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.