Is It a Waste of Time for Seminary Students (and Pastors) to Learn the Biblical Languages?
It’s that time of year again.
A wonderful new crop of seminary students has arrived here at RTS-Charlotte and has already begun 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 something to be endured. They are like a hazing ritual at a college fraternity. … Continue reading...
Is It a Waste of Time for Seminary Students (and Pastors) to Learn the Biblical Languages?
It’s that time of year again.
A few weeks ago, a new crop of seminary students began 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 something to be endured. They are like a hazing ritual at a college fraternity. No one likes it, but … Continue reading...
Is It a Waste of Time for Seminary Students (and Pastors) to Learn the Biblical Languages?
Note: I post the article below every year as seminary students arrive. I hope it will prove helpful for a new crop of readers (or maybe even prior ones!)
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) … 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...
Do You Really Want to Raise Your Hand? A Q&A Guide for Seminary Students
I love to interact with students in a classroom setting. One of the most interesting parts of being a professor is the real-time Q&A. It can be a lively, engaging, and informative time.
But, sometimes it isn’t. For this reason I appreciate the humorous (but true!) piece by Phillip Bethancourt. He writes:
…We all know who “that guy” is in your seminary class. He’s the one who can’t resist the opportunity to ask a question or make a comment. He’s the one trying to show he knows more than the professor, and perhaps more than the apostle Paul himself. He’s the one who thinks that your class of 40 students
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