Tagged Disciple on April 05th, 2007
Seminary has helped me prepare for a life of service by offering me time to shape and build more than a few indispensable tools that are absolutely required for this postmodern world in which we move, live, breathe and minister. I will, in a few short weeks, be handed my M.Div. I earned it at Lancaster Theological Seminary, a progressive, if not religiously liberal, institution. No, I’m not in agreement with everything that happens at LTS, but that is not the point. So, what is the point?
The point: I have learned the value of deconstruction and reconstruction during my time spent in seminary. Deconstruction is beyond important if we are ever to authentically call our Christian faith our own. Too, deconstruction without reconstruction results only in the lack of an authentic foundation, context, and tangible faith center. Such lack leaves one ‘floating in utter meaningless,’ for lack of a better description. Deconstruction is only half of the journey; reconstruction is the other half. Reconstruction leads to an authentic, dedicated, and spiritually potent center founded upon Christ. It leads to a roomy, sacred place that exists well beyond the small, crowded places identified by such tired labels as “conservative” and “liberal.” The postmodern world we live in is all about deconstruction. I wonder, does it simply stop there? It does feel more crowded than roomy at times, doesn’t it? The number of very tired labels takes up so much space all on their own!
Education is a very, very good thing. I praise God for my education. It’s a blessing and a privilege. I know it.
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Congratulations on the MDiv. I agree on the label business too. Many people consider me ‘liberal’ but I also hold some fairly conservative views as well. I just think the labels are restricting and pretty much useless except to divide us into neat little groups which really don’t exist anyway.
Art
April 5th, 2007
Right on, Art. Life - real life - can’t be lived in either label, exclusively. The attempt to so is beyond silly. Besides, the Gospel covers the best of each … and ignores the worst. So, what’s the point of limiting oneself in such a silly fashion.
I’m neither liberal, nor conservative. I found both wanting. I want to go beyond both. You hit the nail on the head with the word “restricting.” Good stuff.
Thanks for dropping in, Art. I enjoy your blog and am feed reading your feed regularly! Peace.
Shawn
April 5th, 2007
[…] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptIt does feel more crowded than roomy at times, doesn’t it? The number of very tired labels takes up so much space all on their own! Education is a very, very good thing. I praise God for my education. It’sa blessing and a privilege. … […]
online » What Did a Seminary Education Do for Me?
April 6th, 2007