Bible College/Seminary: A Waste of Time?

[Neo Deist]

Religion is not a science that you look at through a microscope or telescope. It is not a computer program that has to be written and updated. It is not something you go to the hospital and have an operation for. You don't take the Bar Exam for it. It is not something you weld, hammer or drill.

Ultimately, it is a collection of opinions and theories that can't be proven one way or another. It is all speculation.

What is the point of seminaries and bible colleges? They are biased to the particular religion/denomination they serve (not my opinion...just a fact). Everything they tell you, you can read for yourself without having to pay tuition fees. What separates many intelligent, independent studying people from these university educated theologians is an expensive piece of paper that says "degree", nothing more.

Are they a waste of time and money?

 

[Glaurung]

Religion is not a science that you look at through a microscope or telescope. It is not a computer program that has to be written and updated. It is not something you go to the hospital and have an operation for. You don't take the Bar Exam for it. It is not something you weld, hammer or drill.

For those concerned with religious questions, the doctrines of religion are an area of knowledge worth pursuit.

Ultimately, it is a collection of opinions and theories that can't be proven one way or another. It is all speculation.

The contents of doctrine of any given denomination isn't opinion.

What is the point of seminaries and bible colleges? They are biased to the particular religion/denomination they serve (not my opinion...just a fact). Everything they tell you, you can read for yourself without having to pay tuition fees. What separates many intelligent, independent studying people from these university educated theologians is an expensive piece of paper that says "degree", nothing more.

If you're going to become a Catholic priest for instance, being formally educated in the doctrines of the faith is naturally quite important. If you're going to become a pastor in a Reformed congregation, one would think being formally educated in what it is Reformed Christianity teaches is important.

 

[Neo Deist]

For those concerned with religious questions, the doctrines of religion are an area of knowledge worth pursuit.

Yes, and you can get the exact same info for free.

The contents of doctrine of any given denomination isn't opinion.

Everything about a religion is opinion and unprovable theory.

If you're going to become a Catholic priest for instance, being formally educated in the doctrines of the faith is naturally quite important. If you're going to become a pastor in a Reformed congregation, one would think being formally educated in what it is Reformed Christianity teaches is important.

Yes, but again, you can get all of that for free and have the same level of "expertise." At least many Catholic seminaries are free for their future priests, I will give you that.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Are they a waste of time and money?

Nothing compared to your dismissal of scholarship and, even, the possibility of scholarship.

 

[Glaurung]

Yes, and you can get the exact same info for free.

That doesn't take away from the necessity of qualified instruction in any formal field. A person can read medical books, and even if he understands them, you'd probably insist that a to-be doctor takes formal education.

Everything about a religion is opinion and unprovable theory.

You really don't understand. When someone formally studies religion, say because they seek to enter the priesthood, they are studying to become acquainted with the knowledge necessary for that end. What baring you think it has on the actual truth of our world is another question and it's not relevant. You don't enter a seminary to study evolutionary biology.

 

[Awoon]

The OP makes me wonder...When do people graduate from religion classes? If it takes the Priest, Rabbi, Minister 4-6 years of college to learn the religion, why aren't their student/members being taught in the same amount of time and graduating from the religion?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Yes, and you can get the exact same info for free.

The same is true for, say, a classical literature course.

Everything about a religion is opinion and unprovable theory.

Do you think that a seminary education only covers "opinion and unprovable theory"? Have you ever actually looked at the curriculum of a Master of Divinity program?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Yes, and you can get the exact same info for free.

The same is true for, say, a classical literature course.

Everything about a religion is opinion and unprovable theory.

Do you think that a seminary education only covers "opinion and unprovable theory"? Have you ever actually looked at the curriculum of a Master of Divinity program?

^ Good post. Sadly, I suspect that it will accomplish very little.

 

[George-ananda]

Are they a waste of time and money?

Well, I think people going into clergy positions need to be educated on their organization's position on the various issues. That said, I think a lot of Christian Theology (atonement, trinity, etc.) from the early days of the Church is too complicated and pointless. I like to see a return to the more straightforward theology of love of our fellowman and the Golden Rule. I don't think God cares about our understanding of any complicated theological issues.

 

[viole]

Religion is not a science that you look at through a microscope or telescope. It is not a computer program that has to be written and updated. It is not something you go to the hospital and have an operation for. You don't take the Bar Exam for it. It is not something you weld, hammer or drill.

Ultimately, it is a collection of opinions and theories that can't be proven one way or another. It is all speculation.

What is the point of seminaries and bible colleges? They are biased to the particular religion/denomination they serve (not my opinion...just a fact). Everything they tell you, you can read for yourself without having to pay tuition fees. What separates many intelligent, independent studying people from these university educated theologians is an expensive piece of paper that says "degree", nothing more.

Are they a waste of time and money?

Chances are that you start theology as a believer and leave as a non believer. The contrary is implausible.

So, yes, they might be useful.

Ciao

- viole

 

[Glaurung]

That said, I think a lot of Christian Theology (atonement, trinity, etc.) from the early days of the Church is too complicated and pointless.

It's not pointless, these are fundamental mysteries of our faith which we believe have been revealed by God. As I stated in another thread, the reductionistic approach to Christianity which seeks to simplify away all mystery chips away at it until eventually what it means to be a Christian is reduced to "believe in some notion of God and be nice".

like to see a return to the more straightforward theology of love of our fellowman and the Golden Rule. I don't think God cares about our understanding of any complicated theological issues.

The Christian faith at its core is simple and well within anyone's grasp. The two major Creeds are as follows.

The Apostles' Creed

1. I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4. Under Pontius Pilate, He was crucified, died, and was buried.
5. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
10. the forgiveness of sins,
11. the resurrection of the body,
12. and the life everlasting.

Apostles' Creed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And the Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only begotten Son of God,
begotten of his Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father;
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost
of the Virgin Mary,
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried;
and the third day he rose again
according to the Scriptures,
and ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of the Father;
and he shall come again, with glory,
to judge both the quick and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, and Giver of Life,
who proceedeth from the Father [and the Son];
who with the Father and the Son together
is worshipped and glorified;
who spake by the Prophets.
And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church;
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;
and I look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. AMEN.

The Nicene Creed

Now of course, the deep abstract details of how we understand it all is not a conversation everyone is inclined to. (Nor is anyone's salvation dependant on such inclinations). To be baptised, receive the sacraments and persevere in grace are the mechanisms of salvation. But we are not to simplify and fall into doctrinal indifferentism.

Edit: Found a better version of the creed.

 

[George-ananda]

It's not pointless, these are fundamental mysteries of our faith which we believe have been revealed by God.

That's fine for you to remain traditional and there is something about that I like at some level. But expect a shrinking number of real believers in the first world western countries if true acceptance is expected. Also, I hate to hear people using some of the logical arguments against some of this traditional Church thinking as reasons for not really believing at all.

As I stated in another thread, the reductionistic approach to Christianity which seeks to simplify away all mystery chips away at it until eventually what it means to be a Christian is reduced to "believe in some notion of God and be nice".

Actually, I wouldn't mind if that liberal type of Christianity became more the mainstream.

 

[Neo Deist]

That doesn't take away from the necessity of qualified instruction in any formal field. A person can read medical books, and even if he understands them, you'd probably insist that a to-be doctor takes formal education.

Apples and oranges. Big difference between learning a medical procedure such as open heart surgery and studying a religious opinion or theory.

 

[Shad]

If one wants to learn about a specific view there is a lot to gain from these courses. For those that do not it would be a waste of time. It all depends on the student's study and career path.

 

[JFish123]

Religion is not a science that you look at through a microscope or telescope. It is not a computer program that has to be written and updated. It is not something you go to the hospital and have an operation for. You don't take the Bar Exam for it. It is not something you weld, hammer or drill.

Ultimately, it is a collection of opinions and theories that can't be proven one way or another. It is all speculation.

What is the point of seminaries and bible colleges? They are biased to the particular religion/denomination they serve (not my opinion...just a fact). Everything they tell you, you can read for yourself without having to pay tuition fees. What separates many intelligent, independent studying people from these university educated theologians is an expensive piece of paper that says "degree", nothing more.

Are they a waste of time and money?

You can be a great scholar in the sciences and religion by being self taught. Just keep studying and learning (and saving tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars). But college does offer things like first hand experience and possible connections in the field as well. Plus if your serious about it, having a degree with a PHD or Dr. In your name title people tend to take what you have more seriously lol

 

[outhouse]

Ultimately, it is a collection of opinions and theories that can't be proven one way or another. It is all speculation.

Your wrong, factually so.

What is the point of seminaries and bible colleges?

To teach the ignorant

Everything they tell you, you can read for yourself without having to pay tuition fees

Ridiculous

What separates many intelligent, independent studying people from these university educated theologians is an expensive piece of paper that says "degree", nothing more.

Ridiculous

Are they a waste of time and money?

No.

But value depends on whether your taking apologetic or historical classes.


I would have to say statements like these reflect the severely ignorant who have no clue what is actually taught in said institutions.

Having actually been through some classes, it would do you good to attend if you find interest in the subject, your here debating blindly. Why debate blindly is the real question here.

 

[outhouse]

Yes, and you can get the exact same info for free.

What does cost have to do with anything here?

 

[outhouse]

Everything about a religion is opinion and unprovable theory.

Ridiculous.

You need to know what your talking about before debating. If you knew what was actually being taught you would see the errors of your ways

 

[outhouse]

Religion is not a science

Science is used in determining the historical truth of religion.

Many scientific disciplines are used.

 

[Levite]

Religion is not a science that you look at through a microscope or telescope. It is not a computer program that has to be written and updated. It is not something you go to the hospital and have an operation for. You don't take the Bar Exam for it. It is not something you weld, hammer or drill.

Ultimately, it is a collection of opinions and theories that can't be proven one way or another. It is all speculation.

What is the point of seminaries and bible colleges? They are biased to the particular religion/denomination they serve (not my opinion...just a fact). Everything they tell you, you can read for yourself without having to pay tuition fees. What separates many intelligent, independent studying people from these university educated theologians is an expensive piece of paper that says "degree", nothing more.

Are they a waste of time and money?

I think attending a seminary is not a replacement for going to college and/or graduate school. But it can be useful in addition to those things, if one goes to an intelligent, flexible seminary that really teaches about religion and text, and doesn't just help you memorize Bible verses and preach louder.