Hey yall, been a while since I posted here regularly, but I'd like to get some feedback. I am applying to divinity at a number of places and I am having a few qualms. Here's my problem, I feel strongly called to study the bible and God's word further but I don't feel strongly one way or the other about becoming a minister. Here's another problem, I have never really gone to church and I'm not even baptized nor have I ever taken communion. When I study theology or the bible and I figure something out, I mean really undestand WHY something is true or spiritually important, I am fillled with tremendous joy. IS this enough of a reason or do those facts make my desire to study kinda divinity shallow? What yall's opinions?
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Need advice on divinity school
- Thread starter I <3 Abraham
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Well I think you should have some sort of goal in mind if you plan to attend seminary. You could contact the career counselor and talk about what might be most appropriate for your interests, gifts, and goals. I am sure that learning more about theology and why your views are important is a good motivating factor but you should probably have a long term goal in mind too.
You can always just buy a lot of books and read on your own too if you have no plan for ministry
You can always just buy a lot of books and read on your own too if you have no plan for ministry
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I don't think seminary study has to be for a career goal. In fact, when I first started seminary, I was shocked at how much I heard the word "career." For me it was BTDT.
There are students I know who take seminary courses just for their own learning & that's OK. Find out whether the school you want to attend will allow you to take classes without enrolling in a degree program. I would suggest that as a good way to start, if your purpose is mainly for your own enrichment.
There are students I know who take seminary courses just for their own learning & that's OK. Find out whether the school you want to attend will allow you to take classes without enrolling in a degree program. I would suggest that as a good way to start, if your purpose is mainly for your own enrichment.
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UberLutheran
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There are more options possible with seminary than becoming an ordained minister.
I have a strong musical background (I trained as a concert pianist and composer, and concertized for awhile) and I love creating liturgy. Sometimes I like re-creating historically accurate liturgy, e.g., a Lutheran service the way it might have been done in Martin Luther's time; and sometimes I like taking a theme and developing it, as with the Christmas liturgy I wrote on how God uses children to work His will.
I thought seminary meant "becoming a minister" but for me, seminary is taking on the focus of "creating liturgy".
I have a strong musical background (I trained as a concert pianist and composer, and concertized for awhile) and I love creating liturgy. Sometimes I like re-creating historically accurate liturgy, e.g., a Lutheran service the way it might have been done in Martin Luther's time; and sometimes I like taking a theme and developing it, as with the Christmas liturgy I wrote on how God uses children to work His will.
I thought seminary meant "becoming a minister" but for me, seminary is taking on the focus of "creating liturgy".
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loriersea
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As far as I can tell, an M.Div. is pretty much a pre-professional degree, so if you are not interested in becoming a minister, it probably wouldn't be the course of study for you. A lot of your courses would be more practical than theoretical, dealing with practical things like counselling and writing sermons, rather than with theological issues, which it seems like you are mainly interested in.
But, a lot of seminaries have M.A. programs for people who are interested in a more academic study of theology, rather than practical preparation for becoming a minister. That seems like it might be more what you are interested in, although, as someone with a liberal arts M.A., I have to say that you should NOT expect anything more than personal enrichment out of it, unless you decide to pursue a Ph.D. and go the academic career route, because a liberal arts M.A. is not going to put you in a position to get any sort of job.
And, you could always take some courses at a seminary as a non-degree student. We have an ecumenical seminary in the city, and I am considering taking some courses there are some point, not as part of a degree program, but just for my own interest.
But, a lot of seminaries have M.A. programs for people who are interested in a more academic study of theology, rather than practical preparation for becoming a minister. That seems like it might be more what you are interested in, although, as someone with a liberal arts M.A., I have to say that you should NOT expect anything more than personal enrichment out of it, unless you decide to pursue a Ph.D. and go the academic career route, because a liberal arts M.A. is not going to put you in a position to get any sort of job.
And, you could always take some courses at a seminary as a non-degree student. We have an ecumenical seminary in the city, and I am considering taking some courses there are some point, not as part of a degree program, but just for my own interest.
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ltrain
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Dear Abraham,
Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I've been busy. Lots of reading. Lots of writing. It never stops.
Okay, you wanted to know about divinity school. Well, you seem to have some kind of calling or pull or lure--whatever you want to call it, this is a good thing: it's a desire to know more. And knowing more about the Bible and G-d is a good thing. So, yes, I'd say divinity school is a wise move.
Keep in mind that not everybody in div school is going to be a minister. When I was in divinity school, many students wanted to be ministers but then switched to the academic track; others were in the academic track but then became ministers; and still others dropped out of div school to pursue English or law or full-time jobs. Lots of things can happen. Heck, I even knew atheists in divinity school. Crazy world, huh?
As for me, I discovered fiction writing in divinity school. I was going to be a theology/philosophy professor, was even going for a doctorate in philosophy, but as I began to read more literature, I realized I wanted to write stories--and that's what I've been doing for the past five years. I park cars at a hotel to support myself (I also teach a fiction writing class at a small college). Although I have two graduate degees in theology, I don't consider it a waste of time; in fact, it has given me something to write about for the rest of my life.
If you have the time for theological studies, as well as the passion (and it sounds like you do), then I'd say, "Why not?" You may be a minister; you may not. Either way, it will have been time well spent. I wish you the best with your decision.
ltrain
Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I've been busy. Lots of reading. Lots of writing. It never stops.
Okay, you wanted to know about divinity school. Well, you seem to have some kind of calling or pull or lure--whatever you want to call it, this is a good thing: it's a desire to know more. And knowing more about the Bible and G-d is a good thing. So, yes, I'd say divinity school is a wise move.
Keep in mind that not everybody in div school is going to be a minister. When I was in divinity school, many students wanted to be ministers but then switched to the academic track; others were in the academic track but then became ministers; and still others dropped out of div school to pursue English or law or full-time jobs. Lots of things can happen. Heck, I even knew atheists in divinity school. Crazy world, huh?
As for me, I discovered fiction writing in divinity school. I was going to be a theology/philosophy professor, was even going for a doctorate in philosophy, but as I began to read more literature, I realized I wanted to write stories--and that's what I've been doing for the past five years. I park cars at a hotel to support myself (I also teach a fiction writing class at a small college). Although I have two graduate degees in theology, I don't consider it a waste of time; in fact, it has given me something to write about for the rest of my life.
If you have the time for theological studies, as well as the passion (and it sounds like you do), then I'd say, "Why not?" You may be a minister; you may not. Either way, it will have been time well spent. I wish you the best with your decision.
ltrain
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PastorJason
Ordo Concentus Christos
I thought I had something meaningful to say here. Then I reconsidered. Good answers thus far, though.
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