I am discovering that there is a lot of memorization to first year Seminary. There are the obvious ones, and the not so obvious ones. I honestly have a hard time learning in the form of memorization. I get anxious when I am put on the spot. So I have been asking for help of late. It's been interesting to hear the different ways in which people learn.
These are the things that I am currently working on to memorize:
- The Books of the Bible. (I didn't get to learn this in Sunday School so it's been interesting)
- The Names of the Apostles
- The first 8 chapters in the Gospel of Mark (specifically the narratives and their order that occur in each chapter. There are 41 in total!!!)
- Some specific terms about Christ's humanity and divinity. (Not everyone needs to know what Hypostesis or Homoiousios are and why they are different, or what Communicatio Idiomatum is and how it applies to theology.)
Regardless of how daunting that list may look to most people, myself included, I have managed to get some semblance of training into my life. I can almost recite the books of the bible, NT down - still working on the OT (I get tripped up around Ezra Nehemiah...) But I have a great resource that's been helping me. Those of you that follow me on Facebook have already seen the video. I sing the song in the shower, and I am seriously thinking of asking Martin's Voice to learn it. I love it!
And you can find it here:
The Bible books
The Apostles was actually pretty easy and straightforward. I alphabetized the list and it became innate. Happily, done. Next!
Mark is freaking me out!!!!! There are 41 steps that are split into 8 chapters and aren't broken into any pattern that I have been able to discern! I am trying not to panic and I am trying to figure them out. Eventually it will come - just hope it does before the midterm!
The terms themselves are repeated in nearly every class that I am taking so I am not too terribly worried about knowing what they are. I guess this too shall pass.
All in all, in pretty deep at the moment. Now I have to get back at it.
Blessings.
I like that passage from Timothy, though it is an argument waiting to happen. Expect me to quibble with an Orthodox some day over the distinction between "inspiration" and "truth" and walk away with a grin on my face.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, here's a thought for Mark, inspired by the teachings of the great Emelius Browne: Rather than trying to find a pattern, make one. See if you can summarize the 41 steps into descriptions of similar metre, then sit the list to a catchy beat.
Treguna...
Mekoides...
Trecorum...
Sacristy! ;-)
I like the song... It's rather catchy... :)
ReplyDeleteLots of books I had never heard of before... was quite surprised...
I HATE memorization with a passion... However, those little Acrostics or whatever you call them, where you substitute in a phrase using first letters are awesome...
King Phillip Came Over From Greece Singing Songs
Equals
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Genus, Species, Sub-Species
I learned this in grade 11 bio for classification... :)
... and then there was "Every Good Boy Deserves Fun" to remember the notes on the treble clef!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about memorizing the terms - apparently all 3 of our pastors were unable to recall how to spell hermeneutics on Saturday. Guess they shouldn't have tried to write it down!
And I'll be interested in your discussions on Mark, since we had two totally different sermons and interpretations on the same passage in Mark on Sunday.
And the analytical in me wonders about scripture that says "all scripture is inspired by God". It sounds somewhat self-fulfilling. But then, everything we are and have experienced affects the way we see things, doesn't it?
Very true, Ron. Given the discussion I had with a classmate and my History Professor today, I am beginning to wonder about "self-fulfilling" anything. I am certain we will have a few good discussions.
ReplyDelete