| new hat |
|
|
| Written by Robert Murphy | |
| Monday, 15 September 2008 | |
|
If you've called the school anytime during the past two years, there's a good chance we've spoken. In case you don't remember me, my name is Robert. I originally came to VISIBLE SCHOOL to pursue Worship Leadership, but then switched to Ministry Praxis to prepare for Seminary. Now, just a few months into my doctoral program at Oxford Graduate School, I have taken on a new hat. In addition to my administrative tasks--answering phones, taking care of facilities, ordering office supplies, and assisting with computer support--I will also be teaching English Composition, Christian Literature, and co-teaching Theology of the Kingdom. This will be my first year on faculty after four years of doing life in the VISIBLE Community. Though the classes I am teaching are more literary in nature, I am excited about doing theology in a TheoArtistic context like Visible School. Theology, like other "ologies," has been predominantly characterized by a scientific approach to knowledge. This approach is solely concerned with discerning patterns, structure, and order in the object of study. However, this method fails to account for the whole of any given subject. Visible School's TheoArtistic setting provides a rich fodder for theological development by keeping the study of God from becoming merely academic. Dr. Paul Criss coined the unique term "TheoArtistic" as a way of affirming God as the source of our creativity, which thereby implies that God is not just logical, but is also artistic. This TheoArtistic framework counterbalances Theology and prevents it from reducing God to a mere set of abstract rules and formulas. While some excellent Bible colleges attach arts programs onto their curriculum, Visible School intentionally integrates theology and artistry in order to create an unparalleled environment for theological studies. This is what motivates me to take on this new hat. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
