Considering studying Theology

[Dewi Sant]

For a while I have been considering doing a bachelors in Linguistics but I really can't see how that would help me. It would fill up a three year gap and give me a certificate but it isn't going to be much use to what I want to do in life.


I do not want to tie myself down to only domestic universities and so I have been searcing on www.collegeboard.com.
I want to study theology and work in the church.

Now this is going to sound bizarre when I go for my careers interview tomorrow at 6th form college as it is a huge change from what I agreed on before. Also it isn't exactly a popular course.

I found that Durham university do it but once my mum told me that a lot of vicars she knows (CofE) went there that put me off (though I know that was meant to reassure me, even though it gave the opposite effect).

I do not want to go to a university which is centred round the church of England. I don't want to critisce that religion too much but it was the CofE which drove me away and the American Baptists who brought me back .

I found a wonderful looking University which isn't too expensive (compared with some )
Oklahoma Baptist University.

It claims to be half an hour from Oklahoma City which seems rational and 3 hours from Dallas which I find suprising as I imagine the U.S.A. as being much much bigger.
Oklahoma Baptist University



I hope this is what I am meant to do but I am certain that Linguistics is not me really.
I really wanted to do music but that won't happen and as my Grandma says Music is best as a hobby.

And come to think about it I could take notes from Steph who is going to Richmond Music College NY.


I also prefer the american way of University.
The Major and Minor system seems appealing to me. As I would like to study art and philosophy possibly as minors.



So I would have to take the S.A.T. test, talk to my careers advisor, get the finances sorted out before I even consider applying.


I have also been having dreams about studying in America for university and establishing my family there.
It is wonderful how life unfolds.


British universities seem a bargain for only £3000 per year whereas Oklahoma Baptist University is $13,846 for tuition alone.

 

[okiemommy26]

Hi there, I live in Oklahoma but I live in the Northeastern part of oklahoma and I go to Oklahoma Wesleyan University- it is liberal arts and theological school. The website is www.okwu.edu if you like to check it out. The town I live in is about an hour away from Tulsa, Oklahoma and about 6 or 7 hours from Dallas.

 

[Dewi Sant]

Thankyou for the link.

I will just like to make it obvious that I am infact in England and this is where I live, however I am quite happy to study abroard.

We don't get the Wesleyan church over here (not that I know of) but we do get Methodism which is founded by Wesley.
I would ideally join a bible college which doesn't affiliate itself with any denomination.


Anyway thanks for the link it was helpful and widens my eyes to another possible uni.

 

[okiemommy26]

well oklahoma baptist is a baptist university, im not wesleyan either. I understand about going to one that does not have a denomation. Good luck finding one- there is Oral Roberts University which as far as i know is not a affliated with any denomation but i could be wrong. I think the link for that one is www.oru.edu this one is in Tulsa

 

[Brother_Justin]

Your options are greatly reduced when you start looking for nondenom schools.

I myself am a student at a liberal arts college studying religion. I would urge you to not just look for Bible school but look at alot of schools and see if you cant find a school which the religion department looks strong !!!! My school is Methodist oriented, but we have more Luthrans and Catholics(ironic huh).



Love brother ~Justin~ <><

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

My father and grandfather are ministers and I know a couple of preministerial students in college and a couple of seminarians...

Just some random thoughts....

1. A very important part of exegesis is language! I would think Linquistics would be an awesome preporation for the study of theology! My dad took 3 years of Greek and 3 years of Hebrew in college - before he could even get into the seminary. He took some German, too.

2. I think almost anything you study in college would be good prep for seminary (or wherever you study for pastoral ministry). I think most seminaries strongly encourage a broad-based, "liberal arts" type education - but with some history of philosophy, some English, and that often dreaded Greek and Hebrew.

3. Since you are English, you should be sensitive that it's a religious zoo here in "the colonies." A zillion denominations, most of whom have colleges - and then lots of "nondenominational" colleges and Bible colleges. ACTUALLY, "non-denominational" usually means NOTHING. Often, non-denominational colleges have a STRONGER theological heritage and are far LESS tolerant to varient opinions than are denominational Christian colleges. Ironic, but true. They often have a very fundamentalistic, ultra conversative bent to them (which is cool, no problem) and are far more likely to REQUIRE chapel attendance and have lots of rules (dancing, etc) than are the denominational colleges. Just a friendly "heads up."

Good luck!


Keep the faith! Share the love!


- Josiah



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[DeaconDean]

Let me say this, Theology is the BEST! I love the study of why we believe what we believe. I just got my M.A. in Theology and it was very rewarding to me.