Jones Theology Lectures: A Heritage of Theological Reflection for Building Up Christ’s Church
As Covenant Seminary relaunches its David C. Jones Theology Lectures later this month (February 29 and March 1 on the Seminary campus with featured speaker Dr. Steven J. Duby, author of Jesus and the God of Classical Theism; see more details here), we thought it would be helpful to offer some thoughts on the need for a series of academic lectures on theology and why such theological reflection is important for the training of future pastors and other ministry leaders for the church.
Dr. Robbie Griggs, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Master of Theology Program for Covenant, offers this historical perspective:
Though lecturing itself is an ancient practice, theological lectures have been at the heart of ministerial training since the emergence of medieval universities. Historically, theological lectures aim to propagate and extend systematic reflection on the God of Holy Scripture and all things in relation to him. As ministerial students observe master theologians providing sustained argumentation on a topic of perennial interest, they learn how to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). And when such lectures are published and made available more broadly, the church itself is invited to ponder further “the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God” (Rom. 11:33).
The David C. Jones Lectures in Systematic Theology provide a venue for world-class Reformed theologians to present cutting-edge theological scholarship for the edification of ministerial leaders and the church—all in a manner that honors the memory and legacy of Dr. Jones. He was a man who brought forth the riches of Reformed theology in conversation with contemporary scholarship and debate. He did this to glorify God and serve the church in her mission of worship, proclamation, and love. Through these lectures, we hope not only to keep the memory of David Jones alive at Covenant Seminary but also to further the sort of theological study and reflection he did so well.
Named for the late Dr. David C. Jones (1937–2017), long-time Professor of Systematic Theology and Ethics at Covenant Seminary, the lectures were originally inaugurated in 2009 to focus each year on a particular area of theological study under the guidance of a contemporary academic authority in that area and to highlight the Seminary’s Reformed heritage. Speakers during those early years included such well-known and highly regarded scholars as Christopher J. H. Wright, Kevin Vanhoozer, and others. Now, after a hiatus of several years, the Seminary is pleased to bring back the Jones Lectures to further honor Dr. Jones’s influence on generations of students and to provide an important service to our Covenant community.
As Dr. Thomas C. Gibbs, President of Covenant Seminary, recently noted: “Dr. David Jones’s life and work are academic and historic pillars of this institution. David’s legacy continues to inform the areas of systematic theology and Christian ethics, and we are thankful for Sue Jones’s enthusiasm and support for the return of this important annual event that bears her late husband’s name. Please join us in giving thanks to God for this unique opportunity at Covenant Seminary.”
