Genuinely Putting Faith in Practice

　　As I share with friends that my calling is to conduct missions, they often reply: “Oh! Why do you still spend so much time taking the Th.M. Program?” Their puzzled tone always makes me reflect. Since when did people begin to set theology apart from practice—as if they are unrelated? What kind of faith is it that when manifested lacks the practice of theological reflection?

　　Frankly, I do not actually like formal studies, but would rather be going here, there, and everywhere in between. To sit still and concentrate on reading can be unbearable at times. Sometimes when tired, I cannot help but complain about these theologians who have so much free time to think up this and that. I have to run after their ideas. However, despite my complaining, I am always thankful to my heavenly Father who has granted me the opportunity to have further in-depth studies.

　　Throughout the learning process, I have had the opportunity to reflect on the most fundamental, core issues of faith, and I must confess that this is not always possible in my M.Div. studies. In class lessons, class discussions, and with the help of the teacher’s patient and systematic guidance, my knowledge has been greatly enriched. When we live in this world bearing the identity of Christ’s followers, we take the truth of the Bible as basis for our action, but are those bases really the biblical truth? Maybe some of them are merely the products of culture. How can we know for sure? There are no shortcuts, however, but to begin by studying the core of our faith. There must be a solid position to base our speech and behavior on. Only by continuing reading and learning will we be able to clarify our direction and stay on the right track. I hope to genuinely put my faith in practice, and this is the reason why I applied to study in the Th.M. Program. Looking back over the past two years, I am deeply thankful, and I am quite confident to say: “I have made the right choice!”