I am proud to say that I was the first one done with my History of Christianity Final. It was the toughest one. Everyone was stressed out about it. I was so glad that he gave us a choice on the the essay. Anyways. Finals are over. I Now move into prep-mode for my class in Lisbon. I am sure that my studies will provide many new thoughts and ideas on youth ministry and ministry in general. I will give one thought to ponder for today....
As I listen to the passing conversations around campus during finals week I am pleased t hear my fellow seminarians encouraging each other. When it comes to finals there is a sort of camaraderie that surfaces. People are saying hey how's it going, and oh ya I had that one last semester, let me give ya some advice, or only X more days. But what really caught my ear was this type of comment, "Hey, just do your best, Jesus doesn't;t really care about your grades in Hebrew exegesis" Now, we all do no that yes he does care about our grades, and the other hand not so much. But the people that I hear saying this are some of the same people that kill themselves throughout the semester, and compare grades and compete with others.
Not very profound, but I ma very proud of my self this semester. I know that I could have spent many more hours studying certain classes, and I know that am here to learn and all of that. But I have really been aboe to balance things. This is big for me. But I think that most nights I was able to still spend time with my wife and get a good night sleep. I dis a good job studying but I am learning a greater lesson than who called the council of Pisa. I am learning how to balance ministry and my family, that is what I am really roped of this semester...
*Disclaimer: I have an amazing wife that works a fulltime job so that I don't have to work during the semester.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Original Sin
MORE PROCRASTINATIONS!!! (This is what happens when I try to study Theology while listening to some good kick back music, Oh well)
Original sin Vs. actualized Sin
All sin originates in the ability of man to choose. With out choice we could not sin. But our ability to choose is dependent upon, or varied by the state of our holistic human package. Our physical limitations, spiritual, mental, emotional, etc., all have affect on how we make our certain decisions. This is not to put the blame of our sin on our current condition, some of that is a result of previous choices. The reason that sin is still our fault and we are still to blame for each and every sin committed, from birth to death,(this I am not firm on but will assert for the purpose of this thought process) Is very simply because we are created in god's image, but are not God himself. God admits himself that he is a jealous God. If I am made similar to God and yet are not God then my inclination to be praised,as God is, becomes sin due to the fact that I am desiring praise for myself rather than God. This is why pride is the root of all sin, and Praise is the highest end of man. This still leaves the issue of my assertions about sin from birth. An infant is a human, just as much a human as I am compared to any other. The major differences can be equated to the same basic principles. We are all at different stages in our various realms of development. The more I go through life the more I realize that there is not a point when you cease to develop. One is always in progress in life. Am I saying that an infant can sin just as an 'adult' can? Maybe. Obviously intention and repercussion are different in the actions of infants, but in proportion to their development, as in all people. Or maybe it is just possible for an infant to sin but never does. This plays very well for understanding the salvation of an infant. But, then this means that we have many other humans that live sinless live other than Jesus himself. That may or may not be a problem. Maybe choice is original sin. the sheer ability for man to choose is sin itself. But then we must believe that Jesus could not sin, and God purposely created us to sin. (rather than creating with the possibility to sin and it ultimately being our decision) Another options is that we were created with the choice and with out the deity and that makes our ability to choose original sin. This still means that God created us that way intentionally (I am not asserting that God never thought that we would sin, or that he was surprised at the first sin) Or, original sin carries no repercussions, then it wouldn't really be sin though.
That's it, these thoughts are in progress.....I'll go back to studying now.....
Original sin Vs. actualized Sin
All sin originates in the ability of man to choose. With out choice we could not sin. But our ability to choose is dependent upon, or varied by the state of our holistic human package. Our physical limitations, spiritual, mental, emotional, etc., all have affect on how we make our certain decisions. This is not to put the blame of our sin on our current condition, some of that is a result of previous choices. The reason that sin is still our fault and we are still to blame for each and every sin committed, from birth to death,(this I am not firm on but will assert for the purpose of this thought process) Is very simply because we are created in god's image, but are not God himself. God admits himself that he is a jealous God. If I am made similar to God and yet are not God then my inclination to be praised,as God is, becomes sin due to the fact that I am desiring praise for myself rather than God. This is why pride is the root of all sin, and Praise is the highest end of man. This still leaves the issue of my assertions about sin from birth. An infant is a human, just as much a human as I am compared to any other. The major differences can be equated to the same basic principles. We are all at different stages in our various realms of development. The more I go through life the more I realize that there is not a point when you cease to develop. One is always in progress in life. Am I saying that an infant can sin just as an 'adult' can? Maybe. Obviously intention and repercussion are different in the actions of infants, but in proportion to their development, as in all people. Or maybe it is just possible for an infant to sin but never does. This plays very well for understanding the salvation of an infant. But, then this means that we have many other humans that live sinless live other than Jesus himself. That may or may not be a problem. Maybe choice is original sin. the sheer ability for man to choose is sin itself. But then we must believe that Jesus could not sin, and God purposely created us to sin. (rather than creating with the possibility to sin and it ultimately being our decision) Another options is that we were created with the choice and with out the deity and that makes our ability to choose original sin. This still means that God created us that way intentionally (I am not asserting that God never thought that we would sin, or that he was surprised at the first sin) Or, original sin carries no repercussions, then it wouldn't really be sin though.
That's it, these thoughts are in progress.....I'll go back to studying now.....
Friday, May 06, 2005
Are Finals Really final??!!
It amazes me how time will pass when you pay way too much attention to acertain point inteh near future. It seems that finals will never be over. I am so anxious to be done and spend a weekend down at the lake. While at the same time I wish that I had soo much more time before I had tot take these stupid things. Hwo ever thought of finals any way? Ok this is all very basic and unoriginal, but I don't care. I would much rather have some other form of testing my knowledge, but that's not going to happen, oh well better keep studying. Sorry for the boring post......
Wanna great way to waste time instead of studying??? Go here , lots of great useless/useful info!
Wanna great way to waste time instead of studying??? Go here , lots of great useless/useful info!
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