A.B. Hope College
M.Div. Western Theological Seminary
Th.M. University of Toronto: Victoria University
M.A. University of Iowa
Paul M. Smith
Associate Professor of Theological Bibliography (retired)
Rev. Paul Smith retired after 28 years as Director of Beardslee Library, and in his “last meditation” at chapel he reflected on the information age.
During his tenure as director of Beardslee Library, Paul Smith witnessed a gradual revolution of the role of the library in theological education, sparked by waves of new technology. He led Western into familiarity with the new tools of the computer age while fostering an awareness of their theological implications. Rev. Smith also led Western’s intercultural immersion experiences in Central America.
“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.”
