(no subject)
Greetings internerd!
I never keep up with this thing anymore. Geez, I remember just a few years ago when I would write in this thing every night. I'm much more fond of my little black hardcover journal mmhmm. Anyway, for the few of you who care, I guess I can tell you what has been going on lately.
School is awesome. I've been here for two weeks and it's been great. I'm taking 18 credits, and it's a bit more work than I've had in the past, but it's good. It's keeping me dilligent and I'm trying my best to stay on top of all my reading and everything. This semester I am taking:
- Proclaiming The Gospel
- Theology 3 (Man, Sin, and Salvation)
- The Church's Ministry
- Theology 4 (Baptist Distinctives)
- Old Testament Poetry
- Romans
- Modern Western Philosophy
I am really enjoying both of my theology courses, Romans, and philosophy a lot. They are great.
I am also working on campus at the Underground Cafe. It's pretty sweet so far. I'm really enjoying it a lot. It's pretty much the ideal job for me. It's laid back, I can do homework or read when it's slow, but the best thing is that I can talk to people! I get to meet people who I haven't really met before, and have conversations with new people. I love that aspect of it. It's very social, and I definitely prefer an atmosphere where I can talk to people. So yeah, I really like my job a lot. I'm working tomorrow! Come vis!
Lately, I've been thinking, exploring, and journaling a lot about two things. The first of which is the question of to what extent does my theology, Biblical values, and faith, play into my political views as I strive to uphold the separation of Church and State. Obviously, there are things that the Bible deems wrong that the Constitution doesn't necessarily oppose, and pretty much anyone can name a few certain hot-button issues right off the top of their head. However, why is it that Christians are so willing to fight issues like abortion and homosexual marriage on grounds that the Bible adamantly opposed to it, but are even more willing to ignore other issues that the Bible is against, but are things that are perfectly acceptable in our nation today? It is inconsistent and I don't like it. I'm not saying that everything the Bible says is right and wrong should be reflected in our government because I don't believe that at all. I'm just questioning Christians and their inconsistent political idealogies based on Biblical values that, Constitutionally, should have no bearing on our law. And furthermore, why Christians and Republicans are now practically synonomous. A true Biblical ethic cannot align itself with what is known as our Republican party, but will cross party lines and fly in the face of conservatism in some areas. A question I am asking myself is when, as a Christian, do my Biblical values trump the Constitution, and when does (if ever?) the Constitution trump my Biblical values when it comes to what to support and protest, etc?
The second idea I have been exploring is the Biblical parallel between marriage, and the relationship that Christ has to the Church. Paul calls it a "profound mystery", and it really is fascinating. What does it mean to be a husband? And what is commanded of husbands? But furthermore, what does the Bible say of wives? As the Church is the bride of Christ, this is an important role for us to understand. I've only just begun this study, but I'm finding some neat stuff already and being reminded of how much I love God's Word.
Okay, I need to jet!
Much love,
-Pete
I never keep up with this thing anymore. Geez, I remember just a few years ago when I would write in this thing every night. I'm much more fond of my little black hardcover journal mmhmm. Anyway, for the few of you who care, I guess I can tell you what has been going on lately.
School is awesome. I've been here for two weeks and it's been great. I'm taking 18 credits, and it's a bit more work than I've had in the past, but it's good. It's keeping me dilligent and I'm trying my best to stay on top of all my reading and everything. This semester I am taking:
- Proclaiming The Gospel
- Theology 3 (Man, Sin, and Salvation)
- The Church's Ministry
- Theology 4 (Baptist Distinctives)
- Old Testament Poetry
- Romans
- Modern Western Philosophy
I am really enjoying both of my theology courses, Romans, and philosophy a lot. They are great.
I am also working on campus at the Underground Cafe. It's pretty sweet so far. I'm really enjoying it a lot. It's pretty much the ideal job for me. It's laid back, I can do homework or read when it's slow, but the best thing is that I can talk to people! I get to meet people who I haven't really met before, and have conversations with new people. I love that aspect of it. It's very social, and I definitely prefer an atmosphere where I can talk to people. So yeah, I really like my job a lot. I'm working tomorrow! Come vis!
Lately, I've been thinking, exploring, and journaling a lot about two things. The first of which is the question of to what extent does my theology, Biblical values, and faith, play into my political views as I strive to uphold the separation of Church and State. Obviously, there are things that the Bible deems wrong that the Constitution doesn't necessarily oppose, and pretty much anyone can name a few certain hot-button issues right off the top of their head. However, why is it that Christians are so willing to fight issues like abortion and homosexual marriage on grounds that the Bible adamantly opposed to it, but are even more willing to ignore other issues that the Bible is against, but are things that are perfectly acceptable in our nation today? It is inconsistent and I don't like it. I'm not saying that everything the Bible says is right and wrong should be reflected in our government because I don't believe that at all. I'm just questioning Christians and their inconsistent political idealogies based on Biblical values that, Constitutionally, should have no bearing on our law. And furthermore, why Christians and Republicans are now practically synonomous. A true Biblical ethic cannot align itself with what is known as our Republican party, but will cross party lines and fly in the face of conservatism in some areas. A question I am asking myself is when, as a Christian, do my Biblical values trump the Constitution, and when does (if ever?) the Constitution trump my Biblical values when it comes to what to support and protest, etc?
The second idea I have been exploring is the Biblical parallel between marriage, and the relationship that Christ has to the Church. Paul calls it a "profound mystery", and it really is fascinating. What does it mean to be a husband? And what is commanded of husbands? But furthermore, what does the Bible say of wives? As the Church is the bride of Christ, this is an important role for us to understand. I've only just begun this study, but I'm finding some neat stuff already and being reminded of how much I love God's Word.
Okay, I need to jet!
Much love,
-Pete