Well, I’m back at Regent now. I apologize for how long it’s been since my last post. Life got busy, and I just never got around to writing any new blog entries for this one.
I have been updating my other blog recently, however. You can check out my other blog here.
My classes this term are Biblical Exegesis, Intermediate Hebrew, and Intermediate Greek. All these classes focus on the biblical languages (the Biblical Exegesis class requires some prior knowledge of at least one of them—as I found out from the syllabus, notes are provided for the language not taken, but because I’ve taken both, the available notes will be good for review). Hebrew is my favorite of the biblical languages, so I can’t wait to continue on with that one. I took Hebrew in undergrad and loved it, so I’m looking forward to continuing with Hebrew at Regent.
But the title I gave this post leads me to ask a question I’ve been pondering—why am I labeling Regent “Theological Land”? I’d like to think it’s because I’m just trying to be cute and funny (and failing at both), but I can’t help but think, Does such phrasing suggest that my life back home should be designated “Non-Theological Land”?
I don’t think so. I realize, of course, that at a place like Regent we tend to discuss theology a whole lot more than the average person does. Naturally, then, a label like “Theological Land” sounds appropriate.
But it’s not as though we are to “do” theology only (or even mainly) at a seminary, church building, or Bible study home group. Theology entails a lifestyle, not (merely) thinking great thoughts about God and sharing them with others. My own creative abstractions might impress me, but unless they play out in the real world, I might receive plenty of courtesy smiles that are unconvincingly trying to hold back the yawns.
Jesus actually did theology. Those long discourses in John weren’t abstractions or long pontifications about nothing. They actually had (and have) implications for the real world. Jesus did something profoundly theological. He didn’t just talk about being the bread of life (John 6), He actually was the bread of life. Not only did He die for our sins (and take our sin onto Himself), but He rose from the dead, which provides the hope for our resurrection as well!
This is by far the biggest reason I’m at Regent. All my involvement in “church” activities and my studies at Regent are meaningless without this profound truth: God came down to earth as a man who offers eternal life to a dying world. But we often compartmentalize our day-to-day lives as if this important truth doesn’t actually have real-world implications.
We reserve church for Sunday and theology for seminary (or some low-key Sunday-school class or weekly Bible study). We all do this.
May God help us to continue to reflect on Him and allow Him to live His life through us on a daily basis, letting Him into every aspect of our lives.
Blessings to you all as you go about your week.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Now That Christmas Is Here, Here's a Look Back on the First Term
Now that my first term is (almost) over, I thought this would be a good opportunity to reflect on it. What did I learn?
That’s a very challenging question, and it isn’t because I have no answer. I do have answers to that question—I’m just not sure which one (or how many) to give. I can’t really sum it all up in one grand, over-arching theme. Apologies to those who might be frustrated with that.
So the following is a list of things I learned:
1. Before I took History of Christianity, I thought (like most evangelicals) of history in a very truncated way: What was important to me was up to maybe A.D. 100, and then from the Reformation period onward. But I ignored early church fathers such as Augustine (A.D. 354–430), a figure in church history who was well aware of his own depravity before God and loved to write about His grace. Some brilliant thinkers lived in the Middle Ages, such as Bernard of Clairvaux and Thomas Aquinas. I was still excited when we got to the Reformation, but I was surprised even then to learn things about the Reformation that I wouldn’t have known had I not filled in the gap of my knowledge of church history from A.D. 100 to A.D. 1500. Studying history is all about noting the interconnectedness of events. You cannot study the Reformation without the prior context of the Middle Ages.
2. Planning meals is not fun for me, but eating them is.
3. I struggle with “overview” courses. I like to closely analyze passages, but in overview courses, I’m required to look at things in a broad, general way. That’s not natural for me. (I still enjoyed the courses, though, and I learned a lot from them. I just liked my Greek course more than my other three courses.)
4. I met a lot of students from all around the world, all of whom were extremely friendly. I learned a few German, Portuguese, and Chinese words from the people I met.
5. I also learned how much I appreciate the United States of America. I also appreciate Canada, but being outside of my home country (even if it’s just across the border) for so long makes me miss it. Incidentally, one American student leader said the phrase “‘A’ to ‘Z’” in chapel last week, and the Canadian students playfully protested by saying, “No, it’s ‘A’ to ‘zed’!” (In Canada, the letter ‘Z’ is pronounced zed, not zee.) The American student responded by saying, “Hey, I’m not compromising, people! I’m proud to be an American!”
Ultimately, however, I learned about God’s sovereignty over the whole of life—whether it’s the Bible, the world itself, day-to-day living, or defining moments of history.
Recently at church, we heard the Christmas story in Matthew 1 again. In keeping with this theme of God’s sovereignty over all life, it’s fascinating to realize that when the angel appeared to Joseph, he addressed him as “son of David” (Matthew 1:20). This title is messianic in nature and is used almost exclusively of Jesus Himself (see, e.g., Matthew 1:1), but it’s interesting to note that the angel called Joseph “son of David” here (or that Matthew chose to include this interesting detail at all). Matthew had just finished giving the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph’s line, emphasizing that Jesus’ step-father was from the royal line of David. It was as if the angel was saying, “Joseph, this was the reason you were born—to be the earthly father of Jesus.”
There's a lot of comfort in that.
That’s a very challenging question, and it isn’t because I have no answer. I do have answers to that question—I’m just not sure which one (or how many) to give. I can’t really sum it all up in one grand, over-arching theme. Apologies to those who might be frustrated with that.
So the following is a list of things I learned:
1. Before I took History of Christianity, I thought (like most evangelicals) of history in a very truncated way: What was important to me was up to maybe A.D. 100, and then from the Reformation period onward. But I ignored early church fathers such as Augustine (A.D. 354–430), a figure in church history who was well aware of his own depravity before God and loved to write about His grace. Some brilliant thinkers lived in the Middle Ages, such as Bernard of Clairvaux and Thomas Aquinas. I was still excited when we got to the Reformation, but I was surprised even then to learn things about the Reformation that I wouldn’t have known had I not filled in the gap of my knowledge of church history from A.D. 100 to A.D. 1500. Studying history is all about noting the interconnectedness of events. You cannot study the Reformation without the prior context of the Middle Ages.
2. Planning meals is not fun for me, but eating them is.
3. I struggle with “overview” courses. I like to closely analyze passages, but in overview courses, I’m required to look at things in a broad, general way. That’s not natural for me. (I still enjoyed the courses, though, and I learned a lot from them. I just liked my Greek course more than my other three courses.)
4. I met a lot of students from all around the world, all of whom were extremely friendly. I learned a few German, Portuguese, and Chinese words from the people I met.
5. I also learned how much I appreciate the United States of America. I also appreciate Canada, but being outside of my home country (even if it’s just across the border) for so long makes me miss it. Incidentally, one American student leader said the phrase “‘A’ to ‘Z’” in chapel last week, and the Canadian students playfully protested by saying, “No, it’s ‘A’ to ‘zed’!” (In Canada, the letter ‘Z’ is pronounced zed, not zee.) The American student responded by saying, “Hey, I’m not compromising, people! I’m proud to be an American!”
Ultimately, however, I learned about God’s sovereignty over the whole of life—whether it’s the Bible, the world itself, day-to-day living, or defining moments of history.
Recently at church, we heard the Christmas story in Matthew 1 again. In keeping with this theme of God’s sovereignty over all life, it’s fascinating to realize that when the angel appeared to Joseph, he addressed him as “son of David” (Matthew 1:20). This title is messianic in nature and is used almost exclusively of Jesus Himself (see, e.g., Matthew 1:1), but it’s interesting to note that the angel called Joseph “son of David” here (or that Matthew chose to include this interesting detail at all). Matthew had just finished giving the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph’s line, emphasizing that Jesus’ step-father was from the royal line of David. It was as if the angel was saying, “Joseph, this was the reason you were born—to be the earthly father of Jesus.”
There's a lot of comfort in that.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
O Canada
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the NASB 1995 edition.
It’s been a while since I wrote anything. Sorry about that. It’s been crazy busy.
I just got through the week after Reading Week. Reading Week was our “week off”—in a sense. Actually, it was a week without classes so that we could concentrate on reading (or catching up if we’re behind). I was a little behind in my own reading, so I found the week very useful. And given that I love reading (and having plenty of time to read), it was just a great time all around.
Since I’ve been here, I’ve been having to get used to so many subtle differences between Canada and the United States. For instance, up here, they have a one-dollar coin they call a “loonie,” and a two-dollar coin they call a “toonie.” Reminds me of Looney Tunes. There’s also a store near my house called Amy’s Loonie-Toonie Town.
I also got to sing the Canadian national anthem at the beginning of an RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) performance. (The Mounties do in fact perform on horseback.) Here’s the anthem below, for anyone in the States who doesn’t know it:
I also had my first Canadian Thanksgiving on October 12. We celebrated the night before, but it was weird celebrating it in October rather than November. It was a great time. We had our landlords over for dinner, and it was a great community event. I have a lot to be thankful for.
We’re reading through the whole Old Testament for my OT Foundations class, and here’s a famous blessing from Numbers 6:24-26, when God tells Moses to have Aaron and his sons bless Israel (I found this to be a great reminder about the grace of God):
It’s been a while since I wrote anything. Sorry about that. It’s been crazy busy.
I just got through the week after Reading Week. Reading Week was our “week off”—in a sense. Actually, it was a week without classes so that we could concentrate on reading (or catching up if we’re behind). I was a little behind in my own reading, so I found the week very useful. And given that I love reading (and having plenty of time to read), it was just a great time all around.
Since I’ve been here, I’ve been having to get used to so many subtle differences between Canada and the United States. For instance, up here, they have a one-dollar coin they call a “loonie,” and a two-dollar coin they call a “toonie.” Reminds me of Looney Tunes. There’s also a store near my house called Amy’s Loonie-Toonie Town.
I also got to sing the Canadian national anthem at the beginning of an RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) performance. (The Mounties do in fact perform on horseback.) Here’s the anthem below, for anyone in the States who doesn’t know it:
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
I also had my first Canadian Thanksgiving on October 12. We celebrated the night before, but it was weird celebrating it in October rather than November. It was a great time. We had our landlords over for dinner, and it was a great community event. I have a lot to be thankful for.
We’re reading through the whole Old Testament for my OT Foundations class, and here’s a famous blessing from Numbers 6:24-26, when God tells Moses to have Aaron and his sons bless Israel (I found this to be a great reminder about the grace of God):
The Lord bless you, and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.
יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יְהוָ֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃
יָאֵ֨ר יְהוָ֧ה ׀ פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ׃
יִשָּׂ֨א יְהוָ֤ה ׀ פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֹֽום׃
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Regent Retreat and Thanks to Editorial
Hi, everyone,
On Sunday, I got back from a weekend Regent College retreat to Warm Beach Camp in Washington. Much of the faculty went too, so it was unlike any other retreat I've ever been on. One of the faculty members was the speaker for the retreat, and he spoke on three texts: Psalm 1 and what it means to be "happy," Luke 1 and the virgin Mary, and Matthew 17 and the transfiguration.
Also, there was a (mostly) hilarious talent show this year at the retreat. During one part of the talent show, people began constructing an imaginary "house of love" out of people on stage. One of the faculty members also participated. He had to be a crackling fire, and he played his part by being prompted to say (with feeling), "Crackling fire!" It was pretty funny to see a biblical scholar saying this in his native Scottish brogue.
I've also found that learning all about coordinating conjunctions, prepositional phrases, and other grammatical peticulars from Editorial has been extremely helpful in learning Greek. They also use a modified version of the Chicago Manual of Style for research paper formats, which I'm relieved to know (I don't like the MLA system as much).
Homework's been picking up, but everything's been falling into place so far, and it's an exciting place to be. Hope everything's well!
On Sunday, I got back from a weekend Regent College retreat to Warm Beach Camp in Washington. Much of the faculty went too, so it was unlike any other retreat I've ever been on. One of the faculty members was the speaker for the retreat, and he spoke on three texts: Psalm 1 and what it means to be "happy," Luke 1 and the virgin Mary, and Matthew 17 and the transfiguration.
Also, there was a (mostly) hilarious talent show this year at the retreat. During one part of the talent show, people began constructing an imaginary "house of love" out of people on stage. One of the faculty members also participated. He had to be a crackling fire, and he played his part by being prompted to say (with feeling), "Crackling fire!" It was pretty funny to see a biblical scholar saying this in his native Scottish brogue.
I've also found that learning all about coordinating conjunctions, prepositional phrases, and other grammatical peticulars from Editorial has been extremely helpful in learning Greek. They also use a modified version of the Chicago Manual of Style for research paper formats, which I'm relieved to know (I don't like the MLA system as much).
Homework's been picking up, but everything's been falling into place so far, and it's an exciting place to be. Hope everything's well!
Monday, September 14, 2009
First Class
Today, I had my first class (I have only one class on Mondays): Introduction to Biblical Greek, or to put it more succinctly, κοινή (koine, “common”) Greek, the language of the New Testament writers. This sort of Greek was the everyday language of the Greco-Roman period, which is why it was the ideal language for spreading the gospel throughout the Roman Empire.
My professor’s name is Keith Ganzer, a very lively and likable guy who gets very excited about what he teaches, which is always a plus. He sent us the syllabus via e-mail before the first class, asking us (but not requiring us) to do some advance preparation. I did the advance work, and it was helpful for the first day of class.
One great thing about preparing for this class is that I had already bought the books he listed over the summer (on the advice of a friend), so I had already reviewed the first four chapters. To some degree, I’m ahead, but I’m looking forward to the inevitable challenges as the term goes onward.
I wanted to take Greek because I had taken Hebrew in my undergraduate studies, and it was also recommended that I take a biblical language for my first term at Regent. Professor Ganzer also teaches Hebrew, and he emphasized that students should not just take Greek (as, he said, often happens in Christian schools). They should take both Greek and Hebrew, even if their concentration is on the New Testament, since the New Testament makes extensive use of quotes from the Old Testament.
Long story short: I’m thrilled to be taking Greek!
Here are my three other classes that I will be attending throughout this week:
1. History of Christianity I, with Prof. Sarah Williams
2. Christian Thought and Culture I, with Prof. Iain Provan
3. OT Foundations, with Prof. Iain Provan
As a language class, Greek is required, but the three I just listed are all core classes for MCS (Master of Christian Studies) students, so they recommend getting those out of the way first.
Hope everyone is doing great!
Εν Χριστω (“in Christ”),
Becca
My professor’s name is Keith Ganzer, a very lively and likable guy who gets very excited about what he teaches, which is always a plus. He sent us the syllabus via e-mail before the first class, asking us (but not requiring us) to do some advance preparation. I did the advance work, and it was helpful for the first day of class.
One great thing about preparing for this class is that I had already bought the books he listed over the summer (on the advice of a friend), so I had already reviewed the first four chapters. To some degree, I’m ahead, but I’m looking forward to the inevitable challenges as the term goes onward.
I wanted to take Greek because I had taken Hebrew in my undergraduate studies, and it was also recommended that I take a biblical language for my first term at Regent. Professor Ganzer also teaches Hebrew, and he emphasized that students should not just take Greek (as, he said, often happens in Christian schools). They should take both Greek and Hebrew, even if their concentration is on the New Testament, since the New Testament makes extensive use of quotes from the Old Testament.
Long story short: I’m thrilled to be taking Greek!
Here are my three other classes that I will be attending throughout this week:
1. History of Christianity I, with Prof. Sarah Williams
2. Christian Thought and Culture I, with Prof. Iain Provan
3. OT Foundations, with Prof. Iain Provan
As a language class, Greek is required, but the three I just listed are all core classes for MCS (Master of Christian Studies) students, so they recommend getting those out of the way first.
Hope everyone is doing great!
Εν Χριστω (“in Christ”),
Becca
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
First Two Days of Orientation
I had my first two days of orientation, and here are a few things that I learned:
First, I learned about Regent's interesting history, which you can read a little about here: http://www.regent-college.edu/about_regent/introduction/history.html.
Before coming to orientation, I didn’t know that Regent really dislikes the word seminary, and the faculty (and students) insist that it’s a Christian graduate school (which is exactly what it is). They used to call it the “unseminary.” (But this terminology is no longer used. Now it is simply known as a Christian grad school.)
Regent is NOT typical. (I did know that before coming here.) One emphasis at Regent is that students should first and foremost always remember the main reason for doing their studies, which directs everything else: to love Christ and understand what it means, as one of the faculty members stated, “to be ‘with Him’” (based off Mark 3:14), and then to be sent out by Him. (One of the things that I’m always going to be cherishing is the “with Christ”/ “in Christ” theme of the New Testament, which reminds us constantly that our identity as Christians is in Him.)
Regent is only a graduate school (not an undergrad school), and they will insist that it is NOT a seminary. (It’s also NOT a place where the MDiv or “pastor” student is the star student. They have a “lay emphasis,” which means that they believe that every Christian is in ministry in their respective contexts, and their ministries are just as important as the pastor’s, regardless of whether they go to the academy, become homemakers, engineers, publishers, etc.)
First, I learned about Regent's interesting history, which you can read a little about here: http://www.regent-college.edu/about_regent/introduction/history.html.
Before coming to orientation, I didn’t know that Regent really dislikes the word seminary, and the faculty (and students) insist that it’s a Christian graduate school (which is exactly what it is). They used to call it the “unseminary.” (But this terminology is no longer used. Now it is simply known as a Christian grad school.)
Regent is NOT typical. (I did know that before coming here.) One emphasis at Regent is that students should first and foremost always remember the main reason for doing their studies, which directs everything else: to love Christ and understand what it means, as one of the faculty members stated, “to be ‘with Him’” (based off Mark 3:14), and then to be sent out by Him. (One of the things that I’m always going to be cherishing is the “with Christ”/ “in Christ” theme of the New Testament, which reminds us constantly that our identity as Christians is in Him.)
Regent is only a graduate school (not an undergrad school), and they will insist that it is NOT a seminary. (It’s also NOT a place where the MDiv or “pastor” student is the star student. They have a “lay emphasis,” which means that they believe that every Christian is in ministry in their respective contexts, and their ministries are just as important as the pastor’s, regardless of whether they go to the academy, become homemakers, engineers, publishers, etc.)
They also encourage using the intellect to love, worship, and glorify God, which really excites me.
Thanks again to everyone for all your continued prayers!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Moved In
Hey, everybody.
Well, I'm all moved in (I just need to unpack a few boxes), and I have a few errands to run this morning.
I'm living in what is known as "Capella House," which, as the house policy stipulates, is named after the word capella, which is Italian for "chapel." It derives from cappa, a Latin root meaning "cape" or "cloak." I'm enjoying my time here greatly, and it's been a treat to get to know the family and the other tenants here.
Today I'm off to Vancouver to take care of some things (getting a bus pass, paying for fees, etc.). I will have another post detailing more soon.
God bless!
Well, I'm all moved in (I just need to unpack a few boxes), and I have a few errands to run this morning.
I'm living in what is known as "Capella House," which, as the house policy stipulates, is named after the word capella, which is Italian for "chapel." It derives from cappa, a Latin root meaning "cape" or "cloak." I'm enjoying my time here greatly, and it's been a treat to get to know the family and the other tenants here.
Today I'm off to Vancouver to take care of some things (getting a bus pass, paying for fees, etc.). I will have another post detailing more soon.
God bless!
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