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Choosing the Right Seminary | Ernie Aragon Jr.
Grace in Action

Choosing the Right Seminary

Grace School of Theology is exactly what Ernie was looking for as it is the perfect match for his educational goals and his life circumstances. With his desire to pursue a Doctorate in Biblical Studies, he sought for a Master of Theology program to get him ready for that path of higher learning. As he was searching for a school, Ernie realized that it was not practical for him to travel to and from local seminaries to study due to his hectic schedule. With his current roles and responsibilities as a Research and Development Pastor, faculty member at Every Nation Leadership Institute, and teacher and pastor at his local congregation, he knew that he could not leave his job to pursue a full-time education.

Grace in Action

EChoosing the Right Seminary

Grace School of Theology is exactly what Ernie was looking for as it is the perfect match for his educational goals and his life circumstances. With his desire to pursue a Doctorate in Biblical Studies, he sought for a Master of Theology program to get him ready for that path of higher learning. As he was searching for a school, Ernie realized that it was not practical for him to travel to and from local seminaries to study due to his hectic schedule. With his current roles and responsibilities as a Research and Development Pastor, faculty member at Every Nation Leadership Institute, and teacher and pastor at his local congregation, he knew that he could not leave his job to pursue a full-time education.

Choosing the Right Seminary | Ernie Aragon Jr.
Choosing the Right Seminary | Aragon Family
Grace School of Theology was exactly what I was looking for. It is accredited by ATS and TRACS, the classes are online and are both synchronous and asynchronous, and the tuition has been greatly subsidized.

Upon finding about Grace School of Theology, his concerns were lifted and he was confident that he can pursue his desired Master of Theology degree. Even as a seminary established in 2002, Ernie was assured that he would get a biblically-sound and practical theological education as Grace holds a high regard for God’s Word and is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). He also shared how Grace significantly stood out as it offers online and face-to-face learning options for its classes and provided a considerable reduction in course fees thanks to its generous donors.

Grace School of Theology and its professors show that they care about their students beyond the classroom. In 2018, Ernie had a major ministry transition, and he was entrusted with a greater number of responsibilities. Grace allowed him to take leave of absence because of it. The school made it easy for him to return and continue after his leave. There was also a time when he was seriously sick and his professors were so gracious to allow him to submit a requirement at a later date. Recently, because of issues related to the pandemic and his work, it was difficult for Ernie to work on a guided self-study course that he was seriously considering dropping the course. However, the supervising professor was understanding toward his situation and adjusted his deadlines. The school cares more about the students individually as persons. In fact, when Ernie was going through challenging seasons, his professors would initiate contact to ask him how he was doing.
It became more clear to Ernie that he had made the right choice as he continued to enroll in more classes. Many of his instructors had a unique approach to education that he really admired. In addition, Ernie enjoyed the new perspectives and exegetical approaches that he had not encountered before.

In Dr. Fred Chay’s classes, Ernie was pushed to his limits in terms of critical thinking. His view on examination has been shifted by Dr. Chay’s use of exams as a teaching tool rather than just a means of testing students’ knowledge. He points out how Dr. Chay’s teaching methods effectively instilled the most critical concepts in each class. Ernie specifically enjoyed the Advanced Exposition of the New Testament course wherein Dr. Chay didn’t tell him what to think but rather posed thought-provoking questions that guided him to find the truths on his own.

Taking Dr. Dave Anderson’s Advanced Greek Exegesis course was also a revelation. Ernie’s approach to studying the Bible has been refined and enhanced as a result of this course. Dr. Anderson taught him a variety of exegetical techniques that he never experienced at any other seminary. In addition, Dr. Anderson’s Soteriology course was a great experience with new perspectives on Scripture verses he thought he knew well. Many of the insights helped him understand eternal salvation related passages that had previously baffled him. He shares that this course was full of lightbulb moments for himself and the entire class.

Ernie found that it was advantageous to study in a school with some aspects of theology that are different from what he is accustomed to. This helped him to think critically regarding his current theological inclinations and have a better appreciation of the different views of his brothers and sisters in Christ. Grace is a seminary that is open to all who desire to gain a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and apply this knowledge through serving the Lord. Be trained and equipped to impact your world for Christ through Grace’s accredited, accessible, attainable, and affordable degree programs.

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