Grace in the Learning
Devotional Thoughts from Seminary Studies
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
Hello, Friends!
My name is Natali, and I’m currently a master’s student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. I hope to pursue a career in writing and editing, so I thought this website would be a fun place to begin synthesizing what I’m learning, sharing what I’m working on, and getting a little publishing experience along the way.
I aim to use this project as an opportunity to challenge myself, not simply to post research papers, book reviews, or other assignments I complete for classes, but to take what I am learning and allow it to shape the way I live. The articles I share on this site will be more devotional in nature, reflecting on the ways the truths I encounter in my studies intersect with everyday life. As a seminary student studying the Living Word of God, I believe what I learn is meant to do more than help me earn a good grade. These truths have real and lasting implications, and they should shape the way I think, live, and follow Christ.
I have chosen to title this site “Grace in the Learning,” inspired by the following statement David Mathis makes in the book How to Stay Christian in Seminary:
“At the heart of the danger of seminary is coming to treat the grace of God lightly. But a healthy experience of seminary drives you to do precisely the opposite... As you explicitly ask God to keep you fascinated with his grace, the first means you should employ is this: relentlessly keep the gospel central. The gospel of Jesus is the epicenter of Christian grace, and true Christian grace is ever shaped by the message of the Messiah crucified for sinners... Seminary is a good opportunity to go deep with the grace of God in the gospel.” [Emphasis added]
I would be remiss and foolish if I were to approach my coursework merely as material to be consumed for the sake of passing a test rather than as an opportunity to deepen my understanding of the profoundly personal grace God has extended to me through Christ. Thus, through this site, I hope to invite readers into my journey of learning more about God’s glorious grace by offering a window into my thoughts, reflections, and convictions as I study His Word.
Thank you for joining!!
