Differences

The beginning of this quarter has been definitely different, and I have been rather unsettled by it until I *think* I’ve got it worked out as to what’s bugging me.  This professor is absolutely enamored with the words and difference and nuances and shading that each author provides in the New Testament.  I can certainly understand that – I have similar fascinations.

The problem is the lack of the Word being connected back to being inspired or stated by God.  We’re so focused on the mechanics of the words that the Word is being lost.  I’m fairly certain they’re all meant to be connected, and the professor is using this time to teach us the mechanical methods so that the theology can be connected back to it while we’re at home.  I think I just need more of that connection for my own peace of mind.  I think it was much easier with the Old Testament because we were less focused on the mechanics and more focused on the presence of God.

Not sure how to fix it within this week so that I’m more comfortable and less lost in the class, but hopefully identifying what’s making me uncomfortable will help.

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Update

Old Testament class is finished.  Final paper (2500 words!) on Micah turned in, despite the two original concepts I had that had no scholarly support – I discussed it with a professor in England who teaches an entire class on the Book of Micah, and he wanted me to “rest assured” that they were original ideas.  I was kinda bummed – I was hoping someone else saw what I saw.  Ah well.

I think with the amount of writing I did in that class, I fell behind on updating this blog, along with most of my others.  And with the class that begins Monday, it’s likely going to get worse, as there’s twice the writing and three times the reading.  It looks like it should be fun though.  This is the New Testament course.  The professor reminded us that as each of our classes are 6-credit courses, they are worth two classes – and he expects that amount of work. <g>  Seems fair.  We have to choose a passage (short as one verse, long as a few verses/parable) to write our final paper on, but he wants the topic by mid-week while we’re in WI.  I’ve chosen John 1:1-5.  A friend of mine set that to music long ago.  I should see if he ever did anything with it.  In the meantime, there’s a great version of it here.

Three days while we’re at the school will be a “Retreat of Silence”.  No talking or using electronics unless we’re in class.  Oh, and we wear cassocks all day long as well. 🙂  A friend of mine requested a picture of me in the cassock, so my friend from class who takes pity on me and drags my carcass to and from the train station has said he’ll take one.

We will also be having the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton there to speak.  Could be interesting. 🙂  I’m to remember to call him Lord Carey (he’s apparently a member of parliament) and not Archbishop.  I can’t imagine talking to him in any case, so I’m not too worried. <g>

The two Bible studies at church are going strong, thank goodness.  I do the sermon again on the 16th (Karen’s birthday is the 15th, and her wife will be in town so she didn’t want to have to worry about final sermon prep the night before).  I asked her what to do when I keep coming up with original ideas – she said prepare to publish.  Not sure I’m comfortable with that concept.  We’ll see, I guess.

Wrong God?

This is too awesome to lose track of.