Seminary, Five Classes In

A few years ago, a board member at my alma mater said to me, “Every Christian should go to seminary.”

I had long tossed the idea around of taking seminary classes, but life always seemed too full and too complicated. The older I got, the more reasons I found not to do it.

But after our conversation, I picked up the idea again. I tried it on and considered it. I talked to other women I knew who had gone to seminary to get their perspective. I went for a tour and asked lots of questions.

And then I made the leap.

I imagine there are others out there who have also considered taking seminary classes. Perhaps you’d like to understand your Bible better. Perhaps you love theology and know you will enjoy talking with other likeminded students. Perhaps you are like me and want to take classes to help you in your writing or teaching. Perhaps you desire a degree to equip you in your current work in ministry or to prepare you for future Kingdom work. For all these reasons and more, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

One thing I know to be true: There will never be a perfect time in life to pursue theological training. There are always going to be barriers and interruptions that make it difficult to add classes to an already full life. I’ve been taking classes in between writing projects (because to be honest, my middle age brain can only do so many things at once!) But that doesn’t mean that everything goes smoothly when I do take a class. This semester found me faced with multiple distractions, most of which were unexpected. Every time I planned to devote a day to studying, inevitably someone needed my help. A child got sick. An important errand needed attending to. An unexpected task needed my attention. Life simply got complicated.

So, yes, it is hard to add something like a class to the busyness of everyday life. But it’s also worth it. The classes I’ve taken have answered so many questions I’ve long had about the Bible and the Christian faith. They’ve given me words and categories to better express what I believe and why. They’ve helped enrich my faith, adding a beautiful depth and awestruck wonder to what I already knew. I’ve loved every class. Each one has taught me things I didn’t even realize I needed to know. Each one has drawn me closer to my Savior. And I think that’s why my friend believes every Christian should go to seminary, for it strengthens a believer’s walk with the Lord.

Everyone asks me if I am just auditing classes or pursuing a degree. I always respond that eventually— hopefully—I will earn a degree. I’m just on the ten to twelve year plan, taking one class at a time.

I am currently finishing up my fifth class with RTS (Hermeneutics). It’s the class my pastor told me would be the most important class I’d ever take in seminary. While I took Hermeneutics in undergrad, at the seminary level, it went much deeper than what I previously learned. I’ve finished the class with the realization that I have so much more to learn! This class has pushed me, challenged me, and fed me. It will be foundational to all the other classes I’ve yet to take.

If you’d like to try seminary on for size, many offer free online lectures to give you taste of what to expect. There are also many class options to fit your life and schedule, whether in-person classes or virtual. Some offer certificates in addition to degrees.

As Christians, we should seek to grow in our knowledge of God and his word. We should seek to be equipped to live as his ambassadors and emissaries in this world. And seminary is one way to do that.

What about you? Have you attended seminary or considered it?

Building a Theology of Suffering

Our national women’s ministry team is putting together the finishing touches on our upcoming annual Leadership Conference. This year’s conference theme is suffering. Our goal is to provide women the Biblical tools to understand their own suffering so that they can in turn minister to other women who suffer.

When it comes to suffering, we need a solid Biblical foundation on which to stand.

Our family lived in Florida for many years and whenever I took my boys to the beach, they would build a tower out of sand and create tunnels through that tower for water to run through. Then they’d wait for the tide to come back in and watch what happens.  At first, the water just flowed in and around the construction. But then the strong waves started to come in and their tower fell apart.

A Foundation of Sand

You may be familiar with the children’s praise song, "The Wise Man Built his House Upon a Rock," based on the passage in Matthew 7 where Jesus compares obeying his words to building on rock rather than sand. It makes sense: don't build a house on sand because it isn't stable. All it takes is one strong wave to knock down any construction.

But how often do we build our faith on sand? How often do we rest in teachings, beliefs, and even emotions that shift as easily as the sand with the rising tide? How often do we believe things about suffering that aren’t based on Scripture?

Our faith needs to stand on something more real and solid than what we wish and desire to happen. It needs to rest on something more constant than the latest fads of culture. It needs to to grounded in something firmer than false teachings that promise what can’t be delivered.  

It needs to stand on the word of God.

When it comes to suffering, if we build our theology on anything other than God’s word, when the inevitable storms of life roll over us, we’ll sink beneath its waves. Too many believe false doctrines such as “God doesn’t want us to suffer. We just need to believe, claim promises, and expect God to change our circumstances.” Or “Your suffering is punishment for something you’ve done. Repent of that sin and it will go away.” Or “You just need to try harder and work harder.”

Because what happens when we do those things and the suffering doesn’t go away? No matter how much we pray and read the Bible, the depression looms large. Or no matter how many promises we claim, the cancer resists treatment. Or our prodigal still defies Christ. Or we lose the house to bankruptcy.

What do we do then?

Build on God’s Word

If you’ve ever read the book of Job, you know that suffering doesn’t follow some kind of “if then” formula. After Job lost everything, including each of his children, his friends assumed that he must have done something wrong to warrant punishment. They spent many chapters trying to get him to fess up to what he had done. Job’s friends lived in a world that believed if you do the right thing, you’ll be blessed; if you do the wrong thing, you’ll be punished. But we know from the introduction to the book of Job that he was a righteous and faithful man. His suffering had nothing to do with punishment for sin. His was innocent suffering.

The Bible teaches us to expect suffering (1 Peter 4:12). It is part of life in a fallen world. And for believers, suffering is inherent to our union with Christ. (Romans 8:17, Colossians 1:24, 2 Corinthians 1:5).

The Bible also teaches us that the suffering we experience can serve multiple purposes. God might use it for our discipline (Heb. 12:7). It serves to bring God glory (John 9:3). It is used to make us holy (Romans 5:4-6). Suffering often pushes us to rely and depend upon God rather than ourselves (2 Corinthians 12:9). Sometimes, we never know the exact purpose for our sufferings (Job never knew that back story we all know). But it is always used for our good (Romans 8:28).

The truth is, we might never see an end to our suffering in this life. Suffering may be in our story until the final page. But even in that suffering, we have hope and peace.

As Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our peace comes not because our life is problem free but because we are united with Christ. In fact, he doesn't promise a tear-free life. He doesn't say that if we follow him, life will be smooth sailing and all our dreams will come true. Rather, he says we will face heartache in this world. But he also calls us to look at the big picture: He has overcome the world. Christ has faced the worst suffering for us—sin and death—and overcome it. He redeemed us. He is our salvation. We are his and he is ours. And because of him, we have hope forever in eternity.

For some of us, we will live a life of suffering. We may always struggle with chronic pain, grief, or struggle to make ends meet. We may never be free of sorrow or conflict or struggle. If we face that suffering while standing on sand, we will be pulled under. Instead, we need to stand on solid ground. We need to understand our suffering in light of what God’s word teaches. And we need to keep our gazed fixed on the One who first suffered for us so that one day, our suffering will be no more.

Truth for the Weary Soul

When the storms of life wreak havoc on all you know and love, what theological truths anchor your soul? What doctrines do you turn to when the world around you seems to give way under your feet? What truths about God bring you the most comfort when life is uncertain and nothing makes any sense?

Though all of God’s word is essential for us to read, learn, memorize, and study, and though all of God’s word teaches us all that we need to know to weather the storms of life, there is one theological truth that stands out in times of trial and suffering. There is one doctrine that brings everything into perspective and provides comfort and rest for our weary souls.

The sovereignty of God...

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