It's does make one iota of a difference...

I have class tonight but today spent some time interacting with some of our assigned readings. I thought this story was of particular interest. As I've been learning the greek alphabet I always laugh at the letter "i - (iota)." Not because it's pronounced like the name of that cute little green source of wisdom from the Stars Wars movies but because the phrase that always pops in my head is "This doesn't make one iota of a difference." And today, my reading reminded me where that phrase originates and how my thinking on that little letter has changed...I'll try and summarize the reading up to save time and space while hopefully maintain its accuracy:

In the early church (around 325 AD) the hottest debate was whether Jesus was merely man or God/man. The key terms in both camps were the greek words homoousios and homoiousios. The first means basically 'the same' and the second one means 'similar'. One letter (the iota) in the Greek makes the world of difference between Jesus as merely man and Jesus as the Son of God. The argument in the article I was reading was about some people's assertion that doctrine has the potential to divide people. And one man's assertion (Athanasius of Alexandria) that one iota DID indeed matter was absolutely divisive (He was seen as a "hairsplitting fundamentalist") but ultimately essential.

So the next time that phrase comes into my brain, I will certainly remember that it DOES make one iota of a difference.

What are you for?

Today was convocation and what felt like a very monumental time for us newbies. Within the service, we all stood and he reminded us of our calling, our commission and our commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't know what lately has been going on in me but I've been a tearful mess more often than not. Joyful tears when I think of the love of Christ, humble tears when I think of what He's saved me from, and expectant tears, when I think of how each one of us He uses. What a tremendous honor to serve the King.

A couple of thoughts that stand out to me from today:
1. The reminder that the Gospel is at work in us and through us but it is never dependent on us. We all fall into the temptation to ride on our gifts and abilities slowly beginning to believe that we are responsible for God's work. But then we screw up. He stressed the question: "Where are you going to go when (not if) you sin?" The need for a Savior is vital to a ministry's success. He alluded to a time when Martin Luther was encouraging a friend of his who had failed some of his congregation members. I'm paraphrasing but Luther's response was something along the lines of "Do not for a second believe that you are not a hard-boiled sinner." But always in partnership with that thought is the mercy and compassion of our Savior, who knows how we've failed and embraces us in the work of Christ. More tears.

2. My first theology course was a pleasant surprise. One major nugget that came of this morning was this:

"Don’t tell people what you’re against, tell them what you are for."

The tendency in learning theology is to see it as a platform for argument and division. I loved his perspective of telling people what you believe rather than taking apart what someone else believes. Our tendency as human beings and as Christians is to 'cast out' those who may hold a contrary belief and declare them 'wrong.' And sure there may be justification to declare someone's thinking as 'wrong' but instead of staying there, focus on communicating to them what it is we believe. What it is we love. And why it is we love it.

First Day of School (and Blog)

If I'm going to get anything done and eventually post anything about this experience of seminary, without getting tangled up in all of the pressures to be clever or witty, I have to make a conscious effort to write without any kind of audience in mind.  So that being said, if Chad is the only one to ever read this blog, than he definitely will succeed in reaching his audience.  

Today was the first day of school.  The typical pictures of yellow school busses, Snoopy lunchboxes and mandatory pictures in front of the house need to be replaced with me riding my motorcycle to class, saving money by eating at home after class and receiving my less-than-flattering student ID picture.  

Beginning Greek was the first order of business today.  The professor reminded us of something that has been a theme over the past week through orientation.  This learning doesn't end with you.  Every labor, every work of memorization, every alpha to omega of this process is about being equipped to equip.  

We learned the alphabet today:

All babies get diarrhea eventually.  Zorro ate the ice caps.  Let's munch nuts excessively, okay?  Pigs really smell terrible.  Under five chairs, psychologists wink.  (our first quiz is tomorrow).  

Learning my own deficiencies in knowing languages, even the english language.  See?  I even started that sentence without a subject.  Chad is learning his own deficiencies in knowing languages. 

Second order of business was Preparation and Delivery of Sermons.  Some gleanings that I know will stay with me were the humility that is necessary in order to preach as well as the power of God's word, not the preacher, through the Holy Spirit, to do the work of change in a person's heart.  A couple of quotes that came of it:

I have often lifted up my hands in astonishment and said “how can God bless such feeble instrumentality?” Charles Spurgeon

"The meaning of the passage is the message of the sermon.   The truth of the passage is the message of the preaching.  The authority of the author is the authority of the preacher.  The power of the Word becomes the privilege of the preacher."

This whole morning really was an exercise in humility.  I know I don't deserve to be here, to be taught and shepherded by some great and wise people.  But God has given the blessing and I am completely grateful.  I left this class reminded of the awesome privilege of being God's son and the awesome responsibility of serving as one of His instruments.