Hello, my name is Sean Ryan. I am the founder of Discernology, and your interest in this site is truly an honor. Here’s a little more info to help you see what we’re all about . . .
I was born in 1972, raised in Michigan, and until the last decade I lived mostly in the Midwestern United States. I’m married to Jennifer, a woman full of discernment and authentic love for our friends, family, and those we serve. We have 4 children: adult twin daughters, a teenage daughter, and a son in elementary school. I have worked 9 years of my life as a software engineer, nearly 5 years as the English Pastor in a Chinese Christian church in Ohio, and nearly 7 years as a mission worker serving predominantly in the Dominican Republic. Our mission focused on equipping Christian leaders for church ministry, with a special emphasis on care for orphans and vulnerable children. I currently serve as pastor alongside a team of elders at Bethel Baptist Church, a bilingual English-Spanish congregation in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
As for education, I hold an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Michigan State University, a Master of Divinity from Cornerstone University, and a doctorate from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I am so humbled by the privilege I’ve had to study and put my learning into practice throughout my life. My gratitude for these rich opportunities was my main inspiration to launch Discernology.
What is Discernology?
Discernology is the discipline of thinking and acting with genuine wisdom in a world where truth and lasting assurance seem hard to come by. Society desperately needs more people who possess true discernment—and live by it. Fueled by a commitment to the Christian faith, we strive to:
- Promote careful reflection on life and culture, so that we perceive what is truly true, and act upon it with passion and purpose.
- Expose our readers to the historical continuity and contemporary landscape of Christian thought and practice. Whether or not you currently self-identify as a Christian, we hope these elements of Discernology will greatly benefit you. We do not affirm every thought, action, or stance taken by Christians throughout history. Our desire is to responsibly learn from the past to purposefully engage the present and future.
- Equip followers of Jesus for committed service in their church and community. Informed and sincere love of God, resulting in stronger faith and sacrificial love for others—that’s what Jesus stressed; that’s what we champion.
You can check out Discernology’s charter article to learn more.
What is the purpose of book and resource reviews on Discernology?
Where do you find a discerning person? In many cases, they are those with their heads buried in a meaningful book. Discernology places a high premium on regular and thoughtful reading to combat the confusion of this soundbite-driven world. Reviews here are designed with the following purposes in mind:
- Commend excellent resources and literature to our subscribers.
- Evaluate influential writings, past and present, for reader enrichment.
- Help leaders at every level in their churches identify resources that fit the needs and educational levels represented in their setting. Whether you are an invested church member, a small group leader, an elder, deacon, or pastor, we trust our resource reviews will provide you with valuable insights.
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***Please Note: All views expressed on this site represent the personal perspectives of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of other groups, organizations, or individuals connected with the author. Any reference to an outside source, such as a quotation, is illustrative and not intended to indicate agreement or disagreement with positions represented by that source. All Scripture citations are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.