A note to all theology/seminary professors...

One of the illuminating facts Andy Stanley has taught me about teaching is that you have to be engaging.

I say this because I've been listening to lectures on CD's for extension courses I've been taking through the seminary.  I'm sure there are engaging professors, but these guys on the CDs are the most boring people I've ever listened to in my life. The stereotype with professors teaching theology is guys sitting in an ivory tower, with these incredible minds, dispensing profound insights in their texts; yet when faced with people in front of them, become the perfect sleeping pill. 

Here is my proposal. Give me your script that you read from (because even a 5 year old could tell), and give it to me and I'll read it. 

I've been excited about learning theology of the Early church, but it has been one sleeping pill after another.  Dr. Wittmer, my theology prof, might be able to break this stereotype for me, if he were to try to become one of these profs who did these CD's.  Another prof at the seminary, who did another class I took, admitted that he sounded boring (although in a live class he is MUCH better).

I would love teaching about this stuff (b/c it has direct relevance to some of today's thought), but please find someone to read it for you that is engaging.  You sound perfect for the local classical music radio station; that doesn't work for a younger person who uses those stations for putting his kids to bed.

Comments

[Joe]

My friend, I'm not sure we qualify as "young people."

[Mike]

Notice I said "younger," not "young." :)

[jimkastkeat]

So true! I was listening to a lecture on creativity from MIT this morning and he was sooooooo mono-tone. Is that allowed for a creativity lecture?!

[Dan Ghramm]

I totally agree. I probably took the exact course you did but I had cassette tapes instead of CD's. Imagine how frustrating it was to wake and then try to rewind and find the spot where I fell asleep!

[mike wittmer]

Mike:

The first time I taught Apologetics I thought it would be good to listen to the Apologetics lectures, but I had to stop when I nearly fell asleep and wrecked my car.