WHY STUDY?

There are some good reasons to pursue a solid Christian education and the degrees that go with it. It's good to learn something worthy, do something worthwhile, and earn something worth having.

Taking the Bible Courses of Elhanan Bible College may not make you better than others, but it will make you better than you were. We should continue to grow personally and professionally throughout our lives. Most servants of God could use a little more confidence, and a degree can improve your self-esteem and image. And greater acceptance can be encouraging.

It seems every enterprise today is a challenge. Every market is competitive and demands excellence. When it comes to any kind of claim today, the public yells, “Prove it!” A degree is not to just win respect from your peer, but to help persuade the suspicious, convince the skeptical, and overcome the gainsayers. Religious degrees are becoming more important to ministers, because the people to whom we minister have their own degrees, and we need to meet and relate to them on their own educational level. Never before has a college degree meant so much to so many people.

A “Doctor's” degree is like an overgrown preacher's card. It can open “Doors” for you to proclaim the message of the Master, which might otherwise remain shut. A “Doctor's” degree is like an oversized letter of recommendation. It's a bid for believability, to reassure folks of your principles, ethics, and reliability. It's not to puff up your ego, but to add a ring of authenticity to your sermon ideas.

A “Doctor's” degree is like a microphone to boost your voice for Jesus to a world lost in religious confusion. It's not to make you popular with the world, but to lend credibility to your teaching and preaching. It's not for any personal vainglory, but just to extend the influence of your ministry of God's Holy Word.

It can broaden your opportunities for service, and promote your work for the Lord. If a pulpit committee was looking over two pastoral candidates, and most things on their resumes were fairly equal, but one had a Doctor of Theology degree and the other didn't, it would probably tip the scales in favor of the one who had done his homework, and land him the position.

Or, if a Church member invited his boss to your Church, and the visitor inquired about your training, how would it be if your church member had to explain that you had little or no formal education. Thus, a degree could enhance your value to your Church, and promote its reputation in the community.

As a secular degree usually means increased income in the business world, so a religious degree could spiritually benefit you and result in a brighter future for your whole family. Perhaps we should rather ask why anyone would not want a degree, if it can so maximize your potential. Can you be your best for Christ without one?