Hello all. I have been lurking for a while...

and decided it was time to post. The T.U.L.I.P. thread didn't seem like best place for an introduction so here I am.

I am a layman who does not have a calling to vocational ministry. I am an Information Systems professional with a masters in that field, and I may consider pursuing an accredited masters degree from a seminary or university geared toward biblical lay-studies and church history if I can find one that is accessible and accredited. I do feel called to deepen my study of God's word, increase my level of service and improve my walk with the Lord.

I read fair amount: histories and sources from antiquity; Texas history; histories related to the composition of the British isles from post Roman Britain to a little past the conquest by William I; and Church history emphasizing the early church fathers which was spawned by my own questions about the evolution of doctrine from the first century to modern times. I don't always read heavy, I throw in some science fiction/fantasy for escapist nonsense for the simple enjoyment and relaxation. By far my favorite subject is Church History and I would enjoy pursuing an accredited Master's degree in that subject.

I am an active member of one of our local Baptist churches in Weatherford Texas and feel called to the lesser ministries (from a prestige standpoint) because I know some of my temptations and how my involvement in higher profile lay ministry can feed pride and the wrong motivation for me. That said I expect to branch out to more visible ministries in the future as God directs.

I may now jump into a few topics but I will likely never by a frequent poster.

Blessings

Ed B

 

Thanks for the welcome all.

The history topics I enjoy vary based on the questions I am pondering at the moment. A sample of books I have read, enjoyed and would recommend include Herodotus: The Histories; The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles; T.R. Ferhenbach's "Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans"; Eusebius', Ecclesiastical History, and Brown's Augustine of Hippo. The area of interest varies a fair bit.

I will gladly check out the history board. Thanks

Ed