Terrance Tiessen

Ateneo de Manila University (PH)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
1984

University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto (ON)

1979-1980

Westminster Theologicla Seminary (PA)

Master of Theology (Th.M.)
1975

Wheaton College Graduate School (IL)

Master of Arts (M.A.)
1968

Waterloo Lutheran University [now Wilfred Laurier University] (ON)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
1966

London College of Bible and Missions [now Tyndale University College] (ON)

Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.)
1964

Teaching Fields

• Systematic Theology
• Historical Theology
• Ethics

Professional Experience

• 2006 – Present: Providence Theological Seminary, Faculty Emeritus
• 1989 – 2006: Providence College and Seminary, Faculty
• 1986 – 1989: Ontario Bible College, Vice-President Academic and Student Affairs
• 1975 – 1986: Asian Theological Seminary, Faculty
• 1973 – 1974: FEBIAS College of Bible, Faculty
• 1970 – 1986: SEND International, Missionary in Philippines
• 1968 – 1969: Marimont Baptist Church, Assistant Pastor
• 1967 – 1968: London College of Bible and Missions, Faculty

Professional Associations

• Canadian Evangelical Theological Association
• Evangelical Theological Society
• Associate, Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance

Book Publications

• “Does Calvinism Have Room for Middle Knowledge? A Conversation” (with Paul Helm), “A Response to John Laing’s Criticisms of Hypothetical Knowledge Calvinism,” and “A Calvinist Perspective in the Conversation about Middle Knowledge.” In Calvinism and Middle Knowledge: A Conversation, ed. Laing, John D, Kirk R. MacGregor, and Greg Welty, 95-117; 157-183; 202-220. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2019.
• “The Church in God’s Program of Salvation: A Baptist Perspective.” In Ecclesia Semper Reformanda Est: The Church is Always Reforming. A festschrift on ecclesiololgy in honour of Stanley K. Fowler on his seventieth birthday, ed. David G. Barker, Michael A.G. Haykin, and Barry H. Howson, 91-113. Joshua Press, 2016.
• “My Long Journey to Annihilationism,” in A Consuming Passion: Essays on Hell and Immortality in Honor of Edward Fudge, ed. Christopher M. Date and Ron Highfield, 17-31. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2015.
• “Redemptoris Missio, Into All the World,” in The Legacy of John Paul II, ed. Tim Perry. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2007.
• Who Can Be Saved: Reassessing Salvation in Christ and World Religions. InterVarsity Press, 2004.
• “Can God Be Responsive if the Future is Not Open?,” in Semper Reformandum: Studies in Honour of Clark H. Pinnock. Edited by Stanley E. Porter and Anthony R. Cross. Carlisle, UK: Paternoster Press, 2003. (Also in Didaskalia 18/1 [Winter 2007]: 121-39.)
• “Does Yahweh Take Risks?,” in Teach Me Your Paths: Studies in Old Testament Literature and Theology. Edited by John Kessler and Jeffrey P. Greenman. Clements Publishing, 2001. (Also in Didaskalia 18/1 [Winter 2007]: 97-120.)
• Providence and Prayer: How Does God Work in the World? Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
• “Gnosticism as Heresy: The Response of Irenaeus,” in Hellenization Revisited: Shaping a Christian Response within the Greco-Roman World. Edited by Wendy E. Helleman. New York: University Press of America, 1994. (Also in Didaskalia 18/1 [Winter 2007]: 31-48.)
• Irenaeus on the Salvation of the Unevangelized. ATLA Monograph Series, No. 31. Metuchen, N. J: Scarecrow Press, 1993.

Dictionary Articles

• “Irenaeus,” and “Providence,” in Dictionary of Christian Spirituality, gen. ed. Glen G. Scorgie. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2011.
• “Hell” and “Universalism,” in Global Dictionary of Theology: A Resource for the Worldwide Church, eds. William A. Dyrness and Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, assoc. eds. Juan Francisco Martinez and Simon Chan. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Academic, 2008.

Journal Articles

• “The Salvation of the Unevangelized in the Light of God’s Covenants,” Evangelical Review of Theology 36/3 (July 2012):231-49. Helm, Paul and Terrance L. Tiessen.
• “Does Calvinism Have Room for Middle Knowledge?,” Westminster Theological Journal 71/2 (Fall 2009): 437-54.
• “Stricken by God?: A Review Article,” in Theodidaktos 4/1 (April 2009): 3-16.
• “Salvation and the Religions: An Accessibilist Perspective,” Mission Focus: Annual Review Vol. 15 (2007): 5-26.
• “Why Calvinists Should Believe in Divine Middle Knowledge, Although They Reject Molinism,” Westminster Theological Journal 69 (2007): 345-66.
• Tiessen and James M. Hamilton. “Who Can Be Saved? Critical Dialogue Over a Recent Review. Response to James M. Hamilton Jr. Rejoinder to Terrance Tiessen.” Trinity Journal 28/2 (Fall 2007): 291-94.
• “Response to Clark Pinnock [“Acts 4:12: No Other Name Under Heaven”],” The Canadian Evangelical Review 28 (Autumn 2004): 17-20.
• “God, Time and Knowledge: What Does God Know and When Does God Know It?” Proceedings, Currents in Biblical and Theological Dialogue 2 (2003): 98-121. (Also in Didaskalia 18/1 [Winter 2007]: 141-63.)
• “God’s Work of Grace in the Context of the Religions,” Evangelical Review of Theology 27/3 (July 2003): 247-67. (Also in Didaskalia 18/1 [Winter 2007]: 165-91.)
• “Proclaiming Jesus Christ as the One Universal Savior and Lord in a World of Religious and Secular Pluralism [WEF working group report],” Evangelical Review of Theology 21 (Jan 1997): 15–18.
• “Divine Justice and Universal Grace: A Calvinistic Proposal,” Evangelical Review of Theology 21/1 (Jan 1997): 63–83. (Also in Didaskalia 18/1 [Winter 2007]: 71-96.)
• “Peut-on definir une ethique universelle a partir de l’Ecriture?,” Hokhma: Revue de reflexion theologique 63 (1996): 19–44.
• “Irenaeus and Modern Responses to the Challenge of Religious Pluralism,” ATA Journal 4/2 (July 1996): 30–51. (Also in Didaskalia 18/1 [Winter 2007]: 49-69.)
• “Can the Unevangelized Be Saved?: A Review Article,” Didaskalia 4/2 (Fall 1993): 77–91.
• “Christian Theology in the Third World: A Look at the Issues,” Didaskalia 4/2 (Fall 1993)
• “Toward a Hermeneutic for Discerning Universal Moral Absolutes,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 36/2 (June 1993): 189–207. (Also in Didaskalia 18/1 [Winter 2007]: 5-29.)
• “To Eat or Not to Eat?” Journal for Case Teaching 3 (Fall 1991):143–148.
• “Irenaeus on Salvation and the Millennium,” Didaskalia 3/1 (Oct 1991):2–5.
• “The Optimistic Activism of Postmillennial Eschatology,” Didaskalia 3/1 (Oct 1991):6–23.
• “The Biblical Basis of Relief and Development,” Evangelical Thrust, June 1979, 10–14; July 1979, 22–24; August 1979; September 1979, 13–15; October 1979, 22–23. (Serialized publication of a paper delivered at the Consultation on Relief and Development, sponsored by the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, April 9, 1979.)

Presented or Distributed Manuscripts

• “God’s Covenants: A Ground for Hopefulness Regarding the Unevangelized.” a paper presented at the Evangelical Theological Society Meetings in San Francisco, November 16, 2011.
• “Is God’s Knowledge of Counterfactuals Necessary, Middle or Free?: A Calvinistic Proposal,” at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, Valley Forge, Penna., November 17, 2005.
• “God’s Work of Grace in the Context of the Religions: A Reformed Proposal.” Read at the Evangelical Theological Society, Toronto, Nov 20, 2002.
• “Can God be Responsive but Risk Free?” Read at the Evangelical Theological Society, Nashville, Tennessee, Nov 16, 2000.
• “The Universal Salvific Work of the Holy Spirit: Reducing the Scandal of Calvinism.” Read at the Evangelical Theological Society, Jackson, Mississippi, Nov. 22, 1996.
• “Providence and Prayer: A Critique of Ten Models,” presented to the Christian Doctrine Group, The Tyndale Fellowship, Cambridge, UK, July 4, 1996 (41 pgs.).
• “The Salvation of the Unevangelized: A Position Paper,” distributed to members of the International Council of SEND International, January, 1996 (32 pgs.).
• “Irenaeus on the Salvation of the Unevangelized,” a paper read at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, Washington, D.C., November 19, 1993.
• “Toward a Hermeneutic for Discerning Universal Moral Absolutes and Applying Them in Contemporary Contexts,” a paper read at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 15, 1990.
• “Dealing with the Moral and Legal Problems in Marriage Breakdowns: A Draft Paper for the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches Commission on Theology.” October 4, 1985 (4 pgs.).
• “Evangelical Perspectives on the Law of God,” four lectures in Ethics, presented at the Winter Academic Lectureship, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, Portland, Oregon, February, 1985.
• “Divorce, Remarriage and Missionary Service: A Study Paper for SEND International Council,” February, 1984. (20 pgs.)

Book Reviews

Reviews have been published in the following journals:

• Canadian Theological Society Newsletter
• Didaskalia
• Evangelical Review of Theology
• Reformed Review
• Themelios
• Westminster Theological Journal

Guest Lecturing and Research Relationships

• Researcher, Tyndale House, Cambridge, UK, May, 2005
• Visiting lecturer, Tyndale Theological Seminary, Toronto, June, 2001
• Research Fellow at Yale University Divinity School, Jan – April, 2001
• Senior Mission Scholar, Overseas Ministry Studies Center, Jan – April, 2001
• Visiting lecturer, Associated Canadian Theological Schools, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC, March, 1998
• Visiting Scholar, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, England, 1995-96
• Visiting lecturer, Tyndale Theological Seminary, Badhoevedorp, Netherlands, November, 1995
• Visiting lecturer, Northwest Baptist Theological Seminary, Vancouver, June, 1988
• Winter Academic Lectureship, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, Portland, Oregon, Feb., 1985