Peter Kirby

In order to make this posting relevant, I will indicate that some of my options include Biblical Criticism & History type stuff.

Preamble:

In the past I have written articles on subjects such as the Testimonium Flavianum and maintain the Early Christian Writings and Early Jewish Writings websites. I have been active on this board and on other sites and lists dealing with studies of Christian origins (I also own the ChristianOrigins.com name).

The amble itself:

Should I work hard to pass myself off as an expert in a highly contentious field, ancient history and/or biblical studies, by pursuing higher education and the eventual doctorate?

Or should I take a lateral jump and do something different entirely? Perhaps write a couple of those software applications that have been kicking around in my brain for a couple years?

Is there some middle ground? Could I find a way not to be a scholar, but to be active in the world of scholarship? Perhaps as a publisher, or as someone who creates tools for scholarship (software, resources, networking)?

The options in the concrete:

Door Number One
Rededicate myself to school, get a bachelor's degree of Religious Studies or of History (1 to 2 years), get a Ph.D. degree of Theology or of Ancient History (4 or more years after that), and compete in the space of writers and educators in this field.

Door Number Two
Do nothing with school. Write those scripts that I know there is a need for, make a small stack, and live a comfortable life of part-time work. Perhaps read this stuff in my spare time.

Door Number Three
Develop my existing websites on the themes of ancient writings more. Perhaps not go back to school for a while, but do something that involves scholarly pursuits and technology. Compete in the space of Logos software type companies.

Your responses:

They can take any form, of course. You can tell me to combine two doors, go for a door number four, say that you don't understand what this thread is about, or whatever you like.

The post-amble and tie-in:

Scriptural lesson for the day is not to worry to much about missing your calling. Jonah tried to run away from his calling, but (in the book of Jonah) God made sure that Jonah fulfilled His purposes for him. So... if you ever feel like you may be missing out on your purpose in life, rest assured that it will find you.

Still, I'd like to hear what everyone has to say.

Peter Kirby

This should possibly be moved to the Lounge.

Roger Pearse

Do what you feel like doing, but ensure that you have a means to live. Most of us have to spend our days doing stuff that we don't much care about. But it does keep you earthed.

All the best,

Roger Pearse

Clivedurdle

What do you love, what are you passionate about?

BCH and software to me do not feel that different - both are about meticulous detail and collecting and ordering data.

What are your dreams? Might they be something else entirely?

Where are you from, where are you now, where do you want to be?

Lugubert

I can relate to the problem. Do I go for a degree in South Asian religions, or in some Asian language(s), or just concentrate on growing spectacular indoor plants?

My pension, and some specialized translation work (which of course is stealing time from all of the above) allows a sufficiently comfortable living as well as pursuing those other activities. (University tuition is of course free in Sweden.) I won't be very famous in any field, possibbly excepting translations, but I'm generally having a good time.

Back to you, I suppose making the scripts pay for your getting a doctorate would be next to ideal. Wishing you all the best, and please keep us updated.

Equinox

First off, this is a visceral decision – you need to do what excites you, what you want to do, and especially, what you find yourself thinking about when you have a spare moment.


However, since I can’t know what your inner desires are, I’ll respond to the question.

The older I get, the more fired up I become about helping the future world, the world we make for our children and great great grandchildren. Will they thank us for it, or curse our selfishness? To that end, Peter, you are a powerful and unique person, who’s influence is only beginning to be felt. You could indeed make a huge difference, but doors #2 and #3 seem like Peter leaving the auditorium, and fading into obscurity and permanent irrelevance. In door #1, you could be great, and make the world a better place.

We all see creationists spouting off about biology, and they almost never know what they are talking about. And of course, the almost never have a degree in biology, and aren’t usually worth our time. We quickly (and rightly so) point out that the opinion of someone who doesn’t even have a degree in the field isn’t worth much. Peter, if you don’t get the degrees in ancient literature/theology or whatever, your voice won’t carry very far, nor should it. Six years will go by very fast. I got a doctorate, and that went by fast, and since then I’ve been at my current job for nearly twice as long, and that went by fast too. It’s generally very hard to go back. Family, kids, employment, or whatever make it very hard. You very often have to either get the degree right off, or forget about it for the rest of your life. If you are going to be a major figure (or even a figure) in the field of ancient literature, you need that degree.

You can be another Ehrman. Or, you can be some bloke in a house on a street in some town. Your choice……

Anyway, those are my thoughts, since you asked for them.


Have a wonderful day-
Equinox

Amaleq13

I think you have a better chance of obtaining more informed suggestions here. We'll let 'er ride and see how it goes.

andrewcriddle

Very tentatively I would suggest Door Number Three.

It may offer you the best chance of doing something valuable that otherwise wont get done by anybody.

Andrew Criddle

Solo

I'd say go for whichever door looks like the one you booked. But I would knock first to see if someone is there - you might get a scene from the occupant. For next time, I'd stay away from cheap motels. My favourite is number 1109 at Hilton Suites in Markham, Ontario. But generally I don't go much no more to them career opportunity events.

Jiri

Solitary Man

1 + 3.