Tuesday evenings from 6:30pm to 8pm, that’s all the tutor led instruction I get on the Old Testament and I am expected to study the notes I am given the rest of the week. This I do with diligence and with a certain sense of enjoyment. I like learning new things about God and I have discovered quite a few things about the covenants and prophets that I was simply ignorant of before.
Truth be told I’m finding it all a little strange. On the one hand I left school at 16 with good GCSE’s and this course is what I would have been doing had I remained in college until I was 18. Ergo it is more difficult than any course I have done before, yet I am finding the work terrifically easy. I suppose my private reading list, and my knowledge of theological terms and concepts has greatly improved my range of knowledge. Also the amount of study time I am putting into the course is helping greatly, and I now can give a detailed account of each narrative with relative ease (with more verse quotations coming daily).
Of course this impacts on other things. I’m scared to do anything unrelated to the course. The other day, for example, I was in a Christian bookshop and really wanted to buy and read C.S. Lewis’ “The Great Divorce”. I didn’t buy it because I was worried my brain would fill up with quotes and chapters of Lewis’ at the expense my studies.
It has also meant that I haven’t been able to comment on Vatican II, which started 50 years ago this week and which has led to some positive changes within the Latin Rite, and also a considerable number of negative changes.
I haven’t been able to comment on the new abortion clinic in Belfast, the first in Northern Ireland which is currently being picketed.
I haven’t been able to comment on so many other things I would have liked to and I haven’t been able to watch Downton Abbey, Homeland or Boardwalk Empire... yet in just a few weeks I will be sitting in my exams and for a little while at least (until February) I will be free to enjoy myself.
Pray for me in my studies, my “literary labours” as Saint Aquinas called them, that I could remember what I read and hear, and that I could have good writing skills in my exams, answering the questions fully and to a high standard so that I could come one step closer to serving God within Holy Orders.
4 comments:
Lovely graphic, W.P. I will pray to St. Thomas Aquinas to intercede on your behalf when it comes to "going through the weeds" in Biblical analysis!
I must admit, I am one of those people who likes Church history as opposed to Bible history, so I admire you for pursuing the latter so vigorously. I have a friend who is studying the same Old Testament complexities as you in hopes of getting a degree in it.
On another note, in reference to BBC shows, have you ever watched the BBC version of "The Last of the Mohicans"? I am now, and though the acting is terrible, the story and costumes are cool, so I'm enjoying the experience in spite of my better judgement!
God Bless,
Pearl
Hi WP - It's very good to both read about your current studies & to know that they are stretching you but also proving very satisfying. I shall certainly pray for you & look forward to hearing more about how you are progressing in due course.
Thank you both for your prayers, they are very much appreciated!
Pearl, I’m much more focused on doctrines and the sacraments but it is nice to get back to basics and study the Bible. It’s going well, we are on “half term” now so class is on a break for two weeks but then we are straight back into Amos.
As for the BBC I have never heard of the BBC version of “The Last of the Mohicans”, but it probably be on UK screens around Christmas though Dickens usually gets wheeled out to satisfy our period drama needs. We usually just have Eastenders and “Strictly Come Dancing” on the Beeb. Yet we do get the American version of Top Gear and another channel carries American idol and the Xfactor USA.
Just to say my laptop screen broke completely quite a few days ago and the only computer I can get to is here at work so please don’t think I’m not replying or not posting comments... it just takes a little more time.
:)
Sorry to hear about your laptop problems WP. We do tend to take computer use & internet access for granted. Last week I was in Berlin staying with friends & had no internet access for four days until I finally found a bar-restaurant with free wifi! It was frustrating to say the least :-) So I do sympathise.
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