Saved by Grace... Graduation by Works

Figure 1. Required textbooks for Semester 1

     Dr. Jelinek, Vice President and Dean of Moody Theological Seminary and Grad School, has a saying, "If you are studying at MTS you have been saved by grace... but you will only graduate through works." I found this incredibly apropos considering the number of textbooks I had just received a day prior. I am having to come to grips with the fact that my time is going to be spent here, in these books, learning the many foundational practices I will build on over the next few years.

     If you are observant you may have noticed that I left out the most important book(s) of all, my Bible. I did this on purpose, mostly to remind myself that no matter what tools I have, no matter what foundational knowledge I gain, it is all for not without the inspired and inerrant Word of God.

   Above all, I am going to make a concerted effort to remember how easy it is to look at the study of theology as purely academic; even though I serve a highly relational God. While I attempt to work on the head knowledge that comes with an academic career, I have to recall that my walk-- that is my spiritual relationship with the Almighty-- is one that requires time, attention, prayer, and effort.