Imperishable Inheritance

I went this weekend to visit The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and it was an encouraging time where God solidified that it is a place for me to be. I got the chance to talk with the deans including Russell Moore, and I asked him about classes in biblical theology. He proceeded to tell me that they're working on a new degree program specialized in that field. I now know what I want to major in. While I want to take some missiology courses, there is no field of Christian theology that interests me more. I just have so many interests from apologetic to church planting/missiology to pastoral care and theological studies. Our God is definitely never boring!

I appreciate how dedicated the staff are to the students. They genuinely seemed concerned about the spiritual and personal well-being of their students. I also appreciated how they didn't divorce seminary life from the local church. After experience that in Crusade I don't want to do it again. I want to push more and more for a balance between minstry inside and outside the church. They also have a very serious focus on having both conservative theology and a conservative world view. They are definitely not out of touch with the surrounding culture, and it's good to know they're engaging it head on.

I did however find out that you only qualify for the SBC rate if (1) you get approved by an SBC church or (2) you fill out a covenant agreement which only covers your first semester. While I was planning on doing (2) they told us that it is only meant for people who know for sure they want to go into ministry with the SBC. They said they don't track down people after graduation, but that it's a matter of integrity. It looks as though I won't be getting the discounted rate for seminary. At this point I can't say for sure that I want to go into ministry with the SBC; I still have many ecclesiastical questions that need to be answered before I can say that honestly.

I also got to see Lenny, John, and Tyler. Man how I miss being around those gentlemen! They were so integral in my spiritual development, and it's a shame that I can't spend more time around them. Lenny is about ready to graduate, and the others have a year or so left. It looks like I'll be arriving when they leave. I'm encouraged to know that such Godly men are being sent out into the harvest!

I'm also comforted by the seemingly well-stabled economy in Louisville. It is also one of the cheapest places to live in the country right now! It looks like, unless God wills otherwise, that I will be down there single; and it just helps to know that I will be able to support myself while going through school. Many married men are supported by their wives during seminary, and it looks as though I won't have that luxury.

It's all exciting, and I'm looking forward to starting in fall 2008.