Seminary Education at an Interdenominational School

I stood at the front of the class giving a presentation on baptism.  I felt a cold sweat run down the back of my neck as there was an eerie fidgeting amongst some of my classmates. I realized that my perspective was not one shared by some in the room.  The class was called “Shepherd the Flock”- it covered the theology of Lord’s Supper, Preaching and Baptism. Those three things alone have been cause for much division in the church throughout history. And, with at least 7 evangelical denominations present in the class it certainly made for an engaging discussion and lively debate.  

Some might argue that this way of education is counter-productive if not damaging to Christianity. Yet, I would argue the contrary. Such an approach to Seminary education both solidifies and challenges your previous beliefs. Why? - Because discussion and debate is face-to-face, rather than just interacting through books or worse “hearsay.” It places accountability to the forefront because you actually have to understand a real person’s outlook and interpretation of the Scriptures. It keeps us from misunderstanding certain perspectives and getting off on theological tangents that may be full of holes and worse, unscriptural. In the end you may not change your original position but you will see its shortfalls.

For those that don’t want to be challenged in their theology or think deeply about preconceived notions, I ask – what are you scared of? That you might discover the truth? Some of us like to hold on to our view of God that was given to us since we were a child attacking vehemently anything that differs from that perspective. Perhaps in being open, the worst thing that could happen is that you grow in your faith.

I got a call from a friend the other day concerned that his current pastor is leaning towards Calvinism. He stressed about this complex theology that he was encountering for the first time. “Cognitive Dissonance” is a good word to describe his condition. He was trying to bring together two things he considered to be true but appeared to contradict. He had spent countless of hours reading his Bible and seeking God for the answer. He asked me for my perspective and when I gave it, it never settled the issue for him. I pointed out that maybe the answer will stay hidden from him so that God can mold him to be more like his Son. After all, that is what God is ultimately about in our lives.  Such is the case of Seminary at Briercrest.

This approach also leaves you thirsty for more. Rather than tying every doctrine up with a nice little bow, it leaves you with a deep appreciation for the God who is beyond our understanding. Not that you are always in the dark and don’t ever settle on certain theological truths. But, it keeps you from placing your own personal understanding of God above the God of the Bible.  In a sense this approach teaches you how to be a lifelong learner and a lifelong disciple of Jesus. I will leave Seminary not as someone about to conquer the world with “proper understanding of scripture” but reliance on the God who eternally beyond my own understanding. Don’t hear me saying that an interdenominational seminary makes everything relative and there are no absolutes. On the contrary, it brings us back to the authority of the Word of God and forces our belief to rise from that, rather than personal opinion.

As a former youth pastor and potential future lead pastor I realize that I am bound to face someone in my church with a different perspective and theology than my own. Having already wrestled with other perspectives before entering the ministry, I think I am better able to respond to views that differ from my own.

Seminaries like Briercrest provide unity to an otherwise fragmented Evangelical landscape in Canada. Without reducing unity to the lowest common denominator of the one thing we have in common like “Jesus” or “Loving people,” they still stand on the Word of God. Professors still drive us to the scriptures for developing our Christian worldview and challenge our assumptions of what we consider true. Perhaps the term “interdenominational” isn’t a cop out but a step in the right direction and something that God might use for expanding his kingdom in this volatile and unchristian nation called Canada. 

A Year in Review - The Foster Family Christmas Letter 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

As we reflect on this past year as a family, it is good to put things into perspective. This summer we as a family had the opportunity to visit the Badlands of South Dakota. It was a unique experience as we gazed out on the “savage beauty” of the landscape. They call this place “the face of the moon” because it feels like you aren’t even on planet earth at times. We as a family stood at one of the pinnacles in the scorching heat taking in this surreal moment. As far as we could see in either direction was molten rock that had been shaped by the wind for thousands of years. It seemed like an “other-world” experience as we struggled to find descriptive words and attempted to capture this moment on camera. Awe-inspiring moments like this when we are caught up in something bigger than ourselves gives us perspective on our lives. It causes us to rethink priorities and turn our hearts to the maker of such beauty and complexity. It brings us to ask questions of significance and purpose and strengthens us for the days to come. Such has been the experience this year for our family. Leaving our life in the Maritimes and moving to Saskatchewan to go to Seminary has proved to give us much perspective on our life. Each of us has grown and has developed an awesome appreciation for the God who changes us to be more like his Son.

           Caleb started Grade two in the fall and he spends much of his time playing with friends. He has lost both of this front teeth and he honestly goes around the house singing, “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.” He especially loves playing Lego and building all sorts of space ships and cars. Apart from that, Caleb enjoys reading, writing, drawing and playing hockey. What thrills our hearts as parents most of all is that he often comes to us with his Bible wanting us to read him a story that he has never heard before. He loves going to AWANA and has a deep compassion for others.  He is growing up to be a young man that not only loves God but also cares for others.


                Leah is the life of the party. Her facial expression and excitement for the simplest of things causes her mother and I too laugh silently.  She is always asking for “family nights” and “family hugs” and enjoys snuggling with mom and dad.  Erica and I are certain that she will be the one that gets us to go bungee jumping as a family someday. She started school this fall and LOVES every moment of it and her super-extroverted personality enables her to thrive in that environment.  She goes to figure skating once a week with her mother and is learning to skate quite well. She enjoys AWANA and children’s church. If you could hear her say the Lord’s Prayer at night, it would make your heart melt. She is almost as tall as Caleb and loves to compete with him on the smallest of things. Despite seeming to be grown up she still cherishes her “baby and blankie” and has a Barbie collection that spills out of her room. We as parents are proud of how she is growing not only in height but also in character.


                Erica enjoys her work very much and is thankful for the opportunity to gain some work experience. She coaches figure skating once a week and also coached our kid’s soccer in the spring.  She also enjoys time at the gym and gets there a few times a week after work.  She cherishes the time she has with her children reading them stories at bedtime, pouring over their “pictures for mommy”, and giving that motherly wisdom and instruction.  She realizes that this experience here is preparing her for something in the future. This unique change in our family life right now has taught us much but she anticipates the day when we will be settled once again as a family.


                As a family we were blessed with the opportunity to go on two vacations this summer. We spent a week camping in South Dakota seeing Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and the Badlands. Our kids especially loved seeing all the wildlife. We saw herds of buffalo at Custer state Park, hundreds of bears at Bear Country USA, along with many antelope, big horned sheep, deer and elk. The beauty of the Black Hills was breath-taking but not to be outdone by our trip to the Fairmont Hot Springs in British Columbia. Erica’s sister’s in-laws invited us to join them on this trip and we were grateful for their kindness. What made it extra special was that my parents we able to join us for this trip. The Rocky Mountains were certainly awesome and we enjoyed every moment of these trips creating memories that will last a lifetime.


                I (Brent) have started my process towards ordination with the Atlantic Baptist Convention. I have only eight classes of the thirty left in my Master of Divinity program and I plan to be done all but one class by June 2012. I still appreciate the extended time the Lord has allowed me to devote to studies and I treat it like a full-time job. I am learning beyond what I could have imagined but, perhaps most of all Seminary is teaching me how to be a life-long learner. When I am not studying I spend some of my time at the rink. I play intramural hockey and continue to help Coach Caleb’s hockey team. To keep my leadership skills sharp, I serve on the Elders Board at Caronport Community Church. I have also had numerous opportunities to preach and lead Sunday morning services. This extended study and reflection time has produced in me a deep reverence for God and his Word but also a restlessness to return to full-time ministry. 


                As we sit at this moment in our lives nearing the end of our time in Caronport we have come to some realizations. The friends we made here at school will be hard to leave. In just a short time we have formed a close bond with some and don’t look forward to the day when we will have to say good-bye. Also, time is short and it is important to take advantage of every moment. It seems we just arrived here and now we are planning to leave. God is good. We have grown so much this past year and have been thankful for the blessings he has given us.       
                          
          Thank-you for your prayers and continued support and please know that they are appreciated. Please keep us in your prayers in the future. We hope that you have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
 

Love,

Brent, Erica, Caleb and Leah Foster