President’s December Newsletter
Dear Northern Friends,
The hope of Advent is not that you get the Christmas you expected, imagined, or even wanted. You get a God who reigns from a manger and keeps overthrowing whoever and whatever is in charge. I pray this season that you will experience the wonder and humility of Bethlehem.
As we finish 2019 and turn the page to 2020, I want you to know how grateful I am to serve at Northern Seminary. Last week, we had over 100 people in our home for an open house. Most of those who came were connected in some way to our institution. I could sense the Spirit’s empowering presence in the conversations. The energy from this fellowship sends us onward into a hope-filled new year.
FRIENDS OF NORTHERN DINNER IN SUN CITY, ARIZONA
Join us for a special event as we express our appreciation to Bellevue Heights Church in Sun City, Arizona.
Thursday, January 16 at 6:00 p.m.
THEOLOGY ON MISSION PODCAST
On the most recent episode of Theology on Mission, hosted by Dr. David Fitch, two Northern professors debate how to interpret the violence in the Old Testament.
Fitch guides the conversation through a few Old Testament passages as Boyd and Mariottini discuss how to make sense of violent portrayals of God in the Old Testament in light of Jesus’ crucifixion.
FOUR WAYS GOD RESTORES PEOPLE
In the aftermath of the exile, the two major prophets of the time, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, declared that Yahweh was not done with his people. Indeed, he would restore the kingdom to its former glory. Dr. Jason Gile shares God’s promises for today from these prophets:
NEW ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT VS. NEW ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

Welcome Rev. Dr. Lee Spitzer as affiliate professor of church history. Dr. Spitzer will provide expertise in Baptist life and ministry. His important work on the Holocaust and Baptists fills a significant void in research and provides ways for churches to combat anti-Semitism today.
NEW LIBRARY RESOURCES
The Northern Library has many new efficiencies to make finding articles, e-books, books and resources for your assignments and papers easier than ever to find, thanks to our Director of the Library and Library Technology, Blake Walter.
When you’re looking for library materials — books, articles, online resources — start here. Here you can find information you need from all our databases through one ”Search Everything” box:
If you’re not finding what you’re looking for, search here next:
NORTHERN SEMINARY LIBRARY CATALOG ❯
Even if you don’t live in Illinois, you can request items from Search Everything or the I-Share Catalog, and we can mail library materials to you if that is the best way to get them to you. (Your local public library can request library materials via interlibrary loan, and then there is no postage expense to send and return them.)
The library will scan journal articles or book chapters and email the PDF scan to you — just let us know what you need at library@seminary.edu or by calling 630-620-2156.
If you are a Northern Live student, also check out the link below for libraries in the United States and Canada that can also loan you materials.
NORTHERN SEMINARY STUDENT LOAN MATERIALS ❯
Support the New Northern
By giving to Northern Seminary you are able to invest directly into the Kingdom of God through our students.
RECOMMEND A STUDENT TO NORTHERN ❯
Thank you for considering Northern in your trust, will, and estate planning
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Phone: (630) 620-2188
Email: psheldon@seminary.edu