The Portable Seminary
Since receiving this book the most common question I get is whether or not it is really equivalent to a Master’s Level education. The first thing to note is that it does not claim to be equivalent to a Master’s Level education. The subtitle calls it a Master’s Level Overview. It is a summary of important points and details and never claims to be an actual Master’s Level detail education.
The Portable Seminary: A Master’s Level Overview in One Volume is a great resource for those who would like to know the basics of what one learns in a Seminary program. The areas covered include the doctrines of Scripture, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, Humanity, Sin, Salvation, the Church, and Last Things, the subjects of Biblical Languages, Scripture Interpretation, the Old Testament Survey, the New Testament Survey, and the time between the Testaments, Apologetics, World Religions, Church History, Missions, Church Leadership, Christian Ethics and Christian Education.
Remembering that this is an overview the Biblical Languages section gives a good example of the level at which this is written. Obviously in 20 pages you are not going to learn to read Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. However, it does provide the alphabet in both Hebrew and Greek, examples of translational problems, examples of unique aspects of the language, historical information, grammar, style, figures of speech, and other items of interest related to the language. This in turn brings a much greater respect for the language and the problems of translation. The chapters on church history are excellent and include many of the early church heresies as well as important individuals and movements.
The primary items you will learn at a typical seminary but are not included in this book are things like how to pastor a church, church finances, performing church functions, church human resources, Christian counseling, and similar items related to the running of a church. The focus is much more on classic Bible doctrines, history, and other educational items directly related to understanding and applying the Bible and not church administration. That makes this an excellent resource for those who want to deepen their knowledge of the Bible, the history of the church, comparative world religions, and applying Biblical principles in everyday life.
The book is written in a style that allows the average reader to understand concepts easily. A thoroughly enjoyable read and an excellent high-level overview of a typical Master’s level seminary education, The Portable Seminary is highly recommended to all Christians.
Editor: David Horton
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55438
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 9780764201608
Pages: 676 plus Glossary, Endnotes, Index
Price: $34.99