[athanatos]

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

Hey, sometimes if no one posts in your journal you feel like you're talking to yourself right? I've actualy checked your journal a few times.

Aye. Well thanks for stopping by.



The satyr, tense and unsure, slowly clopped toward the bull that was sitting on a rock. A lizard crept forth and asked him "Do you swear to tell the truth?" The satyr replied, "I am a man who knows the truth, and a goat who cannot lie. Yes, I swear it." The bull spoke, "Please sit at my side. Who are you exactly? What happened? Please tell us plainly."

"Wie heißen Sie?"
- Ich bin [Name von der Zeuge]
"Arbeiten Sie bei [Name von der Platz], bei [Name von der Straße], [Name von der Stadt]?"
- "Ja."
"Was machen Sie dort?"
- "Ich bin Zähler."
"Haben Sie da um 20 Juni 2008 gearbeitet?"
- "Ja."
.... "Haben Sie [Name von der Frau] vor gesehen?"
- "Ja."
"Ist sie hier jetzt?"
- "Ja."
"Identifizieren Sie, bitte. Sagen Sie, was sie trägt, was ist die Farbe von ihr Haar?“
- "Ja, sie sitzt da, links des Tisch. ... Ihr Haar ist schwartz."

"Was there anything that tipped you off into thinking it was a fraudlent check by looking at it?"
- "Yes. The issuer's address looked sloppy. There was no space in between the number and the street name. There were extra commas between the city and state."

"Was there anything else that seemed suspicious, such as the amount the check was for?"
- "Yes. We see many checks that are between $2,000 and $3,000 dollars which turn out to be fraudulent. The amount of the check was for $2,850.00."

"You spoke with [Name of bank], is that correct?"
- "Yes, I called them and they redirected me to customer service, who identified that there was fraudulent activity on the account and that I was not to honor the check."

"Did you cash the check?"
- "No. I did not."

The woman sighed and shook her head in denial, as he identified the reasons of her presenting the check. Yet he was confident of what she stated the check was for, and where she had been. The prosecutor continued to ask questions until as much of the matter was exhausted. The defense attorney came forward, asked questions of intent, the witness's expertise, and a number of related issues. She emphasized the extent of his knowledge, how he dealt with her client, and whether he was asked to see if the check was good or if he could cash it. The prosecutor was given another chance to return the argument, to emphasize what he knew was not the case - she did not ask if the check was fraudelent.

That was just a preliminary exam; I may need to testify again in court, but I hope I never have to do that again.

[athanatos]

Giving up. I want to give up. There's so much going on and my heart is heavy with frustration and my strivings are backed by impotent might. I want to say I've honestly tried to reconcile things with people, but I can't seem to let go that we aren't reconciled. I want to say I've honestly tried to be a good leader, but I can't seem to let go that we are divided. Giving up with both are easier. Giving up would probably haunt me. Probably? What am I thinking? Definitely would haunt me.

I think I want to take a break from certain things, focus more on some other things. I am not a leader of men, nor do I prefer to follow. I like doing my own thing. But I have been learning most of my life to try to follow, and I can do that when a good leader is there. When there isn't, responsibility seems to come to me because I am competent and know what is going on and how things work. I am not the best with delegating work, nor am I very good with controlling or charging groups of people. Obviously this is a stretching point. Something the Potter wants to rub, push, and press until I am conformed. Not a comfortable feeling, really.

But I also want to give up on chasing Martha. We don't come across each other very often. Trying to come across more often isn't easy. She isn't very social, she's very reserved. So trying to go out and everything with her is hard. I feel like I'm trying to hard to do so. That isn't good. It isn't natural. If it isn't natural, then why would it be natural later? If it wouldn't be natural later, then it isn't worth it in the long run. If it isn't good in the long........ I'm doing this wrong. here. Right now. Two big problems: I am venting on the internet instead of just letting it go and pressing on; and I'm applying conditionals and logic demands. I may even have a slippery slope fallacy. The thing is that the uncertainty and the impatience are so strong. I know this to be true.

My goal: focus on my duties, and the rest of things will be on back-burner. I really don't think I have the energy to throw myself in that direction right now. I'll make an effort, but nothing that spreads me too thin... which is what I am feeling right now.

Meanwhile, I need prayer that my friend and I will be reconciled and the things that I need to get done and organize with the group will be done well and quickly.

[athanatos]

Well, my stomach isn't feeling great.

And it wasn't those cookies that were imported from Poland.

I am not sure why I'm typing. I don't feel like talking.

On to more important things.

[Chrysostom]

Originally Posted by athanatos

The seminaries that stand out the most to me are:
Dallas Theological Seminary (Dallas, TX) http://www.dts.edu/
$360 /hr - Baptist ... like the kind that the GARBC accepts, Dispensational eschatology

If you wind up here, seek out John Hannah, Church History prof. You'll like him a lot. A very wise man. He is Reformed, which is what you're looking for. (He also teaches at the Westminster satellite campus in Dallas.) But I recommend against DTS. I spent a year in Arlington and met several students.. Not a fan.

Originally Posted by athanatos

Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, PA; Dallas, TX) http://www.wts.edu/
$370 /hr - Reformed ... like Presbyterian, good stuff

Westminster is currently going through some huge internal strife. Last year a professor was found innocent by the other professors but the trustees voted to kick him out. The dissenting members of the board (it was either a one or two-vote margin, IIRC) resigned. One of the students was expelled without charge. (I know the guy somewhat.. There are a lot of trouble-makers in the Reformed community but he's not one of them.) Ten years ago it would have been the best possible choice, no question. Today its future is up in the air. However, you could probably still get into a good PhD program if you went to WTS.

Originally Posted by athanatos

Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson, MS; Orlando, FL) http://www.rts.edu/
$345 /hr - Reformed ... good stuff.
Bethel University (St. Paul, MN, near Minneapolis) http://seminary.bethel.edu/
$300 /hr - An Evangelical sort, more Baptist or Reformed than anything.

I recommend against either of these if you're considering an academic route.

Originally Posted by athanatos

Granted, I probably won't apply to any of the above for a good year or two. I am just getting excited, hopeful, and eager. I need to be spending more time in prayer though.

I'd also suggest you look into Calvin Seminary in Michigan. The top WTS profs recently retired (old age and/or promotion elsewhere) so I can tell you the books to read to learn everything you would miss there. (Though you'll miss out on Vern Poythress, unfortunately.) Calvin has some good profs -- Cornelius Plantinga, Richard Muller, Jamie Smith -- and is connected to a university, which is always good. Obviously it's Reformed (Dutch tradition), and will teach Kuyper and Bavinck and such; Cornelius Van Til, the best theologian in WTS's history (and in my opinion the greatest evangelical thinker of the 20th century), always hoped Calvin and WTS would unite. It's attached to a tiny denomination but otherwise is a great choice for you.

You might also look into Gordon-Conwell and Trinity Evangelical -- neither is strictly Reformed, but their reputations are such that you might still be able to get into a good PhD program.

Peace, friend.

Edit: Some of those recommendations.

Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology
Herman Ridderbos, Coming Of The Kingdom and Paul: An Outline Of His Theology
The entire works of Cornelius Van Til, starting with "Christian Apologetics" and "Defense of the Faith." (Bahnsen's book on Van Til is better than Frame's, but Frame is a great guy.)
John Murray, Redemption: Accomplished and Applied
Richard Gaffin, Resurrection and Redemption
Vern Poythress's stuff, obviously; I can only think of his Symphonic Theology off the top of my head
John Frame's "Lordship" series -- Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, Doctrine of God, and recently Doctrine of the Christian Life.
Herman Bavinck's 4-volume Systematic Theology

And of course you can look up professor recommendations (and writings) at the bookstore -- http://www.wtsbooks.com. I highly recommend their bookstore, btw; I rarely find better prices, and the shipping is cheap. Plus I feel like I'm supporting something worthwhile.

[athanatos]

Chrysostom, I am sorry I didn't get back to this sooner! (busy busy!)

Originally Posted by Chrysostom

If you wind up here, seek out John Hannah, Church History prof. You'll like him a lot. A very wise man. He is Reformed, which is what you're looking for. (He also teaches at the Westminster satellite campus in Dallas.) But I recommend against DTS. I spent a year in Arlington and met several students.. Not a fan.

My brother is currently attending there, and he has been really stoked. He's said that DTS has attracted a decent population of academic snobs. A proud, detached bunch. Is this more along the lines of what you're referring to?

Westminster is currently going through some huge internal strife. Last year a professor was found innocent by the other professors but the trustees voted to kick him out. The dissenting members of the board (it was either a one or two-vote margin, IIRC) resigned. One of the students was expelled without charge. (I know the guy somewhat.. There are a lot of trouble-makers in the Reformed community but he's not one of them.) Ten years ago it would have been the best possible choice, no question. Today its future is up in the air. However, you could probably still get into a good PhD program if you went to WTS.

Huh.

I recommend against either of these if you're considering an academic route.

Bethel I actually recently eliminated from my list. Do you think the rigor of RTS would be ... well... not rigorous enough?

I'd also suggest you look into Calvin Seminary in Michigan. The top WTS profs recently retired (old age and/or promotion elsewhere) so I can tell you the books to read to learn everything you would miss there. (Though you'll miss out on Vern Poythress, unfortunately.) Calvin has some good profs -- Cornelius Plantinga, Richard Muller, Jamie Smith -- and is connected to a university, which is always good. Obviously it's Reformed (Dutch tradition), and will teach Kuyper and Bavinck and such; Cornelius Van Til, the best theologian in WTS's history (and in my opinion the greatest evangelical thinker of the 20th century), always hoped Calvin and WTS would unite. It's attached to a tiny denomination but otherwise is a great choice for you.

I have a friend who is in their undergrad program. And I like that it is close to home - not more than 2 hours away. However, I believe their program requires two years of Greek before you can attend, but perhaps I am wrong. If I am, I will seriously consider it. If I am right, I may take some formal classes in Greek at MSU or somewhere before I attend Seminary anyway.

Pasted from website:
"The following is required for admission to Master of Divinity degree candidacy:
I.At least two years of Greek."

Btw, do you know if Cornelius is related to Alvin Plantinga?

You might also look into Gordon-Conwell and Trinity Evangelical -- neither is strictly Reformed, but their reputations are such that you might still be able to get into a good PhD program.

Peace, friend.

Edit: Some of those recommendations.

My first reaction to Gordon-Conwell's site was not a great impression; perhaps I misjudged or simply did not dig deep enough.

Trinity Evangelical - http://www.tiu.edu ? ... I remember not spending much time on the site. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention.

One that I've been giving a lot more thought about, in the back of my head, is Southern Baptist Theological, especially because it has been recommended to me by two elders and the “Worldview and Apologetics Concentration (88 hrs.)” really jumped out at me (though I am sure others have this concentration as well).

Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology
Herman Ridderbos, Coming Of The Kingdom and Paul: An Outline Of His Theology
The entire works of Cornelius Van Til, starting with "Christian Apologetics" and "Defense of the Faith." (Bahnsen's book on Van Til is better than Frame's, but Frame is a great guy.)
John Murray, Redemption: Accomplished and Applied
Richard Gaffin, Resurrection and Redemption
Vern Poythress's stuff, obviously; I can only think of his Symphonic Theology off the top of my head
John Frame's "Lordship" series -- Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, Doctrine of God, and recently Doctrine of the Christian Life.
Herman Bavinck's 4-volume Systematic Theology

And of course you can look up professor recommendations (and writings) at the bookstore -- http://www.wtsbooks.com. I highly recommend their bookstore, btw; I rarely find better prices, and the shipping is cheap. Plus I feel like I'm supporting something worthwhile.

Geeze, John. You're a walking library. I've seen you rattle off information in other threads, but this ... o.O ... and it wasn't even copy-pasted, it seems.

If/when I buy some of those, I'll keep that site in mind

You've been a great help, sir.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ

[Chrysostom]

Originally Posted by athanatos

Chrysostom, I am sorry I didn't get back to this sooner! (busy busy!)

No problem, do your thing, buddy.

Originally Posted by athanatos

My brother is currently attending there, and he has been really stoked. He's said that DTS has attracted a decent population of academic snobs. A proud, detached bunch. Is this more along the lines of what you're referring to?

Well, if your brother is there and you want to be with him then that's a pretty big deal. But otherwise there aren't any really good reasons to choose DTS when it's so far from Michigan.

Originally Posted by athanatos

Bethel I actually recently eliminated from my list. Do you think the rigor of RTS would be ... well... not rigorous enough?

Exactly.

Originally Posted by athanatos

I have a friend who is in their undergrad program. And I like that it is close to home - not more than 2 hours away. However, I believe their program requires two years of Greek before you can attend, but perhaps I am wrong. If I am, I will seriously consider it. If I am right, I may take some formal classes in Greek at MSU or somewhere before I attend Seminary anyway.

Pasted from website:
"The following is required for admission to Master of Divinity degree candidacy:
I.At least two years of Greek."

You should email somebody at the school about this, or call. It's a really good idea to develop relationships with the admissions people anyway, and this is a good opportunity to start doing that. Find out what two "years" means -- four semesters? Can you do an equivalency test? Is there any kind of "summer Greek" at Calvin that will let you get by? Also, if you do Greek on your own, try Logos or do the Mounce book. And of course use the Nestle-Aland NT, which is the standard, and eventually you'll need the Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich Lexicon ("BAG").

Originally Posted by athanatos

Btw, do you know if Cornelius is related to Alvin Plantinga?

Brothers. Cornelius is the president, and while he isn't nearly the academic that Alvin is (few are) he is a wise president.

Originally Posted by athanatos

My first reaction to Gordon-Conwell's site was not a great impression; perhaps I misjudged or simply did not dig deep enough.

Just an option.

Originally Posted by athanatos

Trinity Evangelical - http://www.tiu.edu ? ... I remember not spending much time on the site. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention.

The Divinity School is what you're looking for; that's the right website, though. It's had some huge evangelical academics -- Grudem, Moo, Carson. (If you don't know who they are: Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology is a pretty universal evangelical standard. Douglas Moo is, at least in my mind, one of the only great evangelical NT scholars out there. And DA Carson is.. well, I'll assume you've heard of him.) Carson is still there.

Originally Posted by athanatos

One that I've been giving a lot more thought about, in the back of my head, is Southern Baptist Theological, especially because it has been recommended to me by two elders and the “Worldview and Apologetics Concentration (88 hrs.)” really jumped out at me (though I am sure others have this concentration as well).

If you want to be part of the Founders movement that's the place to be. And Kentucky is beautiful.

Originally Posted by athanatos

Geeze, John. You're a walking library. I've seen you rattle off information in other threads, but this ... o.O ... and it wasn't even copy-pasted, it seems.

Well.. My non-fiction library is a shade over 700 books and I read a whole bunch of reviews, articles, etc. And I've been doing this for a few more years than you have. If you're at all interested in more books, let me know.

Originally Posted by athanatos

If/when I buy some of those, I'll keep that site in mind

You've been a great help, sir.

Truly my pleasure. Let me know if there is anything else I can do.

[Chrysostom]

Originally Posted by athanatos

“Worldview and Apologetics Concentration (88 hrs.)”

Just a word of warning: The moment you become an apologist you stop being an academic. The best apologetics is good dogmatics.

[athanatos]

Originally Posted by Chrysostom

No problem, do your thing, buddy.

I'll use that as a segway into .... gosh. School is back in and everything is coming full force. Trying to keep everything organized and getting things done with the Christian Fellowship is hard, especially with the piles of homework oddly given during the first week (I'm sure it is just to scare me, though it is working). Two more semesters, and hopefully it will be alright. His grace is sufficient for me, for me, for me.

Well, if your brother is there and you want to be with him then that's a pretty big deal. But otherwise there aren't any really good reasons to choose DTS when it's so far from Michigan.

The thing is, I have been hesistant to try to commit - either in thought, word, or deed - to attempt to get into DTS. Part of me thinks that it is because my brother is going there, and I don't want to do everything my brother does. Rather childish, I know; but part of me is thinking that if I simply got over that, I would go to DTS. And something still doesn't seem right though, so I am not sure it really is the reason.

The only real perks in going to DTS over other places, to me, is that my brother would be able to show me around and I would know someone in the area (instead of being disconnected), I might have his performance there work as a halo-effect/kind of spring-board for the admissions office, and my friends are saying I should by virtue of DTS's reputation, supposedly as one of the best T.S.'s for regular Baptists.

To the first, I think that's rather shallow. Not only does it take away from the exploration and unknown pursuit that I have been dying for lately, part of me wants to get disconnected from things. I am not sure if I am desiring this ignorantly.

To the halo-effect, minimal if not neglible, I would like to think... because that isn't a fair judgment if it is factored in.

To the latter, I really don't care if I am labeled Baptist. My eschatology needs some work, but I simply don't see Darby's interpretation panning out. Likewise, I am not sure about the whole autonomy of churches, and I'm sure I could raise some other issues with the B.A.P.T.I.S.T.S. acrostic. I mean to say, if my desire is to be Baptist (or any denom.), I've gotten off track and my strivings will be partly in vain.

You should email somebody at the school about this, or call. It's a really good idea to develop relationships with the admissions people anyway, and this is a good opportunity to start doing that. Find out what two "years" means -- four semesters? Can you do an equivalency test? Is there any kind of "summer Greek" at Calvin that will let you get by? Also, if you do Greek on your own, try Logos or do the Mounce book. And of course use the Nestle-Aland NT, which is the standard, and eventually you'll need the Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich Lexicon ("BAG").

That's a really good point. I'ma make a note and do that.

Brothers. Cornelius is the president, and while he isn't nearly the academic that Alvin is (few are) he is a wise president.

Cool. Thanks.

The Divinity School is what you're looking for; that's the right website, though. It's had some huge evangelical academics -- Grudem, Moo, Carson. (If you don't know who they are: Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology is a pretty universal evangelical standard. Douglas Moo is, at least in my mind, one of the only great evangelical NT scholars out there. And DA Carson is.. well, I'll assume you've heard of him.) Carson is still there.

I have Grudem's Sys Theology. I've enjoyed it much ... Moo and Carson aren't ringing a bell ... which you'd think with a name like Moo it wouldn't be forgotten!

If you want to be part of the Founders movement

That movement didn't sound familiar. Google helps, and .... I am likin' what I read.

that's the place to be. And Kentucky is beautiful.

.......... I've been through Kentucky, but staying sounds better.

Well.. My non-fiction library is a shade over 700 books and I read a whole bunch of reviews, articles, etc. And I've been doing this for a few more years than you have. If you're at all interested in more books, let me know.

How old are you/ have you attended Seminary? Tell me about yourself.

Truly my pleasure. Let me know if there is anything else I can do.

My tuition bill is tomorrow. Hint-hint. Just kidding. God's got it covered

Originally Posted by Chrysostom

Just a word of warning: The moment you become an apologist you stop being an academic. The best apologetics is good dogmatics.

What is the difference you are trying to draw, exactly? Is it that apologists focus more on rhetoric and argumentation, rather than on the knowledge that needs to be defended? If so, I concede that one would ideally have both, but argumentation is more natural for me, so I understand focusing on more academic pursuits would benefit me more. If I am mistaken on what your meaning is, feel free to clarify.

------------

Class schedule:
Plane Trigonometry (MTH 106) - MWF 9-9:50am [3 cred hour]
Intermediate German (GER 201) - MTWTh 1-1:50pm [4 cred hour]
History of Philosophy: Classical Period (PHL 200) - MW 3:30-4:45pm [3 cred hour]
History of Philosophy: 19th Century (PHL 403) - MW 5-6:15pm [3 cred hour]
Teaching Assistant: Applied Behavioral Analysis (PSY 502) - TTh 3:30-4:45pm [3 cred hour]

[athanatos]

• Working as a TA isn't so bad, it seems.
• German homework takes me longer than it should.
• Trig seems pretty easy - I hope it stays that way.
• Kant's Prolegomena, while easier than the Critique, is still a slow-read. 50 more pages to read by tomorrow afternoon. ... though the summary on Wikipedia has given some help.
• Aristotle seems like a generally easy read, though I am pretty sure my understanding of his words (happiness, soul, etc.) are not what he is using them to mean.

---

I called Calvin Seminary's admissions office and the director has said that about 1/2 of students currently enrolled have taken greek there as an undergrad while being enrolled in the grad program - that is, the idea of it being a prerequisite has been treated as a prequisite only formally for a more concise and more effective program, but not inflexibly due to the rise in number of universities which no longer offer Greek courses.

But! It gets even better - they are changing their program so that the Greek courses are part of it. This will come into effect next Fall (09). I plan to go to seminary in Fall 2010 (if sufficient funding), so that works just fine by me.

Perks:

• one of the least expensive of what I gathered
• less than 1.6 hours away from my hometown
• Reformed, rather than Dispensational or Hereti-- I mean, somehing else.
• "Calvin" sounds cool.

[Chrysostom]

Originally Posted by athanatos

I'll use that as a segway into .... gosh. School is back in and everything is coming full force. Trying to keep everything organized and getting things done with the Christian Fellowship is hard, especially with the piles of homework oddly given during the first week (I'm sure it is just to scare me, though it is working). Two more semesters, and hopefully it will be alright. His grace is sufficient for me, for me, for me.

Man, I was a philosophy/religious studies major, so my only classwork was usually reading plus one paper and one test per semester.

Originally Posted by athanatos

To the first, I think that's rather shallow. Not only does it take away from the exploration and unknown pursuit that I have been dying for lately, part of me wants to get disconnected from things. I am not sure if I am desiring this ignorantly.

If you move to somewhere like Dallas you're going to want to have a way to get plugged in, just because otherwise you're likely to get swallowed up. But fortunately CGR can be a great resource for finding people who live in a new area you move to -- they can show you around, etc.

Originally Posted by athanatos

I have Grudem's Sys Theology. I've enjoyed it much ... Moo and Carson aren't ringing a bell ... which you'd think with a name like Moo it wouldn't be forgotten!

Haha. Douglas Moo's commentary on Romans is one of the few really good academic commentaries by an evangelical in a few long time.

Originally Posted by athanatos

How old are you/ have you attended Seminary? Tell me about yourself.

I'm 25. I graduated from the University of Texas in 05 with a philosophy degree. After that I worked for two years with Ref0rmed Un1versity Fellowship, the college ministry of the Presbyter1an Church in Am3rica. I got to spend a lot of time with my very knowledgeable boss, the campus minister, and I've been around visiting and researching several schools. I was also able to learn a lot about the various schools by talking to the other interns. I have an ever-growing library of philosophy, theology, sociology, and cultural studies -- currently over 700 books -- and I keep up with several theological periodicals and blogs. (As an aside, easily the best theological blog I read is leithart.com.)

I've had a large number of odd jobs part-time, most recently as an SAT prep instructor, and for my day job I am a stock trader in Austin. I enjoy food -- but especially sushi, barbeque, and Mexican -- and love to grill. My wife Kelly is a teacher in a local school district, and we have a pug (Colbert / "Barry") who is just over 3 months old. I drive a Honda Fit, which I love. I'm also big on movies, although Kelly says I tend to over-analyze them. I enjoy cigars and the occasional drink. I'm big on bourbon, but currently I'm into Hendrick's gin with tonic, lime, rocks, and a cucumber slice. I also love football, especially college football.

Originally Posted by athanatos

My tuition bill is tomorrow. Hint-hint. Just kidding. God's got it covered

Haha, well, I'll see what I can do.

Originally Posted by athanatos

What is the difference you are trying to draw, exactly? Is it that apologists focus more on rhetoric and argumentation, rather than on the knowledge that needs to be defended? If so, I concede that one would ideally have both, but argumentation is more natural for me, so I understand focusing on more academic pursuits would benefit me more. If I am mistaken on what your meaning is, feel free to clarify.

In practice, apologetics always devolves into an attempt to win a game, not to engage the world as the Church. Ultimately the purpose of apologetics always becomes the accommodation of Christianity to the world's expectations, so it offers the world to the world instead of Christ to the world. The apologist always compromises the fact that the Gospel can be only a stumbling block or foolishness to the world on the world's terms, and so ends up using terrible arguments that get him nowhere. I was especially reminded of this recently when I saw a debate between William Lane Craig and Bart Ehrman on Jesus' resurrection, where Ehrman absolutely crushes Craig.

Originally Posted by athanatos

Kant's Prolegomena, while easier than the Critique, is still a slow-read. 50 more pages to read by tomorrow afternoon. ... though the summary on Wikipedia has given some help.

I'd also highly recommend reading his Religion Within The Bounds Of Reason Alone, which has as completely defined the last two centuries of theological discourse as his other works have philosophy.

Originally Posted by athanatos

I called Calvin Seminary's admissions office and the director has said that about 1/2 of students currently enrolled have taken greek there as an undergrad while being enrolled in the grad program - that is, the idea of it being a prerequisite has been treated as a prequisite only formally for a more concise and more effective program, but not inflexibly due to the rise in number of universities which no longer offer Greek courses.

But! It gets even better - they are changing their program so that the Greek courses are part of it. This will come into effect next Fall (09). I plan to go to seminary in Fall 2010 (if sufficient funding), so that works just fine by me.

I had a feeling.

Originally Posted by athanatos

Perks:

• one of the least expensive of what I gathered
• less than 1.6 hours away from my hometown
• Reformed, rather than Dispensational or Hereti-- I mean, somehing else.
• "Calvin" sounds cool.

It seemed like a pretty good option for you to me.

[athanatos]

Originally Posted by Chrysostom

Man, I was a philosophy/religious studies major, so my only classwork was usually reading plus one paper and one test per semester.

Nice.

If you move to somewhere like Dallas you're going to want to have a way to get plugged in, just because otherwise you're likely to get swallowed up. But fortunately CGR can be a great resource for finding people who live in a new area you move to -- they can show you around, etc.

That's a good reminder, thanks.

Haha. Douglas Moo's commentary on Romans is one of the few really good academic commentaries by an evangelical in a few long time.

I'll remember that. I feel like most of my studies are very often orbiting Romans and verses related to passages in Romans.

I'm 25. I graduated from the University of Texas in 05 with a philosophy degree. After that I worked for two years with Ref0rmed Un1versity Fellowship, the college ministry of the Presbyter1an Church in Am3rica. I got to spend a lot of time with my very knowledgeable boss, the campus minister, and I've been around visiting and researching several schools. I was also able to learn a lot about the various schools by talking to the other interns.

Very interesting. BTW, do you censor it out for anonymity's sake, or to detach yourself from them? ... Or what?

I have an ever-growing library of philosophy, theology, sociology, and cultural studies -- currently over 700 books -- and I keep up with several theological periodicals and blogs. (As an aside, easily the best theological blog I read is leithart.com.)

That's impressive. I only sort of wish I could acquire something like that. I feel like I am very behind in my studies. However, I don't know when I'd ever get around to reading 700 books (even if it were over a span of 14 years, 50 /yr sounds unfeasible for me).

I've had a large number of odd jobs part-time, most recently as an SAT prep instructor, and for my day job I am a stock trader in Austin. I enjoy food -- but especially sushi, barbeque, and Mexican -- and love to grill. My wife Kelly is a teacher in a local school district, and we have a pug (Colbert / "Barry") who is just over 3 months old. I drive a Honda Fit, which I love. I'm also big on movies, although Kelly says I tend to over-analyze them. I enjoy cigars and the occasional drink. I'm big on bourbon, but currently I'm into Hendrick's gin with tonic, lime, rocks, and a cucumber slice. I also love football, especially college football.

Nice. Remind me of my brother, in an odd way. Very different, but ... I guess what sticks out is the analyzing movies ... my brother was a broadcasting minor, and ... since watching movies with him I get more out of movies... through analysis. Good stuff. You probably watch more football than my brother, my sister and I combined. I think I watch football the most out of all of them, which isn't much at all.

In practice, apologetics always devolves into an attempt to win a game, not to engage the world as the Church. Ultimately the purpose of apologetics always becomes the accommodation of Christianity to the world's expectations, so it offers the world to the world instead of Christ to the world. The apologist always compromises the fact that the Gospel can be only a stumbling block or foolishness to the world on the world's terms, and so ends up using terrible arguments that get him nowhere. I was especially reminded of this recently when I saw a debate between William Lane Craig and Bart Ehrman on Jesus' resurrection, where Ehrman absolutely crushes Craig.

I read the debate shortly after you posted, back in September. It was very interesting. Very sad for Craig.

You've made a very interesting point, one I think is very infrequently stressed: are you presenting what they want to hear, or what God wants to say? I will need to think about this some more, because I think in many cases I may ultimately have fallen into this trap.

I'd also highly recommend reading his Religion Within The Bounds Of Reason Alone, which has as completely defined the last two centuries of theological discourse as his other works have philosophy.

That's going on my list of things to read.

DANG. I have lots to read.

I had a feeling.

Ya know, I usually prided myself in being original and working the system. I think I have lost some of that over the last 4 years. Thanks for the suggestion.

It seemed like a pretty good option for you to me.

I have since then made it my number 1 choice, but I've got about 2-3 years from now before I enroll anywhere, so I'll be thinking about it and praying about it, and saving up money for it. Thanks for your counsel.

[athanatos]

VENTING MY ANXIETY:

So, about Germany. It feels very spontaneous. And I'm usually not spontaneous in large things. When it comes to large things, I think long and hard. This is big: the costs, the opportunities, the responsibilities I'll be leaving, the detachment, the challenge, etc. I didn't think more than 2 weeks about it; I just went right to it and applied (albeit a long process).

That's the basic summary of why I am scared.

What the heck am I doing plopping myself into the middle of some foreign place with meager German skills? I feel like I need to study hardcore for about 2-3 months, forsaking many things, to be comfortable with what I am going to put myself into. Plus, reality, or my lack of faith, is settling in and I don't see how it is going to be paid for without a huge loan. I don't want a huge loan; in fact, if it will be for $2500 or more (that's the cut off I am OK with for now) I decided I won't go. But gosh.

It is like I am trying to slay a dragon, and I realize I don't have any armor and I need a better sword.

- INTP

[Chrysostom]

Originally Posted by athanatos

Very interesting. BTW, do you censor it out for anonymity's sake, or to detach yourself from them? ... Or what?

The internet gives a lot of power to people with little accountability, and I don't want to play with fire. I've got no problem telling you or anyone else who's actually on this forum anything about my life, though.

Originally Posted by athanatos

That's impressive. I only sort of wish I could acquire something like that. I feel like I am very behind in my studies. However, I don't know when I'd ever get around to reading 700 books (even if it were over a span of 14 years, 50 /yr sounds unfeasible for me).

Well, I haven't read all of them, because some of them are reference materials and some of them I've purchased recently.

Originally Posted by athanatos

Nice. Remind me of my brother, in an odd way. Very different, but ... I guess what sticks out is the analyzing movies ... my brother was a broadcasting minor, and ... since watching movies with him I get more out of movies... through analysis. Good stuff. You probably watch more football than my brother, my sister and I combined. I think I watch football the most out of all of them, which isn't much at all.

Well, no offense, but Michigan isn't particularly worth watching this year...

Originally Posted by athanatos

I read the debate shortly after you posted, back in September. It was very interesting. Very sad for Craig.

You've made a very interesting point, one I think is very infrequently stressed: are you presenting what they want to hear, or what God wants to say? I will need to think about this some more, because I think in many cases I may ultimately have fallen into this trap.

Craig is part of the Biola school of apologetics, and I think the most accessible critique of their thought is in James KA Smith's Who's Afraid Of Postmodernism? He argues that insofar as we sell out to modernism or postmodernism we stop being Christian, and Biola is full of poster children for modernism.

Originally Posted by athanatos

That's going on my list of things to read.

DANG. I have lots to read.

Good!

Originally Posted by athanatos

I have since then made it my number 1 choice, but I've got about 2-3 years from now before I enroll anywhere, so I'll be thinking about it and praying about it, and saving up money for it. Thanks for your counsel.

Great. I wish I had had someone in the know who would have helped me out when I was in your position.

Peace in X to you.

[athanatos]

I am in USA. I have been refiguring my budget and ledgers. I have an open future, as open as before, but less decided or planned.

I had a good evening. I spent it with a really interesting girl. We talked for 4.7 hours. In fact, that's all we did. It was awesome.

[Chrysostom]

That's the best post I've ever seen on this blog. Sounds very, very good.