Is Seminary bad?

[SeekJusticeLoveMercy]

I've been hearing from a few people that going to seminary is unbiblical and is from the Devil. One person in particular has told me that going only kills ones relationship with the Lord, makes people "religious", and requires no actual time in the Bible, just writing papers that have nothing to do with God or the Bible. He also pointed out that Jesus never went to college and neither did any of the members of the early church.

Does anyone have real-life experiences with seminary?

 

[Christian12]

Yes I went 1 year and I would not recommend it,(not worth the money) it is true that they tend to indoctrinate people , and they are not a help in my experience to knowing the bible accurately , but if you are very well grounded in the truth they could be educational in other ways , such as learning the hebrew or greek , and the history of the scriptures etc.

The Holy spirit is our teacher , one day with him is equal to many months in any other school .

Reading the Bible prayerfully (KJV is A solid translation)is the greatest way to learn .
We have the Christian faith , and apostles doctrine all complete in the Bible , you will not find a better source . Jesus said " beware that no man deceive you " if you stick to the bible that will not happen , if you look to others to explain the bible for you , you just may get deceived .

May God bless you as you read his word and obey it !

Jesus is our door and key to Gods ear ...

 

[Trogool]

I've been hearing from a few people that going to seminary is unbiblical and is from the Devil. One person in particular has told me that going only kills ones relationship with the Lord, makes people "religious", and requires no actual time in the Bible, just writing papers that have nothing to do with God or the Bible. He also pointed out that Jesus never went to college and neither did any of the members of the early church.

That's ridiculous. God gave us brains for us to use. The Christian church founded scholasticism and the university system. It is laughable to suggest that they "kill your relationship" with Jesus or any such thing.

Does anyone have real-life experiences with seminary?

Some of the most spiritual people I know went to seminary.

 

[1watchman]

Here is an interesting paper on the subject of special schools for religion.


Training For Ministry?

MINISTRY TRAINING SCHOOLS
[Adapted from the paper: Ministry, from the Christian Counsel Collection - R. DeWitt]​

Regarding some thoughts expressed about the need to study in schools to become Pastors, we need to ask if that is what God expects. One might become a true pastor, teacher, or evangelist by an exercise of soul and gift by the Holy Spirit, but not otherwise by the studies or determination of men for a career, according to what we learn from the Word of God.

We can be thankful for any desire and gift to serve the Lord, but one needs to also understand what it means to serve. There is a paper on Christian Service which might help, if one would like to see that. All believers ought to study the Word of God and pray earnestly to be of some service for the Lord, but that doesn't entitle them to a special position in the church.

Many young Christians with a desire to serve the Lord, hurry off to a Bible school to learn how to serve God, but then are caught up in a system and program to learn how to serve and manage a congregation, perform ceremonies, teach man's doctrines and creeds, and lead people. If one would like to have a job as a clergyman, he might say: "God has called me", but is that really what happened? God alone is the teacher in His assemblies, and leader of His people, and the Word seems to teach us that all the saints are priests (1 Pet.2) and can minister. The apostle, Paul, said: "covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way" - 1 Cor.12:31.

To serve God one does not need a Bible school or seminary, but learn to be yielded to the Lord and obedient to His Word; and in conformity to God's testimony in the world (prayerfully meditate on Rom.12). It may take years of preparation for one to learn even the essential truths, and to see if the Lord is pleased to use one in fulltime service. The expectation given all believers in the Word is to be a light---a witness and testimony as we go along, share what God has shown us, and encourage the saints, until God shows us if He chooses one as a vessel for further service in any measure. The church is His company or body, not man's organization requiring plans and management, etc. God must be the teacher and leader.

Pastors, teachers, and evangelists mentioned in the Bible are in the plural for an assembly, for there is no thought by God of appointed office, a hierarchy or one-man ministry---in fact God hates it (Rev.2:6). When we recognize the priesthood of all believers, we can see that there is no such thing in the New Testament as one set forward as the priest, and no one is gifted in all things (1 Cor.12). Some believers may be pastors (shepherds) to encourage and care for the spiritual good of the saints in the gathering; some may be gifted as teachers of the Word; some may be especially called to preach the gospel message. Many saints may have these gifts in a scriptural assembly and they come from God, not from a seminary. When it is left to one man (or several) to lead or manage, the gifts and leading of the Holy Spirit is quenched (1 Thess. 5:19), and there is thus no balance against the flesh and reasoning of one. God says to "feed the flock", and "not for filthy lucre", and not "being lords over God's heritage" (1 Pet. 5:2-3).

There is no better place to learn the Word of God than in a sound scriptural assembly where the Bible is studied verse by verse, recognizing the complete harmony of it all. In such a place one will have the benefit of many older brothers to balance thoughts, "all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27), and volumes of study material down through the ages to compare scripture with scripture for the truth. As one has said: the assembly is the depository of truth, and God does the teaching. One should know there is nothing taught in Bible schools that is needed in God's gatherings (including the study of history, Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, etc. which is all available in various concordances, lexicons, and ministry). Many dear brothers can also preach a funeral or wedding ceremony, and training in that is not needed.

No one has authority from God to proclaim himself to be an evangelist, teacher, pastor, elder, or some officer. The saints in the fellowship will judge if it is so. It is a work (gift), not a position and title. All the saints may exercise their priesthood by the gift and leading of the Holy Spirit. One must: "take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it" (Col.4:17).

Although one would not suggest this paper covers the subject of ministry, here below are some thoughts from another paper in the Christian Counsel Collection for meditation and scriptural study; and the writer would be pleased to hear from any who have questions.
- R.L.D., 8/95; rev.1/06


- Evangelical Ministry -

Every true child of God should want to tell others of their hope and joy in the Lord. We might have opportunity to preach Christ, or we might only be able to make a brief comment (1 Pet.3:15). Perhaps it is only our manner of life that is a testimony. Other people watch Christians, so our manner of life surely speaks loudly.

We hardly need to say much on this subject, because believers usually want to show forth the Lord. We may be cold in heart sometimes and not moved to speak or give out literature, but it is a privilege to witness for Him and most pleasing to God (and not to be done by payment - 1 Pet.5:2-3). One ought to be sure they are clear on the redemptive way, and not stumble others.

We might "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim.4:5), but some have a definite gift for it, and some are even called to fulltime work in the world. Surely every brother and sister in Christ should do what they can to exalt His Name. We are not responsible for results, rather the work (Rom.10:14).

- Tutorial Ministry -​

It is good when one is "apt to teach" (2 Tim.2:24) and can set forth sound doctrine. That is a gift. There are degrees or levels of understanding. Teacher is not a title, but a description. Some brothers have much understanding of God's principles and will; and can teach the Word (not as though any are perfect). These may be elders in the local assembly as appointed by God. Elders are guardians of the testimony and are "angels of the church" (Rev.2 & 3). Elders ought to also have a pastoral care for the saints of God. They are recognized by the saints, but not part of a hierarchy, or special class over their brethren (Rev.2:6).

Any child of God may have understanding, and by sharing it they are often teaching someone. One might share a few thoughts with another, and it might prove to be profitable by the working of the Holy Spirit. This is part of our priesthood (1 Pet.2). Some are able to minister the Word quite fully, and some are even called to go forth in the Lord's work among the assemblies in the world.

- Pastoral Ministry -​

The care and encouragement of the saints of God is a worthy work, which all the saints can minister to other believers. We all need to be built up in the faith and strengthened to "hold fast", "rejoice in the Lord", "be at peace", and "press on". Some are especially gifted for this in the local assembly, and some are called to this fulltime ministry abroad. Certainly the Word of God does not teach the one-man ministry of "Pastor" of a local assembly, which is so prevalent in denominationalism (Rev.2:6). We won't speak at length on that subject here.

In ministering to the peace and joy of the saints, one should look unto the Lord and know it is not flesh and contrary to the Word of God. The elders in the local assembly should prayerfully guide and also encourage such ministry, and exercise care to not discourage the saints and "quench" the Spirit, though they must minister the Word and guard the truth. We should all understand that the assembly doesn't minister (Acts 2:42)---it is a personal work and by the Holy Spirit.

When one arranges a special time in their home or elsewhere for fellowship in song and praise, or other godly activity, it is a pastoral work because it edifies the saints and glorifies the Lord. So, "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord" (Col. 3:23). We all can surely always speak a word of encouragement to the saints we meet and help them press on. - RLD

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[heirmiles]

Hi again, SeekJusticeLoveMercy,
Honestly, I'm not trying to follow you around on the boards, its just that for me you're asking questions that I'm working through as well.

I attempted full-time Seminary Studies several decades ago twice, and both times didn't make it to the end of the first semester. Though in defense of the Seminary I was really hurting from both grief and illness. Even with a Bachelor in Theology under my belt, I felt the courses had little reference (apparently "relevance" is a bad word) to what I thought training for ministry should be. Good ministers teach the Word of God directly, and plainly, and relate what it says to life and faith in such a way that it appears effortless and is constantly meaningful. Yet, 20+ years later I find a lot of those 'irrelevent' subjects and topics popping up in conversation with people I "rub elbows" with.

So, from experience I can say that yes there are benefits from going to Seminary, but as you might have gathered from my response in the Bible College section of Life Stages, the amount of learning necessary is overwhelming, and I don't think a person can truly learn in a detailed way everything in the New or Old Testament in a course of 12 to 14 weeks. But at the same time, the demands of a MDiv are not for everybody, and there are many other graduate options in many Seminaries that are more directly relevant for somebody who wants to learn and teach the Bible.

Also, 1watchman has made a good point (actually many) in that Formal Training is not a pre-requisite to ministry, as all Christians are called to minister as Christ works in them (us) through the Holy Spirit.

Graduate education may be accomplished simply through the joy of learning, yet most people who go into a Master of Divinity program do so to enter into full-time Pastoral Service, or as a stepping stone to teach at Bible Colleges or Seminaries. The MDiv is a "professional degree", and is the standard for ordination in many denominations. As to the question (my wording) does it hurt, maim, brutalize, or "kill" a person's faith, an answer may be "yes" or "no" or "maybe". It is definitely stretching, asking the student to think about topics and ideas that can be completely foreign to what a person is used to in a church Bible Study, but are they actually irrelevant? To be honest, for the thinking Christian, no.

Anyone with Graduate education is expected to know a lot more than a person with an undergraduate degree, and as such the demands are higher. A Pastor is expected to know how to counsel, how to lead, how to serve, how to evangelize, how to disciple, how to guide, how to teach, how to inspire, how to encourage... ad infinitum AND actually do so on a daily basis, as well as devote himself to the study of the Scriptures and Prayer.

Also most Master Degrees require less than 60 credit hours (some a lot less), the MDiv requires 90+. Many Pastors find that they work a minimum of 65 to 70 hours a week (that's almost twice as much as the average week of 37.5 hours most other people work: though many people these days do need a second job).

I'm still not sure if I've answered your question. It just really depends on what you're expecting to get from going to seminary, it can be a wonderful growing experience that will carry you through life, or it can break a person. In general the courses themselves are great, its all the other stuff that tends to work for or against a person.

If you're looking for academic preparation then the MDiv can be great, if your looking for deeper and more meaningful relationships, a closer walk with the Lord, and a fuller understanding of the Scriptures, maybe a graduate certificate or diploma in Biblical Studies and Christian Living. Many Seminaries offer these as well.

If you are interested in the content of Seminary courses, Reformed Theological Seminary has posted an array of their courses on ITunes U (U standing for University), just go to the ITunes Webpage and you can download them all for free.

Again, thanks for your questions, it helps me think through my own stuff as well.
God bless.

 

[vespasia]

Seminarys are academic places to study a mix of applied christian theology and biblical studies. Neither strand is seperate from the other.

If studying was so unbiblical we would not have some of the books in the bible that we do have- it follows the jewish tradition of asking questions to learn.

Certainly a seminary is not a place for an immature or young christian to be. It is never going to be a good place for a person who does not have the apptitude to cope with academic riquer but for those who have been given the ability and gift to learn then these are very good places to be.

All the apapers I have produced so far have involved intense study fo scripture, digging into the Gk and Hebrew, considering the context then against the context now and what may be learnt to help the church follow Christ today. If this is so wrong we need to consider throwing out all Paul's letters in the NT amongst the Gospel of John and quite a large hunk of the OT too.

Current colleges/ seminary's are the modern version of the rabbinical schools. To say Christ never studied when the scripture is silent on his teenage years and early adulthood is a massive assumption to make.