What has seminary had to say about the influences of the church in history and politics? For instance, did you cover the topic of missionaries escorting armed conquistadors throughout the Americas? How is the topic of toppling cultures and belief systems discussed? Do the ends justify the means? What of the participants- is it expected they are judged in the afterlife differently than if the same behavior occured today?
There are far too many views at seminaries to make any blanket statement about what any of them say. For example, the seminary I went to (Louisville Presbyterian) is one of the more liberal theologically in my liberal denomination (PCUSA). About a mile away is one of the most conservative seminaries (Southern Baptist) in the Southern Baptist denomination. At my own seminary, the teaching was given from a political first, then theological perspective. I didn't take any classes at Southern (even though I could have), so I don't know what they teach there. And I certainly don't presume to state what other Presbyterian seminaries - much less other denominations - are teaching. However, at my own, the priests who accompanied the conquistadors were condemned for 2 reasons: 1) the patriarchal and racial oppression they were spreading, and 2) a unconfessed latent anti-Catholicism. Toppling cultures is viewed from the same liberal political perspective. It's OK to topple societies as long as you replace them with what the liberal theologians would perceive as just and fair. Meaning, and this was even stated out loud once to me, a Republican CAN'T do it because a Republican CAN'T be a Christian. As for final judgment, it is done only to fit with the seminary's particular view of justice and fairness. (Begin sarcasm in voice) "We've grown as faithful Christians to this point, and this is the end all, be all of how far we can grow." (End sarcasm)
