Should You Be a Professor or a Pastor? 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...
Tolkien, Lewis, and the Blessings of a Messy Desk
Last week I finished a key portion of one of my research projects. And then I did what I normally do during such times (indeed, it is coming a bit of a tradition)–I cleaned up the colossal mess that I had made.
Before it was all said and done, books were strewn all over my desk, across my computer table, on the floor (on both sides of my desk), and up against the wall. Here’s the picture below!
After I had finally cleaned up my desk–and returned a couple of cart fulls of books to the library–I began to reflect on my life with a messy desk. What did it … Continue reading...
RTS Launches a New Journal: Reformed Faith and Practice
Last week it was announced that Reformed Theological Seminary has released the first installment of its new online journal. It is entitled Reformed Faith and Practice (RF&P) and can be accessed here.
The launch of the new journal coincides with the 50th anniversary of RTS (the seminary opened its doors in 1966). Other 50th anniversary-related initiatives include the release of the two volumes written by RTS faculty: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament and A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament.
RF&P will be publishing three times a year with contributions mainly from RTS faculty across our numerous campuses: Charlotte, Jackson, Orlando, Washington D.C., Atlanta, New York, … 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 The subject matter is so esoteric, the languages are so ancient and out of date, and the vocabulary of the field is so idiosyncratic, that students feel that few people outside the seminary/Ph.D. world really understand them.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...
Seminary Students: Love People not Papers? Or, Love People AND Papers?
Yesterday I noticed that someone sent out a tweet that said: “Seminary students: Love people not papers.” Now, in many ways, this advice is spot on. Seminary students often need to realize that there is more to ministry than Greek syntax or lengthy bibliographies. God calls us to engage with the flock personally, relationally, and intimately. As Paul himself noted about his ministry to the Thessalonians, “We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves” (1 Thess 2:8).
However, at the same time, to say that we should “love people and not papers” sets up a bit of a false dichotomy. … Continue reading...