English for Biblical and Theological Purposes
Daniel Gingrich, Daniel@mihusa.org
Editors’ note: This article is based on a paper presented during the CETC colloquium on “The Interface of Language and Faith” at the 2008 TESOL Convention in New York City. We are happy to share it with you in this forum and invite you to contact the author for more information, including a copy of his PowerPoint presentation and additional web resources.
Recently, as I got acquainted with a Christian brother from India, we were amazed at the number of English versions of the Bible. When we looked on a Web site for Bible translations in other languages, the Bible in his first language was not even listed. The number of biblical and theological resources available in English is disproportionately greater than what is found in most languages. For that reason, English is being taught as a foreign or additional language so that Christians around the world can access the many resources that are available in English. As a result, English for biblical and theological purposes (EBTP) has emerged as a branch of English for specific purposes and represents an open door of opportunity for Christian English teachers (Johns & Price-Machado, 2001; Pierson, 2007).
Dr. Cheri Pierson (n.d.) of Wheaton College wrote “Teaching English As a Specialized Variety of English As a Foreign Language: English for Biblical and Theological Purposes.” Her article highlighted three important aspects of EBTP. First, she provided a perspective of the opportunities and challenges of EBTP. Next, she described how these courses build on the foundational skills of English proficiency and can utilize authentic seminary and Bible school curriculum materials. Then, she explained the key steps in designing an EBTP course. As an ESL teacher at the Millersville International House (MIH) near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I have particular interest in EBTP. In this article, I describe the small steps that MIH has taken to get involved with EBTP and share some of the vision we have for expanding this strategic ministry.
MIH (http://www.mihusa.org) is a Christian-based ministry that serves primarily as a residence for international students studying in the United States. Our Learning Center provides not only academic support for the residents, but also offers language classes for English language learners in the community as well as for international visitors. MIH has a special relationship with the Global Discipleship Training (GDT) Alliance which is an international network of independent, locally managed training programs whose members are connected to local clusters of churches in their region. The goal of GDT (http://www.globaldisciples.org) is to train international leaders to equip and mobilize young adults to be effective disciples of Jesus Christ within their churches, communities, and beyond. Because GDT Alliance members need to use English as a common language of communication, time is allotted for English instruction by MIH staff when the regional facilitators gather in Lancaster for meetings. As a result of this instructional opportunity, I have worked extensively with Esteban, a pastor from Bolivia. When he returns to his home, we keep in touch by e-mail. He sends me reports in English and I provide feedback concerning his writing. This type of long-distance instruction via technology has helped me see the many ways that MIH can use technology in our work at the MIH Learning Center.
MIH is looking to offer more online services, especially learning modules that focus on particular topics. These could involve general English skills related to reading, writing, listening, and speaking, but they could also focus on specific EBTP topics such as theological texts, Bible study materials, pastoral ministry, Christian education, and oral communication. Because our overriding goal is to serve as a resource, we would seek to make these resources available to as many people as possible through the use of open-source software. In addition, this type of distance-learning initiative would offer interactive classes directed to groups and individuals, allowing global Christians to receive quality professional mentoring without having to travel to the United States or other English-speaking countries for training. Distance learning could involve self-access materials as well as interactive classes (Dickerson, 2004).
As I reflect on the many possibilities for EBTP in a world in which technology continues to change the way we view our ESL instruction and teacher-training, I cannot help but think about the history of the English language. When Christian missionaries came to what is now known as England, the English language existed mainly in oral form because Latin was the international language of Europe. Even years after Christianity had become established in England, it was necessary to learn Latin to access biblical and theological resources. Eventually, English was reduced to writing and gained greater respectability, and in the 9th century, the church leader Aelfric wrote in both Latin and English (Bragg, 2004).
There are parallels between Aelfric’s day and our own. Indeed, global Christians have an incentive to learn English in order to access the Biblical and theological resources found in English. Likewise, priority should also be given to equipping global Christians to develop resources in their own languages. In the meantime, EBTP serves as a strategic ministry for Christian English teachers.
Daniel Gingrich is a graduate of Lancaster Bible College (BS, Bible) and Millersville University (MEd, English) and is an ESL teacher and tutor at the Millersville International House near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In his free time, he enjoys studying Koiné Greek as well as developing his proficiency in Spanish and French.
References
Bragg, M. (2004). The adventures of English: The biography of a language. New York: Arcade Publishing.
Dickerson, L. J. (2004). Preparing for an ESL/EFL-teaching ministry. Wheaton, IL: Institute for Cross-Cultural Training. Retrieved February 1, 2008, from http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/ICCT/pdf/TNPREP~1.PDF
Johns, A. M., & Price-Machado, D. (2001). English for special purposes: Tailoring courses to student needs-and to the outside world. In M. Celce-Murcia (Ed.), Teaching English as a second or foreign language (pp. 43-54). Boston: Heinle and Heinle.
Pierson, C. (2007). Issues and options in teaching English for theological purposes. CETC Newsletter, 11(2). Retrieved June 30, 2007, from http://www.tesol.org//s_tesol/article.asp?vid=172&DID=8795&sid=1&cid=740&iid=8715&nid=3124
Pierson, C. (n.d.). Teaching a specialized variety of English as a foreign language for biblical and theological purposes. Wheaton, IL: Institute for Cross-Cultural Training. Retrieved October 12, 2007, from http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/ICCT/pubs/EBT.pdf.
