Learned Scholars & Theologians
Saturday, September 24, 2005
The first evening had gone quite well. Thankfully, Dad was able to get them all there an hour and a half before the seminar began. And so from six o’clock to seven-thirty they sat just behind the two front deaf rows, which would afford an excellent view of all the excitement. As Dr. Sproul entered the scene, quite unassumingly, just standing at the front of the sanctuary to have his microphone tested, Collette and Eve looked on in awe.
“Oh, I feel like it’s John Calvin we’re seeing,” Collette said.
“I know,” she agreed. “I’m just so excited!”
And they perused the bookstore once Joseph came and they waited for the time of questions and answers to begin. Finally, an hour and a half later, the session began and Dr. Sproul was applauded grandly to his “chair of theology” as he called it, up front. He modestly acknowledged the congregation and commenced to answer questions and challenges in an alarmingly witty and learned manner.
When one concerned soul asked the doctor whether he thought it appropriate to address Catholic clergy and nuns as “father” or “sister”, Dr. Sproul ended his reply with:
“And with the ten thousand problems we have with the Catholic church, that is likely the least of our concern.”
There were a good many uproars of laughter throughout the evening, and he graciously answered everyone who spoke, despite differing opinions or encountered “ignorance”, for he was a humble man and knew that he was fallible. It was a very enjoyable hour.
There were several old familiar faces – one lady with a large nose (which was her distinguishing mark) and a nice lady who looked rather Bulgarian… and another couple, the Grances. Mr. Grance had an excellent baritone voice and often sang solos at Kirk for the offering. Mrs. Grance accompanied him and their daughter, Carrie, was not present, nor their four or five sons. Of course they were all grown and gone by then. But aside from them, Collette did not recognize nearly anyone for the first evening.
Collette returned from the conference greatly encouraged that evening. After having had five or so hours of sleep, and OLeif – two (as he had made a website till three that morning), they left at 5:30 and arrived by 6:15 at Twin Oaks after stopping off for some mints at a fuel station.
Dr. Sproul and Welsh Dr. Thomas were marvelous, though slightly sarcastic. To actually be able to see the great “Luther” of their day, in Dr. Sproul, was an honor that Collette would not forget. Even the tall Ukrainian conductor who led the hymn singing was quite precious, especially in his suit, orange shirt, and yellow and green-striped tie.
Collette also came away with a new Reformation Study Bible from the book store, as did Mom and Eve. Dad, Joe, and Rose took the leather-bound type. And OLeif purchased Bondage of the Will and Scripture Alone.
Before Joe left for work, halfway through the session, he had fallen asleep with his head on Mom’s shoulder. Oddly enough, it was right after Carrie had tried to coax him to give up his seat in the sanctuary to Eve for the whole day, and not just the last three lectures.
“Carrie,” he reasoned. “Dr. Sproul may not be around for much longer.”
Of course the occasional bouts of laughter awoke him from his sleep and so he likely didn’t receive more than a catnap. But it seemed to be enough. He was soon joking around with the rest of the group in the basement near the bookstore, just outside the courtyard.
All in all, it was a grand gathering. And later, OLeif, Collette, Carrie, Joe, Rose, Evrain, Wally, and Bluetooth, met at the coffee shop to discuss the day, while Joseph worked. Magnus had papers to write, and Mollie was at homecoming. So there were teas, chais, and coffees to go around, in addition to a mammoth slice of “amazing [chocolate] cake” for Joe, which he could not finish. And everyone seemed to be in a particularly excellent, yet tired mood.