I’ve had many conversations with colleagues about the role of higher education for all Christians. Many Pentecostals and Evangelicals remain skeptical, holding to the myth that higher education and critical thinking is an enemy of authentic faith.
Any reading of Christian history will reveal that most influential leaders of the Church have been those trained in the academy. Martin Luther was awarded a Doctor of Theology degree from the University of Wittenberg in 1512. Luther’s evangelical epiphany – the just shall live by faith – occurred as he studied, prayed, and worshiped in the university environment. In October 1517 he nailed his 95 Thesis to the Wittenberg church door. Luther’s university training prepared him for the controversies of the Reformation. Because he was trained in Biblical languages he translated the Scriptures into German, allowing the masses access to God’s word.
Before you dismiss me, this blog is not about the need for better ministerial training. Instead, this blog is about mission in the 21st century. But, to do ministry in the 21st century requires better ministerial education. Consider this: to earn a high school diploma most students must successfully complete a curriculum that includes Algebra, Geometry, Literature, and the Sciences. So, most high school graduates understand the following:
and this
The problem is that while Christian teens are learning algebra, chemistry, and biology; in the church we are failing to seriously engage them with Scripture and Theology. We lament that most young adults leave church and we blame the college environment. But the truth is that our young adults forsake the faith because we have failed to prepared them for the rigors of the academic environment. We must realize that if they can understand algebra, then they can also understand this:
Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος.
But, of course they never get this because most pastors can’t teach it. Most Christians can’t read the sacred text in the original languages. But that is not my point (I’m certainly not proficient). My point is that we can’t engage in a serious discussion in the meaning of καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος – and the Word was God. We insist on treating teens like kids. We insist on treating the Scripture like children’s tales. We insist on a literal reading of Genesis 1, but refuse to engage in a serious discussion on the role of scientific discovery. If we want to prepare our teens for the real world, then church leaders must be prepared to have serious discussions about theology, sex, ethics, science, and a variety of other subjects. Let’s stop dumbing down the gospel. Let’s rise to the occasion with Spirit-empowered and academically trained minds.
