Derek W. H. Thomas

Originally from Wales, Dr. Derek Thomas is the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. After pastoring for seventeen years in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dr Thomas returned to the USA in 1996 where, in addition to his work at the seminary, he serves as the Minister of Teaching at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. In addition to the pastorate, Dr. Thomas has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, a monthly denominational magazine. A 1978 graduate of RTS, he gained a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter, focusing on Calvin’s sermons on the book of Job. He has written numerous books, including The Storm Breaks: Job Simply Explained; Wisdom: the Key to Living God’s Way; God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply Explained; Making the Most of Your Devotional Life based on the Psalms of Ascent; and Praying the Savior’s Way, based on the Lord’s Prayer. More recently he published Let’s Study Revelation; Let’s Study Galatians and Calvin’s Teaching on Job: Proclaiming the Incomprehensible God. He also co- edited Give Praise To God: A Vision for Reforming Worship. Dr. Thomas has been married to his wife, Rosemary, for almost 30 years. They have two adult children, Ellen and Owen.

Joel R. Beeke

Dr. Joel R. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and also is pastor of Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MI. Dr. Beeke is editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth; editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written or co-authored or edited sixty books and contributed over fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals and encyclopedias. Some of Dr. Beeke’s titles include Living for the Glory of God: An Introduction to Calvinism; Meet the Puritans; Contagious Christian Living; Reformation Heroes; Calvin for Today; Walking as He Walked; Exposition of the Prophecy of Hosea; Holiness: God’s Call to Sanctification; Overcoming the World; and Striving Against Satan. Dr. Beeke’s dissertation was published some years ago under the title of The Quest for Full Assurance. His doctoral studies were in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is frequently called upon to lecture at Reformed seminaries and to speak at conferences around the world. Dr. Beeke and his wife Mary have been blessed with three children: Calvin, Esther and Lydia.