Posted on 10/10/2004 9:34:59 AM PDT by UnklGene
there are some nuts over at Fuller...
bump for later read
Oh I thought from what you said you were a student there. Sorry about the confusion.
Thankfully my uncle was never infected from this errency idea. A lot of Asian pastors in Asia were graduates from Fuller. While they are politically left-leaning, on all esential Christian matters and things like abortion and gay marriage they are solidly Christian (i.e. conservative). It is kind of like a James Dobson that suddenly goes liberal on defence or WOT, etc. One of the keys was probably they all became saved due to efforts of theologically orthodox Christians, and another factor was they all had their primary theological degrees from Asia's seminaries, which for the time being were still staffed by the "old guards".
Are you suggesting that adults who want to become Pastors and leaders in Church are generally better off "home-schooling," than studying with instructors at a Seminary?
What denominations accept 'homeschooled' seminary credentials in order to be hired as a pastor?
Actually, several denominations exist that do not require and "formal" school at all. Most of the worst ideas in Christian thought came from cemetaries...I mean seminaries.
Were the Apostles trained in Seminaries. How many of the early Christian leaders had formal "seminary" training.
I would rather sit under a pastor, who has studied the Word of God, relies on the Holy Spirit to help him understnad the word, and has lived it out.
Some seminaries still maintain the standard of the Word of God. That's wonderful. But many have left the truth.
Unfortunately, most seminary professors just offer you their interpretation of scripture or worst, warmed over reflections of someone else's view of scriptures. The Holy Spirit never fails, man often fails.
So the answer is yes. A home schooled pastor, who gets in the Word of God and experiences his presence is infinitely more desirable than someone with a seminary degree.
NzerFromHK,
Your commentaries on Fuller are fairly along the lines of the gossip I've heard
since moving to the Southern Cal. area.
Just out of curiousity, I do recall hearing some fairly outrageous quotes on theology from
a lady professor at Fuller...and I just can't remember her name.
Sorry I can't be more specific, but do you know her name...she sounded like
someone who'd get voted into The Jesus Forum...
If this doesn't ring a bell, I still thank you in advance.
You're making an argument against BAD seminary education vs. GOOD "understudy work" (a re-framing of "home-schooling")
If you re-frame the point in that way you may have a point. But while BAD seminary education exists, BAD home-schooling also exists, and BAD "understudy work" also exists. So your statement is interesting but is really not a fair argument.
My point is that a seminary education at a GOOD seminary is preferable to homeschooling IN GENERAL. There will certainly be exceptions to the rule.
My perspective is that while there are many good Pastors without formal education, there are also some of these men of God who are unable to handle and explain deeper theological issues.
A church is not solely a vehicle for evangelism and instruction to the newly saved, but a place where the family of believers can mature as Christians. And a Pastor's depth on the theology of Christianity is very valuable.
That's why I say _IN GENERAL_ a seminary education is a vital part of a Pastor's background and GENERALLY preferable to homeschooling.
A church is not solely a vehicle for evangelism and instruction to the newly saved, but a place where the family of believers can mature as Christians. And a Pastor's depth on the theology of Christianity is very valuable.
That's why I say _IN GENERAL_ a seminary education is a vital part of a Pastor's background and GENERALLY preferable to homeschooling
My Friend,
On that we'll have to agree to disagree. I have had both kinds of Pastors. I have seen the evidence of both kinds of ministries beyond the one's I've personally experienced.
The difference is not seminary. The difference is how much they study the Word of God and how the Spirit of God is at work in their lives. It's not about the mind, it's about the Spirit of God.
I don't really care what a person's education background is. If he or she is teaching, I want to know that they are solid in the Word of God and are following him.
I don't really care about explanations of deeper theological issues. Most of them have little bearing on a believer's every day life. But if it is something they need, God wants the believer to go to his word, to seek him out. God is quite capable of speaking truth to that individual.
It happens in my life on a regular basis. My faith says when I open God's word, when I meditate on it, when I ask him questions- he'll show me.
Regardless of our difference of opinions though, I respect yours and I know that many in the Church do find comfort in having someone who has a seminary education. If that's important to them, then I pray the Lord blesses them with a pastor with a great seminary educationa and a great heart for God.
Be Blessed in the name of Jesus
Yours in Christ,
John
I really think we are close to agreement if you and I could frame an issue in the same light.
You continue to add additional (but arguably relevant) conditions and factors into my simple generalized conclusion which makes your rebuttal actually to a different point than the one I made.
It's as if I said "GENERALLY white cars are cooler in temperature than black cars," and you are replying using factors such as window tinting and air conditioning. These are vaulable on the whole because they are all factors in the temperature of a car, but aren't rebuttals to my point.
So, I think we agree that a "good" pastor has many qualities and that some qualities are more important than educational background. I wasn't arguing that point.
My point essentially is that all other things being equal, it is preferable that a pastor that leads a congregation have theological training at a good school. I've had to add the "all other things being equal" because you are throwing additional variables my way to what was intended to be a simple point about the value of education and tutelage of other godly men.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion on these issues, but we'll disagree amicably (and I'll let this be my last post on this subject).
belated bump for exposure
I am sure Glenn Palmberg of the Evangelical Covenant was in on this, he seems to hang on Wallis's coattails quite obviously.
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