Are Seminaries and Bible Colleges Biblical?

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Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
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You example shows a sort of multiple choice. You are given four choices in which the theologians have allowed.
But what happens when all they allowed choices are all in error? Now they have you boxed in, contained if you will. And this is what man does. Man lays restrictions on top of what God laid. God liberates us, Man restricts us.

In this case man has restricted you to choose the following:
1. Historic Premillennialism
2. Postmillennialism
3. Amillennialism
4. Dispensationalist Premillennialism.

Now what if I choose none of the above? Then some man like Dino246 insults me, and other men give him thumbs up for insulting me.

Jeremiah 17:5
New International Version
This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:7
New International Version
"But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
God called me to seminary, twice! It was the best thing I have ever done. It enriched my understanding of the Bible, taught me biblical languages, and many tools for ministry.

No one taught me theology. We had a professor and an excellent text book, but the basic principle was that the prof would give out the basic forms of theology, then we would examine for ourselves to see what we believed, and then it could be confirmed by comparing to the theory, and more important, the Bible!

For example, we learned about the ideas about how we are saved, decide what we believe, and defend it.

Eschatology has 4 different patterns:
1. Historic Premillennialism
2. Postmillennialism
3. Amillennislism
4. Dispensationalist PreMillennialist

So, you learn the 4 viewpoints. But you don't have to believe they are all true, or none is true. But you do need to understand what each viewpoint is, even if you disagree with it. And if you understand one viewpoint, know the verses that support it, so you can discuss and debate both sides.

Further, you need to understand different denominations and compare and contrast it to the Bible. A good seminary doesn't teach you what to say, but rather, it teaches us how to use the tools with our minds, but also it helps in our spiritual formation. God gave me so many tools to preach and teach! A good seminary won't demand you believe things you don't agree with. A bad seminary will demand conformity to a long set of rules of the denominations


Well, it is obvious you know little about scholarship or widely accepted views. If you have some kind of 5 or 6th view, I'm sure everyone would love to hear it. However, don't bother if you are going to use made up ideas about theology. You seem to know nothing, I would assume that includes no clue about theology, eschatology, etc. But I am always open to listen to something new. But likely you won't convince me. Feel free to follow your own lights, and let God be with those who can biblically defend their hermeneutics!
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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who wants to do a bible quiz?

Ten questions, and you get multichoice answers.

if you get 10/10 you get the glory.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,771
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Acts 15: What does the Council of Jerusalem tell us? Any takers?
The Council of Jerusalem met for a very specific reason. But the church at Jerusalem had no authority over any other churches. Each apostolic church was independent and autonomous. There was no hierarchy of any kind, and certainly no denominations. While the apostles were alive, they were overseers of all the churches with which they were associated. After that the elders would be overseers. Hence the term episkopos (translated as bishop). But things changed drastically upon the demise of the apostles.
 
Apr 26, 2021
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Dearie, new revelation about God came only to Abraham and his natural believing seed not to Prophet Bob on YouTube or the NAR crowd.

Romans 3:1-2 KJVS
[1] What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? [2] Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

Do you know what an oracle is?
An oracle of God is a prophet. A prophet speaking. Or it's the inner most holy chamber, holiest of holy.

Now, do you know what a prophet is?

You have added the concept of "new revelation" to the mix which was not present in my reply to another poster on another topic.

If you wish to discuss, debate or dispute "new revelation," start an appropriate thread on the subject.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
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An oracle of God is a prophet. A prophet speaking. Or it's the inner most holy chamber, holiest of holy.

Now, do you know what a prophet is?

You have added the concept of "new revelation" to the mix which was not present in my reply to another poster on another topic.

If you wish to discuss, debate or dispute "new revelation," start an appropriate thread on the subject.
Perhaps one should learn these concepts first.
1. Citing Scripture does not make one a Prophet.
2. Only Jews were given the oracles of God.
3. It was 'new revelation'' at the time it was given by God to the Jewish Prophets and Apostles.

In the verse I quoted you (Rom 3:2) use of the word 'oracles'...

λόγιον, ου, τό. plural in the NT oracles, sayings, message, originating from God and received as direct revelation; used of laws (AC 7.38), promises (RO 3.2), inspired utterances (1P 4.11), salvation history (HE 5.12) (ALGNT) it's the plural form of message...not prophet.

Perhaps some seminary work would help some of us,
 

Nebuchadnezzer

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2019
1,134
205
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God called me to seminary, twice! It was the best thing I have ever done. It enriched my understanding of the Bible, taught me biblical languages, and many tools for ministry.

No one taught me theology. We had a professor and an excellent text book, but the basic principle was that the prof would give out the basic forms of theology, then we would examine for ourselves to see what we believed, and then it could be confirmed by comparing to the theory, and more important, the Bible!

For example, we learned about the ideas about how we are saved, decide what we believe, and defend it.

Eschatology has 4 different patterns:
1. Historic Premillennialism
2. Postmillennialism
3. Amillennislism
4. Dispensationalist PreMillennialist

So, you learn the 4 viewpoints. But you don't have to believe they are all true, or none is true. But you do need to understand what each viewpoint is, even if you disagree with it. And if you understand one viewpoint, know the verses that support it, so you can discuss and debate both sides.

Further, you need to understand different denominations and compare and contrast it to the Bible. A good seminary doesn't teach you what to say, but rather, it teaches us how to use the tools with our minds, but also it helps in our spiritual formation. God gave me so many tools to preach and teach! A good seminary won't demand you believe things you don't agree with. A bad seminary will demand conformity to a long set of rules of the denominations


Well, it is obvious you know little about scholarship or widely accepted views. If you have some kind of 5 or 6th view, I'm sure everyone would love to hear it. However, don't bother if you are going to use made up ideas about theology. You seem to know nothing, I would assume that includes no clue about theology, eschatology, etc. But I am always open to listen to something new. But likely you won't convince me. Feel free to follow your own lights, and let God be with those who can biblically defend their hermeneutics!
You use a lot of man-made terms such as:
- eschatology
- hermanutics
- dispensationalist
- theology

You have self-pride in these man-made things and so when I merely question these things, as I should, it becomes very personal to you. Sin is a very personal thing and perhaps you take offense at what I write because of your sin.

Another indication of your self-pride is your condescension toward me. You suggest I know nothing but in fact I have knowledge of the scriptures and I know that we are to test everything and hold fast to what is good.

I am merely testing to see if seminaries are of God's design or if they are of man's design and so far I can see that some have much pride in seminaries. I can begin to see that seminaries to some are almost sacred to them kind of like a rosary bead or temple.

I grew up catholic and there were many rituals and procedures and it was all sacred and yet I did not understand any of it. But who was I to question it for I was nobody.

But then I was saved.
Ever since I have been growing in understanding of the scriptures and who God is and how he is truly different from man. I then began to see the overt errors in the catholic faith. Most of these errors are man-made traditions. They make it look like you following God, but you are really just following man-made traditions and inventions. God revealed these things to me.

So now I am in the evangelical and reformed circles and they are less ritual and of course more pointing to Jesus, but still certain things are off limits from being questioned or tested. Seminaries are one of these sacred things thing sthat are off limits. Once again I am being chided, "who are you to question". My answer today is different. I am somebody, for I am a child of God.

So yes I refuse to be restricted and boxed-in by what man declares.

For I love God more than I love man.
 

Nebuchadnezzer

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2019
1,134
205
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Eschatology has 4 different patterns:
1. Historic Premillennialism
2. Postmillennialism
3. Amillennislism
4. Dispensationalist PreMillennialist

So, you learn the 4 viewpoints. But you don't have to believe they are all true, or none is true. But you do need to understand what each viewpoint is, even if you disagree with it. And if you understand one viewpoint, know the verses that support it, so you can discuss and debate both sides.
I disagree with this!

Eschatology has four doctrines:
Historicism
PReterism
Futurism
Idealism

But now the seminaries are inventing (or recirculating) a fifith false doctrine now called Eclectic Approach.

So by your man-made rules I now have to spend more time learning a fifth false doctrine invented by men.
The demand you set is that I must play by man's rules and stipulations. I must be boxed-in by what men say.

Here you are setting rules for me to play by. You say that I "need" to do this, before I can discuss this or that. Wrong! I don't "need" to follow or know what man says! I need to follow and know what God says!

Most people here don't seem to understand this deception that is being pumped out of the seminaries.

I am paraphrasing the seminaries, 'We write the doctrines and you need to play by our rules!'
 

Nebuchadnezzer

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2019
1,134
205
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The Council of Jerusalem met for a very specific reason. But the church at Jerusalem had no authority over any other churches. Each apostolic church was independent and autonomous. There was no hierarchy of any kind, and certainly no denominations. While the apostles were alive, they were overseers of all the churches with which they were associated. After that the elders would be overseers. Hence the term episkopos (translated as bishop). But things changed drastically upon the demise of the apostles.
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

There is even more error in the Council of Jerusalem than I recognized! Thanks for posting.

No wonder Paul criticized James in Galatians 2.
 

Nebuchadnezzer

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2019
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205
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Whose truth? Yours?
You are playing games if you can't describe your end times view in brief.
Here is my view in brief.

1) the office of pope is the man of lawlessness.
2) the seminaries who control the teachings and doctrines hide, deny, deflect who the man of lawlessness is.
3) the pope authorized via the Council of Trent for seminaries to be compulsary.

And now you know why he did that.

Is this brief enough????
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,400
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Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

There is even more error in the Council of Jerusalem than I recognized! Thanks for posting.

No wonder Paul criticized James in Galatians 2.
Do your homework! Paul didn't criticize James in Galatians 2 at all, and there still is no error that you can identify in the Jerusalem council.

You're grasping at straws.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,400
13,746
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Eschatology has four doctrines:
Historicism
PReterism
Futurism
Idealism
Where is that in Scripture? Some teachers use this classification, and others use the set that Angela presented. It's not either/or; they both describe the range of approaches.

Most people here don't seem to understand this deception that is being pumped out of the seminaries.
What a foolish statement! Which do you think is better: to teach people the different approaches to interpreting Revelation, or to teach them only one approach and leave them blind to the others?
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,670
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This is interesting. Can you please expound on this?
(Even though it is off topic)
Look at all the Books in the Bible and then read this,,,

Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. (Rom 3:2)

They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
(Rom 9:4-5)

You never read of Gentiles being Apostles or Prophets except amongst Churches that have gone off the deep end.
 

EnglishChick

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2021
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England UK
Not biblical I guess as they didn't have them in the Bible unless you consider the rabbinical discussions in the temple (where the young Jesus crept off to listen and discuss). But not necessarily wrong

Riding a bike isn't in the bible

ditto Cleaning your teeth

Ditto using a laptop


None of the above are wrong.
 

Nebuchadnezzer

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2019
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Where is that in Scripture? Some teachers use this classification, and others use the set that Angela presented. It's not either/or; they both describe the range of approaches.


What a foolish statement! Which do you think is better: to teach people the different approaches to interpreting Revelation, or to teach them only one approach and leave them blind to the others?
I think what is even better is the countless end times books that have been published and profited from and serve to teach, no wait, to confound the topic even more.

Oh wait, the seminaries are one of the biggest publishers of books and books and more books

John F. Walvoord (May 1, 1910 – December 20, 2002) was a Christian theologian, pastor, and president of Dallas Theological Seminary from 1952 to 1986. He was the author of over 30 books, focusing primarily on eschatology
 

Nebuchadnezzer

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2019
1,134
205
63
(Even though it is off topic)
Look at all the Books in the Bible and then read this,,,

Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. (Rom 3:2)

They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
(Rom 9:4-5)

You never read of Gentiles being Apostles or Prophets except amongst Churches that have gone off the deep end.
So even Paul who was an apostle to the gentiles was himself a jew.

So in Acts 11 was Agabus a jew as well?