Well, the Christmas festivities are winding down so that there can be a brief lull before the New Year's celebrations begin.
In addition to the always wonderful time spent with family and friends during the Christmas break, I've also managed to get a number of other things accomplished. My CPM had its annual retreat the week before Christmas, and apparently I have their blessing to move into Candidacy. I've also been innoculated against flu, hepatitus, and typhoid, in preparation for my trip to the Philippines late in January (although I have since come down with a sore throat).
Assuming the typhoid doesn't get me, I should be returning to good ole APTS just in time to assist with the January Hebrew class. It should be a rousing fun time for all!
Monday, December 25, 2006
Sunday, November 05, 2006
True Christmas merchandise
If you're trying to avoid finishing a paper, or looking for an excuse to avoid studying, start your Christmas shopping now at....
http://www.jesusoftheweek.com/
http://www.jesusoftheweek.com/
Thursday, October 19, 2006
I've been labelled
free enneagram test
Seems appropriate for an aspiring pastor in the PCUSA to be typed as a Reformer!
Although, checking out my 'official' results from my Psych Exam, I appear to actually be a Peacemaker, which is right next door to the Reformer. Does that mean I strive for peaceful reform? :-)
Thanks to Katrina for the link!
Saturday, October 07, 2006
'Ord' inary time
I've just returned to Austin from my trip to Oklahoma City to observe the grading of this past August's ordination exams. It was quite an experience, and I heartily recommend it to anyone who is able to participate.
In addition to learning a lot about the grading process, I met many many wonderful people; elders and pastors from all around this region of the country, as well as representatives from the PCC which designs and administers the tests. These are all people who genuinely care about the success of candidates for ministry. I found myself answering as many questions about the seminary experience as I was asking about the test grading. I also managed to stay up until 3am a couple of nights talking one-on-one with the PCC theology representative about everything ranging from theology to exegesis to worship to movies. The whole experience was great fun, in addition to being hard work and educational.
Now, for those who are wondering about the grading process, I'll write a few of the highlights. I'm sure Monica and I will be asked to present our experience during the prep sessions next semester and, of course, I'm more than willing to share everything I know if asked. All of this should be taken as my personal opinion and observation, and not as the firm policy of the PCC. Additionally, I observed the OKC reading group, though grading processes should be consistent with other groups.
I see two main things that a person taking the ord exams must accomplish on each exam. The first is objective and involves following the directions. There were many times when otherwise well-written exams failed because the answer did not meet the objective requirements of the question. These objective criteria primarily include providing the correct number of correct citations from either the Book of Order or the Book of Confessions, but also include answering the question asked. The questions, especially on the theology exam, usually require a synthesis of information as well as application. This synthesis involves describing how two or more doctrines interact and inform each other in practice, which is one reason the theology test is quite difficult. An example from this past test had to do with Christ's role in the Reformed practice of prayer. Writing an essay about Christ as mediator without linking that to actual practices of prayer such as intercession, confession, etc. would not meet the requirement of the question.
The other thing that must be accomplished in answering the exam questions is more subjective. The answer must be pastoral. In other words, the person grading the exam will be deciding whether the answer exhibits evidence of readiness to enter ministry. One of the reasons that elder as well as pastors grade these exams, is that elders bring a lay perspective to the exam process. Your answers will be speaking to graders in much the same way that you will be dealing with people in the parish. By nature, this evaluation has subjectivity to it, but then, so will the rest of your career in ministry. While pastoral sensitivity in these answers is necessary, one should take care to avoid sappiness or condecension, as it comes across loud and clear in the writing and does not leave a favorable impression.
Now, while having your fate in the hands of a bunch of unknown people who have license to grade you subjectively is scary, rest assured that these people want you to pass. And, each exam is graded at least twice by different people to provide addtional checks and consistency. From my observations, any randomness in grading favors passing the exam rather than failing it. That said, although the graders want you to pass, they take seriously their responsibility to make sure you are ready to be a pastor based upon your exam answers. No one wants to inflict a bad pastor upon the church.
So how does one prepare for this? The questions are complex. They require knowledge of doctrine and polity. They require you to organize and apply it appropriately. And they require a quality answer to be formulated in a relatively short period of time. These are not easy essays to write on the spur of the moment. There is not a surefire answer that will guarantee success, but there are some things that will get you most of the way there I think. First, know the Book of Order fairly well. It's not necessary to memorize it, but you should have a good idea of how to answer most questions, especially on the sacraments, without having to search for general answers. During the test you will want to already know where things are found in the book. You want to spend your time looking up supporting details, instead of trying to find basic answers. The same is true of the Book of Confessions. If you go into the test without a good idea of the contents of the historical confessions and how to navigate through the book, you will be on shaky ground when trying to come up with concise answers to the complex interactions of the questions. Those are the main two written resources that are critical to preparation. For general theology, Calvin, Barth, Migliore, Guthrie, etc. should be familiar and quotable.
I'm not sure what to recommend for cultivating the ability to answer pastorally. Much of this is experiential and/or common sense (which seems to not always be so common). Having discussions with pastors and professors, and listening to how they frame answers to sensitive questions will give some idea of how to be pastoral. When responding to the hypothetical people in the questions consider using a form of affirmation and admonition. Validate what you can and suggest correction or another way of thinking as a response. Especially when dealing with polity, do not use the rules as a club to enforce your answer. Conversely, do not compromise on the rules in order to be pastoral. For example, if rebaptism is prohibited, then agreeing to rebaptize so as not to offend the person in the question will most likely get a failing grade. So a good answer will adhere to polity and confessional standards while, at the same time, educating and encouraging the person who is raising an issue.
There's my quick and dirty guide to the Ords. Feel free to ask me for clarification or more details and I'll gladly opine further.
In addition to learning a lot about the grading process, I met many many wonderful people; elders and pastors from all around this region of the country, as well as representatives from the PCC which designs and administers the tests. These are all people who genuinely care about the success of candidates for ministry. I found myself answering as many questions about the seminary experience as I was asking about the test grading. I also managed to stay up until 3am a couple of nights talking one-on-one with the PCC theology representative about everything ranging from theology to exegesis to worship to movies. The whole experience was great fun, in addition to being hard work and educational.
Now, for those who are wondering about the grading process, I'll write a few of the highlights. I'm sure Monica and I will be asked to present our experience during the prep sessions next semester and, of course, I'm more than willing to share everything I know if asked. All of this should be taken as my personal opinion and observation, and not as the firm policy of the PCC. Additionally, I observed the OKC reading group, though grading processes should be consistent with other groups.
I see two main things that a person taking the ord exams must accomplish on each exam. The first is objective and involves following the directions. There were many times when otherwise well-written exams failed because the answer did not meet the objective requirements of the question. These objective criteria primarily include providing the correct number of correct citations from either the Book of Order or the Book of Confessions, but also include answering the question asked. The questions, especially on the theology exam, usually require a synthesis of information as well as application. This synthesis involves describing how two or more doctrines interact and inform each other in practice, which is one reason the theology test is quite difficult. An example from this past test had to do with Christ's role in the Reformed practice of prayer. Writing an essay about Christ as mediator without linking that to actual practices of prayer such as intercession, confession, etc. would not meet the requirement of the question.
The other thing that must be accomplished in answering the exam questions is more subjective. The answer must be pastoral. In other words, the person grading the exam will be deciding whether the answer exhibits evidence of readiness to enter ministry. One of the reasons that elder as well as pastors grade these exams, is that elders bring a lay perspective to the exam process. Your answers will be speaking to graders in much the same way that you will be dealing with people in the parish. By nature, this evaluation has subjectivity to it, but then, so will the rest of your career in ministry. While pastoral sensitivity in these answers is necessary, one should take care to avoid sappiness or condecension, as it comes across loud and clear in the writing and does not leave a favorable impression.
Now, while having your fate in the hands of a bunch of unknown people who have license to grade you subjectively is scary, rest assured that these people want you to pass. And, each exam is graded at least twice by different people to provide addtional checks and consistency. From my observations, any randomness in grading favors passing the exam rather than failing it. That said, although the graders want you to pass, they take seriously their responsibility to make sure you are ready to be a pastor based upon your exam answers. No one wants to inflict a bad pastor upon the church.
So how does one prepare for this? The questions are complex. They require knowledge of doctrine and polity. They require you to organize and apply it appropriately. And they require a quality answer to be formulated in a relatively short period of time. These are not easy essays to write on the spur of the moment. There is not a surefire answer that will guarantee success, but there are some things that will get you most of the way there I think. First, know the Book of Order fairly well. It's not necessary to memorize it, but you should have a good idea of how to answer most questions, especially on the sacraments, without having to search for general answers. During the test you will want to already know where things are found in the book. You want to spend your time looking up supporting details, instead of trying to find basic answers. The same is true of the Book of Confessions. If you go into the test without a good idea of the contents of the historical confessions and how to navigate through the book, you will be on shaky ground when trying to come up with concise answers to the complex interactions of the questions. Those are the main two written resources that are critical to preparation. For general theology, Calvin, Barth, Migliore, Guthrie, etc. should be familiar and quotable.
I'm not sure what to recommend for cultivating the ability to answer pastorally. Much of this is experiential and/or common sense (which seems to not always be so common). Having discussions with pastors and professors, and listening to how they frame answers to sensitive questions will give some idea of how to be pastoral. When responding to the hypothetical people in the questions consider using a form of affirmation and admonition. Validate what you can and suggest correction or another way of thinking as a response. Especially when dealing with polity, do not use the rules as a club to enforce your answer. Conversely, do not compromise on the rules in order to be pastoral. For example, if rebaptism is prohibited, then agreeing to rebaptize so as not to offend the person in the question will most likely get a failing grade. So a good answer will adhere to polity and confessional standards while, at the same time, educating and encouraging the person who is raising an issue.
There's my quick and dirty guide to the Ords. Feel free to ask me for clarification or more details and I'll gladly opine further.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Welcome Back
Well, just one more weekend until classes start!
Of course, if you're a junior you've been going through the hazing known as orientation which, while informative and frequently entertaining, is nonetheless somewhat tiring. But not to worry. Think of it as endurance training for the schedule in the year to come. Just remember that the entertainment portion is now extracurricular. ;-)
For us middlers, the pre-class classtime has been pretty much limited to one 2-hour orientation session. Although, the homework from that little session is comparable to a term paper. But as recompense, we get to piggy-back on most of the entertainment portion of the junior orientation activites. This is futher balanced by the probability that planning for most of the future community entertainment festivities this year will fall to the middler class.
And lastly, the seniors. The seniors have just endured the denominationally-sponsored hazing known as ordination exams. These exams tend to be so traumatic that most of the members of the senior class tend to make themselves scarce for the rest of their time here. It makes one ponder the necessity of having a senior scavenger hunt for the junior class just to demonstrate that these people actually do go to school here.
So, the first hurdles of the new school year have come upon us already, and yet we have a brief respite. A three-day holiday in which to gird our loins (I'm not sure I've ever actually girded my loin, but it sounds cool) and prepare to jump in headfirst into the gaping maw of the 2006-2007 school year. It's good to see you all, both new and old friends. May the Lord bless us all in this grand adventure to which we have been called!
Of course, if you're a junior you've been going through the hazing known as orientation which, while informative and frequently entertaining, is nonetheless somewhat tiring. But not to worry. Think of it as endurance training for the schedule in the year to come. Just remember that the entertainment portion is now extracurricular. ;-)
For us middlers, the pre-class classtime has been pretty much limited to one 2-hour orientation session. Although, the homework from that little session is comparable to a term paper. But as recompense, we get to piggy-back on most of the entertainment portion of the junior orientation activites. This is futher balanced by the probability that planning for most of the future community entertainment festivities this year will fall to the middler class.
And lastly, the seniors. The seniors have just endured the denominationally-sponsored hazing known as ordination exams. These exams tend to be so traumatic that most of the members of the senior class tend to make themselves scarce for the rest of their time here. It makes one ponder the necessity of having a senior scavenger hunt for the junior class just to demonstrate that these people actually do go to school here.
So, the first hurdles of the new school year have come upon us already, and yet we have a brief respite. A three-day holiday in which to gird our loins (I'm not sure I've ever actually girded my loin, but it sounds cool) and prepare to jump in headfirst into the gaping maw of the 2006-2007 school year. It's good to see you all, both new and old friends. May the Lord bless us all in this grand adventure to which we have been called!
Monday, August 14, 2006
Summer Travels
I'm now away on my second trip to Oklahoma for the summer, the first coming the week after Greek ended. Oklahoma City is not really any more relaxing than Austin, but it is a bit of a change at any rate. And, besides getting to visit family and friends, I also have had a chance to make some progress in moving toward Candidacy. So the trips have been productive as well.
This past weekend I got to see my good friend John Guthrie, who just departed from us at APTS this past June, be ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. Hopefully, I'll be in that position in a couple more years!
This next week I head out further west to Wyoming and Colorado. I've never been to Wyoming before so, at the very least, I'll be able to add it to the list of states I've visited. I'll be high up in the mountains of Colorado, hopefully enjoying the scenery more than gasping for air. On the off chance I don't show up for the first day of class, please have search parties sent out to find me before I have to eat my fellow travellers. :-)
One thing I've really realy enjoyed during this break has been doing a lot of recreational reading. It's been years since I've been able to read like this, and it's nice to have the time to be able to do it. Once classes start I likely won;t have the time to read anything other than textbooks again, so I'm really savoring the time now.
This past weekend I got to see my good friend John Guthrie, who just departed from us at APTS this past June, be ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. Hopefully, I'll be in that position in a couple more years!
This next week I head out further west to Wyoming and Colorado. I've never been to Wyoming before so, at the very least, I'll be able to add it to the list of states I've visited. I'll be high up in the mountains of Colorado, hopefully enjoying the scenery more than gasping for air. On the off chance I don't show up for the first day of class, please have search parties sent out to find me before I have to eat my fellow travellers. :-)
One thing I've really realy enjoyed during this break has been doing a lot of recreational reading. It's been years since I've been able to read like this, and it's nice to have the time to be able to do it. Once classes start I likely won;t have the time to read anything other than textbooks again, so I'm really savoring the time now.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
A New and Equally Twisted Game
It occurs to me that the reason God doesn't use a smite button is....
it's so much more fun using a magnifying glass!!!
http://fun.sdinet.de/flash/antcity.swf
It also occurs to me that Greek has finally shattered what was left of my sanity. Think I can get CPE credit for checking myself into an asylum?
it's so much more fun using a magnifying glass!!!
http://fun.sdinet.de/flash/antcity.swf
It also occurs to me that Greek has finally shattered what was left of my sanity. Think I can get CPE credit for checking myself into an asylum?
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Heaven & Hell
Ok, this new game is just wrong in so many ways! But that seems to be one of the things that makes it so fun!
http://www.arcadetown.com/sheepgotoheaven/gameonline.asp
On a more theological note...
It is difficult to deny that there is a strong element of unpleasant judgement for evildoers in scripture. For those who find it difficult to find justice in infinite (eternal) punishment for finite crimes (myself included), what are we to make of the many passages in the Bible which speak fairly plainly about judgement of this type? Do we excise or ignore the fact that Jesus spoke more often of judgement than he did of heaven? Do we somehow reinterpret what is meant by the concept of judgement? In what ways do we compromise/reconcile justice in the name of forgiveness?
http://www.arcadetown.com/sheepgotoheaven/gameonline.asp
On a more theological note...
It is difficult to deny that there is a strong element of unpleasant judgement for evildoers in scripture. For those who find it difficult to find justice in infinite (eternal) punishment for finite crimes (myself included), what are we to make of the many passages in the Bible which speak fairly plainly about judgement of this type? Do we excise or ignore the fact that Jesus spoke more often of judgement than he did of heaven? Do we somehow reinterpret what is meant by the concept of judgement? In what ways do we compromise/reconcile justice in the name of forgiveness?
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Worship Wars
Worship wars is a term I've heard somewhat frequently for some years now. It usually seems to describe the conflict that arises in congregations between those who favor a contemporary style of worship and those who favor a more traditional style of worship. The conflict is severe enough that a number of pastors who have gone through it before prefer to accept calls in churches that have both types of services just to avoid the possibility of having to go through the same conflict again.
I've been questioning this whole concept of contemporary vs. traditional for myself lately. Aside from playing semantic games of what constitutes traditional and contemporary, I have to wonder why it is that people cling strongly to one style or another. It's not even a liberal/conservative thing since some of the more conservative churches embrace 'new' styles of worship, while many liberal churches retain traditional styles.
Unfortunately, the worship class during my first semester in seminary did little to resolve the issue in my mind. However, it did give me one great little nugget to chew on by defining worship in the context of revealing God to us. I hope to always balance my worship planning in the future against this definition.
However, current practices of worship still remain hit and miss in my way of thinking. While the contemporary camp has a tendency to sometimes reveal more about people than God in its worsip, the traditional side has a tendency to replace God with the idolization of worship forms (which might just be the same problem as contemporary expressed in a different way). I don't believe for a minute that God has a preference for guitars over organs, or metaphorical rhetoric over spontaneous expressions of joy. My confession that God is sovereign creator means that all forms of communication, whether it be speech or music or writing or video screens, were created through God's will. When I say that God is all-in-all, that means that all areas of my life are a part of my walk with God. My worship of God should not be limited to a church facility, but rather should be evident in all that I do. Which is, I think, the foundation of evangelism.
So with a God who is all-in-all, by what logic do I limit my worship? If rock music touches me outside of the sanctuary, surely it can also do so inside. If I am willing to jump up and down and cheer for my favorite football team, why can't I get equally excited over my relationship with God? On the other hand, reverence and prayer during communal worship should just as surely transfer into my daily life.
I guess what I'm trying to get at here, is that there seems to be a tendency for us to keep our worship separate from our lives. Or at least to limit it to brief periods once or twice a week. While there is a need to hold onto the sanctity of worship as a community, I question whether we go overboard to the extent that worship becomes like casting a magic spell to bring God to us. Is there anything we do outside of worship that should not be a part of our worship? And, if so, is that something we should be doing at all? And vice-versa. What elements of worship do not play a part in our everyday lives? And why don't they?
Maybe the problem with the worship wars is deeper than just preferences of style. And maybe the solution has more to do with how we worship outside the church building than inside it.
I've been questioning this whole concept of contemporary vs. traditional for myself lately. Aside from playing semantic games of what constitutes traditional and contemporary, I have to wonder why it is that people cling strongly to one style or another. It's not even a liberal/conservative thing since some of the more conservative churches embrace 'new' styles of worship, while many liberal churches retain traditional styles.
Unfortunately, the worship class during my first semester in seminary did little to resolve the issue in my mind. However, it did give me one great little nugget to chew on by defining worship in the context of revealing God to us. I hope to always balance my worship planning in the future against this definition.
However, current practices of worship still remain hit and miss in my way of thinking. While the contemporary camp has a tendency to sometimes reveal more about people than God in its worsip, the traditional side has a tendency to replace God with the idolization of worship forms (which might just be the same problem as contemporary expressed in a different way). I don't believe for a minute that God has a preference for guitars over organs, or metaphorical rhetoric over spontaneous expressions of joy. My confession that God is sovereign creator means that all forms of communication, whether it be speech or music or writing or video screens, were created through God's will. When I say that God is all-in-all, that means that all areas of my life are a part of my walk with God. My worship of God should not be limited to a church facility, but rather should be evident in all that I do. Which is, I think, the foundation of evangelism.
So with a God who is all-in-all, by what logic do I limit my worship? If rock music touches me outside of the sanctuary, surely it can also do so inside. If I am willing to jump up and down and cheer for my favorite football team, why can't I get equally excited over my relationship with God? On the other hand, reverence and prayer during communal worship should just as surely transfer into my daily life.
I guess what I'm trying to get at here, is that there seems to be a tendency for us to keep our worship separate from our lives. Or at least to limit it to brief periods once or twice a week. While there is a need to hold onto the sanctity of worship as a community, I question whether we go overboard to the extent that worship becomes like casting a magic spell to bring God to us. Is there anything we do outside of worship that should not be a part of our worship? And, if so, is that something we should be doing at all? And vice-versa. What elements of worship do not play a part in our everyday lives? And why don't they?
Maybe the problem with the worship wars is deeper than just preferences of style. And maybe the solution has more to do with how we worship outside the church building than inside it.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Playing Around
For those who just can't get enough of playing games, I offer you my not-so-secret secret source...
http://www.freebloggames.com/
They also give you the html code to insert onto your own webpage. Should anyone wish to make use of them on your own blog or webpage and have troubles, let me know and I'll be happy to show you how I did it on my blog.
ειρήνη μου φιλοι
http://www.freebloggames.com/
They also give you the html code to insert onto your own webpage. Should anyone wish to make use of them on your own blog or webpage and have troubles, let me know and I'll be happy to show you how I did it on my blog.
ειρήνη μου φιλοι
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Summer hasn't even started and the pool is closed
Well, if rumours are true, the Hebrew papers have been returned and so the deadline for the Finals Pool has passed.
However, for those who were planning to wade into the pool but just hadn't gotten around to it yet, feel free to post your best return date guesses for the remaining three finals. I'm sure we can come up with a suitable no-prize for the pick-three in addition to the grand prize for the full pool of four.
However, for those who were planning to wade into the pool but just hadn't gotten around to it yet, feel free to post your best return date guesses for the remaining three finals. I'm sure we can come up with a suitable no-prize for the pick-three in addition to the grand prize for the full pool of four.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Fantasy Finals Pool
Now that deadlines are past and papers are turned in and tests have been taken, I got to wondering...when might I actually see the results of my 'final' herculean attempts to conform to the expectations of the academic establishment (formerly known as 'the man', though more recently as 'the person').
So I figure what better way to indulge in some useless speculation than to start a pool! Now, while everyone didn't take the same classes I did, it IS my pool, so it will be based on the finals for the four classes I took (i.e. Andy's Exegesis paper; Jennifer's Preaching Paper; Cindy's Written Final Exam; and Monya's Final Written Exam).
The rules are simple: post the professor's name and the date on which you think his or her exam/paper will be returned. Do this for each of the four exam/papers. For any given exam/paper you may not pick a date which someone else has already selected.
Points will be awarded based on the number of days between your guesses and the actual return dates. Fewest number of points once all are returned is the winner. In the event of a tie, the person with the most number of exact dates guessed will be declared the winner.
Prizes include an all expense paid trip from APTS campus to the Crown & Anchor where the lucky winner will be treated to a frosty beverage (retail value up to $5!!!)
Here is my entry to use as a model:
Andy : 6/1/2006
Cindy : 6/19/2006
Jennifer : 6/23/2006
Monya : 7/3/2006
So I figure what better way to indulge in some useless speculation than to start a pool! Now, while everyone didn't take the same classes I did, it IS my pool, so it will be based on the finals for the four classes I took (i.e. Andy's Exegesis paper; Jennifer's Preaching Paper; Cindy's Written Final Exam; and Monya's Final Written Exam).
The rules are simple: post the professor's name and the date on which you think his or her exam/paper will be returned. Do this for each of the four exam/papers. For any given exam/paper you may not pick a date which someone else has already selected.
Points will be awarded based on the number of days between your guesses and the actual return dates. Fewest number of points once all are returned is the winner. In the event of a tie, the person with the most number of exact dates guessed will be declared the winner.
Prizes include an all expense paid trip from APTS campus to the Crown & Anchor where the lucky winner will be treated to a frosty beverage (retail value up to $5!!!)
Here is my entry to use as a model:
Andy : 6/1/2006
Cindy : 6/19/2006
Jennifer : 6/23/2006
Monya : 7/3/2006
Sunday, May 07, 2006
A Smashing Good Time
In honor of reading week, I offer you the Hulk Smash Up game.
So, when you get tired of reading and studying, let off some steam by engaging in some mindless destruction for points and glory!
And, if you do especially well and want to brag a bit, feel free to post your high scores.
Blessings to you all in your preparations for finals.
So, when you get tired of reading and studying, let off some steam by engaging in some mindless destruction for points and glory!
And, if you do especially well and want to brag a bit, feel free to post your high scores.
Blessings to you all in your preparations for finals.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Exams, Exams, Exams
As my way of rebelling against preparing for the upcoming onslaught of finals and papers, I have instead been spending my evenings attending prep sessions for..... ordination exams!
Since I'm not actually taking the ords for another year, one might surmise that this is indicative of some type of masochistic sickness on my part. Fortunately, I have the results of my psych exam to rebut this contention. :-)
In reality, I just thought it might be a good idea to find out what to expect from the ords further in advance, with an eye toward slanting some of my regular studies in that direction. The information provided has been quite interesting so far, and will hopefully give me a head start in preparation.
For any who might be interested, the sessions are being taped, and so should be available in the library for perusal. I don't know if the handouts will also be available in the library, but I'm sure copies can also be found for those who want them.
The quick and dirty summary goes like this:
Both the Theology and the Worship ords make use of the Book of Confessions. Even though a portion of both of these tests are open book, to be successful, you must be familiar with the confessions, the theology contained within them, how they link to the the Book of Order, and how to go about using the reference materials found within.
You need to be familiar with the Book of Order, especially with regards to Worship and Polity. Memorization is not required in most cases, but the tests will ask for answers to be supported by the Book of Order, so familiarity with the rules and guidelines therein are needed. Again, linking theology and the Confessions to the Book of Order is most beneficial.
So, in the next year or so, make sure that both the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order are on your regular study and reading lists. I will probably try to start regularly referencing them for papers when feasible in an effort to get to know them and practice using them better.
Also, in the category of avoidable errors, by far the number one error on exams is not following the directions properly. The classes emphasize this over and over. It seems so simple to do, and yet time and again, people mess it up.
So..there it is. Now I guess I should go and try to pass my classes THIS semester!
Since I'm not actually taking the ords for another year, one might surmise that this is indicative of some type of masochistic sickness on my part. Fortunately, I have the results of my psych exam to rebut this contention. :-)
In reality, I just thought it might be a good idea to find out what to expect from the ords further in advance, with an eye toward slanting some of my regular studies in that direction. The information provided has been quite interesting so far, and will hopefully give me a head start in preparation.
For any who might be interested, the sessions are being taped, and so should be available in the library for perusal. I don't know if the handouts will also be available in the library, but I'm sure copies can also be found for those who want them.
The quick and dirty summary goes like this:
Both the Theology and the Worship ords make use of the Book of Confessions. Even though a portion of both of these tests are open book, to be successful, you must be familiar with the confessions, the theology contained within them, how they link to the the Book of Order, and how to go about using the reference materials found within.
You need to be familiar with the Book of Order, especially with regards to Worship and Polity. Memorization is not required in most cases, but the tests will ask for answers to be supported by the Book of Order, so familiarity with the rules and guidelines therein are needed. Again, linking theology and the Confessions to the Book of Order is most beneficial.
So, in the next year or so, make sure that both the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order are on your regular study and reading lists. I will probably try to start regularly referencing them for papers when feasible in an effort to get to know them and practice using them better.
Also, in the category of avoidable errors, by far the number one error on exams is not following the directions properly. The classes emphasize this over and over. It seems so simple to do, and yet time and again, people mess it up.
So..there it is. Now I guess I should go and try to pass my classes THIS semester!
Friday, April 28, 2006
To Tillich or not to Tillich?
I've been working on the final draft of my theology paper wherein I try to make the case that the theology of Paul Tillich easily lends itself to application for the real world issues of today. Specifically, in regard to proposals regarding ordination standards put forth by the PUP Report. The first draft was surprisingly easy to write, which reinforces my contention that Tillich's theology readily describes our human condition.
But now I've run across a problem. While Tillich's ambiguities of justice do a great job of describing the issues and problems surrounding ordination standards, they don't seem to lend themselves so well to resolving those issues and problems. Tillich, of course, refuses to allow for the use of the supernatural in problem-solving. We instead appeal to 'participation in new being' and 'spiritual presence'. However, in practice, these seem to tread quite closely back to a supernatural intervention. For example, Spiritual Presence provides for the resolution of ambiguity in the face of polarity. This sounds to me quite a bit like Barth's dialectics, which Tillich criticized as being supernatural.
So, my question for all you disciples of Tillich out there is: How does the theology of Tillich work to reconcile irreconcilable differences without straying into the supernatural?
For now, I have to go to Barth and trust that God, in sovereign love, will make possible the impossible.
But now I've run across a problem. While Tillich's ambiguities of justice do a great job of describing the issues and problems surrounding ordination standards, they don't seem to lend themselves so well to resolving those issues and problems. Tillich, of course, refuses to allow for the use of the supernatural in problem-solving. We instead appeal to 'participation in new being' and 'spiritual presence'. However, in practice, these seem to tread quite closely back to a supernatural intervention. For example, Spiritual Presence provides for the resolution of ambiguity in the face of polarity. This sounds to me quite a bit like Barth's dialectics, which Tillich criticized as being supernatural.
So, my question for all you disciples of Tillich out there is: How does the theology of Tillich work to reconcile irreconcilable differences without straying into the supernatural?
For now, I have to go to Barth and trust that God, in sovereign love, will make possible the impossible.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
A blog entry
Consider this blog entry a placeholder. It is not a journal entry, nor is it a record of profound thoughts. No... this entry is merely here in the event that someone stumbles across this blog o' mine and wishes to weigh in with a comment about whatever.
One might ask, why not just wait until I have something to say before adding an entry to my blog. That way, visitors might actually have something to comment about. Overall, a good point. However, I must confess... I am a horribly undisciplined journaler. In fact, this might end up being the only entry this blog ever sees from me. What a shame then, to deprive others of their right to make comments just because I happen to be an absentee blogger. No! It cannot be! Hence, this entry.
One might ask, why not just wait until I have something to say before adding an entry to my blog. That way, visitors might actually have something to comment about. Overall, a good point. However, I must confess... I am a horribly undisciplined journaler. In fact, this might end up being the only entry this blog ever sees from me. What a shame then, to deprive others of their right to make comments just because I happen to be an absentee blogger. No! It cannot be! Hence, this entry.
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