The Gospel According to Andrew

"Only wonder comprehends anything" - Gregory of Nyssa   I have spent the last three years, and part of the year before that, in seminary. I am about to dive back in, for the last academic year. This summer will be the only gap in my studies between the Fall of 22 and the Spring of 27. Even then, I have spent it pursuing research I started last spring and thinking about the internship I've got coming up next year. I've gotten a full dose of modern mainline Protestant theological education: old testament, new testament, systematic theology, and church history, all in a two semester format which allowed these subjects to breathe. I've had classes on preaching, worship, evangelism, pastoral care, and the sequence we call "UM boot camp" at Perkins. I leaned toward systematic theology and church history in my electives.    When I get through with this, I'll have the degree my denomination requires of her Elders. Frankly, I would recommend a full MDiv to an...

 Our Youthies are on their summer choir tour. Their devotional theme this year is Numbers in the Bible. The number for their first day is 40. (By a happy accident, we did day 1 on Sunday, so I have had  a little time to think about this.) Forty is an important number in the Bible. It usually involves a time of testing,  preparation, or purification. The rain fell and the waters rose for 40 days during the Great Flood. Moses lived as a shepherd with Jethro's family for 40 years after fleeing Egypt. He was up on Mount Sinai for 40 days receiving the Law. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years after they refused to enter the promised land. Elijah spent 40 days traveling to the Mountain of God after his confrontation with the Prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. I always like it when a set of  readings provides context. Today's devo is a good example because it covers Deuteronomy 8:2-5, in which Moses addresses the Isr...