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Should education be mandatory for young Pentecostal ministers?
What is the appropriate age for young Pentecostal ministers / evangelists to begin pursuing higher education?
Should education for young Pentecostal ministers be mandatory from selected institutions?
How was education perceived by grassroots Pentecostalism a century ago and has this perception finally changed for the better?
Pentecostal Theology and the Condition of the Pentecostal Church Today
Senate Bill 2387 for public schools and universities
Bill is on solid legal ground under Title IX and all recent case law. It would protect a student’s right to privacy and safety. It preserves parental authority and fosters a safer environment, more conducive to learning and education
Pentecostal Theology on the Internet
MANDATORY COLLEGE DEGREES for PENTECOSTAL MINISTERS
Jim Price: As I listen to the webcast sermons I get the feeling that most pastors speak to a very narrow group. Usually they speak to those who see the world and experience the world as they do. Over time the audience will dwindle down to just those who experience life as the pastor does. Some pastors learn to speak mostly in parables, which of course lets the listener fill in the blanks and connect the dots in ways that their own mind works. A pastor speaking to someone who is in depression or to parents with a child in jail, runs the risk of cutting deep into their physic. To simply say ” God will meet all your needs” to a family who have just lost a job or is having their house foreclosed on, means trying to get into a brain that just can’t process that information at the time. Surely we are called upon to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Douglas Holland: I am realizing the way most American Christians have been single to sleep by our culture. We no longer as Christians see the need to call on God. We think we can hear a sermon or two each week (most of which are motivational speeches to support our present way of living instead of working to bring real change) and still be what God would have us be. We as the American church don’t even stand up to push back in-your-face-Satanism anymore. We accept just whatever comes down the pipe as reality. There are no more filters anymore for Christians. We are like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The enemy has told us that we have to know how the enemy works in order to combat it. We are not listening to God when Jesus just says “seek me”. We study Hollywood and politics so we can pose a good argument and all the while we have been lured into the very trap of an emotion and spiritual weakening that is perfectly designed to keep us distracted from the main thing. We as a nation need to repent.
John Ruffle: Well- I question this theology. My comment to this post was: “Deliverance needed, not education. These guys are captivated by demonic strongholds.” It’s possible to educate people to become clever devils. The light that comes through the Gospel of Jesus Christ is needed. How do others here view it?
Varnel Watson
A good question for younger ministers in the group currently pursuing a degree CrossTheology David Lewayne Porter Corey Forsyth Pope
CrossTheology
Interesting question 🙂 I am against anti-intellectualism but the Bible never commands ministers to go into ministry school as we currently know it. 🙂
Varnel Watson
Do you feel Pentecostalism used to anti-intellectual?
CrossTheology
I believe it’s removing itself more from the anti-intellectualist tradition, which is a good thing. 🙂 For more information, see the interesting essay of my Czech Pentecostal friend Michael Buban on his website selah.diet/en/ 🙂
Varnel Watson
Most of early Pentecostal leaders were quite educated. Parham, Seymore, Tomlinson, Simpson to name just a few. Some of the elders in the group Charles Page Jim Price Luchen Bailey and others could testify that education was on high in their times as well. Why do you feel that higher education should not be mandatory for young Pentecostal preachers today?
CrossTheology
I think it’s useful but God can use a donkey so He can also use the less fortunate in finances (if no one supports) or brains. There were some strange teachings going around in the day like if you arrive in Japan you can all of a sudden speak Japanese and British-Israelism to name just 2. 🙂
Varnel Watson
Every church movement and in regard every movement as well have strange moments in its history that does not necessarily invalidate it. What does this have to do with Pentecostal education for young ministers?
CrossTheology
Who says every movement has strange moments and does that justify those strange moments? If young Pentecostal ministers have an intellectualist approach to things, such strange teachings are less likely to occur. 🙂
Corey Forsyth
If I could go back in time, I would definitely pursue a degree. At the same time, I would never feel as though education should be required for ministry. Peter was not an educated man, yet we see Jesus holding him in high regard and certainly his ministry record should speak for itself. Paul was quite educated and obviously his was a world changer.
Making a rigid case for education, or even against education, cheapens God’s abilities and typecasts the vessels He will use to spread the Gospel.
My personal opinion is that education should be viewed as a means for enhancing the ministry God has called you to, not a required path to qualify you for ministry.
Brian Roden
Peter didn’t attend the “accredited” rabbinic schools of Hillel or Shammah, but he did have 3 years of close instruction and supervision under Rabbi Yeshua. When the Jewish leaders saw Peter and John as “unlearned and ignorant” men, it just means they had not been through the formally recognized process.
So my stance is: no particular degree (B.A., MDiv) should be required, but some sort of coursework (district or church-affiliated school of ministry, or distance ed like Global University Berean School of the Bible) with exams to prove proficiency in basic Bible knowledge and proper hermeneutics is essential.
Varnel Watson
From your example Peter was not educated and God used him for barely 2 books in the NT. Paul was highly educated and God used him to write over 1/2 of the NT. But today even with all his education CrossTheology or any other among us will not account for writing any of the NT (except for some apocryphal parts on facebook). So again a question for Pentecostals TODAY
Corey Forsyth
Your argument seems rather twisted to me. If we get this technical, should we worship Paul? Jesus didn’t pen any books of the NT. Does that make Him disqualified to follow?
Brian Roden
Paul wrote more books, but Luke wrote more words.
CrossTheology
God used both but Paul’s education was an advantage in his life 🙂
Varnel Watson
or did He 2 Peter 3:16 ►
Peter about Paul: His letters contain some things that are hard to understand 🙂
CrossTheology
That’s also a valuable addition to this talk 🙂
Charles Page
Dr Robert Crick stood on the steps of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary and invited me to take a break from ministry and enroll in the seminary. I gave a quick answer without hesitation, “no thank you” In reflection that answer was from an utterance of the Holy Spirit.
I have the greatest admiration for Chaplain Crick. I would not be what I am now if I had yielded to that temptation. Thank you Holy Spirit for your guidance.
CrossTheology
Please elaborate if you want… 🙂
Charles Page
that’s it!
CrossTheology
Okay 🙂
Charles Page
We had a mutual admiration – he referred to me as a prophet after Jeremiah.
Louise Cummings
I don’t think it should be mandatory. But it would be for their benefit to have all the knowledge they can accomplish , especially in our world today. I do think if they are serious about preaching or ministering in any way. They should well studied in The Word. We are living in a different world today. They need to know what they are facing. And be well prepared. Most needs to be alone with God and His Word. Listening to Gods directions. Then eduction to face a world like we are living. I think eviction is great. But Preaching comes from God and His directions.
Varnel Watson
Several denominations have already moved toward mandatory. What would be the reasoning behind that? Ministry education is expensive
Charles Page
Russell A. Morris
One doesn’t need formal education to be brainwashed, that can occur in any number of ways: listening to people with faulty theology, reading the writings of those with faulty theology, growing up in a church with faulty theology, becoming involved with a group containing cultish tendencies, etc.
Charles Page
you will not be brainwashed with a formal education. You will be enlightened and open to whatever is true.
Louise Cummings
I don’t believe eduction should teach anyone to preach. That comes from God. But I can see how it would be good in learning how to present yourself in a way that people would listen when you have an approach that people would listen. And learn and study to show yourself approved unto God , a workman that needs not to be ashamed.
Louise Cummings
Rightly dividing the Word of Truth. I forgot to finish the verse up.
Jim Price
Louise, if we say that preaching comes from God then we must listen to Adventists, Episcopalians and Baptists and take their message as from God. Also we have all heard ” jackleg ” preachers who ranted and raved and said nothing of value. Yet these are all preachers.
Russell A. Morris
Ray H. Hughes, in his book “Pentecostal Preaching” writes, “A man’s best may not always include formal education. Circumstances, responsibility, age, and many other factors make it impractical, if not impossible, for some men to prepare themselves formally for Christian ministry. Every man’s preparation, however, will include giving God one’s best…This giving of one’s best will certainly require those who have the opportunity for formal training to walk that path tenaciously, regardless of hardship or expense…[Some] men have not the self-discipline, the fortitude, or the courage to pursue a consistent course of study…and they condemn those who honestly seek knowledge through formal study…The ministry demands a lifelong commitment to study and research…there will never come a time when the successful preacher can cease reading and studying.”
Link Hudson
I believe we should all be educated in the word of God, educated in our own church community. I do not believe that any particular degree is necessary to minister as an elder/overseer of the church. We should be careful about adding qualifications to the Biblical ones.
Ironically, many churches that do require a certain education for the role ignore the Biblical qualifications to some degree in their screening process. Some Pentecostal denominations and churches ignore the Biblical qualifications and focus on whether the individual feels called. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to interview family members to see that an individual rules his house well and examine those in his social circles to see if he is above reproach?
In Indonesia, some of the Pentecostal churches focus a lot on the need for a Bible school degree. The problem is that ministry gets treated like a career track. Then there is the problem of the parents who send the naughty kid to Bible school to straighten him out. There are parents who send the first son to medical or law school, the second to be an engineer, and send the third to be a preacher. And ministry gets treated as a career just like everything else.
The apostles Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church. LIkely these men were mature, possibly somewhat old if they were presbuteros. If they ruled their houses well, they likely were able to support themselves already. They weren’t imported in from a Bible school, but appointed from within the congregation.
Charles Page
some of the elders were women??? right?
Charles Page
I was hampered in ministry because of a strong southern drawl. Even in college I was told it would hold me back.
Anyone with a southern drawl is seen as uneducated and unsophisticated.
If you have a strong southern accent you will need a good education to rid yourself of the ac cent (or have the demon cast out) if you expect to be a good minister today.
Jim Price
You make a good point and to rid oneself of a simple word like git instead of get is hard to do. About a year ago I tuned in a CoG preachers website who had moved to Pa. from Ms and of course he had taken his Ms. accent with him and a low country world view as well. It seemed so strange and I have often wondered if he was able to adjust or if the congregation had been able to adjust also.
Brian Roden
Have you ever heard Dr. Ben Witherington III speak? Major Carolina drawl, but one of the most respected Wesleyan New Testament scholars around, and a good preacher too.
Luchen Bailey
I am for our young ministers getting as much education as possible, after all the disciples of Christ had a much higher level of education than I takes for a man today to get a M. Div. They spent 3 yrs day & Night with their teacher. No teacher ever lived that was greater than Christ.
Charles Page
We have a greater teacher, the Holy Spirit who was sent to us as a result of Christ leaving. needful for me to get out of the way…another teacher
Luchen Bailey
How true, I have heard men in the past say “ I’ve been in the way for 40 years and don’t need any help” they need to get out of the way and let the H.S. Help.
Luchen Bailey
Ministers need a good education today as we are reaching people with a higher degree of education. I know from experience as I was the pastor of a church that had 3 college teacher 2 professor at the local State University,3 public school teachers and 2 with their Dr. degree. Now that is a challenge.
Varnel Watson
Great discussion indeed. Would love to hear from some of the educators here too Wolfgang Vondey Vinson Synan William DeArteaga David Willaim Faupel Amos Yong Donald W. Dayton and even Rick Wadholm Jr Again the question is not if we need education which is a given, but if it should be mandatory for the ordination of Pentecostal ministers
Luchen Bailey
The Church of God has a mandated program for Ministerial licensing, called MIP (Ministerial Internship Program). I served for 20 years as teacher and State Coordinator in CA/NV. It is a great program. This program cover a vast area of training which is needed to be able to meet the demands of leadership. However we must be careful that we don’t go too far in our requirement of a degree before being licensed in our church. I do thing that every minister that is truly interested in meeting the need of their people will apply themselves to higher education. I am 83 years old and retired, having studied at University of Ohio, UC Barkley, Lee University, Asbury Theological Seminary . Pentecostal Theological received a D. Litt degree from Ashley University, yet I still apply myself to daily study and have a deep desire to know more of what is in His word.
Luchen Bailey
A young minister needs to study, to help you understand the Bible you need to know the difference between exegesis and eisegesis?” For a quick look at the two check my web http://andnowyouknowmore.blogspot.com Feb, 8 2016
Joseph Kidwell
Perhaps not a formal education. However, a prospective minister should be able to pass a very rigorous exam in order to be credentialed.
Varnel Watson
If you read the article they are calling for mandatory education as a prerequisite to ordination. Hence the discussion on what Pentecostal schools are out there for ministers to get their mandatory education before ordination
Joseph Kidwell
That’s the point that I was trying to make. A formal education should not be mandatory.
Varnel Watson
Agreed but why the current Pentecostal denominations move for such?
Joseph Kidwell
It’s a pattern. If you look back, virtually every movement that begins in revival moves this direction. Now, I’m not against education. I have B.A. in Bible from Central Bible College and am close to a Master’s in Theology. However, some the the greatest Bible preachers that I know did not have a formal education.
Louise Cummings
Amen.
Paul Hughes
There are too many ignorant preachers, that’s for sure. Facebook proves it.
Paul Hughes
People should not be interpreting the Bible for other people, who do not really know how to do it themselves. Opinions are not the same as facts.
Joseph Kidwell
The pastor who mentored me is the greatest Bible preacher that I have ever heard. He knew the Scriptures as well as any that I ever met & he never had a formal education. The same is true with some others that I know.
Street Preacherz
You must be very young… who mentioned you? a little humor very little granted but I’m very limited I can always learn. What preacher could get such a recommendation?
Varnel Watson
Paul When some people interpret the Bible for themselves they end up in a heresy or forming a cult
Paul Hughes
OR they second-guess their pastor and imagine themselves to be the final authority.
Joseph Kidwell
That’s why it’s important to consult good sources. My pastor had an extensive library.
Robert Borders
I would advise any young minister wannabe to not only get some theological training but also training to support themselves and their family in the workplace. Fewer churches will be self-supporting in the future.
Paul Hughes
True, and being self-supportive makes one less dependent on making church people happy at the expense of true worship and unvarnished truth.
Paul Hughes
The last parts of my Bible college & seminary education I would trade would be original language exegesis. The next to the last would be the research tips shared by then AGTS librarian Larry Haight. After that would come practical ministry tips from Gaylan Claunch.
Brian Fulthorp
Not mandatory but strongly encouraged
Varnel Watson
Whats the difference?
Varnel Watson
The start of the year is probably the best time to ask this question. While our AG has made education mandatory other denominations still linger AND some are even found at the bottom of the scale with least educated ministers. Can we afford that with so many accredited schools around us? http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/top-theology-school-for-theology-church-history-phd-dissertation-w-full-scholarship/
Lyn Wilson
An idiotic idea. How does someone explain the fact that some people who have never gone to college become ministers and do phenomenally well?
For example, a guy I knew who was a firefighter in Phoenix in the 1980’s when I was there, later started a church that is now running about 600. It’s an independent church. Let’s say, though, that this church decided it wanted to become affiliated with the AOG. Would the AOG then tell the congregation they should fire their founding pastor and allow them to send someone in who is actually qualified to lead their congregation? How about someone, say, who just graduated from an AOG bible school?
Nora Neel-Toney
If a person is truly called of God, the Holy Spirit will lead them as long as they put God First and follow Him. I’m not against furthering education.
Tony Morrison
I don’t think mandatory education is the answer. I do believe education is important, but I also know that for some education, and classroom settings just don’t work. Why? because we all learn differently, we minister and serve differently…so mandating seminary, i fear will drive those truly called, and gifted, away leading to a further shortage of pastors.
Tim Dalton
They should go to a decent elementary school.
Link Hudson
Churchrs should educate. I am wary of requiring extrabiblical requirements for ministry and oppose ignoring Biblical requirements.
Isara Mo
Who is a better teacher than God?
Varnel Watson
Lyn Wilson funny you called it An idiotic idea because in the Biblical greek idiotic actually means unlearned http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/complete-list-of-theological-seminaries/
Tim Dalton
I actually attended two of those schools before the Lord used me in another profession in conjunction with the sem degrees. My then denomination required a M.DIV. My Pentecostal beliefs required the terminal degree to even be heard. I don’t regret it, but I learned a lot in other places as well. God uses education to open doors, then we must be led by the Spirit. It took me places where a college or a Pentecostal M.DIV couldn’t.
Link Hudson
Why isn’t it sifficient for faithful men inthe church to teach orhers who teach others also? (II Timothy 2:2). Are the elders of the church, teachers and other gifted men not doing so sufficiently? Did Jesus and the apostles go to seminary?
Tim Dalton
Many of them are not faithful in correctly dividing the word of God. They go by what they have been taught, tradition, speculation , shoddy scholarship, fables etc. Why do many think because a person has advanced training that he isn’t faithful? God used both Peter and Paul, but for different purposes besides spreading the gospel.
I agree with faithful men, but they are far from faithful if they can’t correctly divide the word or have an anti-educational bias which is quite prevalent among many. Paul said He became all things to all men in order that he might win some. That, at times, takes hard work and submitting to the world’s rules. Remember though we are in the world , but not of the world. Paul stated in his teaching to Timothy about church order just after your taking of a single verse, but in it’s context
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. (2 Tim. 2:)
Link Hudson
Tim Dalton I am not anti-education. I have spent a it f years n school myself. But I see some denominations adding unbiblical requirements and I see what liberal seminaries have done. The Biblical model is apprenticeship training by itinerant ministets or local church leaders.
Requiring seminary education pushes more in the direction of the career track clergy IMO we already see in scripture and away from Biblical eldersgip.
Pentecostalism already has enough ignoring Biblical requirements and ignoring Biblically qualified men. Requiring seminary education may exagerrate this problem as it has for many denominations.
How many Pentecostal preachers with advanced degrees teach fables? I read a post from someone with a doctorate who seemed to be arguing the wine in the apostles’ time did not have alcohol in it. Godswordforwomen yas a post from a DMin that says Abraham called Sarah ‘lord’ citing as evidence a verse that says the opposite. As a PhD it just irks me to see people putting the weight of a doctorate behind nonsense.
Tim Dalton
First of all, your pushing an agenda(alcohol content in wine), at least shows you need debating skills. Stick to the subject. I have not been to all the seminaries, so I am far from qualified to know their agenda.
What I can say is since the 50s, many of the Evangelical and Pentecostal seminaries (and denominations), seem to be seeking acceptance in the greater Christian world. One way they seek equality is with degrees. A case in point is the Church of God which gives unearned Doctorates to their holy hierarchy. The current one only has a BS, and I believe that is in music. I may be wrong, but he only has an undergraduate degree.
I have personally seen some men with liberal ideas become professors due to their attending world renowned institutions (Oxford, Tubingen, Glasgow etc.). It gives prestige to both the denomination and the schools.
At this point, we must pray for them as the Bible clearly warns us 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16).
Link Hudson
Tim Dalton knowing wine had alcohol content isbasic history science and there are references to drunkenness in scripture. Educated men should not have a problem with that should they?
Seminaries differ from one to another. Have you considered that seminaries may actually be toolss of the devil in some cases in denominations that require seminary education? There are the liberals, but also it gets us away from the type if elders the apostles sppointed and if is a much less reproducible model. How many centuries has it raken for a significant number of missionaries to unlearn the traditional idea that you need va xhurch building in a mission field? Requiring seminary education can greatly sliw mission efforts and leave churches withou elders to oastor. Getting the education to the pastors can help instead of removing them from the ministry.
Why is the sum of achurch’s teaching too light to prepare men for ministry?
Tim Dalton
Yes , an educated or a man with common sense should have a problem when you are just dragging in a red herring and then trying to justify it. Educated men have been taught to stick to the subject on hand and not muddy the thought by chasing rabbits.
Tim Dalton
Many just bring things in to ride their bully pulpits or show how clever they think they are.
Tim Dalton
No offense Link, put you quoted scripture out of content and then you diverted to your pet peeve (so you could push it down our throats I wonder). If you continue this, what is the sense of talking. You just want to promote yourself.
Link Hudson
Tim Dalton I pointed out that degrees do not keep people from holding to absurd positions, necessarily. Maybe the absurd position I chose was a sore spot with you.
Tim Dalton
Link Hudson – sorry, but you just want to justify your inability to have a legit discussion. You drag in herrings and now you attack me. One needs not to go to school to learn how to discuss, but you need to quit leading with your ego. It is not always about you. I really don’t want to insult you, but you are very transparent. You wouldn’t last thirty seconds in a courtroom. I believe it would be best that you follow this: James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
Now get over yourself.
Robert Erwine
it sure would make internet conversations less frustrating
Link Hudson
Robert Erwine are you saying conversation with folks with degrees can’t be frustrating?
Btw do Pentecostal seminaries educate or indoctrinate?
Robert Erwine
all Im asking for is basic bible knowledge and understanding Hermeneutics , its like people never picked up a bible before !
Tim Dalton
Robert Erwine – Robert most have picked them up, but only carry them to church. The real thought should be, its like people have never really read or studied the bible.
Link Hudson
Robert Erwine what if there were other avenues for delivering the education and getting it to the local church?
Varnel Watson
In Link’s defense I have found that theological education especially formal would help him figure out his own theology For some other cases however even formal education does not help
Robert Erwine
i suppose there is that learning curve too
Varnel Watson
Robert you just killed the fish 🙂 all fish
Link Hudson
Troy Day you mean get indoctrinated.
Varnel Watson
fish is a freshman in the old Bible college days
Varnel Watson
it will sure NOT hurt Pentecostal Theology for sure
Varnel Watson
mandatory YES did good for Charles Page
Charles Page
No, not mandatory! They should be set-forth by a local congrgation and that process will differ from church to church.
Link Hudson
Our doctrine should not add to scripture on this matter. There are requirements for overseers in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. There is also II Timothy 2:2. Men who teach should have a solid education in the truth. But education can be given by itinerant ministers and in house by teachers in the church as we see in scripture, and of course by the Holy Ghost.
Charles Page
should women who teach get a solid education in the truth?
Jerome Herrick Weymouth
Yeah, my wife teaches one Sunday morning a month… Christ wants husbands to love their wives and to disciple them. I’ve taught my wife to study and prepare sermons and teachings. She is a good teacher, a real help meet for me and the work He has called us as a team.
Varnel Watson
I feel it will do well for Link Hudson to get some theological education in the near future It will be good for all Alan
Jerome Herrick Weymouth
Yeah they should, J. Oswald Sanders written many excellent books, and he uses words that are not your everyday vernacular. I had to use my Webster’s to look up some of his terminology and get a clear meaning… yes we need to be instructed on how to use a concordance, how to know the difference between calvinism and Arminism, study on the cults, and study to show yourself approved unto God.
I also enjoy watch instruction videos on building book shelves and fixing things around the house. I’m 68 and still learning everyday, still being educated daily. I appreciate the Men of God who encourage us to learn All about God daily!
Varnel Watson
I like my everyday vernacular though Charles speaks tongues
Charles Page
done it today and all day…forbid it not…don’t offer discouragement rather encourage others to practice the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Steve Losee
definitely. Many charismatic pastors today don’t know any truth beyond healing & tongues. That’s embarrassing
Link Hudson
That is sad. Preaching the same few topics over and over again is not only boring, but it provides a skewed view and a very imbalanced diet for listeners.
I am also concerned with preachers who preach stuff they hear from other preachers and modify it a bit. Another preacher hears that, and modifies it. You end up with a body of doctrine that gets farther removed from what the Bible teaches. The WOF movement has a lot of examples of this.
Louise Cummings
Well I said no , but lost. I was meaning Theology classes. But the Bible says Study to show thyself approved , unto God , rightly dividing the Word Of God. So yes you do have to study. Fill yourself full of the Word Of God. Also every opportunity you have to go higher in Theology, or any training at all. It would be for your good. Times changing , you come up with all kinds of questions. And The Bible said to be ready to give every man an answer , to the hope of Salvation. That will take praying and study. Every answer doesn’t com through school learning. But through the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit that is leading you. Lean heavenly upon the Holy Spirit to give you answered , that will not come in book learning. But through the leading of the Holy Spirit. So I would say through learning the Word Of God. And listening close to the Holy Spirit. But any learning in schools, colleges. Would prolly help you to answer many questions , that you never heard of before. So learning is good. But God does the Calling.
Varnel Watson
I know MANY pastors who have NOT read the whole BIBLE not even one time from front to back
Link Hudson
How did that topic come up? Did you ask them the question point blank and get an answer?
Varnel Watson
it was actually mandated by our AG at one time and YES I do ask all my students to have read the BIBLE
Daniel J Hesse
What about back to front?
Anonymous
Jerome Herrick Weymouth posted earlier this
I have seen Pentecostal Churches that are intellectual ignorant.
They state “If you go to Bible college, you are poisoned against the anointing, and you favor men’s teachings. All you need is the anointing!” And for this many of these Preachers get sucked up into heresies and teach demonic doctrines.
I for one have not seen this attitude among true Pentecostals for some over 40 yrs now
We have Philip Williams who refuses to take Church History 101
and Link who dont know a lick of Biblical Greek
but then again none of them is really Pentecostal
so they hardly count as a Pentecostal example here
Anonymous
Troy Day I can read a bit of Greek. I got an A in classical Greek. We had some readings from the New Testament scriptures.
There is Troy who talks about having studied Greek but does not demonstrate how the Greek supports his assertions, and tries to persuade that he is right about his arguments because he knows Greek better than those who disagrees with–a form of the logical fallacy of appeal to authority. If someone claims to read Greek and claims Biblical figures only drank wine without alcohol, or claims that there is something in the Greek on II Thessalonians 1 proves a pretrib rapture, should we believe it merely because the one arguing for it tries to position himself as having superior knowledge of Greek than others?
Anonymous
Link Hudson my personal website with my person scholarly comments on 1st 2ns Thes youve ignored for years because you dont understand it period. It provides my personal response to MANY at one time it was ALL b-greek bible related questions and topics https://probible.net/ It has multiple proofs from the Greek specifically on 1Thes – if you had any clue of any Greek you should know. I also read SPANISH fluently but cant understand a lick of what I read – for ppl like Link Hudson Jesus specifically asked HOW DO YOU READ 🙂 obviously Link reads A in classical Greek but gets none of it – and not we will cast out the demonized habit of posting trash talk during church. I have NOT seen such practice even in calvinist forums Kyle Williams attends BUT I have seen it in pro-gay forums where they make it a thing every Sunday
Anonymous
I have heard it many times thought the years…
Seminary is called cemetery.
PHD is called “Post Hole Digger”.
“Much learning will drive you mad”
A man who has been discipled is better off than a 4 year Bible college wonder!
I don’t need to speak geek and Hebrews. And it goes on.
Anonymous
Jerome Herrick Weymouth PHD is called “Post Hole Digger” comes from Baptist circles relating to how they pay their phd pastors for digging themselves out of the deep one they dig every Sunday MOST Pentecostals have ThM Dmin ThD – Baptists like Link Hudson likes PHD which makes them “Post Hole Digger”. NOW the Greek skills Link possess qualify him to play in Homer’s Iliad the role of the 3rd Greek column on the right
Anonymous
I;d say we should give it a try Roscoe Barnes III perhaps then we will finally deal away with wanna be Pentecostal theologgers like Link Hudson Philip Williams