The St. Stephen's Course in Orthodox Theology

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SeraphimSarov

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I will possibly be enrolling in this once I graduate with my undergrad. I'm not sure what Father has in mind yet, though, since this training is more geared for people going into the diaconate, not the priesthood necessarily....
 
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Tsarina

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I've heard it's really bad.. teaches you modernism and makes you focus on the academics and not the spiritual.
This comes from people whom I know that have taken the course. Go to seminary instead, if you can.
 
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JuvenalyMartinka

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I have been told that the Serbian Church accepts candidates for the Diaconate after completion of this course. The two deacons presently at my parish both went through this.

Btw, on a related matter, please pray for me. I am hopefully going ot meet with Bishop MAXIM this Saturday and I hope to talk to him regarding my present state and my desires and to sort out some previous baggage and see what his suggestions are for me. Any and all prayers are greatly greatly appreciated.
 
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SeraphimSarov

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I've heard it's really bad.. teaches you modernism and makes you focus on the academics and not the spiritual.
This comes from people whom I know that have taken the course. Go to seminary instead, if you can.

That's encouraging... :sigh:
 
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Nickolai

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Yeah, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to agree with Tsarina. I have met a few guys that took the St. Stephens course. And knowing who some of the Professors are I would advise going to Seminary instead if you want to head toward ordination. And of course being the ever grateful student, would suggest St. Tikhon's Seminary :)
 
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Kristos

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What about the OCA "Late Vocations" program? Anyone have any experience with it?
My understand is that the late vocations program to aimed at those going into the priesthood. A guy from our parish was doing it, but then moved out to NY so I never got a chance to talk to him about it. I don't think the OCA program would accept me anyway because I'm divorced.
 
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ClementofRome

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It doesn't strike me as a bona fide doctorate-issuing institution, if that's what you mean (i.e., a D.D. from St. Elias would not strike me as being on par with a Th.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary). :)

Agreed! Though I was never even close to being a pre-mil dispy, the academic rigor of DTS is reknowned indeed! (I am a Gordon-Conwell grad myself!...)
 
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Xpycoctomos

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I've heard it's really bad.. teaches you modernism and makes you focus on the academics and not the spiritual.
This comes from people whom I know that have taken the course. Go to seminary instead, if you can.
I think that is up to your priest and you to work on Spiritual matters. No doubt that a seminary life is wonderful like at St Tikhon's where they do focus on the spiritual, but a lot of people simply do not have the luxury to pick up their entire family and move to a place where almost no job opportunities exist.

I have a friend who took it, and he is definitely among the more traditionalist. He liked it, primarily because he saw it for what it's worth, learning Church history and such. Our bishop sees it as only one step in the process of becoming a deacon.

Xpy
 
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ClementofRome

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So, did you know Scott Hahn?

Scott Hahn was a bit before my time there. I went to GCTS "second career" as they say....I was 32 with wife and kids when I went. I suspect that Scott and I are close to the same age, but he was at GCTS a few years ahead of me. The phrase "Scott Hahn" was right up there with using the Lord's name in vain when I was a GCTS! ^_^
 
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