Top 10 Things in Minnesota For Which I Am Thankful

This year for Thanksgiving, I thought I'd challenge myself to think of ten things in Minnesota for which I am thankful. It is indeed a challenge, because I am almost always harping on how much I dislike being here. However, I have lived here for 2.5 years now, and I have discovered some wonderful gems here that I think I will miss when I leave the state. So, here are the top ten things in Minnesota for which I am most thankful (in no particular order):

1. The performing arts scene. Despite being a relatively small city, Minneapolis truly has one of the most vibrant performing arts scenes I've ever experienced. In the month of October, I think I attended at least one concert, ballet, or show each week. There is no end to the opportunities available to hear quality music, see a world class ballet (e.g. the Suzanne Farrell ballet will be here next week), or watch a broadway show (e.g. I won the Wicked lottery here!). Without such a lively performing arts culture in the Twin Cities, I'm pretty sure I could not have survived here as long as I did.

2. Student tickets. Going hand-in-hand with the above, if the Twin Cities did not treat their students so nicely and offer student discounts at almost every show, I could not afford to attend any of these events. Thankfully, they are very generous to poor students like me. I was even able to purchase a student subscription to the Minnesota Orchestra this year for only $12 a ticket with some fabulous seats in the house. I am especially excited this year, because the Minnesota Orchestra will be performing Dvorak's New World Symphony and Rach 3, two of my all-time favorites. 

3. My apartment. I've lived in three different apartments since moving here, and my current one is fabulous. I love living in downtown while feeling completely safe in my own building and neighborhood. It is right on the bus line (without needing to transfer!) so that I can get to campus without freezing to death. I'm thankful that I can afford this place so that my living situation isn't a distraction to my studies. 

4. Funding from the University of MN. It is difficult these days to land in a doctoral program that guarantees their students at least 5 years of funding especially in a field like mine. There is absolutely no way I could have paid my way through graduate school, nor been able to afford my current place of residence without the support. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to constantly fight for departmental funding year after year in an economy that always cuts the humanities first. Having this kind of support in such dire times is a real boon, not to mention it was the only way I could have afforded my extended trip to Oxford this past summer, a total dream come true.

5. Transit stop heaters. Minneapolis bus and train stops sometimes have these heat lamps attached to the shelter ceilings. They're not as helpful against the biting wind, but whenever the winds stop for even a few seconds, the warmth from those lamps is bliss. Every bit of warmth counts here.

6. Zenon Dance School. I can earnestly say that this dance studio has probably saved me from falling into serious depression these last few winters. Something about dancing and being around other dancers makes me forget for a moment all the stress of graduate school. I love the teachers and the friends I've met here. It's a little community all its own that is completely separate from anything school-related. Hint for future graduate students: Having a community completely separate from school is absolutely essential for surviving a PhD.

7. The Church. I know the church exists almost worldwide, but I am especially grateful that it exists in Minnesota, because it is a real comfort to have this kind of community no matter where I live in the US through our shared bond in Christ. I am thankful for the unity in diversity. I meet people from backgrounds that couldn't be more different from mine, yet we share in common the most central part of our lives. The members of the body of Christ here have truly been the ones who have shown me the most love, even though I'm a complete stranger in these parts.

8. My advisor (and informal advisors). Before beginning my doctoral studies, I would often hear all sorts of horror stories about PhD supervisors and how they can turn your life into a living hell, prevent you from graduating, and challenge your research. I am blessed to have had none of these experiences with my advisor. He has been very generous with his time, eager to help me network with other like-minded scholars, eager to involve me in his own projects, and trying his best to give me as much flexibility as possible to study NT textual criticism in a program designed strictly for classicists. I am extremely grateful that my experience with him has been a good one. I am also extremely thankful for Michael Holmes and Amy Anderson, the former of whom gave me rigorous foundational training in textual criticism, and the latter provided endless opportunities and encouragement in pursuing further research in this area. Without these two and the flexibility accorded by my advisor, I might very well have left UMN a while ago.

9. The MacLaurin Institute. This institute recognizes that the lack of religious discourse in academia deprives the academy of significant resources in all fields of scholarship. They provide students and faculty contexts in which they can engage intellectually in deeper theological and ethical issues without being forced to put aside faith perspectives in the conversation. I am thankful that they provide students like me opportunities to think about some of the more difficult questions regarding faith and academia.

10. Medical insurance and medical care. The student insurance at the University of MN is phenomenal. In fact, it is the best medical insurance I have ever had so far. I would be tens of thousands of dollars in debt right now if I didn't have this kind of coverage. The access to medical treatment in MN is also phenomenal (mentioning Mayo Clinic is enough, I think) and I am truly thankful for the wonderful doctors I have access to here. 

That was not a bad exercise! It has definitely lifted my mood despite the weather. I will have to look back at this post the next time I feel like quitting and moving back East.

The view outside my building on campus.

Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament

In our patristic Greek class today, we had a very engaging roundtable discussion on Origen's De Principiis. In it, Origen gives a lengthy treatise on what parts of the Old Testament should be understood literally and what parts should be interpreted spiritually. Now, Origen was later condemned by the church as a heretic, largely for his denial of the resurrection of the body. However, regardless of whether or not his interpretations are correct, his points are worth considering.

He states, in no uncertain terms, that when a literal understanding of a text is impossible, that one must interpret it in a spiritual sense. One of his many examples comes from Genesis 1. He explains that the days of Creation could not be indicating literal days, for how could there be a day without the sun and moon? Thus, in this work, Origen drives home the point that not everything in Scripture should be understood in a strictly literal sense, especially when it does not coincide with historical fact or logic. He says that "intelligent" folks who "read carefully" will be able to recognize when a literal meaning is impossible and search for a spiritual meaning. However, lest he quickly be labeled a Gnostic, he quickly clarifies that the "simple-minded" are not prevented from receiving salvation even if they can only understand at a literal level (IV.2.6).

Clearly from an evangelical standpoint, there are many theological red flags with his statements. However, this same debate on the literal/metaphorical interpretation of Scripture still exists today, almost two millennia later, with evangelicals leaning more on the literal side of interpretation. How are we to rightly handle narratives, laws, literary forms, etc. in the Old Testament which clearly reflect older ancient Near Eastern accounts? How do we genuinely take into consideration recent scholarship in historical and source criticism while still holding a high view of Scripture?

The answers to such questions are by no means simple. Yet, as I continue to study and get caught up on recent biblical scholarship, I realize that there is much valid research on Scripture and history that I need to take into consideration. The more I read, the more I am intrigued and eager to discuss what I've learned.

In my educational journey, I have observed two types of Christian biblical scholars: 1) those who are highly accomplished and produce groundbreaking research in biblical studies, and who feel the need to share all that they know to the church as their ministry, no matter how controversial or difficult the topic, and 2) those who are highly accomplished and produce groundbreaking research in biblical studies, and who do NOT feel the need to share all their knowledge to the church.

I have always identified more with the first category. After all, why am I spending all these years studying the Bible if I am not going to edify anyone by sharing what I've learned? For Christians, is not the aim of all academia to serve the church? Isn't the goal of all exegetes, theologians, and seminarians to correctly interpret and teach the Scriptures? So why wouldn't I share all that I learn with other fellow believers who haven't had the opportunity?

But then I think about Origen, and how he is so bold as to suggest that Scripture can have metaphorical meaning, while not requiring all Christians to follow his example. Is there perhaps some merit in those of group two above, who, out of sensitivity to believers who may be seriously troubled by hearing all the latest scholarship and interpretations of key biblical passages, refrain from divulging all pertinent information about a text? Maybe it is more of a service to the church to introduce these ideas little by little in a gentle, pastoral way that will not unintentionally cause them to stumble in their faith.

I don't want to sound like an elitist here, and, I think, neither did Origen. There is no hierarchy in the church, since all have fallen short of the glory of God and are saved by grace alone. However, I do believe God imparts different talents and gifts to each individual. Those who are able to consider controversial biblical scholarship while holding on to the authority of Scripture should certainly do so, but perhaps with an attitude that does not require the rest of the church to do the same, or at the very least, must introduce them in a way that nurtures one's trust in the authority of Scripture. If I want to build up the body of Christ, then my communication of the facts should stem from a desire to encourage and affirm believers in their faith, not merely to point out others' errors or cause controversy.

Is this not the principle Paul teaches the Corinthians?

"Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up... Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak,you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." --1 Cor. 8:1, 8-13

"And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." --1 Cor. 13:2

It would not be a service to the church to become a highly accomplished biblical scholar only to become a stumbling block to believers. Otherwise, "it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matt 18:6).

I do still think there is a responsibility for every believer to carefully study Scripture, but each one does so according to one's own ability and within the confines of creedal Christianity. The historical church has worked hard to define what is orthodox and what is heretical. So while Scripture cannot be handled haphazardly, biblical scholars must restrain their knowledge until they are able to communicate in a way that builds up the believer.

Till My Trophies At Last I Lay Down

A CV is an academic's trophy shelf.

Whenever I need to put together an application, I have to rework my CV. Although tedious at times, I sometimes can't help but get a satisfied little smirk in my heart at all of my accomplishments, when, for a brief moment, I forget the fact that there are millions of CVs out there that look way more impressive than mine, or the fact that it is really a host of people in my life that made these even possible. The fun part of the reworking process is trying to get your CV to sound as epic as possible.

During one of these reworking sessions, I had a sudden thought. What if all of this is taken away from me in an instant? What if I suddenly became blind, deaf, and mute? What if I could no longer think, read, or write? Where would I find my worth? Would my hope in God remain steadfast? Would he still be my ultimate treasure?

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. " -Psalm 73

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down