Jun 27, 2013

Welcoming Dr. Stephen J. Nichols as Our Newest Teaching Fellow

6 Min Read

In 2010 we announced that Dr. R.C. Sproul had invited Teaching Fellows to help us as a ministry remain true to our founding purpose. We're grateful that these men, Drs. Robert Godfrey, Sinclair Ferguson, Steven Lawson, and R.C. Sproul Jr., accepted that invitation and continue to serve as advisors to Dr. Sproul, the board, and senior leadership, and actively teach in all the ministries at Ligonier.

Dr. Stephen J. NicholsBy God's grace, wise decisions are bearing fruit—our reach is growing, new teaching resources are being produced, and new outreach projects have been launched. And today, we are pleased to welcome our newest Teaching Fellow, Dr. Stephen J. Nichols. Combining a passion for church history and a love for the Reformed tradition, Dr. Nichols complements Ligonier's existing group of Teaching Fellows with his expertise in American Christianity, New Testament, and systematic theology. His gifts are a welcome addition to our efforts to reach the world with the message of God's holiness and grace.

Planning for a stable and strong succession for Ligonier is important for Dr. Sproul and our board. Ever since I arrived in 2004, succession planning has been a constant effort. Rather than enumerating a plan in bullet-point fashion, we have chosen to demonstrate that succession strategy by our actions. If you've watched the ministry for any period of time, you will see that the momentum for our outreach continues to grow. A component of our succession strategy has been manifested as we have continued to launch new ministry initiatives, led by an extremely capable management team. Reformation Trust Publishing, Ligonier Academy of Biblical & Theological Studies, Ligonier Connect, Reformation Bible College, RefNet, translations and international partnerships, educational tours, and more regional events to serve lay people and pastors are new bridges to the future that work in concert with our existing ministry outreach. These teaching fellows, of which Dr. Nichols is now a part, help to inform all of Ligonier's theological vision and service to the church.

Dr. Stephen J. Nichols

Currently, Dr. Nichols is research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School in Lancaster, Penn., where he has taught since 1997. He is also a visiting professor for Reformation Bible College and has served as a lecturer in church history for Westminster Theological Seminary since 2004. From 1996–1997, he served on the faculty of the Philadelphia College of Bible. Dr. Nichols earned his Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary in the year 2000. Prior to that, he earned masters degrees from both West Chester University and Westminster Theological Seminary. His bachelor's degree is from the Philadelphia College of Bible. In addition to his time spent writing and teaching, Dr. Nichols chairs the Jonathan Edwards Study Group for the Evangelical Theological Society.

Dr. Nichols is a prolific writer who has written, contributed to, or edited more than a dozen books on church history, biblical doctrine, and practical theology, and is currently the co-editor for the Theologians on the Christian Life series from Crossway.

Outreach with Ligonier

Dr. Nichols has already been serving with us over the years. He has contributed many articles to Tabletalk magazine, he spoke at Reformation Bible College's annual convocation service in 2012, moderated our panel discussion on Christology at the 2013 PCA General Assembly, and has recorded three teaching series, Reformation Profiles, Why We Trust the Bible, and Jonathan Edwards.

We're currently working with Dr. Nichols on two new projects. Later this year we will launch 5 Minutes in Church History, a weekly 5-minute podcast hosted by Dr. Nichols that will introduce you to significant people, places, and events in church history. Also, in time for Christmas, Reformation Trust will publish a new book by Dr. Nichols, Peace: Classic Readings for Christmas.

Resources from Dr. Stephen J. Nichols

We are grateful for Dr. Nichols and all our Teaching Fellows. Please pray for us often as we seek to steward God's truth for a new generation of reformers.

Note: Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr.'s tenure as a teaching fellow concluded at the end of 2016.