Donald Wiseman 1918-2010

Some sad news just received from Tyndale House:

It is with a real sense of loss that I bring to you news of the homecalling on Tuesday of Professor Donald Wiseman (1918-2010) OBE DLit FBA FKC FSA, who played a vital role in the early development of the Tyndale House and Tyndale Fellowship and made a massive contribution to our work, to biblical scholarship, and to the study of the ancient Near East. There will be a private funeral, but we anticipate that a public memorial service will be arranged later in the year. Below you will find a tribute by Professor Alan Millard, followed by some highlights I found in his autobiography. Professor Wiseman was predeceased by his dear wife Mary and is survived by three daughters Gillian, Mary and Jane. He will be much missed.

In Christ's service,
Peter Williams
Warden, Tyndale House

Left to right: Donald Wiseman stands next to his good friend Agatha Christie, her husband Max Mallowan, and Neville Chittick, while carrying out archaeological excavation at Nimrud.

Professor Donald Wiseman (1918-2010)
The passing of Donald Wiseman on 2nd February, 2010, marks the end of an era in the story of Tyndale House and the Tyndale Fellowship. After a year reading history at King's College, London, W. J. Martin persuaded him that study of the biblical world and its languages would be more valuable to the church and biblical studies, so he turned to Hebrew and Assyriology. Martin had been the major stimulus in the creation of Tyndale House and Donald Wiseman saw its strategic potential. He gave much time and thought to the affairs of the House, serving as Chairman of the Biblical Research Committee, which had the initial responsibility and of the Tyndale House Council, which inherited it, from 1957 to 1986. As Chairman of that and other committees, he guided discussion with wisdom, patience and humour, ensuring sensible decisions were made. When there were doubts in UCCF (then IVF) circles about continuing financial support, he insisted that the House was providing a service which no other evangelical institution offered and had potential for much more. When problems of space for the Library arose, it was Donald who suggested the annexe which was built as The Hexagon in 1984.

He saw the priority for Tyndale House lay in biblical research, supplying positive information and arguments to oppose widely taught liberal views about Scripture. His vision was well expressed by John Stott in 1992, 'We shall never capture the church for the truth of the gospel unless and until we can re-establish biblical scholarship, hold (and not lose) the best theological minds in every generation, and overthrow the enemies of the gospel by confronting them at their own level of scholarship' (Quoted by Tom Noble, Tyndale House and Fellowship, 239).

Like Martin, Donald Wiseman was a great enthusiast and encourager of others, in Britain and abroad. He chaired the Tyndale Old Testament Study Group from 1951 to 1981, taking time and trouble to find young scholars whom he could introduce to the Group so that they would know there were others who could support them in their often lonely  research. The Bible is a product of the ancient Near East, so he recognized that it should be read and assessed in the light of knowledge about that world. With that in mind, aware of the value of the archaeological contexts of ancient artefacts, he set up the Tyndale Biblical Archaeology Study Group in 1958, which, although not functioning regularly in recent years, brought together linguists and archaeologists to evaluate and apply new and old discoveries to biblical studies. On his initiative papers were brought together as Notes on Some Problems in the Book of Daniel (1965) and Essays on the Patriarchal Narratives (1980) and he stimulated other publications by fellows of Tyndale House (e.g. David Tsumura, The Earth and the Waters in Genesis 1 and 2, 1989). A volume of  essays by members of the Old Testament Study Group was dedicated to him in gratitude for his many years of devotion (R. S. Hess, G. J. Wenham. P. Satterthwaite, eds., He Swore an Oath (1994).

His experience and knowledge marked Donald as a major contributor to, and Editor of, the New Bible Dictionary (1962, 1982, 1996) and The Illustrated Bible Dictionary (1980). For many years he was Editor for Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries and gave his skills to a variety of other Christian publications.
        
Donald was always ready to help a cause he thought would be fruitful in the service of his Saviour, preaching and teaching and holding informal groups for Bible Study. The number who faced the claims of the Gospel through meeting him cannot be told, neither can the number whose lives and careers he has influenced or guided.

As one of the latter, I give thanks for his life, his service and his fellowship.

Alan Millard

Select gleanings from the privately published book Donald J. Wiseman, Life Above and Below: Memoirs (2003).
Donald Wiseman led an extremely active and full life and it is not possible to summarize all of this. However, I thought that I would at least pick out a few of many highlights from his autobiography relating to his service in the Second World War:
- PA to Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park, who was in charge of the Fighter Group responsible for the defence of S.E. Britain during the battle of Britain, and often finding himself on the phone to Winston Churchill
- trusted to handle large amounts of information from the Ultra Secret source known as Enigma
- chosen to carry maps and plans for first fighters to fly in to Algiers in Operation Torch
- plane crash in Sicily in which he temporarily lost the use of both legs
- recovery to play significant role enforcing German surrender in N. Italy

Here is the text of his citation for the USA Bronze Star Medal (emphasis added):

"Donald J. Wiseman, O.B.E., Wing Commander, Royal Air Force, Headquarters Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force, for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations from 1 March 1943 to 22 June 1944. As Chief Intelligence Officer, Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force, Wing Commander Wiseman displaying a rare analytical and organizational genius was responsible for the creation and development of an Intelligence Force headquarters in the Mediterranean Theater. Upon the Intelligence material gathered through his selfless and earnest work, this Headquarters was able to plan and launch the air operations which brought victory to the Allied Armies in Italy. His brilliancy in collecting and evaluating the necessary operational Intelligence data, his ability to work smoothly with an integrated American and British staff, and his unstinting fulfillment of duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the Allied Nations."

February 2010 Site update - Journal Tables of Contents

Regular readers of my blog will have noted that there has been little activity evident here recently. This is because my attention has been focused on attempting to persuade a number of journal editors to allow me to host some of their articles and a complete table of contents. As a result I have been working on creating tables of contents for the following journals (click on each to view progress):

South East Asia Journal of Theology
East Asia Journal of Theology
Asia Journal of Theology

Once these are complete I should be able to add a some on-line articles. Today I had a very positive response from the editor of the Journal of Biblical Literature and should be able to start on a table of contents for it next month.

Redcliffe College and All Nations Christian College to Merge

Exciting news about the future of mission training

The UK’s two leading mission training colleges, allnations and Redcliffe College, have announced that they have agreed to the principle of merger. The new College will build on the current strengths and rich heritage of both to become the foremost centre for mission training in the UK and around the world.

While talks regarding issues such as name and location are still in the early stages, it is envisaged that the merged college will operate from the current Redcliffe and allnations campuses in Gloucester and Hertfordshire from September 2010, and on one site from September 2011. Short courses, undergraduate and postgraduate studies will continue to be available and the current emphasis on academic rigour, practical training and spiritual development will be maintained.

allnations and Redcliffe have been the centres of choice for mission training in the UK for many years, and also serve a wider European and Global constituency, often having 30 nationalities in each of their student bodies. They have shared many of the same values of an integrated approach to training men and women for effective cross-cultural service and believe this offers a firm foundation for the future.

Richard Clark, former National Director of Interserve (England and Wales) and a member of the board said,

“The new College will give us the opportunity to respond to the current social, economic and Christian climate and create a world class training institution. There will be better stewardship of resources, a greater capacity for incisive research, and a stronger platform upon which to speak into the vital issues surrounding global cross-cultural mission today.”

Martin Lee, Director of Global Connections, is also a member of the board.

"Having had a long association with both colleges, I am very excited about seeing the new centre for mission training that will be created from the merger," he said. "The new body has the potential to be a world leader in the areas of cross-cultural training and mission. This is a strategic and timely decision which will further the development of innovative and effective mission in the 21st Century."

Letter to Supporters.
FAQ

12 Days of Christmas Quiz - Day 12

Scripture Verse No. 3

1. Three persons are mentioned in the verse but only one by name; one is in sorrow, one is perplexed, and one is annoyed.
2. The wisest of the three owns his ignorance.
3. The sorrow of one is afterwards removed, though no request is made about it.
4. The scene took place on a mountain.
5. The attitude of one of the three is like that of the disciples when met by Jesus after the resurrection.
6. The act of another is similar to that of the disciples which incurred reproof from Jesus.
7. One lived seven years in the Philistines' land.
8. One pronounced judgment on an unbeliever.
9. One was a servant.
10. Of one it was said, “The word of the Lord is with him.”
11. The verse describes a hurried arrival.
12. One of the characters is a woman, but her name is not given.
13. She is only mentioned in one other chapter beside that in which the text occurs, but her history is quite familiar.
14. A large army once encamped on the spot which was her home.
15. Her husband is mentioned in the chapter, but not by name.
16. She uses exactly the same words in addressing her companion that he had himself thrice used to his friend.
17. One of the three characters once gave this command “Make this valley full of ditches.”
18. An act of deceit is recorded of another in the following chapter.
19. The chapter contains an account of four miracles.
20. The verse contains fifty-five words, four being proper names.

Answer tomorrow in the comments.

12 Days of Christmas Quiz - Day 11

Scripture Enigma No 3
Who sold a field, with all that it contained?
Where by St. Paul was sacrifice restrained?
The second name of him who sold his Lord?
Who, in a storm, said "Cast me overboard?"
What woman's prayers went up by day and night?
City where Caleb did with giants fight?

Initials letters, now, and finals, name
Two prophets who
With heavy tidings came,
A prophecy of punishment to bring,
One to a good, one to an evil king.

Answer tomorrow in the comments.

12 Days of Christmas Quiz - Day 10

Scripture Character No. 3
1. He received many commands from God, all of which he faithfully obeyed.
2. He and his family left their home, to which they never returned.
3. He was “just” and “perfect.”
4. His father spoke of “the ground which the Lord hath cursed."
5. We are told the names of his children, but not of his wife.
6. He was “moved with fear."
7. His name is mentioned by Isaiah, Ezekiel, Paul, Peter, and by our Lord.

Answer tomorrow in the comments.

12 Days of Christmas Quiz - Day 9

A City of Scripture No. 3

This city's streets a holy prophet trod,
And one went out to meet the man of God
With camels bearing many a precious thing
Sent as a present from a dying king.
And Le-re dwelt one, head of a soldier-band,
The Lord had given deliverance by his hand.
This was the home of him who knelt to pray,
“Oh Lord,” he said, “send me good speed this day;”
His prayer was heard, and then he bowed his head
Low to the ground in gratitude, and said,
“Blessed be the Lord of mercy and of might,
I, being in the way, He led me right.”
A conquering king brought down this city's pride
When two and twenty thousand warriors died;
He placed there garrisons of fighting men,
And all its people were his servants then.
But, later on, another monarch rose
Who found the people there his fiercest foes,
Rezon was king, and all the time he reigned
An enmity to Israel he maintained.
Here, afterwards, a king of Judah came
And served its gods, his ruin and his shame
Copied its altar; then high places built,
And brought his kingdom low with all his guilt.
But judgment is pronounced against this place,
Glory departs, and sorrow comes apace.
Though once she bought the costly wares of Tyre,
Yet in her walls must burn consuming fire;
Saith God, “For three transgressions, yea, for four,
I will not turn away My vengeance sore.”
Yet here a soul was filled with heavenly light,
And heard the gracious words, “Receive thy sight.”

Answer tomorrow in the comments.

12 Days of Christmas Quiz - Day 8

Scripture Verse. No. 2.
1. It contains a command of God.
2. The command was given to one mentioned by our Lord with "the prophets"; the scribes and Pharisees were said to sit in his seat. and Stephen was accused of speaking “blasphemous words” against him.
3. The command is strange, and seems a dangerous one to obey.
4. It alludes to a living creature which had a very short existence.
5. One particular part of the creature is mentioned.
6. The command is obeyed, and the danger disappears.
7. The command had been preceded by a question and a. miracle, and the obedience is followed by three other miracles and a promise; yet complaint, not faith, is the result.
8. The first six words are very often repeated in the same book, and frequently stand at the head of chapters.
9. It contains mention of a common possession, which afterwards became a sign of great power associated with the name of God.
10. It contains thirty-three words, and is in the early part of a chapter of more than thirty verses.

Answer tomorrow in the comments.

12 Days of Christmas Quiz - Day 7

Scripture Enigma No. 2

1. It is better than gold and rubies; it was given specially to one royal personage; it has its dwelling-place with the lowly; and men are encouraged to pray for it.
2. A tree to which the Jews were compared. To the same tree in its wild state the Gentiles were afterwards likened.
3. This it is which exalteth a nation. A town in which there was a street called Straight.
4. Because of this virtue special blessings were promised to the descendants of Jonadab the son of Rechab.
5. The figure by which Christ's cleansing from sin is indicated in the prophecy of Zechariah.
6. Of two women thus employed, one shall be taken and the other left.
7. A mark of respect paid, in Joseph's dream, to his sheaf by the sheaves of his brothers; and afterwards actually paid to him by them.
8. The name by which the chief priests and Pharisees spoke of Christ when they asked. Pilate to secure His sepulchre.

The, initials form a name given to the Saviour in the Revelation, when represented as clothed in a vesture dipped in blood; and also used in the gospel and epistle of the same author the finals give a title by which Malachi prophesies the coming of Christ and that of John the Baptist.

Answer tomorrow in the comments.

12 Days of Christmas Quiz - Day 6

Scripture Character No. 2

1. He received “a present of silver and gold.”
2. He accepted a suggestion made to him to break a promise.
3. He prevented a town from being finished.
4. A wicked king sent him a very wise warning.
5. He fell into a sin mentioned in Gal. v. 21.
6. He escaped from danger on horseback.
7. He acted upon a rash proposal and suffered for it.
8. His enemy said of him, “He is my brother.”
9. He suspected treachery among his servants.
10. He sent a handsome present to a man whom he had tried to take prisoner.

Answer tomorrow in the comments.

12 Days of Christmas Quiz - Day 5

A City of Scripture No. 2

1. A fugitive passed through this city, when flying for his life.
2. Another fugitive started from it.
3. It was in the inheritance of Simeon.
4. Two defenceless travellers were once in great distress close by it.
5. A large party of travellers came there and offered sacrifices to God.
6. A grove was planted there.
7. A patriarch lined there.
S. Another patriarch saw a vision there.
9. A well was dug there.

Answer in the comments tomorrow.

12 Days of Christmas Quiz - Day 4

Scripture Verse. No. 1

1. This verse describes a journey very unwillingly undertaken.
2. The unwilling traveller was one of a large company, but he parted from all his companions on arriving at his destination.
3. When he returned the same way it was on a sad errand, and with a large attendance.
4. People of three different nationalities are mentioned in the verse.
5. One of the persons named makes enquiry afterwards for "men of activity." He had very large property in land.
6. Another, who was very handsome, once made use of this expression, “Am I in the place of God?"
7. A business transaction is described in the verse.
8. A military office of some importance is also mentioned.
9. One of the persons named, though a heathen, received “the blessing of the Lord” on his house.
10. Some of the people mentioned had just come from a country named in Jer. viii.; their great ancestor had been promised Divine blessing and God was with him as a child. He had married a wife from the country named in this verse and his sons had towns and castles.
11. Quantities of golden earrings were taken, years after, from the descendants of these people.
12. The country spoken of is compared by Jeremiah to "a very fair heifer." The same prophet also threatens the destruction of its idol-temples with fire. Isaiah prophesies woe to it, but foretells that in the end its people “shall know the Lord."
13. The grandfather of one of the persons named in the verse was forbidden to go into this country.
14. The verse is the first in a chapter, and contains thirty-three words, six being proper names.

Answer in the comments tomorrow.