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August 28, 2010
Session 8 | Day 7
I’m really happy that I signed up to write the Summit blog today because I have the special privilege of writing on “Middle Saturday.” Why is that a privilege? Because I know enough about Summit to tell people what it’s like, but I don’t yet have the superiority complex that I’m sure I’ll have by the end of Week 2.
So here’s the thing about Summit: it’s not what I expected. And that’s a good thing, for two main reasons.
First, I love Summit because I disagree with the lecturers with relative frequency. I envisioned myself at Summit taking frantic notes on speakers that spouted off answers to questions I’d always wondered about. But—fortunately—that’s not what I found here. Disagreeing with the lecturers has taught me to think, to make up my own mind on an issue, and to be able to articulate why I believe what I think. That’s so much better than just getting answers to a few questions.
The second astonishingly awesome and completely unsought facet of Summit is the effect of being immersed in a Christian environment. Being able to have a conversation about theology with anyone at the drop of a hat…learning that others share my “growing up Christian” experiences…meeting person after person with character (and not a few people that are characters!)…it’s impossible to discount this aspect of Summit.
I’m having the time of my life—and this is just the first week!
- Posted at 07:34 pm by Sarah Welch (Athens, OH)
- Join the Discussion (2)
August 30, 2010 // 12:07 pm // #
I’m glad to hear you’ve allowed yourself to learn from the Summit experience even if you don’t agree with all that is taught there. That’s great!
I feel the same way… although I had a great time at the two sessions i went to I’ve grown to disagree with almost everything they teach. But like you suggest, the Christian community and emphasis on intellectual honesty and clarity and vigor left a lasting positive impact on my life.
I’d like to know a little bit about what doesn’t sit right with you and if you’ve encountered any peer discussion that’s open to disagreement while at summit.
August 30, 2010 // 03:55 pm // #
Rick,
There wasn’t so much a large issue that I can immediately say I disagree with. Rather, it’s lots of smaller things, like seeing a hole in an argument. I think when I have time, I’ll be able to see more what bothers me.
I absolutely have encountered people who are receptive to my arguments. They’re sometimes able to point out something I didn’t notice, which is helpful…and just being able to voice my opinion is therapeutic.
God bless,
Sarah