This Makes Me Mad.
You know what bugs me?
Lint traps.
You know what really bugs me?
Anti-intellectualism.
If you don’t know what that means, I trust that you’ve heard it at play:
“Jesus didn’t go to seminary, why should I?”
“Seminary? More like cemetery! (Followed by snickering)”
“The disciples didn’t have degrees.”
“Me? Oh I just like to keep it simple. No fancy schooling for me.”
It drives me crazy. And I hear it all the time. It’s very subtle, but it’s out there.
It’s bad logic for so many reasons (Jesus, just like any Jewish boy in the first century, would have had extensive schooling; Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, was one of the most educated men on the planet; Luke, who wrote Luke-Acts, was a doctor, etc.), but most of all it’s profoundly prideful. Not to mention it segregates and divides those who have done the hard work of formal seminary education (like me, for instance).
Bottom line: If school is for you, awesome. I got nothin’ but love for you. If school is not for you, realize that God does call some people to get a formal education. Sorry.
"Theology is only that part of religion that requires brains." – G.K. Chesterton
http://eternal-revolution.com/39/gear/chesterton-…
Oh. I like that. Chesterton was a stud. Why do the brainiacs get so much flack? It's like if you use your mind in Christ, you're outcast.
I can guess where you're hearing this from…
It drives me crazy. I really wish that these folk would let it go. If you have a problem with it (which doesn't makes sense first of all), then don't worry about it. Stay in your shell.
I'm interested: Where do you think this is emanating from?
Yeah I don't blame you. Seminary can be an awesome tool, and I think you are doing it right. I think it's best to experience real life/ministry, and when you do the seminary experience is all that much more meaningful. The problem is I have see with some is when somebody goes to college, straight to seminary and becomes an egghead and has no idea how to relate to people.
I also have seen the opposite extreme from people who don't think you can possibly be qualified to be a pastor if you don't have an MDiv.
Whether you have an MDiv or not, teachability and having a desire to be a life-long learner is the most important thing.
I don't have a MDiv, but I do have a B.A. in youth ministry (minor in Biblical Studies). I've learned far more about theology and ministry since leaving the classroom in my own study and ministry experience. But, if I ever have the opportunity to go back to school, I'd jump at it.
Teachability = agreed. Unfortunately, I think the strongest voices in anti-intellectualism are the most UNteachable people out there.
"Love buildeth, but knowledge puffeth up." Easy way to fix that? Let's just not learn anything, or so the logic goes!
Too bad everyone wants Christians to be just like them.God forbid there be diversity in the kingdom.
I'm with you Justin, it's important to have an education in the word. Yes it's great to be an " on fire for God Christian" but if people don't know anything about the bible, they will have a hard time sharing it with others. I personally would rather talk to pastor who is educated because they know where things are in the bible and can quickly go to them and offer help. Don't let those haters get you down.
You da man, Nick. I can actually picture you saying this to me over a plate full of hot wings. Is that weird?
As a Catholic, I'm with you on the formal education thing.
I have a BS in something that can also be obtained at a 2 year community college/vo tech. I don't really use it right now, but I'm still glad that I went the full route rather than the quick path. There's more to be gained in formal schooling than a degree.
Amen. Schooling is as much for the social growth as it is the intellectual growth. Well said.
You know Justin I would love it if you weren't educated at all and you never knew what you were talking about on Thursday nights. If everything you ever shared was just pulled out of thin air…We would learn alot
ha. Thank you for your wisdom…It means alot!
From a local area church in the area that "home grows" the leadership.
I would just hope that they aren't deriving their own form of knowledge, that it would be God-breathed, you know? And to then go a step further and say that you don't NEED that form of education? Eh, something is looming beneath the surface if you ask me. I just find it foolish.
It scares me that we are beginning to believe in our own intellectual knowledge WITHOUT the foundation of an education taught by those who are EDUCATED. Whatever it is that you believe, be all there.
For example; I would not go onto a college campus, walk into a Physics classroom and start teaching the study…without having been taught myself!
(I am not saying these folks are NOT educated. Great body. Good leaders. Don't hate!)
Agreed….schooling (Bible in particular) was one of the most fulfilling times in my life. AND it helps prepare us for the hard work because learning IS hard work.
Justin, I used to hear that stuff all the time. People thought I was crazy for wanting to go to seminary. My friend Jeff had a similar situation. He wrote a post on my blog about it entitled "Considering Seminary When Others Do Not" -> http://www.goingtoseminary.com/considering-seminary-when...target=”_blank”>http://www.goingtoseminary.com/considering-semina…
May bad on formatting above http://www.goingtoseminary.com/considering-seminary-whe...target=”_blank”>Considering Seminary When Others Do Not
Now I just feel stupid. What is up with intense debate not accepting link html?
I laughed out loud when I read this. ID is still working out some bugs, I think. In the future, you may benefit from tinyurl.com or something like that. I had to use it when I was commenting on another site's ID comments!
the logic that Jesus didn't go is ridiculous. He was the Son of God, I would sure hope he didn't need to go to seminary.
And nevermind the fact that seminaries didn't even exist when Jesus lived. (Which, according to some people, is a perfect example of why we should do away with seminaries today.) Sheesh!
Where did you go to seminary?
I went to a church-based institute, New England Baptist Theological Institute. I didn't know the Pastor of the church was Reformed until well after I left.
I definitely agree that you can’t go wrong trying to learn more, especially when a lot of non-believers I know automatically assume that being a Christian automatically means you stop seeking out new knowledge and discoveries.
Here’s my gripe with the concept of “higher education,” though (and I’m speakings strictly from an economic point of view): Everyone thinks you *have* to go for a degree where you’re going to be working a fancy 9-to-5 white-collar job. I would honestly love to see more mechanics and technicians out there, but society doesn’t look very kindly upon people who have “inferior” and “less intellectual” occupations (my father is an engineer and he complains about how there aren’t enough mechanics to maintain their equipment).
So yeah, being intellectual is great, but it seems like there isn’t enough emphasis on technical ability and skill these days. I mean, how many of us would be able to fix our cars if it just happened to fall apart one day?
For the record, I’m working on a BS in Healthcare Management. I would be just as screwed over if my car broke down.
just so you know, in this is the predominant view in rural America – that education is not necessary… most of the churches around here do not care if their pastor even has a college education, much less a seminary degree – and certainly don't care about MDiv… what they do care about is that their pastor have a penis… apparently that particular appendage is way more important than education…
don't mean to sound bitter – just truthful…:-)