Rector of SPbCU, Alexander Negrov, gave an interview to a popular Christian portal Invictory.org
Below are questions and answers of the rector of SPbCU.
Good day! I would like to know, how much is yearly tuition at your university? Is there an opportunity to pay monthly? Or should be, as usual in all the universities immediately for the semester? (Julia, Kohtla-Jarve, Estonia)
Hello, Julia. Thank you for your question. St. Petersburg Christian University (SPbCU) implements educational programs for the diverse needs of the modern Christian community. Among them are: Master of Divinity, Master of Leadership and Management (a new program), Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Christian Pedagogy, Bachelor of youth and pastoral ministry, Bachelor of Christian ministry, an evening Bible school, spiritual mentoring, outreach session (satellite program), English language courses . Price and terms of payment for tuition for one or another program can be found on our website: www.spbcu.ru (see "For Applicants"). Note one thing: the price for studying at SPbCU is available to citizens of Russia and CIS!
As for those in the U.S., can the Slavic Christian immigrants finish St. Petersburg Christian University? (Alexander, USA, Sacramento)
Peace be with you, Alexander! Thank you for your question. Throughout the years, SPbCU has had students from the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa. Currently our university educates foreign nationals. For the Slavic Christian immigrants we have the opportunity to train them through satellite programs SPbCU has to offer. Naturally, this requires accommodation in St. Petersburg at the time of finals sessions. SPbCU is ready to help students who do not have Russian citizenship, to provide an invitation to study for a student visa. SPbCU has excellent facilities for studying and living in a student dormitory. Education for part-time programs requires residence in St. Petersburg during the sessions (sessions are usually held twice a year for two weeks).
For the young people of the Slavic immigrants' community who wish to study at SPbCU we recommend to pay attention to our international program. Under this program, students are taught in English for one semester. They study the Russian language and literature, the history of Christianity in Russia, the foundations of art history, and the history of Russia. This program aims to fill the educational needs of students of culture and learning the language, history and culture of Russia. See more information on our website about this program
The evangelical movement in Russia stands still - at least quantitatively. What are you and the graduates of SPbCU doing for the hundreds of thousands of new Christians who have joined the evangelical church? (Victor, Moscow)
Hello, Victor! The condition of the evangelical movement in Russia can be evaluated differently. It is not always a quantitative index is an indicator of the dynamic development of the local churches or "stagnation". Of course, we must admit that the statistics is a convincing argument in the assessment of the evangelical community in Russia. I thank God for all believers who belong to evangelical local congregations. I am confident that their prayers and the ministry will bear fruit in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
SPbCU trains Christians to be effective, professional and aspirations of an evangelist and preacher of the gospel. I am confident that with God's help they will be able to spread the gospel in word and deed. Many of our graduates are in the presbytery, are deacons, and hold pastoral ministry in Russia, CIS and far abroad. A large number of graduates are working missionaries, members of the Christian media, heads and teachers of Christian schools, managers and staff of orphanages and Christian camps. They are active members of local churches. I am confident that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our ministry will not be in vain.
I believe that our university and our graduates must represent missionary activity, it being understood that only the Lord God may bring new people to the church. We will continue to pray about it and do everything we can.
Hello, I have a few questions: Would you like to make a high-level online learning with tests? How can we understand the Triune God? This three-person or is it one person? With examples if you can. Pray to the Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit? Prayer to the Holy Spirit is that really biblical? Thank you (Julia)
Hello, Julia. Qualitative distance online learning is really important. SPbCU collaborates with a number of other theological schools in the joint development of distance learning (online). We are co-founders of the consortium for the implementation of mega-project of Christian theological education (see: www.theologyonline.info or www.e-aaa.org).
As a common fact, we know that online learning allows more people to learn without leaving one's work at a convenient time for them, etc. However, experience at SPbCU shows that full-time or part-time program allows students to not only immerse themselves in a world of knowledge and information but also acquire the ability to build interpersonal relationships in the student and the university environment. In my opinion, a higher education institution of the 21st century has various forms of training to offer you. In our school we strive to keep pace with time and work using the latest technology in education.
God exists in three persons, of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, united by a common essence. The doctrine of the Trinity - a mystery that transcends human reason, but compatible with it. The doctrine of the Trinity - is a Biblical teaching. Triune God - the divine mystery and the question of faith. Triune God is ontologically and existentially consubstantial and in three persons (individuals). God - the creator of all things visible and invisible. Understanding of God - an understanding of the Creator, the image that we are created in the likeness of which we should live!
The biblical doctrine of the Trinity can be represented in three theses:
- God is three personalities (different personalities!) (John 1 :1-2, 9-18, 14:26, 17:24);
- Each person is fully God (John 1:1-4; 20:28; Hebrews 1: 3,8; Ps. 138: 7-8);
- God is one (Genesis 15: 11, 3 Kings 8:60, 1 Tim 2:5). Speaking about the Holy Trinity, we touch upon major attributes of God. For example:
- Triune (one God and the Trinity one and the same)
- Consubstantial (three Persons of the Trinity are equal to each other substance, consubstantial boils down to what each person is God);
- Inseparable (hypostasis always appear together, and it is possible that some person to act separately from the other);
- Interrelational (Father, Son and Holy Spirit are together and always, that have the property interrelation);
- Specificity (despite the meaning "three Persons are not reducible to each other, and each has its own characteristics);
- Interaction (three persons are in the everlasting interaction [for example, the life of God in Him], in whom we know only that the Son was born, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father).
Pray to God, who through the Holy Scripture revealed to us as the Triune God!
May the Lord will strengthen you in faith.
Hello, I noticed you have degree in New Testament studies. Please tell me whether you think it is possible to cooperate with non-professional researchers? I have have researched New Testament ecclesiology for several years. As a result, I wrote a book, it is now evaluated by experts. I would consider it an honor if you would also give it an academic assessment. Of course, if you are not thrown off by my lack of theological education. M e-mail address: supfiros@yandex.ru (Sergey, Kremenchug, Ukraine)
Hi, Sergey! Yes, indeed, I defended a doctorate in New Testament studies. My thesis was devoted to the history and hermeneutics of interpretation of the Bible in the tradition of the ROC. In his professional work I collaborate with bibleistami different religious groups, among them - representatives of various academic schools. For me, always a pleasure to deal with those who study the Scriptures. I do not bother you lack formal theological education. And I'll be glad to read your book. In order for you to get a scientific assessment, recommended to refer to the head of the department of Biblical Studies of the University, Doctor of Philosophy (in the field of biblical studies), Alikina Valeri Aleksandrovich (valikin [at] spbcu.ru). I wish you blessings in the development of theological themes through Bible study.
How would you comment on the idea that the devil is now settled in the Internet and on television? (Michael, Novoaltaisk, Russia)
Michael, hello, indeed, the content of some television channels and programs, as well as Internet resources is an evil, which is aimed at the destruction of man as a spiritual person. The creative potential of the devil appears to use some funds in order to seduce people, destroying his peace with God and other people. One thing is reassuring, that following the Scriptures, we believe in the ultimate victory of God. Lord will help all born of God to withstand the temptations, the source of which, unfortunately, is often the secular media. Many graduates of SPbCU work in Christian media to present the gospel and expand through television, radio, Internet and print media. I am glad that many Christians today are actively using television and the Internet to preach the gospel.
How important is it or not for Christians to have a higher secular or spiritual formation? (Pavel. Moscow)
Paul, peace to you! For a man who values knowledge and seeks to acquire the skills, the highest secular and spiritual education is a tool to meet their needs. Higher secular education enables the acquisition of humanities knowledge and professional expertise. This ideological core is not a religious coloring. There is a lack of higher secular education in that discipline, which examines, not harmonizes, with issues of Christian worldview.
Higher Christian theological education allows us to implement educational programs that promote intellectual, spiritual, social and moral aspects of human life and society pays equal attention. From my point of view, for modern Christians it is very important to get the foundation and impetus of spiritual transformation, high-level academic and vocational training. For all who want to get higher theological education recommend to come to SPbCU! About our training programs, see www.spbcu.ru
St. Petersburg is significant in the history of the evangelical movement in Russia. How do you feel about the project of the memorial museum of history of evangelical movements and the heroes of faith, the prisoners for Christ in the years of repression? (Aleksandr. Odessa.)
It is difficult to overestimate the significance of the evangelical movement, which began in St. Petersburg in the late 19th century. The idea of establishing a museum of history of evangelical movements in St. Petersburg impressed me. I think that our university would support such a project, and even more that our academic staff is working group of great historians of the evangelical movement and the Russian Protestantism. I am sure that M.S. Karetnikova (PhD, an honorary Doctor of Divinity) and T.K. Nikolskaya (PhD) and other colleagues with the enthusiasm back into the mainstream in the implementation of this project. Let's hope that this project can happen!
Among the classes at SPbCU, why is there no separate course on the role and significance of God in the vocation of Israel, the history of the world and its completion? Why is the issue of Israel leveled in Christianity and has not been given due attention, as testifies the New and Old Testaments about the future? (Haim. Israel.)
Haim, Shalom. The students of our school are studying the Scriptures in which God's people are given much attention. Our training programs are theocentric and christocentric. Some sections of courses or individual copyright seminars are devoted to the topic of Israel.
Why do you say that you are born in the Soviet Union - it is Ukraine! Are you ashamed of Ukraine or a fan of the USSR?
I first of all am a citizen of the kingdom of heaven!
I love my native land - Crimea - and the Ukrainian people.
And I was born in fact in the country, which no longer exists, and a fan which I certainly am not.
However, from the historical facts you cannot run!
Why in your opinion is the Baptist Union not increasing? Maybe it is declining? And this is despite the freedom to preach the gospel. What are the reasons? We do preach it, or not? (Alexander, St. Petersburg.)
Alexander, good day! Statistics on the growth of local congregations that are members of the Baptist Union should be understood and balanced and versatile. At the moment, as I understand it, in the history of Baptist Union there is a constant search for and implement the most effective ways of evangelism. I am confident that the work will not go in vain. For its part, SPbCU is ready to continue to assist the Baptist Union. One of the last projects in assisting the local Baptist churches was a "School of Preachers", which was organized on the basis of the department of practical theology and leadership of our university. A Graduate School of Leadership, which implements a master's program of leadership and management, no doubt, will head the local churches to be more effective modern ministers who understand the needs of modern man and were able to take the gospel to every heart. See more detail on our website: www.spbcu.ru.
Peace be with you! On behalf of the actor's command of Lviv Christian Theatre Emmanuel bring you greetings! We are glad that the Lord has blessed our ministry with you. We pray for God's device in your preparation for the new school year. Let it be God's right hand on your ministry and your home! Leader of the Lviv Theater Emmanuel Zhanna Goray (Zhanna Goray, Lviv, Ukraine)
Zhanna, we express our heartfelt gratitude to your team for what you have visited the Easter festival, organized on the basis SPbCU. This gave impetus to ensure that the department of practical theology began to organize INTENSIVE COURSES: Theatrical skills ". The first of these will take place in August 2010 08.02 More information about this event, see: http://www.spbcu.ru/ru/posts/608.