I am really enjoying my studies and interactions here
During my Old Testament one classmate responded that God hates the Arabs and God loves the Jewish people. To this I responded that we know from the New Testament that God does not play favorites, but loves everyone. To this the student replied, God said, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated, therefore God hates. To this I replied, During the times of the Roman Empire Esau converted to Judaism. Herod was a descendant of Esau and in seventy A.D. both Judah and Esau rebelled against Rome. Today all the descendants of Esau are Jews, and therefore their nation in the middle east could rightfully also be called Edom. So, therefore is your argument that God hates the Jewish people? Or is your argument that God hates based on the people you like or dislike? A few days later I received a call from a member of the faculty. He said, Stop giving your opinion of what the Bible says in class. I was told not to speak or give answers outside of the opinion of the professor or the opinion of the text books. When I would not they made me take a psychiatric evaluation. During the evaluation, the psychologist made an off-handed comment, You seem fine to me, but I know there must be a problem with you because they said so. It became clear that this was fishing exposition. Afterward I met with the Dean who said, It has been determined that you have not qualified to continue at George Fox. If we allowed you to graduate with your opinions on Israel people might believe that those opinions were those of the seminary and churches may not hire our graduates.Isnt college supposed to be a place where diverging opinions can clash without fear of reprisal with impunity? To be for the Palestinian or against Zionism has been determined by George Fox Seminary to be bad for business. If anyone should wonder why there is a pervasive racist stereotype in the modern church, it should now be obvious that those who advocate through the Bible for the Palestinian and Arab people are not allowed to get Biblical Degrees or submit such thesis topics. I dont tell my story out of a sense of revenge, but rather I hold the freedom of speech as a sacred right. I mean as a Jew during World War II people paid politically, economically, or socially to advocate for the rights of Jews in Nazi Germany. It was this suppression that was a forerunner to the holocaust. Now I see the same suppression and racist stereotypes pervasive throughout much of the church community in the United States used against the Arabs, Palestinians, and Muslims. Those who speak out against it, or have the courage to fight it are kicked out for the sake of economic and social benefit which I believe is opposed to the ways of God and their Quaker origins.
I entered the spiritual formation and leadership program at George Fox Evangelical Seminary thinking that a doctor of ministry would boost my career as a hospital chaplain and enhance my leadership skills as a pastor of a Vineyard Church. I was not disappointed. My dissertation, "The Warrior Journey: A Hope Intervention for Veteran's with PTSD," has received significant interest among health care disciplines and I have greater clarity of vision to lead our church plant.The biggest benefit of the program, however, lies beneath the surface. My perception of the world, human nature, the Bible, and salvation is broader, deeper and in full alignment with scripture. I am wonderfully changed. My church sees it and, most importantly, my wife and children see it. I worry less. I am more peaceful and confident. So more than an degree in spiritual formation, I experienced spiritual formation.
My experience at GFES was one of the best of my life. Brilliant academics from outstanding professors, life-long friendships formed with amazing cohorts, and experiences of a lifetime (whale watching off the coast of Orcas Island!) I've emerged from GFES not only as a pastor and leader, but now as an author and adjunct professor. God is using GFES in an amazing way to shape world-changers. I would highly recommend this experience!
GFES changed my life.The challenging academic environment along with the interpersonal education I received could not have been in more caring, affirming and loving hands. George Fox knows that self care is crucial to the success and well being of anyone in ministry. Because of this, there is a great balance between the academic and the formation courses wherein you can't have one without the other. The course work and faculty were wonderful but the best experiences happened among my fellow cohort members. The diversity in leadership roles, stage of life and denominational perspectives represented created a beautiful picture and representation of the Church. Seminary was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and I wouldn't trade a single minute of it.
Portland Seminary is a UK School based in Portland, South West England. Portland Seminary is located at 12753 SW 68th Ave #278, Portland, OR 97223, USA, Portland, South West England 97223, UK.
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