The entire process began about four and a half years ago (August, 2007) and I can vividly remember initiating my seminary career. I boldly (some might say stupidly) jumped into my studies with Introduction to Koine Greek taught by Dr. Steve Veteto and Foundations of Ministry, also with Dr. Veteto. Talk about baptism by fire...I was lost in a Greek fog for about the next nine months. The years rolled on and my classwork continued: Introduction to Church Planting, Pastoral Counseling, Ethics, New Testament I & II...the list goes on and on. So many professors and so many ideas all of which were required in order to equip me for whatever ministry role I might partake in sometime in the future.One of the most captivating ideas was revealed in my second year on campus. I can specifically remember, sitting in my Systematic Theology class taught by Dr. Earl Waggoner, when we discussed the differences between Academic Theology and Folk Theology. Dr. Waggoner explained the differences in this way:
Folk theology could be classified as theology passed on from trusted preachers, sayings of your momma, or those ideas such as "God helps those that help themselves". Good luck finding that "verse" in the Bible but mom said it so it must be true, right? The emphasis behind folk theology would be that it is highly personal but simultaneously low on academic foundation. On the other side of the pendulum we have Academic Theology. Academic Theology would be those lofty arguments rooted in Kantian discourse, Kierkegaardian philosophy, and German Higher Criticism; those arguments defended with absolute vigor but with very little personal application. Academic theology carries the weight and influence of deliberation and study but it is relatively light on personal impact and application for the everyday dilemmas of the modern Christian.As the discussion continued, Dr. Waggoner guided the class to a thought-provoking conclusion: in the swing of the pendulum, the preacher must find the balance between folk and academic; he must find a way to stay theologically sound while avoiding the abstract; he must reveal and illuminate Biblical texts while inspiring practical applications that impact everyday decision-making and helps change perspectives on the seemingly mundane and ordinary. This duty to expose Scripture for its many timeless principles, while creatively applying the text to a modern audience with modern issues, is the challenge. Academic depth must be achieved while never sacrificing the personal applications that move, encourage, and assist transformation.
At the end of the day, the only thing I could think of was balance. This same idea would reveal itself again and again throughout my seminary career. Whether watching the History of Christianity unfold or studying the arguments of free will verses election, unless the preacher can achieve balance in perspective and presentation, the extremes that too often divide rather than unite will continue to haunt the legacy of Christ's church. This idea of balance rings true during this Christmas season, when it is so easy to get caught up in the vast swings of the pendulum: this city said no to a Nativity scene at city hall...this group is boycotting a certain store because they won't say Merry Christmas in their ads. My hope is that people will allow the pendulum to keep swinging while recognizing and encouraging a swing of the arch that gets less and less extreme. This is not a call to a moderate theology but rather a balance of viewpoints allowing discussion without the sacrifice of doctrine. Some might not agree with this idea of balance...that it's a slippery slope too many have attempted and failed miserably to achieve. I can't argue the difficulty of it and I'm not arguing shortcuts for the sake of unity. My point is this: if the center of all things Christian stays on the reverent proclamation of Christ as Lord, then the methodology of how that Center is proclaimed allows for flexibility and conversation. With wisdom and discernment, defensiveness and fear have no place to take root. Where there is a lack of defensiveness and fear, God lives and breathes and works and transforms. Let the ideas of Colossians 4:2-6 guide us all...freeing us from imbalance and empowering us to love like Christ:
Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
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