Timothy George, dean and professor of divinity, history and doctrine at Beeson Divinity School in the state of Alabama in the United States, is representing the Baptist World Alliance® (BWA) in Rome at the 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church.
George accepted the invitation of BWA General Secretary Neville Callam to attend the Vatican meetings which run from October 7-18. The theme, The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith, will be guided by a working document that was issued on June 19.
“The BWA is pleased that eminent Baptist theologian, Dr. Timothy George, has agreed to represent the worldwide Baptist family at the Synod,” Callam said. “In him, we have an erudite thinker and a true ambassador for the worldwide Baptist family.”
George said that “in a world where the Christian faith is increasingly under assault, this theme is of urgent concern for all believers in Jesus Christ.” He noted that October 11 will also mark the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, “an event of great historic importance for Christian unity.” The noted Baptists theologian asked for “the prayers of all Baptist people for me and others as we prepare for this assignment.”
Topics to be discussed include a rediscovery of the heart of evangelization; discerning the changes that affect how the faith is lived and that influence Christian communities; the transmission of the Christian faith; and pastoral activity.
The BWA representative is attending as a fraternal delegate and is expected to “take an active part in the proceedings,” according to the invitation letter received by the BWA from Nikola Eterovic, titular archbishop of Cibale and general secretary of the Synod of Bishops.
George serves as chair of the BWA Commission on Doctrine and Christian Unity and a member of the BWA Division of Mission, Evangelism and Theological Reflection.
Baptist World Alliance®
© October 3, 2012