A lecture in contemporary theology commenced with the question: how many of you like theology? The majority responded: “we don’t like it but have to study it.” “Why don’t you like it?” asked the professor.

Challenging comments pooled in. One said, “theology is too critical, suspicious and negative.” Another, “theology is unpractical and abstract.” A third, “theology is boredom with words.” Still another, “theology is not worthy of its name.”

What is wrong with today’s theology?

My name is Paul and I’ve been studying at ACCS for the last 5 years. I’d love to share some of my thoughts and experiences with those just starting this journey as well as those further along the path.

It is that time again, the end of another Trimester. Congratulations to all our students who have tried hard, done the best they could, sometimes under difficult circumstances. It is soon to be a time of well earned rest.

From time to time something we read has an impact for no apparent reason and it remains with us. It may be deep or light, serious or humorous, yet for some reason it influences our perspective. The analogy of David the giant killer presented by John Maxwell in his book Be a People Person comes to mind.

The story of Joseph (Gen 37-50) is well known to even casual readers of the Bible. It is a well-constructed narrative which knits many elements together in an interesting way without extraneous details. Although it is a very familiar story, I have often read it without noticing some fine (or, minor) details that contribute to its overall meaning.