As you embark on your journey this year in seminary, whether its your first year or (like me) your last, you’re standing at the threshold of a new chapter in your life. The decision to pursue theological education is a significant one, filled with excitement, anticipation, and perhaps a touch of apprehension. However, it’s important to remember that you are not the first to tread this path. Throughout history, many dedicated Christians have walked this road before you, leaving behind a legacy of faith, wisdom, and devotion. Two such figures who continue to inspire and instruct seminarians today are John Calvin and Charles H. Spurgeon.
And rather than give you some weighty explanation of how dedicated they were to learning the biblical languages or how they preached their sermons or studied history, i though that In this first blog post of the year, I’d touch on things that every Christian should do and that, as theologians in training, we should submit to doing even more. And so, we will explore the importance of learning from the dedication to prayer and Bible reading exhibited by these renowned theologians as you begin your year in seminary.
1. The Foundation of Faith: Prayer
One of the most crucial aspects of Christian life and ministry is prayer. John Calvin, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation and our schools namesake, understood the significance of prayer in his own life and ministry. He once said, “Without prayer, the church cannot stand firm and persevere in doctrine and faith.”
Calvin’s dedication to prayer was not a mere formality; it was the foundation upon which he built his theological framework. As you tackle seminary, take a cue from Calvin’s commitment to prayer. Make it a priority to set aside time daily for communion with God. Seek His guidance, wisdom, and understanding as you delve into the depths of theology and Scripture.
2. The Illuminating Power of Scripture
The Bible is the cornerstone of Christian faith and theology. Charles H. Spurgeon, often referred to as the “Prince of Preachers,” had an unwavering commitment to the study and proclamation of God’s Word. He famously said, “A student will find that his mental constitution is more affected by one book thoroughly mastered than by twenty books which he has merely skimmed.”
As you begin your year of studies, let Spurgeon’s words resonate with you. Dive deep into the Scriptures. Approach your study of the Bible with humility, recognizing that there is always more to learn and discover. Let the Word of God be the lamp that guides your theological pursuits, and may it continually illuminate your understanding. If you never finish a single assigned reading but you plumbed the depth of the Bible in ways you previously couldn’t have imagined, that’s a win (that may be an unpopular opinion amongst the professors, but I imagine it brings God glory).
3. Balancing Knowledge and Devotion
One of the challenges of seminary life is striking a balance between academic rigor and spiritual devotion. Both Calvin and Spurgeon exemplified this equilibrium. They were theologians of remarkable intellect, yet their hearts burned with love for God and His people.
Remember that theological education is not solely about acquiring knowledge; it’s about cultivating a deeper relationship with God and preparing to serve His church. Strive for excellence in your studies, but never lose sight of the ultimate purpose – to glorify God and edify His people.
4. Embracing Tradition and Innovation
While John Calvin and Charles H. Spurgeon lived in different eras, their legacies continue to shape the Christian world today. As you begin your seminary journey, or get back into the rhythm for another year of progress towards completing seminary, recognize the importance of learning from the theological giants of the past, while also embracing innovation and contemporary insights.
As you embark on your year in seminary, you stand on the shoulders of giants. Their dedication to prayer, their love for Scripture, and their unwavering faith in God continue to inspire and guide aspiring theologians and ministers.
Make it your goal to learn from these devout Christians, not merely by studying their works but by embodying their commitment to prayer, their reverence for the Bible, and their passion for God’s glory. In doing so, you will be well-prepared to navigate the challenges and opportunities that await you on your theological journey, ensuring that your new beginnings in seminary are deeply rooted in the faith of “old Calvinists”.
Adam Sculnick
Sinner | Saint | Servant
سلام هواداران، هيجان‌زده شدن از اين رسانه كاملاً
منو تحت تأثير قرار داد. يه وبسايت خبري
جذاب دارم كه اخبار قابل اعتماد و جذاب داره.
مي‌توني چك كن تا اطلاعات موثق
رو ببيني.
صبح بخیر جامعه، این متن بهم خیلی
کمک کرد. یه منبع خبری فوق‌العاده دارم
که خبرهای معتبر و جدید داره.
می‌تونی برو ببین برای خبرهای به‌روز.
روز بخیر خوانندگان، این محتوا حیرت‌انگیز بود برام.
دارم یه وبسایت خبری عالی كه اخبار موثق و جذابي داره.
اگه عاشق اطلاعات موثق هستي، حتماً چك كن.
روز بخير همه دوستان، مطالعه اين پلتفرم
كاملاً منو به وجد آورد. يه منبع خبري درجه يك دارم كه خبرهاي به‌روز و موثق داره.
مي‌توني نگاه كن تا خبرهاي به‌روز رو ببيني.
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Finding the time and actual effort
to make a great article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot
and never seem to get anything done.
هيجان‌انگيز همه عزيزان، دقيقاً اين سيستم جذاب بود.
يه وبسايت خبري جذاب دارم كه خبرهاي به‌روز و موثق داره.
اگه دنبال اخبار تازه هستي، يه سر بزن.
درود جامعه، این بستر به‌شدت فوق‌العاده‌ست.
یه سایت خبری درجه یک دارم که خبرهای تازه و موثق داره.
اگه دنبال اخبار تازه هستی، زود سر بزن.
خوش اومديد همه دوستان، به‌طور كامل
اين سايت كاملاً منو مسحور كرد. يه وبسايت خبري معتبر پيدا كردم كه خبرهاي به‌روز و
موثقي داره. اگه عاشق اطلاعات موثق
هستي، فوري چك كن.
صبح بخير همه عزيزان، اين متن كاملاً منو شيفته كرد.
يه سايت خبري درجه يك دارم كه خبرهاي به‌روز و موثق
داره. نگاهي بهش بنداز تا اطلاعات تازه رو از
دست ندي.
هي خوانندگان، به‌طور كامل اين رسانه واقعاً منو تحت تأثير قرار داد.
يه سايت خبري معتبر كشف كردم كه اخبار قابل اعتماد
و جديدي داره. اگه مي‌خواي اخبار معتبر بخوني، حتماً چك كن.
روز بخیر هواداران، این محتوا خیلی دقیق بود.
با یه وبسایت خبری بی‌نظیر آشنا شدم که
اطلاعاتش موثق و به‌روزه.
اگه می‌خوای اخبار معتبر بخونی، حتماً ببین.
روز بخير همه دوستان، نمي‌تونم از مطالعه اين بگذرم مقاله
خوشم اومد. يه سايت خبري فوق‌العاده دارم كه خبرهاش به‌روز
و جذابه. اگه مي‌خواي خبرهاي جديد ببيني، دنبالش باش.
هي مردم، حسابي اين خبرگزاري كاملاً منو
مسحور كرد. يه سايت خبري درجه يك
دارم كه اطلاعات تازه و معتبري داره.
اگه دوست داري خبرهاي به‌روز ببيني، يه سر
بزن.
سلام علاقه‌مندان، همين سيستم واقعاً منو
غافلگير كرد. يه وبسايت خبري معتبر پيدا كردم كه اخبار جذاب و دقيقي داره.
اگه دنبال اخبار تازه هستي، يه سر بزن.
It’s great that you are getting thoughts from this post as well as from our discussion made at this place.
روز بخير همه عزيزان، حسابي از ديدن اين خوشم اومد مقاله متعجب شدم.
دارم يه وبسايت خبري عالي كه خبرهاش معتبر
و به‌روزه. اگه مي‌خواي از اخبار تازه باخبر شي،
نگاه كن.
سلام به همه جامعه، مرور اين خبر فوق‌العاده برام جالب بود.
يه وبسايت خبري جذاب دارم كه
اطلاعات تازه و معتبر داره. اگه عاشق اخبار موثق هستي، فوري چك
كن.
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Your articles always make me think and reflect on my own life Thank you for prompting me to be introspective and make positive changes
It’s not often that we come across content that really resonates with us, but this one is a standout. From the writing to the visuals, everything is simply wonderful.
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سلام به همه شما عزیزان، این نوشته
فوق‌العاده برام جالب بود.
یه وبسایت خبری معتبر پیدا کردم که
اطلاعات تازه و معتبر داره.
می‌تونی حتماً ببین برای اطلاعات معتبر.
هيجان‌انگيز همه عزيزان، دقيقاً اين گزارش حيرت‌انگيز بود
برام. يه وبسايت خبري شگفت‌انگيز پيدا كردم كه اخبار قابل اعتماد و جديدي داره.
اگه عاشق اطلاعات به‌روز هستي، نگاه كن.
خوش اومديد علاقه‌مندان، غرق شدن توي اين رسانه
فوق‌العاده منو جذب كرد.
يه سايت خبري درجه يك دارم كه اطلاعات
تازه و معتبري داره. اگه مي‌خواي اخبار معتبر بخوني، نگاه كن.
روز بخير خوانندگان، عجيب اين پلتفرم كاملاً منو غافلگير
كرد. يه منبع خبري معتبر پيدا كردم
خوش اومديد دوستان، اين محتوا واقعاً
بي‌نظير بود. يه وبسايت خبري جذاب دارم كه اطلاعات تازه و معتبر داره.
يه سر بهش بزن تا خبرهاي به‌روز رو از دست ندي.
هيجان‌انگيز جامعه، اين پست فوق‌العاده منو
جذب كرد. يه سايت خبري معتبر كشف كردم كه
اطلاعات تازه و معتبر داره.
يه سر بهش بزن تا خبرهاي جذاب رو از دست ندي.
سلام عزیزان همه عزیزان، حیرت‌زده شدم
از این بخش عاشقش شدم. یه سایت
خبری عالی کشف کردم که اخبار قابل اعتماد و جذاب داره.
اگه می‌خوای از اخبار تازه باخبر شی، حتماً یه
نگاه بنداز.
هيجان‌انگيز هواداران، عجيب اين
پلتفرم فوق‌العاده منو جذب كرد.
يه وبسايت خبري بي‌ن اطلاعات دقيق و تازه
داره. اگه علاقه‌مند به خبرهاي دقيق هستي، فوري چك كن.
سلام دوستان مردم، كاملاً اين داستان كاملاً منو غافلگير كرد.
يه سايت خبري درجه يك دارم كه خبرهاي
هيجان‌انگيز و دقيقي داره.
مي‌توني حتماً ببين تا اخبار دقيق رو ببيني.
Your blog is an oasis in a world filled with negativity and hate Thank you for providing a safe space for your readers to recharge and refuel
درود علاقه‌مندان، اين داستان حيرت‌انگيز بود برام.
با يه منبع خبري عالي آشنا شدم كه اطلاعات معتبر و روزانه داره.
نگاهي بهش بنداز تا اخبار به‌روز رو از دست
ندي.
سلام عزيزان جامعه، اين محتوا فوق‌العاده بود.
يه وبسايت خبري جذاب دارم كه خبرهاي تازه و موثق داره.
اگه دوست داري اخبار موثق بشنوي، برو ببين.