Bible College isn't like Sunday School!

A week from this coming Tuesday I begin college. AGAIN! But this will be the LAST time I start again. I am studying for a B.A. in Leadership Ministries.  I lack a college Algebra from completing my core curriculum ~ that only took 25 years! (Don't laugh ~ that is REAL!)  Now I will focus on Bible and ministry courses.  I am an official student of a small, private (accredited) Bible college. ~ Even have the Student ID to prove it!

I picked up my textbook for my first class last week.  Homework is due the first night of class so I want to be well ahead of the curve.  My first class is An Introduction to the Gospels (i.e., 1st four books of the New Testament ~ Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).

I began reading my new textbook last week.  I already have SEVERAL observations! Some are about myself ~ some are about the scriptures ~ and some are about the author of my textbook!!!!

Observations about myself:  I grew up in a denomination where the ability to quote scripture is almost inborn!  If you started out on the Cradle Roll and regularly went to Sunday School and Vacation Bible School by the time you were five you were able to recite all the books of the Bible, give Cliff Notes versions of the major parables and, of course, tell people that Christ's return was imminent.  I was always taught the Bible is the "Word of God" and we take the scripture within The Word literally.

Enter Bible College ~  

I am a "thinker" and an "analyzer" (over-analyzer even) and I am discovering very quickly the study of scripture is not an exact science.  I very much like for things, people, situations, history, etc. to have a very definite beginning, middle and end.  The study of scripture is not that literal ~ not even close!  And for every fact I do discover I have five questions.  I have the feeling I am either going to have many unanswered questions or get extra credit in class participation! (SMILE)!!!  

Some examples I am referring ~ there are not exact dates on the scriptures we have so there is much debate on when a book of the Bible may have been penned ~ (i.e., was it pre-70 A.D. or post-70 A.D.).  It is quite fascinating the way in which the verses are studied (i.e., the language written, the possible location) and compared with events of different ages to tie things together.  Not only is there much debate about the date of the books I am currently studying there is even discussion about WHO may or may not have written them.  While all of this was quite maddening at first ~ I am beginning to accept the path I have chosen will not be black~and~white.  In a "perfect world" the writers would list The Book Title, written by, the location and the current date.

The Book of Matthew

Written by: Matthew

The Holiday Inn in Greece

70 A.D.

Guess that is where FAITH is gonna come in!!  I have to admit I have many questions I have been tempted to Google! but I won't.  Instead I want to discover things through the lectures of my professors and my textbooks ~ THEN!! I'll Google and research deeper!

Speaking of textbooks......The author of the one I am currently reading has several "habits" that I am finding rather annoying!!!  The habit most frustrating to me is his use of ~ ! I do not recall ever seeing an ! in a textbook ~ much less the amount this gentleman uses!!!!!  Another 'habit' I am seeing is his inability to leave out his personal commentary.  Every once in a while there will be a "zing".  Prime example: We were studying the scripture in which Jesus stated that the poor would always be with us and we could help them at any time.  The author suddenly throws in a very heavy-handed comment re: the current Western churches' lack of care for the poor.  Do I agree ~ yes.  Did it need to be thrown randomly into a textbook about the historical study of a scriptural text ~ hhhmm, NO!   These are very random and they are like little landmines that you suddenly come upon in the middle of very serious study.  Honestly, I find it distracting.  

His comments take me completely out of the time period we are studying and throws me back to current times then the next sentence is back in whatever A.D. again!  ((I have A.D.D. folks!! Let's stay on topic!!! ~ I may have to up my meds to get through Bible college!!!!))

Since this author is driving me nuts I admit I found much pleasure in something that ~ honestly ~ should embarrass him! The gentleman has a rather lengthy Acknowledgement section at the beginning of his textbook ~ VERY lengthy.  He thanks everyone but his mother and God Himself. Name after name of the cast of millions who made this book possible.  So I found it rather poetic when I began reading the Introduction to the book and found that the SECOND sentence is missing 3 words!  And not even 3 words in a row.  It is more ~ The quick brown ____ jumped over the lazy ____ sitting on the ____ of the riverbank.   LUV IT with 55 !'s following it!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow I will tell you some of the things I have learned so far from studying the scriptures themselves. And please don't be misled by this post ~ I truly am loving this!!  And I am looking forward to getting into the classroom with a professor and other students to delve deeper into "The Word".