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Originally Posted by fredtgreco  Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Tick Quote: |
basically my question was how do i get into seminary with out a currently holding a Bachelors degree. with the Idea also that currently I have no desire to preach but only to learn how to study better, read the original tounges, and understand various aspects of church history, apologetics and such.
| There's plenty of resources that you can tap into without having to spend the money to go to seminary. Also, the B.Div programs are specifically designated for men who desire gospel ministry but do not currently have a B.A., B.S.,etc.
If your just wanting to enrich your understanding of the Christian Faith try these links. Covenant Worldwide RTS Greek Learning Apologetics | This was the point I was trying to make. Too many people view seminary as a sort of "advanced Bible institute." There is nothing wrong with wanting to study the Bible, and nothing wrong with wanting to be grounded more in the faith. Nothing wrong with wanting to even take classes from a seminary in something like Hebrew or Greek.
But I don't understand why someone would want to get a B.Div (which is a ministerial degree) if they did not intend to be a minister. Would someone say: "I'd like to know more about the body, and learn more for nutrition, so I've decided to attend Med School and get an M.D., but I don't want to be a doctor, and those closest to me who know about medicine don't think I should be a doctor." Same thing for a J.D. or an Accounting degree.
The right approach is to find resources like mentioned above and to study. |
There are much cheaper and prudent ways to pursue Christian maturity.
I think the smartest thing I ever heard that sort of diagnoses our culture is that, if a couple has marriage advice, they'd rather go to the 27 year old single woman with a degree in counselling rather than an old married couple with 60 years of marriage experience.
You can't short-circuit maturity. The idea of an External Call is simply the idea that men in your Church see in a man theological maturity and aptitude. They see a man who is not a novice in the faith.
If you're still a novice then spend the day in and day out time to learn the Scriptures. Become a student of the Word both in the doctrines and letting it be a mirror to your life as to how you are being sanctified in your love of God and neighbor. I have turned down the office of Elder on two occasions because I was not spiritually mature enough yet.
Also, if you don't have your Bachelors yet and desire the ministry then go get your Bachelor's degree in something that will compliment your desire to be a minister someday. It may not lead to the ministry but having a BA can't hurt and it will prepare you for the rigors of balancing school and other distractions. Discipline yourself in simple aspects of improvement to work toward the greater goal.
At the end of the process of getting a Bachelors and pursuing Biblical maturity you may not even notice where you've come after those years. You may wake up one day to discover an Elder in your Church walking up to you and suggesting that you consider going into the Pastorate. Or you may just wake up one day and discover that you're mature in the Lord and you realize that you do not have that calling.