Bethany Welcomes New International Scholar in Residence

Dr. Nyampa Kwabe, currently of Plateau State, Nigeria, is serving as international scholar in residence at Bethany Theological Seminary during the fall 2019 semester. An Old Testament scholar, he is currently acting head of the Department of Biblical Studies at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN). He will be a resident of the Bethany Neighborhood, adjacent to campus, until his departure in mid December.

Prior to arriving, Kwabe cotaught Bethany’s August intensive course, Gospel of Peace, from Nigeria as Dan Ulrich, Weiand Professor of New Testament Studies, taught from Bethany. It was the first course for the new cohort of Nigerian students in the Seminary’s partnership with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN). North American students joined the EYN students in taking the course via synchronous video.

While at Bethany, Kwabe anticipates attending classes and working on articles that explore a particular method of interpreting scripture: “a hermeneutics for transformative biblical interpretation that will bridge the gaps between academia and the church and between exegesis and spirituality. I thank God and Bethany Theological Seminary for the opportunity to pursue this interest.” Hermeneutics was an area of concentration in Kwabe’s MATh from the International Christian College in Glasgow, Scotland (2004), and his PhD from the University of Leeds, England (2015). He also holds an MATh (2001) and a BD (1994) from TCNN.

Kwabe is originally from Michika, Adamawa State, in northeastern Nigeria and belongs to the Kamwe tribe. A member of EYN, he served as a church leader in Jalingo, Taraba State, in 1994, then was transferred to teach at Kulp Bible College (now Kulp Theological Seminary) in 1995. He began teaching at TCNN as a graduate student in 1998. Ordained by EYN in 2000, Kwabe fulfills preaching and teaching engagements and serves on the EYN Pastors Advisory Council. He also runs Nyampa-Frontline Rescue Ministry, a nondenominational organization that promotes the gospel message and supports holistic church growth through biblical interpretation, preaching, discipleship, and charity. The ministry primarily serves EYN and other Christian churches in northeastern Nigeria, a region heavily affected by Boko Haram.