September 23

Pornography and Spiritual Formation

Dallas Willard

Professor of Philosophy, University of Southern California

Dallas is author of numerous books and articles ranging from epistemology and metaphysics to ethics and spiritual formation. His most recent book is The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus' Essential Teachings on Discipleship.


September 30

The Spiritual Discipline of Emotional Chastity: Spiritual Formation in Romance, Marriage and Parenting

John Coe

Associate Professor of Spiritual Theology and Philosophy, Institute for Spiritual Formation, Talbot School of Theology

John Coe teaches and writes in the areas of Spiritual Theology, the integration of spirituality and psychological growth, and virtue ethics. He has done work in the integration of theology, philosophy and psychology as well as intentionalizing spirituality in Christian education. John is the editor of the Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care.


October 7

The Catastrophe of Following Jesus

Steve Porter

Associate Professor of Philosophy and Theology, Institute for Spiritual Formation, Talbot School of Theology and Rosemead School of Psychology

Steve has contributed articles to the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Philosophia Christi, Faith and Philosophy, and the Journal for Psychology and Theology. He is also managing editor of the Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. Dr. Porter's book on epistemology entitled Restoring the Foundations of Epistemic Justification was recently published by Lexington Books. His areas of interest include theological methodology, the doctrine of sanctification, philosophical theology, and the integration of psychology and theology.


October 14

Choose the Life: Exploring a Faith that Embraces Discipleship

Bill Hull

Founding Director and President of Choose the Life Ministries

Bill Hull's commitment to call the church to discipleship as the central act of the Christian has expressed itself in three ways: twenty years as a pastor, the publication of many books and traveling the globe speaking and training. His ground breaking books such as Jesus Christ Disciple Maker, The Disciple Making Pastor, The Disciple Making Church, Choose The Life: Exploring a Faith That Embraces Discipleship, and the Complete Book of Discipleship have set the standard for those interested in making disciples. Bill is a graduate of Talbot School of Theology ('79) and is an Adjunct Professor at several seminaries.


October 21

Transforming Family Experience in the Family of God

Judy TenElshof

Professor of Spirituality and Marriage and Family, Talbot School of Theology

Judy has authored journal articles and chapters in several books. She has co-edited with Dr. Robert Saucy, Women and Men in Ministry: A Complimentary Perspective. She serves as the director of the Spiritual Formation Focus at Talbot School of Theology, which encourages habits of the heart and inner life growth of seminary students. She and her husband founded the Hilltop Renewal Center for Christian Leaders.


October 28

The Psychology of Prayer: Why We Do or Do Not Think God Hears Us

Betsy Barber

Associate Professor of Spirituality and Psychology, Institute for Spiritual Formation, Talbot School of Theology

Betsy has particular interest in spiritual formation and in the training and supervision of students in spiritual direction. She also works as a trained Clinical Psychologist with specialization in mental health and missions. She teaches and does research on topics such as Soul Care, Missions, Maturity, and Marital Relationships.