The Bridge

We’ve already established what this blog is going to be about: my journey as a student in a Master of Arts in Theology program.  I thought I’d mention a few more things before we get into some more substantial posts (which I know you are just dying to read!)

Firstly, I’m going to enable comments.  A professor of mine emphasizes “educative discussion.”  We were thought of as a community of learners who engaged with mutual respect and openness to each other.  Lets do that here.  I’d very much like feedback on some of my reflections and I would love to respond to comments.  Hopefully this blog will be accessible to those who haven’t formally studied theology, but who think that questions about God and life are worth exploring.  So comment away!

Secondly, while comments are encouraged some folks don’t like educative discussion.  In fact, just the other day at work, I began a sentence, “I think that group...” At which point my co-worker interrupted with “I understand, but the thing is blah blah  blah.”  You see he didn’t understand. In fact he didn’t bother to listen.  Ah what a concept, listening to then understand and appropriately respond.  Don’t get me wrong, Trolls are also welcome at this blog, but I ask that they keep their trolling to this post only; exactly where Trolls belong.  (See what I did there?  This post is called “The Bridge.”  Trolls belong under bridges.)  The point:  R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Lastly, I promise not to take myself too seriously if you do the same.  Sometimes I get things wrong, and misunderstand some key points to what people say.  Other times I’m little quirky.

This was a nice “bridge” between the introduction and some hearty posts.  Onward to better discussion!

Becoming Mastered by Theology

When I was a kid, I was serious about lightsaber battles.  If you ask my friend, he could probably tell you the exact number of blades I’ve busted, and also the total price of my vigor as they all belonged to him!  Those warm summer nights illuminated by the slashing lights of plastic tubes represented my grasping at a dream. During the day time we would take turns shooting a Nerf Bow and Arrow and, using the force, swat the arrow out of the air with our sabers.  It was our dream, our unobtainable dream, to be a Jedi Master.  As hard as I’ve tried, I have never moved something with the force, or successfully played a Jedi mind trick.  Alas, this dream will never come to pass.

As I grew up and left that dream behind, I’ve decided that the next best thing to becoming a Jedi Master would be to become a Theology Master.  Those really exist, and it’s basically the same isn’t it?

 I’ll be the first to admit that becoming a Theology Master is not nearly as cool as becoming a Jedi Master.  In fact, it may not even be as glorious it sounds. 

Friends and family like to ask what it’s like to be in a Masters program in Theology.  That is our task at hand.  I vow before this Jedi Council to chronicle my comings and goings as an MA student. Hopefully this will result in some thoughtful reflection on my current studies. Perhaps those who read this blog will even be the first to glimpse some of the seed ideas for my forthcoming dissertation.

However this shakes out, this blog will be about becoming a Theology Master…sorta.  As we will all realize as later posts come out, aside from perhaps the Doctors of the Church, few have actually mastered theology.  After all, if theology is the study of God, who can master it?  Maybe I should rework the title to “becoming mastered by theology.”  Yes that is more appropriate.  So as we take on this endeavor together, May the Force be with You (and me).