minary W orld Class Seminary - Bethel Seminary - Bethel University

St. Paul • San Diego • Seminary of the EastAcademic Informationand PoliciesPre-Seminary StudiesProspective seminary students whoknow that they are headed in the directionof Christian ministry should plantheir college courses so as to derivemaximum benefit from theologicalstudies. The seminary urges a strongemphasis on the liberal arts. The essentialfoundations for a minister’s laterprofessional studies, as well as his orher future responsibilities in the ministry,lie in a broad and comprehensivecollege education.Many students, however, sense the callof God to some form of Christian servicewhen their college work has beencompleted or nearly completed. Suchstudents may not have a concentrationin the liberal arts. The seminary stillencourages these students to apply.The Function ofPre-Seminary StudiesCollege courses prior to theologicalseminary should provide the culturaland intellectual foundations essential toan effective theological education. Theyshould issue in at least three broadkinds of attainment.1. The college work of a pre-seminarystudent should result in the abilityto use certain tools of the educatedperson:a. The ability to write and speakEnglish clearly and correctly.English composition shouldhave this as a specific purpose,but this purpose should also becultivated in all written work.Course work in speech will aidsignificantly.b. The ability to think clearly. Insome persons this ability iscultivated through courses inphilosophy or specifically inlogic. In others, it is cultivatedby the use of scientific method orby dealing with critical problemsin connection with literary andhistorical documents.c. The ability to read at least oneforeign language and in somecircumstances more than one.2. The college work of a pre-seminarystudent should result in increasedunderstanding of the world:a. The world of ideas. This includesknowledge of English literature,philosophy, and psychology.b. The world of nature. This isprovided by knowledge of thenatural sciences, including laboratorywork.c. The world of human affairs. Thisis aided by knowledge of historyand the social sciences.3. The college work of the pre-seminarystudent should result in asense of achievement:a. The degree of mastery of a fieldof study is more important thanthe credits and grades received.b. The sense of achievement maybe encouraged through academicconcentration, or through “honors”work or other plans forincreasingly independent workwith as much initiative from thestudent as he or she can musterwith profit.The Subjects inPre-Seminary StudyThe following are suggested areas ofstudy for a student’s college years. Thestudent’s work in these fields of studyshould be evaluated on the basis ofmastery of the fields rather than interms of semester hours or credits. Tomake this suggestion more practical,students are encouraged to take threefourthsof their college work in thefollowing specific areas:English—language, composition, andliteratureSpeech—fundamentals, argumentation,group communication, persuasion,oral interpretation, anddramaHistory—ancient, modern European,American, and non-WesternculturesPhilosophy—orientation in history,content, and methodNatural Sciences—the physical andlife sciencesForeign Language—one or more ofthe following linguistic avenues tohuman thought and tools of scholarlyresearch: Latin, Greek, Hebrew,German, and French—with Greekespecially recommended. Studentswho anticipate postgraduate studiesare urged to undertake thesedisciplines early in their training.Religion or Christianity—Increasingly,biblical studies, together with anintroduction to the major religioustraditions and theological problems,are becoming viable optionsfor pre-seminary studies. The areaof concentration among the abovesuggestions will depend on the interestsand abilities of the student.The Nature of thisRecommendationThere has been no attempt in thepreceding paragraphs to list all of thework that would be profitable for thepre-seminary student. It is possible toinclude many other elements in one’scollege studies while still fulfilling theideal program for an adequate foundationfor seminary studies. The aim is toprepare persons who understand theworld and develop the ability to communicateeffectively the Word of Godto that world.Further, the preceding paragraphsoffer only suggestions. Students whohave completed college work and havenot followed these suggestions are stillurged to apply to seminary if God isprompting such action.86