Connecting to an old friend

I recently received an e-mail from a friend named Jeff Cook with whom I attended seminary. We both received our Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary and graduated in the Spring of 1998. While the education was good in providing a baseline of theological literacy, it was also frustrating. Contemporary seminary largely trains men and women to exist and serve in a world that no longer exists. Seminary often seeks to answer questions no one is asking. What's more, as a modern institution the seminary is often hostile to many of the questions that are being asked with real sincerity.

It might seem harsh but I think the modern institution of seminary is actually destructive to the church's missional presence in world. Obviously there are exceptions. My friend Jason Clark has just begun a doctoral program at George Fox University under Len Sweet that seems to be great and I am thinking of enrolling in it next year. But I am always confused when a young man or woman from my church, hungry to serve God and the church, asks me what seminary they ought to go to. I am really keen to explore the idea of theological training that exists on multiple contexts: locally, regionally, and globally.

Anyway, my original post was about connecting with Jeff, who one week-end disappeared to climb Devil's Tower. Since seminary we've both been on a journey of self-education trying to figure out who we are and what it looks like to have a life in God and how ministry flows out of that individually and communally - or I should say, that has been my journey and Jeff has asked similar questions along the way. Anyway...he sent me an e-mail and he made an interesting comment that reminded me of our conversation at Midrash last week. Jeff doesn't mention creation theology, per se, but it is implicit in what he writes. He says,

"I'm leading a small group discussion on "How we isolate those Christ loves", and speaking of absolute truth.  God is the one who has the corner market on it, not us. We are subjective beings with a bias. All we can do is share our story of how a personal God desperately loves us and how he has engaged us. As subjective beings we dare not push absolute truth on others, but simply share out of our life, and pray that they might seek to discover God's creative movement in their life. Practically what this does is that it keeps us from isolating ourselves from those who have not found peace with Christ because it places us at the 'same level' as all people; rather than a people who are elevated because we have 'the truth.' Also tied to this is a recognition that people are good. It seems to me that the church has spent too long focusing on our sin nature. We're out of balance. God made an excellent investment in us, because he created us good. All people have the ability to do good, (and I would argue are good - to some extent) to participate in sacrificial events. The fact that we have a disease such as sin is obvious, one need only look at the DSM-IV to witness a glaring example. Again, practically speaking, this changes the lens through which I see all people. I see them as good and having something good to offer, though many I encounter may still be in need of finding peace with God. If I can see those people who are not of the faith as good, then again, it keeps me from isolating myself from them - from looking down upon them, from believing that I love my kids or wife more because I am a Christian. It allows to authentically love them with no agenda. Anyway, that is were my thoughts have been as of late."

Comments

[Jerry]

Have you read the Seminary chapter in "Adventures in Missing the Point"?. I just read it the first time this morning as we will discuss it in impact group this week. I think you might agree with some of it.

[Tim Keel]

I haven't read that chapter yet, Jerry. Thanks for the heads up - I will check it out.

[James]

so glad to see a new post from you. I have been missing your valuable contribution. As I read your thoughts on seminary I wondered if you have ever read Edward Farleys, The Fragility of Knowledge: Theological Education in the Church and the University? It's hard to find but a good read. If you are interested and can't find it let me know and I'll send my tattered copy your way.

[Tim Keel]

Hi James...I haven't seen that book. I'll look around for it and see what I can find. If I can't find it I'll let you know. I hope you and Janell are well.

[timsamoff]

It's a shame that our culture has placed so much value on having degrees and school-experience when all we ever really use in life is what we learn outside of school. (Personally, I love school, and might go back one day myself, but maybe not quite for stuff that will make my life any better.)

This week I have really been dwelling on our culture's skepticism -- how we view our role as Christians, how we receive Spiritual Gifts (for ourselves or from others)...how we might view or even accept a pastor without an MDiv...? How isn't my good advice a "word of knowledge"? Who's to say that the (crazy looking) man on the corner is not a genuine prophet?

It is unfortunate that we don't judge people based on their life-experience as much as we probably should. And because of this, we have created institutions that teach and hone us into what is culturally acceptable rather than what God may have wanted us to be.

[Tim Keel]

Tim - don't get me started on the spiritual gift issue...but in raising that issue you are indeed getting to the crux of the larger issue...I have a blog post in the back of my mind on this topic that will probably makes its way out in the next couple of weeks...and by the way, our new pastor Bill doesn't have an MDiv - degrees don't confer wisdom (but often debt) and to focus on such a thing at the expense of character, experience and calling is to miss the point, to quote Jerry quoting Brian and Tony.

[timsamoff]

It's neat to hear that Bill doesn't have an MDiv... In my conversations with him, I had a very profound and heart-felt sense of trust in him -- something that goes far beyond trusting in someone's schooling.

I am ashamed to admit that that doesn't happen often!

[Paul Hensley]

Well, if Bill doesn't have a MDiv does he at least have a blog? If he doesn't shouldn't someone tell him that it is part of the job description before he moves?