Dr. Brian J. Tabb, President
Dr. Brian J. Tabb, President
Steadfast is an old word that is worth retrieving in our ever-shifting world. Steadfast means firm in purpose, fixed in a direction, unwavering in resolve. Steadfast is holding fast in your stead, dutifully discharging your assignment.
Bethlehem College and Seminary’s theme this academic year is Steadfast, drawn from 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” By God’s grace, we seek to remain steadfast in our God-centered doctrine and resolutely focused on our mission to spread a passion for our great God through education in serious joy. We aim to raise up men and women who are steadfast in faith and unshaken through trials, who love the truth and labor for what lasts.
The apostle Paul calls believers to be steadfast, immovable, and abounding in the Lord’s work. The Greek word translated “steadfast” in 1 Corinthians 15:58 is also used in Colossians 1:23: “if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel…” Both passages emphasize firm commitment fueled by gospel hope.
The conjunction “therefore” ties this call to steadfastness to the extended exposition of the good news of Christ’s resurrection, which guarantees ultimate victory over death and our resurrection as well. In other words, we must hold fast in our stead because our future is secure. The apostle adds further motivation at the end of the verse: we know that in the Lord our “labor is not in vain.” This truth could be positively expressed: our work in Christ has lasting meaning, value, and purpose and will abound to his glory and our joy in the economy of the kingdom of God.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to champion Christian Hedonism, the precious truth that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. We are partnering closely with our friends at Desiring God to strengthen the saints with God-centered teaching and events like Godward Life and Serious Joy. One exciting new development this fall is that the Desiring God staff are teaching the Foundations of Christian Hedonism course in our seminary.
We also remain firmly committed to robust, transformative, in-person education in serious joy across all programs. This approach is increasingly rare, especially among seminaries. Many have reduced the requirements for their M.Div. programs—including Greek and Hebrew exegesis—and launched online and hybrid options for students to make theological education as convenient and flexible as possible. Meanwhile, we have doubled down on a rigorous, residential M.Div. that requires thirty credits of original language exegesis and three years of intentional pastoral apprenticeship in like-minded partner churches. We do this to prepare joyful pastors to preach a big God.
As we have throughout our school’s history, we continue to provide this education to our students at a remarkably low tuition rate. This is possible only because of the generous contributions of hundreds of men and women, who once again gave over $2.5M towards The Serious Joy Scholarship. To God be the glory.
For many years, we have provided friends of Bethlehem College and Seminary with a printed annual report, Serious Joy Newsletter. We are retiring this publication and replacing it with a quarterly digital newsletter to more regularly and effectively communicate updates from our institution. The present issue highlights our initiative to “love our city.” As always, we covet your prayers and are grateful to God for the generous friends who make possible our service and this Education in Serious Joy.
