Dr. Jones and Me

The picture below is page 128 of over 200 pages from my May 2000 college Systematic Theology class. As a semi-minimalist, it is remarkable that I still have this workbook. Over the past twenty-three years, it has traveled with me from Kentucky, to North Carolina, to California, to Chile, to Massachusetts, and now Arizona. Apart from yearbooks and diplomas, I believe it is the only other item I still own from my college days. Why? Because the teacher of the class, Dr. Kelvin Jones, influenced my faith profoundly and forever.

 

Normally, if I were going to write about a person who had an influence on my faith, it would be my youth minister, David Scott. He made such an enormously helpful impact on my faith. However, I have mentioned David in other Compass articles and sermons. Therefore, I thought it would be good to share with you about my inspiring college Systematic Theology professor, Kelvin Jones.

Dr. Jones was a plain-looking, plain-dressing, and plain-talking man. The only thing cool about him was his mustache, but mustaches were not cool back in 2000. He had a reputation for no-nonsense, difficult classes. I probably would have avoided his class if I had had the option. I was no academic, nor did I have any serious interest in theological studies back then. My Bible college, Kentucky Christian University, required all students to take a Systematic Theology class.

Dr. Jones made us hand-write, in cursive, every single passage of Scripture that addressed any major theological subject. I do not think any of us students had ever handwritten so many words in such a short time. I hope to never do it again! Yet, I absolutely loved the class! I learned so much about both the Bible and Theology. Dr. Jones also knew how to answer all our big questions, and he welcomed them. I had never met anyone before who could handle the kind of difficult theological questions we threw at him. Dr. Jones always encouraged us to keep asking, reading, and learning about God’s Word.

The class actually had me considering seminary studies. However, at that time, I just could not imagine myself as a full-time minister, professor, or missionary. On the one hand, I wish I knew then what I know now. Perhaps I would have obtained a Ph.D. in theology by now. On the other hand, the Lord provided so many amazing life experiences for me over the ten-year gap of time before he, at last, drew my heart and mind to seminary studies at Gordon-Conwell in 2013.

Too often we hear people dismiss the academic side of Biblical and theological studies. Of course, we can easily point out many world-renowned Bible and theology professors who deny the resurrection of Jesus and every other fundamental truth of our faith. But why do we focus on them when there are so many who truly believe in and love the Lord, like Dr. Jones? Let us remember, we are called to love our Lord with all of our heart, soul, and mind – i.e. our whole self! I am convinced that young and old alike are desperately hungry for greater theological and Biblical knowledge. How will they get it when they are not even aware that they are hungry for it, or that people exist who can help them get it?

They will be fed in this way, by God’s grace, through thoughtful and caring parents, kids’ ministry leaders and volunteers, youth ministry leaders and volunteers, the Church, and sometimes a plain mustachioed theology teacher.

Fr. John Laffoon
Minister to Youth & Families