James E. "Ed" Hurst
13501 SE 29th, TRLR 55
Choctaw, OK 73020
(405) 503-1692
eddie AT soulkiln DOT org

Administrator, Educator, Writer

Specialities: Bible, Bible History, Social Sciences (History, Geography, Economics, Human Organizations, Psychology), Technology, Military

Education: BA Religion, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, May 1974; Cum Laude -- GPA 3.38. Coursework leading to an Oklahoma Teacher's Certificate, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, December 1996; cumulative GPA 3.75.

Experience: Three church teaching internships during the 1980s: Post Road Baptist Church, Midwest City, OK; Beverly Hills Baptist Church, OKC; Temple Baptist Church, Shawnee, OK, which ordained me in 1982. Music Director at several churches, including First Baptist Church, Normangee, TX -- 1999-2000; Grace Baptist Church, North Zulch, TX -- from 2001-2005. Currently serving as a house church leader and community voluteer, particular with the aged. Numerous volunteer positions as teacher, program director, SS superintendent, etc. Youth Director, Board Member, Music Director and Supply Preacher for NATO Protestant Chapel at AFCENT, Brunssum, Netherlands, 1987-1993. Also volunteered for mission work with English-language churches in the area where I was stationed in the Netherlands with US Army.

Substitute teacher for several school districts in OKC area from 1996-1999; Bryan-College Station area of TX, 1999-2002. Currently writing articles and instructional material in Bible and computer technology, doing in-home/office computer training, serving as moderator for a couple of online forums.

Bio: Born 18 September 1956. Moved often in childhood all over Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Alaska. Born again and baptized at age 9 at Union Baptist Church, Purcell, OK. Completed high school and college in Oklahoma. Married to Veloyce Hurst since 17 June 1978. Two adult children: Lola Hurst (b. 1979), married and living in Oklahoma City; J. Alwyn Hurst (b. 1981), married and living nearby in Choctaw, OK. Served two times in US Army, achieved rank of Sergeant with the usual collection of awards, honorably discharged in 1993 (Military Police). Served as first DARE Program Officer (anti-drug program) for Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Netherlands, Belgium, and western area of Germany, to include US Embassy in Bonn, Germany. Declared 30% disabled on returning home and attended teachers college under VA Rehab. Found myself completely out of place with public education due to philosophical issues, but wholly at ease with the students. VA has upgraded initial disability rating to 50%: bad knees, shoulders and elbows. My disability income enables working parttime.

Currently very much involved in religion, computers and writing. Doing volunteer computer ministry, taking in older machines, refurbishing, giving away to needy, providing training, software, etc. Also training others in public speaking, music leadership, and other service skills. I prefer to communicate by e-mail, unless face-to-face is possible.

Issues: My basic assumption is nothing is more effective than setting someone free from unnecessary restraints. No organization is stronger than voluntary ones. People who are free inside are the most orderly outside. The most valuable investment will always be in people and their self-guided development. People are the most important thing in the world. What fails to serve their best interests is inherently unworthy.

The greatest barrier to secular organizations is my singular devotion to Christ as my my Lord. There is in my mind no legitimate authority which rejects His authority. My work need not be religious in nature, nor make any overt reference to religion, but it must adhere to the principles of my religion.

The greatest barrier for religious organziations will be sifting through my theological peculiarities. I am generally conservative but the term "conservative" has become such a buzzword, I'm hesitant to use it. However, that is the proper term for what I believe, though perhaps less so what I practice. I use the New King James Version of the Bible; I don't much care for most modern translations. My viewpoint is generally Calvinist, and I do not believe Scripture supports Dispensationalism. I believe it is essential to establish an understanding of the Bible which is based on the worldview of those God used to write it, a worldview which is Ancient Near Eastern, not Western.

Some will find me a bit odd because I did not grow up middle class, but very much lower class. I can wear a shirt and tie, but I don't own a suit -- I am very hard to fit and it's expensive. I'm quite used to living on low income. I can't shave all my beard (medical problem), and I have a tattoo visible on my left forearm (wife's name in a heart). I have nothing to hide, and will not try to fool anyone by telling them what I think they want to hear. I heartily invite one and all to examine my beliefs by reading articles I've posted on my Bible website: Kiln of the Soul. I especially recommend this summary of my departure from Southern Baptist theology. This will do more to answer your concerns where my theology and teaching lie. I tend to speak as I write.

References: contact details available upon request.

Bill Spain, Pastor, Sooner Baptist Church, Midwest City, OK.

Marion Brooks, Retired Realtor, Del City, OK.

Danny Thompson, Thomspon Drug, Del City, OK.

Current as of 08 August 2009