Acts 8:30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
30 προσδραμὼν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἤκουσεν αὐτοῦ ἀναγινώσκοντος Ἠσαΐαν τὸν προφήτην καὶ εἶπεν· ἆρά γε γινώσκεις ἃ ἀναγινώσκεις; 31 ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· πῶς γὰρ ἂν δυναίμην ἐὰν μή τις ὁδηγήσει με; παρεκάλεσέν τε τὸν Φίλιππον ἀναβάντα καθίσαι σὺν αὐτῷ.
This is the famous account of Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. Somehow this man got a hold of a copy of Isaiah. He was reading it, but it didn't make any sense to him. Frankly, it would not mean much without some context. He didn't have the whole Tanak and he didn't have what we call the New Testament either. When we read Isaiah we can see Jesus in many places, but it would be very difficult without what we know.
Philip not only knew with his head, but he also was filled with the Holy Spirit. He interpreted the Scriptures for this man who was then baptized very quickly thereafter. What an amazing testimony of the power of God's Word!
I think that the Eunuch's statement of, "πῶς γὰρ ἂν δυναίμην ἐὰν μή τις ὁδηγήσει με;" is something we need to consider today. There are plenty of folks who go into pastoral ministry because they sense a calling. A calling is vitally important. I don't think that I have one, but I certainly respect those who do. However, a calling is not enough. We also need some understanding. Atheists rightly criticize the myriad of variations on the Christian faith. I have made it clear in this blog that there are some debatable issues, but the central truths are clear. There should be no variation on those. Yet we still find them.
This is why I think there is value in seminary or formal training of some kind. We need guidance to think deeply through how we read Scripture. Would you go to a doctor who simply felt a "calling," but had no formal training? I hope not! Why would you go to someone equally untrained when it comes to matters of your eternal soul?
Please consider this as you are taught each week or perhaps as you teach each week. I don't want to diminish the work of the Spirit in illumination, but I also think that illumination is no excuse for a lack of preparation.
Showing posts with label seminary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seminary. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Preaching
I'm in between the testaments now, so I will resume the normal programming shortly when I get into Matthew. I hope that will be tomorrow.
In the meantime, I want to share how things are going with school. Hebrew is winding up and I think that will be fine. It's really just a matter of keeping up. I do need to do a vocab review before today's quiz though.
I have now preached two sermons. The first was on Psalm 51:10-17. That was pretty easy because the structure of the passage lent itself well to a sermon. On Tuesday night I preached on Luke 18:9-14, which is the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. That didn't go as well. I had a hard time fitting the parable into the structure we used for our other sermons. It turns out that I should have gone with my gut and done what I thought I should do. After I finished my professor said that he "fixed my outline" for me. Now I know more about how to preach parables.
The good news is that I am told that my delivery is very good. My professor was shocked that I had never preached before. In fact, he said that our class is one of the best he's seen in year's of teaching preaching. He didn't expect it to be so good with such a small class, but it has been. That's quite an encouragement.
I have one week with a solid push to go and then I'm done for a month. I'm looking forward to that.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
The Reason for Education
Proverbs 19:2
(2) Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
Someone from my small group decided to go out on his own and start his own Internet Congregation. He invited me to join this group, so I'm trying to be a voice for orthodoxy while there. What I'm seeing is a group that is hungry for some kind of spiritual connection to God, but they don't like the authority that comes from a church. Therefore, they're going to try to do it their own way.
This reminds me of Ignorant in Pilgrim's Progress who made his way to the Celestial City on his own by following his own path. However, when he tried to enter he was surprised to find that he was not admitted and was sent into hell. That's a pretty terrifying thought.
Maybe I'm biased about this proverb because I'm finishing my third year of seminary. All I know is that I don't want to be like Ignorant.
(2) Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
Someone from my small group decided to go out on his own and start his own Internet Congregation. He invited me to join this group, so I'm trying to be a voice for orthodoxy while there. What I'm seeing is a group that is hungry for some kind of spiritual connection to God, but they don't like the authority that comes from a church. Therefore, they're going to try to do it their own way.
This reminds me of Ignorant in Pilgrim's Progress who made his way to the Celestial City on his own by following his own path. However, when he tried to enter he was surprised to find that he was not admitted and was sent into hell. That's a pretty terrifying thought.
Maybe I'm biased about this proverb because I'm finishing my third year of seminary. All I know is that I don't want to be like Ignorant.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A Time to Rest
Exodus 16:19-30
(19) And Moses said to them, "Let no one leave any of it over till the morning."
(20) But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.
(21) Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.
(22) On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses,
(23) he said to them, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.'"
(24) So they laid it aside till the morning, as Moses commanded them, and it did not stink, and there were no worms in it.
(25) Moses said, "Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field.
(26) Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none."
(27) On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they found none.
(28) And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?
(29) See! The LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day."
(30) So the people rested on the seventh day.
I know that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. I don't believe that the commandment about the Sabbath applies to us in the New Covenant. However, I also know that God instituted the Sabbath for the people. Here we see the people's lack of faith in the desert, which of course is a recurring theme for them. First, they gathered more manna than they needed for the day despite Moses' instructions. They paid the price with some nasty containers.
Now look at verse 27. Some people still thought that they had to work on the Sabbath so they went out to gather the manna. God provided plenty on Friday, but they thought they had to violate the rules because somehow God wasn't going to provide that day. Or perhaps they were trying to get ahead.
Again, I don't think that the Sabbath regulations apply to us today. They especially don't in the form that the Pharisees made where it was illegal to walk on the grass on the Sabbath because you might break a blade of grass and therefore be guilty of "reaping" on the Sabbath. However, I also know that I need to have a little more faith that things will work out even if I am not completely driven. I very much have the mindset that I need to get ahead all the time. From day 1 of seminary I purposed to be Hermione Granger academically since I really want to know this stuff for the glory of God.
However, the more I think about this passage the more I think that I need to trust God enough to rest more often. The key will be finding the balance point. I don't want to be lazy either. I do want to make sure that I am really present when I'm with my family though. I make fun of people who always have their Blackberries out when they're supposed to be having "family time." Is going through flashcards any different?
(19) And Moses said to them, "Let no one leave any of it over till the morning."
(20) But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.
(21) Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.
(22) On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses,
(23) he said to them, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.'"
(24) So they laid it aside till the morning, as Moses commanded them, and it did not stink, and there were no worms in it.
(25) Moses said, "Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field.
(26) Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none."
(27) On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they found none.
(28) And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?
(29) See! The LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day."
(30) So the people rested on the seventh day.
I know that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. I don't believe that the commandment about the Sabbath applies to us in the New Covenant. However, I also know that God instituted the Sabbath for the people. Here we see the people's lack of faith in the desert, which of course is a recurring theme for them. First, they gathered more manna than they needed for the day despite Moses' instructions. They paid the price with some nasty containers.
Now look at verse 27. Some people still thought that they had to work on the Sabbath so they went out to gather the manna. God provided plenty on Friday, but they thought they had to violate the rules because somehow God wasn't going to provide that day. Or perhaps they were trying to get ahead.
Again, I don't think that the Sabbath regulations apply to us today. They especially don't in the form that the Pharisees made where it was illegal to walk on the grass on the Sabbath because you might break a blade of grass and therefore be guilty of "reaping" on the Sabbath. However, I also know that I need to have a little more faith that things will work out even if I am not completely driven. I very much have the mindset that I need to get ahead all the time. From day 1 of seminary I purposed to be Hermione Granger academically since I really want to know this stuff for the glory of God.
However, the more I think about this passage the more I think that I need to trust God enough to rest more often. The key will be finding the balance point. I don't want to be lazy either. I do want to make sure that I am really present when I'm with my family though. I make fun of people who always have their Blackberries out when they're supposed to be having "family time." Is going through flashcards any different?
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Hermeneutics and Parables
As we discuss parables in class we try to answer four questions:
The question of context is also interesting. We tend to look behind a story for context, but I found it interesting that this parable appears just before Jesus' teaching on divorce (Matthew 18-19). Is it significant that there are all these teachings on forgiveness just before the discussion on divorce? I believe that the gospel writers were redactors in that they arranged their gospels for a theological purpose. If that is true, then it only makes sense that there would be teaching on forgiveness just before an admonishment about divorce. How can we prevent divorce without a solid foundation on forgiveness?
The meaning of the parable should be fairly clear. If a parable does not have a clear meaning then Jesus really was not a master teacher. This is where we need to be careful about going off the allegorical deep end like many of the church fathers did. The swine in the parable of the two sons (prodigal son) don't represent demons like Origen thought. Rather, they tell the reader that this Jewish boy sunk about as low as a Jew can sink. They add color to the story, but they are not necessarily representative of something else.
Finally, the applications can be quite extensive. The parable of the unjust steward shows us that we who have been forgiven much should be willing to forgive as well. We owe an unpayable debt to God because of our sin. Therefore, how much more willing must we be to forgive those who have wronged us? All of their debts to us pale in comparison. If we aren't willing to forgive them then we need to reassess the condition of our hearts because we really don't understand forgiveness at all.
So that's what I've learned in my class so far. We're going to spend the next two days just practicing this. It should be interesting, though potentially tedious at times as well.
- What background information would help to clarify this parable?
- What contextual information is important?
- What does the parable mean?
- What applications can we get from this parable?
The question of context is also interesting. We tend to look behind a story for context, but I found it interesting that this parable appears just before Jesus' teaching on divorce (Matthew 18-19). Is it significant that there are all these teachings on forgiveness just before the discussion on divorce? I believe that the gospel writers were redactors in that they arranged their gospels for a theological purpose. If that is true, then it only makes sense that there would be teaching on forgiveness just before an admonishment about divorce. How can we prevent divorce without a solid foundation on forgiveness?
The meaning of the parable should be fairly clear. If a parable does not have a clear meaning then Jesus really was not a master teacher. This is where we need to be careful about going off the allegorical deep end like many of the church fathers did. The swine in the parable of the two sons (prodigal son) don't represent demons like Origen thought. Rather, they tell the reader that this Jewish boy sunk about as low as a Jew can sink. They add color to the story, but they are not necessarily representative of something else.
Finally, the applications can be quite extensive. The parable of the unjust steward shows us that we who have been forgiven much should be willing to forgive as well. We owe an unpayable debt to God because of our sin. Therefore, how much more willing must we be to forgive those who have wronged us? All of their debts to us pale in comparison. If we aren't willing to forgive them then we need to reassess the condition of our hearts because we really don't understand forgiveness at all.
So that's what I've learned in my class so far. We're going to spend the next two days just practicing this. It should be interesting, though potentially tedious at times as well.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Handling the Parables
We talked about the history of interpretation of the parables last night. It's incredible to hear what some of the early church fathers did with them. For example, men like Tertullian, Origen, and Augustine thought that everything in the parables was an allegorical reference to something else. While there is a certain beauty to that, it is also very arbitrary. It's hard to imagine that is what Jesus meant when He first told the stories. How could the typical first-century hearer really understand the depth of the allegory? It seems unlikely.
Of course, the parables do have allegorical elements to them. Jesus explains them as such as in the parable of the sower, for example. The point is that these stories are simpler than some of the church fathers would have us believe.
Last night I had a little bit of a revelation about what I've learned in seminary. Basically, I've learned that the Bible as a whole is much simpler than some would have you think. There are certainly some tensions and difficulties, but it is not completely inscrutable. It does require some scholarship to understand fully, but the main message is not hidden to the basic reader either.
We're talking hermeneutics tonight. I will write more about that tomorrow.
Of course, the parables do have allegorical elements to them. Jesus explains them as such as in the parable of the sower, for example. The point is that these stories are simpler than some of the church fathers would have us believe.
Last night I had a little bit of a revelation about what I've learned in seminary. Basically, I've learned that the Bible as a whole is much simpler than some would have you think. There are certainly some tensions and difficulties, but it is not completely inscrutable. It does require some scholarship to understand fully, but the main message is not hidden to the basic reader either.
We're talking hermeneutics tonight. I will write more about that tomorrow.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Geeking in Greek
I was going to write something pithy and challenging about Psalm 139, but I think this video just takes the cake. The rap interlude is hilarious. And they managed to keep the dancing girls fairly tasteful as well.
I remember never being quite part of the "in-crowd" in high school. I was in the right classes, but I never quite was able to run in those circles. Maybe the circles didn't even exist and they were just a figment of my imagination, but it sure seemed like all those attractive smart people got along awfully well. At any rate, the fact that I "get" this video tells me that there is indeed an "in-crowd" of which I am a part.
Is that good or bad? Maybe these guys wouldn't make fun of me for bringing my Greek New Testament to class.
I remember never being quite part of the "in-crowd" in high school. I was in the right classes, but I never quite was able to run in those circles. Maybe the circles didn't even exist and they were just a figment of my imagination, but it sure seemed like all those attractive smart people got along awfully well. At any rate, the fact that I "get" this video tells me that there is indeed an "in-crowd" of which I am a part.
Is that good or bad? Maybe these guys wouldn't make fun of me for bringing my Greek New Testament to class.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Value of Seminary
Acts 18:24-28 ESV
(24) Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
(25) He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
(26) He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
(27) And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,
(28) for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
I can relate to this very much. I think I was somewhere around verse 25 when I entered seminary. I had been instructed in the way of the Lord and I could teach accurately the things of Jesus. However, my knowledge was limited. I was not afraid to speak boldly.
Verse 26 shows us a godly couple who took him aside to instruct him. He knew the way of God, but he had to learn it more accurately. That's what I see seminary doing for me. It is helping to broaden my knowledge base so that I can communicate God's truth more accurately.
I highly recommend it for anyone who feels the tug for ministry.
(24) Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
(25) He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
(26) He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
(27) And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,
(28) for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
I can relate to this very much. I think I was somewhere around verse 25 when I entered seminary. I had been instructed in the way of the Lord and I could teach accurately the things of Jesus. However, my knowledge was limited. I was not afraid to speak boldly.
Verse 26 shows us a godly couple who took him aside to instruct him. He knew the way of God, but he had to learn it more accurately. That's what I see seminary doing for me. It is helping to broaden my knowledge base so that I can communicate God's truth more accurately.
I highly recommend it for anyone who feels the tug for ministry.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Duke Chapel
Lily and I went to the Duke Divinity School library yesterday as I was doing some research for my text-criticism of the passage I'm exegeting for Greek. Lily's behavior was outstanding, which was great considering how welcome a four year-old is with most college-age kids. Of course, the ace-in-the-hole was that they are ostensibly Christian and that should help with their attitudes, right?
We had a few minutes when I was done, so I decided to poke my head into the chapel there. The chapel at Duke is arguably the most famous landmark in the Triangle area. Amanda and I have taken many guests there, but we had never gone in because we always had Lily with us as a screaming infant or toddler. This was the perfect chance to check it out.
I'm here to tell you that it is quite stunning. Like everything else on campus, it is done in a beautiful Gothic style. The stained glass windows are stunning. The pulpit is beautiful. The pipe organ is beautiful. You see a theme?
Out of curiosity, I checked out what they use as a pew Bible. As you might have guessed, they use the NRSV. Then on the way out I saw what they offer by way of worship services. It turns out that Sunday morning features an ecumenical service. You see, there are a variety of religious groups on campus, so it appears that they need to be careful. Strange for what is supposed to be a Methodist university, though sadly maybe it isn't that strange.
My feeling as I left was that it is an absolutely stunning structure and it is a shame that the gospel doesn't get preached in it, at least not from what I could tell.
We had a few minutes when I was done, so I decided to poke my head into the chapel there. The chapel at Duke is arguably the most famous landmark in the Triangle area. Amanda and I have taken many guests there, but we had never gone in because we always had Lily with us as a screaming infant or toddler. This was the perfect chance to check it out.
I'm here to tell you that it is quite stunning. Like everything else on campus, it is done in a beautiful Gothic style. The stained glass windows are stunning. The pulpit is beautiful. The pipe organ is beautiful. You see a theme?
Out of curiosity, I checked out what they use as a pew Bible. As you might have guessed, they use the NRSV. Then on the way out I saw what they offer by way of worship services. It turns out that Sunday morning features an ecumenical service. You see, there are a variety of religious groups on campus, so it appears that they need to be careful. Strange for what is supposed to be a Methodist university, though sadly maybe it isn't that strange.
My feeling as I left was that it is an absolutely stunning structure and it is a shame that the gospel doesn't get preached in it, at least not from what I could tell.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Finished!
I finally did it. I finished the massive 775 page tome that we are to read on 1 Corinthians. Now, to be honest, I don't think that I read every word carefully. But I think I have a general idea of what the author had to say about each topic. I couldn't recite it all, but it will be somewhat familiar to me when I hear it in class, I think.
I think I'm starting to get the hang of the reading we need to do for seminary. In the past I read too carefully and sub-vocalized every letter. This is obviously not going to work when a professor asks us to read 1500 pages for a class. Perhaps this way I also will be able to glean more out of the books and articles I use for my papers. I have a classmate who said that he read all the books that he used for his paper. I don't think it's realistic to do that in much detail, but I can see how "power skimming" can be used to great effect when I have to get through a lot of information in a hurry.
I need to keep this up so that I don't lose the knack of doing it. I really got better at it on Saturday and I keep getting faster and faster as the days go by. It feels like I'm working out my "reading muscle".
I realize that this is probably old news for any liberal arts majors out there. But for an engineer like me it's something of an epiphany. I just had to share my joy at finishing.
I think I'm starting to get the hang of the reading we need to do for seminary. In the past I read too carefully and sub-vocalized every letter. This is obviously not going to work when a professor asks us to read 1500 pages for a class. Perhaps this way I also will be able to glean more out of the books and articles I use for my papers. I have a classmate who said that he read all the books that he used for his paper. I don't think it's realistic to do that in much detail, but I can see how "power skimming" can be used to great effect when I have to get through a lot of information in a hurry.
I need to keep this up so that I don't lose the knack of doing it. I really got better at it on Saturday and I keep getting faster and faster as the days go by. It feels like I'm working out my "reading muscle".
I realize that this is probably old news for any liberal arts majors out there. But for an engineer like me it's something of an epiphany. I just had to share my joy at finishing.
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