Degree Is It Worth the Paper?

In your case John, it was definitely worth it. You are using your education to serve the Lord. But for those who come out of Seminary puffed up and thinking they're smarter than everyone else, it is a total waste of time and money.

 

In my heart, there is nothing greater than serving Christ. What a privilege to serve the Lord of the universe! Seminary can give one the tools to serve Christ, but not the Christian character and motivation.

 

A good education is like a good tool. It makes the job easier, but you have to use it correctly or it could be a danger to you and others.

 

Agreed BUT I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water here. It's not actually the degree, but what the degree forces us to learn. Can we learn the same on our own? maybe, but the degree keeps us on track to get accomplish the learning.

I know not all programs or degrees are equal . . . (I am an educator after all )

 

And you have all of those.

I still think of you every time I go to Murfreesboro and see John Rice Blvd.

 

I lived with them for a year where Sam's Club and JRR Blvd. are now. Have fond memories of playing "42 Dominos," riding horses, etc. with Grandma and Grandpa.

John R. Rice had seminary training but no advanced degrees. (A fellow student at college once said, "John R. Rice's doctorate is not earned." I replied, "Yeah, but he has five of them!") He is a great example of someone greatly used of God, yet with no advanced degrees. He studied extensively and did his best to seek the truth on any subject. While I worked for him he asked me to get his library in order--it took up a whole room, probably 10,000 volumes or more! When he wrote his book on the Charismatic movement he probably read 20-30 books in preparation.

A similar example is Charles Fuller, founder of Fuller Seminary. He had no advanced degrees, but ended up hiring and firing many with doctorates! Bob Jones Sr. is another example of an evangelist/educator with no advanced degrees. There are many such movers and shakers.

 

I wish I had said that!!!!

 

Thanks for the kind words. I don't plan to quit the BB yet...though I've thought about it.

 

Friend, I respect you here on the BB. But this answer is what I call Americo-centric. Please think globally. In most countries around the world the mentor method is the way to go, and that is what my Bible school is promoting, especially with the pastoral courses. However, it is almost impossible to get an education in the original languages in most places in Japan.

Here in my city of 320,000 or so, I am the only person capable of teaching Greek, missionary or Japanese. (A new missionary has taught it in America, but doesn't have enough Japanese yet.) I teach Greek to a Methodist man in his 50's who wants to be a pastor but can in no way go off to seminary. There is only one other Bible institute on the island of Hokkaido (several million people), down in Sapporo. You can take beginning Greek there but they have no Hebrew classes.

I spoke at a Bible institute in a Muslim country last year. No Greek or Hebrew. In fact, I would guess that in any Gospel resistant country (Islamic, Buddhist) you would be hard put to find courses in the original languages. Yet those men I met last year (and the Japanese pastors I know) have great spritual depth and ability, and make great pastors. I'm in awe at the love for the Word and the deep commitment those young pastors-in-training have. They face daily persecution: beatings, hatred, anger. Surely their character makes up for all the Greek or Hebrew knowledge you and I may have!

 

You are correct; I should have qualified my statement as referring to the situation in the U.S. In other countries, the mentor/apprentice approach may be the best way to go. And certainly those who are not able to get access to the languages for such reasons as you have listed here, are not to be blamed for such. But this is a lot different from those in the U.S., who have the ability, but choose the "quick and easy" path...

Also, I bet these faithful men and women would LOVE to learn to read the languages, and would be willing to put in the time. They would probably admit, as my pastor does, that there studies are more limited because of that lack of knowledge. That is a lot different than what people are saying on this board, that is, that it is just as good NOT to go to Seminary...

 

Thanks for a good answer. Our world mission, "that's where it's at" for the 21st century Christian.

I'm currently corresponding with an African pastor who wants to come to Japan as a missionary. Don't even know yet if he's baptistic! He doesn't have a theological education yet, and of course I'll advise him to get one, even though he's very eager to get to Japan right away (typical and refreshing missionary candidate attitude). But is there a seminary near him? Maybe not even in his country! But with his humble attitude and zeal he may make a better pastor than you or I!