Is Christian Eduaction Required?

[NiceneCreed]

Are you currently in possession of a religious degree or in school to obtain one? Do you feel your pursuit of religious education has made you well-rounded or better able to serve God? Is ATS Accreditation really necessary? Lastly, do you feel it is necessary for one to hold such a degree to enter the ministry? These question are for those who have or will have their M.Div., Th.M., M.A.R., or any related/similar religious degree.

If you do not hold or are not pursuing such a degree, you may still post your opinion on the matter.

 

[OwenHeidenreich]

The Lord is your teacher. Turn away from every single desire of the flesh and give your life to God and surrender to the King if you want people to be saved by the graceful Glory of God. This is the best way to see and hear God speaking and prophecying through you. I KNOW IT CAN HAPPEN, ALL IT TAKES IS PLEASING GOD BY LIVING BY THE SPIRIT. 100% 200%

Instead of calling theologians your teacher, call the Holy Spirit your teacher. God is all about showing his love. and part of his Love is showing his glory and Holy Power. This power was in Jesus because Jesus lived by the Spirit.

You will gain words of knowledge, and the spiritual gifts if you seek Love earnestly and give up all of your sinful desires, if you want people to be saved by his grace.

If you want more clear instructions then you can read my study in romans 8:1-11. study it for yourself and really take in to account your own life.

i promise you.

if you want more information, then get it from people who LIVE THIS OUT.

YOUTUBE - SCHOOL OF POWER AND LOVE DAN MOHLER AND TODD WHITE

please The holy spirit has lead me into this exact teaching that I just told you about and I have seen maybe 10 people healed at school, at home, and in my taekwondo class.

 

[Kerry]

The only educated disciple was Luke, The doctor, and later Paul. God more than not uses people that society would not. Gideon is a prime example. When Samuel came to Jesse, he presented his older sons and left David in the field.

 

[NiceneCreed]

You know, I have often questioned whether or not my education is truly necessary to serve God or have an understanding of His Word. We must remember that none of the biblical figures obtained college degrees. However, it should be said that, some of the individuals in the Bible did receive formal schooling pertaining to God's Word; Paul immediately comes to mind. Furthermore, while there are those who did not receive any formal training, it was common practice for Jewish boys to study Scripture, and for Jewish girls to study the Psalms, taking into consideration the Historical-cultural context, that is. Also, Paul writes to Timothy, and he states, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, New International Version, 2011). Am I correct in stating we should infer from Paul's teaching that, we are to study God's Word, correctly determining Authorial Intent? How does one correctly handle the word of truth, if one does not study God's Word?

I am not stating I agree one should receive a formal college education to serve in the ministry. However, taking into consideration some of the details I pointed out, one must admit that it does, at the very least, beg the question: Is one Required to Study God's Word in Order to Serve in the Ministry? I think the answer is a definite Yes! Yet should one be excluded from serving in the ministry, due to a lack of manmade credentials? I think not. On the other hand, how does one measure the extent of one's knowledge who does not hold a degree? Does a degree determine the extent of one's knowledge as it pertains to Scripture, or could we even identify a degree as a standard? This is the dilemma I believe that I, and others, have faced and will continue to face, whenever this topic is discussed.

Thus, I posted the questions as I did, in the hopes that those who are entering the ministry, can honestly answer if they feel their religious education makes them any more qualified than those who do not have such an education. I think it is apparent I have more questions than answers, and this is an issue I must tackle for many more years to come. Thank you for your awesome reply!

Grace and Peace!

 

[kenisyes]

My education is in mathematics, but I have been in ministry since 1968. I had Catholic school, but of course, all that did was teach me the right questions, not the right answers. Formal education is not necessary, but spending time learning from God, the Bible, books by real Christians with a ministry to teach, and life, is. A degree and/or ordination may actually be counterproductive, as once you are licensed by one denomination, you are often not welcome anywhere else.

Most commentators think Paul was fully educated and possibly even licensed as a Jewish rabbi (the synagogue gave him authority to organize a team and persecute Christians). He himself mentions a clue only once, "sat at the feet of Gamaliel", and he says repeatedly "an apostle of/called by/etc. Jesus Christ", indicating the call is more important than the training. Also, except for Paul, pretty near everyone who held an office in the church for the first 20 years or so, was one of the 12 or the further 70, so Jesus taught them all Himself, but none had any official credentials, except Luke, as already mentioned. Recall that it is only in the last hundred years or so, that doctors were college trained and licensed; up until then, it was mostly apprenticeship training.

 

[NiceneCreed]

You raised some valid points. And I do not dispute that the majority of those called to serve in the ministry were without formal education (at least what we would consider a formal education to be by modern standards), yet it was a common practice in Jewish culture to teach young boys the Torah, and this leaves the impression that even those without any formal biblical training, at the very least, had a knowledge of Scripture which may have been quite comparable to that received by the seminarians of today. This isn't to say a college degree is necessary. It does, however, bring some other questions to mind. Thanks for your well thought out reply!

Grace and Peace!

 

[NiceneCreed]

I forgot to mention that I agree ordination/licensure is counterproductive. There are many denominations that will not accept pastors who have received their ordination/licensure from other denominations. I suppose that has more to do with doctrinal differences, however.

 

[WeStand]

Any time spent in The Word is not a waste of time. The meaning of the word disciple in the Greek simply means to be home-educated.

We all get that discipline lol.

From my studies, though there have been both good and bad pastors/teachers, throughout all the generations of the faithkeepers; we are in a very special generation, where with the power of a computer, we can virtullaly research anything one desires to know about; however there is of course good, bad and false information, that's why prayer for discernment is so important, if ones conscious is confused about a matter concerning Our Father's Words of Truth and not what some man, or any man says.

We all learn at our own pace, in His time, as He knows better than us what kind of discipline we need

I have my doubts whether there are any good pastors/teachers left anymore, if they were born after 1948, and only very few left from the faithkeepers : (

As in this generation there are only 2 left to go, of GOD ALMIGHTY'S chosen ones; the 2 great witnesses, and the rest of us, just witnesses : )

To the WORD spoken to and recorded by Moses & The Prophets, Affirmed & Confirmed in & through the same Living WORD, Christ/Messiah and the lives of his apostles.

Praise be to YAHAVEH

Judah be to YAHAVEH'S Saviour

Christ/Messiah​

 

[Abiding]

I definantly dont think it takes and education to serve God at all.
On the other hand i do think it takes one to teach. Whether formal
or not...

But to live as a believer in this world standing in your faith
loving your neighbor is serving God.

 

[NiceneCreed]

Awesome answer!

 

[santuzza]

I think formal education is only required if you want to know how to SPELL "eduaction" or "definantly."

Okay, sorry for the sarcastic response...

But seriously, what is WRONG with formal education as long as it is from a good school with a sterling reputation? I realize that the Holy Spirit guides our education in the Word, but having awesome Bible professors is amazing and eye-opening.

With that said, yes, my degrees are in music and not theology, and I am in music ministry. However, I have a senior pastor and elder board as my authority and accountability partners to keep me on my toes!

 

[OwenHeidenreich]

You know, I have often questioned whether or not my education is truly necessary to serve God or have an understanding of His Word. We must remember that none of the biblical figures obtained college degrees. However, it should be said that, some of the individuals in the Bible did receive formal schooling pertaining to God's Word; Paul immediately comes to mind. Furthermore, while there are those who did not receive any formal training, it was common practice for Jewish boys to study Scripture, and for Jewish girls to study the Psalms, taking into consideration the Historical-cultural context, that is. Also, Paul writes to Timothy, and he states, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, New International Version, 2011). Am I correct in stating we should infer from Paul's teaching that, we are to study God's Word, correctly determining Authorial Intent? How does one correctly handle the word of truth, if one does not study God's Word?

I am not stating I agree one should receive a formal college education to serve in the ministry. However, taking into consideration some of the details I pointed out, one must admit that it does, at the very least, beg the question: Is one Required to Study God's Word in Order to Serve in the Ministry? I think the answer is a definite Yes! Yet should one be excluded from serving in the ministry, due to a lack of manmade credentials? I think not. On the other hand, how does one measure the extent of one's knowledge who does not hold a degree? Does a degree determine the extent of one's knowledge as it pertains to Scripture, or could we even identify a degree as a standard? This is the dilemma I believe that I, and others, have faced and will continue to face, whenever this topic is discussed.

Thus, I posted the questions as I did, in the hopes that those who are entering the ministry, can honestly answer if they feel their religious education makes them any more qualified than those who do not have such an education. I think it is apparent I have more questions than answers, and this is an issue I must tackle for many more years to come. Thank you for your awesome reply!

Grace and Peace!

I answered this because I am entering the ministry. I am only 15 and I am still learning, but because I trust in God and let the Holy Spirit speak through me an education in the flesh does not matter as much as prayer and educating yourself in the Spirit.
I hope you understand that I did not say an education is uninportant, I was showing you that the Holy Spirit is the only one who convicts, saves, and teaches.

WE as people in flesh can only plant and water seeds, but who makes them Grow? We plant the seeds of the Kingdom of Heaven, NiceneCreed! That is what sharing the Gospel is.

The best way to plant Kingdom seeds, in my opinion, is to seek the Holy Spirit, seek His Love, and in return seek the Spiritual gifts. In my opinion that is the best way because it shows the love and humbling power that comes with knowing who God is.

A seed bears fruit after its kind. So if you're the tree who is spreading seeds, always remember that you are spreading the same seed into the person you are sharing the Gospel with.

SO, if you share the Holy Spirit's testimony out of the Holy Spirits mouth that He gave you, then in return the person who is hearing you will share the Holy Spirits testimony out the Holy Spirits mouth that He gave him.

 

[NiceneCreed]

Heh . . . Yeah . . . it was a typo, but thanks for taking notice. LOL! I, for the most part, am in agreement with you. I do not think there is anything wrong with receiving a formal education. On the other hand, I do not think a formal education should be required to serve in the ministry. With that being said, I have often wondered if the only standard for measuring one's biblical knowledge is by looking at their degree. What do their transcripts look like, where did they attend school, what type of doctrine do they believe in, what was their school's doctrine, etc.? Honestly speaking, I have no true allegiance to either side of this argument. As with the Calvinism vs. Arminianism debate, I am completely torn. Every time I answer one or two questions with regards to this topic, 10 more questions seem to arise. No matter; life goes on. LOL! Sorry if I confused you, because I sure did confuse myself just now. Thanks for the reply and God Bless!

 

[kenisyes]

Maybe your ministry lies in another direction besides helping settle theological debates? you don't have answers to Clavinism vs. Armenianism because God gave you something different to build the Kingdom with.

 

[BeanieD]

I think that "formal education" is not really that important. After all, these are human teachers and most "man" has their own interpretation of what is read. The most important thing for me, is that the one helping, training, and teaching lives the life they teach. Allowing God to work in our lives, lead us, and provide knowledge as we are maturing at the right time. When we are completely focused on God during our study, we can't go too wrong. If we feel there might be something out of place, ask God to reveal the truth and He sure does. Blessings

 

[NiceneCreed]

You may be right! And who am I to say where God will lead me? Only time will tell me His will for my life. Thank you for the insight, and God Bless!

Grace and Peace!

 

[OwenHeidenreich]

Maybe your ministry lies in another direction besides helping settle theological debates? you don't have answers to Clavinism vs. Armenianism because God gave you something different to build the Kingdom with.

I wish i could like this comment twice!! God gave us his SPIRIT the same SPIRIT that Jesus had when he rose from the dead. Romans 8:11

"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, WHO LIVES IN YOU."

 

[RickyZ]

I think formal education is only required if you want to know how to SPELL "eduaction"

Actually I like that word 'eduaction'. Unless your education translates into action, it is for naught.

 

[zone]

Are you currently in possession of a religious degree or in school to obtain one? Do you feel your pursuit of religious education has made you well-rounded or better able to serve God? Is ATS Accreditation really necessary? Lastly, do you feel it is necessary for one to hold such a degree to enter the ministry? These question are for those who have or will have their M.Div., Th.M., M.A.R., or any related/similar religious degree.

If you do not hold or are not pursuing such a degree, you may still post your opinion on the matter.

i don't hold any of those degrees (mine are virtually useless at this point B.A.; M.A.; M.F.A)

yes, i do believe it is beneficial, and i do believe it is necessary for our teachers and pastors to have earned M.Div., Th.M., M.A.R., or any related/similar religious degree.

at least, it's a best case scenario.

good question.

haven't seen this at CC before.

 

[jerusalem]

if God is leading you into a college or seminary by all means go and if he is leading you away from schooling and into a jungle by all means go there too. we all need clothing but it doesn't always have to be formal.