. Harry Gardner.

Scripture Reading Competition – March 2019

In March 2019, in co-operation with the Canadian Bible Society, Acadia Divinity College, once again, hosted an annual competition to focus on the public reading of Scripture. Contestants read two selections chosen by the judges and had to meet criteria including articulation, expression, projection, and poise. The top three finishers, all Master of Divinity students, were Andrew Sutherland (first), Ajay Ramanujam (second) and Andrew Conrad (third). The first-place finisher received an inscribed Bible and monetary prize. In the photo to the left, from left to right, are Andrew Sutherland, Andrew Conrad, Dr. Carol Anne Janzen, the Canadian Bible Society’s Regional Director, Atlantic Region, Ajay Ramanujam, and Dr. John McNally, Director of Mentored Ministry Program and Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Acadia Divinity College.

International Collaboration on Faith and Violence – May 2019

In May 2019, Acadia Divinity College (ADC) and the Taylor Centre for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care hosted top academic researchers from around the globe who study how congregations address and respond to domestic violence. The collaborative meeting was organized by ADC’s Dr. Steve McMullin, who teaches an ADC course called “The Church’s Response to Domestic Violence,” and by the University of New Brunswick’s (UNB) Cathy Holtmann, Director of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research. Researchers and graduate students from Acadia and UNB were joined by scholars from New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. A highlight of the week was the wellattended ADC chapel service with a message given by Baptist pastor Rev. Daphne Marsden from New Zealand. ADC Master of Divinity student Taylor Craig and ADC Bachelor of Theology graduate (and current Ph.D. student and CBAC staff member) Joel Murphy also participated. View videos of the evening sessions at acadiadiv.ca/faith-and-violence

Journey of Discovery in Israel and Palestine – June 2019

Dr. Harry Gardner, Dr. Anna Robbins, and Dr. Glenn Wooden recently led a group of 42 people on a ‘Journey of Discovery in Israel and Palestine.’ This 12-day tour visited many locations found in scripture such as the Sea of Galilee, Caesarea Philippi, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. The tour also featured two courses allowing students to earn academic credit towards their degree programs. “Israel Study Tour,” taught by Dr. Wooden, introduced the geography of the land and to shed light on events of the Old and New Testaments, while “Theology of Political Reconciliation,” taught by Dr. Anna Robbins, explored the place of social sin, forgiveness, and repentance in political reconciliation, and considered the tension between individual and collective responsibility.

RZIM – July 2019

Dr. Anna Robbins and Ravi Zacharias

From July 10-13, Acadia Divinity College hosted the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) 2019 Summit. The four-day summit focused on the topic “All Nature Sings: God and the Natural World.” Speakers included Andy Bannister, Abdu Murray, Logan Gates, Anna Robbins, Margaret Manning Shull, Dr. Terry LeBlanc, and Dr. Danny Zacharias. A special Friday event with Ravi Zacharias was held at Festival Theatre to a sold out audience.