(The only pic I have from seminary :])
(DISCLAIMER: After each weekend of lectures we turn in a reflection from what most impacted us and how it impacts our ministry. These are just my reflections and do not include much scripture nor a lot of the content from the lectures.)
Weekend 3:
Lecture 7 over the book of Exodus had to be the most encouraging over the weekend through seeing the theme of the whole book and it's sequential pattern: one, beginning with the rescue of God's people,
two, the outworking’s of that redemption and what it is leading us towards (a
relationship with God from which His presence is the reward) and three, His blessings
and abundant life that are the eventual outcome of that intimate relationship. This sequence sets the framework by which we live as Christians; which moves from "Being" (who we are declared to be in unity with Christ) to "Doing" (our actions being compelled by the grace we've received) and "Having" (all the blessings that are ours in Christ.) With this framework
(Be>Do>Have), we cannot "miss" the gospel by putting something
before our Savior and Bridegroom but we see that He, Himself, is our very
abundance of life and our greatest reward. Our nature is so inclined to move from do>have>be which is very contrary to this message from Exodus and the centrality of the Bible.
It also allows and frees us to properly enjoy and use our blessings
(future and present) to the glory of our Father. We can enjoy these blessings (spiritual, physical, mental, etc.) as we completely render them to the service of our Savior. All of these blessings, especially these, come from the empowerment of my Father who is abundant and full in all of them, the very source. Relatively, I feel very fortunate with how He's blessed me and a part of me felt guilty for receiving any sort of gifts. However, seeing as they are from God to enjoy Him and to bring Him glory in my worship to Him was very freeing for me. With the proper view of blessings, as an outflow from our extraordinary
God, we can properly enjoy them as that rather than as a comfort and joy in
themselves. From whom they come is my comfort and joy as I offer them completely to the service of my LORD; to give Him the glory for every bit that I receive (or lose) because it came from Him and was given (or taken away) for the most significant purpose: God's glory which is joined with our joy. For now, we have the anticipation of these "blessings" that will fully manifest themselves one day in the 'new heaven' and 'new earth.' This left me with more questions. How, as a young, single girl, can I practically offer those things to the LORD to bring glory to His name? Thankfully, He gives us the Spirit and His Word to help answer those questions.
Knowing these key theological principals, in its proper
sequence, helps me to have Christ at the center of my life and my
ministry. I hope to replicate this theme
and emphasis to all those I disciple in my youth ministry group, friends, and
all other future relationships.
Weekend 2:
Learning about the three ways in which to view scientific
and theological discoveries was helpful for me to be more at peace in my
conscience with the study of the Word as it relates with or, rather,
differentiates from the study of the world. Realizing that they both
answer different questions about the same thing (Science: answering 'how' and 'what'; Theology: answering 'from whom' and why') helped me to separate them in a
complementary way that does not undermine one study over the other yet leaves
you humbly accepting that there is an excess of information we are unaware of
in both the theological and scientific realms. It is a constant process of discovery with the goal of reaching closer and closer to the truth. Knowing that God is
sovereign over both realms (scientific and theological) gave me freedom to pursue knowledge and wisdom in
both. It also gives me a passion to share these insights with friends
and family that seek to oppose scripture with scientific
evidence. Given the context of scripture and its purpose towards its
ancient audience completely transforms how one should approach God’s written
word and I hope to be a part of redeeming and reforming the misconstrued
approach that Christians started out with at the onset of new scientific
discoveries.
I am leading eight youth girls from my church in a
discipleship group and for my next formal gathering I intend to challenge them
with what they believe about science and its discoveries as it relates to the
theological concepts of God's Word. I plan to introduce to them
these three different approaches and to especially emphasize the questions that
each answer. My hopes are that they would develop a deeper love for God's
Word as they grow a deeper conviction of its infallibility. It excites me
to get to share some of the things I am learning in seminary with these
middle/upper class girls that will be influential in the rising
generation.
Weekend 1:
After sitting in my first seminary class ever, I left
wondering how I ever studied the Bible before!
Professor gave very insightful information about the Bible regarding its
cultural, geographical, archaeological, theological context while connecting it with how it impacts scripture. I loved this.
My favorite example of this was Friday night’s lecture where God’s
blueprint for His sanctuary was laid out.
From the beginning to the end we saw the common thread that runs
throughout God’s inspired Word. The
orientation of His sanctuary was always faced in such a way to receive His
blessing, it was decorated with the most beautiful floral arrangements and
precious gems, and it was guarded by fierce cherubim or angels. I enjoyed watching how God’s sanctuary
progressed through time from a building that indwelt His presence, to as it’s
seen in nature, and now within His very own people. Earlier
God was visibly present to His people through a cloud or sanctuary. Now, the abundance of life we have in God’s
presence is within us. As the temple has the specific orientation towards the East, we have a specific orientation in Jesus. Even in having
His very own Spirit within us, there is more
to look forward to. We will one day
raise with Christ in glorification when God reigns once again; fully dwelling
with us and reigning on earth.
I walked away knowing God (as seen in His trinity)
greater! As this truth penetrates and
impacts me, it works outward to impact my relationships and ministry. I am inviting others to join in this
abundance that is God Himself. My ministry is not a list of “how to’s” or
“what not’s” but a gift of life itself; the most abundant and fulfilling life that one can possibly experience that comes through
faith in His Son. It is so abundant that it fills and outflows
to produce beautiful fruit. It becomes
adorned with beauty, is in a proper orientation for God’s blessing (this proper
orientation is found only in the status of righteousness in His Son), and is
guarded by Christ in the hand of God forever.
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