Welcome to StephenVantassel.com!
Stephen M. Vantassel
Research Interests
- Christianity & Politics, particularly international relations & economics
- Ecotheology-- animal rights & environmental policy. For additional information click Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Apologetics--specifically Polemics
- Practical Theology
Education & Credentials
PhD Theology, Trinity College & Seminary - Newburgh, IN (2008)
Dissertation Topic:"A Theological, Ethical, and Scientific Evaluation of the Christian Animal Rights Movement’s Critique of Wildlife Trapping."
Master of Arts & Theological Studies, Emphasis: Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - S. Hamilton, MA, Summa Cum Laude (1989)
BA in Biblical Studies / BA in Philosophy, Gordon College - Wenham, MA (1987)
Concentration in Greek and Hebrew, Summa Cum Laude
Ministry Experience
Member/Chair, Deacon and Elder Board 1997 to 2004
Bethlehem Baptist Church - Hampden, MA
Preached as needed, taught various adult Bible study classes, served as leader for a high school Bible study and fellowship group, and provided broad ministerial and financial oversight for this 400+ member church. Licensed to preach by Bethlehem Baptist.
Minister of Pastoral Care 1992 to 1994
Christian Life Center - Springfield, MA
Called on members, conducted counseling, and served as back-up preacher for this 300+ member church. Contacted people who’d fallen away from the fellowship to explore the possibility of restoring fellowship. Played a key role in updating records.
Academic Experience
Tutor-Theology, 2005 to Present, Kings Evangelical Theological School Developed a course on Deuteronomy for a hermeneutics degree and teach via audio recording,
Adjunct Faculty, Christian Leadership College, 2006 to Present
Lincoln Berean Church - Lincoln, NE
Teaching O.T. Survey.
Adjunct Faculty Trinity College & Seminary, 2002 to 2008- Newburgh, IN, Grading undergraduate papers in Bible and Theology classes.
Co-Instructor, Israel Trip 2005
University of Wales-Lampeter
Prepared small presentations relating to various sites during a trip to Israel, with an emphasis on historical geography. Also gave presentations for a videography.
Presentations & Conferences
Panelist in Evolution vs. Creation Debate, Wilbraham United Church, Wilbraham, MA (2004)
Panelist in Ethics of Hunting Debate, St. Joseph College, West Hartford, CT (2000)
Leader, Evangelical delegation to the Seminarians Interacting plenary meeting “Religious Perspectives on Plenty and Responsibility,” Stony Point, NY (1989)
Participant, Holy Cross-G.C.T.S. Dialogue, sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews (1988)
“Role of Women in the Church,” National Conference of Christians & Jews, Stony Point, NY (1988)
Publications: Academic and Popular
Why Christians and Environmentalists Cannot Support Animal Rights" Prairie Fire (August 2009).
"Should Trapping have a Place in a Christian Environmental Ethic?" Evangelical Review of Society and Politics 1:2(2007):21-40. PDF
"Beyond Seeker Friendly,” with Donna Vantassel. American Society for Church Growth, 18 (Winter, 2007): 49-54.
“A Biblical Assessment of Andrew Lizey’s View of Animal Rights,” Emmaus Journal, 12 (2003), 177-195.
“EMS Stress Training Concept ‘Kobayashi Maru’ Scenarios,” Domain, Spring 2003.
“Ministering to Preacher’s Kids,” Discipleship Journal, August 1995.
“Celibacy: The Forgotten Gift of the Holy Spirit,” The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Spring 1994.
“The Benefits of Philosophical Studies in Christian Education.” Educator, April 1991.
“An Overview of Vander Goot’s Hermaneutics,” Church Divinity, September 1988.
Assistant Editor and Contributor, The Spectrum, GCTS, 1988 to 1989
Book reviews for Paraclete; Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society:
- 2007. Wright, N.T. Evil and the Justice of God. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2006, pp 9-176 with indices.
- Fall 1995, pp 63-64. McCartney, Dan and Charles Clayton. Let the Reader Understand: A Guide to Interpreting and Applying the Bible. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1994, 346 pages. Vol. 14, No. 1.
- Summer 2005 pp 118-120. Montgomery, John Warwick, Tractatus Logico-Theologicus, 2nd ed. Rev. (Bonn: Culture and Science Publ. 2003). 236 pages. Vol. 14 no. 1.
- Winter 1994, pp. 3-32. John F. MacArthur Jr., Charismatic Chaos. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan 1992, paperback, 174 pages
- Fall 1994, pp. 29-31. George Pixley, Biblical Israel: A People’s History. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1992
- C.S. Lewis’ Dangerous Idea: IVP. Vol 12:2, pp. 320-321
- Copan, Paul and William Lange Craig. Creation Out of Nothing: A Biblical, Philosophical, and Scientific Exploration, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2004, 280 Pages
Additional Experience
Project Coordinator, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, NE 2004 to Present
Recruited to use various venues for educating the public on how to resolve wildlife problems, using academic research and applying it to the broader community. Manage the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management and write articles for NebGuide, a statewide Internet publication, and other periodicals, including the trade journal Wildlife Control Technology Magazine. Give presentations to a wide range of groups, including farmers, librarians, and the National Pest Management Association in Florida.
Webmaster, www.wildlifedamagecontrol.com 1998 to 2004
Launched a private Website in 1998 to address the issue of animal damage control.
Prior Experience Includes the Following:
Emergency Medical Technician, Licensed in Massachusetts
Assistant Editor, Wildlife Control Technology Magazine
General Manager, Wildlife Removal Service Inc.
NWCO Correspondent, National Animal Damage Controllers Association
If you would like to learn more, contact me by sending an e-mail to 
stephenvantasselathotmail.com
Assistant Editor of The Evangelical Review of Society and Politics