Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 15:1 (05/18/23)
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TITLE: Grace Under Pressure | Previous Challenge Entry
By Noel Mitaxa
05/25/23 -
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Not only for his formidable intellect, for he could cut through the fudge that often distracted our class discussions to get to the central issue, but for his constant grace and warmth. He would urge us to get the best education we could, but to get over it, so we could be easy to live with.
His final word to the graduating class was free of theological sophistry and it sticks in my memory. He simply quoted John 1:14, how “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth,” and added his exhortation. “Just as the Word became flesh in Jesus, as ministers of the Word, we must allow the Word become flesh in us. Then the persuasive power of his grace will radiate through us to touch people in ways that our words alone never will.”
It was during a first-year church history class, well before we graduated, that he demonstrated the grace of Proverbs 15: 1, about how a soft answer turns away wrath, while harsh words stir up anger” to us all.
A fellow student was sharing his research with us into how the clergy began to develop more influence in the beginning of the early church.
In just a few months, this guy had embarked on a personal crusade of putting everyone’s teeth on edge, and the smirk in his expression showed that he was enjoying this opportunity to further his goals.
We may not have been especially receptive to him, but as he persisted referring to clergy with a hard “g” - as in “grow” – instead of a soft “g,” as in “large,” there was a palpable increase in the tension across the room. Sensing the resentment, our principal could have easily served up a strict correction, but he politely asked for permission to speak.
“Mr. Saunders, you are saying ‘clergy’ with a harder sound, when we have always pronounced it more softly. How should we respond?”
“Oh, I don’t think it matters either way,” came the dismissive, smirking reply.
“So, are you suggesting that we now call this facility a “theologgical colligg?”
Tension defused, smirk evaporated, class learning enhanced, and a valuable life lesson learned for us all.
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Thank you for sharing this entry which was well written, and no doubt highly appreciated by those who read it.
Blessings~