A15 : by Tony Garland
I was interested to read your question--especially about your science
background and desire to serve the Lord in the area of teaching. As you
may know, I also have a background in science. In my case, I graduated
with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington in
1979 and went on to work in the field of both electronics and software
engineering for the next two decades. I didn't come to faith in Christ
until age 34 (12 years ago today).
Now, as to your questions . . . If you are serious about
teaching religion in a college setting, you will first have to do some soul
searching and prayer before the Lord as to what sort of teaching in what
sort of college you believe your gifts are to be used. This will
basically divide into several alternatives:
- Teaching theology at the seminary level.
- Teaching bible at the college level.
Of these alternatives, the first will almost certainly require a
doctorate (either Th.D. or Ph.D.) whereas the second may only require a master's
level degree--depending upon the institution. Some institutions may
require a doctorate for either.
Another very important aspect to factor in is whether you are called to
teach "religion" in a secular/liberal college or whether you are called to teach
"God's Word" in a more fundamental/faithful college setting? In other
words, do you see yourself operating in a secular realm teaching many different
religions in a pluralistic setting and therefore possibly operating in a
semi-evangelistic role reaching those who do not yet know Christ? Or do you feel
your calling is to equip believers who are at a bible college or seminary and
who already know Christ, but desire to understand God's Word more
accurately? These are quite different activities, but both offer the
possibility of serving Christ with your gifts.
One caution I would mention is to be very careful about trying to combine
academic respectability with the desire to teach the Bible accurately
in a college setting which honor's God's Word. You will find that the vast
majority of secular settings (and liberal "Christian" settings) which place
great emphasis upon academic respectability also pervert or deny fundamentals of
the Christian message as given by Scripture. For that reason, the number
of openings for teaching at the college or seminary level in a setting which
truly honors God's Word is quite limited--and seems to be dwindling with each
passing year (based on current trends). On the other hand, many secular
programs are interested in "alternative religions" and there are probably
opportunities in this arena, but it may or may not be a person's cup of tea
because you would be expected to teach many different religious views without
'biasing' your students toward any one particular view as being objective
truth. This would be a very difficult/fine line to walk as a believer in
Christ--one that I personally would be unable to do. But others seem able
to minister in such pluralistic settings.
After exploring these ideas and questions further, I would recommend that
you get the best bible training you can find given the reality of your living
situation, economic resources, and views concerning what you see Scripture to
teach in the way of more detailed doctrine. The schools that I would
recommend reflect my own approach to what I see Scripture to teach. From
the perspective of the broad spectrum of Christianity that is out there, I would
be considered quite conservative, as our doctrinal statement
reflects:
Having said that, I would suggest investigating some of the following
schools. This might involve visiting their websites, requesting their catalogs,
talking to people at the school, etc. There are basically two ways you can
go here. One way provides "paperwork" which is highly regarded by accredited
institutions. This requires that you attend an "accredited" institution
on-campus and the cost is generally very high. Some institutions in this
category include:
In the second category are schools which offer greater "distance
learning" possibilities at much less cost. This is the route I chose to take
because I felt I could obtain an equivalent (or nearly-so) education at a
radically reduced cost and I wasn't overly concerned about the approval of
others. In other words, having training from one of the following
institutions is not going to get a person very far in the eyes of those who are
interested in academic respectability first and theological soundness second.
You may obtain equivalent or even superior education at these "lesser-regarded"
institutions, often at a much lower cost. However, if respectability in the
eyes of secular institutions or Christian institutions which emphasize academics
over other more important elements of training is important to you, then these
institutions are not likely to provide that:
As you can see, I'm not all that up-to-speed on what "the best" school
might be. I've only listed two in the category of the expensive schools that are
very highly regarded by others. And even then, I have some concerns about both
schools--but primarily with Dallas Theological Seminary which has changed in
some areas in more recent years.
You may notice that my list doesn't even mention a large number of
well-known schools. Names such as Princeton, Fuller, Regent, and a host of
others too numerous to mention. I have not mentioned them because I
believe them to be more dangerous than beneficial in the training of those who
desire to truly know God's Word. They are, on the whole, too liberal
in their approach to handling the Scriptures and in some cases may lead
believers toward apostasy rather than rooting them in God's Word.
So a big caveat to consider: beware of the many schools that have a low regard
for Scripture and place a desire to be "respected" in a secular world
above teaching sound doctrine from God's Word. Many theology
students have been shipwrecked on the shoals of such
institutions!
As you can see by now, this is a large and complex topic. The basic
problem which is before you is that true Christianity is not according to this
world, yet most institutions of higher learning--even Christian ones--are
dancing to the tune of this world. As a result, rather than forsaking the world
and following God's Word alone, they are pandering to secular accreditation and
academics which deny important aspects of the Christian faith. The result has
been predictable: the steady downfall of once-respectable institutions of higher
Christian learning (e.g., Harvard, Princeton, and many other names one could
supply). This has led to the nearly constant off-shoot of newly
established small institutions which seek to preserve the fundamentals of the
faith and remain true to God's Word. But in their inception, they are not highly
regarded by the big name movements and schools.
The basic cycle is as follows:
- A small school splinters off from a group which is headed for
liberalism and apostasy.
- The small school struggles for many years. It is not highly regarded
and not 'accepted' by other institutions--especially the big name
places. Even though it has solid teaching, it is not well known or
regarded.
- Over time, graduates and instructors from the school become better
known and the school begins to gain some acclaim--generally because God honors
those who honor His Word.
- The school becomes increasingly popular and begins to move toward
seeking accreditation--thus beginning to lose control over the content (and
instructors).
- As the school's fame increases, it strives more and more to interact
with the academic elite in other liberal or secular schools. Eventually,
academic respectability eclipses the importance of sound
doctrine.
- The school slides toward apostasy. New and novel (even heretical)
teachings are tolerated and even promoted--all in the interest of 'academic
pluralism and investigation.' Professors who are out of line with the
school's doctrinal statement are not disciplined.
- A small group of core professors become so concerned they leave the
school to form a new school--WE ARE BACK AT STEP #1.
Just about every school you will investigate is somewhere in this
cycle. Some that are the most highly regarded--especially in the area of
job potential for graduates and accreditation--are usually already at
steps 5 or 6. Thus, students flock to them at the point when they are
often past their peak and on the way to decline. At this point, they still may
look pretty good on paper (their catalog, doctrinal statement, reputation), but
internally the doctrinal rot has already begun.
Well, I've babbled at some length here. I hope I haven't
overwhelmed you. My main point is as follows:
You will constantly be faced with the choice of external
respectability vs.. remaining true to the essentials of the faith as taught by
God's Word. To the degree you optimize the former over the latter, you will be
in danger. Since the devil is the God of this
World, greater job opportunities are usually aligned with a path which
requires you to compromise on important issues. Therefore, placing your desire
for a teaching job above your desire to simply know God represents a danger.
BEWARE!
If there are other ministries which
you highly regard, I would recommend contacting them to see what they might
recommend. If money is no option and you are willing to move to the
school, I would recommend The Master's Seminary. If economic efficiency is
important and you need to stay in your locale, then I would investigate one of
the schools which specializes in distance learning. You will not be able
to beat them for what you learn vs. what you spend. However, be aware
that many other schools and ministries will turn their noses up at paperwork you
may obtain from them. This is where you must boil things down to their
most basic level: seek the Lord your God with everything you have and are
capable of, and trust Him to direct your path!
God bless - Tony
p.s. - Since you have a background in
biotechnology, have you considered using your faith and training in connection
with creationist ministries such as some of the more major ones we list
here?
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