Ichthus

Ichthus is the Greek word for a fish. Its five Greek letters form the first letters of the early Christian confession that 'Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Saviour.' To draw a fish sign meant: 'I am a Christian.' To be a Christian, according to the New Testament is to know Christ. But who is he, and what is the meaning of his life? In Ichthus Sinclair Ferguson and Derek Thomas answer these questions by taking us on a tour of nine key events in Jesus' life and ministry. Their aim is to help us both understand and share the confession of those early Christians who drew the fish sign.

Sinclair Buchanan Ferguson retired in 2013 as Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, and returned to his native Scotland. Prior to this he held the Charles Krahe chair for Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary and served Church of Scotland congregations in Unst (Shetland) and Glasgow (St George's Tron). He received his Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen (1971).

Dr Ferguson has authored several books published by the Trust, of which he is a trustee, and a former editor. He retains his position as Professor of Systematic Theology at Redeemer Seminary, Dallas, Texas, and continues to preach God's Word in churches and at conferences.

Originally from Wales, Derek Thomas is Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina, and the Robert Strong Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.

After pastoring for 17 years in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Thomas returned to the USA in 1996 where, in addition to his service to the Jackson campus of RTS, he served as the Minister of Teaching at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson until 2011, when he joined the staff at FPC, Columbia. As well as serving in the pastorate, Derek has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, a monthly denominational magazine.

A graduate of RTS in 1978, he gained a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter in Calvin's preaching on the book of Job. He has written or edited several books and has contributed to the Trust's 'Let's Study' commentary series (Galatians, Revelation). In 2004, Derek Thomas became Editorial Director for The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and the editor of its e-zine, Reformation 21. He married his wife, Rosemary, in 1976 and they have two adult children and two grandchildren.