What's the point?
I've been asked that question before with regards to seminary studies. Some people are firmly against the notion that seminary would be beneficial with regards to the pastoral ministry for a variety of reasons ranging from "you can't find it in the Bible" to "it's purely an intellectual exercise which doesn't truly help you minister".
How would I respond to this, especially as a seminarian?
I think the answer is complex and I will list some of my reasons for viewing formal training for the ministry as something which should be strongly encouraged, if not required.
1. Seminary teaches humility. When I stepped on campus, I truly thought I knew a lot of theology, could defend my positions well, and had a good grasp of Scripture. Well, the problem was that there were 150 or so guys just like me who enrolled that semester, of which we all found that our knowledge was barely the tip of the iceburg, thus driving this cold reality that what we thought we knew was just a drop in the bucket.
2. Seminary sharpens your tools. When one is required to read 100-300 pages a week, write two papers, work on a sermon, prepare for quizes, and be able to understand it all; it causes you to learn how to cover vast materials in a short manner, and to prioritize better.
3. Seminary teaches you more about God. You are surrounded by Godly people and you are so immersed in God's word that you begin to see it in a new light. It's just amazing to learn more of God's character, attributes, revelation, etc.
4. Seminary gives you the chance to be taught. Face it. If you're going into the pastoral ministry, seminary is the last "real" time in your life where you sit in the pew, so to speak, and have doctrine and truth presented to you, and people ministering to you, before you go out and spend your life in ministry.
5. Seminary teaches hermeneutics. What's that? How to interpret texts!!! So many pulpits are filled by men who lack the basic concept of interpretation of Scripture, that it leaves many Christians unfed spiritually because they either recieve fluff, or heavy handed things which are not truly based in a valid interpretation of the text.
More to come........
Book of the day is Exegetical Fallicies by D.A. Carson.
How would I respond to this, especially as a seminarian?
I think the answer is complex and I will list some of my reasons for viewing formal training for the ministry as something which should be strongly encouraged, if not required.
1. Seminary teaches humility. When I stepped on campus, I truly thought I knew a lot of theology, could defend my positions well, and had a good grasp of Scripture. Well, the problem was that there were 150 or so guys just like me who enrolled that semester, of which we all found that our knowledge was barely the tip of the iceburg, thus driving this cold reality that what we thought we knew was just a drop in the bucket.
2. Seminary sharpens your tools. When one is required to read 100-300 pages a week, write two papers, work on a sermon, prepare for quizes, and be able to understand it all; it causes you to learn how to cover vast materials in a short manner, and to prioritize better.
3. Seminary teaches you more about God. You are surrounded by Godly people and you are so immersed in God's word that you begin to see it in a new light. It's just amazing to learn more of God's character, attributes, revelation, etc.
4. Seminary gives you the chance to be taught. Face it. If you're going into the pastoral ministry, seminary is the last "real" time in your life where you sit in the pew, so to speak, and have doctrine and truth presented to you, and people ministering to you, before you go out and spend your life in ministry.
5. Seminary teaches hermeneutics. What's that? How to interpret texts!!! So many pulpits are filled by men who lack the basic concept of interpretation of Scripture, that it leaves many Christians unfed spiritually because they either recieve fluff, or heavy handed things which are not truly based in a valid interpretation of the text.
More to come........
Book of the day is Exegetical Fallicies by D.A. Carson.
posted by Bobby's blog at 3:57 PM
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