Touring Princeton University

The third and final day of the Calvin Conference ended on Saturday afternoon.  It was a real treat to attend this unique event!  I got to meet and listen to a segment of the intellectual society which I normally don't relate to.  It was a very intellectually stimulating atmosphere and the discussions we had were very profitable.

Here are some of the pictures (with my comments as well :) from the last day!

The room Cody and I shared

Conference attendees

Pastor Serven speaking with one of the doctoral students

Lunch with academics (everyone at the table had a Doctorate degree except Cody and I)

 After lunch, with the Calvin Colloquium being concluded, Pastor Serven, Cody, and I took a walk all around the surrounding area about Princeton Theological Seminary.  The following photos were taken during our walk.

Beautiful Episcopalian Church

Stained glass window

Princeton University arch

 Princeton University is located just one block down from the Seminary.  The University is significantly larger than the Seminary but the architecture is very similar.

University Lab

Cathedral!

 Visiting this cathedral on the University campus was a real treat!  It is one of the largest cathedrals in the whole North American continent and it is a testament to the impressive and awe-inspiring grandeur of Gothic/medieval art and architecture.  This was one of the unforgettable moments during our trip to Princeton!

The sanctuary from the entrance

Plaque inside the sanctuary

Pipe Organ!!!!

 Because it was Saturday afternoon, the church organist was practicing the hymns and worship music he would be playing the following morning.  That added to the already incredible experience.  Hearing the enrapturing and grand organ music filling the room, seeing the light shining through the stain-glass windows, and just contemplating the surroundings was a rare delight!

The altar at the front

The pulpit

Examiner Cody Winton

Small side chapel for smaller services

It was surprising dim inside the building

Along the walls of the sanctuary

 This was hanging on one of the walls inside the cathedral sanctuary.  Personally, I thought this statue was a little creepy and I'm not sure who it is supposed to represent.

 This beautiful tapestry was hanging in one of the side rooms

University building

Almost looks like a castle!

This plaque was on the Seminary grounds, commemorating the sacrifice of martyrs from Princeton Theological Seminary

Once we had seen everything we needed to see at Princeton, we left to rejoin the Serven family in Pennsylvania.  They were visiting Valley Forge, which Cody and I got to visit a little bit as well.
 

Lydia Serven, Sarah Serven, and Cody

Monument to the New Jersey brigade

Joel Serven inspects the inscription

The indomitable Continental soldier!

 I hope everyone enjoyed my photos from the Calvin Conference!  Lord willing, I will be posting pictures from the Heroes, History, & Hope Tour over the next few days, as we learn about our spiritual heritage in Princeton, NJ and Plymouth, MA.

Touring Covenant Theological Seminary!

  Throughout the history of the Church, the methods of training and educating the pastors and leaders of the local church has changed and varied.  During the days of Christ, the Apostles had no classroom.  All of their training was done on the road during their travels throughout Judea.  In the medieval times, monasteries and academies were the primary institutions of theological training.  In Geneva, the Reformer John Calvin formed a precursor to the Protestant seminary in order to train men for the ministry and to prepare missionaries.  The famous colleges of Yale and Harvard were initially formed to prepare men to be ministers in local churches here in America.

With all of this history in mind, I consider it a privilege to tour the seminaries that were and are still engaged in the vital mission to educate and train up the next generation of elders and shepherds for the Reformed churches in America.

On January 18th, Pastor Serven took my fellow pastoral intern, Cody Winton, and I to have a look around his alma mater :)  It was a very enjoyable trip and it also gave me an inside perspective of what exactly goes on in a seminary.   

Here are some pictures of the trip!  Enjoy!

The view of the seminary library from the parking lot

One of my favorite places to be is in a book store!  Especially a seminary bookstore!

 At this bookstore, I was able to purchase several of the books that had been placed on the "Clearance" rack.   Probably the best deal I got was a new, hardcover, undamaged copy of Luther's writings on the Lord's Supper.  This book, in mint condition, only cost $9!  I also managed to find a mint condition copy of Francis Schaeffer's, "A Christian Manifesto".  All in all, I left the bookstore feeling very elated over my new purchases :)

My tour guide and my fellow intern

Student housing!

 I didn't know this at the time, but Covenant Seminary tries to make their student housing very accomodating to families.  There is even a play-structure on the seminary grounds for the children who live with their parents on campus can play on.  It looked a little out of place :)

The Goal of Covenant Theological Seminary

The title page of Pastor Serven's dissertation

Dr. Marcus J. Serven

The original seminary building, dating back to 1956

The library, also containing the PCA Historical Center

The sun was shining right in my eyes (hence my squinting expression :)

I'm very thankful for this opportunity to learn more about church history and the continuing legacy and story of how Christian men have prepared for the ministry!  Lord willing, I will have more chances to explore and tour other famous and significant seminaries in America over the next few years!