Steve Prost: A Military Chaplain Undertakes a PhD at TEDS
Jan 31, 2025
Unfortunately, it’s increasingly common for Americans to reject the Bible’s divine inspiration or experience biblical illiteracy, according to The State of Theology survey conducted by LifeWay and Ligonier Ministries. More than ever before, our world is in dire need of faithful believers to boldly and courageously proclaim the gospel in the public sphere based on God’s Word. For those feeling called by God to grow in the knowledge and use of God’s Word, you might want to consider pursuing a seminary education.
If you feel called by God to take the next step in your higher education journey, follow the call. Responding to God’s call to further education is a blessing. However, deciding whether or not seminary is the best option for you can be difficult as you consider taking the next step in higher education. At first glance, pursuing a seminary education may look daunting, but here are a few considerations when evaluating whether you feel led to pursue seminary training.
For those considering becoming a professor in higher education at Christian institutions, seminary may be the first step in graduate studies. For those of you responding to your call to pastoral ministry from the Lord, pursuing your Master of Divinity (MDiv) would typically be the best route. Most evangelical churches require lead pastors to possess a master’s degree in either Divinity or Theological Studies. For other pastoral ministry positions, having a master’s degree is not required, but it is encouraged. Institutions and churches typically hold an MDiv as a credential that indicates thorough testing and refining of your theological convictions has taken place in a seminary setting.
As professing Christians, we often confront our time’s cultural and philosophical questions in various settings, from casual conversations to more serious debates with colleagues or even within the church. Without a solid biblical worldview, we may be tossed to and fro. Our evangelism may suffer for it. Being presented with secular philosophies and ideologies within seminary can equip you for these moments.
It’s important not just to be familiar with differing ideologies, but to be able to tackle them from a Christian perspective. In seminary, you will grapple with hard topics and different philosophies, while being taught by professors who hold your same biblical worldview. You won’t just be learning about the opposing side, but also how Christian theology responds to it.
This doesn’t need to be limited to secular viewpoints. You will be able to study various theological positions, as presented by your seminary’s doctrinal beliefs. This will differ depending on what seminary you choose and their denomination, but rest assured you will be equipped to form your stance on the major questions in theology of our time.
Biblical and theological studies are best done in community. Growing alongside like-minded peers motivated to glorify God is highly beneficial, not just in ministry but in everyday life. Not only do you build lasting relationships with classmates, but you also develop lifelong connections with your professors.
God’s Word is glorious, and it is worthy of our full devotion (James 1:17-18; Ps. 1:1-2). Although all professing Christians are called to study God’s Word to know Him, some are called to formal training. If you want to study theology in God’s Word for his glory, you will want to consider a seminary education.
There are many evangelical seminaries worth considering for seminary education, but Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is a trustworthy institution that you should consider. For decades, TEDS has been a stalwart for equipping believers with the necessary tools for proclaiming Christ and His good news globally.
Additionally, some of evangelical Christianity’s brightest theologians have been or are currently full-time faculty at TEDS, such as Don Carson, Kevin Vanhoozer, John Woodbridge, Scott Manetsch, David Gustafson, Dana Harris, David Pao, Eric Tully, and Joshua Jipp. You will receive top-notch seminary training from these premier scholars and many other professors at TEDS.
Furthermore, TEDS provides an affordable, high-quality education. There is a plethora of scholarships, and the option to pursue your master’s degree remotely and residentially. If you are an MDiv student, you will also receive a Logos Bible Software package custom-tailored by TEDS to suit your research and ministry needs.
If you are interested in applying to TEDS for a seminary degree, visit Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s application page.
Trinity has been entrusted with the Gospel since 1897, and every day we are called to live with purpose. In today’s ever-changing culture, TEDS immerses students in a community of biblical orthodoxy and practical living. The TEDS faculty is among the most widely published in evangelical academia and has deeply influenced the leaders shaping the present and future of evangelical Christianity across the globe.
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