The Fall 2010 semester is my second to last semester here in the MA (Theological Studies) program at George Fox Evangelical Seminary. It was an intense semester in which all areas of my life were affected. I will highlight some of the events that had considerable significance.
(1) Death of my grandfather. The loss of a loved one is tough when school is in progress. My grandfather and I were close, so he is dearly missed. I have noticed that much of his way of doing things have become a part of the way I do things—in particular, the way he strives to do things well. In losing him, I really found great love and support in the George Fox community.
(2) Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting. This came between my grandfather’s death and his funeral. It was helpful to take some time to get away, and to be immersed in an academic environment. The SBL experience broadened my thinking and inspires me to become a better contributor to academia and the world.
(3) Spirituality and the Mind. This was a much-needed spiritual formation class. Intellectual pursuit that lifts one up to God is a spiritual matter. Because I am wired this way, I found myself at home in this class.
(4) Christology of the New Testament. This was a class beyond classes—no kidding! Not only did we read Larry W. Hurtado’s Lord Jesus Christ, Richard Bauckham’s Jesus and the God of Israel (2008), and Contours of Christology edited by Richard Longenecker, and Philip Yancey’s The Jesus I Never Knew (with a four-page book review), but we had to read whole gospels and epistles, plus other supplementary articles and notes. To top that off, we were required to read 150 pages of our own choosing on Christology, and write a 5oo-word report on that. The other writings we did were a 3,000- to 4,000-word research paper and an application paper of 750 words. On top of all of this, we had weekly discussion and worksheet posts. Say, WOW!
Beyond the great textbooks and the discussions, the required extra-textbook reading was most helpful because it helped me to grasp better some of Bultmann’s ideas and his significance to biblical studies.
(5) Bi-Optic Project Paper. This was a 20-page of the research that I done for Dr. Paul Anderson on the bi-optic gospels. This was a important because it taught me how to take observations and explain them through written media. I learned how to sustain an argument through many words and pages, interact with scholarship in a more thorough manner, and to establish a rhythm of writing.
Now that a writing rhythm has been ingrained in me, and that I have done a course that appears to mimic the Ph.D. load, I feel that no class is unconquerable. For now, however, I have a break that is waiting to be enjoyed.
JohnDave, sorry to hear about your grandfather. The Christology course sounds very interesting, will you be uploading any of your papers here? Love to read them.
Robert,
Thanks for the sympathy. Yes, I will upload my Christology class papers here in the next day or so. I will let you know when they go up.
Good grief! That is a lot of reading, even for an English major. But kudos for getting through it all, even with the loss of a loved one. I sincerely hope you’re enjoying the break!
@JohnDave,
I am excited about your work with Paul Anderson. Way to put the Fourth Gospel back on the map of serious historical study!
Jeremy: I know, right?! The textbooks readings themselves was 1,150 pages. Thanks for your condolences. Yes, it’s only the first day, but I’m really enjoying it.
Brian: Thanks! There’s still a long ways to go, but it has to begin somewhere. See you tonight.
It’s going to be awesome. Have you begun thinking about whether or not a Ph.D. is to follow?
Robert: I got two of my papers up on the “Essays/Papers” tab.
Brian: I definitely see the PhD in the future. I will need to get a job first to pay down some of this debt, and to study for the GRE. 🙂
JohnDave, thanks! You guys working on your Masters, and considering a PhD is awesome! At my age with everything I have going on in my life, and trust me it’s a full and busy plate, I am struggling with my undergrad studies. But I’m determined to finish even if it kills me – well not literally LOL. My advice, do it now while you are young and get as much done before you start a family and working full time. Plus I need a few friends that are PhD’s 😉
Robert,
You’re welcome, and thanks for the encouragement and advice! You can definitely finish your undergrad. Think of how nice it will be not to have to write out another assignment for a deadline until the next thing comes along, like a Master of Arts. 🙂 How much longer for you? When I get to looking over my other Christology papers, I will get them up onto the papers section as well.
JohnDave, I have 3 years left it’s a long story LOL. The UK undergrad degrees are all research based so in some ways that is awesome, in other ways it’s tough as I’m always unsure of myself. I was originally hoping to move right into a Master program, but now I am rethinking that. The good thing is that I don’t have to make any decision now, the goal is just to finish the BTh, and I can decide then. I do appreciate your encourgement. I think that the tough part is doing it on line, verses being in a classroom. It would be nice to have some school-mates to study with or at least to chat about my classes. We do have a on-line forum, and we can arragne to talk to the teachers but it’s not the same. These are the challenges of on-line studies, and I understood that when I enrolled.
I download two of your papers, the Christology one and the review of Philip Yancy’s book. Christology is one my favorite subjects, I’ll read your papers today Lord willing.
That’s interesting about the UK degrees being research based. So does that mean you end up writing some of thesis project toward the end? Yes, I don’t have many good feelings toward an online environment, primarily because of the reasons you listed. In addition, it’s really hard to get a deep conversation going in an online environment, especially if the class changes topics each week. Are there people in your circles who like to talk about the things you’re doing in class? At the very least, your blogging family is always open to having a good chat about the things you’re learning here. 🙂 I’m glad you like Christology—it’s one of my faves too.
JohneDave, in the undgrad degree you work through levels 4-6, in level 4 you submit one 2000 word paper, level 5, a 4000 word paper, and level 6, a 6000 word paper or two 3000 word papers depends on the class.
No I don’t have any friends that are interested at this level of learning which I why I blog. But I don’t blog much on my subjects for fear that what I blog on I may want to use for my papers and I don’t want to be discounted if it appears that I solicited help in writing my paper. I can discuss my class but it’s a fine line so I guess I just play it safe.
Robert,
That’s a really neat way to do the undergrad degree. So is there only one class per level, or are there multiple? Totally understandable what you mean about being seen as soliciting for help. It is best to play it safe on things pertaining to school.
JohnDave, forgot to mention that they do provide a series of lectures (mp3) for each course. There are multiple classes for each level.