A week of Classes!

Hey so It has been an epic week with many a good story to tell! (Which is wonderful because it is how good God has been to me this past week)

So I guess sharing a bit more about my classes might be helpful as I have finally had a lecture in each of the classes.

For BIST 310 (Biblical Theology) we have two sections of the course. One is focusing on the Old testament and is using themes from the South African Context as studying points. What does the Bible say about: Economic Justice, Homosexuality, HIV/AIDS, and Masculinity. Which makes for an epic course. Random thought for you from this week's lecture... The Monarchy in Israel (which by some is hailed to be a great and good thing), actually was responsible for some of the greatest debts incurred upon the nation of Israel. Check it out see what Samuel had to say about the problem of a Monarchy is 1st Sam 8. Then Read about how Solomon brought some of the worst economic debts upon his nation for the creation of the temple. It is an expensive building and that didn't come for free. He even had to sell 20 cities to another nation because of his debts. Kind of crazy and unfortunate that the people of Israel did not look heed Samuel's warning and advice.
The other half is focusing on the Book of Revelation. Which is totally epic. I couldn't believe how much my perspective changed once I started viewing the text as a continuous act of being read in a worship context that is punctuated by hymns from the congregation. Try reading the destruction of the world and then hearing a hymn declaring how epic and Just our God is. It really changes your perspective on all that doom and gloom into a hopeful read.

My Theologies of Transformation course is going to be equally epic. We are going to be investigating specifically how the state and Theology interact. Trust me the Bible is not impartial in this matter. Old Testament and New Testament. The LORD the God of Israel had a huge deal of love for the oppressed. Jesus called the rulers Foxes, and snakes. Trust me if the Bible isn't partial then the church also shouldn't be partial.

The Issues of Gender and Masculinities course is going to be equally exciting. We are starting off by investigating the current status of Masculinity (Or Masculinities) in this society. So Quick story for you and things to ponder on. Here there is a conference which is called the MIGHTY MEN CONFERENCE. Basically it is a group of men who gather yearly to be encouraged into bolder masculinity... That being said I am not sure that if what they are marketing as masculine (or being a 'Man') is what it is to be a 'man' in our society then I would want to be a man. The whole thing (we watched a video) seemed heavily off setting. The main speaker (Angus Buchan) basically agressively extorted the men to live into the fullness of Christ as men. To be bold, and confident, in control, powerful, to trust and put faith in God, to hold to that faith in the midst of adversity. All of which is good, yet it seemed to be lacking. He seemed to want to make the 'boys' of the crowd into 'Manly men' (read Valiant soldier, Mighty Warrior, etc...). The truth is that Men were created differently then women. Yes, but at the same time we were not created to become gods to others, or provider for others. Men need to hear and understand very deeply the relationship of Love that Christ has for us. Not just the need to sanctify, purify, and make ourselves right with the Lord. We need to also understand that we as men are called to be humble servants not control hungry high priests in our families (at one point he said to the crowd, Fathers, go back home and be the HIGH PRIESTS in your Families, Tell them to pray etc...). Very scary stuff. Especially given that this is becoming increasingly normative for Christian men in this country. If he thinks that there is a crisis of Masculinity in the world now due to feminism, I think that there is a crisis of Masculinities due to this OVERreaction to women's gain in power. Men we need to be lovers, kind and compassionate. Not necesarily weak, but lovers. I will have many more thoughts on this issue as the weeks progress.

My Studies in Industrial Mission class started today, and it promises to be an amazing and tranformative class. We are approaching the world as a faithful theological community using the methodology of SEE-JUDGE-ACT (cf Exo 3:7-10). and we are going to investigate the structural sins of the Global Economic system, and engage with them, to see how to change these systems, and improve the lives of people in order to truely and fully show how God loves the World. In doing so we teach people who God is through our actions of compassion, and justice. We can evangelize and show a God who cares about their experience. and In doing so we can transform the dominant Ideologies of the world and teach people what the Kingdom of God looks like here and now. Totally epic! This class is also going to involve field trips out to the local communities to see the dramatic and horible affects of the Global economic system.

This past sunday I have finally found a wonderful Church which I feel like I am going to commit myself into. So I went to the Lutheran Chapel at LTI (Lutheran Theological Institute) Which made for a wonderful experience. We worshipped acappella and sang in english and Zulu which was wonderful. After service all of the first time guests introduced themselves and said where they were from. So 5 of us stood up and introduced ourselves. Which was wonderful. I am super excited to continue to worship there and be present in a Lutheran community on campus.

I have other exciting stories from this week which I will add on later! but Peace for now! as soon I am going to be getting ready to play Touch Rugby!