An Apology for Singing in Class
The first fifteen minutes or so of our Apologetics course this morning were a singing lesson. And not for an example of some kind, but because our professor, Dr. Edgar, really is a gifted musician and because he is a true worshiper. So, we not only get a handout of a hymn to sing (which is a fairly common prelude to some of our seminary classes), but we get instruction on how to sing the hymn well (and what not to do as well). What better example can I give of how incredibly gifted and complex our professors are? They are not flat academicians. They challenge me with their lives, their love of art, their passion for the gospel, and their accessibility. Their ministry is far more than instruction of the mind (as necessary and valuable as that is). They are intent on modeling the life-changing gospel and praying for us that we will embrace that gospel and be changed. A by-product of that process may be that we, and our fellow students, come out of seminary with degrees and prepared for various ministries… but many mornings it does not feel like that is the most important thing.
I like this picture because of the unlikely placement of a choir in the middle of a lake… reminding me that sometimes you can find music (and worship) in unlikely places, like an Apolegetics classroom!
September 17th, 2004 at 12:17 am
Edgar really was quite the hoot. He hands out the hymn and then says to us, “Now try not to sound like sirens on the first two notes”
September 17th, 2004 at 11:10 am
i always apprecitate his articles in Modern Reformation. have you heard him play jazz piano? he’s great!
September 20th, 2004 at 9:51 am
Finding music and worship in unlikely places…what a good reminder. Thank you.