tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post259219639494080955..comments2023-11-02T07:47:10.433-04:00Comments on Vindicated: Teaching Undergraduate TheologyKylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14641068117855718120noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post-12547466984440941672011-04-10T15:08:28.878-04:002011-04-10T15:08:28.878-04:00This is easily said, but I wonder if part of it is...This is easily said, but I wonder if part of it is communicating an infectious passion for theology that helps to lift it beyond academia. So often we can sign up to study a subject that we're passionate about, only to have that curiosity smothered or stifled by the reality of papers and exams. <br />I agree too that good teachers don't necessarily have the 'right' answers, but instead encourage students to think for themselves, equipping them with skills they can apply beyond the classroom. And the way in which teachers relate to their students and encourage and facilitate debate between them is also important.Emmahttp://www.emmascrivener.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post-8427941693153696422011-04-08T14:57:31.381-04:002011-04-08T14:57:31.381-04:00I think that is the key--getting students to under...I think that is the key--getting students to understand why something is worth thinking about. Too often, teachers are concerned with answering questions. Instead we should be concerned with pursuing the right questions *and*, in the case of theology, trusting God to do the answering.Bobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post-62805686068847566732011-04-08T10:04:16.234-04:002011-04-08T10:04:16.234-04:00Bob, I appreciate your thoughtful words as I refle...<b>Bob</b>, I appreciate your thoughtful words as I reflect upon my own work. It helps me to focus on getting one... small... point... across, in the hopes that I provide them enough context to know why it's worth thinking about, and some way to move forward with God. We'll see if it happens!Kylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14641068117855718120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post-10923696472707142332011-03-29T08:15:45.891-04:002011-03-29T08:15:45.891-04:00I've taught before. The part for me that is t...I've taught before. The part for me that is the most challenging is to take an idea that can only be felt by the spirit, translating it into words that can be understood by the mind, and then trusting that God will take those words from the mind to the hearts of the listeners.<br /><br />It's far too often that I sit with a concept of Scripture and am moved to tears. Then I try to articulate it (which is where reading attempts by others is very helpful). But it loses a little. Then it is presented in an organized fashion to a class and loses a little more. Distractions, differing backgrounds, differing personalities of students strip the message a little more. <br /><br />In the end, the huge thought that moved me to tears has been reduced to the size of a mustard seed in the minds of the students.<br /><br />But that is enough.Bobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post-63958854180318224752011-03-28T15:14:11.442-04:002011-03-28T15:14:11.442-04:00Asking questions and getting answers. It's wha...Asking questions and getting answers. It's what we do in REL 257!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com