WEST Faculty
Rev C Jonathan Stephen, PrincipalBA (Hons), University of Wales, Bangor; M Soc Sc, University of Birmingham; QTS
Following a few years teaching Religious Education in a large and lively inner-London comprehensive school, Jonathan completed nearly 28 years in pastoral ministry, first at Amyand Park Chapel in Twickenham and then at Carey Baptist Church in Reading. His service to the wider Church has steadily grown through his preaching ministry and involvement in many projects and Christian agencies. Past President of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (1998-2001) and present Director of Affinity, Jonathan took up the reins as Principal of WEST in September 2006. Jonathan is married to Sheila, whose own CV stretches to many pages. They have one son, Jeremy, who is a lawyer in London. Though believing that hobbies are essentially unscriptural, as a member of MCC he nonetheless takes his guardianship of the laws of cricket very seriously. He strongly supports Richie Benaud in his call for reform of the front foot rule.
Research Interests
Contemporary ecclesiology
Biblical ecumenism
Methodology of preaching
Select Publications
Theophany: Close Encounters with the Son of God (Day One, 1998, new edition forthcoming)
Bible Churches Together - A Plea for True Ecumenism (FIEC, 2001)
Numerous articles, chapters in books, forewords etc.
DipTheol, University of Cambridge; BD, University of London; PhD, University of Wales
Tom is a Baptist minister who has planted two independent evangelical churches in North Hertfordshire. He has been a visiting lecturer in Poland, USA, New Zealand, Singapore, Nepal and Korea. Married to Barbara, they have three grown-up daughters. Tom enjoys inventing and follows Liverpool football club. He does not like gardening and DIY but has to spend more time doing these than the other two.
Research Interests
Early Christian theology
Pauline Theology (which is the same as the former!)
Christology
Soteriology
Johannine Theology
Select Publications
Contours of Pauline Theology (Christian Focus, 2004) www.tomholland.instant.org.uk
Biblical theological commentary on Paul's Letter to the Romans (forthcoming)
Written articles and book reviews for various journals and the Christian press.
BSc (Special Hons), University of Sheffield; PGCE, University College, Cardiff; DipTh, WEST
After teaching high school biology for 13 years, John came to WEST first as a student and then as a part-time lecturer, also working on the staff of Highfields Free Church Cardiff. In 1999, he was involved in pioneering a 'church transplant' at Minster Christian Centre, Cardiff, where he is part of the leadership team. He has been married to Ruth for over 30 years and has two grown-up sons. In his leisure time, he enjoys walking, natural history, tinkering with the innards of PCs and playing acoustic blues guitar rather rustily.
Now a full-time member of staff, John teaches introductory Bible reading skills, Greek grammar and Greek text. His passion is to help students interpret the Bible with both exegetical rigour and contemporary relevance.
Academic Interests
Greek linguistics
The theory and practice of exegesis
Biblical theology
The theory and practice of expository preaching
BA (Hons), University of Exeter; PGCE, University of Nottingham; MAR, ThM, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia; PhD, University of Aberdeen
A minister of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Bob has served congregations in New Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware, the latter for over 17 years. He has taught theology at London School of Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia) and Reformed Theological Seminary (Washington DC/Baltimore). Married to Joan, an American, for over 30 years, he has three grown children: two daughters (one married) and a son. He is devoted to cricket (despite being consistently overlooked by the selectors), music (from Scarlatti to Shostakovich), and walking (which he began at an early age).
Research Interests
Calvin and early Reformed theology to 1647
The Trinity
Patristics
Christology
Eastern theology
Select Publications
The Work of Christ (IVP, 1993)
The Lord's Supper (Presbyterian & Reformed, 2001)
The Holy Trinity (Presbyterian & Reformed, 2004)
Through Western Eyes: Eastern Orthodoxy, A Reformed Perspective (Mentor, 2007)
Assurance in Theological Context: Reformed Dogmatics 1523-1619 (Rutherford Studies in Historical Theology, forthcoming)
The Theology of the Westminster Assembly (Presbyterian & Reformed / Craig Center for the Study of the Westminster Standards, forthcoming)
Union with Christ (Presbyterian & Reformed, forthcoming)
Many chapters and articles in symposia, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and journals.
Mark Pickett, Full-time LecturerBSc (Hons), University of Wales; MA, Wheaton College, Illinois; PhD, Tribhuvan University
After studying Geology at Aberystwyth, Mark journeyed to South Asia, where for twenty years he was involved in evangelism, Bible teaching, leadership training, research, writing, and publishing principally in Nepal and India. Nepal's Tribhuvan University awarded him the PhD for his study of the Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley. Married to Becky from the USA, Mark enjoys playing with his five children, climbing mountains and listening to music, and misses buffalo curry.
Research Interests
Nepalese culture and history
Hinduism
The globalization of mission
Contextualization
Select Publications
Caste and Kingship in a City of Nepal (Orchid Press, forthcoming)
Various articles and books in English and Nepalese languages under multiple pen names!
BSc (Hons), BD (Hons), MPhil (University of Wales)
Currently an elder in a local Evangelical church, Iwan has been minister in Fishguard, West Wales, with churches belonging to the Union of Welsh Independents (Congregational), as well as being an associate pastor in an AECW church in Deeside, North Wales.
He has been a lecturer at the College since 1990. He is responsible for the teaching of Hebrew and the Old Testament.
He is married to Julie and they have two grown up children.
Though not a sports fan he cannot be moved from the television coverage of the Tour de France. He enjoys a range of music from classical to gospel.
Current research interests
The Welsh Bible
Bible translation principles
Select publications
'C.H. Dodd and the Welsh Bible: A Fading Influence.' The Expository Times, 119:8, 2008, pp.380-384
'Diwinydda yn Y Beibl Cymraeg Newydd.' Y Traethodydd, 163:681, 2007, pp.32-41
‘One of God’s Dialects.’ The Evangelical Magazine, 43:2, 2004, pp.8-9
'The New Welsh Bible – Translation and Tension.’ The Bible Translator, 54:2, 2003, pp.240-247
Book review: 'The Blackwell Companion to the Hebrew Bible.' Themelios.29:1, 2003, pp.70-71.
Regular column (Golwg ar y Geiriau) exploring the meaning of biblical words in Y Cylchgrawn Efengylaidd.
Eryl Davies, Head of ResearchDipTheol, United Theological College, Aberystwyth / University of Wales; BA (Hons) University College of Wales, Aberystwyth; BD, MA, University of London; PhD, University of Wales, Cardiff
A North Walian and ordained into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Wales, Eryl was appointed to a pastorate in the historical Llynfi Valley, Maesteg, South Wales (16 years). He was then called as the first pastor of a bilingual, independent evangelical church plant in Bangor, North Wales. During his 10-year ministry there, he served as a part-time chaplain in the University College, Bangor and led in establishing at least two other Welsh-language churches in the area.
From 1979-1998, he served as editor of the theological journal Foundations. For 21 years, as principal and lecturer, he taught systematic and contemporary theology in WEST, and has successfully supervised many research students for MPhil / PhD degrees.
Married with a son (married) and daughter, Welsh is their first language as a family. Eryl enjoys current affairs, reading (Welsh and English) including biographies and intelligence history . He has an interest in football / rugby and cricket (occasionally playing the latter as a close-in-fielder and middle order batsman!).
Research Interests
Historical / Systematic Theology: 19th and 20th centuries
Theology and History of Revival
Pastoral Theology, including Spirituality
Evangelicalism in Wales: 1950-2007
New Religious Movements
Select Publications
Christianity and Education in mid-nineteenth-century Wales (Bryntirion Press, 1978)
An Angry God? Wrath, Final Judgement and Hell ( Bryntirion Press, 1991)
Ultimate Rescue: The Saving Work of Christ (Evangelical Press,1995)
Heaven is a Far Better Place (Evangelical Press,1999)
Human Cloning (Evangelical Press, 2003)
The Beddgelert Revival: 1817-1821 (Bryntirion Press, 2004)
Truth Under Attack: Volume 1: Deviations from Biblical Christianity in Trinitarian Churches / Movements (Evangelical Press, 2004)
Volume 2: Cults and Sects (2005)
Volume 3: Paganism and the New Spiritualities (forthcoming)
Many articles in magazines, journals, dictionaries and chapters in books.
Rev John Billingham, Part-time LecturerBA, MTh, Dip Theol
John Billingham is the minister of Acomb Baptist Church, York
Modules taught:
DHS 3.5 Theology and Culture
Rev Gordon Cooke, Part-time LecturerBA
Gordon is minister of New Inn Congregational Church, Pontypool, Near Newport. Gordon is also a former WEST student.
Modules taught:
BS 1.1 Bible Overview
BS 2.2 Gospel Studies
Dr J Gwyn Davies, Part-time LecturerBA (Hons), DipBibStuds, PGCE, PhD
Dr Davies is an Elder in the Welsh Evangelical Church, Aberystwyth.
Modules taught:
DHS 1.4 The Church from Formation to Reformation (100-1500)
DHS 2.3 Protestantism & Puritanism (1500-1700)
DHS 2.6 The Golden Age? (1700-1850)
DHS 3.2 The Church in the Modern World (1850-2000)
M9 Revival: Biblical, Theological and Historical Reflections
Publications:
Bara'r Bywyd
Iachawdwriaeth Gymaint
Griffith Jones Llanddowror
Covenanting with God
Y Grym a'r Gwirionedd
Islwyn, Y Dyn Bach Mawr
Yr union 10
Welsh Calvinistic Methodism
The Christian Heritage of Welsh Education
A Light in the Land: Christianity in Wales 200-2000
Rev Richard Holst, Visiting Lecturer
BA, MPhil
Richard is a retired minister living in Cardiff.
Modules taught:
MA3 Pastoral Epistles: Parts 1 & 2
BA, MPhil
Richard is a retired minister living in Cardiff.
Modules taught:
MA3 Pastoral Epistles: Parts 1 & 2
Philip Jenkins, Part-time LecturerMA (Wales), MA (Oxon), PGCE
Until 2002, Mr Jenkins was AIM Field Leader in Namibia, S Africa. He now serves on the leadership team of Highfields Church in Cardiff.
Modules taught:
AS 2.2 Paradigms of Modern Mission
Rev John Legg, Part-time LecturerBA, BD
John Legg was a pastor in Shrewsbury for many years and a lecturer in New Testament. He lives in Cardiff and preaches regularly.
Modules taught:
BS 2.8 Romans
Rev Geraint Lloyd, Part-time LecturerHe is the minister of the Welsh Evangelical Church in Carmarthen. He studied theology in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Modules taught:
DHS 2.5 Biblical Inspiration and Authority
Rev Peter Milsom, Part-time LecturerBD, Dip.Pastoral Studies
Peter Milsom was a minister in North and South Wales for 24 years. He is Director of UFM Worldwide and an elder of a church plant in Cardiff Bay
Modules taught:
AS 1.1 Preaching and Pastoral Theology I
AS 1.4 Ministry Placement I
AS 2.1 Preaching and Pastoral Theology II
AS 2.3 Evangelism and Church Planting
AS 2.6 Ministry Placement II
AS 3.1 Preaching and Pastoral Theology III
MA 6 Research Project
Rev Dr Peter Naylor, Part-time LecturerBA, DPhil (Oxon)
Dr Naylor is minister of Llandaff Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Cardiff
Modules taught:
DHS 3.1: Ecclesiology
Rev Richard Ross, Part-time Lecturer
MA
Modules taught:
M4 Development of the Doctrine of the Trinity
Rev Keith Walker, Part-time LecturerBA (Oxon)
He was a pastor and UCCF's World Mission Coordinator. He is the Director of SIM-UK/Northern Europe.
Modules taught:
M10 Aspects of Modern Mission
Rev Richard Wigham, Part-time Lecturer
Dip Theol
He is the minister of Tabor Baptist Church, Llantrisant.
Modules taught:
BS 1.5 Philippians
Dip Theol
He is the minister of Tabor Baptist Church, Llantrisant.
Modules taught:
BS 1.5 Philippians
Sheila Stephen, Part-time lecturer
BA (Joint Hons), MBACP (Accred)
Sheila Stephen’s academic qualifications are in Biblical Studies and also in Counselling.She is a professional counsellor, clinical supervisor and trainer. She has written materials for youth and children’s ministry for a number of years. She has many years of experience in women’s ministry in local church settings and at national level. She has been an innovator and pioneer in the voluntary sector and is a Trustee of two UK Christian organisations.
Modules to be taught in 2007-8
Women in Church and Mission
Youth and Children’s Ministry