Comments on: is formal theological education good or bad? http://2mites.com/2008/10/31/is-formal-theological-education-good-or-bad/ spending it all, because He is our treasure Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:49:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Mike http://2mites.com/2008/10/31/is-formal-theological-education-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Mike Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:10:05 +0000 http://2mites.wordpress.com/?p=71#comment-27 On the topic of seminary and it's value/necessity - I think a good perspective-setting read (and short at just 90 pages!) is Helmud Thilicke's "An Exercise for Young Theologians." A must read. Helmud (must be smart with a name like that!) was a chair at the Tubingen Univ. theology school and required all entering graduate students of theology to read that book first. Essentially he challenged what and why they were pursuing higher education when intending to go and serve as pastors. If it was to increase they're understanding of God's love and show it in a way to elevate the way others experienced the fullness of God's love - great, you can stay. If it was just to have an intellectual trump card that allowed them the right to "win" in any debate...then please go back home before the seminary kills what Jesus there is in you. On the topic of seminary and it’s value/necessity – I think a good perspective-setting read (and short at just 90 pages!) is Helmud Thilicke’s “An Exercise for Young Theologians.” A must read. Helmud (must be smart with a name like that!) was a chair at the Tubingen Univ. theology school and required all entering graduate students of theology to read that book first. Essentially he challenged what and why they were pursuing higher education when intending to go and serve as pastors. If it was to increase they’re understanding of God’s love and show it in a way to elevate the way others experienced the fullness of God’s love – great, you can stay. If it was just to have an intellectual trump card that allowed them the right to “win” in any debate…then please go back home before the seminary kills what Jesus there is in you.

]]> By: Jeff Lacine http://2mites.com/2008/10/31/is-formal-theological-education-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Jeff Lacine Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:06:15 +0000 http://2mites.wordpress.com/?p=71#comment-26 Alan, I appreciate your comments, they are very encouraging. It is always good to connect with another like minded brother/sister and be mutually encouraged. I'm applying to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Western Seminary, and... Bethlehem Seminary - a new Seminary which in my mind is doing seminary in a way that is revolutionary. My next post on the Paul and Timothy blog, either tonight or tomorrow night, is going to be about Bethlehem Seminary and what they are doing. Alan,

I appreciate your comments, they are very encouraging. It is always good to connect with another like minded brother/sister and be mutually encouraged.

I’m applying to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Western Seminary, and… Bethlehem Seminary – a new Seminary which in my mind is doing seminary in a way that is revolutionary. My next post on the Paul and Timothy blog, either tonight or tomorrow night, is going to be about Bethlehem Seminary and what they are doing.

]]> By: Alan http://2mites.com/2008/10/31/is-formal-theological-education-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Alan Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:57:09 +0000 http://2mites.wordpress.com/?p=71#comment-25 Jeff, I said I would read and I didn't forget. I feel your pain, and I think the list of reasons for attending seminary is a great list. I've often struggled with the notion that seminary isn't in Scripture, and it sucks that you have to leave your faith community and go to a seminary (unless you live close to one), then come back 3-4 years later, or end up somewhere different altogether. And you're right on the money about some seminaries being doctrinal miscreants and entirely unhelpful. But, there are some good ones out there, and you have some good reasons to attend. For me, I just wish seminary wasn't necessary. I wish that you could go to your local gathering of believers and be taught theology, church history, christian ethics and philosophy, and even the original languages. Maybe not on a Sunday morning, but surely a pastor could mentor up and coming pastors in these areas, if nothing more than pointing them in the right direction of private study. But, as great of an ideal as that may be, it's just not the case in any church I've ever seen. And it's possible that a pastor could never push you spiritually and intellectually as much as a group of professors who have earned Ph.D.'s in the respective fields. I think it's probably a great idea for you to go, and I hope it serves you well so you may serve the Kingdom well. Might I ask where you are looking at going? Jeff, I said I would read and I didn’t forget. I feel your pain, and I think the list of reasons for attending seminary is a great list. I’ve often struggled with the notion that seminary isn’t in Scripture, and it sucks that you have to leave your faith community and go to a seminary (unless you live close to one), then come back 3-4 years later, or end up somewhere different altogether. And you’re right on the money about some seminaries being doctrinal miscreants and entirely unhelpful.

But, there are some good ones out there, and you have some good reasons to attend. For me, I just wish seminary wasn’t necessary. I wish that you could go to your local gathering of believers and be taught theology, church history, christian ethics and philosophy, and even the original languages. Maybe not on a Sunday morning, but surely a pastor could mentor up and coming pastors in these areas, if nothing more than pointing them in the right direction of private study.

But, as great of an ideal as that may be, it’s just not the case in any church I’ve ever seen. And it’s possible that a pastor could never push you spiritually and intellectually as much as a group of professors who have earned Ph.D.’s in the respective fields. I think it’s probably a great idea for you to go, and I hope it serves you well so you may serve the Kingdom well.

Might I ask where you are looking at going?

]]> By: Jeff Lacine http://2mites.com/2008/10/31/is-formal-theological-education-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Jeff Lacine Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:29:12 +0000 http://2mites.wordpress.com/?p=71#comment-24 A little late... but better late than never? The first post of the series is up now at http://paulandtimothy.wordpress.com A little late… but better late than never? The first post of the series is up now at http://paulandtimothy.wordpress.com

]]> By: Dorian http://2mites.com/2008/10/31/is-formal-theological-education-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Dorian Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:24:28 +0000 http://2mites.wordpress.com/?p=71#comment-23 Wow. Can't wait. Wow. Can’t wait.

]]>