Asking questions from the heart and the mind

It was during his time at university that current Christ College student, Paul Byun, first discovered a desire for ministry. He became heavily involved in on-campus ministry and loved it. 

“While I was doing it, I thought about the question of whether I should go into full-time vocational ministry or not, because it could be just my feeling of enjoyment,” Paul says. When people he respected started encouraging him to pursue ministry, that felt like confirmation for Paul. He then decided to pursue theological education.

More than just knowledge

Paul says it was an easy decision to choose Christ College. “The main reason was because I believed that I was a reformed Presbyterian. Of course, I didn’t know exactly what that meant at the time, but I knew I wanted to be in a place I agreed with confessionally,” he explains.

As it turns out, Paul couldn’t be happier with his decision. Now in his final year of studying, he refers to his years at Christ College as “fantastic.” Despite the fact that significant portions of his degree were affected by COVID-19 lockdowns, Paul felt continually cared for by the College. 

“I could see that the staff and the community were doing all that they could to make not only education possible, but also enjoyable—to constantly keep that community aspect there, even though we were physically separated,” he says.

“I could see that the staff and the community were doing all that they could to make not only education possible, but also enjoyable—to constantly keep that community aspect there, even though we were physically separated,” he says.

Paul has been particularly encouraged by the way the faculty repeatedly ask the question ‘why?’ when teaching. “‘Why do you think Presbyterians believe this? Why do we do this?’ That has been really helpful for my spiritual formation.” 

He cannot speak highly enough of not just the faculty, but all members of staff at the College. “They’re very, very gentle, very caring and understanding. I have received much grace from them in many aspects,” he says.

Paul is currently serving as an assistant minister at Sydney Living Hope Community Church. He is deeply grateful for the way his senior minister is training him in that role alongside his study at College.

Understanding confession and covenant

With a PhD from Sydney University, and a love for deeply understanding scripture, Paul has recently had an article published in Gospel Leadership, Christ College’s academic journal. In it he sets out to answer the question, ‘Can we say that God made a covenant with Adam?’

“It’s an important question because the Westminster Confession of Faith says that a God made a covenant with Adam,” Paul explains. “The question that always has plagued scholars—where in the Bible does it actually say that God made a covenant with Adam?”

In his article Paul answers this question with a resounding yes. He spends time unpacking Hosea 6:7, and also delves into how this should impact pastors and ministry.

As for Paul’s future, nothing is set in stone.

“I’m not sure what to hope for in the future,” he admits, “but I do hope that it’s not something too vastly different from what I’m doing right now.” Whether he ends up serving in Sydney, interstate or overseas, Paul doesn’t mind—as long as he is preaching and teaching the gospel.

Paul’s Gospel Leadership article can be found here.