First Class!

Yeah. I loved it.

We discussed Revelation 3, and then our professor pointed out how we had been spoon fed some of our interpretations. He took us into a Bible Dictionary to study on the history and geography of the city of Laodicea and then went over how to analyze Scripture with the who, what, how, when, kind of questions. (Kay Arthur would have been proud!)

We discussed the importance of context, and he stressed again and again to read the text and study the text and only then, much later, to read the notes in those study Bibles we all have. He wants us to think it through for ourselves. (This is also a mantra of Precepts...the way I've been trained...I think I'm way ahead in that respect!)

Biblical Theology v. Historical Theology v. Systematic Theology v. Practical Theology. Yet another discussion of definitions.

And we ended with the beginning of a two week discussion on the religious backdrop of the New Testament in the first century. He talked a lot about gnosticism.

Homework? Only 3 chapters of one of the books. Plus questions. We have to email him the answers to 5 questions before the next class. That doesn't sound so bad, does it?

Well, here's the first (just the first of five) question:

1. How would you counteract or support the idea that God is transcendent from the Scriptures? How would you counteract or support the idea that God is impassible from the Scriptures? Where do you see either of these two concepts expressed inappropriately in church? Are there any appropriate expressions of these?

WHEW. He said our Question Assignments will be wrestling, thinking kind of assignments...he wants to see that we are thinking, not just reading and memorizing.

Sigh...no flash cards?

Oh...we're also supposed to read Mark. I have the feeling the discussion of the historical context of Mark will require some flashcards.

About 45 students. Most of them are "auditing" the class. I knew two people which amazed me.

I love being back in school! Especially since I'm studying a topic that excites me in a way that no college class ever excited me in my undergrad. I'm ready to do my reading right now...but...I best sleep since I have to work tomorrow...

Friday night will be spent researching Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire, Gnosticism and Koine Greek. Woo hoo.

Good night!