A New Chapter

This morning was the beginning of a new chapter in my life.  I received my pre-official official acceptance into the doctor of theology program at the University of South Africa.  This is something that I have wanted for a long time and finally the pieces have fallen into place so that it can become reality.  As I have mentioned this to people, I have been asked a number of questions.  I thought this would be a good place to address those questions.

1) Let's get the big one out of the way first: How am I going to do doctoral studies with two churches and five children and a service dog on the way?  Please realize that I have done two Masters degrees (both with a thesis) and have written a book with a similar life situation.  Amanda and I have worked hard to make the most of our time, to share housework, to give the kids their time, to get outside help where needed, and to find time for each other to study.  In addition, the tuition for University of South Africa (UNISA) is cheap enough that if I need to stretch out my studies if the work load gets too much that I can do that.

2) Why UNISA and not another seminary like McMaster Divinity College?  I love Mac and I even am on the board.  I have three degrees from Mac and I think they have a great Ph.D. program, which I would highly recommend.  The fact is that I can not quit my job as a pastor to study full-time.  I have to work full-time to provide for my family.  In addition, there are no seminaries or universities less than two hours away that I could study part-time.  The UNISA D.Th. program is a distance education degree that requires only a dissertation.  UNISA is an accredited school and there are some high profile scholars with doctorates from UNISA.  In addition, because of the currency differences, UNISA is much more affordable than any accredited schools in North America or Europe.  

3) What am I studying?  My general area will be New Testament.  I am still working out the focus with my supervisor but it will concern Christian origins in its Greco-Roman context and will likely also deal with gnosticism.  

4) What am I going to be when (if) I grow up?  Are my plans to be a pastor or a professor?  I am not sure what the future looks like but I do know that I am interested in some mix of local church ministry and teaching.  I believe that there is an artificial separation between the church and the academic world.  I would like to somehow bridge that gap.

5) Will I ever stop studying?  I already have four university degrees, when is it going to stop?  I will never stop studying in some form but this is likely the last actual degree.  Life is about learning and I look forward to new opportunities to learn in different contexts.

6) Will I be going to South Africa at all?  I like to joke that I am not moving there, I am just commuting.  This degree does not require that I go to South Africa at all.  We will see about graduation.  Amanda is taking a B.Th. at the same school, so we will have to take that into consideration as well.

I hope this answers people's questions.  I would appreciate people's prayers during this process and I am thankful to God for the opportunity.