Christopher Talbot serves as the Youth and Family Ministry Program Coordinator and Campus Pastor at Welch College, where he also teaches courses in biblical and theological studies. He holds degrees from Welch College (B.S.) and Grace College (M.A.) and is currently enrolled in a PhD program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He serves as Pastor of Youth and Family at Sylvan Park Free Will Baptist Church.
He has served as the Assistant Managing Editor for the D6 Family Ministry Journal. He is the author of Remodeling Youth Ministry: A Biblical Blueprint for Ministering to Students (Welch College Press). Supervisors: Bruce Little
While much attention has been given to Francis Schaeffer, his work, and his influence on the L’Ab... more While much attention has been given to Francis Schaeffer, his work, and his influence on the L’Abri community, less attention has been given to Edith Schaeffer’s unique contribution. She complemented Francis’s more intellectual, apologetic, and discussion-oriented approach by cultivating a family-oriented community with an emphasis on hospitality, creativity, and prayer. L’Abri’s visitors have lauded Edith’s crucial contribution to their enduring community. However, to fully understand L’Abri community’s impact, there remains a need to assess Edith Schaeffer’s work and contribution more fully. This article considers Edith’s written work, as well as observations from those who attended L’Abri, and in doing so, evaluate Edith’s unique contribution. I will argue that Edith Schaeffer’s thought and work were a necessary component to L’Abri Fellowship’s enduring success.
Though youth ministry has benefited from an increase in theological inquiry over the past decade,... more Though youth ministry has benefited from an increase in theological inquiry over the past decade, there remains disagreement as to how to conceptualize and implement modern understandings of practical theology. The issue of practical theology methodology, especially within youth ministry, raises questions concerning its own epistemic and theological foundations. Rejecting an application-driven process, many practical theologians seek to offer a process that is distinctive as its own discipline. This paper seeks to evaluate modern youth ministry conceptions of practical theology, as well as their influences, and provide a critical assessment of their viability. Further this paper seeks to then trace the influence of related current trends and the subsequent implications those trends have for practicing youth ministry.
Much of modern apologetic discussion regarding the Genesis
account emphasizes the debate on the a... more Much of modern apologetic discussion regarding the Genesis account emphasizes the debate on the age of the Earth. Because of this shift in focus, a bifurcation is seen between the doctrine of Creation (a theological concern) and views of creationism (an apologetic concern). While these areas certainly have distinct foci, one wonders whether the division has been unnecessarily amplified, specifically with two so closely related fields of research. Considering current divisions, one wonders how Creation and creationism can be best understood in relation to one another, particularly as it relates to apologetics. To explore this query, Francis Schaeffer offers a unique perspective of the connection between Creation and creationism. Therefore, this paper will argue that for Francis Schaeffer, his doctrine of Creation (instead of creationism) offered a foundational framework for his apologetic and evangelistic method.
On a recent podcast, Carl Trueman, the Paul Woolley Professor of Church History at Westminster Th... more On a recent podcast, Carl Trueman, the Paul Woolley Professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, posited that 1 Timothy 4:12 may be the most incomprehensible verse in all of Scripture amidst our contemporary context. He states that within a culture that is so enamored with youth culture, it would be inconceivable for the church, let alone society-at-large, to despise those who actually are young. Broadly speaking, culture within the United States has an obsession with youth. Within this youth culture is the intrinsic need to rebel, especially against basic authorities. Phenomena such as extended adolescence and the juvenilization of American Christianity (Bergler, 2012) bring these problems immediately to the church's doorstep, if not inside. Yet, in our ministry to families, and youth in particular, we often herald 1 Timothy 4:12 as our ministerial mantra. We encourage youth to "let no one despise them," assuming a division and rebellion between youth and the rest of culture. While we rightfully encourage youth to be prepared for possible coming derision , we must hold this exhortation in accordance to Paul's full teaching. That is to say, we must hold 1 Timothy 4:12 in tandem with the varied statements in 1 Timothy 5. It is the aim of this article to place 1 Timothy 4:12 in its correct context of Paul's admonition. In doing so, it will hold a biblical understanding of 1 Timothy 4:12 up and against a prevailing cultural interpretation of the text. Further, the article will explore how to keep our youth and family ministries from cultural syncretism by balancing ministries between an appreciation for youth and a respect for elder authority. This will conclude with the practical implications found therein.
While much attention has been given to Francis Schaeffer, his work, and his influence on the L’Ab... more While much attention has been given to Francis Schaeffer, his work, and his influence on the L’Abri community, less attention has been given to Edith Schaeffer’s unique contribution. She complemented Francis’s more intellectual, apologetic, and discussion-oriented approach by cultivating a family-oriented community with an emphasis on hospitality, creativity, and prayer. L’Abri’s visitors have lauded Edith’s crucial contribution to their enduring community. However, to fully understand L’Abri community’s impact, there remains a need to assess Edith Schaeffer’s work and contribution more fully. This article considers Edith’s written work, as well as observations from those who attended L’Abri, and in doing so, evaluate Edith’s unique contribution. I will argue that Edith Schaeffer’s thought and work were a necessary component to L’Abri Fellowship’s enduring success.
Though youth ministry has benefited from an increase in theological inquiry over the past decade,... more Though youth ministry has benefited from an increase in theological inquiry over the past decade, there remains disagreement as to how to conceptualize and implement modern understandings of practical theology. The issue of practical theology methodology, especially within youth ministry, raises questions concerning its own epistemic and theological foundations. Rejecting an application-driven process, many practical theologians seek to offer a process that is distinctive as its own discipline. This paper seeks to evaluate modern youth ministry conceptions of practical theology, as well as their influences, and provide a critical assessment of their viability. Further this paper seeks to then trace the influence of related current trends and the subsequent implications those trends have for practicing youth ministry.
Much of modern apologetic discussion regarding the Genesis
account emphasizes the debate on the a... more Much of modern apologetic discussion regarding the Genesis account emphasizes the debate on the age of the Earth. Because of this shift in focus, a bifurcation is seen between the doctrine of Creation (a theological concern) and views of creationism (an apologetic concern). While these areas certainly have distinct foci, one wonders whether the division has been unnecessarily amplified, specifically with two so closely related fields of research. Considering current divisions, one wonders how Creation and creationism can be best understood in relation to one another, particularly as it relates to apologetics. To explore this query, Francis Schaeffer offers a unique perspective of the connection between Creation and creationism. Therefore, this paper will argue that for Francis Schaeffer, his doctrine of Creation (instead of creationism) offered a foundational framework for his apologetic and evangelistic method.
On a recent podcast, Carl Trueman, the Paul Woolley Professor of Church History at Westminster Th... more On a recent podcast, Carl Trueman, the Paul Woolley Professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, posited that 1 Timothy 4:12 may be the most incomprehensible verse in all of Scripture amidst our contemporary context. He states that within a culture that is so enamored with youth culture, it would be inconceivable for the church, let alone society-at-large, to despise those who actually are young. Broadly speaking, culture within the United States has an obsession with youth. Within this youth culture is the intrinsic need to rebel, especially against basic authorities. Phenomena such as extended adolescence and the juvenilization of American Christianity (Bergler, 2012) bring these problems immediately to the church's doorstep, if not inside. Yet, in our ministry to families, and youth in particular, we often herald 1 Timothy 4:12 as our ministerial mantra. We encourage youth to "let no one despise them," assuming a division and rebellion between youth and the rest of culture. While we rightfully encourage youth to be prepared for possible coming derision , we must hold this exhortation in accordance to Paul's full teaching. That is to say, we must hold 1 Timothy 4:12 in tandem with the varied statements in 1 Timothy 5. It is the aim of this article to place 1 Timothy 4:12 in its correct context of Paul's admonition. In doing so, it will hold a biblical understanding of 1 Timothy 4:12 up and against a prevailing cultural interpretation of the text. Further, the article will explore how to keep our youth and family ministries from cultural syncretism by balancing ministries between an appreciation for youth and a respect for elder authority. This will conclude with the practical implications found therein.
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account emphasizes the debate on the age of the Earth. Because of this
shift in focus, a bifurcation is seen between the doctrine of Creation (a
theological concern) and views of creationism (an apologetic concern). While these areas certainly have distinct foci, one wonders whether the division has been unnecessarily amplified, specifically with two so closely related fields of research. Considering current divisions, one wonders how Creation and creationism can be best understood in relation to one another, particularly as it relates to apologetics. To explore this query, Francis
Schaeffer offers a unique perspective of the connection between Creation
and creationism. Therefore, this paper will argue that for Francis Schaeffer, his doctrine of Creation (instead of creationism) offered a foundational
framework for his apologetic and evangelistic method.
account emphasizes the debate on the age of the Earth. Because of this
shift in focus, a bifurcation is seen between the doctrine of Creation (a
theological concern) and views of creationism (an apologetic concern). While these areas certainly have distinct foci, one wonders whether the division has been unnecessarily amplified, specifically with two so closely related fields of research. Considering current divisions, one wonders how Creation and creationism can be best understood in relation to one another, particularly as it relates to apologetics. To explore this query, Francis
Schaeffer offers a unique perspective of the connection between Creation
and creationism. Therefore, this paper will argue that for Francis Schaeffer, his doctrine of Creation (instead of creationism) offered a foundational
framework for his apologetic and evangelistic method.