Education
A.B. Hope College, M.Div. Western Theological Seminary, Th.M. University of Toronto: Victoria University, M.A. University of Iowa
paul.smith@westernsem.edu

Courses
DM820 Candidate Seminar
FM111 Intercultural Immersion Experience (J-Term); Chiapas, Mexico

Theological education today occurs in what some have called 'the culture of the screen.' The electronic communications media have drastically changed the ways in which we intersect with and learn about our world. As director of Beardslee Library I seek to acquire and make available a variety of media - books, journals, computer programs, Internet connections - that will enhance our efforts to train leaders for the church. I also attempt to help students reflect theologically upon the effect computers have in our lives.

Background
During his tenure as director of Beardslee Library, Paul Smith has witnessed a gradual revolution of the role of the library in theological education, sparked by waves of new technology. He has led Western into familiarity with the new tools of the computer age while fostering an awareness of their theological implications. Rev. Smith also leads Western's intercultural immersion experiences in Central America.