Who we are

Thomas M. Stallter is Professor of Intercultural Studies at Grace Theological Seminary in Indiana, teaching online from Oregon. Stallter has a heart for the world and for preparing others to reach out to those of other cultural and worldviews. Whether teaching cultural anthropology or world religions or even methods of social research, his real intention is to prepare students for the impact of culture on relationships and ministry. “Relating to real people in a multicultural world with a relevant message that touches both felt needs and spiritual needs is our part in the mission of God.” After 18 years of service in Africa, he has now served 28 years at Grace College & Seminary preparing others to take his place. “Penetrating worldviews with God’s love and grace is our purpose. His love for the world is our calling. His Spirit is our strength. His amazing grace in our lives is our motivation.” Thomas and his wife now live in Scappoose, OR.

What is the purpose of writing this book now?

“As I have often said, we are entering one of the darkest times in our history as a country. Never has the attack on life and morality been greater. Our society is trying to silence God. In the midst of this crisis, I am finding that many Christians are confused about God's will for them and have allowed the crumbling values of our society to run their lives and churches. We desperately need biblical training in God's design for us to walk in wisdom if we are to flourish and confidently trust his ways and providence. He wants to enrich our lives with understanding and make our way clear as we travel this journey. As New Testament believers, we have forgotten that a good deal of this knowledge and direction from God is in the old and dusty pages of the wisdom writings of the Bible.”

How does your book speak to this situation?

“In this book, I am seeking to reopen the forgotten and somewhat barricaded door of understanding that God gives to us in the wisdom books of the Bible. In our culturally influenced Christianity, wisdom does not seem important or relevant. It does not harmonize with our performance-based, fast-moving, achievement-oriented ministry approach in today's Western cultures. Our late modern values are piled high against it, but I want to uncover and unbolt that door and emphasize its importance and relevance to us today. We need to know why it is essential and leads to a fruitful and confident Christian life and a flourishing church. We need to trust God for his guidance out of our uncertainty and confusion to peace and confidence that often feel just out of reach. Wisdom's lavish blessings are ours, already given but yet to be owned because we are distracted, even blackmailed, by current cultural values and demands.”

How do you want this book to change Christians and Christianity?

“In this book, I want to help Christians understand more about the treasures of this great house of seven pillars and the rich generosity of the grand and stately Lady Wisdom who calls to us. We must leave our halting and tottering steps to join her in the graceful dance of life that only wisdom can lead. This book is an attempt to help us move from striving to live a Christian life to the calmness of a tree growing by the streams of God, to the confidence of trusting him for everything, discernment in our trials, guidance for our decisions, and courage for the days ahead. The wisdom God gives us helps Christians reach a healthy maturity in Christ, deal with anxiety, have a perspective that gives faith and hope in suffering, and experience confidence and peace in their relationship with God and others.”

What is your approach to this in your latest book on Wisdom?

“As the title says, the code of God's wisdom is ancient, and we feel we have better ways today to achieve meaning and purpose, better ways to find feelings of worth. This interferes with God's ways. I am attempting to help people reconsider and then step into God's way of wisdom as he gives it to us. I want them to find there the peace and contentment he intends for all of us—the meaning, purpose, worth, and honor he holds out to us.”

How would you suggest people approach the Bible with wisdom?

“I think, first of all, we have to let God speak for himself. If we let the pressure of our cultural values or the urgency of personal preferences become our hermeneutic, our measuring stick, we are asking the Bible to tell us what we want to hear. We limit what God can say to us. We need to be relevant in the expression of our faith in our situation, but we must draw a line between cultural relevance and relativism, between relevance and cultural syncretism. I think it is obvious what happens when we limit God to our personal preferences. In all of this, the primary need when we approach God is to trust him.”