I wrote these papers during the six years of earning a PhD in Systematic Theology and Apologetics from Liberty University. I graduated just before I turned 70. I had spent most of my life evangelizing and planting churches in Austria and the USA. Then I found myself in the world of academia, i.e., teaching in Bible Colleges, which didn't turn out to be as challenging as learning languages and cultures necessary for starting churches. I certainly didn't need a PhD to obtain higher accolades in my chosen "profession," but Christine, my wife, agreed that I needed more challenge at that time.
I can't describe how much I enjoyed every one of those sixteen PhD seminar weeks: reading a minimum of ten textbooks on the course subject, spending a week being challenged by the professor and the other students from a variety of backgrounds, and writing one or two 30-page papers for each seminar.
The underlying assumption of websites is that the author should be an expert in his field. I've never met an expert in the field of theology. I've met theologians who prioritize the text of the Bible to form their theology and those who interpret the Bible based on their own theology. I want to respect both, but I pray that I fit the first group more than the second.
I'm uploading my sixteen papers for three reasons. First, I simply love reviewing what I studied and wrote during those sixteen seminars. Second, I hope that others might discover the same joy of research that I have thrived on for decades. And third, if anyone chooses to interact with what I've written, I may choose to respond in kind. I love being challenged, even when it's unkind. During my fourth PhD seminar, a student half my age ripped my paper and me to pieces. When he finished, I turned to the professor and asked, "Is he correct in his assessment?" The professor, a kind man, who had problems saying anything that might make someone feel bad, reply slowly and with a look of "please take this well," replied softly with a nod and a quiver in his voice, "Yes." I turned to the student and said, "Thank you for your critique." In that moment I realized that the honeymoon was over, and I needed to recognize that the source of the information was insignificant compared to the content. If the reader wishes to respond to whatever I've written, I can be reached at floyd@thebiblecompass.com.
This blog explores narrow but deeply significant corners of systematic theology—ones that will either capture a reader's imagination entirely or fail to interest them at all. That spectrum is expected. The topics here are specialized, academic, and unapologetically deep; they are written for readers who want more than surface-level summaries of theology based on Scripture and are willing to follow arguments where the text leads. My feelings will not be hurt if only one or two people even read them.
I won't bore the reader with a well-written description of these papers. Each paper is self-explanatory.
I wrote some of them with previous knowledge and understanding of the subject, which I used to go deeper. I began others with zero knowledge of the subject and quickly realized that I would have to dig much deeper to do the subject justice. In both cases, I loved the process.
Some believe that the downside of obtaining advanced degrees leads to arrogance. I agree. I have also met those who brag about not having an advanced degree, as if those people wasted their time obtaining one. Both responses are stupid. God hates arrogance, not learning or intelligence. That's why biblical leadership is based on character and not on education or mental ability.
Everyone who studies theology should read, "A Little Exercise for Young Theologians," by Helmut Thielicke.
I believe that a follower of Jesus should fall in love with studying the Bible, which will lead to that person's theology. 2 Timothy 2:15: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
"Be diligent" means to "bust a gut," which translates into time and energy. Prioritize the study of the Bible in one's personal life, regardless of one's profession.
"Accurately handling the word of truth" means to never assume perfection and to never quit studying.
Following this verse will help us avoid theological swings to the extremes. We don't want our teaching to be so complicated that Einstein couldn't understand it, nor so simple that the intelligence of a young child would be offended by it.
I've included the professor's comments, as indicated by double brackets on both ends ([[ & ]]).
If the reader is interested, my dissertation examines how the Gospel of Mark subverts core themes in Virgil’s Aeneid, Rome's exquisite piece of propaganda, offering a counter-narrative to Roman imperial ideology. That dissertation is available through Liberty University’s library and also published at www.thebiblecompass.com. Find my homepage and scroll all the way to the bottom.
OF THE COLLECTION
FOR THE POOR IN 1 CORINTHIANS 16