Associate provost for Diversity and International Programs speaks at the annual Dedication of Teachers and Theologians
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10/10/12
“Maybe today we ought to declare it here at Fuller
‘Hug-a-Theologian Day,’” Professor Juan Martínez said in his sermon at the
second All-Seminary Chapel service held Wednesday, October 6 in Travis
Auditorium.
Wednesday’s chapel was the annual dedication of teachers and
theologians, where prayers were given for all the professors on Fuller
campuses.
After a worship time led by the Fuller chapel interns, Dr.
Juan Martínez,
associate provost for Diversity and International Programs, preached a sermon
titled “Thank God for Storytellers” based on Matthew 13:44-53, which compares
the kingdom of heaven to treasure.
Martínez began by explaining that the gospel is mysterious and
profound and Jesus would often use stories and metaphors in order to convey it.
Good theology, Martínez said, is often storytelling, because it is a retelling and
reinterpretation of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
“My colleagues are storytellers. They’re connectors,” Martínez
said. “They connect the eternal truths, the profound truths of ultimate meaning
to our current situation.”
Martínez charged his colleagues as theologians, interpreters, and
storytellers to help the body of Christ grow and to develop believers, who can deal
with the depths of the complexities of the gospel.
Fuller students were urged to express thanks to the teachers
and theologians, who have led them to Fuller and will lead them out to the
world with the treasure of the kingdom in hand.
“Colleagues, future colleagues, student colleagues, we are
only teachers,” Martínez said. “But by God’s grace we are teachers given the task
of sharing the mysteries; the pearls of great price, which are given through us
to all.”
“So Professors here at Fuller, I thank you and I thank God
for storytellers,” he said.
The chapel service was concluded with a prayer of Dedication
for the teachers and theologians from Todd E. Johnson, associate professor of
worship at the Brehm Center.
To learn more about Fuller’s chapel and see a schedule of
upcoming services, visit the chapel webpage.