|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/4/2008 5:11:33 PM
|
|
|
oneGodonename
Posts: 32
Joined: 12/4/2008
Status: offline
|
Hi, I'm new here, first of all, and would just like to say that I'm glad that I found this site after frequenting AOL Blackvoices for a little over a year. It's good to see people actually displaying the fruits of the spirit and if they don't, the administrators being actively involved in removing highly offensive content and verbal attacks is great to see happening. I'm sure that it happens, (rudeness)but from the perusing that I've done thus far, I've seen none.
With that said, to the question:
When I think back on key figures in the Bible; God's prophets, I can't remember there ever being a prerequisite of formal schooling. Moses, I'm sure was taught by the Father as he went along, and while there were no "scriptures" to speak of pre Moses... David wrote his own stuff based on his love for God, etc....OT stuff is mentioned in NT, but I don't see or remember seeing anything about the writers or the people being written about being formally trained pre preach.
I know that 2 Timothy 2:15 says to study to show ourselves approved, but that doesn't include formal schooling in my opinion. I guess I'm asking because I know what God says to me when I read what I read and checking reference scriptures doesn't make anything anymore or less clearer than what He spoke to me when I read whatever scripture. Someone told me that without "studying" I won't know what He's saying, but I thought that knowledge came from the Holy Spirit and being chosen by God to receive said knowledge.
And I don't get the whole point of commentaries and going outside the Bible to understand the Bible. I mean, what if what the commentator is saying isn't what God meant?
With that said, I'm not against school (although I wasn't really good at it unless I was interested in the subject) and as a matter of fact, I want with all of my heart to study to the fullest extent, but I think that study and understanding comes from Right Relationship, not what another person can tell me. I did just buy a book about Old Testament History, as I am a lover of mostly all things historical, especially as it relates to the Bible and the times, but all in all, is school neccessary and should it be a prerequisite to Ministry?
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/4/2008 5:24:20 PM
|
|
|
His_will_i_am
Posts: 124
Joined: 11/25/2008
Status: offline
|
No.
_____________________________
And he will restore the understanding of the ancestors to their descendants and turn the hearts of the descendants back to their ancestors lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/4/2008 5:33:00 PM
|
|
|
oneGodonename
Posts: 32
Joined: 12/4/2008
Status: offline
|
Well, why is it that people have 50/11 degrees in Biblical studies? The church that I attend now requires it. He preaches about getting your education a lot, and I'm all for that, especially me being who I am, but, like I said, I don't understand why it's a prerequisite. Especially since when the Bishop preaches and then I go back and read what he preached, I sometimes get something totally different.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/4/2008 5:42:13 PM
|
|
|
benelchi
Posts: 3666
Joined: 9/14/2007
From: California
Status: online
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: oneGodonename
Hi, I'm new here, first of all, and would just like to say that I'm glad that I found this site after frequenting AOL Blackvoices for a little over a year. It's good to see people actually displaying the fruits of the spirit and if they don't, the administrators being actively involved in removing highly offensive content and verbal attacks is great to see happening. I'm sure that it happens, (rudeness)but from the perusing that I've done thus far, I've seen none.
With that said, to the question:
When I think back on key figures in the Bible; God's prophets, I can't remember there ever being a prerequisite of formal schooling. Moses, I'm sure was taught by the Father as he went along, and while there were no "scriptures" to speak of pre Moses... David wrote his own stuff based on his love for God, etc....OT stuff is mentioned in NT, but I don't see or remember seeing anything about the writers or the people being written about being formally trained pre preach.
I know that 2 Timothy 2:15 says to study to show ourselves approved, but that doesn't include formal schooling in my opinion. I guess I'm asking because I know what God says to me when I read what I read and checking reference scriptures doesn't make anything anymore or less clearer than what He spoke to me when I read whatever scripture. Someone told me that without "studying" I won't know what He's saying, but I thought that knowledge came from the Holy Spirit and being chosen by God to receive said knowledge.
And I don't get the whole point of commentaries and going outside the Bible to understand the Bible. I mean, what if what the commentator is saying isn't what God meant?
With that said, I'm not against school (although I wasn't really good at it unless I was interested in the subject) and as a matter of fact, I want with all of my heart to study to the fullest extent, but I think that study and understanding comes from Right Relationship, not what another person can tell me. I did just buy a book about Old Testament History, as I am a lover of mostly all things historical, especially as it relates to the Bible and the times, but all in all, is school neccessary and should it be a prerequisite to Ministry?
Thanks!
While I do not believe a biblical education is necessary for salvation, I do believe it should almost always be a prerequisite for formal ministry. There are unusual circumstances where I think exceptions are valid, but not as a general rule.
One of the tragedies of the church today is a result of the lack of education by both the laity and unfortunately the clergy as well. An example of how a lack of a biblical education can affect ministry can be seen in the Catholic church prior to the reformation; the reason that so many of the unbiblical catholic doctrines were able to propagate is because most of the priest couldn't even read the bible. It took the educated like Luther, Calvin, etc... to bring much needed change to the church. When people don't know what they believe or why they believe it, they cannot communicate their beliefs to the hurting world around them; a world that is in desperate need of the gospel message. Even a general understanding of the scripture itself is sorely lacking because the majority of Christians simply don't bother read their bibles (and unfortunately this includes some in professional ministry) And when doctrines are established on gross misunderstandings of the biblical text and historically inaccurate information the results can be spiritually dangerous (as history has amply demonstrated).
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/4/2008 5:52:54 PM
|
|
|
oneGodonename
Posts: 32
Joined: 12/4/2008
Status: offline
|
Don't most schools teach more than one doctrine though? More than one theology? Why is there more than one doctrine or theology anyway? See, this is why I'm apprehensive about school, but excited all at the same time.
My Bishop told us that a lot of people that he went to theology school with left atheists...maybe that's another reason that I'm apprehensive about it, not that I'm weak in my faith (real strong!) but I just don't even want to deal with that kind of pressure.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/4/2008 6:00:01 PM
|
|
|
benelchi
Posts: 3666
Joined: 9/14/2007
From: California
Status: online
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: oneGodonename
Don't most schools teach more than one doctrine though? More than one theology? Why is there more than one doctrine or theology anyway? See, this is why I'm apprehensive about school, but excited all at the same time.
This is something they should do because it is important to understand what others have believed and taught about the bible, understand the different arguments for each opinion, and use that understanding to form your own theological position.
quote:
My Bishop told us that a lot of people that he went to theology school with left atheists...maybe that's another reason that I'm apprehensive about it, not that I'm weak in my faith (real strong!) but I just don't even want to deal with that kind of pressure.
Be wise on which school you choose to attend, any school that has a lot of people leave as atheists is probably not a very good choice. The first question I would ask is does the school have a statement of faith, and and dose the faculty adhere to that statement of faith? I would then carefully examine their statement of faith to understand the perspective they will be teaching.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/4/2008 6:00:34 PM
|
|
|
rcjames
Posts: 5799
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
|
Necessary? No.
Helpful? Depends on the school. I have seen some folks with fire in their belly to spread the Gospel come back for Bible Scholl cold and dead.
Sad but true.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/4/2008 6:09:41 PM
|
|
|
SavedToo
Posts: 77
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
|
The reason you go to school for any subject is to learn from others that are experts in their respective fields. This saves lots and lots and lots of time. It helps you avoid mistakes. It builds character. Helps make sure you actually know what you are talking about. Helps you learn about stuff you may have never considered. If you think about it, every time you go to church, you are in a class of sorts. You are learning from someone who has studied about what he is talking about.
Jesus even went to school:
Luke 2:46
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
If he did, I would.
Moses grew up in Pharaoh's house. Ex 2:5 – 11. You can bet the put him through their schools. He also ran in to the desert where he went through the school of hard knocks by learning to keep track of sheep Ex 3:1.
When choosing a school, you should look at what they produce. What are their graduates like?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/4/2008 7:02:30 PM
|
|
|
gcsmithjr
Posts: 111
Joined: 11/23/2008
Status: offline
|
I don't think it is an absolute requirement but, for most people, it is very helpful.
quote:
When I think back on key figures in the Bible; God's prophets, I can't remember there ever being a prerequisite of formal schooling. Moses, I'm sure was taught by the Father as he went along, and while there were no "scriptures" to speak of pre Moses... David wrote his own stuff based on his love for God, etc....OT stuff is mentioned in NT, but I don't see or remember seeing anything about the writers or the people being written about being formally trained preach.
It's true that they may not have had formal schooling but their words were divinely inspired (which is why they are considered scripture today). There's a big difference between the divinely inspired words of scripture and the way they are interpreted by preachers today.
quote:
Don't most schools teach more than one doctrine though? More than one theology?
There is a difference between teaching about more than one doctrine and about more than one theology, and advocating more than one doctrine or theology. Most schools will teach you about a wide variety of doctrines and theologies so that you can understand them better, that doesn't mean they're advocating that doctrine or theology. If you look back over the history of the church, innumerable heresies have been perpetuated because of an individual (or group) misinterpreting or distorting the meaning of scripture. One of the things Bible school will help you do is understand how those false teachings were perpetuated and how to avoid falling into those same traps.
Bible school will also help you to better understand some of the different perspectives of churches and denominations, which ones are worth dividing over and which ones are simply different perspectives on important, but non-essential issues of doctrine. (i.e. should children be baptized as infants, should only adults be baptized). Godly people disagree on many issues that don't necessarily undermine the foundations of our Christian faith.
One of the best things about Bible School/Seminary is that it challenges you to really study and understand the scripture, and teaches you how to study and teach more effectively. For the most part their goal is to provide you with the tools you need to be a more effective teacher of the Word, not to change what you believe.
quote:
My Bishop told us that a lot of people that he went to theology school with left atheists
I don't know if this will reassure you, but I studied went to Seminary at both Denver Seminary and Gordon-Conwell and, while I don't know the heart of every person I studied with, as far as I know, none of them left seminary as atheists.
< Message edited by gcsmithjr -- 12/4/2008 7:20:39 PM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/5/2008 10:38:25 AM
|
|
|
PastorPatricia
Posts: 206
Joined: 8/6/2005
Status: offline
|
Maybe not absolutely necessary but I couldn't minister if I hadn't gone to Bible school. I have a honours in "ministry training" a three year course. I went to a school ran by a very different denomination than mine. I finished stronger in my faith, I certainly learned a lot from my fellow students and in turn they understand some of the doctrine of the traditional church. More important it taught us write a decent sermon, to understand Scripture, counselling skills and much more. I encourage anyone interested in ministry to find a good Bible college and study hard.
_____________________________
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Is. 12:24
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/5/2008 11:15:25 AM
|
|
|
pastor1554
Posts: 3
Joined: 12/2/2008
Status: offline
|
While it is not necessary,it helps depending on your choice of school.
I personally know pastors that have never went to school and are more doctrinally sound than most.
Its all a matter of how much you want out of your ministry,for instance a pre-school teacher isn't qualified to teach high school. So to me its all a matter of how far you want to go,there are things in the bible that wont be understood without indepth study. The bibles we have 2 day are translations from the original text which is hebrew and greek. So to PROPERLY teach the word in its context you should invest in some extra studies.
Although God's call is all you need in order to preach,and he has given no man authority to give out any pre-requisites,other than the ones found in scripture.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/5/2008 2:36:26 PM
|
|
|
rolling
Posts: 159
Joined: 11/14/2008
Status: offline
|
A lot of the schools are designed to crank out ministers after their own heart, to carry on their denomination and their belief system and doctrines.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/5/2008 5:21:47 PM
|
|
|
oneGodonename
Posts: 32
Joined: 12/4/2008
Status: offline
|
Thanks...any suggestions as to where to go for the advocates of it? Online or in the classroom?
I live in the DC area so...
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/5/2008 7:00:59 PM
|
|
|
RJR_fan
Posts: 821
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
Status: offline
|
quote:
Thanks...any suggestions as to where to go for the advocates of it? Online or in the classroom?
Wherever you go, be sure to sign on for a program that includes instruction in the original languages. I'm convinced that folks who want to preach God's Word should love it enough to want to read it in the original tongues God used to give it to us.
Learning a foreign language isn't rocket science. It is hard work, though. I've enjoyed my NT Greek, but got impaled on the bizarre vowel points, and temporarily deferred my ambition to learn Hebrew. Fortunately, I'm not called to the pulpit ministry!
_____________________________
Blogging my way through the Turkish New Testament
Meet my beloved mentor, RJR
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/5/2008 8:29:59 PM
|
|
|
benelchi
Posts: 3666
Joined: 9/14/2007
From: California
Status: online
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: RJR_fan
quote:
Thanks...any suggestions as to where to go for the advocates of it? Online or in the classroom?
Wherever you go, be sure to sign on for a program that includes instruction in the original languages. I'm convinced that folks who want to preach God's Word should love it enough to want to read it in the original tongues God used to give it to us.
Learning a foreign language isn't rocket science. It is hard work, though. I've enjoyed my NT Greek, but got impaled on the bizarre vowel points, and temporarily deferred my ambition to learn Hebrew. Fortunately, I'm not called to the pulpit ministry!
The vowel points really aren't that difficult, they work just like the vowels in Greek. For the most part the vowels that would normally be between the letters (like English and Greek) are under the letters instead. The reason is that the orignal Hebrew didn't have vowels and the Masorites, who developed the Mesorah (vowel pointings), didn't want to change any of the orignal text when the added the vowels, so the put them under (and sometimes over or between the original letters). You can always add the vowels to an unpointed text without changing any of the original text.
From a someone who knows Hebrew and is struggling to learn Greek, I can tell you that it is my opinion that Hebrew is MUCH MUCH easier. For example, in Hebrew (like English) there is only one definite article, but in Greek there are twenty four. 
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/7/2008 9:30:20 PM
|
|
|
benelchi
Posts: 3666
Joined: 9/14/2007
From: California
Status: online
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: momma-mo
I truly believe that if God has put a calling on you then He will make it happen whether you have a degree or not. All that is required is that you have a willing heart and are open to being led by the Holy Spirit. Nobody in the Bible that preached and won so many to Christ had a degree in theology.
Better check Paul's history before making that statement, he studied under one of the most famous Rabbis in all of Judaism. Additionally all of the disciples spent 3 years learning from Christ himself before beginning their ministries. The historical notes, quotes from OT Scripture, etc.. in the writings of the Apostles clearly indicate that they had studied.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/7/2008 9:52:28 PM
|
|
|
floydette
Posts: 1086
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: benelchi
quote:
ORIGINAL: momma-mo
I truly believe that if God has put a calling on you then He will make it happen whether you have a degree or not. All that is required is that you have a willing heart and are open to being led by the Holy Spirit. Nobody in the Bible that preached and won so many to Christ had a degree in theology.
Better check Paul's history before making that statement, he studied under one of the most famous Rabbis in all of Judaism. Additionally all of the disciples spent 3 years learning from Christ himself before beginning their ministries. The historical notes, quotes from OT Scripture, etc.. in the writings of the Apostles clearly indicate that they had studied.
They also had the original languages and culture at their finger tips, along with understanding the OT scripture. They didn't have 2000 yrs of history to sort through, global theological systems to grasp on to, nor the myriad of issues that 2008 leader will be faced with. 
_____________________________
“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” Henri Bergson
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/7/2008 10:44:58 PM
|
|
|
iluvatar
Posts: 2022
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: online
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: momma-mo
I truly believe that if God has put a calling on you then He will make it happen whether you have a degree or not. All that is required is that you have a willing heart and are open to being led by the Holy Spirit.
But in what capacity is this "all that is required"? On Sunday morning when my pastor's on stage and I'm behind the sound board, there's a reason why we're where we are. While we both have willing hearts and are open to being led, if either of us tried to do the other's job, things would not be pretty. (Though I expect he'd have a MUCH easier time with the transition than I would). Training is important and all the best intentions don't matter if you royally screw something up because you tried to tackle something w/o preparing yourself for it.
quote:
ORIGINAL: floydette
quote:
ORIGINAL: benelchi
quote:
ORIGINAL: momma-mo
Nobody in the Bible that preached and won so many to Christ had a degree in theology.
Better check Paul's history before making that statement, he studied under one of the most famous Rabbis in all of Judaism. Additionally all of the disciples spent 3 years learning from Christ himself before beginning their ministries. The historical notes, quotes from OT Scripture, etc.. in the writings of the Apostles clearly indicate that they had studied.
They also had the original languages and culture at their finger tips, along with understanding the OT scripture. They didn't have 2000 yrs of history to sort through, global theological systems to grasp on to, nor the myriad of issues that 2008 leader will be faced with.
And they only had half of the Bible to learn - they hadn't written the other half yet. 
-Dan.
_____________________________
Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/7/2008 11:29:12 PM
|
|
|
myka
Posts: 821
Status: offline
|
quote:
I truly believe that if God has put a calling on you then He will make it happen whether you have a degree or not. All that is required is that you have a willing heart and are open to being led by the Holy Spirit. Nobody in the Bible that preached and won so many to Christ had a degree in theology.
The Jewish young men were in school (Hebrew school) and well trained to read the scriptures. I totally agree about Paul; he describes himself as having a lot of 'qualifications' including schooling and zeal for the scriptures. His writings also reflect his education.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/8/2008 12:10:48 AM
|
|
|
momma-mo
Posts: 656
Joined: 3/27/2006
From: Galifrey
Status: online
|
I never said not to go to school. But, there are people who are called, and they just answer. I would love to get some schooling for it. But, it may not happen. And, just as the disciples, some of us learn from Jesus. Just because we don't have Him physically with us doesn't mean we can't still learn from walking with Him. That is what the Holy Spirit is for.  Sadly, we gentiles don't have all of that training that the Jews had. I especially think that training in the original languages is wonderful. I still believe if God calls you...He calls you. If He wants you to go to school for it, He lets you know. But, from what I've seen, not everyone that goes to school for it comes out qualified, and many who don't go to school, do better than the ones that did. We do have the Holy Spirit training us, leading us, correcting us. I've learned more from Him in the last five years than anyone would know.
For the original poster. Do it as God leads you, not what people tell you. If He tells you to go to school then do it. If He sends you directly into ministry, do it. In this day and age, if we are truly near the end...I would suspect God will call more and more people out without degrees for the sake of time. IMO 
_____________________________
Jesus died and lived to tell about it!
Rapture: Separation of Church and state...
"With great chocolate comes great responsibility." Larry Boy
http://frontdoorministries.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/8/2008 10:24:35 AM
|
|
|
1love1God1way
Posts: 2478
Joined: 5/16/2005
Status: offline
|
Well, you also have to understand that the disciples were raised up in Jewish homes, and had studied the Torah throughout their childhood. They mostly likely had it memorized by the age of 13, as was customary.
_____________________________
love.ben
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Is Bible School really Necessary? - 12/8/2008 2:44:28 PM
|
|
|
klpowell
Posts: 19
Joined: 6/21/2008
Status: offline
|
I attend a Bible College only because my denomination has educational requirments and this is the easiest way for me to meet them. I do the coursework though the college online and that allows me to continue my full time secular job as I prepare for the ministry. I don't really think that bible colleges are nessecary as God will equip those who he calls.
_____________________________
- Kris
myIchthus Ministry Group
myIchthus Christian Social Network
GospelScoop Christian Social News/Bookmarking
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
