I’m getting ready to wrap up my seminary education.  I’ve been taking college classes for nearly 10 years now, with the occasional quarter off here and there.  It’s been a fun ride with lots of ups and downs.  For example,  I took a required math class at my local college that was a prerequisite to my BA program.  That class kicked my butt!  I spent 2-3 hours every night working through the homework (on top of working full time, being married, and having one kid at the time). Fast forward several years and I am wrapping up my MA of Theological Studies at a local seminary in the Tacoma,WA area.  I have the same job (with new responsibilities) two lovely daughters, and the same amazing wife. But now I will also add my masters to that already exciting lineup!

When I first went to college I was convinced I wanted to be either a psychologist or an English professor.  After one psychology course I quickly realized that I wasn’t interested in that field (the professor was supposed to be the expert and was instead a complete wreck), and shortly after that, I realized I would likely need a PhD in the field of English to ever possibly obtain employment as an English teacher at the college level.  So low and behold I became like my fellow students – hopelessly lost – attempting to discover myself through the academic process.  Junior college had it’s upsides though, I met my wife while we were attending the same school, and we often spent time together on campus while we were getting to know one another.

I then transferred to a 4 year Christian college, and quickly completed my BA.  During the BA process, I sensed a calling to become a pastor.  I ran Bible studies out of my house and invited every (young) person I knew.  I also co-led a men’s only Bible study with a close friend.  Meanwhile, I was serving at my local church working with high schoolers, and eventually began serving in the foodbank.  Throughout those experiences I received a confirmation of my abilities to teach God’s Word and frequently received feedback from strangers that confirmed (in my mind) my calling into pastoral ministry.

I quickly began crunching numbers to see if we could afford seminary, and began the long process of convincing my wife that I needed to go.  She eventually gave in, and I enrolled. Seminary has been a major challenge and an extreme blessing.  From Greek and Hebrew,  to research papers that probably didn’t need to be longer than 10 pages, to being forced to stare at a computer screen for several hours (after doing it for 8+ hours at work earlier that day), seminary has been a tough academic experience.  All of that work pays off now though as Bible study is easier to do, and I’ve developed an ability to iron out long papers and read extensive portions of academic materials.

On top of all of that, seminary has been an exhilarating existential experiment for me. I’ve learned much about the thinking processes of those who think religion is wrong, and for that matter, much about the thinking processes of the people who are even more depraved, the super religious people who consider everyone (besides those who agree with their every word) to be awful people.  Those people probably shouldn’t even be labeled religious, “cult” is probably a better designation.

I’ve learned that very smart people have spent countless hours of their life researching topics that are critically important to Christianity, and many of these people hold views that are different from the “orthodox” views I once dogmatically (and arrogantly) defended. I’ve learned that it is OK to disagree on a whole variety of issues as long as we can find common ground on the essentials.  I figure most of my day is spent around people who aren’t Christians (at work) and don’t agree with my basic worldview, so why not openly and graciously love my Christian brother and sister when I have the luxury of spending time with them, whether on social media or in person?

I’ve learned that no matter how much I learn about my faith, there is always something new to learn. Different perspectives have become especially valuable to me (even if I disagree with them).  I’ve grown to love surrounding myself with people who think differently than me.  It’s a blessing that God has created each of us with characteristics that are unlike anyone else.

While I can’t guarantee that this will be your experience at seminary, I can guarantee a similar experience if you’re willing to be an honest person who seeks the truth regardless of what the establishment demands from you.  It is OK to ask questions and seek answers.  It is OK to do new things and disagree with how other people do those same things.

In many ways, seminary has taught me to incorporate integrity into my thinking process.  Honest thinking that identifies those nasty presuppositions that linger beneath is refreshing thinking that allows a person to see the world in a new way.  For those reasons, and many others, Seminary has been a tremendous blessing for me.  I entered into seminary thinking I had all of the answers, I left seminary content with the fact that I don’t.  I entered thinking I was hot stuff, I left knowing I am an average Joe.  I entered with an intention to get paid for Christian Ministry, I left with a heart that is willing to do it all for free.

For those reasons I can confidently say, seminary has freed me!