"Do you realize that since I've known you, you've often mentioned dropping out of Bible college thirty-seven years ago? You need to finish what you failed to complete."  In the summer of 2009 Dr. Rusten spoke these words as we headed off to our occasional lunch at one of his favorite lunch spots. His invitations have always honored me and the discussions over lunch never fail to leave lasting impressions. This one, out of the many, would have perhaps the greatest effect. 

He went on to describe the Degree Completion Program (DCP) as part of the Bethlehem College and Seminary courses offered in its inaugural year. As one of the men who speaks directly into my life, I took him seriously. The proposal fell threateningly on the feral soil of my brain, but happily on the well-tilled soil of my heart. I had spent the previous years in Dr. Rusten's Sunday School class "The Bethlehem Institute (TBI) Essentials".  I translated his description of DCP as TBI Essentials on steroids. The study of theology would be a cake-walk, I thought, with my many years of rehearsal, but the thought of four semesters of Greek removed any icing from the cake. At fifty-six I wasn't too sure of my remaining abilities, and was reasonably concerned about my lack of academic stamina.

Seeking counsel from other self-appointed mentors and finding God's provision of a part-time job which promised to cover the very reasonable tuition, I could not find a reason or excuse to not do what needed to be done. I was, however, wrong on two points. There was no cake on the theology portion even with my preview, because the standards were high and challenging. My expectation about Greek was also wrong. Oh, it was challenging, but motivation for and application of Greek is built into the fabric of the preaching and teaching of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Also, professors amplified application by Greek devotionals at the start of each class. I'm a very pragmatic man; I need to know why I am doing what I'm doing. With study, I knew why -- the scriptures exploded with joy as nuance, depth, and the meaning of God's Word became my well-iced cake. I love Greek and yes, it's not easy, but oh is it worth every moment of effort.

God's grace included the means, time, ability and desire to spend bliss-filled hours in the BCS and Luther Seminary libraries learning to write research papers (again), and to be faithful in the forced-march through vocabulary and verb charts. What a joy participles have become. Yes, God provided everything I needed. My faith has been grounded in His Word, and my confidence in that Word is all the more solid.

On December 21, 2010, at age fifty-eight, I received my degree in Theology from Bethlehem College and Seminary. I am grateful to my brother, friend, and mentor, Mike Rusten, who challenged me to do what was so needful in my life. I am most profoundly grateful to my God who loved me. That alone is enough, but He has, through BCS, flooded my soul with such good as I cannot express. I am not sure if Colonel Harland Sanders was a believer when he began his chicken venture at age sixty, but what might He be pleased to do with me, His adopted son, when I apply the Glory of God and His passion for his supremacy to my life? What might our God be pleased to do in your life? Take that course, or finish your degree. Or, be like Mike Rusten, my friend and mentor -- challenge someone.