Are Christian seminaries necessary?

[KarrieTex]

I personally think that; not only are seminaries not necessary, but are in most cases dangerous to a person’s spiritual health.

After a person has been brought to accept Jesus as their Lord and savior, by the Christians preachers, teachers, pastors, and have been given the Holy Spirit it is no longer necessary to be taught by man, right?

Did Paul go to a seminary? Did man teach Paul? Doesn’t every Christian have the same Holy Spirit given to them as Paul had given to him?

(John 10:16) “And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd.” (John 10:27) “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.”

(John 16:13) “But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.”

(1 Corinthians 1:19-21) “As scripture says: I shall destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing all the learning of the learned. Where are the philosophers now? Where are the scribes? Where are any of our thinkers today? Do you see now how God has shown up the foolishness of human wisdom? If it was God’s wisdom that human wisdom should not know God, it was because God wanted to save those who have faith through the foolishness of the message that we preach.”

(1 Corinthians 2:10-16) “These are the very things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the Spirit reaches the depts. Of everything, even the depths of God. After all, the depths of a man can only be known by his own spirit, not by any other man, and in the same way the depths of God can only be known by the Spirit of God. Now instead of the spirit of the world, we have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us. Therefore we teach, not in the way in which philosophy is taught, but in the way that the Spirit teaches us: we teach spiritual things spiritually. A spiritual man, on the other hand, is able to judge the value of everything and his own value in not to be judged by other men. As scripture says;’ Who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him?’ But we are those who have the mind of Christ.”

That logic is a lot more dangerous that what you have put forth.

Seminary is a place to learn about history, culture, and the language that the Bible was written in. All this together with the Holy Spirit moving you in the direction of Truth in dealing with the Bible is a good thing.

This education, that you belittle, is just one more tool that God uses through us to reach those He wants to reach.

I dare say if it wasn't for pastors who go through seminary, some people would think the love that is talked about the most in the Bible is eros and not agape.

 

[Giver]

That logic is a lot more dangerous that what you have put forth.

Seminary is a place to learn about history, culture, and the language that the Bible was written in. All this together with the Holy Spirit moving you in the direction of Truth in dealing with the Bible is a good thing.

This education, that you belittle, is just one more tool that God uses through us to reach those He wants to reach.

I dare say if it wasn't for pastors who go through seminary, some people would think the love that is talked about the most in the Bible is eros and not agape.

I know most people feel the way you do about education. It only makes sense, almost all business want their managers to have a college education, and most Christians churches are run as a money making business, so why should they be different? There are many good reasons business operates this way, but the Christian Church should not run like a business. Christianity is spiritual and that can’t be taught in a college.

 

[KarrieTex]

I know most people feel the way you do about education. It only makes sense, almost all business want their managers to have a college education, and most Christians churches are run as a money making business, so why should they be different? There are many good reasons business operates this way, but the Christian Church should not run like a business. Christianity is spiritual and that can’t be taught in a college.

Spirituality is one taught by the Holy Spirit and is taught by the elders in the church.

Some have experience and faith to give and mentor a new Believe. Others have that and the added education to share what was going on so a person can understand an issue that they are struggling with.

I completely disagree with you. I have grown even more being menotred and taught by a Pastor who has a working knowledge of the language, culture, history, and the Spirtual knowledge of the Bible.

By the way, how do you think a Christian grow and matures in Christ. By simply sitting there and getting it by osmosis?? He or she must learn and study and there is much more to the Bible then the red lettering.

 

[Giver]

Spirituality is one taught by the Holy Spirit and is taught by the elders in the church.

Some have experience and faith to give and mentor a new Believe. Others have that and the added education to share what was going on so a person can understand an issue that they are struggling with.

I completely disagree with you. I have grown even more being menotred and taught by a Pastor who has a working knowledge of the language, culture, history, and the Spirtual knowledge of the Bible.

By the way, how do you think a Christian grow and matures in Christ. By simply sitting there and getting it by osmosis?? He or she must learn and study and there is much more to the Bible then the red lettering.

Acquiring knowledge about the original language and the history of the church doesn’t bring one to know God. We can only come to know God through the Holy Spirit.



That isn’t osmoses. Having Jesus/Holy Spirit teach one is a very interactive experience.


You may not believe that the only way to come to know God is through the Holy Spirit, but Paul explained that to us a long time ago. (1 Corinthians 2:716)”The hidden wisdom of God which we teach in our mysteries is the wisdom that God predestined to be for our glory before the ages began. It is a wisdom that none of the masters of this age have ever known, or they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory, we teach what scripture called the things that no eye has seen and no ear has heard, things beyond the mind of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him. These are the very things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God After all, the depths of a man can only be known by his own spirit, not by any other man, and in the same way the depths of God can only be known by the Spirit of God. Now instead of the spirit of the world, we have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us. Therefore we teach, not in the way in which philosophy is taught, but in the way that the Spirit teaches us: we teach spiritual things spiritually. An unspiritual person is one who does not accept anything of the Spirit of God: he sees it all as nonsense; it is beyond his understanding because it can only be understood by means of the Spirit. A spiritual man, on the other hand, is able to judge the value of everything, and his own value is not to be judged by other men. As scripture says;’ who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him?’ But we are those who have the mind of Christ.”

 

[ParsonJefferson]

I know most people feel the way you do about education. It only makes sense, almost all business want their managers to have a college education, and most Christians churches are run as a money making business, so why should they be different? There are many good reasons business operates this way, but the Christian Church should not run like a business. Christianity is spiritual and that can’t be taught in a college.

Most Christian churches are NOT run "as a money making business".

There are some that are. But MOST? I think not!

 

[KarrieTex]

It's not worth the effort to even argue this. You will not hear and have a huge BAIS against education when it comes to this.

I thank the good Lord above that my pastor has educated himself through the seminary and has been able to be used BY GOD with his education to reach thousands upon thousands.

 

[ParsonJefferson]

Acquiring knowledge about the original language and the history of the church doesn’t bring one to know God. We can only come to know God through the Holy Spirit.

That isn’t osmoses. Having Jesus/Holy Spirit teach one is a very interactive experience.

You may not believe that the only way to come to know God is through the Holy Spirit, but Paul explained that to us a long time ago. (1 Corinthians 2:716)”The hidden wisdom of God which we teach in our mysteries is the wisdom that God predestined to be for our glory before the ages began. It is a wisdom that none of the masters of this age have ever known, or they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory, we teach what scripture called the things that no eye has seen and no ear has heard, things beyond the mind of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him. These are the very things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God After all, the depths of a man can only be known by his own spirit, not by any other man, and in the same way the depths of God can only be known by the Spirit of God. Now instead of the spirit of the world, we have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us. Therefore we teach, not in the way in which philosophy is taught, but in the way that the Spirit teaches us: we teach spiritual things spiritually. An unspiritual person is one who does not accept anything of the Spirit of God: he sees it all as nonsense; it is beyond his understanding because it can only be understood by means of the Spirit. A spiritual man, on the other hand, is able to judge the value of everything, and his own value is not to be judged by other men. As scripture says;’ who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him?’ But we are those who have the mind of Christ.”

I guess one question I have for you is this: Why were the apostles SO DETERMINED to teach Christians THE RIGHT THINGS?

Doesn't the very presence of most of the Epistles clearly indicate that knowing and believing the TRUTH - or the RIGHT THINGS - is paramount?

 

[KarrieTex]

I guess one question I have for you is this: Why were the apostles SO DETERMINED to teach Christians THE RIGHT THINGS?

Doesn't the very presence of most of the Epistles clearly indicate that knowing and believing the TRUTH - or the RIGHT THINGS - is paramount?

Even the Bible tells us to teach the young ones in the ways of God.

Some people are just....I don't even have a word for it

 

[Giver]

Even the Bible tells us to teach the young ones in the ways of God.

Some people are just....I don't even have a word for it

Of course a person has to be taught about God, by man, until they accept God are baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. Then they are to be taught by God.

 

[dcyates]

Of course a person has to be taught about God, by man, until they accept God are baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. Then they are to be taught by God.

Oh, my gosh, Giver. Are you serious?!? Are you seriously saying that Paul was not writing to genuine Christians in any of his epistles? Because he was certainly teaching them. Why do you think teaching is one of the spiritual gifts?

It's odd, but over and over again I've found that it's very often those who most vociferously claim to be led by the Holy Spirit who are also the ones who display the least spiritual qualities.

I'll leave it at that except to say, Giver, you're living proof of the old dictum: 'None are so blind as those who WILL not see'.

 

[E.C.]

Of course seminaries are necessary!

At Chrismation, we are sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Seminaries help one be trained how to use certain gifts.

Many are called, few are chosen. Many go to a seminary, few graduate and are ordained.

 

[Giver]

Oh, my gosh, Giver. Are you serious?!? Are you seriously saying that Paul was not writing to genuine Christians in any of his epistles? Because he was certainly teaching them. Why do you think teaching is one of the spiritual gifts?

It's odd, but over and over again I've found that it's very often those who most vociferously claim to be led by the Holy Spirit who are also the ones who display the least spiritual qualities.

I'll leave it at that except to say, Giver, you're living proof of the old dictum: 'None are so blind as those who WILL not see'.

(1 Corinthians 3:1-3) “Brothers, I myself was unable to speak to you as people of the Spirit: I treated you as sensual men, still infants in Christ. What I fed you with was milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it; and indeed, you are still not ready for it since you are still unspiritual. Isn’t that obvious from all the jealousy and wrangling that there is among you, from the way that you go on behaving like ordinary people?

I wonder how many seminarians or their professors live a sinless lives?

 

[ParsonJefferson]

blasted double posts!

 

[ParsonJefferson]

(1 Corinthians 3:1-3) “Brothers, I myself was unable to speak to you as people of the Spirit: I treated you as sensual men, still infants in Christ. What I fed you with was milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it; and indeed, you are still not ready for it since you are still unspiritual. Isn’t that obvious from all the jealousy and wrangling that there is among you, from the way that you go on behaving like ordinary people?

I wonder how many seminarians or their professors live a sinless lives?

I'll give you the easy answer to that question: ABSOLUTELY NONE.


On a side note, I remember when I earned my post-grad degree (14 years ago). While most of the people I knew were delighted and congratulatory, there were several who made derogatory comments like, "Well... Mister Smarty-Pants, Mister Education!" and nonsense like that.

It was extremely easy to see - in my case - that those who made derogatory comments about education were the ones who not only hadn't gone to college, but hadn't finished high school either.

College & Seminary Education isn't everything. And there's certainly no substitute for the education of experience! But College & Seminary Education certainly DOES have its place, and its value.

 

[KarrieTex]

Of course a person has to be taught about God, by man, until they accept God are baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. Then they are to be taught by God.

Quick question....don't you think God can use anything to teach us His Truth?

Why then can he not use education to teach us about who He is???

 

[Giver]

I'll give you the easy answer to that question: ABSOLUTELY NONE.


On a side note, I remember when I earned my post-grad degree (14 years ago). While most of the people I knew were delighted and congratulatory, there were several who made derogatory comments like, "Well... Mister Smarty-Pants, Mister Education!" and nonsense like that.

It was extremely easy to see - in my case - that those who made derogatory comments about education were the ones who not only hadn't gone to college, but hadn't finished high school either.

College & Seminary Education isn't everything. And there's certainly no substitute for the education of experience! But College & Seminary Education certainly DOES have its place, and its value.

I have nothing against education. My contention is that seminaries are not conducive to a spiritual education. Only God can teach one about God.

By the way I do have a college degree. I went to school to learn electronics, not about God.

By the way when I accepted Jesus’ call to his ministry I asked him what seminary to attend he told me: “NO! Don’t read about me I will teach you about me.”

You know he taught me how to live a sinless life, and you just wrote that no seminary does that.

 

[Giver]

Quick question....don't you think God can use anything to teach us His Truth?

Why then can he not use education to teach us about who He is???

Because; he gave us his Holy Spirit to teach us about God.

You most likely are right, Jesus can use anything to teach, but I doubt anyone goes to a seminary to get to know God.

 

[KarrieTex]

Because; he gave us his Holy Spirit to teach us about God.

You most likely are right, Jesus can use anything to teach, but I doubt anyone goes to a seminary to get to know God.

you are beyond wrong

I know pastor's that to seminary. Why to be pastor's.

i am dumbfounded by the ignorance of this

 

[ParsonJefferson]

I have nothing against education. My contention is that seminaries are not conducive to a spiritual education. Only God can teach one about God.
You're entitled to that opinion.
But I'd hazard a guess that you've never been to a seminary.
Yes, there are seminaries that are nothing short of a joke. But those seminaries are very much in the minority.

By the way I do have a college degree. I went to school to learn electronics, not about God.
Great!

By the way when I accepted Jesus’ call to his ministry I asked him what seminary to attend he told me: “NO! Don’t read about me I will teach you about me.”
If you believe that's what God told you, and how He told you, then you better follow that.
But God DIDN'T tell ME that, so don't disparage those who DO decide to pursue a seminary education.

You know he taught me how to live a sinless life, and you just wrote that no seminary does that.
I'd hazard a guess that you're not living a sinless life - unless Romans 3:23 & 1st John 1:8-10 are all lies.

.

 

[ParsonJefferson]

Because; he gave us his Holy Spirit to teach us about God.

You most likely are right, Jesus can use anything to teach, but I doubt anyone goes to a seminary to get to know God.

If you've never been to seminary, you simply CANNOT make that accusation.

It's fine if you THINK that, because you're entitled to your OPINION, but to state it as though it were fact is asinine.