“Mark, what do you make of this business of being caught up to meet the Lord in the air?”

The question was being asked by a second-year theological student at Caxton Theological College, near York. Jim’s friend Mark, also of the second-year, was lounging on his bed reading a novel, and didn’t seem too interested in serious discussion. Nobody else was about just then, even though their dorm housed twelve students. [Read more…]

“Mind if I join you for Tiffin, Doc?”

“By all means, Andrew! . . . It’ll be my pleasure.”

Andrew Winter is a lecturer in New Testament theology at Caxton College. The half-hour mid-morning break between assignments is known at Caxton as Tiffin. Winter sat down opposite Dr Quinton in the Library Annexe with coffee in one hand and a muffin in the other. [Read more…]

Mrs Mary Dymock had worked in Caxton College for 20 years, and was now in charge of the very important department that catered for staff and student meals. Dr Quinton was a dear friend of hers, and every afternoon at 3 p.m. promptly she would take him a cup of tea and a scone. [Read more…]

As expected, it was not long before Dr Marple made his appearance in the Library Annexe.

“What about that, Stephen? Floored by the first year!  I guessed you might have had something to do with it.” [Read more…]

“Come on, let’s show it to Doc!” shouted Larkin to two of his fellow students in the 2nd year. They had been laughing over a book they’d found in the Library. Doctor Quinton heard the commotion, and knew he was about to be harangued. [Read more…]

“Have you something interesting to tell me?” asked Dr Quinton, as the three second-year lads returned the following day. [Read more…]

The following day Larkin, Jones and Baker made their way into the Library Annexe in the middle of the afternoon. Dr Quinton was expecting them, and bade them pull up their chairs near to his table.

“Now, who’s going to be first?” he said, shutting Farrar’s ‘Eternal Hope’ with a bookmark. [Read more…]

“Doc, d’you remember me coming to see you a couple of weeks ago about ‘being caught up to be with the Lord’?” asked Jim Melrose of the second year.

“I do indeed. . . . So have you some further questions you want to ask me?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind, sir. . . . Mark Lester joins me this time. The subject is connected with ‘being caught up.'” [Read more…]

Dr Quinton was seated in the Principal’s office. Professor Alan Dunstan had invited him so as to meet the newly appointed Head of Old Testament Studies at Caxton College. Dr Marcus West was a man of middle years, who had been Senior Lecturer in Divinity in a northern university, and so this was a ‘step up’ for him. After cordial greetings, and some useful conversation concerning Dr West’s new position, the Principal had a request to make. [Read more…]

The following day at three in the afternoon Dr Quinton was just enjoying his cup of tea when Dr Marcus West showed his head round the Annexe door.

“Mind if I join you, Stephen?”

“It’s my pleasure, Marcus. Draw up a chair. Shall I get Mary to bring you some refreshment?” [Read more…]