When I was first saved, I heard several men preach that often referenced the fact that they had little education. I was not troubled at all that they did not attend prestigious universities or had vast academic accomplishments. The thing that intrigued me about these men was not their LACK OF EDUCATION, but the fact that they GLORIED IN THEIR LACK OF EDUCATION.
I actually heard one man jokingly say "I'm ignorant and I plan on getting ignorant-er." The congregation laughed and so did I. I have also heard many men say that "you can have so many degrees on the wall that they call you a thermometer and still be frozen!" I soon discovered that some churches felt it was shameful for a preacher to be educated. I heard one man explain that there were only two types of preachers: educated and God called.
As I began to grow in the Lord, and read my bible, I began to notice several instances where learning was encouraged, ESPECIALLY FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT PREACHER.
"Till I come, give attendance to READING, to exhortation, to doctrine." - 1 Timothy 4:13
"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" - 1 Timothy 3:2
The word "apt" simple means "qualified" or "able". If a preacher is not able to teach, then he is not going to be effective in ministry. The only way a man can be apt to teach is if he has LEARNED something. If a preacher is not informed enough about doctrine and contemporary theological issues, then how can he influence a generation to avoid apostasy and error?
Certainly there have been many preachers that were mightlity used of God that had little to no education, but these men are often the exception and not the rule.
Just to clarify my thoughts, let me explain myself further:
What I am NOT saying:
1. That the power of the Holy Spirit is not vital for effective ministry.
Nothing will be done in this church age without the power of the Holy Spirit. Nothing.
2. That every preacher must be educated to be used by God.
Some men never had the opportunity to be educated through a bible college and they are in no way at a disadvantage.
What I AM saying:
The New Testament preacher has a responsibility to be knowledgeable in certain areas if he desires to be effective. Some men have placed a stigma upon education and reading that is troubling. To glory in a lack of education, knowledge, or understanding is neither virtuous, admirable, or biblical.
Let me remind you that several of our fundamental forefathers were educated and highly intelligent men. Lester Roloff, Harold Sightler, Jack Hyles, and John R. Rice were all educated.
Let me give you a few points to consider:
1. Preachers Should Be Educated In Word And Doctrine.
If a man wants to go into the medical field today, it is required that he go through at least 8 years of college, then 3-7 years of residency before he is eligible for medical licensing. The medical field makes sure that a prospective doctor demonstrates a thorough understanding of medicine before he is approved for private practice.
To give a medical license to a man that has only a nominal understanding of medicine is dangerous and criminal. To give a pulpit to a man that wilfully refuses to learn bible doctrine is even more dangerous and criminal. As a medical doctor takes upon himself the sacred responsibility of his patient's health, so a preacher takes upon himself the sacred responsibility of his people's souls. Neither responsibility should be taken up by men that are willfully ignorant of their field.
2. Preachers Should Be Informed About Modern Issues.
These last days will be marked by a rise of false teachers and false doctrines. It is imperative that preachers of the last days keep themselves informed. There is no virtue in ignorance about modern issues of our day.
Churches today are being infiltrated by people like Rick Warren, Benny Hinn, TD Jakes, Joyce Myers, Carl Lentz, Bill Johnson, Mark Driscoll, and others. (If you read this list and were unfamiliar with these names, then you need to bring yourself up to speed).
There are also many young Independent Baptist Pastors today that are going emergent, and I fear many of them were trained by men who were willfully ignorant of modern issues.
There are also many false teachers online that are claiming to be Independent Fundamental Baptists. Steven Anderson is one that has caught many preachers of our day off guard. Many men, myself included, had to dust off some old books and brush up on some unfamiliar areas of theology to combat his heresy.
Just as a Doctor has to keep himself informed about new diseases and medical developments, a preacher should keep himself informed about the new heresies that develop in our world.
3. Preachers Should Read Other Preachers.
Spurgeon's famous quote: "He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains, proves that he has no brains of his own." could not be more needed than it is today. Preachers should read preachers.
In 2 Timothy 4:13, Paul asked for someone to bring him a cloak (body), parchments (spirit), and books (soul). I am fairly certain that those books were not bible commentaries, but this shows that even the great Apostle read other men's works. He borrowed other men's brains.
Spurgeon said about this passage, "He is inspired, yet he wants books. He has been preaching at least thirty years, yet he wants books. He’s seen the Lord, yet he wants books. He’s had a wider experience than most men, yet he wants books. He’s been caught up to heaven and has heard things that are unlawful to utter, yet he wants books. He’s written a major part of the New Testament, yet he wants books."
Sadly, many men stopped reading when they got out of school.
4. Preachers Should Be Writers.
He who will be silent will be forgotten.
Today we know names like John Phillips, J. Sidlow Baxter, Dwight Pentecost, Pink, Ironside, Larkin, and Rice, not because of their sermons, but because they WROTE A BOOK!
Through my years of travelling I have been able to meet some incredible men of God. I personally believe that some of the greatest men of God that have ever lived are living right now. I sit in awe at the wisdom that God has given these men, and I have encouraged many of them to write. Sadly, most of them refuse by saying, "nobody would read my book", or "I don't want to be criticized", or "I don't have time for that". I'm always sad to hear these responses because I know that they could be a great help to so many, but they just don't see it.
It common that I hear a discussion in Fundamental Baptist conferences about young preachers going emergent, liberal, and modernistic. There is much lamenting and anger about their change in direction, but little discussion about WHY. Could it be that many young preachers are going from a Fundamental position to an Evangelical position because the vast majority of people writing books on theology and ministry are Evangelicals? Where are the Fundamentalist writers?
Many Christians today are familiar with the name A.W Tozer. Do you know that A.W. Tozer is still ministering to God's people today even though he is in Heaven? His sermons are still reaping spiritual dividends and influencing generations of young preachers BECAUSE HE WROTE BOOKS. A book can be a great legacy for your family, and another avenue that can bring rewards at the judgement seat long after you have passed on.
Write a book preacher. He who will be silent will be forgotten.
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