Havensdad,
These remarks are not directed at you personally. So the tone may come across a bit harsh.
Let me be perfectly clear. I am referring to someone who does not want "to sell out for Jesus." "I can't go to seminary, sell my home, give up my comfort, give up my retirement, etc., et al," crying and moaning all the while.
Why should anyone want an easy way out when it comes to being called into the ministry. I hear time and again, especially here on the seminary & college page, "I can't afford to go to a seminary!" Or, "I can't move my family across the country!" Whine! Whine! Whine!
What about those who say, "I don't mind doing it, but I will not, because it is very poor stewardship of God's resources, when I can do the same thing without spending thousands extra.."
As has been said so many many times before and more eloquently than I possibly could, would you want a medical doctor or a surgeon who "studied online" or by "distance education?" Or do you want a surgeon who has done the same surgery on you s/he has done 1000 times before all while standing in the blood to earn the experience.
You are making some horribly inaccurate assertions, for someone with the degree of education which you possess.
#1 You are assuming that the study of Medicine, and the Study of Ministry and theology, require the same requisite skill. They do not.
#2 You are assuming that Distance Education is somehow inferior; that those who earn their degrees in such a manner, are somehow trained in to a less rigorous degree. Yet there has never been any empirical evidence that demonstrates this. On the contrary, the studies that have been done, show the exact opposite: self motivated individuals who participate in DE, do better across the board. Perhaps you are familiar with the recent data released by the USDE?
We handle the "word of God," the Gospel, the words of eternal life; and we want the easy education. How dare we!!! How dare we!!!!
If you really want to say this, then considering the studies that have been done, you would have to say "How dare people spend tens of thousands of dollars, lazing around in residential classrooms, squandering our Lord's money, when the evidence says we could be saving money, AND getting trained more rigorously through DE! how dare we, how dare we!!"
I am doing DE, so that I can continue ministry work. I will tell you right now, I have it twice as hard as most of the residents. I have to do the same research projects, the same book critiques, PLUS weekly writing assignments that the Resident guys do not have to do (they get to just "sit in class", instead).
In addition to this, I am engaged in evangelism, I have two sermons to prepare every week, plus activities for my youth group, etc. Best of all, I am not sitting in a seminary somewhere left to my own devices; I am under the guidance and leadership of my very own pastor!
I would say, not for everyone seeking a way out or an easy fix for education, go on and do online or DE work. You may not could have stood "the heat of the day anyway?":wavey:
Considering that DE is more intense, I would say that it is the B & M guys who could not "stand the heat". Whats the matter, can't motivate yourselves?
I am praying for all who are in this "valley of decision!"
"That is all!"
As am I. Please note that my sarcasm in this post, is a literary device to expose the untenable position to which the "B & M only" guys hold. I actually equate them to the KJVO people, because they have basically the same logic: "This is the right way, because I say so."
raying:
nly" hand. I guess all of those hours and years of studying Greek and Hebrew from the critical texts has been wasted? :smilewinkgrin: