Another semester in the books

For the first time in about 5 years I tackled two courses in one semester at DLU: Preaching-Teaching Biblical Genres (Prof. John York) and Old Testament World (Prof. Ted Carruth).

Both were fine courses. I understand much better now the inner logic of narrative preaching (ala Craddock, Long, Lowery, Graves and others) and have sharper tools with which to construct sermons and preach them. I find this quite new and helpful since I managed to earn a BA in Preaching without ever having to preach in class. That's another story.

OT World contained so much in so many ways: so many civilizations, so much time, so much data. But I have a better grasp of the main issues on the table and a better working knowledge of the basic information. Though I am much more comfortable in the world of the New Testament, I count this course as great progress. I'd never done formal course work in OT World before, so the thrill of having the issues and data 'click' and fall into place is a real help.

With six hours down, I've got two semesters, and fifteen hours, left. Up to bat for the spring semester are three courses (an independent study in Missions, a short course in Genesis, and a third yet-to-be-determined); on deck for the summer are two more (one in Historical Theology with John Mark Hicks and one yet-to-be-determined).

Mark Manry: I wish you could join me for the Hicks course as I go out in style for my degree. Great memories, friend!

Speaking of degrees, I found this gem a while back and have been saving it for an apropos post:

"When a man reaches the point that he has sufficient reputation that it is uneccesary to print any degree after his name, he has "arrived." Degrees printed after names are crutches for little men to lean upon. Of what possible use can a B.D. [precursor to today's M.Div., M.Ice] degree be to a gospel preacher except some more infidelity to unlearn. When a man reaches the point that he prefers to be called "Doctor Blank" instead of "Brother Blank" he has indeed become a conceited donkey. Recently when I had an article about this matter in The Christian Leader a brother wrote to inquire what degrees I had. Now, brethren, that's just the point: not is it the truth? or Does the Bible teach it? but What degrees do you have? Yes, brethren, a new disease has broken out among us preachers -- it is "Degreeitis." Let us hope it will soon run its course."

--George W. DeHoff, "This and That" The Christian Magazine vol. 2 no. 3 January-March 1948, p. 29.