Comments on: Train for Godliness at Seminary

By: Aaron

Aaron — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:09:02 +0000

I was called from a secular job into the ministry at the age of 33. What I lacked in education I made up with the simple basics of theology… “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Caring is the greatest of many things that Jesus Christ did. He enumerated his caring by acts of kindness, love, and mercy. That is what a pastor or seminary major should instill. We can all go to the good book for knowledge, only some will “get it” when it comes to true care. Go and change the world with your love for God and for His people!

By: Peter Beck

Peter Beck — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:24:41 +0000

William Ames starts his seminal systematic with this profound words: Theology is the doctrine or teaching of living to God. Too many of us stop with the learning about God and never learn to live for God. Seminary students, unfortunately, are often the worst offenders. Instead, seminary should humble us and draw us ever closer to God which, by the way, only serves to humble us all the more.

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:55:01 +0000

I have no quibbles with saying that all of our lives must be a living out of our systematic theology. And, if understood in that way, you are certainly at seminary to learn systematics in such a way as to put them into practice. I would say, however, that learning systematics as mere knoledge which puffs up is a great danger, and this is the error I want folks to avoid. So, I understand your cringe, and I think we have a very similar heart for putting our faith into practice.

Thanks, Steve, fr the thoughtful comment.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:30:25 +0000

You are right on the money, Travis, especially the warnings against pride. Although may I quibble with wording a bit? You say, “You must learn more than religious theories and theological argument.” Is that really the case or is it that we must not neglect applying the theology learned to our lives?

I cringe a bit when it seems someone is suggesting our theology is not intimately related to our godliness, as if theological growth and growth in godliness were mutually exclusive. If that was the case, the NT would not be so theological! While we combat theological arrogance, we must also resist the popular notion that theological ignorance equals holiness. The issue for seminarians (and any Christian for that matter) is that theology must be appropriated while it is being learned.

Again, I really appreciate your post, just some thoughts from a guy who believes that Systematic Theologies should be in the “Christian Living” section.

By: Andy C

Andy C — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:57:25 +0000

Great advice, thanks! As I get ready for the fall semester, this is an excellent checklist to help keep the baser instincts in check. It really is all about God, even though we often forget that. Thanks for sharing.