Well, in the words of Homer Simpson – “my brain hurts“. I’ve spent the whole day at the induction for the Master of Arts in Church Practice – the course I’m starting at Tabor. Although I won’t actually be spending any time on campus, it’s much too cool a course for crazy things like actually attending the college. For more about the course, either go to the Tabor site. I’m too lazy to re-explain.
It’s going to be pretty full-on. There’s some pretty bright people doing it, and there’ll be a fair bit of work in it – but I really do love the whole emphasis of the course – “theology in context as it relates to the local church”. Can’t think of any better way to approach bible college type study. And I’m still equally enthusiatic (well, proabbly even more enthusiatic) having met the people I’ll be doing it with.
There was an interesting thought brought up, and my mind is still trying to wrap itself around all that we were chatting about. But this stood out: that our theology needs to be considered against the context it is in; in light of our own experiences and the church tradition. So we don’t do theology in a vaccuum, but instead have to consider any questions against what we have done in the past: filtering out the non-essentials and keeping the quality, and recognising that the needs of today are not the needs of yesterday.
I think I’ll need an early night tonight – to cope with the expansion of my brain.
I was at tabor today, pitty I didn’t see you geoff. Are you back tommorow? (Sunday)
I saw your wife in the Cafeteria, waved but I’m not sure that she spotted me. Not there tomorrow, but I am going to the Forge thing on Tuesday night. Will you guys be there then?
What did you have for breakfast this morning, Geoff?
)
You’ve been RSS’d now Geoff so expect to see more of me!
A lot of people have been sucked in to doing theology in a vacuum. Sorry, couldn’t resist…
It’s an interesting question. I’ve been theologicising with the anglicans over at Ridley last semester. The first semester, given that it is highly introductory in nature, has focussed quite heavily on looking at scripture in its historical, literary and cultural context. Staying true to the intended meaning of the text while applying it to our present culture proves to be an interesting task.
I look forward to hearing more about what you’re doing!
Well if I can expect comments as often as you post on your blog, I’ll have plenty of time to wait.
Get the impression you might just be checking up on me….. 
I did try to persuade you to do it Paul but you will suit yourself.
Good old Tabor.
(Good impression getting, I think you’re right)
Hi Geoff – I didn’t see you wave, but I did wonder if it was you or not… I didn’t expect to see you there – you know how the context thing can throw recognition into doubt at times… Your course sounds great. We won’t be there on Tuesday night (although I would really like to). Scott is working an evening shift, and I am helping out with an Alpha course…
Ah, what a blow. Yeah, looking forward to the course. Should be fun, even if it’ll force me to think:D