 Question
Does the Mennonite church seem to bow to the god of education? To be educated seems more important than to be converted and pure in faith. To be educated means to be compliant with other faiths and to accept their values. To be educated is to deny and discredit the infallibility of the Word of God.
Comments - Listed by most recent date at the top.
Comment by: Jazzmon - LBCyfrjTp - Sep 8, 2012
about allowing the smack-downs to roll off one's back, but it's alyaws hard for me to refrain from reflecting back the kind of self-righteousness that comes of a statement like that. About standing in our God-given gifts fully expressed in a way that invites others to grow along with us rather than to envy. Hmm. Maybe. But how does one do that? Perhaps we are thinking the same thing that there is a balance between bragging about one's accomplishments and withholding information because of how the other person might perceive it. IMO, that balance is to share openly the joy we are feeling and allow the other person her own reaction.I think there is something else here knowing one's audience. After the kind of experience Erma described, I would not be inclined to share the particulars with that person again. If she asked how a show went, I might state that it went well, and leave it at that. If a close and trusted friend asked, I would share the details. I'd like to share a moment that demonstrates a truly giving spirit from one of my Smith friends, Franceen. On Ivy Day, the day before our graduation, she and I were sitting next to one another during the award ceremony. Franceen had earned Latin honors, but sadly the death of her father in the last weeks of school had interfered with the award being announced on Ivy Day. She also had taken a leave of absence during her time at Smith while she was battling cancer. She is brilliant, and I was sad that she would not be publicly recognized. I had scanned the list to see if I'd made Latin honors, and I had not. Then all of a sudden, I heard my name called. I was being given the Anita Luria Ascher Memorial prize for my progress in German. After I stood up and accepted the acknowledgment, I was smiling. Under other circumstances, I may have felt that I should conceal my joy because of Franceen's situation, but I am so glad I did not. I said, That just made my day. Franceen beamed and said, It made mine too. I am touched to this day by Franceen partaking in my joy, even in the moment of her own disappointment. I will alyaws remember that and aspire to be like that.
Comment by: Brett Perrett - Virginia - Sep 7, 2012
I agree with the comment below. The problem is not with education. The problem is with the pride, arrogance, and unfaithfulness of professors that teach our students about the Word of God. They don't believe in the infallibility and inerrancy of God's Word. So they try to make every miracle in God's Word something that takes place in the natural realm. They try to say that we can live by the Sermon on the Mount. And while that covers good teachings, it says nothing that can save you from the penalty of our sin. We need to be born again!
Comment by: Lyndon Unger - Saskatchewan, Canada - Sep 6, 2010
I'd actually suggest that this question wrongfully assumes that education is a bad thing.
I'd argue that rational tools (knowledge of history, theology, biblical languages, etc.) are only as good as their biblical fidelity and co-existence alongside personal humility.
In Mennonite circles, we have many people who are rank liberals and actually don't know it; they assume that they are "normal" and other people are either blind traditionalists or fundamentalists (i.e. educated blind traditionalists). They don't have beliefs or positions on issues that are based on exegesis of the text of scripture but rather have to rely on quotes from other academics to make their case. Without the sure foundation of scripture, one can become very erudite and win at trivial pursuit...but that's it.
We also have plenty of educated people who don't apply fall into the trap of academic pride. Far too many educated Mennonites don't subject their learning to God's divine authority and Christ's Lordship, but rather take their (in reality) pitiful education and somehow think that a masters degree or a doctorate in 1 teensy weensy corner of 1 field of knowledge makes them omniscient.
All learning leads to worship, and either one worships God or one worships oneself. The problem isn't with education at all; the problem is with proud, wicked hearts that get lots of rational ammunition to attack those who contest their cult of self.
Comment by: Anonymous - - Jul 16, 2007
I say "AMEN" to the statements under the above question.
Comment by: Anonymous - - Mar 24, 2007
Why do pastoral search committees evaluate a candidate by education and experience more than by the biblical qualifications of character? The answer is obvious.
Comment by: Anonymous - Florida - Nov 16, 2006
The statements (under the question) concerning education being a Mennonite god are sadly true, and cannot be discredited. I have attended two Mennonite colleges and two Mennonite seminaries and I can vouch for this.
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