Pablo (Paul) Johnson is a Langham Scholar from Argentina, who received support to do his PhD at Cambridge.
As a young man, Paul read many books by the theologian John Stott. So when his friend Seth got support from Langham Scholars to do some study, Paul was curious and googled the organisation. He was delighted to find out about the connection between this organisation supporting Christian scholars and the theologian who had impacted him so much. Years later, he took the bold step to apply himself to be a Langham Scholar, and was accepted, being able to commence his PhD through Cambridge University.
Doors Opened by Langham
This study was only possible for Paul through the doors opened by the Langham Scholars program. “I don’t think I would have been able to study if it hadn’t been for Langham, that’s a basic fact,” Paul explains. As well, Langham has been able to introduce Paul to an international circle of academics working in similar and related areas to him. “As well as opening doors, Langham’s main influence has been exposing me to other scholars. Becoming friends with them has been a really enriching experience.”
The subject of Paul’s studies is Protestantism in Latin America. “Specifically I’m looking at Protestant theology and church history in what might be called the mainline churches in Argentina.” Paul’s looking at the history of the seminary, the theology it has produced, and various crises it has endured. This is familiar ground to Paul, as this is his own ministry context. He serves as an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Argentina, in a church plant that is moving towards becoming its own congregation. “I’m really studying my own context and the history of my own tradition,” Paul reflects.
The opportunity to study has been ‘life-transforming’ according to Paul, opening up a whole new world of thinking and way of seeing things. He can see how it has equipped him to be a much more effective teacher when he finishes his thesis and moves into working in the area of theological education.
A Dream for Theological Education
Paul is involved with the theological education initiatives within the Presbyterian denomination. His dream is to be involved in the Presbyterian denomination in Argentina starting a seminary. “We have dreamed about it for a long time,” Paul shares, “There are many people who would like that to happen. If God would be pleased for us to do that, I would love to be involved in that and really put my heart and soul into that.”
The Langham Scholars program has opened a door in enabling Paul to study at a higher level and become equipped to serve his country and his denomination in this way, but more scholars are needed.
More theologically trained leaders and teachers are needed to make the dream of a Presbyterian seminary in Argentina possible. More faithful investment in the program from Christians worldwide is needed to send more scholars to study, and then return to their own contexts, qualified, prepared and capable of transforming the global church.
You can support this work by giving to the Langham Scholars program here: https://au.langham.org/donate/