What we study and who we are

One fact about me that perhaps many people don't know is that I studied primarily literature in college and not Bible.  The things that we choose to learn about whether formally or informally have a tendency to shape our views on life.  I believe that my background in literature and writing greatly impacts the way in which I think, teach, and preach.

Many men who are preparing to be preachers spend only a small amount of time in learning how to present ideas.  Most ministry students take two or three classes on the actual practice of preaching and spend much of the rest of their education in classes about the Bible text, Biblical languages, church history and church organization.  While it is certainly a benefit to learn Biblical criticism and ancient languages, these studies do not always inform a preacher's ability in the pulpit.  In my experience, it is just as needful to know how to express ideas in a meaningful way as it is to possess the ideas themselves.  One simply cannot be effective without both the knowledge of material and the method of presentation.

Fortunately, a background in literature informs both areas.  Knowledge of the Biblical text is enhanced when one understands the literary devices used by the writers of Scripture.  Also being able to compare the Bible with other literary works is valuable in seeing how human experience is universal and timeless.  In addition to aiding with knowledge, a background in literature also helps in the delivery of information.  Much of preaching is writing whether it be sermon outlines, bulletin articles, or study materials.  Having a more than basic skill level in the use of words is a great benefit to a minister.

I have often wished I had taken more text and language classes while in college, however, my extra time spent in the study of words and how to use them effectively is something I would not change.  Obviously some preachers will be heavy on the knowledge and lighter on the application and vice versa.  Hopefully we can all be used of God to draw more people to the point of a decision regarding relationship with Him.

School starts back

When I was a child, one of my favorite experiences each year was the return of school in August.  I always enjoyed school and school activities and never dreaded the prospect of returning to the classroom.  August meant the start of preseason football, being assigned new teachers and seeing which friends were in each class.

When college arrived, I continued to look forward to the start of school.  After my freshman year, I always arrived back on campus early to help the new students move into the dorms.  It was always exciting to learn what everyone had done over the summer and to start the year together.

Best wishes to those, young and old, who are starting a new school year.  May you learn much and enjoy your experiences!

Pray for study

This Thursday, Lord willing, I will be meeting with some Mormons to talk about the Scriptures.  This is my fourth or fifth meeting with LDS missionaries, but only my second with these two guys.  Our first meeting lasted over an hour and they seemed open to discussing some deeper issues.  Most of my encounters with LDS members in the past have led to mutual respect but no lasting results.  For some reason I feel that at least one of these young men may be different.

Please pray that I will have God's Spirit and God's words as I speak to these young men.  Imagine what great missionaries converted LDS members would make?!  We are slowly building up to some important questions and I hope that we will find common ground in the truth of God's word.

Thanks for all you do.

Misplaced dedication

This afternoon I was busy playing around on the Internet listening to sermons and watching, to be honest, Lady GaGa videos.  I put some clothes in the laundry and went back to goofing off.  Perhaps not sinful behavior, but certainly not "redeeming the time."  I took a shower and got dressed to go to a Gospel meeting tonight.  As I left the house to run some errands, I saw them. 
White button downs with black ties and backpacks.  Mormon missionaries. 
They were knocking on the door of a neighboring house that is empty.  I called to them and they walked over.  I explained the house was abandoned and they started their prepared speech.  I explained that I would love to talk with them but I was on my way out.  They asked my name and when I said Will, one of them said, "Will?  Will Norrid?  We know about you."

I studied with some LDS missionaries about a year ago and we had some good discussions, but I didn't know I had a file at headquarters apparently.  I told these new guys that I would enjoy having them in my home and they asked a time to return.  Hopefully good will come of our meeting.

I think about how I had basically wasted (prodigalized) a whole day just wasting time while these two guys were going door-to-door in the mud to share something important to them.  I had been dedicated to wasting time while they were dedicated to teaching something I believe false.  I think both they and I had a case of misplaced dedication: I should have been using my downtime more productively (like studying or reaching out to others) while their dedicated behavior is placed in something beyond what God desires.

It is not enough to merely possess the truth we must act on it and it is not enough to act without the truth.