seminarian

Strange that I write this several days after I finished my first incarnation as a seminarian rather than during those good old days. It is obvious that this article is written for therapeutic purpose: to help me reflecting back God's deeds and love in this period, to give thanks, and to move on.

book and work @ library

When I first came, I had a pile of hope and expectations of theological education: mastering the systematic theology, reading the Bible from cover to cover, being fluent in Greek and Hebrew, and so on. Now, after three years of "roundabout" papers, some foolish decisions on courses enrollment and ministry failures, I am content enough to know that God loves me.

Theological education is to equip one into a ministry. But in the context of Christianity, theological education is an interaction and a way to nurture friendship with the living God. It is a dialog that forms us into his likeness. We are not consuming books, handouts, and papers. We are being consumed. At the end of the day, we are not trained to handle the word of truth per se. We are to submit ourselves in obedience to God. Personally, it is an invitation to enjoy and to dwell in his love as we struggle with the Word.

K Koyama once said there is no handle on the cross. We are not controlling the cross, neither are we to lighten its burden. It is for us to carry with the help of God. True discipleship considers the cross (as said by Bonhoeffer). As for Christ's true disciples, there is no handle on the Word. It is for us to ruminate and to put ourselves under its authority. In this manner we can experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, and subsequently, are made able to serve others in God's grace.

Embracing the truth shall make us crucified. We are to die to ourselves. Quoting C Yu in a public lecture 2 years ago in my college, "theology is not a game." It is not for us to play with. Otherwise it is our "Ideo-logy" but we called it "Theo-logy." Our ideas are our gods. Conservative? May be..well, can learn other logias without necessarily called them theology, if we wish to. Now I understand that theology is "an act of adoration fraught with a danger of blasphemy" as quoted by my OT theology lecturer.

Any adoration to the triune God is part of worship. And the by-product of encountering God is growth.

then and now

then:

www.chrissaningrum.blogspot.com

now: this one lah..

Location: Drojogan village, Muntilan, Central Java 2005 

tada!

Dear friends,

This blog aims to express the reflected life of loving, serving, and learning of the author. No coherence? Well, human life seems to be patchy, but the grace of God knits it beautifully. As the patches are being knitted, the result is a mystery for we do not know what kind of patch will come next.

Hence, you may find disorders here and there. But please have fun discerning the Face of the hands who arranges the different pieces of life. Beatific, it may be!

Feel free to share your piece of life by leaving your comment. If you wish to quote any writing appears in this blog, please do so with a proper acknowledgment.

blessings,

ajeng