ReformingFlatlander
Puritan Board Freshman
Hello to all on the PurtianBoard! (This is actually my first post, so I'm sorry if I approach it "wrong"- I've never been a big poster in forums!) I am a recent member who has quietly been reading through posts and asking questions of various members here on the forum about a large concern of mine. Recently I started seminary at Pittsburgh Seminary and have been quite bothered with what I've experienced so far. There are several faithful faculty here at the seminary to Reformed Theology, but by and large I have witnessed a high degree of liberalism. I knew this would be the case to some degree in coming here, but as far as financial concerns every door seemed to fly open for me to come here (Full tuition, housing, books) and several mentors in my life felt that even with the mix of bad theology that I would hear, by God's grace I would be able to withstand and remain faithful, strong, and true to the gospel and come out equipped as a minister for Christ's church and kingdom.
As of now, I've become quite bothered with what I continually hear in classes and do not agree with most of the time. My chief concern is that I have come to be prepared tas a minister of God's word and that I will not be adequately equipped to do so in 3 years time. With such thoughts as the scriptures being fallible, late date archeological dating, low Christology and spirituality based on extra-Biblical ideas, you can see why I'm concerned seeing as I've been here only one term! In addition, there seems to be a low emphasis on pastoral theology, Biblical exegesis, and preaching... which all 3 of those are important aspects to a future pastor of a congregation.
Mainly I am wondering if there are people out there who have gone to seminary and experienced some of what I previously mentioned. Did you end up transferring schools (as I am seriously considering), and if not, how has it impacted your ministry in the years after seminary? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated for I feel like I'm mildly "locked in" at PTS seeing that I am under care of a PC(USA) presbytery, have free schooling, and as of now do feel called to be a light in the darkness of this denomination. Right now I am prayerfully seeking His discernment as to how He is leading me to proceed and would love to hear other's experiences in how God called them in regards to similar experiences with seminary education
_____________________
Billy
Inquirer in Presbyterian Church (USA)
Colonial Presbyterian Church
Pittsburgh, PA
As of now, I've become quite bothered with what I continually hear in classes and do not agree with most of the time. My chief concern is that I have come to be prepared tas a minister of God's word and that I will not be adequately equipped to do so in 3 years time. With such thoughts as the scriptures being fallible, late date archeological dating, low Christology and spirituality based on extra-Biblical ideas, you can see why I'm concerned seeing as I've been here only one term! In addition, there seems to be a low emphasis on pastoral theology, Biblical exegesis, and preaching... which all 3 of those are important aspects to a future pastor of a congregation.
Mainly I am wondering if there are people out there who have gone to seminary and experienced some of what I previously mentioned. Did you end up transferring schools (as I am seriously considering), and if not, how has it impacted your ministry in the years after seminary? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated for I feel like I'm mildly "locked in" at PTS seeing that I am under care of a PC(USA) presbytery, have free schooling, and as of now do feel called to be a light in the darkness of this denomination. Right now I am prayerfully seeking His discernment as to how He is leading me to proceed and would love to hear other's experiences in how God called them in regards to similar experiences with seminary education
_____________________
Billy
Inquirer in Presbyterian Church (USA)
Colonial Presbyterian Church
Pittsburgh, PA