Where Are They Now? RTS Charlotte Alumnus Alex Mark
Over the last year or so, we have been working our way through a number of RTS Charlotte alumni in the Where Are They Now? series. For the complete series, see here.
In this installment, we interview Alex Mark (class of 2013). Alex embodies many values of RTS Charlotte, but we particularly appreciate his work in the area of church planting. Here at RTS Charlotte we believe that the church, the bride of Christ, is the best way to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Even more than this, Alex places a special emphasis on the preaching of the Word. If a church is going to … Continue reading...
Should You be a Pastor or a Professor? Thinking Through the Options
Since I am a professor at a seminary, it is not unusual (indeed, it is very common) for students to come to me for advice about whether they should enter the pastorate or seek to be a professor. While many of these students may have entered seminary with the intention of entering pastoral ministry, they have found themselves falling in love with a deep study of theology and the Bible. And so, they think, perhaps the academic world is right for them.
I confess that I am often torn when students come to me with this question. On the one hand, I want to discourage students from pursuing the Ph.D./professor … Continue reading...
Seven Essential Lessons from an Evangelical Scholar in the Secular Academy
There are countless stories of evangelicals who head off to Ph.D. programs in hopes of becoming a professor and having a positive influence in the secular university environment. This is particularly the case in the fields of biblical studies or philosophical theology. And such aspirations are certainly commendable.
Unfortunately, the outcome of such endeavors is not always as expected. While these evangelicals intend to influence the academy, very often the academy ends up influencing them. As a result, many evangelicals end up abandoning the very commitments that led them towards advanced study in the first place.
But even though academic study has led some evangelicals to abandon their commitments, occasionally … Continue reading...
Attention Seminary (and Ph.D.) Students: Here is Someone Who Understands Your World!
The life of a seminary or Ph.D. student (in biblical studies) can be a strange one. The subject matter is so esoteric, the languages are so ancient and out of date, and the vocabulary of the field is so idiosyncratic, that students feel that few people outside the seminary/Ph.D. world really understand them.
Well, there is hope! Below is a hilarious video on biblical philology (what an exciting subject!) making the rounds, set to the tune of “I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” from the musical Pirates of Penzance. The maker of this video clearly understands the seminary world:
[iframe width=”640″ height=”360″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/3x2SvqhfevE?feature=player_detailpage” frameborder=”0″ … Continue reading...
You Don’t Think Learning the Biblical Languages is Worth It? Think Again
Note: I posted this article a year ago, but in light of the new seminary semester beginning, it seemed appropriate to post again.
In another month or so, a new crop of seminary students will begin the grueling month-long experience of Summer Greek. And, like all seminary students before them, they will begin to ask the question of why studying these ancient languages even matters. After all, a few years after graduation all will be forgotten. In the midst of a busy pastoral life, who could possibly maintain proficiency in the languages?
As a result of these questions, some students decide (very early on) that the biblical languages are just … Continue reading...