Overcomer wrote: ↑Fri Dec 18, 2020 10:07 pm
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Replying to isaachunter in post #3]
The degree in cultural apologetics is another Master's degree. After that, if I have the energy and the money, I will consider a doctorate. But I do these things partly for the joy of them, partly to be of better use to the Lord, not for a future career.
There is certainty not much utilities in advanced degrees anymore, unless they are STEM related or in high demand. I work part-time in the medical field (admin support role, I'm not medical) and nurses seem to be in high demand. But you could not pay me enough to do their jobs or put up with the abuse they get.
I too am pursing a doctorate for personal satisfaction (personal challenge + I'm doing the work anyway), though there are possibly a few avenues in which I still might be able to find part-time employment teaching. I have tentative plans to further expand my dissertation content into several workbooks/online courses as well as other topics in Christian Philosophy, so there's a good chance I'll just stick with selling books and serving the church in an avocational capacity. I certainly have no desire or calling to be a pastor or employed church leader, at least not under any kind of current paradigm. But, I'm in no need of a career change. My current job serves me well, provides for my needs, and independently funds my research, plus it will most likely be the last job I will have before retirement (if such a thing even exists in the near future).
Overcomer wrote: ↑Fri Dec 18, 2020 10:07 pm
I have a Christian friend who is a bereavement counsellor with a Master's degree in thanatology. She would find your doctoral work fascinating as well as worthwhile. Will the topic of evil also be included in your study?
I looked at thanatology when first acquainting myself with the topic, though it appeared not to contain a Christian worldview and focused more so on biological death, counseling, and bereavement. I'm much more interested in philosophical aspects and approaches to the subject (I guess more theoretical than practical).
The topic of evil has not been relevant so far, other than death being the consequence of sin and sin resulting from an evil nature. Though, I would not necessarily categorize it as such, but would rather use "fallen," as in a deficiency, corruption, debasement from the original design intended. Despite my own personal phraseology, though, God does seem convinced (Genesis 6:5). Who am I to argue with God?
I would say I'm more focused on exploring the underlining origin, nature, and ramifications of death, and how that philosophy informs the Christian in the context of persecution and ultimately martyrdom. The depravity (evil) would be a necessary presupposition, while the research would address how a Christian should be equipped to not only endure persecution and even embrace death without denying Christ, but to more so place the believer in the right frame of mind so that said persecution and death could serve as a testimony of the good news to those around and even the persecutors themselves. I guess in one sense it is exploring the technique of evangelism through the mechanism of persecution. Christians throughout history were well versed in this kind of witness, and so are Christians today in other countries (i.e. North Korea, China). America, unfortunately, has some catching up to do.
Overcomer wrote: ↑Fri Dec 18, 2020 10:07 pm
Have you studied other languages, Isaac?
I took a year of Japanese in high school, though I never really learned very much at all. I had one course in Biblical Hebrew in my Master's program as well. I had a German soldier take me under his wing and try to teach me his language while I was stationed in Germany. Needless to say, he grew very frustrated with the lazy American.
Same with a driver who would stop in at my work and attempt to speak to me in Spanish. He got about as far as the German soldier did.
I would say I've had a lot of opportunities to learn languages, I just never took full advantage of them. Greek is a struggle also, but I would like to one day be able to read the NT in the original language. Hopefully soon they will invent the Matrix method of language learning so I could just download it to my brain - maybe I'll add Kung Fu also!
IH