Developments in My Theological Education

Yesterday, I enrolled in my classes for my first semester at Phillips. I have just three this semester, as most classes this spring semester have prerequisites.

New students at Phillips have to take four introductory classes known as “portal classes.” This semester, I’ll be taking two of those, titled “Context Matters” and “Vocation Matters.”

Context Matters is described as such in the course catalog:

Combining the disciplines of Practical Theology and Church History, the Context Matters course introduces students to the careful analysis of historical and cultural/situational contexts as a fundamental aspect of researching the past and exploring contemporary practical settings. This course functions as a prerequisite for all practical theology courses, upper level church history courses, and all immersion courses.  Instructors: Ellen Blue, Mouzon Biggs, Jr. Professor of the History of Christianity and United Methodist Studies, and Mindy McGarrah Sharp, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Ethics.

Context has an extensive book list:

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

The Acts of the Apostles

The Story of Christianity, Vol. 2, The Reformation to the Present Day by Justo L. González, revised and updated.

Practicing our Faith: A Way of Life for a Searching People, 2nd edition, by Dorothy C. Bass. Jossey-Bass

St. Mark’s and the Social Gospel: Methodist Women and Civil Rights in New Orleans, 1895-1965 by Ellen Blue.

We are also required to view the films Romero (one of my favorites) and The Mission.

Vocation Matters, the other portal course, is an online course this semester. Here is the class description:

This course provides an introduction to the practices of developing and sustaining vocation, including issues of ministerial identity and professional ethics. Attention will be given to historical and contemporary models for ministry, ordination and leadership, spiritual practices, and ethical theories that will enable students to develop their own image for ministry and a professional code of ethics, both of which can serve as a continuing guide for responsible practices of ministerial leadership. This course functions as a prerequisite for all upper level practical theology courses. Instructors, Kathleen D. McCallie, Assistant Professor of Ministerial Leadership and Ethics, and Richard F. Ward, the Fred B. Craddock Professor of Homiletics and Worship.

And the booklist:

Blodgett, Barbara J. Lives Entrusted: An Ethic of Trust for Ministry. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2008.

Cahalan, Kathleen A. Introducing the Practice of Ministry. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2010.

Daniel, Lillian and Martin B. Copenhaver. This Odd and Wondrous Calling. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009.

Fluker, Walter Earl. Ethical Leadership: The Quest for Character, Civility, and Community. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2009.

Robinson, Marilynne. Gilead: A Novel. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2004.

Svennungsen, Ann M. and Melissa Wiginton. Awakened to a Calling: Reflections on the Vocation of Ministry. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005.

Taylor, Barbara Brown. The Preaching Life. Boston: Cowley Publications, 1993.

Finally, my final class is called Theological Issues in Film. It is described as:

A study of how films represent and create an American mythology. Students will learn how to view films critically and interpret their theological and religious significance.  They will explore models for understanding the place of electronic media in our culture and theological responses to related issues. Satisfies Cultures and Contexts requirement. No prerequisites. Meets during the Concentrated Course Week, March 7-11, Mon-Fri, 8:30am–5:00pm. Instructor: Brandon Scott, Darbeth Distinguished Professor of New Testament Emeritus.

As it says, this is a concentrated course that just takes place for a week in March.

My book list for this course is:

Neil Postman, “Five Things We need to Know about Technological Change.” http://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/~rogaway/classes/188/materials/postman.pdf

Nicholas Carr, “Is Google Making us Stupid,” Atlantic (July/August 2008) http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/google

David Weinberger, Too Big to Know (2012)

Bernard Brandon Scott. Hollywood Dreams and Biblical Stories. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994.

I’m excited about these classes. It’s a good easy entry into my first semester as seminary.

12495974_10208162878370266_4700573117887910811_oSo, in addition to all this, I also was given the gift of a selection of books of my choice. I picked out six titles that are foundational texts in 20th century theology. I hope to read these along side my assigned texts, to get a better grasp on theological thought as I enter this new phase of life. My new list of books is:

I and Thou by Martin Buber

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Divine Relativity: A Social Conception of God by Charles Hartshorne

Dynamics of Faith by Paul Tillich

Honest to God by John A.T. Robinson

The Crucified God by Jurgen Moltmann

I’m looking forward very much to all of this, and I can’t wait to share and engage here on my new learnings! Let me know what you think of my classes and reading materials.

 

Blogging the NT: Colossians 1-2

bloggingthentWe move next from Ephesians to Colossians. These two letters share much similarity, and many scholars now believe they were written close to the same time, by either the same author or two people from the same Pauline community.

Colossians chief interest seems to be in pushing back against some contrary teaching that the people of Colossae had received concerning access to God and the attendant wisdom that comes with that. The author of this letter reminds his readers of the story of Christ, and direct access to God modeled in his life.

In the first chapter, there is a beautiful ancient hymn the author quotes in full, in verses 15-23. I want to share that hymn here, as a source of contemplation and prayer.

He is the image of the invisible God,

The firstborn of all creation;

for in him all things in heaven

and on earth

were created,

things visible

and invisible,

whether thrones

or dominions

or rulers

or powers-

all things have been created through him

and for him.

He himself is before all things,

and in him

all things hold together.

He is head of the body,

the church;

he is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead,

so that he might come to have first place in everything.

For in him

all the fullness of God

was pleased to dwell,

and through him

God was pleased to reconcile

to God’s self

all things,

whether on earth

or in heaven,

by making peace

though the blood of his cross.

And you

who were once estranged

and hostile in mind,

doing evil deeds,

he has now reconciled

in his fleshly body

through death,

so as to present you

holy

blameless

irreproachable

before him-

provided that

you continue

securely established and steadfast

in the faith,

without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard

which has been proclaimed

to every creature

under heaven.

Next: Colossians 3-4

For an explanation on this series, click here.

On to Phillips Theological Seminary!

It’s official!

12410575_10208128665034954_5963324644027054454_nYesterday, I received my acceptance letter to Phillips Theological Seminary, here in Tulsa. I start classes in two short weeks, on January 26th. This moment has been 2+ years coming, and I’m thrilled to get started.

You can learn more about PTS here. It is a Disciples-affiliated seminary that has a proud reputation of being one of the most progressive theological schools in the country.

A big part of this blog has been the intention of PTS-logoblogging about my experiences in seminary. Since that is starting soon, I hope to write plenty about what I’m learning and doing and experiencing at Phillips. And I look forward to your feedback and engagement as part of the learning and growing process.

Wish me luck!