A religious college is a particular and oftentimes live-together higher teaching establishment for the function of teaching pupils (known as seminarians) in philosophical system, divinity, spirituality and the religious living, normally in order to prepare them to be members of the clergy. Theological seminaries are also called as theology colleges, divinity schools or simply seminaries. The English term "seminary" comes from the Latin term seminarium, which translates to seed-bed. In the West, the word in the past meant theological educational institutions for clergy (most commonly Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican, as many Protestants used another word for their theological colleges).
The Muslim and Judaic equivalents to a Christian theological school are known as Madrasah and Yeshiva, respectively.
The formation of modern theological college institutions was a consequence of Catholic reforms of the Counter-Reformation movement after the Council of Trent whichasserted on themelioration of the education of clergymenthrough the creation of theological seminaries as live together establishments under the organized control of elderly clergy. This afterwards resulted to the creation of minor theological seminaries to school younger children for the work in church. The Tridentine model of theological colleges was one of a live together, almost monastical society where life style and prayer habits were carefully monitored and rectified as a way to reforming pre-Reformation ill-treatments between the clergy. The theological seminary establishments were in contrast to the more liberal rational atmosphere of the Universities. The Tridentine theological seminaries put more importance on personal discipline in addition to the instruction of religious doctrine as a initial stage for theological sciences. This way of teaching that was explicitly objected by Protestant reformers like John Calvin.
The Tridentine type of theological schools has since then been accepted and adapted by other Christian sects and also by modern Judaism, though today in a less rigid fashion than the Tridentine model, and often without the western emphasis on the pre-requisite learning of philosophy and the Catholic rule to live on campus within the Christian fraternity of the religious college.
In some countries, the term theological seminary may also be used to denote secular schools of advanced education that teach teachers. While the function of the instructing theological schools and religious schools is differing, the nomenclature has not changed. During the nineteenth century in USA, theological colleges provided education to women for the only socially acceptable job: instruction. Only unmarried women would be teachers. Many early female schools began as women's seminaries and were responsible for making an important corps of educators.
Today, theological colleges have come to be much less rigid. In fact, many theological seminaries provide courses online and degrees as well. If you have other commitments, but want to know more about spiritualism and beliefs, online programs can be suitable for you.
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