Education Reformers Needed

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

What's the solution here?

Quality Christian higher education is important. If we cease investing in teachers and learners, we regress and fail to move forward. Centers of incestuous academia, where students are really just converts being told what to believe doesn't fit the mold of what college is all about. The importance of students being grounded in theology that has good hindsight and inspired forward-sight is critical.

So here's the rub. Many bible students eventually become pastors. These young singles and married people leave school to serve the mission of God in a unique way, and do so with sometimes as much as $50,000 in debt (if they've obtained a Th.M, MDiv, etc).

Serving God's people is not a vocation. It's not a career. It's a unique call. It's not about "cashing in" on the degree in terms of money, but in terms of people. Colleges that are affordable have under-qualified instructors, colleges with the best-of-the-best in professors tend to be over-priced.

In fact, many major theological seminaries have a profit-seeking business office like any other school. They tax you for every dollar. The book prices are off the charts.

So what's the solution to this?

I write this post to those who already acknowledge and appreciate ministers who understand education to be a piece of the preparation that goes into it.

Thoughts? Should churches have regular giving to local schools and students submit to being worthy of that church's scholarship? Should scholarships be more readily available (they are bleak for theology students generally)? Should we just continue on as we do?

When I think about some of the classes and some of the instructors when I attended bible school, it's obvious that the job isn't getting done. They were doing their best, no doubt, but it's SO far behind the "Dallas Theological Seminary" types.....well, they're not in the same galaxy.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by notofworks

When I think about some of the classes and some of the instructors when I attended bible school, it's obvious that the job isn't getting done. They were doing their best, no doubt, but it's SO far behind the "Dallas Theological Seminary" types.....well, they're not in the same galaxy.

Are you kidding? Is this what people think is sound Bible teaching? Dallas Theological Seminary? They teach false doctrine on every foundation issue. They paid thousands of dollars to learn false Protestant/Evangelical doctrine.

Then they charge others to teach them the same heresies.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Are you kidding? Is this what people think is sound Bible teaching? Dallas Theological Seminary? They teach false doctrine on every foundation issue. They paid thousands of dollars to learn false Protestant/Evangelical doctrine.

Then they charge others to teach them the same heresies.

For the sake of argument, sure they are all false teachers, teaching false doctrines on their way to a burning hell...that wasn't the issue though. The issue was how well they teach not what doctrines they teach

[coadie]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

For the sake of argument, sure they are all false teachers, teaching false doctrines on their way to a burning hell...that wasn't the issue though. The issue was how well they teach not what doctrines they teach

False teachers
We also have non false teachers that have poor teaching skills.
We have poor student study habits
We have students limited in cognitive abilities in the areas of synthesis and knowledge.

Within many major universities, some colleges are much better than others when it comes to delivering significant graduates.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

For the sake of argument, sure they are all false teachers, teaching false doctrines on their way to a burning hell...that wasn't the issue though. The issue was how well they teach not what doctrines they teach

I would not want to pay thousands of dollars to relocate, thousands more to be taught false doctrine just so I could be taught by someone suave and sophisticated.

Just for arguements sake of course.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I would not want to pay thousands of dollars to relocate, thousands more to be taught false doctrine just so I could be taught by someone suave and sophisticated.

Just for arguements sake of course.

That is again beside the point...quality of education.

Why can't I go to a trinitarian university whose quality of education is better than any OP college and learn the fundamentals of theology, learn hermeneutics, greek, and other things?

Just because their theology is wrong does not make them fundamentally unsound. I learned algebra from a Mormon and his principles of teaching algebra was sound and I did not come out a Mormon.

And really, as I said, that is all beside the point. The issue is quality of education. Oneness needs to increase that in their ranks and the only way that is gonna happen is if they get a good education first. Many of our current teachers got their masters or PHds at secular and Trinitarian universities

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Are you kidding? Is this what people think is sound Bible teaching? Dallas Theological Seminary? They teach false doctrine on every foundation issue. They paid thousands of dollars to learn false Protestant/Evangelical doctrine.

Then they charge others to teach them the same heresies.

Sigh. I'm trying to strategize here and think of a way to say something you could comprehend and nothing is coming to mind. Maybe you could open a school and teach everyone the right way. I'm sure your door is being pounded down by people wanting the truth.

[coadie]

Originally Posted by notofworks

When I think about some of the classes and some of the instructors when I attended bible school, it's obvious that the job isn't getting done. They were doing their best, no doubt, but it's SO far behind the "Dallas Theological Seminary" types.....well, they're not in the same galaxy.

Did you attend Dallas Theiological Seminary?

Even the top Ivy League schools have famous profs leading classes that are not gifted in teaching. Even worse, signing up under a big name at Stanford for example no where means that he will
"visit" the classroom more than 1 or two times a semester.

Oneness are far behind in that they have no full 4 year colleges that also have Masters and Doctoral programs. AOG has several schools in Springfield but I don't know if any doctoral degrees are offered.