Welcome to Part-Time Seminarian
An Introduction
Who are we?
My name is Parker Haines. I am a student minister at Watermark Fort Worth and a part-time seminary student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I studied Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University, where I developed a love for ministry through my involvement with Breakaway Ministries during those years.
I met Collin Scribner during my junior year at A&M. As fellow team leaders at Breakaway, Collin and I quickly became friends. Collin is a full-time software engineer for his day job and a part-time seminary student on the side, usually studying during evenings after work. He is a member at Northway Church in Dallas, TX, where he serves as an occasional Bible class teacher and curriculum writer.
Why create this publication?
Collin and I love to think deeply about spiritual things. We share a core Christian conviction expressed by the Psalmist,
"Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them." - Psalm 111:2
We believe that the Lord of Glory has revealed himself in the person of Jesus Christ, and we have access to that revelation through his inspired Word. Therefore, the Word should be studied carefully, and we as Christians ought to strive to bring our lives into alignment with it. We want to be shaped—in our thinking, feeling, and doing—by the bible.
However, applying the theology of the bible to our lives is not a simple matter. We live in a complex world that presents many challenges as we pursue being Bible-shaped people. This complexity forces us as Christians to ask questions, and as our Professor Tom Schreiner has said, "Complex questions deserve nuanced answers."
That is why we are starting this publication: to encourage Christians to think carefully and biblically about the world around them.
We are aiming to produce a bi-weekly newsletter, where we will explore the intersection of theology and culture, examining how our beliefs shape our actions and engagement with the world around us. Our content will range from theological reflections on contemporary issues to book reviews and practical applications of doctrine within church life.
Collin and I hope to bring complementary perspectives to this publication—I am most interested in writing about how our theology is manifested in our culture at large, whether it be in a religious or secular context. I want to help people understand how the things we believe shape the things that we do. Collin specializes in practical church ministry and theological literature. We hope that our combined efforts will make Part-Time Seminarian a well-rounded resource where believers can engage in thoughtful conversations about Christianity, theology, and culture.
Why the name?
The name, Part-Time Seminarian, carries a double meaning. First, Collin and I are both part-time seminary students at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. We love seminary and want to share about the things we are learning. Our writing will come from the perspective of students who are watching, listening, reading, meditating, and then offering their thoughts.
Beyond that, the name Part-Time Seminarian is a comment on the kind of person we hope will enjoy this publication. We want to engage readers who enjoy thinking deeply about spiritual things but aren't full-blown academics. We want our writing to be intelligent yet casual, thoughtful yet accessible.
What can you expect and how can you support us?
Our goal is to produce regular content that will be a blessing to our subscribers. My goal is to publish a newsletter every other Friday that explores the intersection of Theology and Culture. Collin will be contributing his own articles periodically, as well as his book reviews.
Our only ask is that if you find our content to be thought-provoking and encouraging, you would share it with your friends. We will never paywall our content, and if we ever decide to turn on paid subscriptions, it will simply be a voluntary way to say thank you and help us create more content.
Always feel free to engage with us in the comment section or through direct messages. We would be eager to hear your thoughts.
Thank you for reading!
In Christ, Parker
So proud of you both! Looking forward to learning more!
Pumped for this! Love this mission!