DR. DANIEL REMPEL
Assistant Professor of Biblical & Theological Studies
About Daniel:
Dr. Rempel was born and raised just down the road from Otterburne in the booming metropolis of Niverville, but has lived in Winnipeg since 2015. He completed his undergraduate degree at Providence in Biblical and Theological Studies before heading to Canadian Mennonite University to complete a graduate degree in Theology. From there, he travelled (mostly by Teams) to Scotland to do his PhD at the University of Aberdeen. Daniel currently spends most of his time teaching at Providence Downtown, where he teaches Bible and theology classes to international students. Daniel’s PhD dissertation was focused on intellectual disability and Christian witness, and he is currently revising that manuscript into a book.
Q: Before arriving at Providence, where did you live and what did you do?
I’ve been a student most of my life, although I have worked briefly as a full-time disability support worker – both times I had short breaks between my degrees. I’ve also not been very adventurous with where I live, growing up in Niverville, and then moving to Winnipeg, where my family currently resides. But, all that means is that Manitoba is very much my home, and that theology is something that I very much love to do.
Q: What about Providence was appealing to you?
The appeal of Providence began during my time as a student. Undergraduate education is such a formative time in one’s life, and that was certainly true for me at Providence. I loved the small, collegial feel, with professors who really cared. Now that I have been able to “peek behind the curtain” as a faculty member, I can see that this caring attitude was not just a mask or a show, but something which runs through the lifeblood of the staff and faculty. I love the way that we are committed to providing a high level of education for our students, but always with an eye to the overall care and growth of individual persons
Q: What is something you hope people will learn from your classes?
A significant part of what I do is try and demonstrate to students how what we believe about God is all-encompassing. Belief isn’t just something we think or confess, belief is something which is demonstrated by the way we live our whole life. I want students to understand that what we do in the classroom isn’t just “head” or “book” knowledge, but rather is part of the process of formation which guides everything we do. If we could put an end to this dichotomy of what we think and what we do, I’d be very happy.
Q: What is your teaching philosophy?
It would be a great reward for me to have every student come out of my classes excited about the Bible and theology. However, that’s not always the case, so more fundamentally, I want students to come out of my classes as better readers and thinkers, skilled in understanding the ever-changing world around them. We do this by listening to old texts and stories, but also paying attention to the world all around us. I’m less interested in trying to give right answers, and more interested in empowering students to seek out their own answers to the problems that they are up against. While I do teach information, I also try to facilitate thought and conversation. My hope is that this approach enables students to continue learning far beyond their time here at Providence.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
These days, most of my time is spent with my family: my wife Emily and our two kids, Henry and Lindy. Parenting is exhausting and difficult, but we love it. When I do get out of the house by myself, you may find me playing hockey with a group from our church, or cross-country skiing. In the summer, golf, soccer, running or cycling, and maybe a camping trip or two. I like to be outside and active, and it’s even better when it’s done with friends and family.