Question for Theology/Church guys (and gals)

Christopher,

You are correct in noting my "general" type of experience and focus. I often say I'm cursed with what I call the Benjamin Franklin Complex: I have numerous talents and interests. To be happy, I have to engage in most, if not all of them, at the same time.

I don't think of myself as the jack of all trades and master of none, as I have had some measure of success in all of my endeavors.

For instance, I have 20 years of experience as an award-winning newspaper reporter; 24 years of experience as a pastor, evangelist and writer of Christian literature; over 20 years of experience as a portrait artist and cartoonist; 10 years of experience as a freelance copywriter and seminar leader.

I have authored books and training guides on World War II history, art, journalism, local history and self help.

I also write monthly columns on journalism and fundraising for two national publications. In addition to all this, I have 13 years with the military.

Forgive me for turning this into a CV of sorts. But I mention this to underscore your point, and to show why I feel the need to have a secular degree. Perhaps "need" is the wrong word as I have achieved a number of goals in various fields without a degree. So maybe "want" or "desire" would be more appropriate.

Since I'm now in my 40s, I expect to spend the rest of my days in fulltime ministry. Everything else will be seen as a part-time venture. Still, I would like to at least have a degree for my work in the secular.

Besides, it always helps to have a spare tire.

Hope this isn't too confusing.

Roscoe

 

Roscoe...

Thanks for coming clean and fully disclosing your "real life" identity.

This helps. And you are clearly my senior so I won't try to say too much.

If a spare tire is what you want, which I think is a very WISE, responsible use of your time, why not try a "path of least resistance" kind of tire. Life is too short to spend all your time getting degrees. You already have lots of education. Why not find a program that will take a great deal of what you have and that will allow you to specialize in one particular "tire" discipline or another, and then just take those courses? I almost wouldn't think it would matter if its a BA, MA or PhD.

Obviously, you have plenty of talents and gifts. If you do go on for more education, remember it is only for a time. And to quote Gandalf "all you have to decide is what to do with the time that has been given to you." Don't let the culture, even the mighty culture of degreeinfo, pull you into deciding something that is extra for you, something that is not necessary for you to be the person you were, I believe, created to be. If you want a spare, don't shop for anything more.

Chris

 

Thanks Christopher,

You offer some good words of wisdom and encouragement. And hey, speak freely and don't hold back. I'm never too old to learn from a younger person. I've lived with the belief that I can learn from anyone and I'm always open ... with an insatiable craving knowledge. I suspect that's why I'm still single.

My exwife once said: "I suppose if I turned into a book, I could get your attention, huh?"

I smiled and said, "So you read minds, now."

She walked away and slammed the door.

OK. enough of that. Just wanted to say thanks.

Roscoe

P.S. I see you went to Multnomah. I recall back in the '80s when that school was the talk of the town. I had military chaplains who tried relentlessly to get me to go there. Sometimes I wished I had.

 

Were you a Chaplain Assistant? Where were you stationed.

North

 

North,

Yep. I was a chaplain's assistant. But when I first joined in '80, we were called chapel activity specialists. The new name came about as we spent more time in the field.

On state side, I was stationed at Ft. Monmouth, Ft. Dix, Ft. Riley, Ft. Bliss and Ft. Meade. Spent two tours in Germany. First in Pirmasens and then in Vilseck. I left Vilseck right before the start of the Gulf War. When the war started, I was at Ft. Meade, preparing to go to seminary in Gettysburg.

Where you in the military?

Roscoe

 

I too was a chaplain assistant/Unit Ministry Team NCO from the late late 80's through the mid nineties. I was stationed in Ansbach (loved Germany) and Ft. Bliss.

North

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: How to make this decision...

Hi Bill,

I know it is only bantering, and actually I find all of it interesting for the most part. At the times I do not, I do what anyone would do and just skip over it, paying no mind.

My reason for posting isn't that I have a hard time believing in predestination, it is that I have a hard time logically eliminating it if there is a god. If there is (and we are facing a life of predestination), then we are only colored by numbers, which raises serious questions about anyones culpability or value. The only way I seem to be able to logically counter these arguments is to think as a heretic who nonetheless believes in god (ie an imperfect god, multiple gods, etc.) or remain agnostic.

As to your "two 'seemingly' contradictory positions", this is where religion, for me, gets difficult. It seems any position, whether Calvinism, Arminianism, or any other is rife with 'seeming' contradictions. I am not bashing any position, just stating my thoughts on the matter, and have been known to be wrong before .

With that having been said, I want to reassure you that I wasn't offended and have no wish to offend anyone here with my own vaguely formed thoughts on this subject.

Tony

And the best with your educational pursuits.

 

Tony,

Honesty is a virtue and at times, highly refreshing. Thanks for sharing.

Roscoe

 

Uncle J,

Thanks for the note on "career insurance." I like that and will probably use that terminology from now on. When I look at some of my friends and family members who are unemloyed, I feel gratitude for having gone to school. My belief is that while education offers no guarantees, it does gives us options -- something that's needed when one door closes.

Roscoe

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How to make this decision...

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Thanks Tony

For me the difficult issue about Scripture's inspiration is that if God in it has made a revelation then it would seem to follow that He intends it to be understood.

But if God intends the doctrines of Scripture to be understood, then why is there so much theological disagreement in the development of dogma. Why, EG, do some denominations baptize infants and others not if the doctrine of baptism is right there in Scripture divinely intended by God for our knowing?

The crux of Christendom's faith concerns how Jesus relates to God. This is the general area of my thesis . Here in defining this relation , within the evangelical 'branch' only understand now, which one would think would considerably narrow opinion , we cannot even agree on major qualities ( eg what does 'Son' imply,) which may exist in the relationship of the Son to the Father. I find myself now rejecting much of the tradition in the Christian Church of the last 1500 years( eg some parts of the Nicene and Chalcedonian affirmations) !

This is one reason why I so freely banter with my pals here. I cannot be sure I'm right even though I believe God has revealed Himself and that in the originals has done so inerrantly! And so while I do not wholly trust my own interpretations I do trust the commitment of the faith of friends here. If they accept our Lord then I accept them and respect their beliefs.

Thanks for your kind note.
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Yes theology presents many problems and I savor each one and wish I had time to deal with each!. But faith is commitment to a Person , not just to a doctrinal system, and objections to a system should not keep one from personal commitment. I married my wife after briefly seeing her twice! I committed myself to her even though I did not entirely know what she was like, and she to me. Our marriage has lasted. And we learn more about each other as we go.

 

Bill,

Well stated.

Indeed, it is primarily about faith in a PERSON.

Roscoe