Some inspirational statements within my academic career

Conwy Gardens, Wales 2001 

Update I have reposted this article for May (May 1). It was originally published April 25, but I have added more statements in May. As I have noted presently on my other blog, thekingpin68, I am going to try to write one post per month per blog (thekingpin68 and satire and theology) and I will attempt to place more than one section/article in each post. So two posts per month overall, with always the possibility of more. I am not personally interested in a 'Twitter' like short blog approach with several monthly posts. Although I admit some have success with it. Thank you to you loyal readers including the anonymous ones. Commenters, followers and links also appreciated of course. Cheers. Big D, has stated I should put a post together with inspirational statements from my nearly twenty years of academic education. These will be paraphrased since I do not walk around with a note pad, recorder, or personal assistant. The dates will also be estimated. 

Columbia Bible College 1991-1995: Professor J 

'I don't have time to read fiction because there is too much non-fiction for me to read.' I have largely had to live by this as with my four degrees I have spent a lot time studying Biblical Studies, Theology, and Philosophy of Religion as well as dabbling in Statistics, Social Research, Psychology and Science, and there has not been much time to read fiction. That is if I wanted to have any kind of social life outside of reading. Which I do. 

Columbia Bible College 1991-1995: Professor J 

'Looking through both tears of despair and tears of joy, one cannot see the truth very clearly'. Profound. I doubt this is true in every case. I tend to think that at times with increased emotions the brain becomes more active and thoughts can become more clear as long as one remains controlled. I can grant, however, that with intense out of control emotions leading to tears, yes, objectivity will very likely be impaired. 

Trinity Western University/Canadian Baptist Seminary 1997-1998: Theology Professor R 

'When I am asked to speak at a funeral and I am not reasonably sure if the deceased knew the Lord, I state that the Lord is a perfect and just judge'. I think that is a good approach.

Trinity Western University/Canadian Baptist Seminary 1997-1998: Theology Professor R '

There is no point having you students write term papers because at your level you have nothing significant to add'. I was fine with this comment. I was looking at this pragmatically. I was inspired by the pragmatism. We were taking Theology I and Theology II at a Masters level together at nights over several hours for a few weeks. I certainly did not want to add term papers to that agenda! The Professor was not liked by all but I still like and respect him and my marks were high and I learned a fair amount. I never sold-out my Christian faith and philosophy academically, but I have always been very pragmatic when it comes to academics as well. I discuss this in my e-book. 

The University of Manchester 1999-2000: Advisor and Professor P

'I have never met an animal like you.' This unfortunately makes me think of the poppy song called 'You're a strange animal'. This statement was in the context of this 'tutor' wanting me to change my views in regard to the problem of evil, theodicy and the nature of God in order for me stay within the theology and religion department. I was soon forced to leave and he did not want me there in the first place. The person that had accepted me was away on the Continent for a year. I was soon inspired to succeed at Wales. 

Wales University 2000: Advisor and Professor W 

Via a phone conversation... 'The only advice I will give you concerning women is to date someone that will attend the same church as you'. This I think is vitally very good advice which I will always follow. 

Wales University 2000: Advisor and Professor W

'Liberals have taken advantage of conservatives in the British academic system for 40 years and I am sick of it'. True enough and I experienced this, but I was inspired with God's help to work hard and succeed anyway within they system by the rules without compromising my worldview. I managed to meet Theologian John R.W. Stott very briefly after he spoke at a church in Manchester. I explained to him that I was working on a PhD on the problem of evil. He said to me... 

John Stott 2001: Speaker 'You are a very brave man'. Turns out with all I went through he was correct. The other day at church I bought one of his books. I was advised not to cite him in my PhD as he was not considered academic enough at Wales. At the very end of the book 'Basic Christianity' Stott explains that a Christian should follow Christ wholly and unreservedly in service. Stott (1958)(2009: 156). I will not claim that for myself in a perfect sense, but I will state that I did serve the Lord in a sacrificial sense in the UK and in my academic career. Also at church the other day, I bought a book from Arthur W. Pink, a theologian I cited in my PhD. The book I bought is 'The Attributes of God'. He states: 

Arthur W. Pink 1975: Theologian and Author

'Here is an encouragement to prayer. There is no cause for fearing that the petitions of the righteous will not be heard, or that their sighs and tears shall escape the notice of God, since he knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. Pink (1975)(2009: 23). The Lord hears the prayers of his people, and answers within his will. I can have that peace, as can others in trusting in the Lord. This does not guarantee happiness in regard to an issue that is being prayed on, but at least there can be peace that the Lord has heard the prayer. John 14:6 (New American Standard Bible) 6Jesus said to him, "I am (A)the way, and (B)the truth, and (C)the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. This has always been important theologically and philosophically for me. Certainly Christianity does not have all truth, and other many other worldviews and religions have truth, but if Christianity is essentially true the claims Christ made on this point are essential. David J. Ellis describes Christ as the vital link between the heavenly and earthly realms. There is no salvation apart from his teaching and Jesus as a person cannot be separated from what he does. Ellis (1986: 1254). I will add that having studied various worldviews at secular Universities I reason the Christian worldview is the most true. 

ELLIS, DAVID, J. (1986) 'John', in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

PINK, ARTHUR, W. (1975)(2009) The Attributes of God, Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids. 

STOTT, JOHN, R.W. (1958)(2009) Basic Christianity, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids. I may add some more statements to this post as they come to mind. 

Trinity Western University/Canadian Baptist Seminary 1998-1999: Biblical Studies Professor from South Africa 

'Class (Closs) when writing an exam do your best and do God's best'. This professor was nice enough to introduce to me to the department at Manchester. Too bad it did not work out... 

Columbia Bible College 1991-1995: Professor K 

'If you use a better grade of paper you are more likely to receive an outright 'A' in my course'. Yes this was the case. I was using the standard academic grade paper but I went out and purchased higher grade paper for my printer just for my World Religions and World History courses with this Professor. In his defence, and I wrote him this by email this year, his technical preparations foreshadowed some of types technical things expected of my theses writing in Britain several years later. 

John Calvin 1543: Theologian 

'All things are subject to his power, and so there is no created thing which does not, either of its own accord or under coercion, obey his will. Accordingly everything that happens happens of necessity, as he had ordained. Satan too and all the wicked are submissive to his authority, so that they cannot move beyond what he has commanded, for they are constrained by his hand as though by a bride or a halter, so that by now he restrains them, since it pleases him to do so, and now he drives them on and guides them to execute his judgements.' Calvin (1543)(1996: 39).

In my MPhil and PhD theses I take the compatibilistic position that significantly free thoughts and actions that one would be held morally accountable for by God would not be forced or coerced. Human sin, in a sense, is not forced or coerced upon a person by God or any outside force. Therefore, human sin can be traced to human corruption (Romans 1-6) and sinful thoughts and a limited free will leading to sinful choices, all within the will of God. So, these would be appear to be the thoughts and more clearly actions of 'its own accord' Calvin was discussing. Further, I admitted in my Doctorate that not all human actions were significantly free if forced/coerced and that not all human actions were morally significant if same. 

CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House. 

How can I not be inspired by Chuck? 

Conwy Overview, Wales 2001  

My 'Estate': May 18, 2011 at a prayer time