If you had asked me that question four years ago, I would probably have just shrugged my shoulders. However, having had the immense privilege of studying at Biola University full-time (via distance learning and two summer residencies) and earned my MA in Christian Apologetics, I can say without doubt that my faith has been strengthened immensely. I remember a lay preacher at our church saying that he used to be asked how someone could have a faith like his and he answered that they needed to read the Scriptures and to learn all they could about God. I was somewhat dubious about that as a piece of advice at the time, but now I see the truth of those words. I want to share with people what I have learned, so either read more of my blogs as I post them or come along to a Reasonable Faith meeting in South Wales when they are run (or both!).
William Lane Craig summarises the benefits of studying philosophy and theology much better than I can, so I will leave you with the quote from him below.
“I can testify that, after many years of study, my worship of God is deeper precisely because of, and not in spite of, my philosophical and theological studies. In every area I have intensely researched—creation, the resurrection, divine omniscience, divine eternity, divine aseity—my appreciation of God’s truth and my awe of His personhood have become more profound. I am excited about future study because of the deeper appreciation I am sure it will bring me of God’s personhood and work. Christian faith is not an apathetic faith, a brain-dead faith, but a living, inquiring faith. As Anselm put it, ours is a faith that seeks understanding.”