“So where have you been?”
Well, the short answer is quite busy.
The long answer is that my grandfather went home to be with the Lord on March 6. My family and I drove the long 2400 mile round trip in the course of 5 days. I was blessed that my immediate family was able to make the trip with me and that I was able to assist in his funeral service. Truly the death of God’s people is precious in His sight. My grandfather has had a lasting impact on my life as my grandfather, a pastoral counselor, and, while I was in seminary, a scholarly friend. In large measure God has used him as a marvelous stimulus to motivate me to the pastoral ministry and academic study. He never finished college (a WW2 draft notice informing that he would report “with or without his consent” to a Navy recruiting office had something to do with that!), though he tried over the course of his life to take courses here and there, life was busy what with a family of 5 and working in rural churches as a pastor. He was truly a lifelong learner (at about 72 he decided to learn NT Greek at a local bible college finishing several courses, and since that was such a blast he decided to start learning Hebrew around 76!) So when he was 82 and I started seminary, we had quite a bit to talk about. He also had 50 years of service as a pastor in country churches throughout Louisiana. I cherish his life and its impact upon me.
As far as doctoral stuff is concerned, I am taking 2 courses and auditing a 3rd, so quite a bit of reading and assimilation. As far as work is concerned, various editing and translation projects have held my attention. Not to mention independent contractors/translators such as myself are always looking for the next job while working on the current one(s), so tracking down leads and making proposals. By the way, simmering in the background is a theological German exam in September. I am also hoping to participate in a French Paleography seminar this summer. Did I mention I preached a few times in March? And preparing for licensure exams in the Fall (English Bible, Greek & Hebrew exams, Church history, etc. etc)? My son, wife, and I have been working on basic conversational French off and on too (it’s scary how fast a 3 yr old can put things together simply by repetition!). Right, like I said, I’ve been busy.
But, seeing how it is “spring break” (which means what exactly for a doctoral student? Read, work on future papers, read, research, language study, read, sleep? eat? and definitely spend time with family), I thought I would try to put together in the next few posts or so, some of my percolating thoughts on atonement theology and historical figures.
