Are Seminaries and Bible Colleges Biblical?

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2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
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#42
Those who are such are inherently resistant, if not actually immune, to correction.
So you believe that the best way to help those who are struggling (in your opinion) is to belittle and berate? True Christians are compelled to speak to others in a Loving way . . . this is the very Holy and Spiritual Work that is Produced by a changed Heart, which is completed by the Spirit. I hope that one day you will change the way you approach others.

Romans 2:28-29 NKJV - 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#44
True Christians are compelled to speak to others in a Loving way . . .
You knew this was coming,...

Matthew 3:7 (NASB) But when he (John the Baptist) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Matthew 23:33 (NASB) "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell? (Jesus)
 

2ndTimothyGroup

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Feb 20, 2021
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#45
You knew this was coming,...

Matthew 3:7 (NASB) But when he (John the Baptist) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Matthew 23:33 (NASB) "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?
Nah . . . that's Christ speaking, and it is the Lord who is allowed to speak to humans in such a way. In contrast, we see the Apostle Paul apologize for speaking to a High Priest in an unsavory manner:

Acts 23:3-5 NKJV - 3 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, [you] whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?" 4 And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" 5 Then Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.' "

It is Christ who is allowed to speak to His Creation any way He so chooses. He has not given us that role.

Matthew 5:22 NLT - 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#47
Nah . . . that's Christ speaking, and it is the Lord who is allowed to speak to humans in such a way. In contrast, we see the Apostle Paul apologize for speaking to a High Priest in an unsavory manner:

Acts 23:3-5 NKJV - 3 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, [you] whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?" 4 And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" 5 Then Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.' "

It is Christ who is allowed to speak to His Creation any way He so chooses. He has not given us that role.

Matthew 5:22 NLT - 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
Check again, it is also John the Baptist. Besides, don't true Christians have the Spirit of Jesus Whom they are to reflect?
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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#49
Studying the Word is commanded, and what better way to do it
than with others who bring different perspectives to the table?


Of course this need not be done in an official environment such as a school.

Reading from different translations can also help deepen our understanding :)

Though there are more than a few translations I do not care much for ;)
 

2ndTimothyGroup

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Feb 20, 2021
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#50
Check again, it is also John the Baptist. Besides, don't true Christians have the Spirit of Jesus Whom they are to reflect?
Ahhh . . . but who is John the Baptist? It is good to ponder why Jesus would say what He said about John . . . there are some amazing implications:

Matthew 11:11 NKJV - 11 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Yes. It seems right that True Christians have the Spirit of Jesus, a Spirit which [will] be reflected in new ways throughout life.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#51
So you believe that the best way to help those who are struggling (in your opinion) is to belittle and berate?
So you believe that making wild speculations and accusations based thereon is the best way to help people? I can imitate Cathy Newman too, but it won't move the conversation in a helpful direction.

What do you make of Proverbs 27:5?
 

2ndTimothyGroup

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Feb 20, 2021
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#52
So you believe that making wild speculations and accusations based thereon is the best way to help people? I can imitate Cathy Newman too, but it won't move the conversation in a helpful direction.

What do you make of Proverbs 27:5?
Proverbs 27:5 NKJV - "Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed."

You aren't rebuking, rather, you are guilting and shaming. And, the way you do it is such a horrific representation of Christianity. I'm embarrassed by your hurtful words. No need to respond or reply. I'll never ascend to your strong personality.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
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#53
A seminary, school of theology, theological seminary, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called seminarians) in scripture, theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clergy, in academics, or in Christian ministry.

The English word is taken from the Latin seminarium, translated as seed-bed, an image taken from the Council of Trent document Cum adolescentium aetas which called for the first modern seminaries.

The Council of Trent (1545–1563) required the creation of diocesan seminaries with the canon Cum Adolescentium Aetas, adopted during the council's twenty-third session in 1563. ... Cardinal Pole's solution was to cure the carelessness of the clergy by erecting seminaries at every cathedral church.

Modern day Seminaries and Bible Colleges have their origin in the Council of Trent.

Where in scripture are the institutions of seminaries and bible colleges authorized or advocated for?

For reformers claim to follow sola scriptura but on seminaries and theology schools the reformers appear to follow the Council of Trent.

Here is one piece of scripture which speaks against any need for seminaries and bible colleges.

Jeremiah 34:31-34
The New Covenant
31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

I must respectfully disagree. Paul was Theologian and it is clear Jesus Hand-Picked HIM because of his understanding of the word of God as a card-carrying member of the Sanhedrin. Yes, he did count it all Dun for the sake of the Gospel but his Jewish tradition from the time of his bar mitzvah to the age of 24 Paul as most jews were in school.


The problem with the degree given in the Bible schools and seminaries in many receive them without conversion or personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I know some Catholic theologians who will give many a run for their money yet they have no relationship with the Lord.

They have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.
As many do they receive the certification, degree, etc... for self-gain like :

  • to do weddings,
  • work as chaplains in the military and civil,
  • counseling,
  • and starting a church.
They have no real desire to know Christ but have the knowledge of the things of God from the practical, philosophical methods. This helps them be accepted by the social graces of society (the world) and not have to stand for the truth of God's word on sin or perceived "fairy tales" by those of intellectual superiority.

However, this also helps those witnesses to the elites who would not give the common man the time of day.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#54
Yes. It seems right that True Christians have the Spirit of Jesus, a Spirit which [will] be reflected in new ways throughout life.
What 'new ways' other than the way Jesus exemplified? Hadn't you read passages like Mt 11:21-24 or Mt 23:13-39. Or has Jesus changed to be conformed to the modern day wishy-washy feminized Church?
 

2ndTimothyGroup

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Feb 20, 2021
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#55
Hadn't you read passages like Mt 11:21-24 or Mt 23:13-39.
Yes, I try to read the entire Bible twice per year.

The Holy Spirit gives gifts per his desire . . . not mine. How a person lives their lives is determined by the Effectual Laws of the Spirit of Life.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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#56
Where in scripture are the institutions of seminaries and bible colleges authorized or advocated for?
2 Kings
6:1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
6:2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
6:3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
6:4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
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#57
What 'new ways' other than the way Jesus exemplified? Hadn't you read passages like Mt 11:21-24 or Mt 23:13-39. Or has Jesus changed to be conformed to the modern-day wishy-washy feminized Church?
God used the foolish things to confound the wise. The gospel was foolishness to the greeks who were all a bunch of philosophers and mono-theistic. This is very evident when Paul preached about the 'unknown god".
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#58
Yes, I try to read the entire Bible twice per year.

The Holy Spirit gives gifts per his desire . . . not mine. How a person lives their lives is determined by the Effectual Laws of the Spirit of Life.
True, and I don't believe Jesus acted outside His Father's will, no matter how politically incorrect He strikes modern churchmen's sensibilities.
 

Nebuchadnezzer

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Feb 8, 2019
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#59
Another big area [of seminary] is Eschatology, has 4 different patterns:
1. Historic Premillennialism
2. Postmillennialism
3. Amillennialism
4. Dispensationalist Premillennialism.

All of these are accepted as theological valid, although people do debate extensively which view the Bible supports better.
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.
 

Nebuchadnezzer

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2019
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#60
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.

Another big area is Eschatology, has 4 different patterns:
1. Historic Premillennialism
2. Postmillennialism
3. Amillennialism
4. Dispensationalist Premillennialism.

All of these are accepted as theological valid, although people do debate extensively which view the Bible supports better.

We all need to be reading our Bibles daily, month after month, year after year. The Holy Spirit leads us into truth, but a seminary which has profs of different backgrounds who tell us what they believe, and pray with us, that God will guide us. The idea is to help us learn hermeneutics, so we have the tools and skills to decide for ourselves what is God's truth. Rather than learning HOW or WHAT to believe, we learn to search and study the Bible, to compare & contrast what we believed.

I went to a Canadian Baptist Seminary. We had people from many denominations, people came because of the quality of the courses and the professors, who were all overseas missionaries for a least 10 years. They had incredible insight and training on how to share the gospel, in an honest and open matter.
We had Lutherans and Reformed, various Baptist conferences, Anglicans, Presbyterian and Mennonite. We also had one Charismatic, who was a good challenge for people who had never been exposed to the sign gifts. I missed one course, because I was recovering from surgery. Pastoral Ministries. They were learning how to baptize and the charismatic decided to speak in tongues and interpret themself. The whole seminary was still in an uproar, when I went on campus for another intensive, 6 months later.

He was not thrown out or chastised. Pastors need to be friends with people who have different theology, and why they are different, and the same. That school was no box of pre-prepared lessons, for sure.

Some seminaries teach "our way and only our way." I think those are the schools to avoid. Seminary teach critical thinking, over views and gives us deeper insight into the story of Jesus Christ. If you do feel God's calling, be very sure the seminary you pick is going to give you a complete education, not just narrow boundaries of one denomination. But, be even more careful not to go to some seminary, that is "woke" liberal, leftist. Again, they are very set in their ways, as well as having compromised with the world!

I'm so grateful God called me to seminary, and now theological school, to earn a PhD in disability theology. If you have not heard a call from God, I would suggest you wait till you have a call. Times when I had too much work, or struggled, it was the call that I heard from God, twice, and the leading of the Holy Spirit that helped me keep in persevering. And it was worth it. Because seminary didn't just shape my intellect, but also my mind and soul, including my emotions. God taught me so much! If you get the right seminary, it can be a huge addition to the transformation into the image of God-Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and God the Father!
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


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.