Faculty Focus: Dr. Daniel Powers
Why did you enter your specialty?
When I was working on my M.Div. at Nazarene Theological Seminary, I had a hard time deciding which field of study I enjoyed the most. I really enjoyed studying theology, but I also loved studying both the Old Testament and the New Testament. I think the person who influenced me the most in the direction of studying the New Testament was Dr. Morris Weigelt at NTS. Dr. Weigelt’s field of study was the New Testament. I had the honor and privilege of being asked by Dr. Weigelt to be his “teacher’s assistant” while I studied at the seminary. This opportunity to work closely with Dr. Weigelt and to observe his love and faithful diligence to the inspired message of the New Testament text had a profound impact on me. When I felt God leading me to pursue doctoral work after pastoring for four years, it just felt natural for me to pursue the study of the New Testament in the footsteps of Dr. Weigelt’s incredible example.
Why are you at NBC?
I am at NBC because I believe that God called me to help prepare and train men and women for effective service as Christian pastors and leaders. Over the years, nobody has done this better than Nazarene Bible College. As a fourth generation Nazarene, I love the privilege of serving and teaching at this wonderful institution. This is “why” I am at NBC.
I would also like to share “how” I came to NBC. My family and I (namely, my wife Mieke and our four children) lived in the Netherlands for 9 ½ years while I worked to earn my doctorate in New Testament Exegesis at Leiden University. As the conclusion of my dissertation and doctorate were finally coming into view, I was wondering about how I would be able to make it back to the United States and to one of our Nazarene colleges, which is where I really wanted to be able to teach. When the opportunity arose for me to be able to teach at the European Nazarene Bible College, I quickly accepted this invitation and prepared my family to move to Switzerland for a year before trying to move back to the United States.
On the very last night we spent in Holland before moving to Switzerland, I received a telephone call from Dr. Don Stelting from Nazarene Bible College. I had sent letters to all the Nazarene colleges in the preceding months expressing my interest in teaching at a Nazarene college, but I had never heard back from Nazarene Bible College until that last night in Holland. Dr. Stelting introduced himself on the phone, and informed me that NBC was interested in interviewing and talking to me about coming to Colorado Springs in order to become the Professor of New Testament and Bible at NBC. When I heard the deep, resonant voice of Dr. Don Stelting, I felt like I was hearing the very voice of God himself! After my one year contract at European Nazarene Bible College was fulfilled, my family and I moved to Colorado Springs where I joined the faculty of Nazarene Bible College. Indeed, God opened the door at just the right time for me to fulfill my call and dream to train men and women for service as pastors and leaders in the Church. Thanks be to God!
Publications/current project:
My dissertation was picked up by Peeter’s Publishing as a part of one of their series:
Powers, Daniel G. Salvation Through Participation: An Examination of the Notion of the Believers’ Corporate Unity with Christ in Early Christian Soteriology. Peeters, 2001. Vol. 29 of Contributions to Biblical Exegesis and Theology.
I was also asked to write a commentary on 1 and 2 Peter and Jude for the New Beacon Bible Commentary series:
Powers, Daniel G. 1 & 2 Peter, Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. Beacon Hill Press, 2010. New Beacon Bible Commentary.
I have also had the privilege of writing 5 articles for the Nazarene periodical Holiness Today. In addition, I have written more than 100 articles over the last 12 years for Faith Connections and Illustrated Bible Life, which are published by “The Foundry” as part of the Nazarene Bible study curriculum for Adults.
Best advice I ever received:
My father, who was a Nazarene pastor for 63 years until his death in 2017, once said to me, “You cannot die for multiple causes and concerns about which you are passionate. If you spend your life passionately running after and defending every cause that comes to your attention, you will never make any kind of mark or difference on the world around you. The fact is that you can only die for ONE cause. So choose your one cause carefully.”
Friends describe me as:
My friends describe me as the best person they ever met!! (Just kidding). This is a question that someone should ask my friends instead of asking me! I hope my friends would describe me as dependable, helpful, interested in their life, and goal-oriented.
Favorite Quotation:
John Chrysostom (who was given the name “Chrysostom,” which means “the golden-mouthed” because of his great eloquence) lived from AD 345-407. Chrysostom believed that the most effective means of conversion was the example of true Christian living. One of my favorite quotes is from this godly man who declared, “There would be no more heathen if we would be true Christians!”
Indeed, if our testimony is not keenly reflected in the way we live as followers of Jesus Christ, it will never be convincing, and it will be virtually worthless.
Favorite place to visit:
I have had the opportunity to visit many of the National Parks in the United States as well as Banff in Canada. I love them all! But my favorite National Park to visit would have to be Yellowstone National Park (but there are many close “second choices” among the other National Parks!).
Otherwise, I love to visit Europe, with the Netherlands being my favorite place. Some of my favorite memories in the Netherlands include our enjoyable visits with my wife Mieke’s two brothers and their families, riding bikes on the countless bicycle paths, and skating on the many canals when they freeze during the winter! It’s a splendid place to visit!
Hobbies:
I’m a runner, and so I love to run. I usually run 4-5 times a week. I also enjoy hiking very much. Over the years, I have hiked many trails with my wife Mieke and our four children. In the last 10 years of so, my son-in-law Daniel Wells and I have hiked together 19 of the 58 Colorado mountain peaks that measure 14,000 feet or higher in elevation. You can believe me when I say that these mountain peaks are “breathtaking”!!
Lastly, I enjoy reading. Although I naturally read a lot in conjunction with my studies and classes, I am always reading some kind of fictional novel for enjoyment and relaxation. On average, I read 40-50 novels a year. My favorite genres include murder mysteries, police and detective stories, and Westerns (especially Louis L’Amour).
- Dr. Powers serves as Director of Pastoral Ministries for Nazarene Bible College.