I shall be presenting and discussing two of my papers, one of which is a lengthy critique of Fee's Pauline Christology.
As usual, please offer up your prayers:
Dear Lord,
We pray that you would grant Chris the ability to make it look like he has given an answer to any probing questions when in actual fact all he has done is change the subject subtly and hoped the slight of hand wasn't noticed.
Answer us for the sake of Chris Tilling Really Very Holy Ministries.
Amen.
4 comments:
You know, Chris, it's also OK, especially as a doctoral candidate, to say "I haven't thought about that aspect before. Thank you very much for raising such an interesting point. I really must pursue it further." In order to do this convincingly, though, you need to have a pen on the lectern with you and make a note as you say this. You don't actually have to make a note of what the questioner has said - you just need to be seen to be writing. A variation on this theme is "That's a very interesting question - there's probably another whole doctoral thesis/dissertation in that." Or, if you don't like the facilitator for the session "That's an interesting question. I must admit I haven't thought about it before. What do other people think?" Chaos is likely to ensue as others try to share their opinions, thus disrupting the chair's carefully constructed order for questions, and with luck you might learn something useful and not have to answer any other questions at all. :-)
Chris,
Just how relevant are the words of Paul to your life as a whole? Some of them are relevant in a universal way, the same way that lessons emphasizing faith, hope, and love are relevant to human sociability, no matter whether such lessons are found in the Bible or other holy books or novels, stories, or plays.
But the rest of Paul seems to be either a matter of interpretation, and/or not highly relevant to the whole of one's life except to people who feel they must believe specific things about what lay behind the metaphysical curtain in order to "be saved."
Hilarious Judy!
Chris are you going to post any of the papers here afterwards?
Blessings,
Bryan L
Hi Judy, thanks so much for your hilarious comment - I think the funniest I have ever read!
Hi Edward and thanks for your question. I'll be brief here for now.
"Just how relevant are the words of Paul to your life as a whole?"
Very. Chaganging and challenging all I think and do.
"But the rest of Paul seems to be either a matter of interpretation"
I would say that ALL of Paul seems to be a matter of interpretation. i think that is part of the point of understanding the Apostle.
Hi Bryan, I wasn't planning to, no. They are going to be part of my doctoral work which I tend to keep off of my blog.
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