Top Ten Reasons I’m Taking a Seminary Class

I need some reminders and accountability that I’m actually going to follow through with this seminary class I’m planning on taking this fall, “Old Testament Biblical Theology”.

I went to an orientation and convocation this week and felt a little out of place at first.  I stuck around afterwards and met some of the students and faculty and started to warm up to the idea that my heart and mind might really enjoy pouring into the Bible a little deeper.

So, I’m going on record with you.  I thought I’d work on a new list - the ”Top Ten Reasons I’m Taking a Seminary Class”.  So here goes:

10. I’m a glutton for punishment.

9. Living in the D.C. area, I have a ton of free time.

8. No seriously, I’ve flirted with the seminary website, www.rts.edu for years. It’s time I put my toe in the water.

7.  Art Lindsley told me to.

6. In prayer this summer, a ton of questions came into my mind out of nowhere about the Old Testament – questions I could have given you half-decent theological answers to, but answers that were no longer sufficing for my heart. Questions like:

• If Old Testament “believers” were righteous by faith, what did they place their faith on?
• What exactly does it mean to be called “righteous”?
• If they were deemed righteous by faith, why did Jesus need to die?

I wrote these down in my journal at that very moment because it’s not often these type of questions come up in my usual “Lord, help me through tomorrow” prayers.  Ultimately, these questions demand the overarching question, “Why does Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection matter?”  I know, but I don’t know in the way that I want to know. You know?

5. I do “communications” for a living, which means I like to think, write, speak, persuade, etc.  In particular, I do communications for a Christian non-profit organization. I believe that God uses people like me when they have something to say that comes from Him as a result of prayer and “chewing” on His Word.  No eating God’s Word, not much to say.

4. I feel “thin. Sort of stretched, like…butter scraped over too much bread” – a quote by Bilbo Baggins in Lord of the Rings. You ever feel like the faith that you claim to rest your life on is a just a little shallow? Not like you’re superficial or a hypocrite, just that you need a deeper foundation and a better reason for things.  Actually, I don’t know that I really feel this way, but I like saying it, and I like Bilbo and Lord of the Rings.

3. I’ve been reading Carolyn Custis James and specifically her When Life and Beliefs Collide. In this book, she challenges women to be better theologians.  Why? Because when everything hits the fan, your theology matters.  Also, you’ll have more depth to offer others as you come alongside those who are wrestling and seeking.

2. Why not? It’s only one class. I’m going to take it for credit. Exams, paper(s) – I don’t even know how many yet – lots of reading, less TV, etc.  It’s not like it’s a commitment for the rest of my life.

1. Because I trust God will do something cool in my heart when I step out in faith with Him.

That’s it. It’s official. Wish me luck!

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