Do You Need A Degree to Teach About God and the Bible?

Recently I heard from a seminary graduate who claimed that his expenditure of time and finances to receive a legitimate theological degree allows him to speak and write with authority. His inference was that those who aren’t degreed theologians are less prepared to teach about the gospel. But the plain truth is, you don’t need a degree to teach the gospel with confidence.

Consider what the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 (NIV):

“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, likesome people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

Paul seems to be stating that the one can be competent to teach and preach about God and the gospel without an academic conferral. Most churches today, however, require a diploma or similar qualification to preach the word. And many people in the church will not listen to someone without some formal qualification. But this is not how it was from the start of the church. And we notice from the above verses that Paul did not believe in this modern form of qualification either. If we study other Bible verses, we can find no requirement for a diploma or formal degreed program. Thus, we can presume that God does not require his teachers or preachers to have one either. Some theologians can even be so caught in their own academic deductions that they miss the simplicities of God’s message.

What is a Theological Degree?

A seminary establishes their own standardized examination of a student’s qualifications to bestow a degree, and these may vary by institution. One could argue that some educational seminaries are better than others, but usually those arguments are based on reputation and the institution’s longevity. The examinations created by the school determine whether the student has achieved an adequate level of knowledge to merit their qualification for a degree.

But the real ability of a gospel student is whether he or she can convey God’s Truth to others; and an even more stringent qualification is whether the teacher or preacher instills within their listeners a change in behavior, because a student must learn from the teacher, and not just be taught. Does an official recommendation from a seminary confer that ability? Better yet, is the preacher or student gifted by the Holy Spirit regardless of their level of training?

Certainly, the disciples were not formally trained. They were common people who were not particularly well versed in the Torah. So, the model was set by not only Jesus, but by God throughout the Bible as He chose a seemingly undesirable group of people to scribe His Word.

Unlike teaching scripture, there are certain occupations that do require degreed training. For instance, I led highly trained cardiovascular teams that required formal certifications to deal with complex surgical cases. No one would want a surgeon who did not have a medical degree, completion of a residency program, and a surgical specialty license. Rigid training and degrees are required of jet pilots, engineers, scientists, and some IT specialists. But God clearly did not require theological training for those who initially spread His gospel.

Remember what Paul said in the above passages? He told the church in Corinth that they did not need a letter of referral concerning Paul’s qualifications for preaching the gospel, because the ones to whom he preached were his “recommendation.” The evidence of Paul’s teachings was in the proverbial pudding. He did not need a degree in theology to bear out the fruits of his teachings as evidenced by those he influenced. Paul did not need a diploma to show that he was capable to preach the word of God, and neither did any of the writers of the Bible.

Why did God not require a degree?

God did not require a degree because human qualifications can be flawed. Instead, He focused on the impact (or fruits) of the teacher. Did the teacher tell the truth instead of just presenting a compelling argument? Was the student drawn closer to God in His Truth? To understand the source of one’s knowledge of the Bible, the teacher needs to personalize that truth in the life of the hearer. Knowledge of the Bible is paramount, but even the devil can manipulate Scripture for his own twisted purpose.

Unlike in medicine, engineering, technology and so on, just the understanding of knowledge does not qualify someone to teach what must be confirmed both in the Word and in (the Holy Spirit’s) inspiration. The many doctrinal disciplines were devised by men or women, whereas the understanding of the Bible requires both knowledge and divine inspiration to make it personal so that true conformance to Jesus Christ can be furthered.

As with any teaching, knowledge must be accurately applied to make it effective. This is why some who are anointed can teach or preach more impactfully than a PhD in Theology who boasts of his mastery. In truth, if you have been an avid church goer, how many sermons have you remembered throughout the years? But the ones that changed you truly mattered whether you remember them verbatim or not. This lasting impartation of God’s Truth comes from an anointing, not just through head knowledge.

When we are talking about the gospel of salvation and all that the new covenant contains, the source of these words is not from a human but is from God. The knowledge is God given through inspiration, not given by head knowledge. And the competency to teach and preach the words of God is not in the power or authority of theological schools or bible colleges. The source of the competency to teach God’s word is from God Himself, which is consistent with God’s modus operandi, so that no man can boast of his own teaching (Ephesians 2:9).

Remember the words spoken in these verses that given license to God’s knowledge, and not just trained human knowledge: “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. – (2 Corinthians 3:4-6)

We see here that it is God who gave Paul his competency to be a minister of the new covenant without any formal degree. This competency was not bestowed on Paul by any institution or even any human, but by God Himself.

Paul criticized those who looked up to other men who boasted of their letters of recommendation rather than listening to the truth God had given Paul and other teachers. Paul did mentor those like Timothy, but discipleship was a duty placed on the church body, not upon an institutional authority.

Only God could appoint Paul, as it remains so for any person ordained by God to teach, preach and minister. Some of Paul’s training in Judaism from a young age caused him to fail God. He was trained as a Pharisee. Paul later said that he needed to reject all his former training to come to the fullness of Christ, and to teach under the covenant of Christ’s Grace. He said:

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in [a]  Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. – (Philippians 3:4-9)

Some theological schools teach from a bias point of view, because they reason through the Bible and its application through personal perspectives. Thus, some degreed graduates can present their own theology. For Paul, his formal training led him to a false theology. His training as a Pharisee led to a false belief, and it took an intervention from Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus to anoint him as a true apostle. After that intervention, Paul says that he did not go back to Jerusalem to learn the new covenant and the gospel from the Pharisees, but rather he was taught by God:

“15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.” – (Galatians 1:15-17)

Paul’s authority to preach came from God alone. John confirmed this when he declared that all authority comes from God and not man:

“It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.” – (John 6:45)

Be Discerning and Not Legalistic

This article is to help us get away from manmade practices to the pure practices of God. One does not need to be degreed or even ordained to teach, preach, or administer the gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you are born anew through Jesus Christ, you have certain gifts, and one of them may be teaching. If so, you must teach. You do not need to get a theological degree, though going through this type of education could prove beneficial – it is not a “God requirement.” You do need to be accountable to others to check what you are teaching, because “as iron sharpens irons, so one person sharpens another.” Hebrews 10:24-25 also speaks that “we need accountability.”

Competency does not come from anyone but God. Arrogance can even be fostered by those who consider themselves more qualified because of their degree. Take for example, the recent graduate who lauds his degree over someone who has been a Christian for over twenty years. That Christian of over twenty years probably studied the Bible during that period. Spiritual maturation can be a greater indicator of one’s authority than a one-, two-, or four-year degree.

Consider how God appropriates gifts:

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascen

ded on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, – (Ephesians 4:7-13)

Jesus Christ ascended after forty days with His followers to impart the Holy Spirit in order for the Holy Spirit to give gifts to believers, including the gift of teaching so that the church would be edified (built up) and people in the church would become more mature in Christ.

The ability to teach is not authorized by a degree or diploma from any university or bible college; rather, the ability to teach is given by God. It is a gift, and its authority is managed through the Spirit’s anointing.

So do not be intimidated by those who require of you a degree to teach the Bible in declaring God’s Truth. If you have the gift of teaching, you have a degree from Heaven. Do not be intimidated by those who demean your authority to teach or those who claim higher authority over you. Certainly, we should study and learn from those who are more knowledgeable on subjects, but that is called growing in your gifting – becoming more well versed. Learn, grow, and develop, but do not feel obligated to get a degree before teaching.

Just consider that the twelve apostles who were chosen by Jesus. They were not trained in theology. They were common people called to an uncommon responsibility given by God. The same applies to others who scribed the Old Testament Bible – Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, or Jeremiah. Did Paul, who was thoroughly trained in Judaism, consider this training as the reason he was chosen to preach? No, none of those who God chose were chosen by humans.

Each person who preached and taught the words of the gospel and the power of the covenant of grace were not trained by men. They were instructed by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in the way and the truth. Even Paul who did have theological training rejected that training and instead believed in the authoritative power and value of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And Paul admonished the people in Corinth esteemed men who had letters of recommendation from other men.

Your authority to minister comes from God and God alone. Furthermore, you are called to minister according to your gifts, and to not do so is an abuse of the gifting that God has given to you. No person can authorize you to teach apart from God’s authorization, even if a church or institution prohibits you from doing so according to their rules. And if they prohibit you from teaching (if you have the gift of teaching) in their institution, teach in other places. Paul taught in the public square. The disciples taught where people gathered. Even if you teach one person, you are doing the will of God as a person gifted in teaching. If you are rejected where you are at, go to where you are free to practice your gift.

Even those with PhD’s or master’s degrees in theology may not be qualified to teach. The mark of a teacher is evidenced by when the student learns from that teacher and modifies their thinking and behavior accordingly. A truly gifted person in Christ conforms the other person to God’s Way, not their way. What a teacher says should always be validated from what the Bible says. God gave us His Word to benchmark everything against His Truth. A diploma or degree does not supersede the truth of the gospel. Remember, only God appoints His ministry team according to their giftings, and the Holy Spirit establishes their competency to practice what God intends. Your authority comes exclusively through God and is confirmed by God’s Word.