The Third Degree

Back in January’s EN, Michael Reeves wrote about the imminent launch of UCCF’s online theological centre, Theology Network (http://www.theologynetwork.org). He promised all the thrill of an old-fashioned sweetie shop minus the sugar — and he explained the rationale for this website: ‘To unleash the best biblical teaching so that students and all users might come to know and love the Lord Jesus in deeper, life-changing, mission-igniting ways’.

Behind the launch of Theology Network was our hope that UCCF Christian Unions would be theologically driven — that is, illuminated, empowered, and consumed by God’s gracious revelation of himself in his Son. We launched with the conviction that when students are captivated by the great gospel of Jesus they would be propelled onward in evangelism and tooled-up for discipleship.

Theology on the ground

Ten months down the line, where have we got to? How has Theology Network impacted the student world and the wider church? What difference has it made on the ground?

Visits to the site have steadily climbed, and September was our biggest month ever with nearly 15,000 visitors dropping by to read articles or listen to mp3s. The most popular resources include a theology of mathematics and an article on who should evangelise — encouragements that students are applying Scripture to their academic studies and their social lives.

Since February, the site has ballooned, and that’s largely down to how much people have appreciated it. It’s been thrilling and humbling, and the enthusiasm doesn’t stop with the users: from Jim Packer to John Piper, from Wayne Grudem to Wallace Benn, Mark Dever to Mark Meynell, Terry Virgo, Peter Lewis and many more, we’ve had a galaxy of respected theologians all wonderfully eager to help and prepare material just for us.

Their willingness to contribute meant that, just a few months after launching, we were able to start rolling out a series of interviews as a podcast called ‘Table Talk’. Short, cosy chats with evangelical leaders, they’re a perfect gospel-snack to download for the commute to the lecture hall.

Students have really got on board. There’s a special section on the site for Theology and RS students, and now ‘Theology Network’ groups have started popping up in theology departments around the country. With fuel from Theology Network, their aim is see Theology and RS students becoming convinced of the power of the gospel and the authority of the Bible so that they might be empowered to do evangelism with their course mates and friends.

Jono Simpson is heading-up a Theology Network group in the theology faculty of Durham University, devoted to supporting Christian theologs and reaching-out to non-believers. ‘We’ve found the site an invaluable resource, and loads of us have got hooked onto it! As a resource for studying Theology it’s been massively useful in giving us quick access to evangelical thought on the whole spectrum from systematics to world religions to church history. Using input from the site, we’re tackling some of the big issues we face studying Theology in a university environment. We love it! We’re hosting evangelistic events each term, to engage with our course mates who need theologians to engage with them, as they often think they’re above the gospel.’

Our hope

Our hope is that students all over the country — whether undergraduates in theology or in other subjects — will get hold of the material on Theology Network in similar ways; using it to drive their evangelism and fuel their own walks with the Lord. Please pray with us that many more will make use of this resource, and that a whole generation of disciple makers will be fed, nurtured, and sent out through it. If you feel able, please get in touch to find out how you can further support this exciting ministry.

Theology Network: getting down to business

Theology on the ground

Our hope

Daniel Hames

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