I am deeply thankful for the technology of the past few years that enables us to give online lectures in theology and do online courses in theological programmes. At the same time, I am totally unconvinced that online theological education bears the identical benefits as in-person theological education. While online is definitely needed & welcome in our present-day context, it misses, among others, the following vital component of in-person theological education.
During lecture breaks (and these need to be more frequent online) there is usually none of the casual conversation that often takes place during an in-person class. This means that it is more difficult and rarer to build the sort of friendships that in-person classes facilitate.
Why might this matter? Well, if you only do your theological education online, you are not getting to build close friendships as a theological leader outside of your local church. And if you leave that local church or for some reason, God forbid, your local implodes, where are your companions outside of that local body? Local churches, after all, do not live unto themselves. As the First London Confession of Faith puts it:
And although the particular congregations be distinct, and several bodies, every one as a compact and knit city within itself; yet are they all to walk by one rule of truth; so also they (by all means convenient) are to have the counsel and help one of another, if necessity require it, as members of one body, in the common faith, under Christ their head [Article XVII].
In fact, contrary to received wisdom, more is needed to enable good theological formation than the local church. The mantra that theological education is primarily done in the local church is to my thinking an absolute fallacy. I know I am out of step here. Theological seminaries, which date back to rabbinic schools in Jesus’ day (and wasn’t our Lord’s day-to-day walk with the disciples such a one?) and Origen’s school in Alexandria, break you out of the insularity of the local church and give you friendships that hopefully last a lifetime.
And friendship with such peers is vital for your spiritual maturity.
PS This is why I am thrilled about SBTS’ Experiential Modular courses coming this fall: https://www.sbts.edu/fall-1-experiential-modular-registration/
wise words thank you