When an “A” Might Be Sin

I’m back!  I’m sure no one has noticed, but since the last Love & Marriage post 6 weeks ago I’ve been missing in combat.  Jeff and I have discovered that — surprise! — baby #2 is on the way.  Consequently sleeping, throwing up, and consuming an embarrassing quantity of cheesy bean burritos has taken precedent over blogging of any sort.  But I’ve missed goingtoseminary, and I thought I’d share these details because as a mom in seminary, there have been a few more lessons than just those on the final exams.

I entered seminary three years ago a childless overachiever.  A 4.0gpa in high school and 3.97 in college, graduating in three years…I wasn’t sure how to slack off.  At graduation I spoke to the college students about Colossians 3:23, working at everything with all of our hearts, as unto the Lord.  And with conviction!  When seminary was coupled with working full-time and managing our home, it just meant a little less sleep–no big deal.  But then during Spring term of our first year, pregnancy hit and I was throwing up during class breaks, warding off migraines during finals, and eating saltines to stay awake during our late night classes.  It was then that one of our professors shared this with our class:  He said, “For some of you an “A” might be sin.  If you are working full time and have a family and are getting all A’s, then it’s highly likely that something or someone else is suffering.”   I don’t remember a whole lot about the parable structures in the synoptic gospels, but I sure remember that.

I entered seminary childless. I will graduate this year with two in diapers.  Jeff has sacrificed as well–giving his evenings to spend time with our son, then staying up until all hours of the night finishing papers and teaching outlines.  He always puts our family first, even when it means he can’t do as well as he’d probably like to on a particular assignment (why do overachievers marry overachievers? :-).  But I guess you’d say we’ve both realized along the way that not everything in our life can be given 100%.  Sometimes, “just enough” is all you’ve got.  They say that it’s not worth doing something unless you can do it well.  Three years ago I’d have hung that quote on my wall.  Today I say perhaps there are times when a little mediocrity is really excellence in disguise.  Today I’d say that “working with all your heart, as unto the Lord” can even mean skipping that last paper revision so you can skip rocks with your son.  It might mean (the horror!) missing an assignment so you don’t miss her recital. Perhaps there is a time when an “A” might be sin.

Taking Systematic Theology via Twitter

Ever wanted to sit in on a Systematic Theology class?  Not able to attend seminary right now? Too lazy to go to iTunes U and listen to hours and hours of lectures? Well, here’s your solution, follow me through the wonders of a one week intensive of Systematic Theology via Twitter.

That’s right, I’ll be twittering my way through my Systematic Theology III summer intensive at RTS-O this week.  Feel free to follow me throughout the day and study along as we study the doctrine of redemption (here’s the course syllabus).

I plan to post snippets from the course notes, great quotes from Dr. Scott Swain (who is both a brilliant and engaging professor), and other observations from the class…  For those who’ve ever wondered what a seminary summer intensive is like, this will give you a feel for it.

It all began yesterday, so for those who haven’t been following let me catch you up to speed:

• Systematic Theology III all week long… 8-5, M-F… I get tired just thinking about it. #
• Class is packed… roll call taking quite a while… #
• …an entire week talking about Jesus and redemption… this is going to be great! #
• the redemption of creation, from the curse, through death, for covenant fellowship with God in a new creation—all by the hand of a Mediator #
• 1 peter 3:18 - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God #
• http://twitpic.com/5pau - Union and communion with God. #
• Using metaphor of music - Our present agenda: to trace and describe the movement of redemption. #
• For the record, I’m taking vintage notes - http://tinyurl.com/5demz2 #
• Five minute break. #
• B. God promises redemption to Abraham: the Covenant of Grace #
• God covenants to be Abraham’s God AND Father. Father? Hebrews 11:8 – Inheritance comes from a father. #
• God fulfills his redemptive promise through Moses (et al) in three stages: #
• (1) inauguration (redemption accomplished/covenant union secured), #
• (2) continuation (redemption sustained/covenant communion enjoyed), and #
• (3) consummation (redemption consummated/covenant communion consummated). #
• A mediator is one appointed and anointed by God from among God’s people to represent God to his people and to represent God’s people to God. #
• Hour and a half lunch break. #
• Lunch over… on to redemption inaugurated #
• http://twitpic.com/5pyy - Vintage notes for first half of day one. #
• What are the two reasons God chose Israel? Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - Because of his love and a promise made to their fathers. #
• Worship is the goal of redemption. #
• http://twitpic.com/5q4k - Time to take another break. #
• Atonement is the precondition of forgiveness * Forgiveness is always costly. #
• Interestingly, “redemption” in Israel (on various non-spiritual levels) is procured by a family member. #
• 3:26 - Officially feeling sleepy. #
• God promises in the Law to do what the Law could not do (cf. Rom 3:21) #
• 10 minute break #
• God continues to fulfill his redemptive promise through David-Solomon: mediation through King and Temple #
• He just said “Rad” #
• Calling it a day. Packing up and heading home. Looking forward to a relaxing evening. #

Thinking About Postgraduate Studies

When I began seminary, I thought I was one of the more unique students.  I was Canadian, of Dutch heritage, and wanting to pursue and academic career instead of pastoral ministry.  It turns out that I am the only Canadian, one of two people of Dutch heritage, but only one of a significant number of people wanting to pursue an academic career or postgraduate studies.  Since I found out how many people are actually interested in doing doctoral work, I thought this would be the perfect venue to share some of the information I have received that will offer some pointers if you are interested in going that route.

These pointers will help you get a feel of what you might need to be thinking about if you want to do a doctorate, but I encourage you to talk with professors at your seminary to get their advice as well.  Different fields of study might require different steps to be taken.  With that, here are some things you need to think through.

Are you ready for this?

First, you need to be serious about this.  The academic environment is very challenging and demanding, and if you are not willing to work very hard, this is not the path you should follow.  At this point, you need to be working hard to make sure your grades are excellent.  You need to be sure that you are writing top-level research papers, and that you are beginning to work on getting your name out there and making contacts in the field you would like to work in.

Know what you want to know.

Second, you should have a field of study already.  That is not something you can wait to figure out.  You need to have that in place now, and you have to be reading and writing on that subject.  Find any opportunity you can to be reading about it, and if you are given the opportunity in any of your classes to do a paper based on that subject, take it.  Also, if your seminary has opportunities for doing independent or directed studies, take advantage of them as much as possible.  This will give you the opportunity to learn what it is like to do independent research and will also give you the chance to write papers that could be used later on to help you gain admission to a Ph.D. program or even help your research further on down the line.  You cannot do enough of this.  If you have free time, take advantage of it.  You will only be helping yourself.

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Third, learning your languages is key, and the earlier you can get started on this, the better.  If you are planning on studying Old Testament, know your Hebrew.  If you want to do New Testament, know Greek.  If you’re like me, and are thinking about historical theology, Latin is going to be the language you need to learn.  Also, most doctoral programs require a second reading language, and while there will be opportunities to learn French and German while you are working on your Ph.D., the sooner you can get started on it, the better.  The best scholars are the ones who can work with primary sources in their original languages.

Get Connected

Fourth, find people with similar interests and talk with them.  Discuss your ideas, discuss things you’ve read.  Find people who are in doctoral programs right now and what they did to get where they are.  Establish whatever links you can that might help you out.  Explore your options.  I also recently found a website which can help you connect with people who are of similar interests.  Graduate Junction was started some time ago by some students from the UK with, I would presume, similar ambitions to what Ryan had in mind when he started this site–to connect with other people going down the same road and offer advice and other resources to fellow students.  It is small at this point (if you search for students with an interest in the Reformation, you only get a couple of profiles), but is growing quickly.  Also, become a member of different societies, such as ETS, SBL, or the 16th-Century Society.  Their conferences are the places to make friends and establish roots.  They usually offer good student discounts for memberships.

Evaluate Your Current Studies

Fifth, determine whether or not your degree is sufficient for propelling you into doctoral work.  One of the harsh realities is that most schools do not give much credit to seminary degrees.  While they are Masters’ degrees, they are usually not very academic and almost never have a significant research portion to it.  This is where the independent/directed studies are so crucial.  If you do some outstanding work there, you might be able to transfer from seminary to a Ph.D. program.  If not, you will likely need to be looking at getting a “credible” Masters’ degree from a big-name school like Duke or Princeton, for example.  The good news here, though, is that a lot of the work you do can easily transfer over to your doctoral work.

Let The Hunt Begin

Sixth, start setting your sights on schools and/or supervisors you would like to work under.  What school you look at will depend on how serious you are about pursuing a doctorate.  If you want to be taken seriously, and have any opportunity at getting a position in such an oversaturated market as North America, you have a very select list of schools you must pick from.  We’re talking Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, Notre Dame, Yale, Harvard, Toronto–the big names.  For what it’s worth, here is a link to the top 100 humanities departments around the world in 2007.  If you’re not as concerned about a position and want to do a doctorate more for interest’s sake, there are a lot more schools that you can comfortably include on your radar.  But another positive factor for going to a bigger school is the funding that will be available to you.

I haven’t done a lot of research on distance learning, though I have heard some positive things about it.  Some of the big UK schools offer that option, and it might be something worth considering if it is far too impractical for you to relocate somewhere for a number of years.

…Then What?

Seventh, consider where you want to teach.  No matter what you do, obtaining a teaching position is not going to be a walk in the park, as I said, due to the oversaturation of the North American market.  In addition , it is difficult for a confessing Christian to get a position in a public or state-run school.  On the other hand, if you have a faith commitment and a degree from a top-level school, your opportunities for getting a position at a Christian college are much greater.  With that, I also encourage you to think about theological education in a more international setting.  Mission teams all over the world require theological educators as they seek to train lay leaders to lead churches.  An academic calling is not just a job, it is ministry as well.  Even if your gifts are not so desired in North America, know that they are coveted in many areas around the world.  Consider your options and how you can serve the Lord.

Take a Break if You Need it

Finally, do not be afraid to take a year off in between the end of your seminary studies and whatever your next step will be.  If could be a very productive year for you if you need to get your proposals in order, do some reading and writing, fine-tune your language skills, and what not.  Taking a breather is always helpful, as well.

Some More Help

This, of course, is not an exhaustive list of suggestions, and if you are looking for more information still, I encourage you to read a recent blog entry by John Stackhouse, professor at Regent College in Vancouver, BC.  His article also offers an extensive list of suggestions if you are considering the doctoral route.  Also, if you have any other tips of advice or suggestions that you’ve received, please share them here!  I may have left out some important things that should be considered.  In any case, I hope this is helpful for those of you who are thinking about postgraduate studies.

GoingtoSeminary.com Vodcast Added to iTunes

Just a quick note to say that the Dr. Frame interview and all future interviews are going to be available via the GoingtoSeminary.com Vodcast in iTunes.  Feel free to check it out and subscribe.  There is also a new subscribe button at the top of all pages on GoingtoSeminary.com.

We’ve Got Video

So, video killed the radio star… but what about the blogger?  I guess time will tell.

For all you who wondered what our teaser the other day was all about, well here it is.  We’ve added a new section called “interviews” to the website where we are going to begin (slowly) to add some video content on the site.  We are hoping to sit down and talk with pastors, professors, admissions officers, and many more in order to bring you insight and advice from various perspective of the seminary world.

Our first interview is with Dr. John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando.  In the interview he discusses several seminary related  articles he’s written over the years. After you watch the interview (it is really great) feel free to grab the full interview or the smaller trailer version and embed them on your site or blog.

Also, if there is anyone you want us to interview… let us know… and buy us a plane ticket…

Interview with Dr. John Frame

Jake and I had the opportunity the other day to sit down with Dr. John Frame of Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando (RTS-O) and ask him several questions related to his writings and experience in the seminary environment. The interview revolved around two writings of Dr. Frame that I believe to be “must reads” for those in seminary or those thinking about it.

The first is a pamphlet Dr. Frame wrote at the request of the RTS-O admission department called, Learning at Jesus’ Feet: a Case for Seminary Training (free online). This is a phenomenal read for those thinking about attending seminary as it address many of the questions that are probably going through your head.

The second document is much older than the pamphlet. Written in 1972, Proposal for a New Seminary is an amazing work where Frame discusses the current seminary structure and suggests that there might be a better way. Since the original publishing date, Frame has added two postscripts to show how his thoughts have developed in relation to the original piece. This is a great read for all seminarians and some really good food for thought and discussion.

For the interview we asked Dr. Frame about these publication and a couple other seminary related questions. The interview is really great… and 17 minutes long… So, go grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever and get comfortable. There is a lot of gold in there.

The interview took place at the RTS-O chapel, so there is a little bit of an echo as the room was empty. Also, Dr. Frame is sitting in front of the organ… which he can totally jam on. For our last question we asked him if we’d play a little something for us and he most graciously agreed.

(goingtoseminary.com videos are available at youtube, vimeo, and blip.tv)

This video is the teaser video we posted on youtube. It is Dr. Frame’s answer to our question about advice for current and future seminarians. It is covered in the longer interview, but I thought I’d post it here too in case anyone wanted to see it or grab the code to embed it somewhere else… like their blog (hint, hint).

Brief Biography of Dr. John Frame

(taken from Reformed Theological Seminary website)

Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy
Princeton University, A.B.
Westminster Theological Seminary, B.D.
Yale University, M.A., M.Phil.
Belhaven College, D.D.

Dr. John Frame serves as J.D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at RTS - Orlando

An outstanding theologian, John Frame distinguished himself during 31 years on the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary, and was a founding faculty member of WTS California. He is best known for his prolific writings including ten volumes, a contributor to many books and reference volumes, as well as scholarly articles and magazines. Rev. Frame is a talented musician and discerning media critic who is deeply committed to the work of ministry and training pastors.

Selected Publications
Van Til, the Theologian (1976)
The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God (1987)
Medical Ethics (1988)
Perspectives on the Word of God (1990)
Evangelical Reunion (1991)
Apologetics to the Glory of God (1994)
Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of his Thought (1995)
Worship in Spirit and Truth (1996)
Contemporary Music: a Biblical Defense (1997)
The Doctrine of God (2002)
Salvation Belongs to the Lord (2006)

Something’s Coming Soon

Something new is coming to GoingtoSeminary.com… and it is coming soon…

This should be fun!

Thrifty Thursday - Building a Cheap Library

In an earlier post, I talked about why it was important for the seminarian to start building a good library (you can read the post here).  In this post, I want to talk about how to build up a library when you don’t have much cash.

The first tip I can give you is to know your favorite scholars and writers.  When you know that you like commentaries by writer A, and you see a commentary written by them, you can have a better idea that it will be worth the money.  I can’t stress how important it is to keep a running list of books that you want.  I keep mine in a section of my pocket moleskine I keep with me all the time.  That way, when I go to a booksale or shop, I know what I am looking for.

So here are some tips to find cheaper books.

1.  Get a job at a bookstore.  If you can work at your schools bookshop or a local book-seller, you can get an employee’s discount and access to other programs.  I once worked at a Christian Bookstore and got over 2000 dollars of credit from a major Christian publisher just by completing various incentive programs.

2. When you travel, look for any used book stores.  Cities with larger seminaries often have one or more stores around the campus.  Especially if you have a different theological viewpoint, you can get great deals.  Since I have more a Wesleyan perspective theologically, I can find some books alot cheaper than I can around my school because there isn’t a market for them in other places.

3. Look for any bookshelves selling/swapping used books around campus.  At Asbury we have a bookshelf that is full of books for sale, often for dirt cheap.  One of our professors always has a small collection outside of his office that he sells for 25 cents.  I have found some great stuff here.

4. Check out moving sales around campus.  Many people get rid of books just because they don’t want to move them.

5.  If you are in an academic path, go to conferences and society meetings.  Often books are heavily discounted at these events.

6. Sign up for the Emerging Scholars Network.  You get a serious discount on Eerdmans and IVP.

7.  Learn how to find the “odd” books.  I have a commentary series that I paid around 50 cents a volume for because it was from a different perspective and from the 70’s.  The authors were up and coming phd students then and now are some of the top New Testament scholars.

More than anything, building an affordable library is about keeping your eyes open and knowing what you are looking for.  Book sales go on all the time around my school, but since I know what I am looking for, I am able to take better advantage of them.  Also, let people know if you have an interest that is specialized.  I have had teachers give me books before that they have found and thought I would enjoy.

When Things Don’t Go As Planned

I haven’t written a personal post in a while, so I thought I’d give you a little update.

A Quick Recap

Jennifer and I have been in Orlando for 7 months now.  It has been just about a year since I quit my job as a campus minister in order to go to seminary.  I’m not going to lie, it has been a tough journey.  We almost didn’t come because our house wasn’t sold only weeks before we were planning to move.  That obsticle was removed and we went into high gear trying to get down to Florida asap. Once here, things were good but tough.

Though not an entirely smooth transition, seminary itself was everything I had hoped it would be.  I loved every minute of it (well… except the minutes spent writing papers… I don’t like papers).  The professors were amazing and I was growing in my understanding of God and scripture.  Not only that, but I could feel myself being transformed.  It was amazing.

The Summer Sets In

The summer has been really difficult.  For one, I have WAY too much free time.  I’m taking two classes this summer, so there has been some reading and writing, but generally speaking my academic schedule is pretty light.  Along with that, business has been really slow.  While this has allowed me to work on some other projects and catch up on some things I’ve wanted to tweak on goingtoseminary.com, it has been a constant source of stress… no work = no money.

I also think that the summer has been tough on my wife because I am home all day, every day.  Since I am self employed, I work out of an office in my house.  I think there is an added stress in the house when dad is home all day.  Not just for my wife and kids, but for me too… I’m not used to being in my house 24 hours a day… so, I think that is starting to wear us all down.

The Money Well Runs Dry

As you might guess, the whole no work = no money thing is a big deal.  When we decided to come to seminary we made a step of faith that was informed by us crunching some numbers and thinking that we could make it for a year before things got really hairy (financially).  Our hope was that, once down here God would either begin to prosper my web business or provide for us in some other way that he saw fit.

With the sale of our home we were able to put a nice chunk of money into savings.  This money was designed to pay our rent and cover any monthly shortages (should we have them).  Well, as you guessed, we’ve had more than a few shortages and every month the savings disappears quicker than we had planned.  So, last night as I sat looking at course offerings for next semester I had to ask myself, “what do you do when things don’t go as planned?”

The Options

Well, since things are not going entirely as planned, here are some of the options I’ve come up with:

1. Have faith, register for classes, keep walking forward.
2. Have faith, register for only 2 classes, loose your scholarship, get a part time job
3. Have faith, don’t register for any classes, get a job
4. Have faith, move back to Richmond, get a job
5. Have faith, change from M.Div to MA in Biblical Studies, take out a loan, try to knock out all my classes in under 8 months
6. Have faith, play the lottery

Crunch Time

All six options have some merit and on any given hour I fluctuate between which one makes the most sense.  I do my best to remember that all six options require that I have faith.  I also try to remind myself that the challenges that we are facing are just as much a part of the journey and what God is teaching us.  Though this is not a course for credit, this is part of my seminary education.  Through these difficult days I trust that God is working in me and my family to shape us more into the image of his son.

That said, decisions do need to be made.  I do need to register or not register.  I do need to look for a job or apply for a loan.  I can’t simply hang out in the valley of indecision forever. So, it is crunch time.

Table For Two

If you’re in seminary or considering seminary, odds are you’ll be joining me at this table.  Now, your situation will probably be different, but from what I’ve seen we all face adversity of one sort or another while we are here (can I get an “amen” Terry?).  It is highly likely that things will not go as you planned.  In it all, just remember that God has not abandoned you.  He loves you and is work in you and through you… that doesn’t mean it will always be easy and comfortable… but have faith friend, have faith.

Called To Preach?

If you were to ask most seminarians what their calling is, they would probably respond with something like, “I am called to preach.”  For most seminarians this is true; however, I have had some recent experiences that leads me to question what it means to be “called to preach.”

I am not saying this is inherently wrong, but I have discovered (and have been found guilty myself) that because most of us are “called to preach”, we fail to see the other opportunities for ministry that come available.  For example, I have been in a two month interview process with a church regarding a children’s ministry.  When I was first approached about this ministry, I thought “no way!  I am called to preach.  I am not called to baby sit.”  However, as I had more and more opportunities to preach from the pulpit for churches looking for a pastor, I have realized that God wanted me to look more closely at the children’s ministry.

Something funny began to happen the closer I looked.  For the first time since my first time in the pulpit, I began to feel a little uncomfortable preaching.  Next, I discovered I had a heart for the children (especially in the particular neighborhood of the church) and wanted to reach out to them and their families for the gospel.  As I began to pray more for the children’s ministry, God poured such a deep love into my heart that the children’s ministry began to consume my every thought.  The next thing I knew, I turned down an opportunity to preach at a church looking for a pastor because “God was taking me in another direction” is what I told the man on the phone.

I wish I could say that I came to this understanding of ministry and seminary life during a quiet time or time of communion with God, but that would be lying.  No, it took an off-hand comment by one of my wife’s girlfriend’s as we were leaving her house after dropping our children off for the evening so we could interview with the church for the children’s ministry.  She told me that she and her husband had been looking all over the Louisville area for a children’s ministry to no avail (I know of a couple good ones, but they have only become a major focus of the church in recent months).  She said everyone tells them that “they are called to preach” and that children’s ministry would be like taking a step backward from their goals.  (OK, that one kicked me right in the gut because that was my initial thought when I receieved the email about the position–I had served as youth pastor for a couple years about three years ago.)  I don’t know why, but it struck a chord in me that I did not know was there to be struck.  Between her house and the church (10 minutes), I was moved deeply to seek after this position with a passion that I can only explain as a gift from God.

I guess what I am trying to say is that while you are attending seminary, do not put on the blinders of being called to preach.  When I was ordained, I was ordained not to the preaching ministry, but the gospel ministry.  The gospel should be what drives our motives behind all we do.  Sure, you will get more glory in the pulpit, a demon I am sure we will all have to fight, but do not deprive yourself from blessings because you are only “called to preach.”

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