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QUESTION: I go by Abey (unofficial middle name). I
am a Physician Assistant at MD Anderson. I am newly married (4 months
ago). I have been doing medical mission work for about 3 years now
(all trips have been islands off the coast of Mexico). As others, I
have grown up in the church. For many generations my family has
belonged to the Mar Thoma Church (St. Thomas); its Eastern Reformed in
beliefs. It is an Indian church, which began in 1836 (year of our
independence/reformation) after many years of Catholic religious
oppression. The Eastern church has a big emphasis on "We" (i.e. we
recite the Nicean Creed "We believe...") and mystery (what happens to
elements during Eucharist).
The overall perspective in which I see the world is through the lens a
person who believes in one God, and also man's pride/selfishness
(anti-"we") as the root cause of all evil/problems in this world.
Materialism which was and is supposed to make people happy, has and
will be the death of humanity. Amazingly God's grace has kept this
world/it's people in far less trouble than it should be.
I am too ignorant to speak on poverty and sickness throughout the
world. But what my church has done for many in the aforementioned
islands does give me hope that a few people with many blessings can
change the lives of many. I do feel that Christian missions has
failed because of lack of continuity and not helping the poor in all
aspects of there lives.
My theological predisposition is of a conservative liberal, if that
really is a temperament. I have certainly become more liberal once I
began at HGST. I believe God's greatest attribute is His holiness. I
don't believe the church worships Him will all of its heart.
I am disappointed that even though there are big differences between
catholic and protestant churches (also interdenominational
differences) that we can't unite for the sake of the cross and work in
accord on world issues. I am also disappointed that the church hasn't
got on the ecological bandwagon yet.
I also believe that as Christians we all believe in the Holy Spirit,
but I feel our theology is different than our practice (I am being
such a big hypocrite here).
My biggest influences have been my wife, parents, brother, priests of
my parish (past and present) , Dr. Amonette (no I am not brown
nosing), Dr. Pitts, and the experiencing of seeing poverty in Mexico
(the last place I went to and saw patients was in a dump
(literally)).
One book that has changed me the most The Cost of Discipleship by D.
Bonhoeffer. Even the theology isn't perfect, his practicality is.
"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die" is priceless.
Bonhoeffer's life and death were inspiring - he lived what he wrote,
and I consider him to be an example of faith in action that every
Christian should emulate. Second, his linking of sanctification with
being part of the Body of Christ encourages the world to avoid being a
"lone wolf" Christian/denomination.
From this course, I can't wait to learn about historical info of:
early church fathers, internal and external factors that pushed
Christianity along, and the societal etiology of heresies. I
anticipate learning this and then some.
ANSWER: I moved to Houston in 1985 to work for
Chevron Oil Company. I am the third generation of ministers stemming
from the Roberts linage (grandfather, uncle and father). I am in my
last semester at HGST and will complete my course work for the MDIV
program in Dec 2007. I am prayerfully considering continuing my
course work in pursuit of a DMin degree at HGST.
- Faith Tradition: I am a Baptist and there are probably more than
100 biblical reasons I could site as to why I am. But for sake
brevity suffice it to say that I was raised Baptist; I believe in the
Trinity; I believe in the virgin birth of Jesus and the death burial
and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
- Worldview and Outlook: There may be many different religions but
there is but one true and living God. He is the God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob the God of the Old and New Testament.
- Philosophical and Theological Temperaments: I believe that man is
the highest order of any living being but is basically an imperfect
species. Without God man is doomed to eternal damnation.
- Formative Intellectual Influences: I have been influence
tremendously by the teachings of the Bible and the faith commitments
demonstrated through the lives of my father and grandfather.
- Variety of Spirituality: While I am open to different avenues of
spirituality and spiritual expressions am basically more prone to
traditional spiritual expressions.
- What is one book (not the Bible) that changed my life: I can't
really say that any one book changed my life. However, my personal
life experiences resulted in a greater change agent then literary
exposure.
- What do I hope to gain from this course - What do I anticipate
learning: I have had classes with Dr. Amonette in the past and I know
that he is an excellent Professor who will stretch your academic
capabilities and challenge you to excel to another level spiritual
development. I look forward to expanding my knowledge of the History
of Christianity.
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