[George]

Aloha all,

In answer to Swordsman's question - "Is Bible College/Institute necessary?"

SCHOOLS & “SCHOOLING”

{What Schools CAN & CANNOT Do}

Schools and “schooling” do not allow for an independent examination of “Information” or “Facts”, and they preclude an Independent Inquiry of them (information & facts) because schools control and direct the WHERE, WHEN, HOW and WHY of learning (“education”).

Practically all of the materials (courses) taught in schools are “pre-cooked” and “canned”, and as such are subject to the personal biases and prejudices of teachers (grade school, high school, university professors, etc.) and text book authors. Because of the load factor (of the courses) and time constraints, students very seldom have the opportunity to search out (for themselves) whether what is being taught them is “true” or “genuine”.

For the most part - schools, in today’s world, are a “means to an end” – that is a “means” to obtaining a “Career” (which is just a “job” – a means to earning a living).

SCHOOLS ARE BEST SUITED to prepare people to be TEACHERS.
(That is to be just like those people who “teach” - teachers, professors, etc.)

Although natural TALENT and PRACTICE is what really produces “good” Teachers.

SCHOOLS ARE GOOD in preparing people for a PROFESSION.
(Doctors, Engineers, Scientists, Lawyers, etc.)

Although natural TALENT and PRACTICE is what really produces “Professionals”.

SCHOOLS ARE FAIR in preparing people for a TRADE.
(Carpenters, Plumbers, Electricians, Mechanics, etc.)

Although natural TALENT and PRACTICE is what really produces “Craftsmen”.

SCHOOLS ARE POOR (ill-suited) in preparing people for an ordinary JOB, or to LABOR, or to SERVE.
(Because most teachers, & professors, think and believe that it is below their “station” to “WORK”; or to “LABOR”; or to “SERVE” in order to earn a living.)

SCHOOLS DO NOT {& CANNOT} prepare people for life or for living.
(Schools are ill-suited to teach about practical living – simply because Schools are ARTIFICIAL, SUPERFICIAL, and NOTHING LIKE REAL LIFE!)

Schools are full of SOPHISTS. A SOPHIST thinks that he/she is CLEVER & SMART, when all he/she has is a CROOKED HEART!

SCHOOLS & THE “MINISTRY”

{What “Christian”Schools CAN & CANNOT Do}

“CHRISTIAN”SCHOOLS (Bible, College, Seminaries, etc.) are ill-suited to TRAIN or prepare men for the “MINISTRY”.
{Because the Bible (“Theological” ) Courses are pre-cooked and canned {according to Sect or Denomination} and most of the teachers, professors, etc., of Bible Schools, Colleges, and Seminaries employ the “Socratic” method of teaching which is the same worldly and Humanistic method used in the secular world to prepare people for an OCCUPATION or PROFESSION, which the MINISTRY IS NOT nor was ever meant to be.}

People who work in a Profession (teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, etc.) do so to earn a living; or possibly for self-gratification; or for Fame & Fortune.

The Ministry is NOT a PROFESSION (or a TRADE), and was never meant to be. The MINISTRY is a CALLING (from God) to SERVE God (1st.) and to MINISTER to God’s people (2nd.).

An elder or pastor is NOT CALLED to the ministry to earn a living; or for fame and fortune; or for self- aggrandizement. An elder or pastor is called to SERVE God and to MINISTER to God’s people. The MINISTRY is supposed to be a “Labor of Love” - NEVER for “filthy lucre” or self-aggrandizement!

Earning a living has NOTHING TO DO with God’s CALLING! An elder or pastor is called to be a SERVANT of the living God, he cannot serve man or for money; he cannot serve two “masters”; he must serve his MASTER according to the Scriptures – regardless of the cost and without thought of remuneration.

Church history has demonstrated (over and over again) that nearly all of the apostasy that has taken place within Protestant (all), Baptist (all kinds), Brethren (various), and Independent Bible churches (all kinds), has started in the "Educational Institutions" (SCHOOLS).

I don't question the motives or the good intentions of those Christians who have founded "Christian" Schools, but it just seems impossible for "scribes" (scholars and the educational "elite") to remain faithful to God or to God's Holy Scriptures. And I believe it has something to do with:

1 Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Read about Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Check out Bob Jones University, Dallas Theological Seminary, or the numerous Baptist Bible Schools or Universities (G.A.R.B., Northern, Southern, Independent, etc.), ETC., ETC., ETC.

I believe that the church is meant to be the only place where elders or pastors are to be taught and trained for the Ministry.

[1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.]

Proverbs 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.