Since I stand in for my colleague, Sarah Yap, as the Acting Director of Theological Education by Extension (Sarah is on 6-month sabbatical leave), I have received numerous enquiries concerning our TEE programme. Our TEE programme is specifically designed for working professional and those who are unable to do theological studies full time.
Some of the questions that are almost guaranteed to be raised by those enquiry for the programme include:
- How do I find time to study?
- How do I adjust to study life again since I have left school/college/university some years ago?
- Is theological studies very difficult?
- Will theological studies result in spiritual dryness since there is so much emphasis on the academic requirements?
I think the best way to answer the above questions is to hear it from those who are taking our TEE programme. One of our students, Pearlie, has blogged about her testimony, experience and thoughts in taking up the challenge of working towards a degree in Master of Christian Studies through our TEE programme. Read about it here - and don't forget to leave her a word of encouragement, if you can!
23 comments:
looks like this is a perfect time to blog How Does a Biblical Scholar helps non Biblical scholars find time to study/ :)
Hi Alex,
Thanks for the idea....But I think you are the best person to do so - Practising as a doctor, and yet able to do PhD as a hobby! Don't think anyone of us can do that....
In my opinion, there is no short cut !! Studying theology is a discipline and it needs hardwork, brain cracking and time. I think if the bible college can provide a facility and good guidance from biblical scholar to help those working people to study, it would be of help tramendously. IN other words, if STM can open their library on Saturday whole day once per month, encourage students to think of pooling their resources to share among themselves, encourage students to form discussion after TEE, lecturers are available to give some references on their assignments. Perhaps another factor would be a good help and may cost a bit to the students are encouraging them to buy bibleworks and subscribe to ATLA for journals. If all these are put in place nicely, I think that would save a lot of time for working adult students to source their research for their assignments.
Chee Keat,
STM library is open on saturdays during semester time.
Beginning 2008, all students, including TEE students, will be able to access ATLAS online as part of our efforts to upgrade our facilities.
O wow, that's something to look forward to. I wonder what do you think of biblical theology (BT) as a discipline or a subject to be offered in STM which advocated by DA Carson, one of the guru respectable evangelical theologian!! Is there any possiblity to be offered in near future if there's a demand for it? or it's probably something of a debating issue in STM as I think not many lecturers would agree such discipline?? BUt, didn't u take BT in GOrdon while u r doing ur MA??
Chee Keat,
There is no course on biblical theology offered by Gordon Conwell, at least it was not offered at the time when I was there, though I am not sure now - but I doubt it.
BT is just ONE of the many methodologies of understanding the scripture, and I don't think it is feasible to offer a course solely on just this one particular methodology that is not without problems and surrounded by difficulties. Let's have an open mind and learn from other methodologies as well. I am sure you will be much enriched.
just a slight correction to stm library hours: stm library is opened on saturday mornings only (8.30am till 1.00pm) durimg semester time.
library is also opened two nights on wednesdays and thursdays, form 7.30-10.00pm every week during semester time.
this is apart from the weeks when we have TEE and MMin modules on-campus when the library will be opened on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
Kar Yong,
Thanks for the info. Hope to interact with these various methodologies. Anyway, fyi, I saw Gordon COnwell offer Seminar in Biblical Theology under MTheo program.
If i'm settling in KL, i would be greatly blessed by TEE
Thanks, Reb, for the correction
Hi Chee Keat,
The biblical theology seminar in Gordon Conwell covers OT theology in the first semester and NT theology in the second semester. It's not really Biblical theology in the "real" sense.
In STM, OT theology and NT theology are offered as electives. Rabbi will be offering a course on History and Theology of the Exile for TEE programme in 2008. You might be interested in this
Hi Sze Seng,
Balik kampung lah - berkhidmat untuk bangsa dan negara! :-)
Kar Yong,
O great, I think I would want to the course. Hopefully, I'm able to cope with so many theological & biblical languages subjects I would want to do. Honestly, I must admit that I'm not a smart student but I try to push myself to do my best and to learn from others who are good.
I juz browse to the course syllabi on "Seminar in Biblical Theology" in Gordon Conwell websites and the text they use are as follow:
One of the required text:
1) Hafemann and Paul R House -"Central Themes in Biblical Theology"
Recommended text:
1) Sarbre, Charles - "The way of our GOd: An approach to biblical theology"
2) Stuhlmaher P - "How to do Biblical Theology"
Looking at the texts they used, m wondering aren't these texts referred to the Biblical theology in a "real" sense???
Beginning 2008, all students, including TEE students, will be able to access ATLAS online as part of our efforts to upgrade our facilities.
From our own homes, or only from the library?
Hi Pearlie,
Not only from the library or from the comfort of your home, but also from Starbucks, mamak, KLIA....and anywhere that has internet access!
Access will be by login ID and password. This will be provided.
Wow ... then this is very, very good news, and I was just about to renew my membership :) looks like I can buy about 4-5 more books next year ;)
Hi Pearlie,
Have to warn you though, the library membership sucscription MAY go up a little bit!! So perhaps instead of 4-5 books, maybe 3-4 books next year.....
Eh, din c u respond on my previous comment?? did u miz mine or still probing on this or prob give it a miss...no point arguing something non essentials or something else???
"Looking at the texts they used, m wondering aren't these texts referred to the Biblical theology in a "real" sense???"
Err... have we ever paid for library fees? I don't remember paying or are the fees included in the fees for each module?
Really, we shouldn't mind the fees going up a bit. It is only fair :) 3-4 books still good.
Hi Pearlie,
Haha - our librarian will be so pleased to know that you dont mind the increase in library fees.....
Kar yong,
Hai....whatever reasons not answering my comment!!!???.....i gotta move onla...:(
Hi Chee Keat,
I am not sure what you want to me say. Like you, I have to move on too!
I do respect your passion and position concerning biblical theology. I have already made my stand very clear that I am not in favour of biblical theology as a methodological approach in reading the scriptures, as I remain unpersuaded by this approach after wrestling through some of the issues. I have also made it clear that my understanding of the courses offered in Gordon Conwell was based on what I knew when I was a student there back in the late 90s, and not based on what you have recently discovered in Gordon-Conwell's website. I have mentioned that I am uncertain whether a course such as this is now offered - and you have told me it is offered.
So, I am uncertain what is your point here and why you keep on insisting that there is a need for me to respond.
Ok..sorry for my insistence upon you. Shall respect your stand, then. M just upset and puzzled why no respond on my ques when I discovered the inconsistency of your answer which prob of BT in 90s comparing BT in 2000s. Tatz all! if you said you are "Uncertain and I 'll pass that" ...that would be fine oledi. Anyway, shall revisit this issue when I go to STM then.
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