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Christianity Today, February (Web-only), 2009 |

Theology in the News

Seminaries: Not Just for Pastors Anymore

Derek Cooper offers an insider's guide — and reflections on what schools need to do better.

Interview by Collin Hansen | posted 2/09/2009 09:59AM

In difficult economic times, graduate school becomes a refuge for students who hope for better days ahead. Already, applications to Dallas Theological Seminary have spiked 10 percent, keeping with historical ...

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chae s. sone

Posted: February 17, 2009 1:18 AM

In response to Doug. I believe that a seminarian's life is very important to learn the nature of human relations how to be a good person and a leader who could understand the curious functions of life. We know Jesus did not go to any university, But he learned how human beings relates each other on the situation at which one should make a choice of decision how to react to a given situation at the given time. We could learn many things in meditation, but our learning always enriches whenever we relates with others - on a goal based upon our Christian value system. We must strengthen our seminary education by a strong meaningful support. I totally agree with Doug's idea. SEE Website Outcasts that we all may be one. Dallass News - Why Hillary neglecting delegate - rich Dallas..anti church scandals and racketerring in the cyger age I

scott orbon

Posted: February 10, 2009 10:45 PM


I should have written the book! Any Church leader today could say the same thing. The author is a generalist! He needed to say something great, and he did NOT!

Joey Joe Joe

Posted: February 10, 2009 3:31 PM


Technically there are distinct answers and distinct questions in this interview but it almost seems like it's the same questions and answers over and over. It doesn't give the impression that this book will tell me anything I don't already know about seminary.

Kirkistan

Posted: February 10, 2009 2:03 PM

As a copywriter just about to finish an MA at Bethel Seminary, I can say that my theological education is key to helping me think Christianly about the advertising and communication industry—even helping me look into the future of dialogue marketing [http://livingstoncontent.wordpress.com/2009/01/31/welcome-to-the-dialogica l-world/] to see a Trinitarian basis to it. It also sets me up for full-time entrepreneurial ministry in the workplace, right where people experience life [http://livingstoncontent.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/conversations-create-stu ff/].

Basil

Posted: February 10, 2009 10:41 AM


Some seminaries are taking their programs to churches. RTS has extension programs for those pursuing MDivs and for those who wishing to audit courses. Willow Creek has now taken remedial steps to educate its attendees by inviting teachers from Wheaton and TEDS to its campus for courses. Hopefully this will be a growing tend at other churches.

Doug	Posted: February 09, 2009 9:24 PM

I got my MDIV in 1981. I graduated debt free. I think that the church does not support the seminaries enough today. There is no way a person can spend the money to get an undergraduate degree and then go to seminary and then get low wages in a church. It's not realistic. Also I personally do not like all the on-line approach. I know it's convenient, but I don't think seminary should be convenient. Part of going to seminary was rubbing shoulders with others and talking through theological and contemporary issues, debating with professors, and experiencing the atmosphere of rigorous thought. Off campus learning and online courses diminish that considerably. Seminary isn't there to dump information into the brain. That's the difference between Bible Colleges and Seminaries. Seminaries are to be more thought provoking. I remember Robert Guelich state that he wanted to raise doubts in us now lest when we get out we get them. That's what seminary should do.

Larry

Posted: February 09, 2009 6:18 PM

I would like to see seminaries offer and promote courses for people to take individually. That is to say, a seminary would send out flyers to local churches and interested individuals telling what classes are offered this term. If someone in my church would like to take a class on apologetics without signing up for a full fledged program, let them. This way pastors would be encouraged to take the latest class on, say, the internet and evangelism, a course on leadership, Hebrew exegesis. A lay person who loves the gospels could take a course on the synoptics. Let the seminaries encourage people to take classes by themselves without being in a degree or certificate program. Make it easier for people to take classes.

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