Alternative Biblical Teaching

In our modern age, much teaching happens through such means as social media, the Internet, and informal classes, not just in formal educational programs. Therefore, some scholars have sought to bring in-depth godly teaching into these spheres through teaching in-person classes offered at various churches or teaching online through short videos or podcasts. While it takes some initiative and creativity, this field is ripe with possibilities.

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Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter

Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence (https://www.csbvbristol.org.uk/)

Biblical Studies Tutor, Bristol Baptist College (Bristol, UK)

I did most of my doctoral work (2011–15) while I was a Newly Accredited Baptist Minister in part-time pastoral ministry. I have always found that my academic study and my pastoral practice have mutually benefited each other; I think this was true even when I was engaging in very technical and detailed study of the Old Testament. It did, of course, require some grace on the part of my congregation, and both flexibility and firm boundaries on my own part.

The church where I was ministering during my PhD studies, and for some years afterwards, was a working-class church, where most members of the congregation had very few academic qualifications. It may seem that this would have been a bad fit, but in fact I think the opposite was the case. Obviously, it was very important that I didn’t put on ‘airs and graces.’ But much more than that, I felt that the challenge of feeding my congregation at a theologically substantial but down-to-earth level, was something that required high theological skills. It has always made me sad that urban and working-class churches tend to be regarded as less desirable pastorates, and don’t necessarily attract the most experienced or the most academically able ministers. It reminds me of the ‘inverse care law’ where healthcare tends to be concentrated upon those who need it least.

Although I now (since Aug 2020) have a full-time position in a theological college, for a long while I worked a portfolio role: part time pastoral ministry, part time adjunct lecturer, and also undertaking a number of writing and editing responsibilities. The challenge of this was that it was financially less secure, and I was only able to do this because my husband has a secure and reasonably remunerative job. However, the benefit was that I was able to work in a number of areas that were not particularly financially profitable, simply for the love of the task.

One of the things that I began to develop at this stage in my life was the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, which I initially set up as a lone initiative, under the auspices of Bristol Baptist College. This has now grown into a thriving research network with folks in many countries around the world. Getting this off the ground has been quite a labour-intensive task, but an enormously exciting one. I probably couldn’t have done it while in a full-time academic role. My PhD gave me the credibility to do this, and to initiate conversations with people who might be interested. It also gave me the skills to embark on research in areas that were only tangentially related to my original research project, and the confidence to delve into disciplines that are quite new to me. Thirdly, it gave me sufficient experience to be able to contribute academically, to write and edit books, and to begin to mentor younger emerging scholars on their academic journeys. I’ve actively cultivated a community of mutual encouragement and non-competition, and feel pleased that I’ve been able to set this ethos from the outset.

Finally, my PhD has given me the opportunity to write books aimed at a general Christian audience. Once again it opens doors with publishers, it trains the mind for deep study, and it gives credibility to the reader. I have no regrets at all about undertaking doctoral work.

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