Catholic vs Non-Catholic Seminaries

[JRKH]

Been thinking about this lately and am curious to hear from both Catholics and Non-Catholics, Ministers, deacons, priests or others who might have insight.

A man goes to a Catholic Seminary to become a Priest. When he emerges he has a set of teachings and doctrines which he must adhere to in order to be faithful to god and the Church.
The same does not seem to be true of Non-Catholic Seminaries. (I include “bible colleges” in this). Non Catholics of different denominations seem to be able to go to the same Schools, and they also seem to be able to come out without the same level of consistant, across the board, doctrine. How can this Be?

I say this because I have heard of ministers from differing churches and denominations having attended the same institiutions.

One thing that really struck me about this. Those who hold to Sola Scriptura should also hold to the same, or at least highly similar, views and interpretations. I would think that any Seminary that teaches from a Sola Scriptura viewpoint would also teach “proper interpretation of Scripture” as developed down through the centuries. Yet this does not seem to be so.

I admit my ignorance in regards to seminaries in general and in NC seminaries in particular so I’m not making any judgements here, but just asking the question.
How can the same NC institution produce ministers of so many differing views on the same scriptures, while Catholic seminaries produce men professing the same set of beliefs right down the line.

Peace
James

Peace

 

[ralphinal]

Here in Birmingham, Alabama, there is at least one Bible College and at least one Baptist school of divinity. THere may be more, but if so, they are small. There are several answers to your question, assuming that I understand it.

First, many attend one of these schools to get the basics of Bible Study and Theology down. In fact, it is not unheard of for Catholics to do that, just because there are not any Catholic School nearby. This is also a place to learn basic church history and biblical languages. Many non-Catholic Schools have excellent programs in that area. Second, many Denominations use a graduate level seminary to train its ministers. That said, the undergraduate degree is less important. If you started Seminary having already had Bible studies and biblical languages, you are ahead of the curve. Finally, not all denominations require seminary assuming you can pass another form of qualification.

Some of these schools are not theology-intensive anyway. It is more general stuff. Some, however, are very much focused only on their brand of Christianity.

 

[TriuneUnity]

Been thinking about this lately and am curious to hear from both Catholics and Non-Catholics, Ministers, deacons, priests or others who might have insight.

A man goes to a Catholic Seminary to become a Priest. When he emerges he has a set of teachings and doctrines which he must adhere to in order to be faithful to god and the Church.
The same does not seem to be true of Non-Catholic Seminaries. (I include “bible colleges” in this). Non Catholics of different denominations seem to be able to go to the same Schools, and they also seem to be able to come out without the same level of consistant, across the board, doctrine. How can this Be?

I say this because I have heard of ministers from differing churches and denominations having attended the same institiutions.

One thing that really struck me about this. Those who hold to Sola Scriptura should also hold to the same, or at least highly similar, views and interpretations. I would think that any Seminary that teaches from a Sola Scriptura viewpoint would also teach “proper interpretation of Scripture” as developed down through the centuries. Yet this does not seem to be so.

I admit my ignorance in regards to seminaries in general and in NC seminaries in particular so I’m not making any judgements here, but just asking the question.
How can the same NC institution produce ministers of so many differing views on the same scriptures, while Catholic seminaries produce men professing the same set of beliefs right down the line.

Peace
James

Peace

Many religious institutions, especially Bible colleges, are not seminaries in the proper sense of seeking ordination. For example, many Lutherans will go to bible colleges and Reformed seminaries in order to earn credits in areas that may not be offered at Lutheran institutions. However, for actual ordination, it must be a seminary that is run by the church they are being ordained in. But that wouldn’t be the case if they just want to get credits in, say, Hebrew.

 

[ralphinal]

Many religious institutions, especially Bible colleges, are not seminaries in the proper sense of seeking ordination. For example, many Lutherans will go to bible colleges and Reformed seminaries in order to earn credits in areas that may not be offered at Lutheran institutions. However, for actual ordination, it must be a seminary that is run by the church they are being ordained in. But that wouldn’t be the case if they just want to get credits in, say, Hebrew.

Aren’t Lutheran seminaries master’s level?

 

[TriuneUnity]

Aren’t Lutheran seminaries master’s level?

Yep, I believe so.

 

[Peter_J]

I admit my ignorance in regards to seminaries in general and in NC seminaries in particular so I’m not making any judgements here, but just asking the question.
How can the same NC institution produce ministers of so many differing views on the same scriptures, while Catholic seminaries produce men professing the same set of beliefs right down the line.

It might help your readers to understand you better if you distinguish between NCW (non-Catholic Westerners) and NCE (non-Catholic Easterners).