“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” – Proverbs 2:6
One of the most challenging classes a student takes in seminary is Systematic Theology. The Systematic Theology class is a demanding, year-long experience. The reading for this class is extensive and difficult. The lectures stretch your thinking on God and the church. At the end of this class, you submit a large paper that you have been working on for the entire year. The paper is called the “Credo.” It is a Latin word that means, “I believe.” This statement of theological belief is only arrived at by dedicated class work, study, mindful wrestling, and thoughtful prayer.
I remember that special day when I arrived in class and submitted my paper. I had worked long hours, and my hopes were high for a good grade. I submitted my paper and settled in for what I thought would be an easy hour of class. However, I received a bit of a surprise that day. The surprise that caught my attention was the lecture our professor delivered. I call it a surprise because, in my mind, I had just submitted my paper, the work was done, or so I thought, and I really was not in the mood for an additional lecture. My professor must have known what I was thinking. As he began to teach us, “The fact that you have completed this class and turned in your paper is no excuse to now let your brains go to mush.”
My professor was not done teaching and he wanted us to know that we were not done learning, or at least we shouldn’t be. The lesson he shared with us that day was a tremendously important lesson, and one that I am grateful for to this day. We are all called to be lifelong students. Our education does not end when the last test is completed, and the last paper is submitted. We must continually seek new knowledge. Just like any other muscle in our body, our brains must be exercised. I am thankful for that additional lecture we received. It serves as a reminder to me today that class is still in session and there is so much more to learn.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
