Now in my senior year in seminary, I’ve witnessed it many times. A professor has expounded key Scriptures on a subject but very carefully avoided devoting himself to a specific system of thought or theology. His seemingly skirting around the issue is not unintentional, however, I’ve learned. This drives students crazy.

“Show us your cards!” “Ally yourself with a known school with which we’re familiar!” Some professors aren’t afraid to rail against a known school using precise, loaded language in the process, but I submit to you that this is the far less thoughtful option. The clever student can often deduce the professor’s position on a subject. But, if this position is stated directly and using well-known terminology, this takes the fun out of the mental gymnastics and exegetical heavy-lifting that should be encouraged and instilled in the classroom. A novice poker player (if I dare use a card game analogy) should learn to play, not knowing the poker master’s hand every round. This is part of the learning process, though it undoubtedly drives the student mad.

Words of Advice

So, professor, you’ve said less and taught less when you’ve flat out (lazily) revealed your party compared with the professor who creates a heurestic atmosphere. Student, don’t ask; it’s a seminary faux pas. It’s all about the tertium quid anyways (not in the Christological to be sure, if anyone was wondering). Watch out for the false binary!