2018.10.22: Crazy American

Here’s the latest from the crazy American in Sweden.

For the Bible school (no required reading, papers, or exams–so kind of like Bible camp on steroids for a “gap year”), small groups developed creative presentations of some of the major judges. We had some fun creativity and memorable ways to remember some biblical characters.

The last lesson in my “academic” class (Introduction to the OT, but now only the first half of the OT, and the 2nd half comes in a “deeping” course) was on Ester, so we had a competitive story-telling time, with groups each taking a chapter. This is an adaptation of the Jewish tradition of reenacting the story for the festival of Purim. The student who won (a bag a chocolates on the festival theme) was an older student who retold the story and invited the students to be children. Some got a bit childish, playing kids who asked a ton of questions, some of which were totally tangential. Perhaps they felt sorry for how some students made her really work in telling the story. As a good teacher, she shared her chocolates. (I buy individually wrapped chocolates, so in case the winner(s) feel like sharing, it is easy to do so.)

We celebrated with chocolate cake as well, which was shared with all who were around for the fika break. In Swedish, this is “fester för Ester!”

The final day is tomorrow, but before the exam after lunch, we start with a “Gallery Day” in the morning. Students will have 6 minutes, starting with reading their main point from step 9 of their inductive exegetical methods project, where they have worked all term with a classic interpretive methods. Next, they share a creative interpretation with the entire class. The desks are moved to the side of the classroom, and chairs are set up in theater style to make it a bit more special. The students will do the grading, as they can track all the Swedish well. It is only 10% of the grade and anything 80% or higher is a high pass, so there is a bit of incentive to engage this, but not too many points that will make students too stressed. I invite others from the school to come, and have guest seating in the back, so they can slip in and out as they want.

These creative aspects seem to be appreciated by many, and especially the few that feel that creativity has been sacrificed on the altar of “scientific” biblical study. Yes, all my classroom discussion is required by law to be “scientific” (regardless that objective or neutral interpretation has been demonstrated to be a myth). But the other thing this crazy American does is play by the rules, but also note when the rules don’t apply. Specifically, Swedish higher ed does not require a standard number of classroom contact hours with students. So, I can get through my course content in non-confessional ways, and then end class early (averaging 15 minutes early, with a couple that were 30 minutes). I invite students to stay for “reflection” which integrates lesson content with conversations that engage faith, ministry, and other aspects of Christian life. Most students stay.

On Friday night, I was invited to a dinning club, where people take turns hosting a meal. (I’m a bit concerned that nobody knows how rustic my student apartment is. Will they really want to have me host!?!) I do a lot of listening in Swedish, and I did a little bit of talking in Swedish, but when I was tired at the end of the day, I did relay–in English–my crazy American way to play by the rules in the classroom, but give an opportunity beyond the rules. Several were really pleased to hear what I was doing, as they too share the frustration of training pastors and pastoral counselors without holistic conversations during the lessons.

Other crazy American notes…

I decided to wear a pair of Anya’s shoes that she left in her closet. We had some nice weather last week. Now, it turned cold again, so the shoes are back in her closet.

I do laundry in the first available slot of the day, 7:00 am. Then, there is no back up in the laundry room. Somehow this last time, one of the dryers offered an English instruction panel! I can manage this Swedish, but some crazy American allowed the English selection to come to completion. Though, somehow it resets to default Swedish after some minutes.

I continue to be grateful for my Swedish tutor, Lennart. I bicycle past a konditori (a coffee shop and bakery that specializes in fika pastries), and I buy 2 items. I have been exploring the options over the months. This one pictured, looks better than it tastes! It is a blob of icing on a cookie with a nice presentation. This one won’t be chosen again.

We made Christmas/New Year airplane reservations. So, 22 – 26 December in the Bay Area; 26 December – 2 January in Bellevue area. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible!

Speaking of crazy, the British Airlines airplane ticket from Arlanda/Stockholm through London to San Francisco was $261 cheaper than only the 1 (same) flight from London to San Francisco! So, Anya will fly here, which she wanted to do anyway, with a commuter flight, which when combined with the other flight, it will still be cheaper than just the round-trip London to USA. At least I’m not the only crazy thing in my life.

With blessings,

Beth