Masters Divinity School

A couple of observations:

1. I am grateful that this discussion can be made with agreeable disagreement without anyone getting personal and flaming others. Thanks.

2. After almost 30 years in the ministry (I'm not as old at Rhet or UZThD! ), I'm unconvinced about the usefulness of most of the "practical" courses I've had in seminary. Leadership courses, personal evangelism, curriculum development, and such were not much help. I can acquire that information by reading and talking with experienced ministers. I wish I had had more courses in Greek and Hebrew exegesis. I think I would be as well off had I had a BA in Bible, an MA, and a PhD.

3. (OK, three is more than a couple) I agree with Rhet. Some of us are educated beyond our intelligence!

Rhet (and anyone else for that matter), if you ever come through SC down I-26, I'm only about three miles off the interstate. Drop in and we'll have a meal together.

Blessings,
Bill

 

Bill

I won't bite hard on that - just because you did not learn what you could have learned from your practical professors, I won't say that I did not learn from my more academic professors.

But, it is much easier for me to teach myself Greek, Hebrew, or read Calvin's Institutes than it is for me to learn the intricacies of ministry by reading a book. It is much easier for me to teach myself theology by reading a book than it is to teach myself how to counsel a married couple by reading a book.

 

Hi Wayne,

Just a point: I didn't say that I didn't "learn" from my profs of practical courses. I just didn't find them that useful. Maybe we have different ways of learning. I prefered the more direct instruction in the academic areas to make sure I was not misunderstanding something in light of the overall area being presented, such as taking something out of context.

In matters of counseling, for instance, I prefer to read books and continue to learn as I counsel. The same goes with personal evangelism and other practical areas.

That said, I think we agree that seminary training is merely foundational training to our continued education beyond the walls of the seminary. It is sad when pastors fail to continue their personal and ministerial growth past graduation.

Bill

 

Bill,

I do respect my difference from you. Without differences, It would almost be as if God would be reaching the same people twice . . . if that were the case, my being here would be a waste.

I do learn differently. I finally had a professor (in that other degree program) have us do a learning styles assessment. The purpose was to show us how to assess user (learner) needs. I was stunned to learn that some people learn almost nothing by reading. But, if that same person is a truly tactile learner, they can learn to play a piano very quickly.

I am actually a 'rounded' learner. Unfortunately, that means that most learning is 'work' for me. I can learn to play piano, but it is WORK. I can digest Calvin's Institutes & Augustine's Confessions, but that is work (altho' it is lower case work for me). I read 20 theology texts before seminary*, but that was work. Sometimes, I wish that I had read Calvin sooner, I would have finished him.



* And I read 6 greek grammers and part of the GNT before seminary.

 

Bill (UZThD),

I mostly agree with your position. I would not want praxis loaded on those that do not need praxis. Although, I do want everyone to be out and doing ministry while they are in seminary and afterwards.

Wayne

 

Keep it up--you are well on your way to being an excellent linguist. Ever think about the mission field? Plenty of room out here in Asia. :thumbs:

 

I just read the whole discussion. Fascinating! Good posts by everyone, good Christian demeanor by everyone. :thumbs: