Ordinary Days #31: Required Course

Scripture speaks

   of me. (John 5:39) 

Dear Priscilla,

Thank you for sending me your “Christian Scriptures” syllabus. It’s good—very good. You can tell it is a well thought out introductory course—required course. I had to write a few “syllabi” of my own. It’s not easy. Pay attention to those synopsis prompts—they are very helpful.

The syllabus refuses to parrot popular education jargon like “Learning Outcomes,” and sticks to its classical calling: “The procedures and presentations of the course will conform to the philosophy, spirit, and requirements of Baylor University and its Department of Religion.” That’s good. It means the professor is not on his own; but, nurtured and disciplined by his peers and the vision of the university. You can tell the syllabus is the product of the university, and in particular, the Department of Religion.

At first, I thought the title “Christian Scriptures” a bit odd. Our intro classes were “Introduction to the Old Testament” and “Introduction to the New Testament.” But, after reading the syllabus and thinking about it; I like it. When we break up “old” and “new” sometimes we forget that the O.T. is Christian scripture. The first generations of Christians spoke of Jesus before the N.T. found its way into the Sacred Text—before the N.T. became the N.T. Israel’s scriptures reveal the God of the Gospel. The stories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob become our stories too. We have been adopted into the family of Abraham. We call Abraham our father too. That, of course, goes for Sarah and Rebecca and Rachel as well. What we call the O.T. was and is, of itself, “able to instruct for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2Tm 3:15).  For Christians, Jesus is the inner logic of scripture.

Although this course is called an “introductory course;” the truth is, all courses are introductory. We never get the whole of it. The university introduces you to a whole new world of thoughtful thought that will be with you for the rest of your life, even into eternity. Our Creator and Redeemer and Sustainer is so big that it will take all of eternity to learn of Him.

Love, Papa