Education Reformers Needed

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

The Church is a place to learn. Matter of fact it is THE place to learn. If a Pastor is not able to do this he is not a New Testament Pastor.

It certainly hasn't worked for you.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

And if we go down that road again of "well, the disciples didn't go to Bible School," just pause a second and really think about your reply.

There is virtually no thinking going on here, Jeffrey.

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by notofworks

It certainly hasn't worked for you.

It's very incestuous learning. "I'm the pastor, bless God you don't learn from anywhere else but me."

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

MTD, you're missing the point.

The whole idea of this thread supports equipping teachers. Somehow you have these competitive division that teachers somehow learn things about ancient languages, culture, the life and times of Jesus, canonology, exegesis, pastoral counseling, church history --- all by going to the library (and reading from some false doctrine crony you somehow have a hard time with).

Those dummies at Dallas Theological Seminary have offered a lifetime of theological scholarship that has been taken advantage of by every Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal Born-Again Believer in Jesus Name. So it's quite hypocritical to take advantage of the labor and scholarship of others and then say you don't support formal scholarship.

Elders should be apt to teach. The idea of formal education does not take away from that role, it reinforces it.

This is SO true. Virtually every tidbit of revelatory and applicable bible research, including every commentary and every version of the bible in print, has been handed to us by those idiot trinitarians. These boys learn all their stuff and then tell them they're going to hell. It's hilarious, really.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Wait... does MTD not believe his theology falls into the Protestant/Evangelical genre?

Let only the person with a perfect theology, who has figured everything out (without exposing his mind to different opinions and ideas, only by prayer and the Spirit) teach others. haaaaaaaa...

Oh no, he's different than anyone else. No wait.....He actually IS different than everyone else.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

It's very incestuous learning. "I'm the pastor, bless God you don't learn from anywhere else but me."

Exactly, which is where all this goofy doctrine hooey comes from. There is no accountability...no checks and balances...no one to say, "Now wait a minute....".


This might just turn into a good thread!

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Exactly, which is where all this goofy doctrine hooey comes from. There is no accountability...no checks and balances...no one to say, "Now wait a minute....".


This might just turn into a good thread!

Unfortunately, still not a thread offering solutions to the original post! Ah well.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Unfortunately, still not a thread offering solutions to the original post! Ah well.

Is there one? It's an immovable object vs. the irresistible force to me. How can there be great learning without great expense?

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Is there one? It's an immovable object vs. the irresistible force to me. How can there be great learning without great expense?

That is the question. If the benefit is the church universal, and the learners are serving the Church with their learning, seems like there should be solution for this. Otherwise, that level of learning for serving the church is reserved for those who can bear the student loans or afford it.

Local church scholarships? Regional scholarships? More scholarships available from the private Bible colleges? Also, while there are SOME scholarships available at the undergrad level, there are very few at the post-graduate level.

[Jason B]

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?

I don't have a formal education religious education, I believe God will make a way if someone is really called.

That said, I WOULD love to be able to attend a seminary or Bible college.

I wanted to attend a UPC Bible school, but was never able to, due to having a family very young. (Now I'm thankful for not going to a UPC Bible school, since they are unaccredited, and nearly everyone who did seems to regret going, and most don't even believe "the doctrine").

I would be interested in another venue, and where I live the most reputable school is Southwestern Theological Seminary, which is a Baptist school. But I cannot go, first off, because I am priced out of it , and secondly, because though I could be agreeable enough on most of the requirements to get in, affirming belief in the trinity is a requirement I cannot affirm.

Theres not really any other options as I really don't like the idea of online school, and I still have the responsibility to make a living for my family and help in the church, so full time school isn't an option.

Nevertheless, I think one can go pretty far in self education if they will commit themselves to reading the word, prayer, commentaries, word studies, etc.

Sometimes they are better off for it, because they don't have the indoctrination factor.