Before Sending Someone Abroad for Seminary
by Man of Dust
For a house church leader, there are many reasons to seek a seminary education in the West. However, it may come as a shock how much Western seminaries have been influenced by a secular post-Enlightenment culture. This blog post by a house church leader and former seminary student honestly describes the dangers of going abroad for a seminary degree.
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Though seminaries were established with different backgrounds, they seem to share one commonality: they all desire to connect with the top universities. Evangelical seminaries seem to lean towards hiring professors with doctorates from universities, and some professors often encourage their students to apply to famed schools of the world (regardless of whether the school is Christian, and more so if the school is known academically). Sometimes they even take pride in saying that “graduates from our seminary are recognized by the top universities.” (It seems to me that evangelicals are not very confident that they can train the best students.) In reality I am not opposed to studying for a doctorate at a university. The main point I wish to convey is that, given the historical context, it is natural that North American seminaries connect with universities. But at the same time, universities have to some extent become a limiting factor for seminaries. On the one hand, seminaries want to prepare men and women for use for the kingdom of God, and on the other hand they desire to be recognized by the top universities. The two goals are not necessarily irreconcilable, but neither can we say they are in perfect harmony. It often depends on the person.
Because it “depends on the person,” seminary students must do their homework before choosing a seminary, and then choose one that is suitable for themselves. Searching for the perfect seminary is like searching for the perfect church, which can only result in one thing: running in vain. Of course, there is one factor that must absolutely not be neglected, that is, that God’s power is often made perfect in our weakness. I myself am a living example. But does that mean we should not do our “homework” ahead of time? Certainly not! I repent of my past ignorance, and I thank God for his special protection.
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泥土人, which translated into English is Man of Dust, is a brother who grew up in the house church of China and has studied in seminaries in the US.
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Category: Ministry Leader
Date created: 2017
Key terms: theological education, spiritual formation, contextualization
This blog post was originally posted in 2017. This English edition and introduction are copyright © 2023 by the Center for House Church Theology. All rights reserved. Illustration by PC Ng.
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