Faculty

James L. Wakefield

Associate Professor, Biblical and Spiritual Theology

Areas of Expertise

  • New Testament literature as the context for spiritual growth and healing.

  • Philosophical and systematic theology, and especially theological anthropology, as they help us celebrate our human relationships with Trinitarian Persons.

  • The history, theory, and practice of spiritual formation and discipleship. I have paid close attention to Ignatius Loyola and John of the Cross.

Education

  • PhD (Marquette University)
  • MTh (Bethel Seminary)
  • MDiv (Denver Seminary)
  • BS (University of Utah)
  • BA (University of Southern California)

Personal Background

Although a native of Salt Lake City, James has lived and studied in many places, including Tübingen, Germany. He has three adult children, three step-children, and three grandchildren. In addition to his teaching duties, James serves as associate pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (LCMC), in Sandy, Utah. He is the author of Jürgen Moltmann: A Research Bibliography (2002) and Sacred Listening: Discovering the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola (Baker Books 2006).

Why I teach at Salt Lake Theological Seminary

As a church planting pastor, I helped start Salt Lake Theological Seminary in 1984. I was privileged to teach New Testament and biblical interpretation for the next 7 years. I left in 1992 to pursue my doctorate in systematic theology and returned in 2002. One joy of teaching at a smaller seminary is the opportunity to teach in several fields. My recent courses at SLTS include:

  • New Testament Survey I & II

  • The Gospel of Mark

  • The Doctrine of Christ

  • The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

  • Spiritual Friendship

  • Listening Prayer

  • Forgiving and Forgiven

  • Theology I & II

  • and a course on "God, art, and everything."

The mission of Salt Lake Theological Seminary, embracing both personal spiritual formation and cross-cultural vision, is very close to my heart. Our Board and faculty have a clear vision of some of the most pressing needs facing Christianity in this new century. Our students are exceptional in their desire to study and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. I pray God our Father will allow me to learn, serve, teach, and model a deep love for the Kingdom of his beloved Son as I continue to grow in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

James L. Wakefield’s favorite personal anecdote

While preparing to interview Jürgen Moltmann at his home in Tübingen, Germany, in 1996, I asked him if I should—according to German custom—bring flowers or some other gift. His answer was spontaneous and gracious: “Bring only an open mind, and a warm and loving heart.” This invitation by so distinguished a theologian touched my heart deeply. I pray that I can be as gracious with my own students.

Two provocative theological quotes

Through the regime of his humanity and his flesh, in which we live by faith, he makes us of the same form as himself and crucifies us by making us true men instead of unhappy and proud gods: men, that is, in their misery and their sin. Because in Adam we mounted up towards equality with God, he descends to be like us, to bring us back to the knowledge of himself. That is the significance of the incarnation. That is the kingdom of faith in which the cross of Christ holds sway, which sets at naught the divinity for which we perversely strive and restores the despised weakness of the flesh which we have perversely abandoned.

Martin Luther, WA V.128, 36.

The popular image of the man of God as a smiling, congenial, asexual religious mascot whose handshake is always soft and whose head is always bobbing in the perpetual yes of universal acquiescence is not the image found in the Scriptures.

A. W. Tozer

Email
jwakefield@slts.edu