***SPRING 2002 ICLS NEWSLETTER***

(This "monthly" Newsletter of the Institute for Christian Legal Studies is apparently now a Quarterly Newsletter!)

Greetings! I trust that this finds all of you well -- and frantically finishing outlines in preparation for finals. I wanted to make sure that I touched based with you before the semester ends. I am praying for you during this hectic and stressful time.

**A BRIEF WORD ON FINALS AND GRADES**

I want to encourage you to have a proper perspective on the law school drive for grades and honors. Consider this question: What does it mean to "succeed" in law school?

In the parable of the talents, Christ illustrated our accountability to God as His stewards. Our material blessings, our personal talents, and our gifts are "ours" only in the sense that we hold them as stewards. When we read Matt. 25.14-30, we usually focus on the "weeping and gnashing" -- the unfaithful steward. But don't miss the lessons to be learned from the faithfulness of the second steward-- the one who was given two talents. Although he returned to the Master with only four talents (25.17), as opposed to the third steward's ten (25.16), he was praised in precisely the same words and given exactly the same reward.

In the temporal world, it appears that one man has ten talents at the end of the day and the other has four-- so he's six talents behind! And perhaps in law school the one who had been given five talents makes law review, but the steward who doubled his original two does not. Yet making law review and earning high grades is not our only standard. Our standard is OBEDIENCE and FAITHFULNESS: Have you been faithful with what you have been given? Have you used your gifts in the ways that God has instructed? For some of you, failure to make law review will mean that you have failed to faithfully and diligently apply God's talents. (In fact, I am sure there are some that have a 3.7 gpa, yet have failed to use their talents faithfully). For others, a "B" ore even "C" average might reflect faithful obedience. We begin with different and diverse gifts. God adds to that diverse responsibilities. As a result, we can never fully measure our obedience by purely temporal standards.

Don't take this the wrong way: You are to study and apply yourself in law school, "working at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men." But as I pray for you, I do not pray that you will all receive "A"s; I pray that you will be faithful and obedient, applying your talents and gifts effectively. So study diligently for finals, looking forward in anticipation to the resulting reward: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Be encouraged: I challenge you to apply yourself with diligence, but to free yourself from ungodly external pressures.

**WHAT I READ ON MY SUMMER VACATION**

Here are some of my recommendations for summer reading. While none of it is "light" reading, the "lighter" selections are very accessible and enjoyable-- not exactly typical beach reading, but not out of place on vacation or at the beach. The "heavier" stuff is a bit rougher sledding, but I've chosen works that won't kill you. There are roughly a million books that I left off, but this should get you thinking.

*Devotional*

*Cultural Critique and Evangelism*

*Law and Politics (listed from "Lighter" to "Heavier")*

**POSSIBLE CAMPUS VISITS - ACADEMIC YEAR 2002-2003**

Beginning in August, I will be again visiting CLS chapters, law students, and profs. I hope to keep the following travel schedule:

Fall 2002

Spring 2003

If you would like me to try to visit your chapter at more convenient time, or if you're not on the list and would like some contact with CLS or ICLS, please give me a call or send an email (contact information below).

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ICLS**

The Institute for Christian Legal Studies is a Ministry of the Christian Legal Society (www.clsnet.org) and Regent University School of Law (www.regent.edu). If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please reply to this email.