October 17, 2022
Asbury Professor of New Testament Dr. Suzanne Nicholson spoke at LeTourneau University’s chapel service on October 12, as part of LeTourneau’s Justice Week. Nicholson received her Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from the University of Durham in England and her M.Div. at Asbury Theological Seminary.
“Justice is important in every era, because it is important to God,” Nicholson said. “If you spend any time at all in the Old Testament, you will see how God commands Israel to care for the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the foreigner in their midst. God loves all people—we are all made in the image of God—and so God cares for the most vulnerable in society.”
Dr. Patrick Mays, professor of Christian ministry and campus pastor at LeTourneau University, invited Nicholson to speak in chapel for Justice Week. “Sometimes, Christians get nervous about the word ‘justice.’ From a biblical grounding, we want to reclaim the word in an affirming and prophetic sense,” he said.
Nicholson highlights the importance of caring for others in our globalized world. “Jesus makes clear in the parable of the Good Samaritan (and through his healing ministry) that the ‘neighbor’ we are supposed to help is anyone we come across who is in need,” Nicholson said. “We may have different religious beliefs, ethnicities, vocations, social status or opportunities, but God calls us to compassionate care for all of those around us.”
Nicholson’s research interests include narrative dynamics in the Gospels and Acts, as well as homiletics and how to help preachers improve their sermons through better exegetical work. She serves as an Assistant Lead Editor for Firebrand magazine, an online publication promoting intellectual dialogue in the Wesleyan tradition.
“I am also very interested in John Wesley’s theology,” Nicholson continued. “If we are going to understand what God is communicating, then we need to read the Bible carefully (considering literary and historical contexts) to make sure that we understand accurately.”
Viewers can watch and listen to Dr. Suzanne Nicholson’s chapel message at LeTourneau University: https://vimeo.com/759366019.