What good is a degree if...

My Pastor graduated from a TRACS accredited school about 9 years ago, and loves the school he graduated from. He has nothing but positive things to say about the faculty and staff. He is quick to tell you that obtaining a good education is hard work. Yet he said that the school was trying to teach him so much, in so little of time that he really didnt learn all that much. He said that there were so many exams, tests, scripture memorization, papers to write, and so on, that he really didnt have alot of time to take everything in. He said that in all reality you did just enough to pass the the Science test because you had an English paper that was due the next day, and you did just enough on your English paper because you had to remember 20 verses Scripture for your NT Testament Survey class and so on... He said he has learned more out of college than he did in college because he now has the time to study out the subject and truly comprehend and understand what he is studying instead of just remembering some facts to pass a test. He said that he probably would have benefited more from a college like Columbia Evangelical Seminary or even something like Covington where you have time to breathe and think about what you are studying. Has anyone else experienced the same? I mean what good is going to college (and going in debt, my Pastor is still paying for his college 9 yeras later, not tuition but the debt he got into while trying to live while in college) if you can aquire the same knowledge by reading and studying on your own? I am not trying to bragg or anything but he said that I know more about the Bible, Theology, Church History, and even English now then he did when he came out of BIble College, and I have only been saved for 5 yrs and have no kind of college education whatsoever.

 

Rhet,
I am not quite sure what you mean by me believing everything that I posted in my OP. I am simply stating somethings that my Pastor told me in his office about his dealings with Bible College. I dont have time right now to post everything that I would like to post, but will have more time this evening when I get home from work. Just didnt want you to think that I was avoiding all the good posts, hope to "chat" with you all later this evening. Paul

 

Rhet,
You are right there have been some very good answers posted and I appreciate everyones comments. It is comforting to read cutter and nexxus post. It is good to hear that there are other men out there who know what my Pastor is talking about and where he is coming from. I was speaking to another Pastor (who has retired because of health reasons) who has been in the ministry for almost 50 years, and he too agreed with my Pastor. He said that he didnt get a chance to get deep into his studies until after he had completed Bible College. He described it much like my Pastor did.

 

Rhet,
Thanks for the very informative post, and I see where you are coming from. I hope that you do not think that I am trying to make a case against education and Bible Schools and such, because I am not. I have been praying about whether or not to attend Bible College for about 5 years now (as long as I have been saved). As a matter of fact I believe I spoke with you (at least I think it was you) months and months ago over the phone about some of my options. I have been through 2 diploma mills, and when I say diploma mills I mean DIPLOMA MILLS, these guys were extreme diploma mills, and I became very frustrated with the way they did things and decided to give up on the whole Bible College thing all together. Then when I joined the BB I began to learn more about accreditation, diploma mills, and so on. Before I thought a Bible College was a Bible College, that they were all the same. Now I know better. I have talked with my Pastor quite a bit about the whole Bible College thing, and in my original post I was simply repeating somethings my Pastor told me and wanted to see if anyone esle agreed with what he was saying. He made it sound like it was something that you just have to get through so can really get serious about your studies. My pastor has watched me struggle with the whole Bible College thing. He has watched me get all pumped up about a school and then watch that door get slammed in my face. I dont have the time to get into all of that right now. As far as my pastor stroking my ego, that may very well be the case. He has stated to me a number of times that he didnt think that I needed any kind of Bible College. I have filled in for churches for months and months at a time, and God has opened doors for me to preach and teach in churches all over my county and surrounding counties. The way my pastor sees it, is that I am already doing what they will be trying to teach me in Bible College. He made this point (not me, I dont want anyone to think that I am trying to toot my own horn, because I promise you I am not) The point I am talking about is this. I have had 2 men call me (I know both of these men personally) and ask me how I get all these chances to preach and fill the pulpit. They say that their colleges have them on record and that they have put their name on a list down at the local southern baptist association, and still they dont get half as many doors opened as I do, and I have never put my name on any list or anything like that. So my Pastor says "look you have 2 guys over here who have spent $30, 000 on education and on a degree, and they cant buy their way into a pulpit, and you have a place to preach at least every week", so in a way I see where my Pastor is coming from. Then again he may very well be stroking my ego. But I can tell you this much Rhet, as God as my witness, I STUDY. I study every chance I get. I study theology, history, and anything I can get my hands on if it has to do with the Bible. I love His Word! I love to preach and teach His Word! And while my pastor may think that I do not need Bible College, I believe I do. That is one of the reasons I post here on the BB. If you have noticed I usually post in the College/Seminary section of the board. I am still studying all my options and just waiting to see what the Lord opens up for me. By the way I spoke with Mr. Walston today and he answered a number of my questions. Sorry, I guess I got to rambling. But thanks once agiain for your post.

 

Amen Brother! You must have posted this post while I was writing mine.

 

Thanks for the post. Believe me, I have been praying and praying and praying some more. For some reason things are taking alot longer then what I expected.

 

Rhet,
Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I had no idea you went thru all of that, and I had no idea you were called to preach either. For some reason I thought you received your education for other reasons, dont ask me why I thought that, but for some reason I did. For some reason I thought you were a teacher in a school somewhere? Anyways thanks for the encouragement. By the way, how did you pay for all those degrees? I know a simple 4 year degree at say Liberty would cost over $30, 000. Does financial assistance help out that much? Or did you pay for them some other way? Costs has played a major roll in many of my decisions. I just dont have the money.

 

I see where you are coming from and agree partially. You make it sound (and I could be mistaken) like in order to be a pastor of a church you have to "master" the Scriptures. First of all I have never met anyone who has mastered anything, much less the Scriptures. Also you talk about history, history is full of men who have never been to a College or a University and yet have been great pastors and teachers. As a matter of fact in Acts 4:13 Peter and John were looked at as "unlearned and ignorant men" yet God used them in a mighty way. The same for Moody, Ironside, Spurgeon, and I know a few personally. While I agree in learning as much as possible when ever possible, I dont think God requires everyone to go to Bible College or Seminary before he can use them. I mean think about the thousands of Pastors overseas and in foreign countries who do not have Colleges and Seminaries to go to. Yet God calls them and God equips them. And as far learning on your own, you mentioned an auto technician. My dad is a diesel mechanic and has the reputation for the best in the area. As a matter of fact the John Deer dealership in town actually calls my dad and questions him on how to repair some of their tractors, and my dad hasnt been to school for any of it. They call my dad "Dr. John Deer. He learned from his dad and by studying this great big manuals day in and day out. I know of great pastors who havent been to Bible School, but have been "raised up" by their pastors, and God has used them in mighty ways. So I do not believe that a requirement for a pastor/bishop is to go to Bible School or to master history, or greek, or even the Bible. At least I couldnt find it in I Timothy 3.