Three years ago, I began my Ph.D. studies at The Institution. Eight seminars, four colloquia, two research languages, two sets of comprehensive exams, and one dissertation later, I’m finally finished. Sometime after 11:00 a.m. EST this morning, I’ll walk across the stage to receive my doctoral hood and degree. What a satisfying joy it shall be.

In no particular order, here are a series of reflections and lessons learned after my time at SBTS.

20 Takeaways and Tell-Alls

1. If you’re married and decide to do any graduate or post-graduate work, make sure your wife understands—and welcomes—the sacrifice your studies will require. I could never have done it all without my wife’s skill at home.
2. If you’re in ministry and decide to do any graduate or post-graduate work, make sure you live your studies before your congregation. Faithful studies should always increase your ability and humility. Put 1 Timothy 4:15 into practice. Demonstrate your progress in Christ before their watching eyes.
3. An interested and able supervisor makes all the difference. Dr. Yuille has been a grace in my life.
4. I entered the Ph.D. program intimidated at all the required writing. After my first seminar, I dreaded all writing projects. Now, few things get me as excited as putting pen to paper.
5. Of all the seminary discussions I had to lead, my favorite to prepare for was on Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
6. Of all the seminary discussions I had to lead, my least favorite was on Eusebius of Caesarea.
7. The worst book I had to read for a seminar was Weaving the Visions. Stay away, my friends, stay away.
8. My personal favorite textbook was Puritan Spirituality: The Fear of God in the Affective Theology of George Swinnock. It’s (probably) the best scholarly summation of Puritan piety you’ve never heard of.
9. Few things are as essential to diligent research work than a fascination with your dissertation subject.
10. If you can, pick a dissertation subject that appeals to more than just your mother and advisor.
11. Good Christian writing depends on good Bible reading.
12. Pray for God’s blessing on your studies.
13. The academy thrives on novelty and originality; pastoral ministry doesn’t.
14. Discover what time during the day you read and write best, and guard it with all vigilance.
15. A few good friends in seminary will sustain you through those days and nights when you want to give up.
16. Doctoral studies are a boot camp in humility. You’ll never be the smartest scholar in the room.
17. My studies seem to have forever altered my reading habits. I’m more content than ever not to read books cover to cover—for better or worse.
18. Life in the seminary world is dangerous. You can quickly forget that there’s a whole wide world off campus that doesn’t care much about your studies.
19. Louisville has really, really good food. I have many fond memories of student lunches at Joella’s Hot Chicken.
20. I always thought I’d feel different when I finally finished the degree. I don’t. I’m still just a plain old pastor, husband, and father.