Spirit & Study: Why it’s not either/or

Should believers study theology or enrol in the ‘school of the Holy Spirit’? Michelle Nunn considers the options.

When early Pentecostals worshipped, they expected to encounter God, and when they read the Old and New Testaments, under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit, they found that they encountered Christ and grew in their understanding that all Scripture pointed to Christ. Their text-centred, common-sense approach worked for a less educated Pentecostal community who valued inclusivity and the participation of all, as the priesthood of all believers.

In time, Pentecostals adopted Evangelical historical-critical methods and progressively tolerated and accepted academia. But many would continue to argue that intimacy with the Spirit was lost, as academic approaches hindered believers co-labouring with the Spirit to discover Christ in the Word.

Believers can feel like they must choose either studying theology or being in the School of the Spirit. However, the team at Regents believe the choice doesn’t have to be either or – it can be both.

When Principal George Jeffreys envisioned Elim’s Bible College in November 1924 he talked of a place where men and women could be trained and prepared for Elim ministry; this involved learning theologically and experientially. He wanted to place ministers in the movement’s newly planted churches, recognising a lack of training was hindering the work of bringing people into a Spirit-empowered relationship with Christ. Jeffreys wanted to train workers for leadership roles and, despite the urgency, recognised they needed time to study the Word of God as well as gain some practical experience in evangelism.

“What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands,” (Luke 10:2 The Message).

Post-war, under the leadership of Dean Joseph Smith (1938–1947), Elim broadened the College’s remit beyond theological training for prospective Elim ministers and aspired to make men and women fit for the work of the Lord. Later Principal Wesley Gilpin (1958–1980) boldly, in contrast to Pentecostal antipathy to academia and the practice of other Bible colleges at the time, extended the college’s courses to a two-year diploma, and then encouraged students to take a third year and get a theology degree.

It’s upon these foundations that Regents Theological College continues to offer Pentecostal theological education in the UK and Europe, offering short online courses, ministry certificates, degrees and master’s qualifications. Despite the continued scepticism of some Pentecostals to academics and scholars, and the resurgence of anti-intellectualism in churches, the team at Regents believe academic qualifications are of value to Pentecostal believers. They recognise that we can develop our knowledge of the Word through rigorous academic study whilst being schooled by the Holy Spirit.

Students join a worshipping, learning and serving community where they are encouraged to enjoy authentic and meaningful lives following and serving Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Whilst studying in the Malvern Hills or from their church or home context, students get time to read the Word, consider their beliefs, values and life purpose. They learn to see the world as it is, discern the brokenness, be present, ministering and serving, without being overwhelmed by its ideologies.

In the UK about a third of people, and nearly half of people in London, hold a degree (2021 census) and have been taught to reason and think critically. These numbers are expected to rise year by year. When exploring faith, those on programmes such as Alpha ask good questions, raising intellectual and cultural criticisms. We don’t have to feel threatened by these questions; if our faith is grounded on truth, it will withstand the pressing questions of our times. We can respond with rational and relational responses, Spirit-infused theology that opens minds to Christ.

Good theology, based on the Word and quickened by the Spirit, can transform our churches, communities and workplaces. You don’t have to go into full-time ministry to evangelise, teach or pastor others. The Holy Spirit opens up opportunities for us to minister to others in our families, communities and workplaces day by day. We can strengthen our responses to open minds and hearts, as well as make space for our own spiritual formation through studying the Word and encountering the Holy Spirit.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.