Why I'm going to Seminary

A few people have asked me, in the course of conversations, why I'm going to seminary. In fact, while talking to my wife about going back to seminary (I had taken a two year break while stationed on the Antietam), I expressed my reasons for going back to seminary to her as well. I think it's important to know why one is doing what he/she is doing, so it's important to know why I am going to seminary.

• I value education: Ever since getting my undergrad at Park University while on active duty (part of that through distance learning), I’ve been telling people I come in contact with to get to school! That’s one of the things I’m so happy about on the ship. There are three guys all “headed” to Liberty. Two of us will be in seminary working on Mdivs, and one will be working on his undergrad degree. I can’t stress it enough, education is vital.

• I want to learn more about the Bible: My level of knowledge is woeful. There are unbelievers who know more about the Bible than I do. It’s just sad. I’m a 31 year old man and I have the knowledge of a stunted teenager when it comes to the Bible. It’s so pathetic that I’m going to do something about it by going to seminary.

• I want my interest in scripture to be productive: But why not just pick up a book and read it, or better yet, read the Bible?!?! You ask? Good question, and to answer it, I just say that I want my study to be productive. Since I’m talking about the kind of in-depth study that would be found in seminary, wouldn’t it make sense for me to go to seminary and have the credits count?

• I want to be challenged: The kind of knowledge I’m talking about is a rigorous, II Timothy 2:15 kind of knowledge. And while Timothy didn’t have seminary, he had Paul, which I imagine was a really good or better. I mean, let’s face it, Paul’s writings are all over seminary training, so it makes sense that Timothy had that in his relationship with Paul. I’m getting sidetracked. The fact is that I want a goal in my studies so that I don’t quit, and I don’t want it to be too easy either. This isn’t a game. This is the study of God’s word. I work best when challenged, so I’m placing a challenge out there. Finish seminary!

That about sums it up. I have a goal of a seminary degree. And to answer the unspoken question, “Will God call me to ministry?”…I don’t know. He has used me many times (read yesterday's post), and for that I’m grateful. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that I need to be in seminary, so here we go! Only a few weeks before classes start!