Jonathan M. Isaak

Associate Professor of New Testament

Education

B.Sc. University of Winnipeg; B.R.S. Mennonite Brethren Bible College, Winnipeg (now called Concord College and part of Canadian Mennonite University); M.A. Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, Fresno; Ph.D. McGill University, Montreal. Present Position, 1998-

Mission Statement

Sometimes people ask me: what is an anabaptist-evangelical? How would I recognize this strand within Christianity? For me, there are two emphases.

1) The term describes a group optimistic about human transformation. That is, committed to community building, non-violent peacemaking, and life-long discipleship--a few of the key anabaptist ideals.

2) In addition, the term describes a group also convinced that authentic transformation is rooted in Jesus. That is, committed to participation in the life of Jesus who was uniquely grounded in the active pursuit of the mission of God to reconstitute the people of God for the transformation of all creation--a few of the key evangelical ideals.

The goal I have for my Bible teaching at MB Biblical Seminary is to continue to explore with my students how this kind of anabaptist-evangelicalism could reshape our contemporary culture, giving witness to God's purpose for creation.

Background

Jon Isaak was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1960.

After completing undergraduate degrees in math/science education and theology in 1984, he taught Mathematics and Physics in the public school system for five years. Three of those years were at Frontier Collegiate in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba (1984-87); two years were at l'Institut Mbandu in what is now called the Democratic Republic of Congo (1988-90), sponsored by Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services International.

Jon returned to North America to pursue graduate studies in New Testament at the MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, California (1990-94). Following these studies, he taught Bible at the St. Petersburg Christian University in St. Petersburg, Russia, again under the sponsorship of Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services International (1994-95).

Returning to North America again, Jon went to the Faculty of Religious Studies at McGill University (Montreal, Quebec) to pursue post graduate studies with Dr. Frederik Wisse in early Christian history and literature (1995-98). In 2000 he completed his Ph.D. with a dissertation entitled, Situating the Letter to the Hebrews in Early Christian History.

Beginning in the Fall of 1998, he returned to his alma mater to teach New Testament at the MB Biblical Seminary. Since 1998, he has served as a licensed Minister of the Gospel with the College Community Church, Mennonite Brethren.

Jon is married to Mary Anne Willems (Associate Pastor at College Community Church, Mennonite Brethren) and they have two children, Peter (born in 1990) and Rianna (born in 1991).

Outside of teaching and family life, he enjoys cycling to school, rebuilding old VW beetles, and collecting used vegetable oil to power his VW diesel Rabbit.

Books and Articles

Books

New Testament Theology: Extending the Table. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, forthcoming.
(ed.) The Old Testament in the Life of God’s People: Essays in honor of Elmer A. Martens. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2009.
God is one and God is fair: Studies in Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Luminaire Studies. Winnipeg, MB: Kindred, 2006.
Situating the Letter to the Hebrews in early Christian history. Studies in Bible and early Christianity, vol. 53 [McGill University Ph.D. dissertation]. Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen, 2002.

Articles

The biblical witness/invitation to an alternative world: a reading strategy for the journey A review-response to chapter 2, ‘Biblical Vision,’ of Ron Sider’s, The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience (Baker, 2005). In Direction 35/2 (2006): 222-234.
God-talk and an invitation to biblical imagination Out of the strange silence: the challenge of being Christian in the 21st century, essays written by the faculty members of the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, 49-71. Winnipeg, MB: Kindred, 2005.
Lydia’s story: Christian conversion as relational, collaborative, and invitational (Acts 16:11-15) Essays in Honour of Fredrick Wisse: Scholar, Churchman, Mentor. A special edition of ARC, The Journal of the Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University 33 (2005): 229-236.
A case for seminary Mennonite Brethren Herald 44/12 (September 2, 2005): 7-8.
Baptism among the early Christians: discussion paper with proposal Direction 33/1 (Spring 2004): 3-20.
Christian community and political responsibility: Romans 13:1-7 Direction 32/1 (Spring 2003): 32-46.
Textual indeterminacy and determinacy: Klaus Berger’s history-of-effect hermeneutic (Luke 9:57-62) Biblical Theology Bulletin 29 (Winter 1999): 138-144.
Hearing God’s word in the 'silence’: a canonical approach to 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 Direction 24/2 (Fall 1995): 55-64.

Courses

Biblical Language Tools
Biblical Interpretation One
Elementary Greek One
Elementary Greek Two
Intermediate Greek Exegesis
Advanced Greek Exegesis
Genesis
Corinthian Letters
Romans
New Testament Theology
New Testament Backgrounds

Research Interests

Early Christian History and Literature, Letters of Paul, Historical Jesus Research, Biblical Theology, Hermeneutics, Textual Criticism

Influential Authors

G.B. Caird (Language and Imagery of the Bible, NT Theology); B.S. Childs (Introduction to OT as Scripture, NT as Canon); F. Dostoyevsky (Brothers Karamozov); S. Endo (Silence); R.B. Hays (The Moral Vision of the NT, Echoes of Scripture in the Letters of Paul); L.T. Johnson (The Writings of the NT); C.N. Kraus (Jesus Christ our Lord, God our Savior); C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia); C. Potok (The Chosen, The Promise); E.P. Sanders (The Historical Figure of Jesus, Paul); N.T. Wright (The Original Jesus, The Meaning of Jesus, The Challenge of Jesus).

At Your Service

All MB Biblical Seminary faculty members are available for preaching and are prepared to lead a seminar on calling out leaders for training and ministry. Jonathan M. Isaak will consider teaching classes or seminars on topics in addition to those listed here, please contact him for more information.

MB Biblical Seminary