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And speaking of honorable shepherds, the Lord (along with the apostles) has warned us that in the last days there will be wolves in sheep's clothing, false shepherds, false teachers, and false prophets. So unless a Christian is solidly grounded in Scripture, he or she will be led astray by every wind of doctrine. Why have so many fallen (and are falling) for dishonorable televangelists, preachers, prophets, and healers, etc.? Because they were not solidly grounded.Yes, that's it. He has a degree, Mr.Tilton, and yet he's not exactly an honorable shepherd.
And speaking of honorable shepherds, the Lord (along with the apostles) has warned us that in the last days there will be wolves in sheep's clothing, false shepherds, false teachers, and false prophets. So unless a Christian is solidly grounded in Scripture, he or she will be led astray by every wind of doctrine. Why have so many fallen (and are falling) for dishonorable televangelists, preachers, prophets, and healers, etc.? Because they were not solidly grounded.
This doesn't come from a seminary degree though, it comes from abiding in Him. That is to always be alive in the spirit and to be controlling the desires of the flesh. If you look at the Wikipedia article about the seven deadly sins, you can see it is observed to destroy the "grace and charity" of a person, which is to say that a person is not demonstrating the fruits of living on a spiritual path as described in Galatians 5 but rather the fruits of living on a path to serve the flesh. It is interesting to observe in one's self, how our behaviours are impacted by where we focus our energies: on the things of spiritual need, or the things of physical desire. Although someone without a seminary degree can demonstrate these fruits of the spirit, they might not have the breadth and accuracy of information that comes from having studied a curriculum. Then again, studying a curriculum and obtaining knowledge will not necessarily cause one to pursue spiritual health and to lift themselves out of a self-oriented lifestyle. That has to be why Jesus was describing to Nicodemus "you can study the scriptures with all your strength, but you will remain dead in your trespasses because you refuse to come to me, to have life".
I would say a degree is nice to have but not totally necessary. If a person was inspired by God, nothing is more important.
I have read bad stories about how some of the schools are now totally corrupted, the good news is if some pastor graduated from those schools still believe in God, it is a guaranty that he/she is indeed inspired by God
So the most important thing is check and see if God are with that congregation, and second is knowledge, and knowledge does make faith stronger. I was atheist, and went from thinking Christians are laughable to amazed that some pastors actually believe in evolution... When the most we can do is making RNAs that can only replicate half of itself (in another word, total failure). You can only cover the truth some of the time, not all of the time.
Yes agree, and maybe I wasn't clear in my intent with a seminary degree for a Pastor. I just think it shows a seriousness to becoming a leader in whatever faith that person is 'teaching.' This isn't to say that there aren't morally bankrupt people who are in religious life as a vocation for the wrong reasons, there definitely are those. Some of this comes from a Catholic upbringing where all priests are required to go to seminary.
Agreed. But sometimes you just have to let God guide you, i.e. when everyone in the group has a day job, or if the group is too small to support a pastor, degree or not is not as important.
I think that's a great way to start out. The important thing is pursuing a relationship with Jesus. The church thing will work itself out in due time. At some point it may be advantageous to commit to one body, but in the beginning I don't see the need for that at all, and looking around may have some real advantages.Would it be wrong to not join a church, but just 'visit' churches?
I think that's a great way to start out. The important thing is pursuing a relationship with Jesus. The church thing will work itself out in due time. At some point it may be advantageous to commit to one body, but in the beginning I don't see the need for that at all, and looking around may have some real advantages.
When I was a practicing Christian, I was part of the Catholic faith, and so never had lay people presiding over the service. (mass) Well, they could read and help with mass, but there was always a priest to preside over the mass, and present the Gospel message, and his homily/sermon.
I've been thinking of going to church again, have been experiencing feelings of missing my faith, and there is a non-denominational church in town that I may explore. I looked it up online tonight, and there were 'reviews' for it, one person commenting how the ministers are lay people with no seminary degrees.
How important is it do you think to attend a church where someone has a degree from a seminary? Weren't the Apostles...lay people?
Thought I'd ask your opinion on this. Thank you...
I think that's a great way to start out. The important thing is pursuing a relationship with Jesus. The church thing will work itself out in due time. At some point it may be advantageous to commit to one body, but in the beginning I don't see the need for that at all, and looking around may have some real advantages.
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