Yesterday I posted a quick blurb about Derek’s “So You’re Thinking About Going to Seminary” (Brazos, 2008). Derek kindly agreed to answer a few questions that I had. FYI, Derek has his PhD from Lutheran Seminary and is Visiting Professor at our very own Biblical Seminary.
Phil: Derek, it sounds like the impetus for this book [...]
Entries from November 2008
November 26, 2008
Interview with Derek Cooper
November 25, 2008
How to pick a seminary?
Of course the right answer is: “Biblical Seminary is the ONLY seminary where you’ll get the best masters in counseling education.”
But in case you’d like a little more depth and breadth in answer the question about whether seminary is right for you, Derek Cooper has a new book: So You’re Thinking About Going to Seminary [...]
November 21, 2008
The God I don’t understand 1: Introduction
I’ll be blogging through Christopher Wright’s book by the above title (subtitle: Reflections on tought questions of faith) published by Zondervan, 2008. John Stott writes the forward. Unlike his “Mission of God” book, this is personal, and just over 200 pages. I am finding it a treasure to read. He tackles the problem of suffering [...]
November 19, 2008
Scripture and Counseling at ETS, Providence, RI
Just finished my paper presentation at the Counseling, Psychology, and Pastoral Care section meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society–meeting in frigid Providence, RI. Had the pleasure of hearing David Powlison talk about the various errors of evangelical biblical counselors and professional counselors shortchange scripture (e.g., treat it atomistically or ignore its richness altogether). He gave [...]
November 18, 2008
CCEF recap: David Powlison’s “Escape to Reality”
Sunday morning, David Powlison gave a plenary talk entitled, “Escape to Reality.” He used 1 Corinthians 10:13-14 as his launch text. It was vintage David, chalk full of many examples of both soft and hard addictions. One could easily take his 10 points (which I don’t have exactly because I was sitting with my son [...]
November 17, 2008
CCEF Conference slides now up
Check on my “Slides, Articles, etc.” page for slides of my talk, “Counseling Strategies for Individuals Struggling with Addictions.” The slides are in PPT format and are the last entry (#10) on the page.
November 14, 2008
CCEF Addictions Conference Update
The first day of the conference is now over. It was good to see many old friends, students, alumni, and to make some new friends as well. Ed Welch opened the conference by talking about the normalcy of even the most severe addictions (he used the illustration of a man who drank Aqua Velva while [...]
November 13, 2008
Why I don’t like group projects
Group projects are common in grad studies–and they should be. Learning and work needs to happen in community, not silos. But, there are good groups and then there are groups from hell.
Last night I was working on a paper at a cafe. Next to me was a group of loud adult women who I think [...]
November 12, 2008
Ideas don’t change people…
Trying to find intellectual ways of saying something I believe is rather simple (for an academic paper I am to deliver):
Ideas don’t change you, stories do.
Was reading an unpublished OT theology paper and the author mentioned the shift in approach to truth, from the Hebraic story to the Platonic “idea” or concept. Truth is best [...]
November 11, 2008
The addict in us all
Later this week, CCEF will hold their annual teaching conference in Valley Forge, PA. The theme this year is addictions. I have the pleasure of teaching on Friday along with their faculty/staff. Also teaching are Diane Langberg, John Freeman, Leslie Vernick and guest appearances by Mark Driscoll and music by the Gettys. Will have my slides up [...]
