Reading Radically with and outside of the Academy

The journey through seminary is not only a daunting task, but is also extremely disorienting in that once completed, one is never the same and can never return to where one began her or his Christian experience. During my courses at Gardner-Webb University, School of Divinity, I suggested that I would, at some point, I would encourage my students to publish their papers. Here is the fulfillment of that vision. Jamaal Edwards, Esquire, was one of my exceptional students who began his studies as a fundamentalist and grew well beyond his fourth paradigm shift in his faith and view of the Holy Scripture. He wrestled with seeking to find some common ground between a conservative and liberal view of Scripture. He never lost his faith in God because he learned that God is bigger and deeper than the biblical text. As such, he never stopped questioning the biblical text, and he never questioned the original foundation of his faith and love of God. The objective of Reading Radically with and outside of the Academy: A Biblical and Theological Journey Through Seminary is not only to provide examples of the types of readings one may encounter in seminary, but also to provide a roadmap for seminarians as they struggle to make the transition from Sunday school to biblical and theological scholarship. Moreover, Edwards seeks to revisit how one can go beyond the traditional canons of preaching and teaching to provide readings outside of the canon within the canon. Notwithstanding, it is my prayer that other seminarians would shake off the dusk of their seminary papers and provide the church with readings not otherwise available to those who may never set foot on a university campus. May God's Reign be expanded to include all voices at the table as equal and legitimate readings of Scripture.