Oxford - 8 years in a row

Theology & Ministry Students off to Oxford

Casey Miller & Dray Murray, juniors in The School of Theology and Ministry, will be on scholarship with stipend at Oxford University in May and June of 2019.

In an eighth consecutive year, students with an emphasis in Bible, have been awarded scholarship to Oxford. 

Both Murray and Miller are from Farmington, New Mexico and both have been students in Dr. Marty Alan Michelson’s Biblical Hebrew course, learning to read the Bible in the original language.   In addition to their work learning the basics of grammar and vocabulary in order to be able to translate and discern the complexity of the Bible, Murray & Miller have worked with Michelson on ancient original texts more than 1000 years old, translating and discerning ancient commentaries on Biblical passages.

President Keith Newman congratulated Miller and Murray: “I love it when I hear our students are chosen for exciting, life-changing academic experiences like the Logos@Oxford University program.  It’s especially impressive that two of our Juniors have been selected for this coveted opportunity and we’re so proud of Casey and Dray.  I know they, and Dr. Michelson, will represent us well!”

Murray, Miller and Michelson have access to the ancient texts via SNU’s collaborative connection with the Museum of the Bible and the Green Collection, the world’s largest privately held collection of Biblical artifacts and antiquities in the world.  While the Museum of the Bible is in Washington D.C. for open exhibition, Murray, Miller and other students working with Dr. Michelson have access to the collection with special digitized access and local access as the collection is primarily housed in Oklahoma City.

As two of approximately 40 university students chosen for Logos at Oxford from applicants in an international pool of candidates, Miller and Murray the School of Theology and Ministry Department Chair, Jim Fitzgerald said:“We are delighted to hear the news that Casey Miller and Dray Murray have both been selected for the Oxford summer  program in conjunction with the Scholars Initiative of the Museum of the Bible.  We are proud of their academic achievements, and honored that they have been recognized through this selection process.  Kudos to them and to Dr. Marty Michelson for the climate of scholarship that he fosters in SNU’s School of Theology and Ministry.  We are grateful for the vision of the Green family and the Museum of the Bible that seeks to prepare the next generation of biblical scholars, and for their generous support to make such opportunities possible.  

Miller and Murray will receive cash stipends in addition to their full-scholarship for travel, meals, lodging and enrolled curricular programs at the University of Oxford.

Graduate School? Seminary? Is it for you?

In 2012 I posted my perspectives on Graduate Study for students I teach.  I routinely share this link:  Should I go to Graduate School?

At my article, I have many links at the bottom of my post that I have appended over the years.  As I read a new article today, I decided it's time to add an entirely new post on my blog for these issues.

So, I share another persons informed perspective and lived experience as he shares, "Why You Should (or Shouldn’t) Get a Doctorate at Seminary"

Proud Partnerships toward Peace

I worry for our world.

We have the ability and knowledge to shape a better future for the world.

I worry we are not doing it.

"This report is not a wake-up call, it is a ticking timebomb," said Gro Harlem Brundtland, Acting Chair of The Elders in a statement. "Climate activists have been calling for decades for leaders to show responsibility and take urgent action, but we have barely scratched the surface of what needs to be done. Further failure would be an unconscionable betrayal of the planet and future generations."

And this:

"It's the final call, say scientists, the most extensive warning yet on the risks of rising global temperatures." 

What can I do?
The report says there must be rapid and significant changes in four big global systems:

• energy • land use • cities • industry

But it adds that the world cannot meet its target without changes by individuals, urging people to:

• buy less meat, milk, cheese and butter and more locally sourced seasonal food - and throw less of it away • drive electric cars but walk or cycle short distances • take trains and buses instead of planes • use videoconferencing instead of business travel • use a washing line instead of a tumble dryer • insulate homes • demand low carbon in every consumer product 

Lifestyle changes can make a big difference, said Dr Debra Roberts, the IPCC's other co-chair.

"That's a very empowering message for the individual," she said. "This is not about remote science; it is about where we live and work, and it gives us a cue on how we might be able to contribute to that massive change, because everyone is going to have to be involved."

"You might say you don't have control over land use, but you do have control over what you eat and that determines land use.

"We can choose the way we move in cities and if we don't have access to public transport - make sure you are electing politicians who provide options around public transport." 

Believe Women.