Effective Communication

I was reminded today of some basic communication principles. I’ve heard it said that Abraham Lincoln tried communicating as succinctly as possible; two words were better than three, and the fewer syllables per word the better. They say that the Gettysburg Address consists of 295 words, and 205 of them are only one syllable.

Billy Graham, another effective communicator, has said that he tries to communicate on the level of a fifth grader. In fact, it has been said that the mark of geniusness is being able to speak profundities in ordinary, understandable words.

Now, we who have been entrusted with the most important message in the world–God’s very own–would do well to remember this. We need not dumb down our message or think that the hearers lack mental capabilities. Rather, we should seek to speak directly, plainly, simply, and in a way that even a child would find interesting and clear. The point of communication is to make the message clear, not to show people how smart you are or how much you know.

Mastering your Theological Education

I am beginning a series of posts entitled “Mastering your Theological Education.” Since I will be graduating in about a month, I thought I’d pass along lessons I’ve learned during my time in school. The focus of these posts will not so much be on how to make good grades. Rather, I want to focus on how to make the most of your time in general, including your family time, your church involvement, your living arrangements, and your choice of employment.

I’m sure there are those who much more qualified to write about this topic than me–those who have made better grades and made better use of their time, just all around better students. If this is you, please chime in and offer your comments and feedback.

Others may object to such a series of posts, arguing that theological education as it stands is unbiblical. While I agree that there are elements of Seminary training that need improvement, I think things are a long way from any serious reform. Let’s face it, most will receive their training in the academy. So for now my focus will be on how to make the most of things as they currently stand.

Some may find these posts irrelevant, you have already completed your schooling, you never plan on going, or the personal lessons I’ve learned just don’t apply to you. But then maybe there are others who are just beginning to look into schooling. They myriad of details involved in that decision are overwhelming. If this is you, I hope you find some of these posts useful.

As I continue this series I plan on discussing:
Should I get further training?
Should I live on campus?
Should I work?
What type of work should I seek?
How involved should I be in church?
How can I juggle family time?

Practice and Belief

Alan has posted some great thoughts today about practice and belief, make sure you check it out.

Tough Choice

I’m really debating about which classes to take in the fall. I’ll be beginning a Th.M., and am supposed to take two M.Div level courses and two seminars. Listen to this all-star line up:

Psalms…… Cole
Septuagent……..Black and Cole
Hebrews……..Black
Linguistics…….Black
Textual Criticism…..Robinson

How can one possibly choose? Maybe I won’t, maybe I’ll just sign up for all of them.

Your best life now?

I found these words both sobering and appropriate to some popular notions of our day.

“It troubles some that the power of this disease attacks our people equally with the unbelievers, as if the Christian believed for this purpose, that he might have the enjoyment of the world and this life free from the contact of ills; and not as one who undergoes all the adverse things here and is reserved for future joy… Moreover, he will be aware that he must suffer more than others in this world.”

-Cyprian, On Good Patience

Racing in Rockingham

Today at work I had an interesting conversation:

Customer (lady): Do you like drag-racing?

Me: Well, honestly I’m not very into it. Why do you ask?

Customer: My husband and I are going to the drag races in Rockingham this weekend to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. I am so excited, my husband knew exactly what I would like!

Me: _____ (speechless).

Incidentally, my next door neighbor has invited me to go with him to the very same race track with him at some point. Do you think I’m going? You better believe it. I think of the words of Paul, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Cor 9:22).

longest flight

This statistic, naming the world’s longest non-stop flight, caught my eye today. Who wins the award? The flight out of Newark, New Jersey to Singapore at a whopping 18 hours.

Once I flew non-stop from Seoul South Korea to Atlanta Georgia, a 15 hour non-stop flight; talk about jet-lag!

Check out this review

Drew offers a fine review of Radical by David Platt. Drew offers this challenge: “The problem is that we have a battle within us to [live radically] ourselves, if we’re at least cognizant of Jesus’ demand on our lives. The problem is we’re just not sure if living radically is for us.”

Quote of the day, II

“But for us, beloved brethren, who are philosophers, not in words, but in deeds, and do not put forward our wisdom in our garb, but in truth–who are better acquainted with the consciousness than with the boast of virtues–who do not speak great things, but live them.”

-Cyprian, De patientiae

Quote of the day

“Read the divine scriptures constantly; never, indeed, let the sacred volume be out of your hand. Learn what you have to teach.”

-Jerome, extracts from Ep. ad Nepontianum