Advantages and Disadvantages of Seminary

Well, after a bit of a hiatus due to work-related demands on my time, here is at least something for the ol' blog. It deals with David Murray's thoughts regarding the advantages/disadvantages of seminary. I particularly appreciate his final thought under "Disadvantages." Read the whole thing at: http://www.challies.com/writings/podcast/thinking-about-seminary#more.

Benefits for students

Some of the benefits of a Seminary education are:

• Well-trained teachers whose primary task is preparing men for Gospel ministry
• Emphasis on original language training equips for a long ministry of fruitful and varied expository ministry
• Forces you to study subjects you would not choose to but which you need to
• Discipline of daily lectures/assignments/tests is good training for ministry routine and responsibilities
• Access to well-stocked library
• Fellowship and lifelong friendship with students from other cultures and nations (this is a huge plus).

Disadvantages

However, I know all too well that there are disadvantages, and I highlight them here, not as deal-breakers but as areas that require extra thought and care if we are to avoid Seminaries becoming a hindrance rather than a help:

• Uprooting of family to live as “pilgrims and strangers” for a few years
• Cost - is it right to leave Seminary with $20,000+ of debt?
• Emphasis on PhD qualification attracts academic and scholarly staff, who are often lacking pastoral ministry experience in a local church
• Students may become attracted to the academic life and lose the burden of ministry and mission
• Pressure of academic success may quash spiritual life and even push out responsibilities to minister to your family, neighbors, etc.
• Unless you choose your Seminary wisely you will expose yourself to unchallenged liberal theology and practice that may ultimately undermine your faith and your confidence in Scripture.
• Living in an “unreal” world for a few years might disconnect you from everyday reality for most people (TIP: try to work, for a few years at least, in the “real” world before coming to Seminary)
• Too much focus on the intellectual at the expense of the practical
• Seminary becomes the master rather than the servant of the Church