Is OPism anti-intellectual?

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by scotty

Now that gives a whole new meaning to "legalism from the pulpit"

[houston]

Ken who?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by houston

Ken who?

Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis.

[houston]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis.

Oh. That guy.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I have found that a lot of my OP friends are horrified that my oldest son chose to get a Ph.D and has delayed marriage in order to be able to do that.

My youngest graduated from the church school, which had terrible academics... (fortunately he was saved by the local community college dual credit program and got in to TAMU)... When I asked why they did not improve their program I was told that most the kids are either getting married or going to Bible College (which evidently has no standards either)...

Do others find that the church seems anti-education? Or is this just something in our locality?

No. The answer to the topic is NO. There are lots of UPCers with PHd. Yes there are a lot of stupid and uneducated Oneness folks but Oneness Pentecostalism and anti-intellectualism are not synonymous

Congratulations to you and your son! We encourage education at our church

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

No. The answer to the topic is NO. There are lots of UPCers with PHd. Yes there are a lot of stupid and uneducated Oneness folks but Oneness Pentecostalism and anti-intellectualism are not synonymous

Congratulations to you and your son! We encourage education at our church

Thanks.

Something besides a Doctor of Divinity from Urshan Prax?

Serious question.... I mean none of our kids (400+ member church) has any degree except my son who will have a BS in computer science engineering in Dec and one girl who got a BS in nursing a few years back. Some of the kids play around a little in junior college... but bible college is the only thing taken seriously... Or bridal college if for a girl

When kids don't marry by 21 there are all kinds of unkind things said... even homosexuality is sometimes rumored. Maybe I live somewhere scary bad but I would have thought it more common.

And I thought Bro. Bernard was the only UPCI preacher with a Juris Doctorate.

[MissBrattified]

There are lots of teaching degrees in our church. Several tradesmen, several men in business for themselves (including my husband), etc. I know a few (OP) doctors, one of my daughter's best friends is in pre-med. I think Bible school is a legitimate course for anyone wanting to go into ministry. Oldest girl wants to go into missions, so that's where she'll be headed unless she changes her mind. Anyone who goes to Bible school should go into it with their eyes open, knowing that their effort won't be usable in multiple fields or transferrable to secular colleges.

The fact that something isn't transferrable to a secular college doesn't mean a whole lot of anything--except that. It isn't a measure of the quality of the education or the commitment of kids who attend there. It's more indicative of the fact that Bible Colleges want to maintain control of their curriculum and instructors. IF a person is going into ministry full-time and they want to devote 4 years of their life preparing for that in a godly, prayerful, consecrated atmosphere, that is in no way an inferior choice to someone pursuing education in a different field at a secular college. It can, however, be the wrong choice for some people, and all higher education decisions should be made carefully. I have a friend who attends IBC and is also part of the student body leadership and he said that by the second year (sometimes the second semester of the freshman year) they've pretty much lost all the students who aren't serious about the ministry. IOW, just like in any other field, the process itself will filter out those who should be elsewhere doing other things.

All that said: I don't agree that OP's are anti-intellectual. I think a lot of conservatives, including secular conservatives, are suspicious of the current education system from the ground up. Some are so fearful that they discourage people from getting involved in the secular system, and while I don't agree with that approach, I do understand it. Some are ignorant and fear what they don't know. A few may want to maintain ignorance because they don't want to be questioned or have their teachings analyzed. In our church, education is encouraged and practiced, but careful and prayerful consideration of educational decisions is also encouraged. Not all children need a secular degree or even a college degree of any sort. Some can pursue trades, go into business for themselves or pursue ministry.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

...bible college is the only thing taken seriously... Or bridal college if for a girl

My sister uses this term all the time. It always grates on my nerves, so let me respond as gracefully as possible. It depends on the kid, frankly. My daughter is planning to go into missions, and we've actually discussed with her the idea that she will do better in ministry if she either remains single or marries a like minded person. (scripture ref. used - the one about a woman who is single caring for the things of the Lord, and a married woman caring for the things of the world and how she might please her husband) However, if some girl does want to go to Bible college for a year or two for the sole purpose of finding a Christian husband, that's perfectly acceptable and even respectable. I find it odd that so many people find that something to deride. Some women do just want to settle down, love and support their husband, have babies and keep house. I know it isn't popular or cool, but it's still a very honorable vocation for ANY woman to choose. I agree that it's nice to have a backup plan, but that doesn't have to happen young. I have a friend who is married with 2 kids who is getting her teaching degree. My sister got her degree after her boys were grown. It is more difficult after you have children, but not impossible.

When kids don't marry by 21 there are all kinds of unkind things said... even homosexuality is sometimes rumored. Maybe I live somewhere scary bad but I would have thought it more common.

Not around here. People start to wonder if they're "okay" or if they'll ever marry once they dip into their 30's, though... The dating pool does shrink considerably and exponentially as you get older.

[MissBrattified]

Okay, last comments for awhile--I've got other things to do!!!! LOL!!!

It's important to remember that while we do want to change the climate and encourage higher education, we don't have to prove anything to anyone. I'm not going to push my kids into college or post-graduate studies so I can prove to the secular world that we are into whatever they're into and that we are smart and we still love Jesus. Kwim? It might prove the point, but it wouldn't be acting with the best interest of each individual child in mind. Something else to consider is that those who make up the church are already interested in ministry and outreach and have created a culture of people who are interested in the same. Therefore, it should be common and acceptable within OP ranks for children to choose these vocations over secular vocations.

Again, there is nothing wrong with any child choosing a secular education and career. However, they shouldn't be pushed into those vocations above ministerial pursuits anymore than they should be pushed into ministry.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Thanks.

Something besides a Doctor of Divinity from Urshan Prax?

Serious question.... I mean none of our kids (400+ member church) has any degree except my son who will have a BS in computer science engineering in Dec and one girl who got a BS in nursing a few years back. Some of the kids play around a little in junior college... but bible college is the only thing taken seriously... Or bridal college if for a girl

When kids don't marry by 21 there are all kinds of unkind things said... even homosexuality is sometimes rumored. Maybe I live somewhere scary bad but I would have thought it more common.

And I thought Bro. Bernard was the only UPCI preacher with a Juris Doctorate.

a doctorate from where ever in whatever field of study is good including theology.