Christian Studies.

[Old Ned]

Not sure if this post fits in here but this is where it's going

Due to a recent news article coupled with an event of a friend, I have been wondering something I truly do not understand.

I understand studying God/Religion or whatever you wish to call it.
What I don't understand is people actually paying large chunks of money to do this. Such as $6000 for a few months in Bible School/College/University.

I do not understand what is being taught/learnt or what qualifications/life benefits these students are coming out of school with.

I wonder if someone in the know would be kind enough to explain?

 

[Loudmouth]

I understand studying God/Religion or whatever you wish to call it.
What I don't understand is people actually paying large chunks of money to do this. Such as $6000 for a few months in Bible School/College/University.

I do not understand what is being taught/learnt or what qualifications/life benefits these students are coming out of school with.

I wonder if someone in the know would be kind enough to explain?

Some people want to start careers in christian ministries, and that vocation is no different than any other. Having an education on your resume strengthens your chances of getting that job. Also, potential employers like to see that you have learned about their specific denomination. As with many areas of life, you can make up for a lack of education with experience, but a few years of Bible school can really help get your foot in the door.

In other cases, people want to learn more about a subject that they are really passionate about.

In the end, I really don't see how it is different than getting an English degree.

 

[Old Ned]

Ok I was somewhat with you until you said it's no different to an English degree. There's a wildly huge difference.
We could probably list off hundreds if not thousands of careers and further education that require a degree in English, I'm not sure we could name that many that require a Bible degree.

And I completely disagree with it helping get a job if you are the same denomination, this behaviour is not legal where I come from, it is also immoral. Unfortunately you are right in that it does happen.

But anyway, ok I understand if someone just wants to learn it, although I don't see what you are being taught that you cannot learn from free studies in church or just by reading the Bible.
And I know a few people who have, but are not going into working for the Church, also my friends daughter who flew across the Atlantic to attend Bible school is now going to school to be a nurse.
And these guys are hurting for money, so it wasn't just for kicks.

So maybe my question wasn't clear, what is it that these colleges and universities that are charging large sums of money actually teaching? and how is it any different to what you could learn in church or sunday school or from your own research and bible groups?

Given that the entire thing is based on philosophical theories and interpretation, surely you are just paying for someone else's opinion?

 

[Shemjaza]

Religion has a very profound effect on both modern culture and the majority of older cultures.

We live in a world that is over 70% theist and in the west I believe it's over 50% Christian. Just because we aren't religious doesn't mean it might not be significant to our lives.

 

[Loudmouth]

Ok I was somewhat with you until you said it's no different to an English degree. There's a wildly huge difference.
We could probably list off hundreds if not thousands of careers and further education that require a degree in English, I'm not sure we could name that many that require a Bible degree.

While they may not be as numerous, there are also careers that require a degree in theology or divinity.

And I completely disagree with it helping get a job if you are the same denomination, this behaviour is not legal where I come from, it is also immoral. Unfortunately you are right in that it does happen.

Legal or not, a baptist church is probably not going to hire someone who was educated as a Jesuit priest. Just sayin'.

But anyway, ok I understand if someone just wants to learn it, although I don't see what you are being taught that you cannot learn from free studies in church or just by reading the Bible.

That could be said about almost all degrees. The point of a degree is to learn from people more knowledgeable than you, and have some sort of verification that you learned the material.

Given that the entire thing is based on philosophical theories and interpretation, surely you are just paying for someone else's opinion?

I think that would apply equally to most of the humanities. I am sure that some of what I was taught in my Western Civ classes was the opinion of my professor, and may not agree with the opinions or interpretations of others in the field. Art degree? Pretty much the same.

 

[Old Ned]

Ok but still the question has not been answered, what is it they teach differently to churches and groups etc that do not charge large sums of money?

 

[Loudmouth]

Ok but still the question has not been answered, what is it they teach differently to churches and groups etc that do not charge large sums of money?

The same type of differences that you will find between a tour of an art museum and a degree in art theory.

 

[Old Ned]

The same type of differences that you will find between a tour of an art museum and a degree in art theory.

Ok, I understand that, but the difference is Art is based on a multitude of different things. A Christian Bible class is based on 1 book.
I guess it comes down to a philosophy type of idea.

I intend to answer your above post also.

 

[AV1611VET]

So maybe my question wasn't clear, what is it that these colleges and universities that are charging large sums of money actually teaching? and how is it any different to what you could learn in church or sunday school or from your own research and bible groups??

Paul's missionary journeys.

The life of Christ.

The books of the Bible.

Deep theology:

• tripartitism
• ontological subordination
• ontological reductionism

Uniformitarianism vs. Catastrophism

Semi-pelagean Theology vs. Traduceanism

Dispensation Theology vs. Covenant Theology

Just to name a few.

 

[Old Ned]

While they may not be as numerous, there are also careers that require a degree in theology or divinity.

True, don't see how Nursing is one of them, but ok.

Legal or not, a baptist church is probably not going to hire someone who was educated as a Jesuit priest. Just sayin'.

Fair point, I can't argue that.

That could be said about almost all degrees. The point of a degree is to learn from people more knowledgeable than you, and have some sort of verification that you learned the material.

The verification I understand, I think my problem understanding is I don't see anything really outside of the 1 book that can be taught.

I think that would apply equally to most of the humanities. I am sure that some of what I was taught in my Western Civ classes was the opinion of my professor, and may not agree with the opinions or interpretations of others in the field. Art degree? Pretty much the same.

That is true, a good point and well made.

In fact I think you have successfully answered my questions, at least as best as I feel they can be answered.

Thank you, clear points, well made and you have enlightened me

 

[Loudmouth]

Ok, I understand that, but the difference is Art is based on a multitude of different things. A Christian Bible class is based on 1 book.
I guess it comes down to a philosophy type of idea.

I intend to answer your above post also.

Pastors can also take courses on biblical history, couple's counseling, apologetics, etc. I took a New Testament course in college since one religious course was required as part of any degree at the college I attended. I actually quite liked it. It was not meant to evangelize, but to help students understand the history of the time and what the authors were really trying to convey. For example, it helps to understand the gnostic movement from extra-biblical history if you are going to fully understand some of Paul's letters. I learned a ton of stuff in that one semester that I had never learned while attending a church for my whole life before that.

For many people who attend churches they are primarily driven by an emotional connection to the congregation and their beliefs. Bible schools teach more of the intellectual underpinnings of the faith, as well as tools you will need as part of church leadership.

 

[AV1611VET]

For example, it helps to understand the gnostic movement from extra-biblical history if you are going to fully understand some of Paul's letters.

Did you learn that Paul wrote Colossians to combat Gnosticism?

 

[Loudmouth]

Did you learn that Paul wrote Colossians to combat Gnosticism?

It's been a while since that class, so my memory is a bit cloudy on the specifics, but speaking against gnosticism was certainly brought up. I seem to remember that Galatians was also related to addressing gnosticism.

 

[AV1611VET]

It's been a while since that class, so my memory is a bit cloudy on the specifics, but speaking against gnosticism was certainly brought up. I seem to remember that Galatians was also related to addressing gnosticism.

Galatians is what we call the Magna Charta of the Bible.

 

[juvenissun]

Not sure if this post fits in here but this is where it's going

Due to a recent news article coupled with an event of a friend, I have been wondering something I truly do not understand.

I understand studying God/Religion or whatever you wish to call it.
What I don't understand is people actually paying large chunks of money to do this. Such as $6000 for a few months in Bible School/College/University.

I do not understand what is being taught/learnt or what qualifications/life benefits these students are coming out of school with.

I wonder if someone in the know would be kind enough to explain?

How about devote one's whole life into this God/Religion thing? Do you wonder about that too?

 

[juvenissun]

Ok I was somewhat with you until you said it's no different to an English degree. There's a wildly huge difference.
We could probably list off hundreds if not thousands of careers and further education that require a degree in English, I'm not sure we could name that many that require a Bible degree.

And I completely disagree with it helping get a job if you are the same denomination, this behaviour is not legal where I come from, it is also immoral. Unfortunately you are right in that it does happen.

But anyway, ok I understand if someone just wants to learn it, although I don't see what you are being taught that you cannot learn from free studies in church or just by reading the Bible.
And I know a few people who have, but are not going into working for the Church, also my friends daughter who flew across the Atlantic to attend Bible school is now going to school to be a nurse.
And these guys are hurting for money, so it wasn't just for kicks.

So maybe my question wasn't clear, what is it that these colleges and universities that are charging large sums of money actually teaching? and how is it any different to what you could learn in church or sunday school or from your own research and bible groups?

Given that the entire thing is based on philosophical theories and interpretation, surely you are just paying for someone else's opinion?

The simplest way to appreciate it is to browse over any "introduction" textbook. For example, introduction to religion. How much can one talk about religion at an introduction level? A whole textbook much? What is said in the book?

Well, you will find it out when you flip through the content pages. It is A LOT. That is what we called knowledge, instead of opinion.