Why Bother With Theological College?
I must be one of the most privileged people in the world; sometimes I have to pinch myself to check it isn’t a dream. I’m being paid to learn how to teach other people about Jesus.
I have just completed my second year (of four) at Oak Hill College and, to be honest, I can’t wait to start the third. I decided to go to theological college because I hope to serve Christ as a pastor; I picked Oak Hill because I thought it would equip me well. So far, I haven’t been disappointed.
During my time at college, one or two people have asked me whether I think theological education is important. Couldn’t I learn just as much, if not more, simply by spending longer working for a church? Wouldn’t it be better to spend my time at college doing ministry, rather than reading books? Does it really matter which college you pick?
But imagine you went to the doctor with serious chest pains, only to discover that he’d never been to medical school – he’d learned on the job. Or, whilst at medical school, he’d spent his time serving in the St John Ambulance Brigade, and had never really bothered with his lectures on anatomy and physiology. Or imagine that his college had taught him virology, but not pharmacology and cardiology. It is a terrifying thought. Why should learning to care for people’s spiritual needs seem like a lower priority?
At college, I’ve learned that rigorous theological study does not mean shutting myself in an ivory tower. As evangelicals, we know that God works by His Spirit, through His Word, to transform the lives of sinners so that they believe in and obey His Son. Therefore, the more serious I am about seeing Christ honoured by changed lives, the more serious I’ll be about learning to proclaim God’s Word more effectively. Taking time to really study Scripture, so I know it better in all its richness and relevance, must be a great training for ministry. Theology is the best possible preparation for a life of service; studying hard is the way that I, as a would-be-pastor, can be of most practical use to the church.
There have been many highlights so far. But top of the list are Hebrew, Greek and Systematic Theology. The languages have helped me to understand Scripture better. They’ve slowed me down, making me think harder about what it means – when you’re not certain what some of the words mean, it’s hard to kid yourself that you know what the passage means! They’ve also helped me to spot things like the structure and key words of passages, and to use commentaries in a more informed way.
Systematics has helped me to understand more of the breadth, depth and riches of God’s Word. It’s enabled me to summarise key themes of Scripture; to see how different truths relate to one another; and to see more clearly which truths are of central importance, and which are minor issues, over which Bible-believing Christians can agree to differ. In this way, I’m better equipped to teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). I’ve also learned how to spot, and refute error – another important part of gospel ministry (Titus 1:9).
Of course, life at theological college is not all plain sailing: Oak Hill is not heaven! I still struggle to be godly. I wish I prayed more, and knew and loved Jesus better. Some days I just want to leave, and get stuck into ministry in a local church. Other days I wish I had more contact with “normal” people, especially non-Christians. However, I am convinced that my time at college is time well spent. It does mean that I can’t do as much practical ministry now as I was doing a couple of years ago (although, I am doing plenty of ministry). But I’m sure it also means that I’m much better equipped to serve our Lord Jesus and His people in the years to come.
Matthew Mason is training as a Church of England ordinand.