A few months ago I wrote about a gathering at Winebrenner to explore the experiences of students – you can read about that event by clicking here. Today you can hear directly from one of the participants:
Hello. My name is Robert Theis and I started Winebrenner spring 2023. Going to seminary was not something I ever thought I would do, as I was a very adamant and argumentative non-believer until my early 40’s. It was during 2015-16 when my Christian journey began. At the time, I had a Christian co-worker who was planning to go to seminary, and I had been married to a Christian since 2013. My co-worker and I decided to watch a “creation vs evolution” debate and discuss it afterwards. Our discussion went about as well as I expected, as I was left confused why my friend believed in creation, and how he could believe all that “biblical nonsense.” It was then that I decided to study the topic more and try and find arguments to use against their beliefs.
Fast forward to 2018, I found Christianity held up to all my scrutiny. Two big hurdles I had to overcome along the way were “How could something come from nothing?” and “Was all morality subjective, or was there an objective standard outside of our opinion?” As I struggled with various topics, I could always go back to these two truths: “Evidence points to a creator, and that creator has set an objective moral truth apart from our opinions.”
By 2023, I had done a lot of studying on my own, but I had a desire to serve while continuing to grow in my faith and knowledge. I did not have an opportunity to serve in my local church, so my wife supported me starting seminary. “If you do not do anything with the degree, at least we will know more about the Lord.” The month I started Winebrenner, I also contacted a local chaplain at a retirement community. He took me “under his wing” and allowed me to participate in running Bible study, along with occasionally allowing me to help during Sunday service. Getting to participate in that ministry perfectly complemented my education at Winebrenner. At the start of my second year, the chaplain moved on to a new job, ending my opportunity to serve.
That summer 2024 is when Dr. Sleasman gave students the opportunity to fulfill their supervised ministry credit by volunteering at Camp Sonrise Mountain. I had been praying for another opportunity to serve and this turned out to be perfect timing! I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Sleasman and several other pastors, students, and staff during my week there. That experience helped me to decide to switch my degree from MAPT to MDiv and pursue the path of pastoral ministry. Since that summer, it has been a wave of meeting loving and knowledgeable people, having opportunities to serve, and continuing to grow. Winebrenner, along with the Churches of God General Conference, has had such an impact with providing those opportunities.
Recently, I had the privilege of attending a board, faculty, staff and student event mid-September. During this event, the groups were asked: What problem(s) exist in my life that Winebrenner can help solve, or how can Winebrenner help serve as a solution to problem(s) I’ve identified?
As I thought about the questions, I found the topics of apologetics and debate came to mind. At Winebrenner, I’ve had great professors that were willing to discuss questions I’ve had, even those not directly related to class material. Apologetics and debate, the defense of one’s faith, is an area I can see Winebrenner expanding. That is not saying Winebrenner does not address either of these topics, as I have learned a lot and discussed difficult questions during my time in seminary, but there might be room for a class or two focused on those topics.
Why are those areas important? When I was coming to faith, apologetics was important for me and answering my questions. I was able to look up specific questions, which there were hundreds, and get answers from people who were able to share the Christian truth with love and calmness. Apologetics are important, not only when talking to non-believers, but also to believers. Some Christians hold to a belief, but do not fully know why they hold to that belief or know how to defend that belief to someone to asks questions. When talking to people, I’ve found a few things important:
- It is OK for Christians to say, “I do not know,” and if there is a desire to learn on the part of the person asking, it is important to be willing to help find the answer to their question (if able).
- When answering questions, it is effective to ask follow-up questions of the person asking. Some non-believers are not willing to hear truth if they believe their opinions are true. If the apologist can get them to question their own views, they may be more willing to accept the truth of God.
- When answering questions, it is important to keep calm and show love. When sharing Gods truth with someone and they reject that truth, it is important to realize we are here to plant seeds. It is up to God to change the heart. We may never get the chance, in this lifetime, to see the fruit from sharing the Gospel.
I’m not sure how my feedback will benefit others, but I’ve been enjoying my time at Winebrenner and those are two areas I find I still focus on outside of seminary.
- Robert Theis, MDiv Student, Winebrenner Seminary