What a fantastic week it has been!
There is always something new going on, listening, experiencing. Yesterday in between classes on our walk to lunch, we came upon a serious car wreck between a cab and a car. The jaws of life took off the entire top of the cab to get the driver out. He was not moving so I don't know what his condition was. After class, we all went punting on the Cherwell River. Of course I took a turn. The pole is very long and heavy, but with some determination, I figured it out pretty well for the last bit back to the dock. It was a fun time together with the other folks in our group!
I have to talk about bicycles in Oxford! There are more bicycles than cars. People of all ages ride these things with great SPEED! They are not looking out for you. You must watch for them, all the time. When you step off the curb, you are "committed" at that point. I was always amused by the term "Death by chocolate," now my favorite is "Death by bicycle!" Don't worry. I am being VERY careful.
One day this week, one of the professors wanted to show us some of his favorite artwork in several museums. He kept speaking of Renai Ssance art. Two syllables. I thought, I don't know this artist. I went up to him and ask him who this was. He was confused. Then I understood he was saying Renaissane (one syllable to me). We had a wonderful laugh!
One of my favorite instructors is Alister McGrath. He is a theologian, historian, world-renoun Christian apologist, pastor and author. He has a PhD in Biochemistry from Oxford. He converted from atheism to Christianity. He was previously the Director of the Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics (OCCA) and was a professor of theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Today he is professor of theology at King's College in London. He is known for his debates with Richard Dawkins, Oxford biology professor and outspoken atheist. He also debates Christopher Hitchens.
So what am I studying here? Apologetics with all it's dimensions. Apologetics is simply defending or commending our faith to others. 1 Peter 3:15 says "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you--do it with gentleness and reverence."
Apologetics helps people to "make sense" of the Christian faith. It deals with the integrity of our faith. It shows how the gospel is "life giving." How it brings us to life, a life that is worth living, not just existing. It makes Christianity practical and understandable. People want answers to life questions. This does not convert them, God does that, but when the theological framework is broken down, it helps people to see that we all have a problem or sickness, (sin), but there is a cure. The cure, of course is an encounter with the living God. We are all looking for truths that TRANSFORM. Christian truth is trustworthy. It is a rock you can build on. Here are some good questions; Are you connected with
God? Do you know God? Is is possible to know God? Is Christianity true? Will it work? What are you looking for in life? Is the gospel relevant? What do you find that is trustworthy in your life? What do you find most satisfying in your life? What is God saying to you? What are you going to do about it? Are you living the life you were created to live?
Those are some thoughts for now. I will try to pass on more as I can--It would be easier to write a bit each day--but over the weekend I will attempt to catch you up on the biggest concepts.
Off for shopping, touring and more reading (I have 6 books to read).
Love to all, Mae Ann
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