Theology grad study and your faith: good, bad, or neutral?

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Neoplatonist

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In dialogue with my bishop, friends in ministry, and a couple of professors, I have been looking at the possibility of pursuing some graduate coursework in theology. I would be interested to hear from some of you if you feel such studies have had a positive, negative, or non-effect on your faith. Obviously it has impacted your intellectual understanding, I would expect, but what about your beliefs?

Thanks for sharing.
 
Neoplatonist said:
In dialogue with my bishop, friends in ministry, and a couple of professors, I have been looking at the possibility of pursuing some graduate coursework in theology. I would be interested to hear from some of you if you feel such studies have had a positive, negative, or non-effect on your faith. Obviously it has impacted your intellectual understanding, I would expect, but what about your beliefs?

Thanks for sharing.
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I think the key thing is to consider who you’ll be learning from. If you’re studying through a reputable institution like Franciscan U, Ave Maria or Holy Apostles you’ll get a lot out of it. If, on the other hand, you end up in front of a poor representative of theology, it will not be a rewarding experience. As for helping your faith, this will all depend on how you live the experience. I’ve had the great fortune of studying theology among religious communities, where study and prayer go hand in hand. Theology is primarily an act of praise and prayer when it is pursued properly.
 
hicetnunc said:
I think the key thing is to consider who you’ll be learning from. If you’re studying through a reputable institution like Franciscan U, Ave Maria or Holy Apostles you’ll get a lot out of it. If, on the other hand, you end up in front of a poor representative of theology, it will not be a rewarding experience. As for helping your faith, this will all depend on how you live the experience. I’ve had the great fortune of studying theology among religious communities, where study and prayer go hand in hand. Theology is primarily an act of praise and prayer when it is pursued properly.
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You will not get a better answer than that.
 
hicetnunc said:
I think the key thing is to consider who you’ll be learning from. If you’re studying through a reputable institution like Franciscan U, Ave Maria or Holy Apostles you’ll get a lot out of it. If, on the other hand, you end up in front of a poor representative of theology, it will not be a rewarding experience. As for helping your faith, this will all depend on how you live the experience. I’ve had the great fortune of studying theology among religious communities, where study and prayer go hand in hand. Theology is primarily an act of praise and prayer when it is pursued properly.
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This is a good response. My experience has been difficult, but I choose to do it largely on my own. However, I am still at it, so I am definitely not a finished work and have found help here and several other places.

Choose wisely as the others have suggested.
 
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