christian union universities
logical Seminary under the supervision of Dr. Ste-
phen J. Wellum, professor of Christian theology
and editor of the Southern Baptist Journal of Theol-
Michael Wilkinson, Christian Union’s ministry director at
Harvard Law School, is leading Bible courses on the book
of Philippians this fall.
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ogy. While in Louisville, Wilkinson edited significant
works by Dr. Wellum, including God the Son Incar-
nate: The Doctrine of Christ (Crossway, 2016).
During the 2016-17 academic year, his first at
Harvard Law School, Wilkinson was impressed by
the humility and vulnerability of the students in
Christian Union’s ministry. As someone who worked
as an attorney while simultaneously attending sem-
inary, Wilkinson knows what it’s like to face a tight,
demanding, if not overloaded, schedule.
“At Harvard Law School, you could spend every
minute of your waking day, apart from meals, study-
ing, reading, and there’d still be more to do,” he said.
Despite a hectic pace, Wilkinson noted that the
students connected to the ministry see the value in
spending time seeking God in community through
mentoring, Bible courses, and Christian Union’s
weekly lunch-time discussion groups, which feature
a review of an article or book or a guest speaker.
In May, a number of students involved with
Christian Union graduated from Harvard Law
School. Jim Garretson, who served as a teaching
fellow and ministry director at Harvard Law School
from 2013 through the summer of 2017, mentored
many of these students. Garretson noted that they
will go on to notable clerkships, edit journals, and
assume other positions from which they can impact
culture through a Christian worldview.
Commencement 2017 was bittersweet for
Michael and Darla Wilkinson, who both were able
to mentor students and develop relationships in
about half a year.
“I wanted more, but the blessing was that I saw
each one of them or corresponded with them right
before graduation, or at graduation,” Wilkinson said.
“It was very clear that it will be very natural for us
to stay in contact, and that’s a blessing.”
At the dawn of the current academic year, Wilkin-
son is excited about welcoming 1Ls (first-year stu-
dents) and mentoring returning students.
“This fall semester, we are excited to see many
new and returning students with a desire to grow
in the knowledge and love of God according to the
Word of God,” Wilkinson said.
Fall semester Bible courses will center on the
book of Philippians.
“In our Philippians course, we will focus on the
example and power of Christ for living in a manner
worthy of the Gospel, with a reasoned assurance of
faith, a God-centered and unshakable joy, and a life
of self-giving,” Wilkinson said.
“My hope is that students will become true part-
ners in the Gospel, helping one another to follow
Christ in their personal lives, in their communities,
and in their academic and professional labors.” | cu