Rev. Danny Hyde (M.Div. '00) has been the church planter and pastor of the
Oceanside United Reformed Church in Carlsbad/
Oceanside, CA, since 2000. He is the author of five
books, including a major commentary on the Belgic Confession,
With Heart and Mouth: An Exposition of the Belgic Confession. He and his wife, Karajean, live in Oceanside, CA, and have two children.
Why did you originally choose to attend WSC?
I originally chose to attend WSC because a beloved college
professor, Prof. Ronald Wright, changed my life (just ask
Dr. Julius Kim about him!). After several years of
disillusionment in Pentecostal and other evangelical
circles, he introduced me to the Reformation. I’ll never
forget reading Westminster Larger Catechism, Q&A 70, for the
first time. Because of Prof. Wright I went to WSC over
Fuller.
What were the most significant things that you learned
during your time at WSC?
Two things revolutionized my life. First, the covenant
theology of Meredith Kline opened the Bible to me as the
most profound yet simple Book with its message of law and
gospel. The second thing was what has come to be called
“high church Calvinism,” meaning the centrality of the
church in the Christian life and a focus on the means of
grace as the way the Holy Spirit operates in the life of his
people.
What is one of your favorite memories of your time at WSC?
My favorite memory of WSC was playing doubles tennis with
Dr. Strimple. Any slippage in his doctrinal commitment is
wholly due to a blistering serve I once bounced off his
head! More seriously, at WSC I made friends for life both
among the students and the faculty.
Did you come to WSC married with children? If so, what was
that like? How did you make it work?
I went off to WSC while my fiancé stayed behind in Orange
County to work, but we were married after the first year. I
drove an hour one-way to seminary, and I also worked
part-time.
What are your present endeavors and/or future plans?
I serve my local parish by preaching twice on the Lord’s
Day, catechizing the youth, teaching mid-week, and visiting
the flock. I pray the Lord continues to bless his Word to
strengthen our church. I am also working on a Th.M. under
Dr. Joel Beeke at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary with
a thesis on the liturgical theology of John Owen. I am also
serving the broader church as a member of a study committee
as well as through my writing. Right now I have several
journal articles and a couple of small books in the works,
including one about images of Christ versus the Word and
sacraments in the life of the church.
How did your education at WSC prepare you for your present
and/or future roles and responsibilities?
In one sense, a seminary cannot fully prepare men for the
ministry, as there is no way to know how to do the tasks of
a minister until called. This is why the local church is so
vital in overseeing the training of ministers. Yet
principles learned in seminary like self-discipline, meeting
deadlines, and dealing with others who disagree with you, as
well as the theological foundation WSC lays, make up the
tools a minister will need as he seeks to shepherd the
flock.
What do you enjoy most about the pastorate?
The most enjoyable thing is to see sinners come to Christ;
to be able to be the voice of Christ in preaching, the hand
of Christ in administering the sacraments, and the arms of
Christ in ministering to the broken and wayward is a joy I
cannot explain. It never ceases to amaze me that Christ uses
me, a wretched sinner, to bring sinners salvation!
What advice would you give to prospective students
considering graduate theological education?
First of all pray. Second, examine your motivation. Third,
make sure you can pay for it. Fourth, don’t go it alone;
seek the advice of your consistory/session/board and listen
to them. Fifth, if you come to WSC get ready for some of the
most grueling yet rewarding years of your life.
