Old Dog, New Tricks?
Circumstances have given me the opportunity to undertake something that has intrigued me for years â€' a course in Theology. My family and I have always appreciated sharing views (House Churches) and guided reading of the Bible (Bible Reading Fellowship or Daily Bread). But things crop up from time to time that make you think "I wish I really knew, but I'm sure I know someone who would". To be fair to ministers, you can't really heckle someone who is "6 ft. above contradiction" in the pulpit, and by the time you get to the end of the queue at the church door after the service you have forgotten what it was anyway and, besides, lunch will be nearly ready! On the other hand, some have nearly flat backsides from sitting resolutely "on the fence" or they answer questions with other ones, like some verbal ping-pong! Is it part of their training, I wonder, and if so do they have to do some secondment at Westminster (Parliament not Abbey)?
But I do want to know, and I like to do things properly if at all. So I have enrolled on a Certificate in Theology course with Exeter University. It is a trail which leads (through a Diploma) potentially to a degree: Bachelor of Theology. It is also one shared by potential Lay Readers, Ordinands, Church Army officers and others: there are 22 of us on this course, of whom 18 are already embarked on a Lay Readership or Ordination route. We have weekly 2 hour tutorials at Diocesan House, Truro, accompanied by reading, reading and more reading! Not just reading but â€' shock, horror! â€' really thinking about it!
Now I am used to examination by academics who "take no prisoners" â€' expecting, it would appear, a fully rational, coordinated and annotated thesis in a 30 or 40 minute zap in the "academic microwave" of the examination room. I expect no less a standard from Theology, whether or not it leads to a degree or whatever. But I am learning â€' not only jargonesque terms like "hermeneutics" (interpretation) and "soteriology" (salvation, no less) but inspiring ones like "perichoresis" (the way the elements of the Trinity act together like the characters in a dance) and "koinonia" (specifically Christian fellowship). We have already "done" introductions to theological thinking, to the characters of the Creator, the Incarnation and the Holy Spirit, and to models for interpreting and understanding the Bible â€' all in the first 12 weeks! This term we "do" Creation, Evil and Salvation! But these tutors are not just respected academics but clergy: committed Christians, I believe â€' it makes a difference. And the essence always remains â€' the Easter message.
I am doing this because I want to, and yet I feel compelled to do so now more than ever. I do not know where it will lead but I will try to follow wherever. However, it must be real â€' not self-indulgence nor an escape from life: truth comes first, and has a habit of winning anyway sooner or later. I would value your prayerful support.
