OUR APPROACH
James K.A. Smith asks: “what if education wasn't first and foremost about what we know, but about what we love?” (Desiring the Kingdom, p18).
Our learning pedagogy stretches back to the biblical authors. For them, theology was not a separate academic discipline but something that was fully integrated into life. Continuing in this tradition we also draw upon Augustine, who famously claimed “our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you” (Confessions, 1.1). Augustine understood the place of desire in seeking God, so much so that he sees the need for God to enter his heart and “intoxicate it” (Confessions, 1.5). We see the study of theology not just as gaining information, but the formation of our loves and desires, our very selves, to become more like Jesus.
​
Ellen Charry summarized the condition of theological education at the turn of the 21st century as follows:
"The assumption of academic theology has been that doctrine is the theory of Christian belief. It is to be understood, internalized, and acted upon in a purely cognitive procedure of assent and decision-making. Doctrine and practice are so separated, and their separation so reinforced by the divisions of the classical theological curriculum, that the idea of practicing Christian doctrine is an oxymoron"
(By the Renewing of Your Minds, p240).
​
We want to see a renaissance in the practice of Christian doctrine once again by bringing together discipleship and theology. We do not see ourselves doing anything new, but recovering what has gone before us by drawing on the rich history of the church.​
Theological values
We hold to orthodox, credal Christian faith. We are interested in teaching people how to think through their faith, not what to think. Since seminary education has become connected to denominationalism, it can sometimes mean telling students what they are supposed to think as part of a particular denomination.
​
We seek to expose people to different views in a safe environment that believes in exploration and a liberal education in the traditional sense of the word. As well as equipping people for ministry, our seminary serves as a kind of think tank for our church. We hold to the essential doctrinal beliefs but allow for discussion in other areas. While of course we do have views on secondary issues, rather than projecting our views on a controversial topic onto participants, we invite them to engage with these subjects through stories of people who also hold to orthodox Christianity and have personal experience. An example of this are the elective books participants choose from for the Theology Applied module.
​
We are passionate about the Bible as a collection of books which together form one incredible meta-narrative of a story of creation and new creation. Our program is rooted in this story.
​
We hold to the statement of faith of My Local church, which you can find by clicking the button below.