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No, Seminary and theology doctorates doesn't make one much more qualified to say what's in the Bible than anyone else. There are plenty of ministers and priests with Ph.D.s from Harvard Divinity who teach tons of inaccurate, hateful, and self-righteous things based on their own opinions.
Mostly Not. I knew a few Georgetown educated Jesuits whose knowledge of philosphy, history humanites was most thorough and admirable. They were intellectuals, and persued theology more as a mystical art as opposed to doctrinal memorization
Mostly, the majority of post grad seminary/theology grads are of the IQ that would not have gotten them any graduate degree elsewhere. Their "graduate training" Equates to memorizing the Bible and a first year understanding of hebrew or Greek. These individuals lack, for the most part, a true insight to any history or origins of Christianity outside of the Bible, and their employment will be limited for the most part to curches within their respecive denomination or movement.
A select few of these are amongst the most intellegent humans I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.
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NOTE
AGAIN I said MOST but not all. There are people around like <Mystic Phd> who hold a mensa card and a thorough education as well. These are not usually employed by the local Christian church or over at Riverside Baptist. .
I have absolutely no respect for the religious degree itself. However, I may well respect the individual for reasons other than the degree. Holding a theological degree certainly doesn't disqualify someone from being intelligent, interesting, compassionate, funny, etc.
If a person impresses me their academic credentials are secondary. Sort of icing on the cake but not the reason I am impressed by them.
Some of the best theologians I have come across had no Academic Credentials and some people I know with high Academic Achievement in Divinity were imbeciles.
So if I come a cross a person I already have high regards for, I am properly impressed by their Religious Degrees if they have such.. Oddly that includes an Atheist I know who holds a Ph.D in Theology. One of the most learned people in Religious History I have ever met.
I think it is good to have a wide knowledge of various religions so that we can better understand the world. I've always seen ignorance as a negative thing other than that it can bring about a certain amount of "bliss".
If a person impresses me their academic credentials are secondary. Sort of icing on the cake but not the reason I am impressed by them.
Some of the best theologians I have come across had no Academic Credentials and some people I know with high Academic Achievement in Divinity were imbeciles.
So if I come a cross a person I already have high regards for, I am properly impressed by their Religious Degrees if they have such.. Oddly that includes an Atheist I know who holds a Ph.D in Theology. One of the most learned people in Religious History I have ever met.
I know it feels lousy, not defending them, with all the modern paganism in the World constantly coming together. It used to be said: "never underestimate the ignorance of the common constituent public." May apply more disturbingly to religion as well.
Mostly, the majority of post grad seminary/theology grads are of the IQ that would not have gotten them any graduate degree elsewhere. Their "graduate training" Equates to memorizing the Bible and a first year understanding of hebrew or Greek. These individuals lack, for the most part, a true insight to any history or origins of Christianity outside of the Bible, and their employment will be limited for the most part to curches within their respecive denomination or movement.
So where do I fit in?
M.Div. from a top notch Theology School (accredited)
M.B.A.
M.A. in Social Policy from an Ivy League (minor in stats)
M.A. in Sociology
B.A. in Sociology/Psychology
My IQ is mensa, I have successfully run 2 companies prior to entering ministry and when working for others worked my way up to VP of a management consulting company.
Am I one who only has the capability of memorizing things?
I am not impressed by religious degrees because the student begins on the level of accepting as truth (without reason or evidence) whatever that religion teaches. Then studies that religion with faith.
Philosophy does not begin by accepting an idea without reason or logic. In philosophy all questions are valid. Faith alone is not enough for philosophy.
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