In the last few weeks I have realized how much reading I will have to do weekly in order to keep up on all of my classes. Honestly, when people told me seminary is not easy they were right! Now the classes themselves mostly make sense and are not too terribly difficult. But mix a social life with reading and taking care of a sick cat (well in my case only) and one realizes that there is not enough time in the day. But seriously, I am doing the best that I can.
I just recently switched to the Masters of Theological Studies program (from the Masters of Divinity program). And I realized that there is a bit of my character that can explain why. First let me explain the context.
When I was reading for my New Testament class, I noticed that what the author was talking about reminded me of the game of Chess. I got to thinking about that game and remembered that it is a game of waiting. The game of chess usually takes quite a long time if played with equal opponents. I thought to myself.. "Maybe that is why I do not play that game... I am not a patient person."
I try my hardest to be patient but I like to get things done. People who know me know that I tend to walk fast, drive fast (I can't stand being behind slow people!!), and in general just try to do things as quickly as possible.
Thus, when I get to do lots of reading, I want to get it done as quickly as possible. I have no patience for wordy books (ie. my Pastoral Care readings) and therefore I get frustrated.
My patience is also why I switched to a Masters of Theological Studies, I want to get done with my masters as soon as possible (while not wasting my time... like by reading the books mentioned above).
One of the sermons from last week said that we as seminary students need to learn to wait. I agree, in part. My seminary experience will be sort of like a game of chess. Strategic planning (mixed with a bit of impatience... no matter how hard I try to be patient), making the right moves, and lots of learning by observation.
Hopefully by the time I graduate I will be a chess master.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Hellenism v. Medieval Prospective
Hellenism means Greek Culture (no it is not a swear word!)
I do not believe in irony. So it is nor ironic that today (9/15) at chapel the Gospel lesson was from Mark 9:30-37 [there are links of the right side of the screen for different Bibles so you can look it up]. This story is similar to the verse from Mark 10:15 that I used to name my blog. Understanding the culture of Jesus' time is important in fully understanding what Mark truly means when he was writing these verses.
Firstly, you must realize that the culture of Jesus' time is VERY different than the American culture. In my New Testament class we are discussing the Greco-Roman culture and how it affected the way the scriptures were written. This is a prime example!!!
When we approach these verses we bring with us the idea that children are wonderful beings. We all wish we could be children again at some point in our lives. This idea was not present in the cultural mindset until the Middle Ages. (Hence Hellenism v. Medieval Perspective).
In the Hellenistic culture, the social status was very different. If you notice the triangle on the right, above the big black line was the portion of the Roman empire that were citizens. At the top is the Emperor. Below him, would be the senate (all males). The rest were adult male citizens (it was rare for women to be considered citizens although it did happen sometimes). Below that line were male non-citizens, slaves, then women and then children. Children were the lowest of low in the Hellenistic culture. They were disgusting, they cried all of the time, needed lots of attention, and also could not reciprocate the help given to them.
Therefore, in Mark 9:30-37, when Jesus asks his disciples to serve a child he was going against the norm. In that time, people who served only served those who could return the favor. (Notice the change in perspective when reading the title of my blog in the Hellenistic mindset).
Jesus says in these verses that to become first you must come last, to be like a child. This does not mean to act childish. He asks them to disregard their status in the society and to serve all people, regardless of their ability to return the favor.
Servitude is the life we seminarians have all chosen when going into our ministry. We need to forget our status in life in order to become like children. That is what Jesus asks all of his disciples to do.
I do not believe in irony. So it is nor ironic that today (9/15) at chapel the Gospel lesson was from Mark 9:30-37 [there are links of the right side of the screen for different Bibles so you can look it up]. This story is similar to the verse from Mark 10:15 that I used to name my blog. Understanding the culture of Jesus' time is important in fully understanding what Mark truly means when he was writing these verses.
Firstly, you must realize that the culture of Jesus' time is VERY different than the American culture. In my New Testament class we are discussing the Greco-Roman culture and how it affected the way the scriptures were written. This is a prime example!!!
When we approach these verses we bring with us the idea that children are wonderful beings. We all wish we could be children again at some point in our lives. This idea was not present in the cultural mindset until the Middle Ages. (Hence Hellenism v. Medieval Perspective).
In the Hellenistic culture, the social status was very different. If you notice the triangle on the right, above the big black line was the portion of the Roman empire that were citizens. At the top is the Emperor. Below him, would be the senate (all males). The rest were adult male citizens (it was rare for women to be considered citizens although it did happen sometimes). Below that line were male non-citizens, slaves, then women and then children. Children were the lowest of low in the Hellenistic culture. They were disgusting, they cried all of the time, needed lots of attention, and also could not reciprocate the help given to them.
Therefore, in Mark 9:30-37, when Jesus asks his disciples to serve a child he was going against the norm. In that time, people who served only served those who could return the favor. (Notice the change in perspective when reading the title of my blog in the Hellenistic mindset).
Jesus says in these verses that to become first you must come last, to be like a child. This does not mean to act childish. He asks them to disregard their status in the society and to serve all people, regardless of their ability to return the favor.
Servitude is the life we seminarians have all chosen when going into our ministry. We need to forget our status in life in order to become like children. That is what Jesus asks all of his disciples to do.
Derivation of Sophia Teknou
Some people have asked me "Where does the blog name come from?" The word "sophia" is Greek for "wisdom." The word "teknou" (pronounced tech-new) is the genitive form of "teknon" which means "of a child." Therefore the direct translation would be "wisdom of a child." But why the title you may ask? Simple.
Reason #1: When I took Greek in undergrad, the book we used was Bill Mounce's Basics of Biblical Greek. The font we downloaded for the class was called "TEKNIAGREEK." Mounce used this name because we were his "little children" learning Greek. That word always stuck with me.
Reason #2: Sophia is a beautiful word. I have always wanted to name one of my daughters that name (if I could find a husband first that would help). It is the word for wisdom and that is what I am striving to gain in my seminary experience.
Reason #3: When I was at orientation, I looked around the room and I knew I was one of the youngest students in my class. (I am not saying that I am THE youngest but in comparison to the average age I am young). Although I don't like to call myself a child the term was fitting. I am a child in my faith and life journey.
Reason #4: When we were at the "Sexual Ethics and Boundaries" Workshop (a requirement for all new students), one of the professors put the verse of Mark 10:15 [see above] and I decided then to name my blog after this verse.
Reason #1: When I took Greek in undergrad, the book we used was Bill Mounce's Basics of Biblical Greek. The font we downloaded for the class was called "TEKNIAGREEK." Mounce used this name because we were his "little children" learning Greek. That word always stuck with me.
Reason #2: Sophia is a beautiful word. I have always wanted to name one of my daughters that name (if I could find a husband first that would help). It is the word for wisdom and that is what I am striving to gain in my seminary experience.
Reason #3: When I was at orientation, I looked around the room and I knew I was one of the youngest students in my class. (I am not saying that I am THE youngest but in comparison to the average age I am young). Although I don't like to call myself a child the term was fitting. I am a child in my faith and life journey.
Reason #4: When we were at the "Sexual Ethics and Boundaries" Workshop (a requirement for all new students), one of the professors put the verse of Mark 10:15 [see above] and I decided then to name my blog after this verse.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Introduction to my blog
Welcome! I am so glad that you have decided to read my blog! This is my way of projecting the ideas and lessons to which I have been subject throughout my seminary career. I will discuss different issues of my personal life as well as the different experience in classes, chapel, and other organizations.
My goal is to include my readers in this journey. Feel free to comment, ask questions, etc. I welcome any opinion that is other than my own.
My only request is that if you read, you also pray for me in my journey. God Bless and I hope you enjoy!
My goal is to include my readers in this journey. Feel free to comment, ask questions, etc. I welcome any opinion that is other than my own.
My only request is that if you read, you also pray for me in my journey. God Bless and I hope you enjoy!
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