Evangelical_Theological_Society

Evangelical Theological Society

Evangelical Theological Society

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The Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) is a professional society of Biblical scholars, educators, pastors, and students "devoted to the inerrancy and inspiration of the Scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ" and "dedicated to the oral exchange and written expression of theological thought and research."[1]

Quick Facts Abbreviation, Founded ...

History

Andrew J. Schmutzer at the 2015 Midwest Regional Meeting

The society was established in 1949 in response to a "keenly perceived need for interaction and wider dissemination of conservative research on biblical and theological issues."[2] The inaugural meeting was held in Cincinnati and was organized by a committee chaired by Edward R. Dalglish, of Gordon Divinity School. The group, representing approximately 20 different institutions and denominations, elected Clarence Bouma, of Calvin Seminary, as its first president.[3]

Several times during its history, the society has been faced with doctrinal controversy. In the 1970s, members became polarized over the precise definition of "inerrancy" (including questions about literal vs. non-literal language and the possibility of scribal errors).[2] In 1983 the society expelled Robert Gundry for his views on the historicity of some of the events in the Gospel of Matthew.[4][5][6] In 2003, the society narrowly decided against expelling Clark Pinnock and John E. Sanders for their beliefs about open theism.[5][7] In 2007, Francis Beckwith resigned as president after he decided to be received into full communion in the Catholic Church.[8] In 2008, Ray Van Neste and Dennis Burk introduced a proposal to further expand the doctrinal statement to include 11 points,[9] but the motion ultimately failed.[10]

Doctrine

When it was initially formed, the society had a single doctrinal basis, biblical inerrancy. Thus, the original doctrinal statement was limited to one sentence: "The Bible alone and the Bible in its entirety is the word of God written, and therefore inerrant in the autographs."[2] However, it was amended in 1990 to require Trinitarian belief and now includes a second sentence: "God is a Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each an uncreated person, one in essence, equal in power and glory."[11]

Membership

Full, voting membership is available to anyone who has a Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree or its equivalent and subscribes to the above doctrinal statements. Interested evangelicals who do not have such a degree can apply for associate membership, without voting rights. There is also a student membership. Members are not limited to specific denominational or theological traditions and not required to be affiliated with particular schools or seminaries. The number of full members in 2010 was nearly 4,200.[12]

Journal

Main article: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

The society produces a quarterly journal, which contains scholarly articles and book reviews from various evangelical perspectives. First published in 1958, as the Bulletin of the Evangelical Theological Society, its name was changed in 1969 to the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (JETS).[2]

Presidents

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References

  1. [1]
    "About the ETS". ETS. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  2. [2]
    "Records of the Evangelical Theological Society - Collection 243". Billy Graham Center Archives. Archived from the original on 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  3. [3]
    Wiseman, John (1985). "The Evangelical Theological Society: Yesterday and Today" (PDF). JETS. 28 (5).
  4. [4]
    Geisler, Norman L.; Bill Roach (2012). Defending Inerrancy: Affirming the Accuracy of Scripture for a New Generation. Baker Books. p. 347. ISBN 978-1441235916.
  5. [5]
    Olsen, Ted (November 15, 2007). "Inerrancy, Trinitarianism, and...?". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on September 18, 2011.
  6. [6]
    CT Classic: Evangelical Scholars Remove Robert Gundry for His Views on Matthew | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction
  7. [7]
    Robinson, Jeff (November 20, 2003). "Theological society retains open theists Pinnock, Sanders". Baptist Press. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
  8. [8]
    Francis J. Beckwith. "My Return to the Catholic Church". Archived from the original on 2010-01-11. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
  9. [9]
    "Proposed Constitution Amendment of the ETS Doctrinal Basis".
  10. [10]
    "Reports Relating to the Sixtieth Annunal Meeting of the Society" (PDF). JETS. 52 (1): 206. 2009.
  11. [11]
    "Reports Relating to the Forty-Second Annual Meeting of the Society" (PDF). JETS. 34 (1): 141. 1991.
  12. [12]
    Brief of Amici Curiae Evangelical Scholars
  13. [13]
    list of past presidents is found on page 69 of the program for the 65th Annual Meeting, held in 2013.
  14. [14]
    "2021 Annual Meeting Program" (PDF).
  15. [15]
    Kristen Padilla (April 17, 2023). "Timothy George Serves as President of the Evangelical Theological Society in Its 75th Year".
  16. [16]
    "Karen H. Jobes, President-Elect / Program Chair". Evangelical Theological Society. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  17. [17]
    McDade, Stefani (November 20, 2023). "First Woman Steps into Leadership of Evangelical Theological Society". Christianity Today. Retrieved November 21, 2023. The Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) has instated its first female president in 75 years. Karen Jobes, emeritus professor of New Testament and exegesis at Wheaton College, will lead the professional society of evangelical Bible scholars and theologians in 2024.
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