Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Musings for Fall '08: Thus Far

So much to say, and a pen (metaphorically) that cannot do justice to the depth and breadth of all that should be said. And as much as I desire to write in a style of eloquence, as much befits my personal tastes and strife toward excellence in all things and distinction, and as such writings harkens to far more gifted Christians writers, as John Calvin or C.S. Lewis, whose imitation I seek, I simply cannot for wont of time and efficiency.

Intellectually, my mind has been stretched beyond what it has been in the past.
Let's give a run-down of the highlights and defining moments of this progressive autumn. I'd love to delve into each matter with deliberate and lengthy exposition, but quizzes, research papers, and incessant readings, rehearsals, and runnings will simply not allow.

Touring Choir--beautiful. Collegiate professionalism. Younger group this year. Personally, a renewed/deepened appreciation for the choir and its members.

Theatre--Fall Play. Dr. James Dixon. Shakespeare's As You Like It. I play Adam: an 80 year old manservant to Orlando, the protagonist. This has been challenging. I've never done "old". Only young, and all of last year was middle aged British man. I'm out of sorts, out of practice, and out of habit of lengthy memorization. Yet, I've never done Shakespeare. Overall, glad I was coerced into auditioning.

Politics--I think Barack Obama is going to win. I don't think John McCain was the best choice for the spot, and I don't think he represents all of my interests all that well, but it certainly beats the horrific idealogies and proposals from the Obama camp. The first year of Obama's term is going to be rough because of inexperience, particualry in the area of foreign relations.

See://This Blog

I don't understand why people think taking people's right and inclination to self-defense makes sense; criminals will have guns even if we don't--thanks for rendering me helpless; nor why they want the clearly faulty government of the United States in charge of their doctor/patient relations (socialism, anyone?); nor why we would want to imitate the terrible state-run healthcare systems of France or Canada, to name a few ideas which Obama supports. I don't get why people think so un-critically and support and candidate who wants to do those things. Nevertheless, they are supporting him, and if and when he is elected, I, personally, shall pray that the Lord God gives him direction and guidance and the decisions made are the one's the Lord desires, and that God might provide our nation with peace, security, prosperity, and the propensity to combat evils of all sorts (social, humanitarian, economic, etc.) under Obama's administration.

Journalism--I picked up, by way of conversation regarding my political science minor, the slot of political beat writer for our campus' newspaper, The Collegian.
I've enjoyed the satisfaction of having my work read as I've covered presidential debates, campaign rallies, political happenings on campus, lectures, campus policies, etc. It gives one a sense of pride to see one's name in print, satisfaction at having one's work discussed and complimented, and hey--my very first article was the front page feature of that week's edition.

Classes
--Old Testament, Luther and Calvin, Civilization and the Speculative Mind, Golf and Badmitton, Life and Works of Paul, Poltical Parties and Pressure Groups. These courses cover a variety of my interests and pursuits. Enjoyable, for the most part, informative, mind expanding, life enriching, faith challenging (particulary in Spec. Mind.: the case laid out in the writings of Samuel Harris and Richard Dawkins are too easily dismissed by Christians. They challenged me greatly, if not with doubt--though it may have been--then certainly to re-evaulate the philosophical foundations and assurances of my faith--why I believe and do what I believe and do, and what evidence and reasoning is there to back that up?)

Little time to complete things in a timely manner. In fact, Fall Break=paper writing that couldn't take place in regular time--there is no time! All the regularly scheduled readings permit no time in between to write papers! Gahh! I detect many B's this semester...

Golf--I've never really played a game of real golf in my life. Always wanted to, never did. The PE department of the College offered a one-credit course in Golf and Badmitton this semester which I am taking and enjoying. I'm not particularly good at the sport quite yet, but it fills me a sense of prestige, enjoyment, if not a bit of elitism, and I hope to further develop those skills--athletic, not egotistic.

Church Life--Continuing my regular attendance at nearby East Main Presbyterian Church, I feel more welcome and at home there this year (having been able to attend more regularly) and it certainly suits as a church home. Getting to know the church family there and make it my own has been rewarding, as well as a center for theological discussion among its many educated members and myself. Having not gone to Sunday School last year, left me longing and motivated to partake in the College Sunday School class this year. I have and I have no regrets. Continual spiritual growth and sincere and beautiful worship of the Soverign Lord, the Triune God, take place, enriching and helping to direct my life in Christ.

Seminary Search--I've begun to seriously consider where I want my training as a shepherd of the flock of God's people, the church, to take place. It must be faithful. It must be orthodox. It must be conservative. This eliminates many, if not all, of the mainline seminaries, and certainly those of my own denomination, (PC)USA. I thought about Fuller (it seems many (PC)USA evangelical pastors were hailing from thereabouts) but it has since come to my attention that they don't teach inerrancy of Scriptures. Gordon-Conwell no longer has the Reformed presence it once did, and has become a bit of a haven for PCUSA liberals. Influence happens.

Wesminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and Reformed Theological Seminary (particularly the campus in Charlotte) stand out. Both fit my criteria (as far as I can tell) and both have extensive Grove City connections-by way of professors, GCC alumni in attendance, etc.

Will my liberal home presbytery ordain me if schooled in a non-PCUSA seminary? I don't know that I'd be willing to compromise. Will an ultimatium constiute the "kicking out" that Calvin described, in which I take my leave to another Presbyterian denomination?

The search continues with investigation, prayer, and heavy weight on the advice of in-the-know professors and pastors close to me.

Anglicanism--I've recently started attending a second church in the evening-Grace Anglican Church in nearby Slippery Rock. I've enjoyed it. The theology in preaching is solid, the congregation seems warm, and the liturgical tradition is beautiful. If you would have told this uber-contemporary worship nutjob 2 years ago that he would be willingly sitting through a formal liturgical worship service, enjoying it and worshiping sincerly, he/I would have disregarded you and immediately proceeded to sing "Shine, Jesus, Shine".

Now, since Anglicanism, certainly the conservative branch of it, such as this church, has its roots in the Reformation and even Calvin, what separates it from, say, the Presbyterians? Besides the obvious historical ties to the Church of England, is there anything different from Anglicanism and high-church Presbyterianism? That remains to be found out by this aspiring theologian-in-training.


So it goes. God is good. Let's see what else He has in store for this year.