I read theology as an
undergraduate and since then spent a year with UCCF / RTSF and I have had two
stints as a student at a theological college. Now I’m a vicar but I think of myself
as a Christian theological student still, of course!
Here are some things I
have found helpful / might say to others / my younger self. Naturally some of
this is do as I say not as I did or even do. Maybe something here will be of use
to you or those you seek to support.
Pray most days, both about
your studies and what you have been learning, and about other things. Pray for
other people and for “the real world.”
Read the Bible lots. Read
things you are not studying or teaching. Think about it. Read fast and slow,
long and short.
Go to church. Learn
humbly. Resist the temptation to be in critique mode. Say thank you. Encourage.
Serve in some practical way. Help out with Toddlers or make the coffee. Sing.
Be quiet.
Don’t show off your new
knowledge. A little knowledge is dangerous. You should come to realise how
little you know. Rarely does anyone need or want to hear about the original
Greek or Hebrew!
But look for opportunities
to teach. Having to teach something will really help you to understand it and
to expose where you don’t.
It is really worth paying
some attention to study skills: how to read and take notes and write an essay
and revise etc. Writing essays and passing exams is a bit like a game and you should
learn how to play it. You should also actually try to, you know, learn and grow,
not just get that First or complete the course satisfactorily.
Few books and good is
better than many bad books. Some books deserve to be read slowly, fully and
often. Read some old books. Where you can, spend some time in the originals.
Summaries of Luther may not do him justice. If your essay is on Nehemiah, read
it repeatedly and don’t depend on the Study Guide to Nehemiah.
Some books can be gutted
and skimmed. Look at introductions and conclusions, headings, summaries etc.
Spend an hour with a book. Which parts if any deserve to be read in greater
detail? Quite likely there is a law of diminishing returns.
Try to be aware of useful (and
academically respectable) reference works e.g. Bible Dictionaries, Oxford Handbook.
Perhaps consider keeping a
note book or blogging or Tweeting. Especially note things to follow up.
It is not at all
surprising if you have many unanswered questions. If your liberal tutor beats
you in arguments over the dating of Daniel, it does not mean he is right.
Consider your choice of
papers carefully. Do you prefer exams or not? Should you try your hand at
longer essays / research? What do you already know and where are the gaps? What
are your interests? What will be most useful in the long term? If you care
about grades, what is likely to be easiest / most successful for you? What
could you most easily learn about yourself later and where would you really
benefit from a tutor or class? Are you overloading yourself with Greek, Hebrew,
lots of technical philosophy and history papers you know nothing about?
If you can, learn
languages as well as you can as early as you can. Practice them often and keep
them up.
If you are studying at a
liberal or secular institution, you might major in subjects that have less spin
than others – arguably, e. g. history rather than biblical studies. Will your
tutor let you pick any of your tutors? Is there an evangelical you could ask
for? Could you pick a subject for the sake of the teacher?
You should expect to do
some extra work if your reading list is all liberal. What evangelical scholars
could you read? Find a book with a good bibliography / useful footnotes.
Have regard for the
tradition of the church. Almost always, someone will have thought about this
stuff much better than you before. Some will make the mistake of despising or
ignoring this.
Aim for both depth and
breadth. Over-specialisation can be a problem in theology. The biblical studies
and the systematics department really need on another. The OT people and the NT
people need to talk! Philosophy and history would often help. Think about how
your studies might join up and relate. Pay some attention to the history of
interpretation, doctrine and philosophy. Seek out introductions and overviews. And
also think about application. Why are your learning this stuff? What difference
will it make to you or to the life of the church?
Consider adopting one or
two pet subjects such as a favourite Bible book or theologian.
Don’t underestimate the
value of plodding. Lots can be done in half an hour most days.
Build a useful library.
Talk to your pastor.
Consider seeking out an older wiser theologian. If you are a first year, a
third or fourth year or graduate student could be a great help to you.
Don’t take yourself or
your studies too seriously.
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