Recommended Reading
From Amazon.com: "Christians should evaluate philosophy by biblical criteria. This will shed greater light on the developments in the history of philosophy and better prepare us for the intellectual challenges of our time. The fall of Adam brought intellectual as well as moral corruption on the human race, and the effects of the fall can be seen in the work of philosophers, most of whom try to understand the world autonomously through reasoning apart from God's revelation. Some philosophers have appealed to God's revelation, but their work has often been compromised with the wisdom of the world. Revelation should inform reason, and not the other way round. In the past, even Christian theology was corrupted by the movement toward intellectual autonomy, creating the tradition of liberalism, which has unhappily dominated academic theology down to the present day. But there is hope a new generation of Christian thinkers take God's Word seriously. Frame's unique new contribution augments that process."
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Payne Theological Seminary Review: Down to Earth Experiences
by S. Carolyn Thomas
(Salinas, CA)
As was Bishop Payne, for which the seminary received the name, Payne Theological Seminary is far-reaching, and far-seeing. Its leadership through the years has had foresight and credibility, offering students and practitioners a superb leadership. What does this mean?
Let me tell a little bit of my story. I was a graduate student in Blacksburg, VA and felt the need to worship with people who knew how good God is. It was there that I discovered the African Methodist Episcopal Church. When I redisposed to Ohio, specifically in Cincinnati, Ohio, I was immediately directed to a children's program and it turned out to be connected to, and conducted by the AME Church.
Later when I looked about for a position where my children and I could continue to grow...(my husband was no longer traveling with us)...the pastor suggested that I look to the seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio. At least two of my sisters and a brother had attended college in the Wilberforce Community, so I was not seeking unknown, but familiar surroundings.
My children and I found an apartment in Yellow Springs-not too far away. However there were perfectly wonderful apartments on campus. All were occupied.
Though we lived off campus, we were totally a part of the Payne Theological Community--invited to all events on and off campus.
The most outstanding quality of my African Methodist Episcopal Associates is that of knowing Christ. Through my affiliation therewith I found how real and present God is. Jesus, God the Son, abides with us all day every day wherever we go. Whether in California or Massachusetts---whether South Carolina or Tennessee, I can find a church that is welcoming, and a congregation that knows... that in Christ there is "One Great Fellowship of Love."
I have not yet received the Master of Divinity Degree. My hope is to return to Payne and finish that milestone, if such is the Will of our Father in Heaven. My children are grown and I even have a grandson who is in college. God has dealt wonderfully with me...and I can truly say that stumbling into the AME Church in Blacksburg, Virginia is still the BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO US. We would never have experienced Payne Theological Seminary had we missed the opportunity to worship with saints and sinners in a barren land. Even as I have entered that which we stamp as "retired" years, I long to return to Payne Theological Seminary and perhaps finish a degree which I started many years ago.
