Hey friends! Long time no see! Last week I completed my first quarter of online classes at Fuller Seminary. If you missed my last post and wondered if I was still alive, I very much am. Going back to school, this school in particular, has been an amazing experience so far (although I’m not sure I’ll ever fully adjust to the reading load - yikes!). One of the classes I took is called “Foundations of Psychological Science: On Being Human.” The whole class was a fascinating exploration of the integration of theology and psychology (a favorite topic of mine right now!). One of the prominent themes of the class is the significance of human embodiment, promoting a movement away from seeing bodies and souls as separate in favor of a more integrated, wholistic view of what it means to be human (i.e. our bodies are not bad; our bodies matter; honoring embodiment is essential to human thriving from both a theological and psychological perspective).
This video was assigned a few weeks into the class as a means of exploring some of the practical implications of embodiment for pastors and ministry leaders. I can’t get the conversation that takes place around the 1:10-3:00 minute mark out of my head. Go ahead and watch the first three minutes with me . . .
A strange thing happened when I watched that part of the video for the first time - I teared up. I’ll admit, I’m an easy cryer, but not over stuff like this. Nothing about this video is sad or sentimental. So why the water works? Or, in the words of any good therapist, “If those tears could talk, what would they say?”
After watching the whole interview I stopped and thought a lot about why their conversation about Bobby intentionally turning his body and directing his eye contact toward Ines affected me so deeply.
If my tears could talk I think they would say, “How beautiful!” And, “I crave that so badly. I want that for every man and woman who serve Jesus together.” Also, “I know exactly what she’s talking about. I know what it’s like to feel invisible.”
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Every move is theological.
That one line has been on repeat in my head for weeks now.
What a powerful statement for us to ponder, one with relevance far beyond the topic of gender dynamics. I would love to hear your thoughts. It’s quite possible that this video/conversation won’t effect anyone else the way it affected me, and that’s ok. But it never hurts to ask.
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As you can tell, I’m not able to be very active here now that I’ve gone back to school. (You may also be able to tell that school has confiscated 99% of my brain cells, hence the video clip and very little commentary. Ha!) If you pay for a subscription, this would be a good time click on “manage subscription” and downgrade to a free subscription. That will save you some money and help me feel less guilty that I’m not able create Substack content right now. (I wonder what it’s like to be one of those people who can do more than one thing at a time? It must be awesome! I’ll never know.😉)
Blessings to you, friends!
I know this feeling just in normal conversations that take place in a co-ed setting. I didn’t even notice it was happening until my husband pointed it out and how frustrated it made him to see me treated that way. I am talked over and ignored. I used to be so excited to share my own discoveries about whatever theological topics came up. If I got interrupted, I'd jump back in at the next pause. But now that I've become aware that I'm being ignored, I don't fight to try to be heard. I just walk away. I'm so happy that my husband and I are beginning to find new community where everyone's voice is welcomed and appreciated. God bless you in your studies, Aprile!
Yes! I for sure have felt that feeling, when people are talking to my husband and I’m like, “Hey, youhoooo! I’m the one in seminary! 👋 “ A friend went to a denomination conference that does ordain women and commented on how amazing it was that people naturally assumed she was a pastor and she didn’t have to justify her existence there. It’s got me thinking it’s like when Ken goes to the real world and someone asks him for the time. You don’t notice how draining it is until you are refreshed by something just normal. It’s a lot to take in. I’d love to have your book list for that class, is SO up my alley!!