As Lou Ann and I prayed about where to attend seminary, one primary focus influencing our decision was having a relationship with a local church. We had strong ties to Folcroft Union Church, where I had become the youth pastor. We wanted something like that to continue, so I applied to seminaries in the greater Philly area and was accepted at Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, PA. As it turns out, Biblical was very strong in the original languages (Greek and Hebrew) in those days, which was a major plus for me.

As I began my studies at Biblical, I developed relationships with other students that have lasted until today. The professors were very knowledgeable in their craft, yet very accessible. When I learned that some of the professors had studied with Frances Shaeffer, I was really impressed. These men loved God, loved to teach the Bible, and their love for their students was also evident. Even though learning Hebrew was a major challenge, Mr. Harding made it fun…well most of the time. And Tom Taylor’s teaching style of blending in stories from Tolkien’s writings while teaching theology was especially amazing.

During my seminary days Lou Ann worked at the Arco refinery in South Philly, which made my attending seminary full time possible. Even though it was a 1.5 hour drive each way every day to attend classes, it was worth it to complete my seminary education in 3 years.

One of the things I struggled with early on at Biblical was thinking that I had chosen a sub par school for seminary. Most of my college friends had moved on to major seminaries in other parts of the country. I felt that way until I met up with Elmer Johnson, former prof at PCB, at a winter snow camp. I told him how I was feeling about seminary and he asked me what I was learning. When I told him that Biblical was strong in the original languages, he simply replied, “That is what your friends are getting at the other schools.” Well, that settled things for me!

I spent three hours on the road to and from seminary every day, and I used much of that time memorizing Hebrew vocabulary. I would pick up a fellow student, David Bossard, in Conshohocken and we would review our Hebrew vocabulary together. We would use word association as we tried to memorize those words. One day in particular was quite funny. One Hebrew word we were struggling to remember was the Hebrew word Muth, which means to die. One of us immediately made the following association: you Muth the moose. Well, at that moment, it was funny to us and I almost crashed my car because we laughed so hard.

Biblical Seminary also had an excellent training program for those learning to preach. During that class we spoke several times per semester, and our messages were recorded. Afterwards, we had to sit and watch the video as we preached. We then sat with our professor who helped us evaluate our preaching and make recommendations to improve our communication style. This was particularly humbling but also something I needed to improve my preaching style.

During my time at Biblical I also evaluated what I had learned at PCB, especially some particular  theological opinions and positions. I often say that I came out of Bible College believing what I did because that was what I was told to believe. However, after Biblical Seminary, I believed what I did because they were my personal convictions.

Another great thing about seminary was building on the relationships I made in PCB that continued at Biblical. I was not the only former PCB student attending Biblical. There were many others. This helped us to build even stronger relationships together, as we grew deeper in our theological knowledge and together sought God’s leading for where He would take us after Seminary.

Reflecting on my seminary days I see several foundational principles that have shaped my life.

Integration of Faith and Learning: The decision to attend a local seminary to maintain strong church ties illustrates this integration, suggesting that educational and professional choices should not be separate from one's spiritual journey. This principle advocates for a holistic approach to life, where faith informs and guides all aspects of learning and career decisions.

Value of Challenges for Growth: My experiences at seminary demonstrate that challenges, such as learning a difficult language like Hebrew, can be sources of joy and personal growth. This principle highlights God's role in using difficult circumstances for our benefit, encouraging us to face challenges with a positive and faith-filled perspective. It teaches that struggles are not just obstacles but opportunities for growth.

Significance of Godly Mentorship: The influence of professors and peers during seminary, who not only imparted knowledge but also demonstrated love for God and students, exemplifies the impact of such relationships. This principle encourages us to seek, cherish, and contribute to relationships that foster spiritual growth and mutual support of others.

There is much more I could write about those days. I am thankful that I was led to such an excellent seminary and I still highly value the time I spent there. It is another reminder of God’s grace and mercy in my life.

Jim

The Chaplain Writer

This post marks another chapter in my month-long series, The Making of The Chaplain Writer. As I unfold the stories that have molded my journey, I invite you to join me in exploring how our shared narratives can birth hope and encouragement. If these stories resonate with you, I would be grateful if you could share the website link with others who might also find value in them. Let's spread the inspiration together!