UPDATE Magazine

In the last year, we also have all been reminded about the fragility of life and the uncertainties that can come with disease and death: COVID, a plummeting economy, violence in the streets almost unparalleled in history. Often in such times, we turn to the Psalter for comfort. Today, I’d like to take the reader on a brief survey of a familiar Psalm: Psalm 91.

That same vision to prepare Bible specialists was taken out West with the original WSC faculty, and it continues to guide the school today.

Undoubtedly this Synod and its Canons were vital to seventeenth century Calvinism theologically and ecclesiastically. But beyond providing a four-hundredth anniversary about which church historians can write, are the Canons actually valuable for Christians today? Not surprisingly, I answer that question with a resounding, Yes!

"It has been my pleasure to serve the church as a minister and, on loan, as a professor at Westminster Seminary California (WSC) for two decades. Many reasons come to mind when I consider why I feel so privileged to be a part of this institution. But one that stands out is its identity as an old school in a new age."

Now, cultivating wisdom in hearts and minds is a daunting enterprise. It cannot be produced merely by classroom lectures, research papers, and final exams. Rather, wisdom thrives at the intersection of divinely-revealed truth and life’s confusing experience. And we can only grow in wisdom as a community.

UPDATE sat down with Rev. Kim in order to learn more about his life, career, and vision for WSC.

As a young Californian many things in Pennsylvania were a little strange. One oddity for me was that the lunch break at seminary began at 1:00 p.m. That seemed late to me (and I was hungry by then). So I asked someone why lunch was so late. The shocked reply was “because that was the way they did it at old Princeton.” In time I would discover that that was the answer to many questions, and, for me as a historian, it was a very satisfying answer. 

"The context of community is vital to seminary education because education is more than listening to a lecture."

Professor Joel E. Kim reflects on the global reach of the Gospel through his own visits, as well as through the faithful labors of our WSC alumni

"These days, it seems, one sure-fire way to instigate a vigorous discussion in Reformed circles—whether around the Sunday dinner table or in the blogosphere—is to bring up the topic of “application” in sermons."

Church planting or not, the foundational nature of the word of God, the importance of evangelism, and shepherding the flock, are necessary and foundational tasks for all pastors.

Our glorious Lord has given us a mission and a powerful message to which he has attached great promises, namely the promise to use the proclamation of that message to raise the dead to life and to put the living to death. 

Professor Charles Telfer explains that while the marathon of faith is difficult and tiring, we press on knowing that Christ is not only the founder, but the finisher of our faith.