Why should we study theology? One reason is given in Matthew 22:37-38, where Jesus says “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment”. God enables us to love Him with our minds – to think His thoughts after Him!

I (Karl) had the privilege last week of continuing my Biblical studies by taking a course called “Theology Proper, Bibliology, Pneumatology” (shortened by most of us to “God, Bible, Holy Spirit”). It’s one of several Systematic Theology courses that Campus Crusade for Christ staff are required to take, and I’m obviously behind schedule on completing them.

It was a wonderful week of learning. We prepared with a lot of reading over the past few months, and completing study guides. Then we met from Monday to Saturday last week, with a break on Tuesday for Campus Crusade’s Worldwide Day of Prayer.

Dr. Alan Scholes set a worshipful tone as we looked at why we can trust the Bible, the awesome God that we serve, and the Holy Spirit who indwells us. I especially like how all of Campus Crusade for Christ’s classes are practical, and we talk about how to apply what we’re learning in ministry.

What will stick with me the most is how Dr. Scholes ended the class with a session called “Our Growing Walk”. Victory in Christ is not a sprint but a marathon.

We talked about how children learn to walk – they stumble and fall, but they are surrounded by encouragement and by people who are walking well. If only we could follow that example with new believers! The analogy breaks down when you push it too far (as all analogies do), since it’s hard to see who is walking well with Christ. But it challenged me to remember to come along side and encourage new believers.

We ended with the challenge to run the race well (Gal. 5:1-7, 1 Cor. 9:24-27). The apostle Paul finished well (2 Timothy 4:7-8), as did Dr. Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. We watched a video called “I Wouldn’t Change a Thing” that was created in honor of Dr. Bright’s life and ministry (below). Both the scriptures and the life of Dr. Bright continue to challenge me to look to Christ, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

We treasure your prayers, and we pray for all of you that we may all fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith!