What do you think?
Rate this book
Blessed Are the Balanced: A Seminarian's Guide to Following Jesus in the Academy
A handbook to help seminarians grow in love for God as they study
Theological education can cool your love for the Lord. It's sad but true. Learning that is not fully integrated into your daily life and patterns of living can lead to spiritual detachment. On the other hand, theological studies that are properly processed over time (with sufficient time for reflection and service) can aid your loving service toward God and others. As you enter into a theological program (seminary, divinity school, or other graduate studies), make a plan to help you balance the head knowledge with heart patterns.
With seasoned advice from seminary veterans, discussions include such pressing questions as, "Is seminary still relevant for today?" and "How are today's Christian leaders really being formed?" This helpful resource also considers the potential danger of doing seminary 100 percent online. Blessed Are the Balanced will guide you as you learn to pursue both scholarship and the Kingdom.
Theological education can cool your love for the Lord. It's sad but true. Learning that is not fully integrated into your daily life and patterns of living can lead to spiritual detachment. On the other hand, theological studies that are properly processed over time (with sufficient time for reflection and service) can aid your loving service toward God and others. As you enter into a theological program (seminary, divinity school, or other graduate studies), make a plan to help you balance the head knowledge with heart patterns.
With seasoned advice from seminary veterans, discussions include such pressing questions as, "Is seminary still relevant for today?" and "How are today's Christian leaders really being formed?" This helpful resource also considers the potential danger of doing seminary 100 percent online. Blessed Are the Balanced will guide you as you learn to pursue both scholarship and the Kingdom.
112 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2014
About the author
Paul Pettit
14 books3 followersDirector of Career Services @ Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas.
President of Dynamic Dads (www.dynamicdads.com)
"
President of Dynamic Dads (www.dynamicdads.com)
"
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 22, 2014
Even before I went to college I wanted to go to seminary. In my mind I was as good as already there. Unfortunately, not everyone I discussed it with felt the same about seminary in general. I distinctly remember having a discussion in college with a friend about going to seminary. He was not a fan. In fact, his answer for not going left me speechless. It was an answer I would hear many times in college. “Seminary kills your passion for ministry,” they would say. It was a statement I just couldn’t process at the time and never identified with while in seminary. I do believe that a person could go to seminary and have their passion for ministry dwindle but this is NOT the norm and does not have to happen to anyone. My experience in seminary, and that of many others I know going to different schools than myself, did nothing but fuel my passion for ministry. This is not to say that I, or others I knew, never fell prey to some of the pitfalls seminary can present. But in the end, I came out the better for having gone and would encourage others to do so as well. Going to seminary requires a delicate balance of living life.
Realizing the need to help seminarians understand and balance on this delicate tightrope, Paul E. Pettit and R. Todd Mangum have teamed up to write Blessed are the Balanced: A Seminarian’s Guide to Following Jesus in the Academy. Both seminary grads themselves who now work at seminaries, Pettit and Mangum guide prospective and present seminary students through the complex challenges that seminary presents. The challenges of our spiritual, academic, relational and ministry life mix together to make seminary life challenging and us in need of balance.
Overview
Through six chapters the authors set out to “explain how to avoid some of the common pitfalls that can lead to spiritual burnout when one enters into an academic study of God and the Scripture,” and seeks to show how “students of God and the Scriptures can achieve a healthy balance between both rigorous academic scholarship and a growing piety.” (8) In chapter one the authors put before the reader the key to balancing their time in seminary – by becoming a mature Christian through growth in Christ-likeness, producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit and walking in the light of God’s truth. (21) This, the authors rightly argue, can be done while in seminary. Balance can be achieved in seminary like in any other place in life.
Chapter two explores the dynamic relationship between learning more about God and applying it to living more for God. Unfortunately, there is not an automatic correlation between our knowledge of God and our walking with and living for God. We must, by the grace of God and work of the Spirit, out into practice what we are learning. Seminary is a unique pitfall in this regard because most of the classes are focused on learning more about a certain subject whether it be Greek, theology or history. There is an exponential growth in knowledge in seminary and it is hard to know when and where to put it into practice. Many times you cannot put a lot of it into practice until you are done and in your first ministry. This “knowledge dump” that you receive in seminary is not a waste. “The training is not purposeless, but the training is for purposes that are beyond the training ground itself,” the authors perceptively state. (55)
Chapter three outlines disciplines for your spiritual and academic life that are basic but not always apparent when entering into seminary. For the spiritual life the authors discuss things like confessing sin to God, fasting, fellowship, prayer and worship. For the academic they suggest things like eating right, exercise, being diligent in your research and honest in the citation of your sources.
Chapters four and five offer a lot of good spiritual advice and biblical counsel in regards to some of the negative effects that a burst in knowledge, when not kept in check, can have on a person training for ministry. For instance, there can be a tendency to use ones knowledge as a power tool to leverage ones own agenda and keep the voice of others drowned out. The authors wisely advise that “if the minister can use his or her knowledge and abilities to strengthen the voice of others, then that knowledge, ability and skill can be a source of service, rather than a source of power or domination.” (102) Another challenge those entering the ministry have is that they are moving from a more academic setting to a more practical ministry setting. It is hard at first not to preach like you are teaching a language class. While seminary is a time when knowledge is dumped on the minister-to-be, the first few years of ministry can be a time when the minister is dumping their knowledge on their congregation. One must try to avoid this.
The final chapter briefly address the value that friendships in seminary can have on you. The key concept here is to be grounded, and cultivating a variety of friendships in a variety of places are the key to keeping yourself grounded in real life. Seminary, like college was, is not an ideal or permanent setting to spend ones entire life. It is meant to be temporary. But even during this temporary time in your life you need to cultivate friendships to help bring your head to the ground. In doing so, you will find that many of these friendships will help to keep you balanced and will carry with you beyond your time in school.
Conclusion
Blessed are the Balanced is the kind of book I wish were around when I was in seminary. While I had a good experience, there are things I was blinded to that were never brought to my attention. The authors have helped you think about things that you will not on your own. Unlike the salesman who tries to sell you something you didn’t know you needed – that you in fact do not need, they give advice you didn’t know you needed – but actually need. I see this book being useful for three kinds of people. First, for the person considering seminary (whether sure or not). It will give you a more realistic vision for what it can be like. Second, for the person already in seminary to open their eyes to the world they are living in now. If you follow their advice and counsel you will save yourself, and those you minister to in the future, some trouble. Finally, for the person who is done with seminary and in the beginning of their ministry. It is never too late to change and having already completed school you will be in the best position to understand what the authors are saying and see what needs to change in yourself.
I received this book for free from Kregel for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Realizing the need to help seminarians understand and balance on this delicate tightrope, Paul E. Pettit and R. Todd Mangum have teamed up to write Blessed are the Balanced: A Seminarian’s Guide to Following Jesus in the Academy. Both seminary grads themselves who now work at seminaries, Pettit and Mangum guide prospective and present seminary students through the complex challenges that seminary presents. The challenges of our spiritual, academic, relational and ministry life mix together to make seminary life challenging and us in need of balance.
Overview
Through six chapters the authors set out to “explain how to avoid some of the common pitfalls that can lead to spiritual burnout when one enters into an academic study of God and the Scripture,” and seeks to show how “students of God and the Scriptures can achieve a healthy balance between both rigorous academic scholarship and a growing piety.” (8) In chapter one the authors put before the reader the key to balancing their time in seminary – by becoming a mature Christian through growth in Christ-likeness, producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit and walking in the light of God’s truth. (21) This, the authors rightly argue, can be done while in seminary. Balance can be achieved in seminary like in any other place in life.
Chapter two explores the dynamic relationship between learning more about God and applying it to living more for God. Unfortunately, there is not an automatic correlation between our knowledge of God and our walking with and living for God. We must, by the grace of God and work of the Spirit, out into practice what we are learning. Seminary is a unique pitfall in this regard because most of the classes are focused on learning more about a certain subject whether it be Greek, theology or history. There is an exponential growth in knowledge in seminary and it is hard to know when and where to put it into practice. Many times you cannot put a lot of it into practice until you are done and in your first ministry. This “knowledge dump” that you receive in seminary is not a waste. “The training is not purposeless, but the training is for purposes that are beyond the training ground itself,” the authors perceptively state. (55)
Chapter three outlines disciplines for your spiritual and academic life that are basic but not always apparent when entering into seminary. For the spiritual life the authors discuss things like confessing sin to God, fasting, fellowship, prayer and worship. For the academic they suggest things like eating right, exercise, being diligent in your research and honest in the citation of your sources.
Chapters four and five offer a lot of good spiritual advice and biblical counsel in regards to some of the negative effects that a burst in knowledge, when not kept in check, can have on a person training for ministry. For instance, there can be a tendency to use ones knowledge as a power tool to leverage ones own agenda and keep the voice of others drowned out. The authors wisely advise that “if the minister can use his or her knowledge and abilities to strengthen the voice of others, then that knowledge, ability and skill can be a source of service, rather than a source of power or domination.” (102) Another challenge those entering the ministry have is that they are moving from a more academic setting to a more practical ministry setting. It is hard at first not to preach like you are teaching a language class. While seminary is a time when knowledge is dumped on the minister-to-be, the first few years of ministry can be a time when the minister is dumping their knowledge on their congregation. One must try to avoid this.
The final chapter briefly address the value that friendships in seminary can have on you. The key concept here is to be grounded, and cultivating a variety of friendships in a variety of places are the key to keeping yourself grounded in real life. Seminary, like college was, is not an ideal or permanent setting to spend ones entire life. It is meant to be temporary. But even during this temporary time in your life you need to cultivate friendships to help bring your head to the ground. In doing so, you will find that many of these friendships will help to keep you balanced and will carry with you beyond your time in school.
Conclusion
Blessed are the Balanced is the kind of book I wish were around when I was in seminary. While I had a good experience, there are things I was blinded to that were never brought to my attention. The authors have helped you think about things that you will not on your own. Unlike the salesman who tries to sell you something you didn’t know you needed – that you in fact do not need, they give advice you didn’t know you needed – but actually need. I see this book being useful for three kinds of people. First, for the person considering seminary (whether sure or not). It will give you a more realistic vision for what it can be like. Second, for the person already in seminary to open their eyes to the world they are living in now. If you follow their advice and counsel you will save yourself, and those you minister to in the future, some trouble. Finally, for the person who is done with seminary and in the beginning of their ministry. It is never too late to change and having already completed school you will be in the best position to understand what the authors are saying and see what needs to change in yourself.
I received this book for free from Kregel for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
October 23, 2014
The helpful guide should be available to all seminary students. The target is especially those in an academic institution (namely a brick and mortar institution); but it is also applicable to those receiving their theological education online. The authors address the balance of academic and spiritual growth that is so necessary in the preparation of pastors.
The authors identify the primary problem: “Unfortunately a good number of students graduate with a head full of biblical and doctrinal knowledge, but with a heart that has grown cold to God.” (p.7) In the introductory chapter they list four “Warning Signs of a Shaky Balance.” They are: “confusing your identity in Christ with your identity as a vocational pastor,” “growing isolation and privatization in your academic studies,” “lack of zeal and service for God and others,” and “lack of time for prayer and reflection.” Even this list is worth a look by every pastor who long ago left seminary.
The authors cover six chapters that provide insight and guidance to deal with underlying problem and many associated manifestations.
Christian Maturity and Higher Education
Learning about God and Living for God
Disciplining Heart and Head
Avoiding Spiritual Frostbite
Humble Service
Family and Friends
Each chapter covers critical topics related to the seminary student and the seminary challenges. The breadth of material means that the writing is terse and discussion is drawn out. That actually is a very good thing in this kind of book. In other words, it is a readable book with excellent advice. But the style also permits quick reference in the future.
A couple of points regarding clarification and complementary concepts to help sustain the balance. In chapter 2 (“Learning about God and Living for God”) they include a reference to Luther’s dictum “sin boldly.” However, the authors seemed to miss what Luther was actually addressing. Luther’s advice did not have to do with Melancthon and a problem with hypocrisy in his preaching, as the authors assert.
Chapter 3 (“Discipling Heart and Head”) offers some excellent advice on discipline. However, there seems to be a gap. They write about “ancient disciples today” but then jump from the New Testament to the 21st century, as if the church throughout the ages does not offer any advice, insight, wisdom regarding disciplines. Thus, all of the types of discipline they mention are very good, but they are also basically individualistic. The church through the ages recognized that discipline is also incorporated into the community, and especially through the hours of the day (Matins, Vespers, Compline, etc.). While that may seem rustic or quaint, there is great value in such community disciplines to complement the individual practices advocated in this book (all very good).
Again, one item missing from the book is one I have mentioned in other book reviews: there is no index (subjects, Scriptures, etc.). With a hard copy of the book, such a tool is essential for maximum benefit of the book.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. The only caveat is to note the missing historical church practice of community disciplines. Other resources can be found to supplement that area.
The authors identify the primary problem: “Unfortunately a good number of students graduate with a head full of biblical and doctrinal knowledge, but with a heart that has grown cold to God.” (p.7) In the introductory chapter they list four “Warning Signs of a Shaky Balance.” They are: “confusing your identity in Christ with your identity as a vocational pastor,” “growing isolation and privatization in your academic studies,” “lack of zeal and service for God and others,” and “lack of time for prayer and reflection.” Even this list is worth a look by every pastor who long ago left seminary.
The authors cover six chapters that provide insight and guidance to deal with underlying problem and many associated manifestations.
Christian Maturity and Higher Education
Learning about God and Living for God
Disciplining Heart and Head
Avoiding Spiritual Frostbite
Humble Service
Family and Friends
Each chapter covers critical topics related to the seminary student and the seminary challenges. The breadth of material means that the writing is terse and discussion is drawn out. That actually is a very good thing in this kind of book. In other words, it is a readable book with excellent advice. But the style also permits quick reference in the future.
A couple of points regarding clarification and complementary concepts to help sustain the balance. In chapter 2 (“Learning about God and Living for God”) they include a reference to Luther’s dictum “sin boldly.” However, the authors seemed to miss what Luther was actually addressing. Luther’s advice did not have to do with Melancthon and a problem with hypocrisy in his preaching, as the authors assert.
Chapter 3 (“Discipling Heart and Head”) offers some excellent advice on discipline. However, there seems to be a gap. They write about “ancient disciples today” but then jump from the New Testament to the 21st century, as if the church throughout the ages does not offer any advice, insight, wisdom regarding disciplines. Thus, all of the types of discipline they mention are very good, but they are also basically individualistic. The church through the ages recognized that discipline is also incorporated into the community, and especially through the hours of the day (Matins, Vespers, Compline, etc.). While that may seem rustic or quaint, there is great value in such community disciplines to complement the individual practices advocated in this book (all very good).
Again, one item missing from the book is one I have mentioned in other book reviews: there is no index (subjects, Scriptures, etc.). With a hard copy of the book, such a tool is essential for maximum benefit of the book.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. The only caveat is to note the missing historical church practice of community disciplines. Other resources can be found to supplement that area.
August 21, 2014
Blessed are the Balanced is a book that should be required reading for seminary students. More clearly, the cost of a copy should be factored into the application fee and be mandatory reading before you ever take a seminary class, and then again every summer or major school break. I say this as someone who has just finished an overextended journey from first class in seminary to graduate, and had to admit that I was not emotionally and spiritually ready to jump to the next degree.
If you are headed to seminary or in seminary, you need this book. If you are teaching seminary students, you need this book so that you can connect them with the needs they are ignorant of, and so that you can shape a bit of your requirements around those needs.
Now that the rhetoric has passed, let’s actually examine the material. First, BatB is written by two seminary faculty members. They are acutely aware of the pitfalls that they have experienced and that they see in students.
The concept in this book is simple: seminary studies are intended to deepen faith and understanding. This time should both broaden our knowledge and ignite our passion to walk with Jesus. Taken together, these two aspects develop who we are as ministers, even as we follow the Lord into life outside of seminary.
Included in this blessedly thin volume are both ideas and practices worth adopting for the seminary student. Blessedly thin? You’re going to read a lot, and adding only 125 pages is a blessing. The ideas deal with the right approach to wisdom and knowledge.
The practices are varied. While some are ancient spiritual practices that might be too mystical for some, overall these are quite valuable. Even if one has concerns about embracing every one of the classical spiritual disciplines, the suggested practices remain quite helpful.
Given that my first attempt to complete seminary ended in tears and a dry faith, I am perhaps more positive about this work than others will be. Retrospectively, I think it would have been a great read for me in the summer of 2002—so if the next development in technology could be a TARDIS, I’ll drop off a copy with the Doug of those days. He needs this book.
Book provided by the publisher, Kregel Academic, in exchange for the review.
If you are headed to seminary or in seminary, you need this book. If you are teaching seminary students, you need this book so that you can connect them with the needs they are ignorant of, and so that you can shape a bit of your requirements around those needs.
Now that the rhetoric has passed, let’s actually examine the material. First, BatB is written by two seminary faculty members. They are acutely aware of the pitfalls that they have experienced and that they see in students.
The concept in this book is simple: seminary studies are intended to deepen faith and understanding. This time should both broaden our knowledge and ignite our passion to walk with Jesus. Taken together, these two aspects develop who we are as ministers, even as we follow the Lord into life outside of seminary.
Included in this blessedly thin volume are both ideas and practices worth adopting for the seminary student. Blessedly thin? You’re going to read a lot, and adding only 125 pages is a blessing. The ideas deal with the right approach to wisdom and knowledge.
The practices are varied. While some are ancient spiritual practices that might be too mystical for some, overall these are quite valuable. Even if one has concerns about embracing every one of the classical spiritual disciplines, the suggested practices remain quite helpful.
Given that my first attempt to complete seminary ended in tears and a dry faith, I am perhaps more positive about this work than others will be. Retrospectively, I think it would have been a great read for me in the summer of 2002—so if the next development in technology could be a TARDIS, I’ll drop off a copy with the Doug of those days. He needs this book.
Book provided by the publisher, Kregel Academic, in exchange for the review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews