academics Archives - Canon Fodder

Should You Be a Professor or a Pastor? Thinking Through the Options

September 1, 2021

Since I am a professor at a seminary, it is not unusual (indeed, it is very common) for students to come to me for advice about whether they should enter the pastorate or seek to be a professor. While many of these students may have entered seminary with the intention of entering pastoral ministry, they have found themselves falling in love with a deep study of theology and the Bible. And so, they think, perhaps the academic world is right for them.

I confess that I am often torn when students come to me with this question. On the one hand, I want to discourage students from pursuing the Ph.D./professor route. In addition to the fact that Ph.D. work is far more rigorous (and costly) than they think, there is a great need for solid, bible-centered preachers/pastors today. The more solid folks in the pulpit the better.

On the other hand, we also need good seminary professors. Indeed, it is these professors that shape the theology, philosophy, and ethos of the next generation of pastors. Strong seminaries lead to strong churches. Thus, I am always on the look out for the next potential faculty member who can shape these future Christian leaders.

Of course, in the midst of such discussions, it is important to remember that the these two choices—professor or pastor—are not polar opposites. On the contrary, there is tremendous overlap between them (when conceived rightly). So, I thought it might be helpful to sketch out a spectrum of options between the world of pastors and professors. And not surprisingly, I will do this by using a chiastic-style structure (!): [Read more…]

Tolkien, Lewis, and the Blessings of a Messy Desk

August 25, 2021

Last week I finished a key portion of one of my research projects. And then I did what I normally do during such times (indeed, it is coming a bit of a tradition)–I cleaned up the colossal mess that I had made.

Before it was all said and done, books were strewn all over my desk, across my computer table, on the floor (on both sides of my desk), and up against the wall. Here’s the picture below!

After I had finally cleaned up my desk–and returned a couple of cart fulls of books to the library–I began to reflect on my life with a messy desk. What did it mean, if anything? Most likely, it means that I am just disorganized and absentminded–like many other professors.

But, as I looked at the picture, I found a sense of joy in the chaos of my office. It reminded me of [Read more…]

RTS Launches a New Journal: Reformed Faith and Practice

June 3, 2016

Last week it was announced that Reformed Theological Seminary has released the first installment of its new online journal. It is entitled Reformed Faith and Practice (RF&P) and can be accessed here.

The launch of the new journal coincides with the 50th anniversary of RTS (the seminary opened its doors in 1966). Other 50th anniversary-related initiatives include the release of the two volumes written by RTS faculty: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament and A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament.

RF&P will be publishing three times a year with contributions mainly from RTS faculty across our numerous campuses: Charlotte, Jackson, Orlando, Washington D.C., Atlanta, New York, and Houston. But there will also be contributions from scholars outside the RTS orbit.

In the introduction of the inaugural volume, editor John Muether provides an explanation of what RF&P is trying to accomplish:

We write from convictions that comport with the mission of RTS, which is “to serve the church by preparing its leaders, through a program of graduate theological education, based upon the authority of the inerrant Word of God, and committed to the Reformed faith.” An ecclesial focus will, we hope, be especially prominent in these pages as we seek (in the language of the RTS vision statement) to serve Christ’s church “in all branches of evangelical Christianity, especially Presbyterian and Reformed churches.” Thus our pledge is that we will commend the Reformed faith with a particular view toward the well-being of Reformed churches. While we aim to maintain high levels of scholarship, we write as servants of the church. Even more specifically, we seek to serve alumni of Reformed Theological Seminary with hope that RF&P will be an ongoing source of wisdom and continuing education in the work of pastoral ministry. As our title suggests, we plan to give particular attention to the relationship between doctrine and life. Our faith should inform the practice of the Christian life, and that practice must, in turn, reinforce our doctrinal commitments.

The first volume has a great line up articles. Here is the table of contents:

[Read more…]

Attention Seminary (and Ph.D.) Students: Here is Someone Who Understands Your World!

December 16, 2014

The life of a seminary or Ph.D. student (in biblical studies) can be a strange one. The subject matter is so esoteric, the languages are so ancient and out of date, and the vocabulary of the field is so idiosyncratic, that students feel that few people outside the seminary/Ph.D. world really understand them.

Well, there is hope! Below is a hilarious video on biblical philology (what an exciting subject!) making the rounds, set to the tune of “I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” from the musical Pirates of Penzance. The maker of this video clearly understands the seminary world:

Seminary Students: Love People not Papers? Or, Love People AND Papers?

February 1, 2013

Yesterday I noticed that someone sent out a tweet that said: “Seminary students: Love people not papers.” Now, in many ways, this advice is spot on. Seminary students often need to realize that there is more to ministry than Greek syntax or lengthy bibliographies. God calls us to engage with the flock personally, relationally, and intimately. As Paul himself noted about his ministry to the Thessalonians, “We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves” (1 Thess 2:8).

However, at the same time, to say that we should “love people and not papers” sets up a bit of a false dichotomy. It presents the issue as if one must choose between the two. Either I decide to engage with people and love them faithfully, OR I decide that I will excel in scholarship and study of the Word of God. Pick one. Either you become a person that does “real” ministry, or you become an egghead who only cares about academics.

Of course, I have no doubt that the original tweet did not intend to set up this false dichotomy—it was probably just trying to remind seminary students that loving people is important. Fair enough. But, unfortunately, the way it was phrased feeds a polarization between ministry and study that is all too prominent among Christians today. Many churches, ministers, and laymen already see “study” as antithetical to real ministry. They don’t want a pastor who reads, they want a pastor who gives himself to his people.

But, here is the problem. While pastors should certainly give themselves to people (1 Thess 2:8), that is not enough to fulfill one’s calling. God calls pastors not only to give themselves, but ultimately (and primarily), he calls them to give people the WORD. The pastors are a conduit for something greater and bigger than themselves: God’s own voice.

Put simply, pastors are not the means of grace.

Unfortunately, many young pastors head into ministry with the perception that if they just give themselves to their congregations—if they are just personal and loving—then they will succeed in ministry. But, they soon realize that they are not enough to satisfy the church. The church needs more than the pastor can give. And inevitably they burn out.

What the church needs more than anything is to hear the voice of her Lord. The church needs the Scriptures carefully explained, exposited, and applied. That is the food that can satisfy. And that requires a pastor who is a serious student of the word. It requires a pastor who (dare I say it) studies.

So, instead of saying “Seminary Students: Love people not papers.” Perhaps we need to say: “Seminary Students: Love people AND papers.” We don’t need to pick one. God calls us to love him with our heart and our mind. Thus, we should call our future ministers to do both.