Those who know me well know that I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Many times this quest takes me closer to Ken Jennings than to Solomon but I continue to journey on. Right now I find myself having an internal battle.
Do I continue with my “formal” education and pursue a MDiv?
I say “formal” education because I am enrolled in the school of lifelong learning. I entered into this school when I began reading and I haven’t missed a day of class. Yet, I find myself wanting to return to school (at least part-time).
I have looked into Lipscomb and Abilene. Both great schools but I don’t want to study “in house.” I have been accepted to Liberty but, honestly, I can’t bring myself to enroll in classes with good conscience. I wish Dallas Theological had distant learning because Fuller, unfortunately, is a pipe dream.
There is another issue keeping me from returning. See, I have never been one to let school get in the way of my education. For every great teacher or professor that inspired my quest for knowledge I had 10 that crushed the dream. Professors that made me question how they became professors kind of turned me off to graduate studies.
I just don’t want to sit around and discuss high theology at the expense of going out and living theology.
A few weeks ago, Jordon Cooper posted a link to the Personal MBA, a collection of books that, when read and applied, would be the equivalent of a masters in buisness administration. He commented that there should be a Personal MDiv that achieved the same goal for a masters of divinity. He then started to solicit books and authors to create the Personal MDiv promising that Resonate Journal would publish the findings in the coming months. Well, unfortunately someone beat him to the punch. A Personal MDiv wiki-page was setup before Resonate Journal could publish its article.
While Cooper was soliciting ideas I kept glancing at my personal library. Almost 1000 books, many of which ended up on the lists. I had read almost half.
That begs the question: $20 a class (book) for the rest of my life vs. $350 an hour + books + time?
I would miss out on the collaborative learning though?
Correction: Who is to say that I would miss out on the collaborative learning experience? The modern/enlightenment classroom collaborations would be gone but what about the web, local ministers, blogs, book clubs, etc.? (There’s a box?)
What to do? What to do?
Honestly, I can’t say. For me, I cringe to think what sort of minister I would be without the helpful guiding and mentoring I received in my seminary training. I tried to explain my reason’s for going to Jonathan Storment the other day:
You’ve all seen the Worldview diagram from missions classes. The outermost ring is behaviors, inside that is values, and at the core is Worldview. As missionaries we are taught to address core issues, bring about a change on the worldview level. For me, there is another set of circles, but the center is theology. Most of the training I received at a certain undergraduate institution was aimed at the outer circles, changing behaviors, and maybe values. But getting at the core, the theological background for things, has made all the difference.
But then again, maybe you already have that, and the money would be a waste. God bless you with discernment!
Greg-
Your experience is one the ones that has resonated with me. I want a similar experience. I also know that going back to school would be a sacrifice so I want to do it right.
As far as the circles go I am right there with you. I buck against changing only the outside behaviors and values first. Working with youth (and all people for that matter) it is so easy to fall into that trap. Behave. Tiptoe. Vote. Inside voice. These control the externals. Theology creates an organic growth that bleeds over into behaviors and values. Behaviors don’t grow theology.
Micheal,
Check out ACU’s distance MACM program. I believe they offer the entire degree online or through short courses. They also offer a pretty generous scholarship to off-campus students, and if you get your school to chip in the rest…well, there’s the financial side of things. You’d be amazed at the sort of community that develops during an online course, the discussions and so on that take place. Also, the intensive courses (usually two or three books to read before hand, five days of classes and then a paper or three or four) can be very formative. I wouldn’t look at the sacrifice side of things as much as the opportunity. And personally, I think the faculty at ACU is outstanding, and some of them are on the cutting edge of their fields, and are very in tune with a lot of what you seem to be about.
Feel free to call or email for more “advice.” yes, I work for the school, but I am also a student. I don’t get paid for recruiting!
I echo Greg’s ACU endorsement. It may be “in house”, but ACU’s faculty is very schooled in the, uh, out house. This is no “Church of Christ” endoctrination school. The GST has a tremendous faculty who all may have denominational allegiance to Churches of Christ, but their theology has been shaped by traditions all over the Christian spectrum. I have learned to love Churches of Christ from being here, but I the majority of my learning has come from sources outside of my tradition.
And, in my opinion, there is nothing compared to the personal, collabortative learning experience of seminary education. Eating lunch with fellow students and professors, sitting in classes eating “Little Panda” or drinking Starbucks while discussing Theology. Hearing corny Mark Hamilton jokes in person. Just stopping by professors office for a chat. Discussing assignments in the library with fellow students and Craig Churchill. There is nothing compared to it.
As for Dallas TS. I’m not a premillenial dispensationalist, so I’m not a big fan. I would be careful when considering that school unless you are a premill dispen. I hear it is very embedded into their program and hard to get around. But, if you are into “Left Behind” and think Kirk Cameron is the shizznizzle, then go for it.
Thanks guys. I’ll look into it!
I was unaware that DTS was in bed with Mike Seaver! Thanks for the heads up! When it comes to my eschatology I’m more of a Alan Thickeite. Seriously, that is a big turn off for me.
Speaking as someone who went to seminary, your decision should hinge on what you’re hoping to gain. If book-knowledge is your goal, you don’t really need to invest the time and effort because (as you pointed out) you either have or can obtain the resources for that without going to school. The real value to seminary is the opportunity for dynamic intellectual exchange with your professors and classmates. It might be possible to get a similar experience outside of the context of a school, but it’s highly unlikely.
I’d also like to add that I think your decision about where to attend should be solely dependent on the intellects with which you’ll be surrounding yourself – not the theological opinions they hold. Entering a university holding ideas that you are unwilling to challenge or change is like sitting down to eat at a banquet with your nose glued shut.
Dave-
Well put. Isn’t it funny that we complain about others who are seemingly inflexible and we go and do the very same thing. It is almost as if we have a 2×4 in our eyes and we are pointing out the sawdust in others. Oh wait!
Thanks for your imput Dave.
Micheal we encourage you to keep searching for the place you will feel most comfortable with your learning! An advanced degree is helpful to you as a person as well as in your future goals of employment. Just think about it and you know we are there for support if you need it! Love you dude,