Curriculum Vitae Stephen J. Bedard stephenbedard@hotmail.com Education 2021 Doctor of Ministry, Acadia Divinity College, Wolfville, NS. Thesis – “Disability Ministry for Small Churches” supervised by Dr. Glenn Wooden 2007 Master of Arts (Christian Studies), Major in Biblical Studies, McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton ON. Thesis – “Finding a New Land: From Canaan to the Resurrection” supervised by Dr. Stanley E. Porter. 2001 Master of Theology, Major in New Testament Studies, McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton ON. Thesis – “Outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament” supervised by Dr. Michael Knowles. 1999 Master of Divinity, McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton ON. 1993 Bachelor of Business Administration, Brock University, St. Catharines ON. Other Education 2015 Intermediate Ethics (Royal Canadian Chaplain Service) 2013-2014 Basic Occupational Qualification (Royal Canadian Chaplain Service) 2012 Basic Military Officer Qualification (Royal Canadian Chaplain Service) 2007-2009 Arrow Leadership Program Research Interests Disability Theology/Ministry, Practical Theology, Historical Jesus, Luke/Acts Languages Reading ability in Hebrew and Greek. Work Experience 2022-Present Co-Pastor of Brookfield Baptist Church, Brookfield NS 2016-2022 Pastor of Queen Street Baptist Church, St. Catharines ON 2013-2014 Associate Editor at Faith Today Magazine 2012-Present Chaplain with Canadian Armed Forces 2011-2016 Adjunct Instructor at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON 2010-2019 Sessional Lecturer at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON 2003-2012 Pastor of Woodford Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Meaford ON 2001-2003 Associate Pastor of Mount Hamilton Baptist Church, Hamilton ON 1998-2001 Youth Pastor of Queensway Baptist Church, Brantford ON Ordained with the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec – May 27, 2001 Currently ordained with the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada Teaching Experience June 26 2023 “Disability in Family and Ministry”as a guest lecture for the course Disability, Theology, and The Church: Everybody Belongs taught by Dr. Neil Cudney at Tyndale University and Emmanuel Bible College (online) June 8 2021 “Disability in Family and Ministry”as a guest lecture for the course Disability, Theology, and The Church: Everybody Belongs taught by Dr. Neil Cudney at Tyndale University and Emmanuel Bible College (online) July – Aug 2019 CHRI 2393 B1 – Foundations of Family Ministry at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON Oct – Nov 2018 BSTH 3383 B1 – Pauline Epistles at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON July – Aug 2018 BSTH 3873 B1 – Contemporary Religious Movements at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON Jan – Apr 2018 GP381AI – Apologetics at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener, ON Jan 2018 – Certificate in Accessibility Ministry – Module Four: Ministering to Families with Disabilities at Tyndale, University College, Toronto ON Nov – Dec 2017 BSTH 3463 B1 – Jesus and the Synoptic Tradition at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON July – Aug 2017 BSTH 3213 B1 – Ten Commandments at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON Nov – Jan 2016-17 BSTH 3423 B1 – Revelation at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON July – Aug 2016 BSTH 3473 B1 – Paul: Apostle and Theologian at Tyndale University, College, Toronto ON Nov – Jan 2015-16 BSTH 3963 B1 – Christian Ethics at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON Sept – Dec 2015 BI110AA – Bible Foundations at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener, ON Sept – Dec 2015 GP281AA – Apologetics at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener, ON July – Aug 2015 BSTH 3343 B1 – Romans at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON May 2015 BN222BA – Synoptic Studies: Parables of Jesus at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON Jan – Apr 2015 BN112A – New Testament II at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON Sept – Dec 2014 BN111AA – New Testament I at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON Sept – Dec 2014 BN223BA – Luke-Acts: Acts at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON Sept – Oct 2014 BI210BE – Interpretation and Application of the Biblical Text at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON Jan – Apr 2014 GP381AA – Apologetics at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON Jan – Apr 2014 BN112A – New Testament II at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON Sept – Dec 2013 BN111AA – New Testament I at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON July – August 2013 RLGS 3403 B1 – Text & Interpretation: Ephesians, Tyndale University College, Toronto ON Jan. – Apr. 2013 BN112A – New Testament II at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON Sept. 14 – Dec. 7 2012 BN111AA – New Testament I at Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener ON July 7 – Aug. 4 2011 RLGS 3303 B1 – Jesus and the Synoptic Gospels at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON July 8 – Aug. 5 2010 RLGS 3463 B1 – Text & Interpretation: 1 Corinthians at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON Mar. 29 2010 “Biblical Studies for Preaching” as a guest lecturer for the course “Preaching” taught by Dr. Daniel Wong at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON Oct. 22 2008 “Preaching to Youth” as a guest lecturer for the course “Preaching” taught by Dr. Daniel Wong at Tyndale University College, Toronto ON Papers Presented November 14, 2023 “Autism-Friendly Faith Communities” at OCALICONLINE 2023 (online) June 7, 2022 “Disabilities and the Gospels: Evaluating the Message” at the Institute for Theology and Disability, Methodist Theological School, Ohio (online) April 8, 2022 “Uniquely Spiritual: Spiritual Formation For a Neurodiverse Church” at the Spirituality and Disabilities Symposium for Fordham University (online) April 4, 2022 “Autistics in Caring Professions” at the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit for the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (online) December 14, 2021 “How To Make Your Church Autism-Friendly” at the Autism, Theology and Church conference for the Centre for Autism and Theology, Aberdeen, Scotland (online) May 30, 2021 “Imago Dei: Bridging the Divide Between Abilities and Disabilities” at the Canadian-American Theological Association, Edmonton, Alberta (online) June 12, 2018 “Jesus, the Resurrection and Disabilities in the Afterlife” at the Summer Institute on Theology and Disability, Raleigh, North Carolina March 22, 2016 “Experience as a Christian Apologetic” at the Wesleyan-Pentecostal Symposium at Tyndale University College, Toronto, Ontario November 18, 2010 “The Gospels, Josephus and the Place of Precision in Ancient Historical Accounts” at the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, Atlanta, Georgia April 8, 2010 “A Nation of Heroes: From Apotheosis to the Resurrection” at International Conference : Resurrection of the Dead. Biblical Traditions in Dialogue at the Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium Publications Authored Books 2016 The Autistic Pastor, St. Catharines, ON: Hope’s Reason 2016 Unmasking the Jesus Myth, St. Catharines: Hope’s Reason 2014 How to Make Your Church Autism-Friendly, Cambridge: Hope’s Reason. 2014 The Watchtower and the Word, Cambridge: Hope’s Reason. 2013 Experiencing God Without Losing Your Mind, Cambridge: Hope’s Reason. 2013 Genesis to Revelation: A Taste of the Entire Bible, Cambridge: Hope’s Reason. 2007 Finding a New Land: From Canaan to the Resurrection, Lulu Publishing. 2006 With Stanley E. Porter, Unmasking the Pagan Christ: A Response to the Cosmic Christ Idea, Toronto: Clements Publishing. Chapters and Research Articles 2023 – “Jesus, the Resurrection, and Disabilities in the Afterlife” in McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 23 (2021–2022). 2023 – “C.S. Lewis, Merlin, and Messy Apologetics” in An Unexpected Journal Vol. 6, No. 2. 2023 – “Online Worship and the Autism Community” in Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture: Vol. 4: Iss. 2 2023 – “Caregiving That Does Not Feel Like Caregiving: When Things Do Not Work Out the Way You Want” in The Canadian Journal of Theology, Mental Health and Disability Vol. 3 No. 1 2023 – “How to Become a Disability Friendly Church” in Life Together: Disability and Belonging in the Church. 2022 – “The Gospels, Josephus, and the Place of Precision in Ancient Historical Accounts” in Trinity Journal of Natural & Philosophical Theology Vol. 1 No. 1 2022 – “The Word Made Flesh: A Theological Paradigm For Understanding Nonverbal Communication” in The Canadian Journal of Theology, Mental Health and Disability Vol. 2 No. 1 2021 – “Are Churches Actually Welcoming to People with Disabilities?” in Everybody Belongs, Serving Together. 2019 – “Alexander Stewart (1774-1840)” in A Noble Company: Biographical Essays on Notable Particular-Regular Baptists in America – The Canadians, Volume 12. 2017 – “Should Christians Practice Yoga?” in CSB Apologetics Study Bible for Students, p. 215. 2014 – “On the Treatment of the Supernatural by Zeba Crook” in Studies in Religion June 2014. 2012 – “A Nation of Heroes: From Apotheosis to the Resurrection” in Resurrection of the Dead: Biblical Traditions in Dialogue, Leuven: Peeters Publishing. 2012 – “Atheism in Canada: What is the Future?,” in Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics 3:61-74. 2011 “The Johaninne Creation Account,” in American Journal of Biblical Theology 12(22). 2010 “Methodological Problems with the Jesus Myth Hypothesis,” in Journal of the International Society of Christian Apologetics 3.1:57-66. 2010 “Exposing the Spirit of the Age: A Response to the Zeitgeist Movie,” in Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics 1:147-169. 2009 “Losing Christianity: A New Testament Scholar’s Fall From Faith,” in McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 10:69-74. 2008 “Transformation and Victory: The Resurrection Message of First Corinthians 15,” in American Journal of Biblical Theology 9(44). 2008 “Hellenistic Influence on the Idea of the Resurrection Jewish Apocalyptic Literature,” in Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism 5:174- 89. 2008 “Turning Water into Wine: Tom Harpur and the Re-Mythologization of the Gospels,” in McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 9:31-38 2007 “Elijah: The Proto-Apocalyptic Prophet,” in American Journal of Biblical Theology 8(32). 2006 “Paul and the Historical Jesus: A Case Study in First Corinthians,” in McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 7:9-22. Other Publications 2018 – “How to Become a Disability-Friendly Church: Even if your church is small and has limited resources” – Faith Today Jan/Feb 2017 – “What Price Tolerance?” – Shades of Style Magazine – Holiday Issue 2017 – “Listen to the Children” – Kaleidoscope Magazine #74 – Feb. 2017 – “Pastor Launches Podcast About Mental Health” – Faith Today Jan/Feb. 2016 – “A Loving Dad Shares: Home is Where the Heart Is” – Autism Parenting Magazine Dec. 2016 – “Watered Down Faith” – Alive Now Magazine Mar. 2016 – “Understanding My Children With Autism in a New Way” – Autism Parenting Magazine Jan. 2015 – “What Letters Did Paul Really Write?” – Equipped June 2015 – “Raising Some Questions” – Equipped Mar. 2015 – “Strength in Weakness” – Alive Now Magazine Mar. 2015 – “Autism and the Church: How to Make a Difference” – Christian Week Feb. 2015 – “When Music Breaks Through” – SGN Scoops Magazine Jan. 2014 – “Where the Jesus Myth Goes Wrong” – Equipped Dec. 2014 – “From Exclusion to Welcome for Those With Disabilities” – Faith Today Sept/Oct. 2014 – “New Association Equips Church and Scholars in Quebec” – Faith Today July/Aug. 2014 – “Science Conference Bridges the Gap” – Faith Today July/Aug. 2014 – “Big God in a Small Town” – Faith Today May/June. 2014 – “Steady Through the Changes” – Faith Today Mar/Apr. 2013 – “Ministry to Special Needs Families” – Dialogue: The Military Journal for Those Who Are Called to Serve. 2013 – “Small Calgary Church is Big on Mission Trips” – Faith Today Nov/Dec. 2013 – “New Proof That Child Sponsorship Really Works” – Faith Today July/Aug. 2013 – “Christians Welcome Migrant Workers Through Concert” – Faith Today July/Aug. 2013 – “The Faith Today Interview: Leonard Sweet” – Faith Today July/Aug. 2013 – “Cases Challenge Limits to Free Expression” – Faith Today May/June. 2013 – “Thirty More Sermons You’d Never Hear in Church” – Faith Today May/June. 2012 – “A Pastor’s Perspective” in How to Get Apologetics into your Church 2 e-book (edited by Brian Auten). 2011 – “Can Evangelicals Embrace the Community of Christ?” – Faith Today January/February. 2010 – “What We Can Learn From Tom Harpur” – Faith Today Sep/Oct online article. 2010 – “Christianity and Other Ancient Religions” in Is Christianity True? e-book (edited by Brian Auten). 2010 – Contributor to The Road to Easter: Arrow Leaders’ Reflections for Lent. Book Reviews 2014 “Review of Johnson: How to Talk to a Skeptic (2013),” Faith Today Jan/Feb: 73. 2013 “Review of Loftus and Rauser: God or Godless? (2013), Faith Today Sep/Oct: 74. 2011 “Review of Tripp: The Devil Wears Nada (2011),” Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics 2.2. 2011 “Review of Bowden: Mystery Cults in the Ancient World (2011),” Studies in Religion 40(4):555-56. 2011 “ Review of Patzia: The Making of the New Testament (2011),” Studies in Religion 40(3): 398-99. 2011 “Review of Hughes: Think and Live (2011),”Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics 2.1:94-95. 2011 “Review of Mitchell and Van Nuffelen: One God (2010),” Studies in Religion 40(2):252-53. 2011 “Review of Heath and Dvorak: Baptism (2011),” McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 12. 2011 “Review of Bell: Love Wins (2011),” Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics 2.1:84-87. 2011 “Review of Geisler: If God, Why Evil? (2011),” Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics 2.1:79-81. 2011 “Review of Zacharias: Beyond Opinion (2007),” Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics 2.1:69-70. 2010 “Review of Metaxas: Bonhoeffer (2010),”Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics 1:181-83. 2010 “Review of Licona: Resurrection of Jesus (2010),” Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics 1:179-81. 2010 “Review of Johnson: Among the Gentiles (2009),” Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism R32-34. 2010 “Review of Klauck: The Religious Context of Early Christianity (2003), Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism R29-31. 2010 “Review of Oswalt: The Bible Among the Myths (2009),” Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics 1:171-73. 2010 “Review of Kostenberger: Theology of John’s Gospel and Letters (2009),” Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism R26-28. 2010 “Review of Wardle: Cicero: On Divination Book One (2006),” Review of Biblical Literature 05/2010. 2009 “Review of Willard: Knowing Christ Today (2009),” McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 11:R4-R6. 2008 “Review of Evans: Fabricating Jesus (2006),” McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 9:R14-R16. 2008 “Review of Bauckham: Jesus and the Eyewitnesses (2006),” Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism R56-R59. 2008 “Review of Wright: Resurrection of the Son of God (2003),” Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism R51-R55. 2008 “Review of Bock: The Missing Gospels (2006),” Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism R34-R35. 2007 “Review of Stuckenbruck and North: Early Jewish and Christian Monotheism (2004),” Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism R7-11. Awards 2007 Word Guild Award of Merit for Unmasking the Pagan Christ 1999 Catharine McAlpine Scholarship for Historical Theology, McMaster Divinity College Professional Affiliations 2020-Present Canadian-American Theological Association 2021-Present International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Volunteer Experience 2023-Present Canadian Journal of Autism Equity Editorial Board 2023-Present Trinity Journal of Natural & Philosophical Theology Editorial Board 2016 Planning Committee for Life to the Full Conference 2013-2016 Peer Reviewer for HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 2008-2011 McMaster Divinity College Board of Trustees
Hello I am a strong follower of Ravi Zacharias. I was greatly uplifted by your views. I would like to invite you to Zimbabwe. In addition, kindly source book donations for us in areas of theology, church history, world religions, greek, and at high school level English language, Physics, Chemistry, Business Studies, Economics as well as computers and projectors. We would be pleased to offer you a preaching and teaching session at our church as well as visiting great historical places and the Victoria Falls Thanks Force Reply
Mr. Mhiribidi, Were you intoxicated when you wrote your comment? You invited Mr. Bedard to speak at your church, and in exchange for this privilege (not sure he’d see it that way…), you wanted him to obtain donated books, mostly textbooks, in Theology (a bit broad), Church History, World Religions, Greek, and at the high school level, books on Physics, Chemistry, Business, Economics (none have a particularly Christian rationale), and finally you want him to provide computers and projectors. It must be some speaking gig for him to owe you all that to take you up on the offer! Oh, I forgot, you are also going to take him on sightseeing trip to great historical places (there aren’t many in Zimbabwe) as well as the Victoria Falls… well, that’s clearly enough quid pro quo for curriculum and technology that you insisted upon. Disgusting… Please, we are very poor so bring your U.S. books and technology and you can speak and teach some Sunday! That must seem fair to you, yes? WOW! Reply
In many African cultures, asking for things is a way to honour people. It fits with the patron-client system: the client would ask from the patron, so by asking one declares the other to be the patron. I don’t know about Zimbabwe in particular, but I have lived for over a decade in (mostly West-)African countries, and have been on both ends of the system. Reply