I am all for Biblical education. It is essential for any person who teaches the Word and/or serves in the office of Pastor.
But, years spent at a seminary does not always mean the person has a biblical education.
Just because a person has a Phd does not mean the person has a biblical education.
My point is that it is essential that one is instructed by someone who Knows the Word, and many seminaries teach the doctrines of men, not the Word of God.
And why do some people who have that PhD insist on being call "Dr. So & So"?
I studied the Bible on my own for 25 years, before going to seminary. I read it, used Strong's and Vines' and memorized a lot of Scripture. Those certainly were not wasted years! But, neither did I learn as effectively and efficiently as at seminary. Having access to a huge library, researching and under the supervision of godly men and women, I progressed more in a year, than I did in the prior 25 years as a Christian. I studied things I would probably never have looked into, and God opened amazing doors of ministry for my life.
I guess there are people who might be called just to study the Bible, but in the end, seminary teaches you to do the practical things, to preach and teach, of course, and to disciple people, to lead them to Christ, and to counsel them. So, although a big portion of seminary is devoted to studying the Bible, learning the original languages and the proper way to exegete the text using good hermeneutical principles, there is also a lot of time where the spiritual walk of the student is dealt with, using mentors and various small groups.
So, don't knock it if you haven't tried it. As for the PhD, it is a doctorate, after all. My dad had a PhD, although far removed from anything Christian. If he wanted to impress someone, he always introduced himself as "Dr._______." If he wanted to get a deal on building supplies, he introduced himself as "Steve." So, a PhD is not just something for theologians.
In fact, if you want to teach in a university, secular or Christian, or in a seminary or theological school, you must have a PhD. It is always required by the certifying board. And certification is important. It helps maintain a high standard, and in developing the school. I participated in a certification process when I taught in elementary school. It was a lengthy process, but all schools, at every level, in the province I worked in required certification. And also certification for the teachers. When I retired I gave up my certification, so I wouldn't have to pay the annual fee. Then the daily rates for Teachers On Call, went sky high due to a teacher shortage, and I sort of regretted my decision. Except, most days I am not well enough to teach, which is why I relinquished it in the first place.
And now God has me working on a PhD in Practical Theology, I want to write books on how to help people who are suffering and how God can help them, not just in the church, but in the community. And let me tell you, the jump and expectations in learning for a PhD are about 300% higher than in seminary. And very hard on my health. But I am finding, that as in seminary, God uses the professors to point me in the right direction, and to give me a great foundation in theology. Seminaries and theological schools, if they are run properly by godly men and women, are truly used by the Holy Spirit to teach people how to serve God in many capacities. My seminary was Southern Baptist, with sound doctrine. My theological institute is a breakaway SBC school, almost everyone comes out of a SBC background. I don't agree with a few things, but I know I can trust them to be conservative, to teach that the Bible is correct and is our guidebook, and that being caring and compassionate, humble and kind, are also important in a theological education.
And why is people always think it is better just to read the Bible alone at home, and then walk into a church and teach and preach incredible things? I am not denying the power of the Holy Spirit, which is necessary for every believer. But God expects a lot more than that, for a leader, including a solid education. The reason I say that, is because Pastor Tom, the preacher with the PhD at my last church, who never ever called himself Dr., or even let it be known he had the PhD (I had to dig deep to find out), was the most incredible preacher, and humbler than any Christian I have ever known. He studied the great preachers, and many other things, and it truly shows the value of higher education.
PS Paul was extremely well educated for his day, and certainly Luke was a man of God who had studied at a very high level. His Greek is so complex, with so many hapax legomena, you almost have to read Luke and Acts with a lexicon in one hand. But John, whose Greek really is that of an Aramaic fisherman, still pounds so much truth into his gospel, epistles and Revelation. That is the power of the Holy Spirit, God using them as he saw fit, to write our Bible.
1
