There is a huge anti-theology bias in contemporary churches today. Thankfully through guys like Ed Stetzer and Mark Driscoll this is being changed. Unfortunately at times, pastors of contemporary-type churches just don't see the value of doctrine and theology.
Short-sighted Comment
A recent comment on a well read blog reveals this. The writer of the blog wrote: "seminary teaches you to answer questions from the Bible that no one is asking." I am sure the guy who wrote this meant nothing bad by this statement. However, while this statement may appear to be innocent, a public statement like this bashing something as vital as seminary can be reckless.
My Take
I have several thoughts on this topic:
1. First, find a good seminary. Don't go to a seminary that is teaching you to ask the wrong questions. To do that is short-sighted. At that point you are going to school for a degree, which is never a good thing. Go to a good seminary. Seminary plays a huge role in the theological development of pastors. It is vital that each pastor is theologically trained, historically grounded, properly equipped, and gospel-based as part of his preparation to be a pastor. Seminary is an important tool God uses in our culture to accomplish this proper preparation.
On a side note, if someone is for job/ministry reasons going to a seminary online and that may not be his first choice of schools, supplement that seminary experience with good theology and doctrinal study on the side. So, either pick a great seminary to go to, or do a great job supplementing your seminary education with great doctrinal/theological study on the side.
2. Second, doctrine and theology matter. The implication of this statement is that what seminary offers is irrelevant. The implication is that stuff like theology, doctrine, Greek, preaching, hermeneutics, biblical foundation, pastoral counseling, and church history don't matter. They do! These things are incredibly important. They are huge. They are the foundation of everything ministry should be about.
3. Preach Christ. Teach doctrinally. Be gospel-driven. I am learning the truth of what Paul meant when he in the New Testament went overboard in asserting the importance of the Gospel. The Gospel indeed changes everything, and makes all things new. The Gospel is God's power for our salvation, including our justification giving us eternity in heaven and our sanctification giving us growth, joy, discipline and maturity on this earth. The Gospel is essential. All questions people ask are related in some way to their underlying need of the Gospel. Every issue in life and relationships (loneliness, fear, insecurities, anger, addictions, bitterness, marriage, parenting, integrity, joy, etc.) is in some way a need or desire that the Gospel fixes, makes right or satisfies.
Sure, people may not need to know worthless Bible trivia. But that is not the goal of Bible study and theological formation. All true Bible study and theological formation is designed to show us the centrality of Christ and how Christ through the Gospel can make all things new for those who look to Him in faith. Sure, people don't need to merely know random Bible facts. That shouldn't be the point of seminary, and it is definitely not the point of strong biblical teaching. The point of it all is Jesus, and how through the Gospel He is the answer to all the questions people are asking.
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