my engagement in conversation with issues and concerns related to my vocation as a seminary lecturer. Opinions expressed in this blog are strictly my personal views and do not represent the official position of the seminary
Friday, 2 May 2008
Is Seminary All about This ?
Does the above aptly describe what happens in a theological seminary?
Dear Kar Yong, Just got back from a PhD seminar on Job when I read your post. Quite funny really because we were having so many different opinions of what Job's book was all about, the idea of God's justice or non-justice, suffering (your cartoon), etc and we did not stop after seminar and continued talking and debating in a pub for another 2 hours. At the end no one seems the wiser. On a more serious note, open discussion is a very important part of a Seminary set-up. I think we should encourage more creative thinking and shifting of opinions instead of being stuck with one set of ideas or confessions, but genuinely seeking after the truth as the Spirit leads. BTW, in NZ to socialize with lecturers and postgrad students, pub is the only place to be. I did enjoy the discussion and managed to get my more conservative (biblical?) views across and made new friends.
Yss, agreed with you that seminary should be a place where open discussion could be carried out. In STM, we try doing that in our postgraduate seminar once in every 2 weeks.
Generally, I still find Asian students a bit reluctant to critique the opinions of others. Some would view any disagreement as a personal attack. But we hope this will would change and would lead to something.
While I was in the UK, apart from socializing, the best theological discourse that I enjoyed the most where the creative and original ideas flowed freely was in the pub as well. Perhaps this could also be true in the mamaks in Malaysia!!
Looks like you are having a great time in New Zealand, not only for your sabbatical, but also having a meaningful time with your son as well.
I met Jaffri when I was in KK for the STS symposium. I knew Jaffri back in the UTM days - we served together in the university Christian fellowship.
Hi Kar Yong, I am really enjoying it here at NZ and wished I could spent another Semester. At the end of the seminar I was exchanging views with James Harding, an OT expert. Before coming to Otago he was part of David Clines' team that started up the massive new Hebrew dictionary at Sheffield. Kind of like the idea of the next sabbatical learning more of Hebrew from him!!
Yes, Jaffri is a good friend, he was one of the deacons whom I relied on for much help in ministry in and outside the church and a good preacher as well as a wonderful worship leader.
I look forward to great theological discussion at mamak stalls, but maybe in Singapore they do it at food-courts or do they?
Well, Pearlie, I am not sure whether STM students would rather do a theological discourse or play ball. But I know for sure they would rather have a rainy thursday afternoon than do gardening on thursday!
But seriously, I think we do notice some of the students are rather keen on theological discourse. This, I think, is healthy.
7 comments:
Dear Kar Yong, Just got back from a PhD seminar on Job when I read your post. Quite funny really because we were having so many different opinions of what Job's book was all about, the idea of God's justice or non-justice, suffering (your cartoon), etc and we did not stop after seminar and continued talking and debating in a pub for another 2 hours. At the end no one seems the wiser. On a more serious note, open discussion is a very important part of a Seminary set-up. I think we should encourage more creative thinking and shifting of opinions instead of being stuck with one set of ideas or confessions, but genuinely seeking after the truth as the Spirit leads. BTW, in NZ to socialize with lecturers and postgrad students, pub is the only place to be. I did enjoy the discussion and managed to get my more conservative (biblical?) views across and made new friends.
Hi Tony,
Yss, agreed with you that seminary should be a place where open discussion could be carried out. In STM, we try doing that in our postgraduate seminar once in every 2 weeks.
Generally, I still find Asian students a bit reluctant to critique the opinions of others. Some would view any disagreement as a personal attack. But we hope this will would change and would lead to something.
While I was in the UK, apart from socializing, the best theological discourse that I enjoyed the most where the creative and original ideas flowed freely was in the pub as well. Perhaps this could also be true in the mamaks in Malaysia!!
Looks like you are having a great time in New Zealand, not only for your sabbatical, but also having a meaningful time with your son as well.
I met Jaffri when I was in KK for the STS symposium. I knew Jaffri back in the UTM days - we served together in the university Christian fellowship.
It is 1:40am now (don't ask!) and I have problems reading and understanding this! haha ... but I love this strip ... I might link it.
Lucy: What about Job's wife? I don't think she gets enough credit! ... Who wants to suffer? Don't be ridiculous!
LOLOL ... This is classic ...
But my favourite character is definitely Linus - and he knows his bible verse for verse? Wow! hahaha
But seriously KY, do you see students discussing like this all the time or do they rather play ball?
Anyway, I had suggested to study the book of Job in our Fri bible study but no-one picked up the suggestion! Job or John?
Hi Kar Yong, I am really enjoying it here at NZ and wished I could spent another Semester. At the end of the seminar I was exchanging views with James Harding, an OT expert. Before coming to Otago he was part of David Clines' team that started up the massive new Hebrew dictionary at Sheffield. Kind of like the idea of the next sabbatical learning more of Hebrew from him!!
Yes, Jaffri is a good friend, he was one of the deacons whom I relied on for much help in ministry in and outside the church and a good preacher as well as a wonderful worship leader.
I look forward to great theological discussion at mamak stalls, but maybe in Singapore they do it at food-courts or do they?
Well, Pearlie, I am not sure whether STM students would rather do a theological discourse or play ball. But I know for sure they would rather have a rainy thursday afternoon than do gardening on thursday!
But seriously, I think we do notice some of the students are rather keen on theological discourse. This, I think, is healthy.
Hi Kar Yong,
yup... that sounds like a theological seminary to me :)
Hi Tony,
In Singapore, we do it over lunch at foodcourts during Sunday, after service.
Hi JW,
Welcome to the seminary.... :-)
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