The Joy of Glory

Discovering endless joy in the boundless glory of God…

Tag: seminary

September 3, 2013

Letter #17: It’s not about the Paper…it’s about the Passion

Dear Jonathan,

I remember several points in my seminary career when I was discouraged, my friends were discouraged…or both. Many of us wanted to quit along the way. John-Mark probably more than anyone else…well…he and Jeremy.

As we crammed church history into our heads the day before a test, Jeremy would lament the manner in which our time was being “wasted.” He’d think of all the things we could be doing that would be “more” productive.

To a certain extent I agreed with him, but I knew (and so did he) that what we were doing in those moments wasn’t necessarily meant to bear immediate fruit, but future fruit. I would encourage him to keep on going because we were so close to finishing. His general response was, “J, I don’t want to do something just for a piece of paper…just for a diploma.” I couldn’t agree with him more.

graduation-cap-and-diploma-1024x749It’s not about the paper…it’s about the passion.

In those moments, I had to remind myself that all this work should in some way be stirring up within me a deeper passion for knowing God and making him known. Even as I looked at subjects like church history I knew that the lives of saints past should waken my heart to the wonder of a God who has worked through the lives of his people in all times!

Study can dull the affections of the heart, but only if you let it.  Wind can extinguish a flame…or that same breeze of oxygen, when channeled correctly, may actually serve as fuel. You want your studies to do the latter!

You and your friends are getting closer to the finish line and the paper, that wonderful diploma, is in sight! But…don’t run the race to graduation for the paper. Run it to know Jesus more. When you feel your studies are burdensome, know that there is mostly likely not something wrong with your material, but with your heart.

Jonathan, we have talked a lot about what NOT to cultivate at seminary, but perhaps I should focus more on what you should be cultivating. ZEAL! PASSION! LOVE…for the son of God who loved you and gave himself up for you.

It’s not about the paper…it’s about the passion.

Grace and Peace,

J

*To know/understand the premise behind these letters please click here.

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August 28, 2013

Letter #16: Losing…Even When You Win

Dear Jonathan,

I’m not sure you understood my last letter, so I’m going to try this again. It seems like a big issue…I know it was for me. I know you were sad about recently losing a debate with one of your friends, but honestly…SO WHAT! You don’t have to win every debate for Jesus, especially in seminary! As a matter of fact, from my experience, I would tell you that when it comes to debating/arguing in seminary…

You lose…even when you win!

What I mean is this…Seminary is spring-loaded for pride (which we’ve talked about before). The gaining of so much knowledge in such a short period of time can easily produce a haughty spirit. There is, after all, knowledge that puffs up.

Hanging Boxing GlovesWhen you turn your “extra-curricular” time into theological boxing matches, this only produces opportunities for you to flex your newly formed hermeneutical muscles with the hope of knocking out your opponent. Too many KOs and you will begin to think yourself stronger than you truly are…

I call this “Seminary steroids”…and just like in pro-ball…they should be illegal.

You are injecting an unwarranted/false sense of superiority into your mind and heart. This will only be damaging to you, but also to your interlocutors. I’m not telling you to avoid theological discussion…not at all! I’m only saying, do not make winning such discussions your goal.

What then is the point you may ask? Simple…the goal is not winning, but understanding. The goal is not to prove your point, but to explain it. You should walk away from the discussion having a better grasp on your friend’s position and vice versa.

Such talks can actually lead to greater mutual respect and a deeper understanding of multiple theological opinions. This also promotes humility, for to understand another’s position, you must humbly open yourself to actually hearing it.

Jonathan, trying to win every argument in seminary will not lead you toward lasting friendships or a fuller understanding of the church to which you are trying to minister…because in seminarian debates…

You lose…even when you win.

Grace and Peace,

J

*To know/understand the premise behind these letters please click here.

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August 13, 2013

Letter #14: Evangelism is not an Elective

Dear Jonathan,

I hope you are finding my letters encouraging and that they are not simply sounding like parental lectures. That is not my goal. I just want to share with you things I wish had been shared with me during my seminary journey.

You are just over the halfway point in this process, and I honestly believe you are growing in many great ways. I do think you are at a great point to pause and reassess why you are doing what you’re doing. Why are you even going to seminary?

Do you remember our early exchanges where we talked about the purpose of seminary? Instead of rehashing all those things, I think I’ll try to restate it all very simply…

You are going to seminary in order that you may better know God and make him known.

I think you are accomplishing the first half of that sentence. In all our exchanges, I can sense your excitement as your relationship with God deepens and widens. However, truly knowing God should always lead to us making him known! So…I hope you understand something that I completely missed during my seminarian years…

EvangelismEvangelism is not an elective!

It is crazy to think that you could actually spend three to four years of your life dedicated to theological studies, but never share anything you’re learning. How could one spend so much time soaking in the riches of who God is and never tell anyone?

I nearly did just that, and I do not want you to fall into the same pit as I did. The gospel by definition is news, and news it meant to be announced…shared! As you come to know God through Christ more and more, your heart should be aching to make him known…to declare the gospel!

Jonathan, it is so important that you find ways to interact with people who do not know Jesus. Make friends who are unbelievers. I’m not asking you to treat people like projects…looking at them as mere potential converts that will give you more stripes on your Christian black belt. No. I’m simply asking you to love people who do not know the love of Christ.

In doing this, sharing your faith will happen more organically, for we naturally talk about which we are passionate. You are passionate about Christ…make him known! Don’t wait for seminary to require this of you or offer a class on it…

Evangelism is not an elective…it is a directive from Jesus!

Grace and Peace,

J

*To know/understand the premise behind these letters please click here.

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