Minimum Education

I have never known a man who took pride in being uneducated. I have known a very few who felt self-consciously deficient because of their lack of education, though, in reality, they were wiser than many who had much education.

However, I have known many (and known of many more) who were prideful about their education. It is this sort who have ruined the ministry, runied the churches and, ironically, ruined the educational system.

Mark Osgatharp

 

{SNIP}

[ January 27, 2006, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: TomVols ]

 

{SNIP}

Mark Osgatharp

[ January 27, 2006, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: TomVols ]

 

{SNIP} [/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]What are you looking for?

[ January 27, 2006, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: TomVols ]

 

I know what you mean. When I notice posts on the Baptist Board from people who claim to be highly educated and yet cannot spell or write in complete sentences, I can hear the chalk on the chalkboard.

 

{SNIP}</font>[/QUOTE]What are you looking for? [/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]What you claimed you learned.

[ January 27, 2006, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: TomVols ]

 

Francis Wayland writes much on the subject on education in his Notes on the Principles and Practices of Baptist Churches. I doubt any would view him as anti-education. He evidently favors ministerial education in a formal way, under proper constraints. Yet he contradicts what some seem to be saying today. Here's a snip from pages 35-36.

"It will be said, in answer to my remarks in the last number, that men so illiterate would not be tolerated in any pulpit at the present day. The mass of the people are well taught in our common schools, and they would be repelled from such uncouth ministrations. There is undoubted force in this objection, until we consider all the facts in the case...

Suffer me to illustrate my meaning by relating an anecdote. I happened to be present at a great meeting a short time since, assembled to deliberate on the subject of ministerial education. Among the speakers was a learned brother, who urged the absolute necessity of the most advanced education for every candidate for the ministry, and, as it seemed to some, spoke rather sneeringly of those who entered upon the work of a clergyman without the most extended acquisitions. He enforced his argument by mentioning the fact, that he had lately overheard some boatmen, on a canal-boat, discussing some of the latest theories in geology, and using them as arguments against the authenticity of revelation. He found himself in want of the knowledge which these common men possessed, and felt obliged to burnish up, and enlarge his knowledge of physical science. The argument seemed conclusive, until a plain brother rising, asked the question, 'Where did these boatmen gain this knowledge?' Here was a learned man, deep in Latin, Greek, German, and metaphysics, ignorant of what was known by common boatmen."

 

That is all the more reason why a pastor should do his undergraduate work in something other than Bible. A pastor who reads a lot and listens to people well will continue to learn throughout life.

 

Perhaps if he had been an ignorant and unlearned fisherman...

 

More Wayland:

 

And finally,

 

--------------------------------------------------
GB You have made my point. No one else has stooped to personal insults. {SNIP} You have answered your own question, although I am sure you didn't realize it.

My answer to the question is an emphatic NO. I am simply a child of God, attem[ting to lead the life He wants me to. He has taught me to not wallow in pride and to not insult one of His children with demeaning remarks.{SNIP}
These things I did not learn at the foot of some PHD {SNIP}

[ January 27, 2006, 08:47 AM: Message edited by: TomVols ]

 

Didn't I read it right when somone labelled the educated as elitist?

With more education comes more responsibility. When one possess knowledge he must be more humble. It is easier to be humble when you know you know little. A wise person knows how little he knows. Even the most brilliant who know God well knows that they know so little. </font>[/QUOTE]I have a master's degree in chemistry.
I have written quite a bit of prize-winning poetry.
I don't have a clue what your last sentence means.

 

The Holy Spirit is no substitute for preparation. </font>[/QUOTE]Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this the same as saying that GOD is no substitute for preparation.

 

As long as the candidate can read SBC quarterlies and Scofield's notes, most churches will think he is a scholar.

 

More scripture:

I Cor. 1:17, "For christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words,lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"

Context continues through the end of Chapter 2.

No interpretations or commentary needed.

Amen,

Bro. James

 

I know ten times more who did that than take pride in true preparation. Very, very common here in the south.

 

From the moderator:
Since my last warning went unheeded, this thread is now closed immediately.

Offenders have been edited and snipped. Per Baptist Board rules, disciplinary measures will be forthcoming.

This is not supposed to be a debate forum. When you degenerate into insults and personal attacks, you bring the unChristlike nonsense that is seen in other forums but WILL NOT BE TOLERATED HERE.

Reprise the theme song and roll the credits.....