Inspire, Fall 2007

Inspire 19 Aaron James, Assistant Professor of Theology PhD (in progress) in Theology, University of Dayton MA in Philosophy, University of Oklahoma MA in Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary BA in Religion, Oklahoma Baptist University Aaron is originally from Oklahoma, but he has lived in Dayton for the past four years while working on his PhD at the University of Dayton. In the fall, Aaron will be teaching two sections of Christian Life and Thought and one section of Christian Worldview Integration. He will also be teaching History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy. Aaron is particularly interested in studying how contemporary Christians are discipled into the habits of consumer culture (usually without realizing it, he says) and how church practices like spiritual disciplines, ordinances, worship services, etc., can provide counter-discipleship. Another one of Aaron’s passions is seeking ways for evangelicals to do a better job of integrating social engagement (issues of peace, poverty, race, environment, etc.) into our discipleship, not merely as supplements to spiritual issues, but as significant expressions of what it means to be faithful followers of Jesus. Before coming to Cedarville, Aaron served for four years as a music minister at two churches in Oklahoma. He currently teaches an adult Sunday school class at Far Hills Community Church in Dayton. Aaron and his wife, Jessica, have been married for five years. Aaron enjoys photography, hiking, and camping, and plays the piano and the guitar. Ryan Peterson, Assistant Professor of Theology PhD (in progress) in Systematic Theology, Wheaton College MTh in History, University of Edinburgh (Scotland) MA in Christian Apologetics, Biola University BA in Bible/Theology, Moody Bible Institute Ryan will be teaching Christian Life and Thought and Christian Worldview Integration in his first year at Cedarville. He is primarily interested in theology and how it relates to philosophy and culture, and he is specifically drawn to the theology of creation, theology of revelation, Christology, and apologetics. From 2001 to 2003 Ryan put his interest in apologetics to work, serving as a staff apologist and regular radio panelist for Apologetics.com radio. He also designed an apologetics conference for churches and had the privilege of serving as the conference speaker. Investing in the lives of young people will not be a new endeavor for Ryan. He has served as a teacher and leader in several youth ministries as well as at a Christian school. Most recently, he and his wife, Christy, were Bible study leaders at Student Body, a high school ministry of Wheaton Bible Church in Illinois. He has also taught graduate courses in historical theology at Wheaton College. While Ryan is from the Chicago area, Christy grew up in Nigeria, and the couple has also lived in California and Scotland. They come to Cedarville from Wheaton, Illinois, with their infant daughter, Mercy. Dr. Preston Sprinkle, Assistant Professor of Bible PhD in New Testament, University of Aberdeen (Scotland) MDiv, The Master’s Seminary BA in Biblical Studies, The Master’s College Preston will be teaching Old Testament Literature and Christian Life and Thought in his first year at Cedarville. The classes tie in nicely with his primary research interests in early Judaism and Pauline theology. Preston also enjoys research on literary approaches to the gospels, OT narrative literature, and the book of Ezekiel. Preston has ministered through preaching and teaching in his home state, California, and in various countries including Russia, Scotland, and the Samoan Islands. He has taught New Testament courses at Nottingham University in England, and for the past three years, he lived in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he completed his doctoral work. Preston has had several articles published in scholarly journals and other edited volumes. He is currently editing a book on the interpretation of the Greek phrase pistis Christou for Paternoster Press. Preston and his wife, Christine, now live in Springfield, Ohio, with their three daughters, Kaylea (4), Aubrey (2), and Josie (four months). The family enjoys hiking, camping, and fishing. Summertime outdoor activities are a particular favorite for Preston, who loves playing baseball. Feature