"Theological education has always been vital to the church's life and mission; yet today it is in crisis, lacking not only focus and direction but also resources and even students. In the early church, in order to lead, one had to be able to read and interpret the Bible. Leaders also had to know something about the history of Israel and the word of God in the Gospels and had to interpret that history, making it relevant to daily living. Quickly the church developed schools for its teachers, whether lay or clergy. A catechetical system was organized through which candidates preparing for baptism were given a basic form of theological education. Hence, to be a Christian meant that persons knew what they believed and why they believed it. But over the years, theological education has come to primarily mean education for clergy and church professionals. It has drifted, seeking new moorings."--Publisher's description.