Sometimes it’s good to be considered an Eastern and Central European country, even though we Estonians like to identify ourselves as Northern Europeans. Together with Seminary faculty members we understood this when we attended „Bible, Mission and Context in Central and Eastern Europe“ conference in Prague at the beginning of March. We contrubuted to conference with two presentations. Helina Voogne analyzed digital Bible reading, understanding and applying. Einike Pilli and Meego Remmel explained problem based Master’s program “Theology and Society” – why and how we do it and what is the preliminary feedback.

But it was more than a conference. Central and Eastern European Bible commentary was presented as well. This commentary has been assembled in over 6 years by 104 authors. 6 of the authors were Estonians and 4 of them our Seminary’s current or former professors. 20 different countries contributed to this process altogether.

Tayo Arikawe, the new leader of the conference’s host Langham Partnership, recognized that we need the voice of all regions to understand God and the Bible properly. Interpretations of the Bible need to happen in context, not only introduced and translated.

We are glad to have met our region’s theologians to discuss what it means to read the Bible and share the Good News in the area that we have been placed at. This is our calling together.

Einike Pilli
Rector

Photos: Helina Voogne, Einike Pilli & Langham Publishing