Did I just hear what I think I heard?

What follows describes what is going on at the seminary this week... to tell the truth, I was one of those who was disturbed by what was said. There are certain words that (i believe) should not be uttered in worship... quoting someone else, or not. A congregation's pastor may take certain liberties--but that is only after establishing certain bonds. Those bonds are important... and they were not established between the speaker and those gathered on Tuesday. I am glad that we will be discussing these things on Wednesday. I am proud of the way this is now being handled. Any thoughts?

Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 5:23:07 PM
To: #Admin_Faculty_Staff; #Student Email Users
Subject: A message from President Ted Wardlaw
Importance: High
Auto forwarded by a Rule



Dear Friends:



I am writing, here at the end of this week, to address a concern that is troubling many in the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary community. On Tuesday of this week, after a sermon preached by Monya Stubbs , Janet Maykus, the celebrant, extemporaneously shared a personal experience of grace and redemption as a reflection on Monya’s image of “going to Galilee” and as a part of her Invitation to the Lord’s Table. This story was confusing to some and disturbing to others, and employed a quotation from her father that included a derogatory word. Serious conversations have taken place across this seminary community since Tuesday, as people have discussed this event in small conversation groups; but now I believe it is time for us to have a community-wide forum about the collection of concerns sparked by these conversations. I am inviting all of you—students, staff and faculty—to come to Stotts Hall next Wednesday afternoon, May 2, at 3:30 p.m. Please come on Wednesday at 3:30 prepared to speak—and to hear—the truth in love.



Faithfully yours,



Ted

Hooray...

I have one paper left to finish. Really...only 4 pages left to write... then all of my work on my Master of Divinity degree will be finished. I am almost done with 4 years of theological education. Can I get an "amen"?

I'd buy that for a dollar!

Last week the seminary library had a book sale. I picked up the Hexapla for $1. It weighs about 10 lbs. I love the book sales... I am going to miss them.

The English "Hexapla" (from the root word "hex" meaning "six", such as a six-sided "hexagon") was printed in 1841 by Samuel Bagster and Sons of London, England. This wonderful resource of textual comparison is something no Christian's library should be without. The English Hexapla Parallel New Testament has been called "a Bible collection in one volume."

It contains the six most important English language translations of the New Testament, all arranged in parallel columns for easy textual comparison of any passage. Each left-hand page shows: The Wycliffe version of 1380 (the first English scripture), The Tyndale version of 1534-1536 (the first English printed scripture), and Cranmer's Great Bible of 1539 (the first Authorized English Bible). Continuing across each right-hand page is: The Geneva “1557” - translation actually completed in 1560, (the Bible of the Protestant Reformation), The Rheims 1582 (the first Roman Catholic English version), and the 1611 King James First Edition... all side-by-side, and also laid out so the passages roughly match-up top-to-bottom as well.

Rule #1: Don't sweat the small stuff

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

In for an inch, in for a mile.

As I was standing in the street,
As quiet as could be,
A great big ugly man came up,
And tied his horse to me.

Is that a Book of Order in her hands?

Mother, may I go and swim?
Yes, my darling daughter.
Hang your clothes on yonder limb,
But don't go near the water.