Tuesday 26 January marks the start of new term at Edinburgh Theological Seminary.
With the COVID restrictions, we will have online lectures for this semester as well. Some of our students are based in Edinburgh but others tune in via Zoom from as far afield as Germany, India, America and Australia! We are so thankful that we had invested in distance learning technology several years ago. 12 months ago, I had never heard of Zoom.
As classes start, I am getting ready to teach aspects of pastoral care, the doctrine of the Trinity and the application of salvation in the lives of Christians. Likewise, my colleagues are preparing for 12 weeks of teaching with assessments and exams at the end in early May. We cover Biblical Studies (Old and New Testament) as well as Systematic and Practical Theology and Church History. At ETS, we also have a growing number of elective courses variety of topics from leadership and communication to Christian Spirituality and Religion, Morality and Philosophy.
We have many students from a wide range of backgrounds which is really exciting. It is not easy to build a sense of community with all online lectures, but we have managed to have times together to pray as well as enjoying more social events like a quiz night.
In addition to students studying for their BTh degree, we have students on several Master’s courses, and Access to Theology Course, the Saturday Courses as well as a Diploma in Christian Youthwork course. So, plenty is happening at ETS.
We don’t know what the next academic year might hold, but we hope to welcome a new cohort of students to ETS so if you feel called to study or to serve, please explore the website and get in touch. We would love to hear from you and give you an idea of what is on offer.
Please pray for the staff and students at ETS so that we may all know the reality of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1:11, ‘as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many.’
— Bob Akroyd, Practical Theology & Systematic Theology Departments
