Seminary with differing beliefs?

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Ecclesiastik

Guest
#1
#1
Hi everyone,

I'm currently taking Bible college classes online while I am in the military and am prepping for seminary. The problem that I have just recently realized is that

1. There is only one seminary in my city.

and..

2. It has some liberal beliefs that I do not believe can be reconciled with biblical Christianity...although the overall concept of the school seems to be..alright.


Do you think it's okay to go to a seminary even though it has some quirks that seem heretical? Or is it too much to the point that I should go to a school that is far away from my family? I really would like to be near my family again considering that I've been away from them so long while serving in the military overseas.

If you want to know a little bit on a couple of the beliefs of the school....be aware that I'm not trying to debate whether these things are heretical. I'm sure there are already threads for that. Just realize that to me, these things are. And if it really rustles you that much, then send me a private message..... here are some of the things:

1. They endorse and train women as pastors.
2. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is in partnership with the school...they have formed a center together. Desmond Tutu...according to an article/quote I just read, believes that one can pick and choose what he is to follow from the Bible.

Now, on the otherhand, if you do find these things heretical/problematic, would you go to a school that endorses these things?
 
1

1disciple

Banned
#2
Nov 13, 2012
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#2
I went to Theology school for 8 years in total.

Looking back on all the nonsense I learned, I wish I hadn't.

I learned everything I never wanted to know about all sorts of things except what I wanted to know--the Bible.

Everything I learned about the Bible in Theology school, I learned on my own.

If you don't have to spend as long as I did in Theology school, then you might be ok as long as you can get away from it in no more than a few years. I consider the vast majority of Theology schools today to be pseudo-intellectual propaganda clearing houses designed to promote and create the shill instead of the scholar.

Good luck. You're going to need it.
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#3
Sep 4, 2013
30,186
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#3
You could check out Mid America Christian University in the Oklahoma City area..........I understand they have a pretty good on line program.......

(well, depending on what you consider "liberal views I suppose....... :), and seeing that you do not agree with women in Ministry, uh, er, NEVERMIND............ :) )
 
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sparkie2003

Member
#4
Sep 15, 2013
31
0
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#4
I have a bit of a different view than 1disciple. I'm in my 4th year of Pastoral studies right now and I am loving my University. We have people here from all different Christian denominations and we learn why each one believes the way they do. However, my school supports the arminian viewpoint.

I do believe it is important to learn what other religions believe and what their basic doctrine is.

Analogy - At banks they train the tellers to recognize the real money. They learn how it feels, what it looks like, what the markings are etc.. So that when a counterfeit bill crosses their path they can recognize it. That is what we need to do as christians. Learn what the bible teaches so when we see a counterfeit was are aware.

However - The investigator's learn the markings of a counterfeit and how to trace those marking back to the people producing it. This helps them in their investigations. We, as leaders, need to be aware of heresies, be able to defend what we believe and provide correction and instruction in the truth.

The differences in denominational doctrine is something we can agree to disagree on especially if scripture can be found to support both. Some denominations support women in lead ministry roles some do not. Some denominations believe that everything is predestined and some do not. That is a personal struggle and you have to work out with the Lord and get your own confirmation on.

My suggestion is to find a school that lines up with your beliefs and go from there. It's funny I've known people who started out believing their were either arminian or Calvistist and at the end of their studies they had switched and others have been strengthen.

Good Luck!

Grace and peace.
 
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kenisyes

Guest
#5
#5
I was raised Catholic. I learned all the wrong answers. But I learned the right questions, and that was almost as good. It was a simple matter to get the right answers from the Holy Spirit after I got saved. As a college teacher myself, I know that the level of instruction is more important than the teacher's opinions. I'd check if the place is accredited by the appropriate government agency. If so, they are teaching you how to think; that is really most of the battle.

1Disciple, I agree with your observations. There is a reason the word "seminary" sounds so much like "cemetery".
 
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Married_Richenbrachen

Guest
#6
#6
Nah, I wouldn't do it. I am a little... suspicious of all forms of education, and if a Bible College has been compromised so seriously that it allows women to be trained as elders (pastor/teachers), what sort of education can they give?

In my (biased) view, it'd be better to get a good paying job, and learn the things the Bible College would teach you from Godly men who obey the Master, in your spare time.
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#7
Sep 4, 2013
30,186
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113
#7
Married_Richenbrachen said:
Nah, I wouldn't do it. I am a little... suspicious of all forms of education, and if a Bible College has been compromised so seriously that it allows women to be trained as elders (pastor/teachers), what sort of education can they give?

In my (biased) view, it'd be better to get a good paying job, and learn the things the Bible College would teach you from Godly men who obey the Master, in your spare time.
Click to expand...

I'm sooooooooo glad you included "In my (biased) view......." :)

In my BIASED view, these Universities could give most anyone a solid foundation in the understanding of the Word of God WITHOUT the biased ideologies of various denominations who cling to the traditions of a civilization long ago past......

(but, now, that is just my BIASED opinion.......... :) ........... so ............)

God bless
 
HeRoseFromTheDead

HeRoseFromTheDead

Senior Member
#8
Sep 4, 2012
14,424
689
113
#8
1disciple said:
I went to Theology school for 8 years in total.

Looking back on all the nonsense I learned, I wish I hadn't.

I learned everything I never wanted to know about all sorts of things except what I wanted to know--the Bible.

Everything I learned about the Bible in Theology school, I learned on my own.

If you don't have to spend as long as I did in Theology school, then you might be ok as long as you can get away from it in no more than a few years. I consider the vast majority of Theology schools today to be pseudo-intellectual propaganda clearing houses designed to promote and create the shill instead of the scholar.

Good luck. You're going to need it.
Click to expand...
Ecclesiastik

I would recommend paying attention to this advice. I think you need to clearly determine the reasons why you want to go to seminary.
 
2

2011

Guest
#9
#9
I had just started doing this school; "Christian Leaders Institute" (https://www.christianleadersinstitute.org/application) I am loving it so far. They do everything for free (You take the basic's class to earn your scholarship) and through the net. I am in their Basics class right now working for my scholarship. It has some good teachers and they are not teaching any domination stuff. It is just what the Bible says and they work on getting the knowledge to you. So you can do this anywhere. I have been learning more about the Bible in this basics class then any of the classes I took elsewhere. Hope that helps.
 
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