Date: August 18, 2025
Dr. Stephen Cook’s Instagram is a refreshing gift for those seeking to draw closer to the Old Testament as it speaks through the Church’s Lectionary. His short reels are more than lessons—they are windows into the living Word, crafted with clarity and reverence. With each post, he makes the ancient stories come alive, revealing their beauty and showing how they continue to shape and challenge our faith today.
What sets his work apart is the seamless blend of scholarship and artistry. Vivid graphics, animation, and inspired visuals capture the imagination while his deep theological insight grounds every reel. The result is a rare combination: content that is engaging to the eye, rigorous in thought, and nourishing for the soul.
For anyone who loves Scripture—or who longs to see social media used for spiritual growth—Dr. Cook offers a compelling example. His reels remind us that God’s Word is inexhaustible, and that even in the digital age it can be proclaimed with freshness, depth, and grace. Other faculty may wish to follow his lead, discovering how their own teaching could find new life in this medium. By doing so, they would help extend the reach of theological education and share the treasures of our tradition with wider audiences.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary