With Halloween coming up we examine its history and effect of religion

October 11, 2017 Jimmie PearsonMain

In most parts of the world, the great festival of Halloween is celebrated on October. There are several activities that are included in this amazing festival such as trick-or-treat, apple-bobbing, costumes, and pumpkin-carving. All these activities and items are known as the strange traditions of Halloween. But have you ever thought that what’s the history behind all these activities?

Halloween has been around us for many centuries now. For the first time, it started in the Celtic Times, and taking a looking at the strange history of this incredible festival will be extremely surprising to you. Let’s take a quick look at the 2000 years of this festival.

Like many other holidays, we have seen a lot of changes in the Halloween throughout the history. UK, Ireland, and the parts of the Northern France were the regions where Celts lived around 2000 years ago. They used to celebrate the New Year on November 1 each year. They had a concept that the dead and alive creatures came together on October 31.

Christians built a church more than a thousand years ago which was named November 1 All Saints Day. In this era, they used to honor all the Saints and all other people who died for the religion. October 31st was first known and Hallows Eve and then its name changed into Halloween.

The Europeans of that time also had a concept that Halloween is the day when dead spirits come to the earth. Most of the people were worried that these spirits would hurt them. So, they decided to wear the scary costumes on this event to look like ghosts. They had a concept that they’ll stay safe from spirits by wearing a costume like them.

The European Immigrants brought this tradition to the America. With the passage of time, some the traditions were changed. For example, American residents carry pumpkins with them on this event while Europeans carry lanterns that are made from turnips. So, in order to adopt the European tradition, Americans also started using candles to put inside the pumpkins.

In the past, the Halloween was considered to be a religious holiday and the people used to carry Halloween Wreaths with them in the honor of their elders. Nowadays, it is considered to be a fun and entertainment and only a few people understand the real importance of this event. Children now celebrate this festival as a fun day.

They still follow the old traditions of people where they dress up like the ghosts and evil creatures but the religious importance has gone. Now children go from door to door instead of worrying about evil spirits. They say “trick or treat” after knocking on doors. For each trick or treat, they get a candy or something special from each homeowner.

What is a Seminary?

July 18, 2017July 18, 2017 Jimmie PearsonMain

The word “seminary” developed from the Middle English term for a seed plot, a nursery in which to cultivate plants. Though we use the word today to denote a theological school, offering academic training in disciplines which prepare persons for ministry, the origins provide a helpful picture. A seminary is a place to cultivate and nurture people. A seminary provides the environment which facilitates growth and development so that the graduate will be mature in Christ and ready for the work of ministry which lies ahead.

Not only does a seminary invest in the lives of its students in order to equip a new generation of leaders and servants for the cause of Christ around the globe, but also affords the place in which to nurture ideas. A seminary is an ideal environment for research and enquiry into questions related to the theological and ministry disciplines, as well as reflection on the ways in which varied other disciplines can be integrated around Christian faith.

So what is a seminary? A seminary is a school, usually offering courses, credits, and degrees on the Master’s level. The special focus is on teaching and research in the theological disciplines, such as Bible, Church History, Theology, Ethics, and Apologetics, as well as the disciplines of personal spiritual formation and practical ministry, such as counseling, preaching/communication, mission, Christian education, discipleship, leadership, cultural exegesis, worship, pastoral care, and campus ministry. The goal of seminary preparation is to bring students closer to God and to equip them to serve God in active ministry.

At the outset it should be stated that there are certain things that a seminary is not. A seminary cannot guarantee that its graduates will possess flawless character, that’s up to the individual. Nor does attending seminary assure you of having an effective ministry. A seminary does not take the place of the local church. Every seminary student, just like everyone else, needs to have healthy interpersonal relationships with people in a local congregation, that allows for involvement in ongoing ministry and for the formation of mentoring or discipling relationships. A seminary is not the only means by which God raises up leaders. He certainly blesses the ministry of some who have little formal ministerial training. A seminary is not a hospital. A school will not usually provide healing and direction. These roles are more properly assumed by the local church. A seminary is not a three year long non-stop Bible conference with inspiring speakers, stirring music, challenge and emotions on a high level—a seminary offers a graduate academic degree program that is rigorous and exacting. Nor can a seminary prepare you for every eventuality and question which you will face. Only God really knows the future and how our rapidly changing culture will develop.

So what is a seminary then? What good is it? Do I really need an education from one?

A seminary provides tools for the task of ministry.
Seminary equips you with the tools you’ll need in coming years to be able to serve God and minister for him. It’s painful to try to drive a nail into a board with the palm of your hand. You don’t have the right tool—you need a hammer, then it becomes easy and doesn’t hurt. Seminary is like that hammer. Seminary provides you with the tools you need to do the job God is calling you to do. Seminary education equips you so that you will not be caught unprepared. A seminary education exposes the student to a broad sweep of disciplines and resources that will prove useful in ministering to others in contemporary culture. It lays a foundation of knowledge—about God’s Word, God, his working, our faith, and our responses—that the person serving God can draw on for years to come. Seminary also acquaints the student with practical issues of ministry with people, teaching and refining skills to impact the lives of others.

A seminary is far-reaching in its impact.
Like the pebble dropped into the pond, which causes waves to spread outward from the center, seminary is truly a Kingdom ministry. The seminary is an arm of the church that advances the reign of God (his kingdom) in this world, calling its own people to submit to his lordship and preparing them to lead others into relationship with the Creator. A seminary plays a significant role in the spread of the good news about Jesus Christ through a niche ministry of preparing leaders for the future. A seminary has a part in the greatest cause which will change the world in the final analysis. It is never easy to measure the impact of a people-oriented ministry such as this. How can you quantify the way in which God will use an individual over the next 50 years? Or measure the impact and influence of building redemptive relationships? One seminary-trained person can be transformed spiritually within as a result of theological education. That in itself is worth the investment. That one person will then minister to hundreds, likely thousands, of other individuals. Multiply this by many persons in a seminary at the same time, many more over the years to come, and you can begin to get a sense that in ministry impact seminary education is one of the best ways for the church to invest resources and build for the future.

For baptist theological seminary and bible seminary. Click here.

Why Urbana Seminary?

July 18, 2017July 18, 2017 Jimmie PearsonMain

Scripture Is The Bottom Line.
Urbana Seminary is grounded firmly in the historic Christian faith revealed in the Bible. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are our authority for belief and living.

Tools for the future.
An education at Urbana Seminary equips the student with the resources needed for ministry in the years ahead. Each individual should know what he or she believes and why, and be able to provide biblical responses to the rapidly changing culture of our world.

We put students first.
We desire that each student would love God more deeply, know His truth more profoundly, and apply it daily. We demonstrate this commitment through accessible professors, quality student services, and flexible curriculum. Since our work is a ministry, we strive to keep tuition low to be accessible for everyone.

Our diversity mirrors the kingdom.
Urbana Seminary is an interdenominational school, training students from many different backgrounds, who will serve in varied settings. Our Seminary community reflects the uniqueness of its members who unite with the one purpose of serving God. We value open dialogue as our students sharpen one another.

Location, location, location.
Urbana Seminary is strategically located in Central Illinois. Accessible from all the major cities in the region, Champaign-Urbana is the home of a major research university and is a crossroads for the diversity of global culture. It is ideal for the thousands of students that graduate each year from the area’s many universities, and for those who are already settled in secure employment. The small town, neighborly atmosphere provides a relaxed environment for learning and opportunities to represent a Christian world view.

For theological seminaries and christian theological seminary. Click here.