Should women attend seminary?
Written by W. Ryan Burns · November 6, 2007 · Print This Article
Now, some of you might read that and think, “that’s a stupid question.” And of the ones who think that, half of you think it is stupid for one reason and half think it is stupid for another.
However, the fact is that whether the question is good or not, it’s one I think we should tackle.
My short answer is yes. In fact, my answer is so much a yes that Just a Gal (my wife) is going to seminary with me. And by going, I mean attending.
The longer answer is that I think anyone who has the ways and means should attend seminary. And if you don’t have the means, I’ve already blogged about the ways… so, there is really no excuse. So, why everyone? Well, I guess mine is kind of a reverse logic… meaning, why not? Why not take time to study the depths and beauty of our redeemer and his gracious word? If you are a Christian, why would you not take the opportunity to do that?
Now, sure, we can have all kinds of debates about who can be an elder or deacon or sunday school teacher… and all the other debates that surround woman, men, and gender roles… but we can’t debate with Jesus.
Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Is this a proof text for women to attend seminary? It has to be:
- Uh, yeah Dr. Insert Your Professor’s Name is great… But this is JESUS!
- Jesus was teaching. Again, better than Dr. Insert Your Professor’s Name.
- Jesus said that Mary chose the good portion. He like that she was attending his seminary class.
So, there you have it ladies. Go to seminary. Jesus thinks its a good thing and so do I… but Jesus’ opinion is probably the better one to go with… I’m just a tag-a-long.
Enjoy this post? Here are some more posts we think you might like:
Writer Introduction - Terry Delaney
A Word to Seminary Wives
Writer Introduction - Kari Patterson
Selecting a Seminary - Interview Current Students
Considering Seminary When Others Do Not
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I don’t know who you are or what is your denominational background, but I just want to say, THANK YOU for your post about women in seminary. I’m a woman who just passed the half-way mark to a Master of Divinity in a fundamental Baptist seminary (one which I love), and sometimes I get tired of the inertia we have to struggle against (because, not only must I refuse to be a pastor, I also am not going into Bible translation work….that’s awkward).
So, thanks again.
Thank you… I agree wholeheartedly that women should be encouraged, never discouraged, from studying the Word of God, whether in seminary or academic fields. I am a first-year Biblical Studies undergrad student and it took me until my 30s to realize that God calls us ALL, desires us ALL, to be close to Him and to seek Him.
I am not cut out to be a pastor, but for the first time, I’m able to say, simply, that it’s not a job I personally would do well, instead of focusing on some invented idea that I shouldn’t because I’m a woman.
God has opened my eyes through study of the original languages, cultures and contexts of the Bible to the understanding that every single one of us has something to contribute to and gain from serious study of Scripture. I’ll let God tell me what jobs I’m suitable for, not men.