Doctoral Journey - Month Two
Doctoral Journey - Month Two
"Guinea Pigs!... Assemble!"
June — July 2024
Howdy friends,
It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. That’s because I’ve been knee-deep in doctoral work. In fact, I just wrapped up two weeks of in-person intensives that required a focus and engagement that I haven’t needed in decades! In this newsletter, I will provide a recap, share some of what I learned, update what I’m working on, and paint a picture of the future.
Before that, I apologize for not posting weekly.
I convinced myself that being a doctoral student was a good excuse for skipping weeks of substack posting. Then I met several professors and colleagues who are as busy as me but still make time to write… because they are writers! Part of the reason I am in this program is because I consider myself a writer. Therefore, writing regularly will be necessary if I am to improve.
So, especially to those who are paid subscribers, mea culpa.
Recap
Meeting my classmates was splendiferous! Ha! I expected spell check to underline “splendiferous” in red ink like an exasperated teacher. I thought it was a made-up word! Wow, learning is fun!
Anyway, to sit in the same room with brilliant people pursuing a similar goal was terrific and a little terrifying.
It was terrific because we could finally get to know one another, share laughs, and make connections—all the stuff that is difficult through Zoom or email. It was terrifying because… well, this is for a grade! It’s not just some inconsequential pastor’s conference. Thanks be to God, a generous and cooperative spirit was present in each of them. We all helped and learned from one another.
In preparation for our two weeks in person, we each had to prepare several presentations, one of which was a 1.5-hour lecture on a chapter from Douglas Walton’s Informal Logic. My chapter was on “Questions and Answers in Dialogue.” I… did my best.
Look, I’m used to preaching. I’d even say I’m used to preaching that is a little “teachy,” but I’m not used to preparing lectures. I almost grew my hair back, wrestling with whether I had enough content for 1.5 hours. Needless to say, I approached the subject with fear and trembling. I even requested prayers from anyone who asked how my studies were going. I did okay. I will improve!
I also wrote three 5-page papers reviewing different books on Church Renewal. This was a fruitful exercise for me, as book reviews are one of the things scholars typically do to contribute to the guild.
In short, I’m thrilled to be part of this doctoral program. To God be the glory!
Things I’ve Learned
On Preparation
Meeting my classmates provided essential data that helped me see where I needed to be. I know, I know, we’re not supposed to compare ourselves to one another, but sometimes it’s helpful to see where you are in comparison to others. One of the things I learned is that a new level of preparation is needed if I would excel in this program.
A few of my colleagues not only grasped the subject matter, demonstrating that they read the books, but they could also critically engage the author’s ideas. This is the kind of preparation needed at a doctoral level. The professors view themselves as our colleagues. They aren’t there to answer questions that can be found via Google. They are there to help us think and to think with us.
For me, this means reading to a level of saturation, or reading with the intention to teach the subject matter to others. It means reading to understand and to critique, rather than merely regurgitate what I’ve ingested. I’m thankful to have found this out early in the process.
On Making a Contribution
One of my professors, Dr. Justus Hunter (By the way, with that name he should’ve been a judge. Would you agree? It’s a great name for the legal system! “All rise! The honorable Justus Hunter presiding!”), shared a comment that his professor, Dr. William Abraham, said to him.
After writing a paper for a conference, Abraham said to Justus, “This is a good paper. If you read it, you will be immediately praised, then subsequently forgotten.”
He was telling Justus that work that receives unanimous agreement is not worth doing. Instead, we must seek to say or write something that will cause people to think, respond, critique, and, in general, learn from. What’s the point in saying something everyone already agrees with?
This is difficult for me. I’m such a likable guy, you know? It’s challenging for me to say or write something that will upset the apple cart. But if I will contribute to this field, it will not be through “nice” and agreeable work. Being nice is not a fruit of the Spirit.
I mean to take this advice seriously, folks. Prepare yourselves.
By the way, Michigan fans are stupid…
Sorry (See! I’m too nice).
On Writing and Serving the Church
Dr. David Watson was my New Testament professor while pursuing my M.Div at United. He is currently the Dean of the seminary. Does correlation equal causation? Not always, but sometimes it does. In this case… who knows? Anyway, he met with our group and shared some things I will never forget.
The first was on writing regularly and writing well. Here are his tips for excelling at academic writing. Don’t worry, you don’t have to agree with him.
Refine your language. Use a thesaurus to write more descriptively, especially when it comes to your verbs.
Write in tight, forceful sentences. Avoid long sentences.
Be wary of semicolons. (Note: I like semicolons; they are the “oh yeah, one more thing” of grammar.)
Don't use unnecessary adverbs or other modifiers.
Make sure one idea relates to the next.
Write coherently.
Don't be afraid to cut material. If you think you can cut it, you can.
Describe your subject matter in a way that is interesting for readers. Surprise them with your wording from time to time.
There are no good writers—only good rewriters.
Next, he shared advice on the work we would do. In short, he advised us to keep sight of our calling. It is easy to get distracted in academic work, seeking to make a name for yourself, but we have been called to serve God and his church, not to get known for being smart. Remember, those who built the Tower of Babbel also sought to make a name for themselves. It didn’t end well for them. Conversely, when we strive to make God’s name great, he has a generous way of honoring those who honor him. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Current Work
In the next month, I will complete two 20-page papers. One is on the Franciscan Renewal movement, and the other analyzes the impact of a seminal text released in the last 30 years. I’ve chosen to analyze Dallas Willard's The Spirit of the Disciplines.
Many of you will know that I am a pastor in large part due to the influence of Francis of Assisi and Dallas Willard. To write papers on the impacts they have made is a source of great joy for me.
Future Plans
Once the papers above are finished, the Summer semester will be complete! Only 543 semesters to go…
In the Fall semester, I’ll be taking two courses:
History of Christian Doctrine: Early and Medieval
Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview
Dissertation
We have all been clarifying our dissertation focus areas. I am currently considering researching Dallas Willard’s theology of Discipleship Evangelism. I have also become curious about the role the Beatific Vision plays in discipleship. Please continue praying for me—for all of us—as we seek to do scholarly work in Jesus’ name.
Gratitude!
To those who have contributed to my tuition, thank you!
To those who have prayed for me, thank you!
To those who have joked about how quickly I will flunk out,… just kidding; nobody (that I know of) has done this.
Your help has been invaluable. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Greetings! Glad to see you are back. Definitely, praying for all that you have requested. It is beyond me to even imagine the amount of study and reasoning that you are engaged in. Thanks be to for for the wisdom you will be sharing with us and the challenges you will provide for us. "It means reading to understand and to critique, rather than merely regurgitate what I’ve ingested" will push me for a while. Thank you. I appreciate Dr. Watson. Peace and clarity be with you my brother.