|
Julius J. Kim, Ph.D.
Dean of Students
Dear Students,
This month, graduating senior Mike Schout brings us a
reflection on his time of study at WSC. Mike writes:
As I soon approach the conclusion of my three year tenure as a student at
Westminster Seminary California, it is a privilege for me to reflect on my
experiences here and share some thoughts with you. To begin, allow me to set the
stage. I grew up in a wonderful Christian home in West Michigan where I was
catechized and taught the Reformed doctrines of grace. I was truly a covenant
child in every sense of the word, never knowing a day when the Gospel of Jesus
Christ was not talked about. During my sophomore year of high school, my family
transitioned from our RCA church to a PCA church plant near our home town of
Zeeland, where I soon became a member. Upon graduation, I traveled south
to enroll at Covenant College. I majored in history, and committed to attending
seminary to pursue pastoral ministry during my sophomore year. In God’s
providence, He led me to Westminster Seminary California immediately after
I finished my undergraduate work. It is hard to believe that less than three years
ago, my family and I made the 2,400 mile trek across the country in my rusty
1990 Honda Accord - with no air conditioning. Truly God has been so good.
When searching for a seminary to prepare for pastoral ministry, I was
looking for a place that offered these three things: faculty members who were
pastor-scholars, teaching that highlighted the person and work of Christ in all
of redemptive history, and a curriculum that sufficiently prepared me for the
work of the ministry within a confessional Reformed perspective. By God’s
amazing grace, all of these have been answered above and beyond my expectations.
Given the numerical size of the student body, I was able to build lasting
relationships with my professors inside and outside of class. I am consistently
amazed at their availability and willingness to invest in my life even while
attending faithfully to so many other responsibilities. Not only are they some
of the leading scholars in their respective fields, but all of them have served
or currently serve as pastors in Reformed denominations. It is clear that my
professors are about Christ, His Gospel, and His Church. I can honestly say that
my professors are more than just teachers; they are mentors and friends.
Throughout the past three years, I have seen the centrality of Christ’s person
and work in all of my classes. I firmly believe that I now have a better
understanding of the Gospel than when I came to seminary, and for this I will be
eternally grateful. It is such a joy to study the Scripture in its redemptive
historical and covenantal nature! My professors and classmates have regularly
pointed my eyes to see Christ, our faithful high priest and intercessor. In
Colossians 1:28 the Apostle Paul writes, “Him [Christ] we proclaim, warning
everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone
mature in Christ.”
I have also been blessed with the opportunity to study historical theology,
Biblical theology, systematic theology, and practical theology within the
historic confessions of the Reformed tradition. In my estimation, studying
theology in this matter shows a great level of humility as we seek to understand
the things of God on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. Both the
Three Forms of Unity and the Westminster Standards are truly wonderful summaries
of what the Reformed tradition continues to confess about the Word of
God.
When I think about all that the Lord has taught me and prepared me for during
these three years at WSC, I feel so incredibly blessed. As I look forward to
receiving a call to pastoral ministry, I will forever be grateful to Westminster
Seminary California. I cannot imagine a better place to prepare for this awesome
work of the ministry. May our covenant-keeping God continue to shower His grace
and blessings upon this place, and may Jesus Christ be preached throughout all
nations as a result.
Grace and Peace,
Michael J. Schout, class of 2006
Mike and his fiancee, Naomi Elgersma |
|
 September
07: Senior Reflections
May
07: Senior Reflections
March
07: CWiPPThink
January
07: Winter Term
November 06:
Reformation Day
September 06:
Welcome Back
August 06:
Summer Greek
July
06: CPR
June
06: Sign Up and Gear Up
May
06: Reflection by Michael Schout
April
06: den Dulk Lectures
March
06: Student Association
February
06: Preaching Christ
December
05: Mentors
|
