What is Seminary? Should I go to Seminary? What about non-Seminary training?

Over the years, I have received this question many, many times, but especially lately. So I’m going to do my best to give you some condensed information to chew on.

I’ll open this the same way those guys do on youtube regarding stocks or legal advice: this is not legal or financial advice. This is a humorous way for me to begin this brief article on education in Christianity, and it really amounts to my thoughts as I’ve circled repeatedly on whether or not I want to pursue a Ph.D. Still, I won’t discuss that rabbit hole here.

Also, you should check my work, do some reading apart from this article, and correct me if I’m wrong.

I’ll try to answer the following questions: 1) What are the differences between the various programs and achievements in Christian education? 2) Do I need to go to one of these programs? 3) What can I do if I want to learn more but want to avoid getting formal education?

My general conflicted thoughts on modern seminaries will be sprinkled throughout this article, so be warned. In fact, it is worth it to state right out of the gate that in an ideal world (in my mind), congregations would train up their leadership with accredited or unaccredited training (the former if those individuals will be sent out to other churches – see below) and the latter if those individuals will be remaining in their local congregation.

Also, I won’t be discussing the point that ‘Christians don’t need training’ aside from saying: a disciple of a rabbi was considered trained, and the apostles trained for three years under the Son of God. Further, Jewish boys would generally be educated to some extent or another; minimally, these guys knew their OT and likely better than most evangelicals. Paul was also exceptionally educated, and the qualifications for church leadership presuppose some training, while Peter’s map of sanctification contains the imperative to grow in knowledge (2 Peter 1:3-11). Obviously, the amount of training one needs varies, and obviously, those trained can have ‘more’ training than expected, just as those who don’t need ‘formal’ training can have formal training. We should all avoid perpetuating the notion that Christian spirituality equals ignorance; instead, love the lord with your mind and use it. 

While I wish it would go without saying: not every Christian needs training in the sense we’re talking about here, I’d highly encourage every Christian to deepen their studies on the Lord and scripture. And I think every Christian should work through theological studies at some point: to what extent depends on each person. But if you get curious, check out some of the resources here.

Anyway. 

Seminary, College, and Bible Colleges, oh my

First, what are the differences between Seminary, various Christian degrees, and Bible Colleges? A short summary is that, by all accounts, a Seminary is a ‘college’ but with a ministerial/Christian/theological focus. There are differences between degrees generally associated with Seminary and ‘other’ Christian degrees. Still, one who attains a Masters in Old Testament studies at a seminary, went to Seminary. Some of this is semantics, really. People ask if I went to seminary, and I usually reply with “Yes, but no.” Or “I went to a seminary but didn’t pick up a degree usually associated with seminary.” Truth be told, while my school was “seminary,” I don’t like calling it that without qualification because they assume I am a pastor or something similar.

Regardless, the distinction is in the degrees, not necessarily the “location.” A seminary is a college, but it is a specialized college. So, a seminary can be distinguished from other higher education (colleges) in that it focuses on professional ministry and offers specific programs, such as a Master of Divinity, a Masters of Theology (some don’t count this as a ‘Seminary’ degree though), or a Doctor of Ministry, etc. Seminaries are specialized schools for religious studies and theology. Ex. You can take religious studies courses at UT Austin, but UT is much broader than the focus of a seminary. Those religious courses are not the focus or specialization of UT. Some schools have branches of their schools that allow them to be both/and. For example, Biola is a much broader university than a typical seminary, but Biola has “The Talbot School of Theology” that you can attend, which is a Seminary. 

Bible Colleges are usually undergraduate-level institutions that offer training in various areas of Christian education. Most offer a Bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree, meaning they are usually the standard for moving into a graduate degree for more study. 

It may be helpful to point out the differences between undergraduate and graduate studies before elaborating, 

“The main difference between undergraduate and graduate is that undergraduate is always used in the context of the first level of college or university education (the level where you can earn a bachelor’s degree). In terms like a graduate student and graduate degree, graduate refers to a level of advanced education beyond the undergraduate level, especially a master’s degree or doctorate. The noun graduate is more general, simply referring to a person who has completed a level of education (someone who has graduated).”

https://www.dictionary.com/e/undergraduate-vs-graduate/

And,

“A graduate program is a 1-6-year college master’s degree program for someone who already has a bachelor’s degree. An undergraduate program is a 4-year college bachelor’s degree program or a 2-year associate’s degree program. Course load. 4 courses/12 credits per semester/trimester.”

from https://www.diffen.com/difference/Graduate_vs_Undergraduate#:~:text=A%20graduate%20program%20is%20a,12%20credits%20per%20semester%2Ftrimester, they have a nifty chart

So what is the difference between Bible College and Seminary? Generally, Bible Colleges deal with first-level training (undergrad). Graduate-level training usually narrows its focus and builds upon that initial training. Post-Grad work likewise – just beyond Masters programs. 

‘Seminary Programs’ vs. ‘Masters Programs

Going back to graduate studies: what are the differences between the programs often associated with seminaries and those not usually associated with them? The former is traditionally focused on those pursuing careers within Christian leadership in churches (i.e., pastors/ministers/etc.), while the other is not. The curriculum in seminaries includes studies in biblical studies, theology, and church history, but also pastoral care, preaching, church planting or other ecclesiastical topics, and other practical ministry training. Its focus is on more practical skills for being within ministry roles. The most common degrees for this are a Masters of Divinity (M.Div) or a Doctor of Ministry (D. Min). Various programs give the same training as these for those who have not obtained the necessary preliminary undergraduate degree to attend a graduate program, such as a Bachelor of Theology or Divinity (the former being the most common designation), making it easy for one called into pastoral ministry to get training without an undergrad, under bachelors. Typically these programs are longer than a typical Master’s program (for example, an M.Div can be 3-4 years while some Masters programs can be completed in 2 years or less both of which are flexible due to various factors (credits transferred, full-time vs. part-time attendance, etc). 

A Master’s in apologetics, NT, OT, Historical Theology, etc., is, as one can tell, more focused on a particular field. However, because they are not focused on training pastors/ministers per se, they tend to incorporate broader academic discussions. Usually, the premise behind these are those wanting to focus on academia, research, teaching, or other careers, not necessarily pastoral training. These programs are more specialized, and those specializations can be seen in the program’s name. The emphasis is more on academics, research, and critical thinking within a Christian context and less on the practical application within a congregational setting. Usually, a Masters is seen as providing a way for more broad options when it comes to career paths (teaching, academic research, counseling, non-profit organization, publishing, etc).

So the key difference? One is specific to those called to be a pastor or minister in the church; the other is not. 

A disclaimer remains necessary: One with a Masters’s in NT, OT, Historical Theology, etc, can be a pastor, and likewise, one with an MDiv can go into research, teaching, etc. Some of the choices of which program to pick boil down to the individual picking the program and what they desire to focus on or where they want to ensure they are comfortable (training-wise). For example, a man who learns pastoral care for a semester or two will likely be more comfortable going into pastoral care than one who did not have that training. Still, the one who didn’t have that training in a particular program could have training from elsewhere or have a knack for pastoral care already and desire to get a MA in Apologetics. Factors abound. 

As one can tell, there is a lot of overlap, but some key distinctions (such as a focus on pastoral care) are helpful if one has to choose between the two. For example, are you called to be a pastor? Then perhaps you should train with the program that is focused on that, it will help provide you with tools to do so.

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This begs the question, do pastors need to go to Seminary? The institution of Seminary is optional, while the training seminary provides is not. Put another way, Seminary is not essential, but the training is for leadership in a church. Training is necessary; I don’t think you can get around that in scripture (cf. qualifications for elders/overseers also see Jame’s critique on individuals who were becoming teachers when they shouldn’t have). 

Come on, Nick, how does that make sense? 

One can be under a mentor, gain certificates, self-study, etc and receive the same education as a seminary offers (especially in our day and age). You can get the training without the institution in several ways. And many saints we admire, who were gifted, clearly bypassed the institution (Spurgeon being one of them).

If this is true, why do people opt for the institution? I’ll take a stab at that question:

1. Verified training for trustworthiness; I mean, honestly, when someone says they’re self-taught, we are skeptical.
2. Accountability; for example, anyone who has picked up Basics of Biblical Greek knows how crucial accountability can be to complete the studies – it is too easy just to let it collect dust (especially when one hits the ‘good stuff’ such as 3rd declension and participles).
3. Being trained by experts, while the materials are put out by individuals trained and who are experts, being trained in a subject by an expert is much different than being self-taught, especially when those experts provide feedback and push you, and explain concepts for you to break them down. If I didn’t have (name drop a scholar) going through my work with a fine tooth comb, my quality of work would be significantly lower.
4. Growth. While self-study is certainly a means of growth if you do it well, there is a unique experience in being tested, praying over a 20-page paper, being forced to think critically about your topic, and knowing that you’ll be marked for how well you do it. Honestly, anyone who has done a workbook on a topic knows how easy it is to shortcut both the work and, by extension, what you get out of it (I know some of you folk have fallen behind on your small group studies and know what I’m talking about). There is also something to be said about ensuring that the time spent on the training has something verifiable behind it and that you can mark your discipline and time with a degree. 

Of course, those reasons blend, yet also they are not exhaustive, but hopefully, that makes my point. The big pitfall is the financial strain of attending any of the above programs. One can indeed trim that down substantially via scholarships, aid, etc, but it still takes a toll. Some seminaries are excellent about helping their students (for example, my alma mater, Biola, had a general application for scholarships that you would fill out, which would apply some scholarships to you automatically or lead you to specific scholarships you could formally apply to without having to dig for them, because, let’s be honest, nobody wants to search for those). This is one of my key issues with Seminaries. While the institution needs funding and to be paid for all that it offers, it simply seems wrong to take individuals going into a [generally] less-than-lucrative field (full-time ministry) and put them in that field with a mountain of debt. In my mind, those in that position will be more likely to cave into trying to make money and pragmatism rather than shepherd souls, but this is my opinion. 

Here’s the thing, though, if you want to get a position somewhere, you may have a hard time getting one without formal training because of those four points mentioned above (give or take). In various cases, especially if the people you want to work with know you well, you can take up a position without formal training. Many times this happens, and those in those positions will be encouraged to pursue formal training while working (many seminaries accommodate pastors who are working during their programs). At the same time, you may just be expected to have formal training. Some denominations even require formal training for ordination, which is important to know. Yet, it boils down to “it depends.” Some can take on mentorships, apprenticeships, local training programs, etc. The general rule of thumb is that formal training is assumed because it is verifiable and shows discipline in completing a long journey. In short: nobody wants a self-taught quitter, which may not be the case with some individuals, but many will see this as the exception rather than the rule. 

Accreditation vs. Non-accreditation

So what’s the deal with accreditation vs. Non-accreditation? You’ll notice some institutions are non-accredited. For example, here is a list of schools that are unaccredited or going through the process of becoming accredited): 

Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary 

https://puritanseminary.org/

Reformed Baptist Seminary

Reformed Baptist Seminary – Home

Ligonier Academy

Study Reformed Theology at Ligonier Academy

Reformed International Theological Seminary

http://www.reformation.edu/

So what’s the deal? Accreditation is a process that institutions go through, and it is ultimately an evaluation of their programs by an external body to ensure that said institution meets standards of quality (comprehensiveness, rigor, etc.). It is quality assurance to make sure that the quality and credibility of the institution are high and legitimate. Points to consider on accreditation are as follows: when attending an accredited institution, you can transfer your credits, get financial aid, and (usually unless it’s a trade) it positively impacts employment prospects as most individuals will reject unaccredited education. I think this is where the ‘why’ of your desire to get training comes in and determining ‘how’ that training will be executed. 

Your unaccredited training may have been rigorous and high caliber, but it generally cannot be verified as proof of competence or even well-balanced training. This doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value. You certainly gained some education and kept that knowledge with you. But generally (in the US, anyway), it won’t be helpful to you in the long run beyond the knowledge you gained and your experiences. 

Here is where my bias comes in: I think that if you’re going to pay for a program, spend the most valuable currency you have (time) on it, and endure the stress of an education, you might as well get credit for it (get it?). That’s as simple as it gets for me and perhaps too simple.

It should be noted that many push back on the importance of accreditation (go read those debates online). Yet, the stigma remains that they are often seen as diploma mills (meaning broadly: schools that are more interested in money than quality education, you can read on those as well if you desire). 

As I mentioned above, however, some of those institutions I listed are in the process of becoming accredited, so don’t dismiss them right off the bat nor think that they are lackluster institutions; I know for a fact that a couple of them are forces to be reckoned with. 

I want something, but not That

What of those individuals who want formal training but not those programs? There is another path, and those are certificates. Most every institution offers them; they’re shorter, they’re cheaper, and you have transferable credit. A certificate is a credential that shows the completion of a specific course of study or program. In many ways, certificates are the way of the future in some fields, such as the IT field, as it grows and requires specific certifications, but our question is more focused on seminary-esk education. In general, certificates and degrees differ significantly regarding their depth and breadth of study. Degrees are more comprehensive and in-depth in regard to a whole field. There’s more coursework, more requirements for completion, more specific courses on a selected specialization or significant, and more well-rounded. 

Certificates are shorter programs focusing on gaining knowledge or a skill in a particular area. They’re more narrow and are generally concentrated in a less rigorous course of study. Certificates are helpful to gain credits leading up to a full degree or for CU (continuing education) credits after you have received a degree. While certificates are lower in their academic level, they can help enhance a specific skill or knowledge, with the benefits of accountability and having something to show for completion (a certificate). 

There are a lot of certificate programs out there, and I have considered using them for CU many times because of the significant difference in cost and timeframe. For example, Biblicaltraining.org has several accredited certificates that look promising. However, I can’t speak to them beyond ‘looking’ promising because I have yet to decide if I want to pay for a certificate on something I can study on my own. 

A last point about certificates that is significant is that because they are cheaper (in regards to time and money), you can get multiples at once, one at a time, once a year, and so on. There is just a lot of flexibility with certificates. Maybe you want one in interpretation, OT, and NT. Work on them one at a time, and bada bing, bada-boom. This leads to the last point.

You want to learn but don’t want/or need formal Training

In my experience, the key skills learned from graduate studies are 1) critical thinking, 2) researching well, 3) observing well, and 4) Finding the right tools. Important, though, is that I didn’t take a ‘pastoral’ track (mentioned above), so these takeaways may differ! And yes, they all bleed together, I know. The reality is: You may attend a university, but you simply cannot and will not remember everything you hear and read unless you make an effort to do so, but you still will not remember everything. That’s just a fact. Nor will your program go into every single detail on every single topic. What they will do, is teach you to think through biblical issues, collect information, synthesize that information, form conclusions, back up those conclusions, and put them into a paper or exam. Of course (again), that assumes a program similar to mine, which moves into another point. 

I received my MA (Masters of Arts) in New Testament Studies because I wanted a more focused field of study. When I looked into several MA programs on Theology and their courses/readings, I realized I had read most of the materials I’d be working through in those programs. To me, at least, I’d essentially be paying a lot of money to re-read my old books and write papers on them when I could study them any time. This is not to say that I knew/know everything in those books down to the last letter, but that I was simply ‘meh’ about that idea. If I was going to pay to be taught something, I wanted to ensure it was something that generally you’d pay to be taught because of its lack of accessibility. And, of course, I had particular interests that pulled me to NT studies over other studies (honestly, part of me has considered going into a MA program or getting some certificates in patristics now because of my interests!). That’s just how it goes.

How does this move into a relevant point, Nick? 

The point is this: for many of these programs if you want to know what they are reading and learning, you can simply look up via a course catalog. If you don’t care about the above points (formality, accreditation, etc), pick up those books and work through them carefully. It will not be the same level of training because it is self-study, but if you just want to learn, why not? Most programs are desirable because they are well-rounded in a given subject, but this also can be ‘mimicked,’ and you can make your self-study well-rounded (which many of us naturally don’t!).

Furthermore, you can always go back to biblicaltraining.org (no, I don’t work for them, wouldn’t mind, though), and instead of looking at their certificates, look at their lists of free programs/courses/etc. I’ve looked at a lot of resources, but I tend to go back to Biblical Training when it comes to Recommending free ones. What if you want to self-learn the Biblical languages? Check out the websites and scroll down to see the books I recommend for that. Particularly take a look at Biblingo.

Of course, there are other free resources you can find. In fact, in some cases, you can find lectures from universities for free (does Itunes U still exist? If so, they had a lot on Biblical Studies from places like Westminster Theological Seminary). 

At the end of the day, the questions you should be asking (I think anyway): 

1. Why do I want training? Is it necessary for me, or is it something I desire for myself? 
2. To what extent should the training be or how much do I want?
3. What is my endgame for this training? 
4. Does it matter if I get some verification for it? Or will I need accountability to see the ‘training through’ on my own?
5. If it does matter, does it matter if I have a degree or a certificate? Or is either fine? (Refer back to Q 3). 
6. Do I have the financial resources for a program or enough desire for a program to have debt? 
7. Can I pick up local training/mentorships as an alternative? 

For most who read this article to the end, I wouldn’t stress the degree or certificate if it is just for yourself (unless you want accountability and something to show for it). Enjoy learning, and use your money on books/lectures at your leisure. Look up programs and use them as a launching pad. If you’re called to be a pastor, training is expected. How is that accomplished? Well, it depends.

To repeat a crucial point: not every Christian needs training in the sense we’ve discussed here. Still, I’d highly encourage every Christian to deepen their studies on the Lord and scripture. And I think every Christian should work through theological studies at some point: to what extent depends on each person.

Be sure to browse the resources at christisthecure.org/resources