I have faith in Buddy Christ

Greetings from Saint Louis!

The summer term has proven to be a much more at-peace quarter than the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters ever did. Most of the campus is empty, not even half of the student body is on campus. I am only taking two classes; Lutheran Confessions I (II is later in the summer) and Hermeneutics; so, I can really focus my sights onto only two targets, instead of several moving targets with a strong wind and dense fog; I predict one-hit-kill-shots for both classes. Both professors are great, especially Dr Lewis, who is a man after my own heart (or that I am man after his heart...).

Hermeneutics is all about being a textual critic for the end goal of getting down to the interpretation of a text -- our text being the bible. So, I put on a critical glasses to look at the bible; therefore, I no longer take another's word for the validity of the bible and what it says about the nature of God and his relationship with us, I work to find out for myself. And, so far, our professor has led us through some procedures to achieve this. We take EVERYTHING into consideration. We look at the early manuscripts -- discussing how 'different translations' might have occurred; we look at the text itself -- what are its contemporary historical/cultural implications? Not only theological interpretation, but also to answer, Why did the author write this? 

Apparently it is not uncommon for a student, in hermeneutics, to go through a "faith crisis" that is, starts questioning, more than ever, the truth of the bible -- especially the New Testament. This is so, because we study that we no longer have the absolute original text of any of the books! We (today's scholars) have early manuscripts, dating all the way back to 150 AD, but according to most scholars, dates of the actual pen-to-paper (papyrus) of the New Testament happened earlier -- before the turn of the second century. And, on top of that, there are no early/ancient manuscripts that are comprised of the entire bible (all 66 books). So, what do we mean, when we say, "...the bible..."? So, to be brief, hermeneutics studies how to arrive at the conclusion that the bible is actually The Bible.

Most of us have heard the argument that the bible has too many mistakes, and too many translation-related errors; or that the sheer expanse of time claimed between Genesis and Revelation renders the bible fallible, or even, that the bible is somehow a conspiracy. However, there is more evidence pointing to the validity of The Bible than there is pointing to Armstrong's moon landing!

All of this "conversation" (above) is mainly from the fact that textual variants exist. These are differences between manuscripts. So far, biblical scholars (such as internationally respected, Dr. Voelz) have come up with two main possibilities to explain why these variants occur: 

1) The variants stem from accidental errors in copying. 

When the books of the bible (or what would eventually become the books of the bible) were first being spread throughout the known world, most of the transmission was orally. But as the Church grew, followers of "The Way" (as the Apostle Paul says in the Book of Acts) soon developed copying centers, called Scriptoriums, where copyists would copy scripture. In fact, an early canon (an early formed group of books that would later contribute to the Christian Canon -- The Bible) would have been the letters (epistles) from Paul and the four gospels. All written in ancient Greek, specifically Koine/Koinh Greek (basically the common language of the known world, similar to basic English today). Anyway, back to the point, manuscripts from this period show signs of 'mistakes'. In these scriptoriums, an orator would read aloud the scriptures and the copyists would copy. Naturally, mistakes would occur; some Koine/h Greek words sound similar. For example: TA SUMERON vs TO SUMERON; both italicized words represent the Koine/h definite article and both have a near identical pronunciation. In addition, on the manuscripts are evidence of editorial marks. Roughly speaking, when a copyist was finished with a copy of the gospel according to Matthew, his boss would pick it up and edit it. A perfectly imperfect-human system!

2) The variants stem from intentional changes

What if an individual copyist wanted to add something to the text that was not said aloud by the orator? This would cause a difference between his text and the other copied texts. The result, a textual variant.

Consider Galatians 4:7,

The English Standard Version (ESV) reads: "So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

The New International Version (NIV) reads: "So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir

The New King James Version (NKJV) reads: "Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ"

Now consider my Greek translation from the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece: 28th Edition (NA28): "So that you are no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir through God."

Inside the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament is the Textual Apparatus -- this tool is basically a half page, on every page of footnotes that discusses the existence and the location of the textual variants within the text. 

The chosen text, that is the text that reads the New Testament in the NA28 ends Galatians 4:7 with "...through God." 

However, several textual variants are represented in the Textual Apparatus...

******************************************************************************

A page from Jude in Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece: 28th Edition shows a good example of how the Textus Receptus or the "received text" /chosen text/ the one that we read (by the editors of NA28), and the Textual Apparatus work together on the same page:

Above is the text, in Koine/h Greek, and below (the space) is the Textual Apparatus with textual variants, according to each verse. The editors of this book constructed this apparatus, showing the variants, found in the actual manuscripts. Ultimately, when I bought the NA28, I was buying the editors' best guess -- based off of lifetimes of research and study in several fields -- of what the original text would have looked like.

******************************************************************************

Now, do we (as mankind) have The Bible, in its original form? 

Probably not. 

But with the text (above) and with the textual apparatus (below), are we close? 

Yes. Probably very close. Close enough that we can, with confidence, call what we have The Bible.

Basically, the NA28 is one-big-spinal-bound-book that lets the reader see the evidence for The Bible. 

It is a lot of evidence!

The above example of an intentional textual variant is small in magnitude. 

In the end, what is the difference between "through God" or "through Jesus" or"through Christ" or any combination of these? I am not denying that this variant, and others like it were intentional, I have no problem confessing that; however, I am arguing its magnitude. Evidence shows that the author (or the copyist) of Galatians may have attempted to harmonize the Book with Romans. In fact, the last variant listed in the textual apparatus is identical to the text in Romans 8. And if that's not the case of what happened, it is perfectly reasonable to assume that a copyist heard "through God" but, instead, wrote "through Jesus/Christ/Christ Jesus/Jesus Christ" The difference and thus the theological significance is minimal.

*(The seasoned biblical textual critic would even say that since each variant has the same Greek preposition: DIA, "through, on account of, on behalf of, according to," the theological implications in each variant are relatively the same, if not, identical.)

Well, there is a difference, and such difference could show in a pastor's sermon, depending on what variant he chooses; BUT the point is this: Does it change The Gospel? Even without going that far, I can make the argument that these variants are synonymous! And then, therefore, they do not change the gospel according to The Bible. The reality is 99% of the textual variants within scripture are represented with this example! That abolishes every argument that attacks the truth that The Bible witnesses to! (tell your friends)

2) Intentional changes continued...

In addition to the variants like the example above which have little or no affect on the interpretation of scripture, there are other variants that should be identified and thoroughly considered.

For example: Mark 1:40-42 (Jesus Cleanses a Leper)

The ESV reads:
And a leper came to [Jesus], imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." (41) Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean."
And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

The NIV reads:
A man with leprosy came to [Jesus] and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
(41) Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"
Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

What happened? Is Jesus furious or is he compassionate?

Both English translations are from the Greek. However, each English edition is apparently looking at different textual variants within the same Greek text.

The NA28 reads with the Greek word: "ὀργισθείς," meaning "becoming angry" However, there is a textual variant. The textual apparatus, again, where the variants are listed for each verse, reads, for verse 41, "σπλαγχνισθείς", meaning "filled with compassion," or "compassionately."

So, first: why does this variant exist? Remember, all variants have human origins; meaning, all the textual variants were originally written by humans, for a reason.

One possible reason is this: what's the easier reading? An angry Jesus, or a compassionate Jesus? What is interesting is that the NA28 editors chose the Greek word ὀργισθείς for the textus receptus. Each Greek word has its evidence, however, the editors chose ὀργισθείς based on that it was most likely the original word used in Mark 1:41. What makes more sense, a scribe switching ὀργισθείς to σπλαγχνισθείς.

or σπλαγχνισθείς to ὀργισθείς ("angry" to "compassionate" or "compassionate" to "angry")?????

Humans are a lot like water -- taking the path of least resistance. Clearly, the harder/harsher reading recounts Jesus reacting in "anger," so, if there is a change, which there is, according to the evidence, the change that makes most sense is the former. Consider the 200 AD scribe! The Jesus Christ he is most familiar with is the "Buddy Jesus Christ!"

Mark 1:41:
"No probs, bro! Totes healed!"
#YOLO
#UNLESSyoureSAVEDbyME
*pound it*

The cultural norms of the day were that lepers stayed away from others. And in Mark begins his gospel with Jesus and his disciples entering the city gates -- which is precisely where the leper(s) would be -- outside the city to not inoculate the population. Now, wouldn't Jesus of Nazareth acknowledge these norms in his lifetime? Of course he would! before you disagree, consider that these norms ultimately crucified him, both religious and civil norms!

The next question is: Does it change the gospel?

NO!

In fact, I think it enhances it: Jesus heals, even when he is "indignant" or "angry." Will it change a sermon -- depending on which variant is chosen by the pastor? YES.

The fact is that this variant is an example of the more potent variants. The reality is: No authentic textual variants jeopardize the gospel. (tell your friends)

In closing, what does it mean to be "God inspired"? Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Paul lapse into convulsions as the Holy Spirit took hold of them?

Maybe.

But probably not. In fact, the book of Acts recounts Luke as a researcher, who collected eye witness accounts and considered other texts before finishing his. Is the gospel according to Luke still "God Inspired."

What exactly does "God Inspired" look like? Did divine inspiration stop after Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Paul dotted their last periods? OR, Did divine inspiration continue through the centuries in the transmission of the scriptures? Without a doubt, God wrote his bible, but what did/does that look like?

"The Bible has been translated too many times to be rendered as authoritative."

FALSO!

The Bible has been translated ONCE many times. We still have the Greek, y'all! I just typed some for you.
Greek to Latin (The Vulgate) = once
Greek to German (our boy Luther!) = once
Greek to English = once
Greek to etc... = once
Total = ONCE

The English John 3:16 that you read in your NIV, ESV, NLT, NKJV, CPR, FBI edition is based on Greek manuscripts. Proof is in the prof! My Greek professor, Dr Jim Voelz served on the international translation committee of one of these as a language and theology consultant.

In the end, we have certainty that our bible serves as The Bible, written by The God, through His People, for Their Salvation, through Him!

May the faith, hope and love of Jesus Christ preserve us all!

Do

What the seminary thinks I do...



What my friends think I do...



What my brothers think I do...



What my fiance thinks I do...



What my parents think I do...



What I think I do...



What I do...



*come inside my head*
-Homer is loud, so...
-YOU KNOW I WILL!!! (Youtube: "Starburst Land of Intensity commercial")
-goofy batman
-all I do is study and reading hurts
-Who do you think is taking the picture?
-would be cool
-its Mike

The Hammer of God

Dear family and friends in Christ Jesus,

This quarter is blazing by. It is already half-way finished and it still feels like the first week. My classes are like a blur (a very educational blur, of course).
These are my courses:
Hebrew Readings
Lutheran Mind
Pastoral Ministry
Worship
Introduction to Historical Theology

All of them are taught by very intelligent men of God. One thing to my experience so far is that regardless of the course, the professor never fails to connect the course with the grace of God. It is obvious that every professor has served as a pastor -- and good pastors -- before instructing me in their specialty. These men have also endured the various trials that seminary brings that I am enduring now, so, there is a bond that exists between professor and student; and the seminary is good at establishing that bond; the entire staff is devoted to seeing their students through the rigorous curriculum because they embrace it as their Calling, as ordained men of God. We students are in some ways like their flock, as they are like our shepherd. The material I listen to and read about has not failed to be tied to Christ and his work on earth. Indeed, my education is improved since last fall, but my faith has as well. Lutheran Mind with Dr Joel Okamoto has especially rebuilt my faith on the rock; I just have a better handle on things.

In addition to course work of this quarter, God has seen it fit to bless me with a lesson in humility.
Some of you (if you are reading this) have already encouraged me, and I am so thankful for that.

What shall we do when our ministry takes fire from without or even from within the body of believers? Shall we interpret it as a 'sign from God' that we are ill-suited for this vocation? Μη γενοιτα By no means! No we shall not! When my fiance is having a bad day, I encourage her to endure. In response to the fire we endure in faith. I love that word. It summarizes, in one word, the Christian life in a fallen world. How/Why is it difficult to put into practice when I, myself, speak it as encouragement for those whom I love? That is the bridge between talkin' and walkin'

A wise man at Concordia University, TX, Dr Carl Troval, in a class, described worship as 'Our response to God's grace.' Simply put, our worship is a response. We don't do anything; we only respond to what has been done. I pulled that out of my brain last week and I put it to practice as best as I could. Endure! should be my response to any trial and tribulation. For the trials blessed by God are the only powers in all reality that can truly empty man's soul to leave room for grace. Humility is endurance.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with 

God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by

faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the

glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we

know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and 

character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has

been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given 

to us.

Romans 5
Paul, the Apostle in his encouragement to the Christians in Rome

And then the body of Christ (those of you at Hosanna), with words of love and encouragement, implored me to endure. Who is the teacher? Who is the Shepherd? In the majesty of the full body of Christ, these labels sometimes become flexible and bounce around. Like the waters of baptism, Christ's workmanship can be fluid. Thank you.

As I am writing this, I am listening to 'Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted -- Metal Version' on youtube

Hopefully, I'll have another update soon.

Love, Mike

Answers

Hi everyone.
I hope everyone who is reading this had a good Christmas break. I had it good, celebrating several Christmas' with Hofmanns and the future in-laws (now I can say it). My father and mother received new news that, regardless of the details, looks like an adventure. All us three brothers can do is wait and see what happens. This new development leaves me to contemplate what Home really means, and if I can truly have more than one. Hopefully, y'all believe me when I say that my love and thanksgiving reach all the way to Kerrville, TX.

My return from break was met with sobering news from two fellow students. May my retelling of the news add more prayers heavenward.

My roommate, on his first day back for break, was met by his fiance. That's when she returned her ring, rejecting his proposal. Whether it is 'for the best' or 'not,' it is painful. Why, how, when did they fall under untrue love's mystique? After listening (so much listening), I called my fiance and told her that I loved her and that I thank God for her and that I'll never loosen my death grip on my promise to not take it for granted.

One of my buddies has a girlfriend back home whose father was diagnosed with stage-it-doesn't-look-good cancer. My buddy is not engaged (to her), but he is met with the decision to skip a brief engagement and marry her before her father dies. She is still in school, and will be, for next year. Her father might not have that long. My buddy needs to be here, for seminary; she needs to be there, to graduate; so, if they are married. . . The point is -- is to have her father with them, so he can walk her down The Aisle.

Stacy called me the other day and told me that her Grandma passed away in a hospital in Florida. Stacy's father and step-grandpa were there, so love and byes were shared one last time before our God's hand filled her hand.

We all know this. We all know that pain reaches all of us. It reaches our homes, our churches, our seminary. A few buddies and I were out at Panera Bread near the seminary, when a young woman and her friend (also a woman of similar age) interrupted us, and, literally, asked us this question: "Can you give us any advice on finding a husband?" They knew we were students at the seminary. Four dudes eating together near the campus, comparing J. R. R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings author) to C. S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia author) leaves little room for doubt. I ended up just telling her to come by the seminary sometime during an event to find a man. No better place than the seminary to find a desperate, God-fearing man. Back to my point, I don't know life's question's answers. I don't think having "R-E-V" before my name will grant me the answers either. I'm not accusing anyone for assuming that I do, but that sincere question from that young lady was of no chance. And I am not about to blame them for speaking up! What they did took a lot of guts -- "I am 30 years old, single, and desperate. Help me." Frankly, asking some seminarians how to find love is not a bad idea. And, frankly (squared), God, and his loving love nature, led those two ladies right into earshot of our nerdy-Christian convo. I don't know how to fix or what to say to my roommate, or to my other bud, or even to my own fiance! But I think I know where to tell them to ask for help from. I think having an "R-E-V" prefix is that. I know the Guy who knows the answers; the Guy who knows the answers to why you don't have the answers.

May I be blunt?
Sometimes they talk things like, "When your ministry begins . . . " I know they are referring to my 'Pastoral' Ministry, and rightly so, since I haven't started it yet. Yet it always makes me pause and say to myself, with a imaginary chuckle, that my ministry has already begun. IDK how long it's been goin' on, but it's been goin'. I know they know that I know. It's just one of those expressions at the seminary that is thrown around.

"Are you a seminary student?"
"I think so. . . "
"Good, tell me how to get married . . ."
#ministry

My seminary studies have their place, I'm not making an argument against that, just an observation that, frankly (cubed), all of us can make. Hopefully, I gave some answers (to all those hurting that I just shared with you) without even knowing. Answering answers by not being able to answer them; maybe sometimes the best way to convince us that He is in control is to allow us to struggle. And if I don't don't have the answers but don't have the answers with love, then maybe I just did my job.

May God bless the eyes, and the bodies they belong to, that read this. That is my intention, always has been, always will be. I look forward to seeing everyone again. I am having a good time here -- not studying too much. You have abundantly blessed me, and please allow my thank fullness to reach down to God's country.

Love,

Mike

What Came First: The Christmas Chicken or the Easter Egg?

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers.

This holiday season reminds us of all the many blessings that we should be thankful for. While at seminary, I am always thankful for the generosity of those who contribute to my education. It was a great thanksgiving break, seeing some of you in Kerrville and at The Farm. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers!

As a Texas boy, I have seen snow when it 'snows' in Texas. It has never 'snowed' enough in Texas to make a snowman like this cool guy. He gives most seminarians the cold shoulder. Then I tell him to chill out. And if he is a good snowman, I'll take him out to get icebergers. ("you forced that last one")

This season reminds us to be thankful for our place in God's heavenly family. We recognize the manifestation of this blessing in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, celebrated this season! The celebration of Christmas brings us to the celebration of Easter. We don't celebrate Easter this season, but, as Christians, we know that the Savior of the world was to come from the lineage of King David (Prophecy: Jeremiah 23:5. Fulfilled: Matthew 1:6), was to be born of a virgin (Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14. Fulfilled: Matthew 1:18-23), was to be born in the town of Bethlehem (Prophecy: Micah 5:2. Fulfilled: Luke 2:1-7), and was to live a perfect life, die by crucifixion, resurrect from death, ascend into heaven, and sit at the right hand of God (Prophecies: Psalm 16, 22, 68, 110; Isaiah 53: 10-11. Fulfilled: 1 Peter 2:21-22; Luke 23:33; Acts 1:9, 2:25-32; Hebrews 1:3). What came first, the Christmas, or the Easter? The Promise or the Fulfillment? The Now or the Future? Can we distinguish the two? Are they not one-in-the-same when put to purpose?
The Future is Now.

This season we are reminded of the Ultimate Gift, given to us by our Lord God, his one and only son (John 3:16). With that gift, we find hope and peace in our place at the Lord's table. Family is everything; because we are a part of the Lord's family.
Family is truly everything. No matter what circumstance we find ourselves in, we can always be thankful for our families. This holiday season, my family and I have something extraordinary to be thankful for! I asked my girlfriend, Stacy, to marry me!

one lucky man

Stacy, and what she gives me, has always been someone to be thankful for; but now that she said "YES!" I have someone in this world committed to me just as much as I am to her.
The Future is Now.








Blessings to all of you! I wish you have a wonderful holiday season, remembering the blessings God has freely given to you.

:D

Hello everyone,

Seminary is an awesome place. The community is almost too friendly. And it's not just the occasional wave high to my fellow neighbor, you can actually tell that the presence of the Lord is active in the hearts of the community. I am a first year, so some things were a little challenging the first couple of weeks (like, just the general adjustment to St. Louis, MO seminary life).

Literally, every professor is or once was an active rostered LCMS Pastor with a parish, so, literally, all of them have committed to a life of service; my Greek professor is a pastor; my academic adviser is a pastor; my basketball coach is a pastor (oh yeah, btw, I am on the team...). One might think that so much pastor-ness would get annoying. But in reality, for the most part, the faculty are down-to-earth human men with wives and children who are rooting for either St. Louis or Boston. It is actually quite relieving. Judgment is last, and patience is first; scorn is last, and love is first.

So, yes, I am on the basketball team. Dr. Tim Saleska is the coach and ever since the beginning of the term, he has been attempting to recruit me for the team. Not because of my three-point shot, or my 35 inch vertical, but because the team needs bodies to fill the jerseys (#humility). Now, you might remember that I've had several surgeries on my right ankle, resulting in a very 'special' ankle. But Dr. Coach Saleska knows this (I told him) and we have an understanding. If it's sore, I don't play. If I play, it's not for very long. In fact, I'll go to practice today, but probably won't play much because we had an intramural football game yesterday, and it's a little sore. It goes without saying, I need to be careful. So, we will see how it goes.

My flag football team is in the playoffs. That's fun. Other teams know I like to throw the deep bomb, so they usually have two or three defenders deep. That just opens the my QB option.

Greek is going swimmingly. I know I've taken a Greek class before, and so, one would hope it is going well. But, this class teaches the language from a different perspective, that is just more logical, instead of just memorizing a billion things and calling it taught. Apparently, this way is a little more technical and therefore more 'difficult,' but hey, it's an ancient language that is chosen by God to get his point across.

This place is a positive influence on my life. As a seminary student, I love because Christ first loved me; and I give grace because grace was first given to me. This is the Calling that all Christians should answer; and as a student at the seminary, this should be a way of life. All I am saying is that this place is more than just a place for academic studies. And if that way of life was only partially lived before, it is now brought to completion.

Please keep me in your thoughts. It helps so so much. Knowing that I have an army of support really helps.

I love you all.

Mike Hofmann

Proof that JK Rowling was in fact 'just kidding' when she said that she did not copy St Louis Seminary to make Hogwarts

Hi everyone! 

It is the Sunday before classes, so all the students are here and moved in. My class is one of the smallest in recent years, only 70 students. With so few, it's been easy to remember names with faces. I'm at a good place with good people. My peers who will graduate with me are some excellent young men of this world, and I am proud to be among them. When I say "world," I mean The World. At our service project, pulling weeds and laying mulch for a women's homeless shelter, I met two men from Africa who have come to St Louis to earn their Masters so they can serve God and those who speak their language. Waiting in line for registration, I met Sacha, a  man from India who is doing something similar. Most speak English, but all love the Lord as Lutherans and THAT makes the world so much smaller. I am at the hub of Lutherandom. 

The meals they have provided us during orientation are for the majority brats and beers; the diet of any self-respecting Lutheran. But after a week, I require an expanded dietary horizon. The faculty and staff are devoted to the church and its future leaders. All of the professors have their own M.Div and have served in one or more Parishes; so, everyone that I will learn from has real and practical wisdom to be heard. I look forward to that. 

Thank you for the thoughts and prayers. I can't say that enough. Everyone who reads these words has helped me get here and/or will help me succeed here.

 This is my dorm room. I share a big room with a roommate, Kevin. We take turns tucking each other in before bed, do each other's laundry, and call each other wondering where the other one is.
#mybedismade

This is the front door into the Godric Gryffindor housing...I mean, my dorm... Quite the Hogwarts appearance. I usually look straight ahead and pretend I can't hear them when the creepy talking pictures comment on last week's soccer game. That's a joke, soccer isn't a game.

This is my dorm, "Founders Hall." But no one hear calls it that, probably because they're all weird and/or that the name plaque is like written in pencil three feet low. No, the locals call MY dorm "Iso." 

"Oh, like Spanish for ice?"

"No, abbreviation for 'Isolation.'" 

HA!...oh...wait...

This is where the Seminary houses the most influential nut jobs of the LCMS. My room is at the top. I live there because I'm dangerous    B} 

This is THE cafeteria, Koburg Hall (also written in pencil). This is where we eat and have our wizard battles! That's a joke, we don't eat. The gifts that I have received will help out in the food eating portion of my Seminary education because they do not feed me every meal #sadday
This is a recent change made by the seminary administration because they knew I was coming. They had a choice, offer more scholarships to incoming students or feed Michael Hofmann.


I love all of you and will continue to blog my way through Seminary.

With lots of LOVE,

Michael Hofmann