how does one pursue seminary?

[Jacque_Pierre22]

I'm not talking about an MDIV, just like an MA. I don't know anyone who has done it in real life. Although I have amassed a lot of book on theology (about 200 systematic and history/ philosophy) I'm not involved besides going to a church. I see that a lot require 3 letters of rec too. I'm interested in academic stuff not being a pastor. Are introverts discouraged because they are not very outgoing and highly involved? What exactly are they looking for? It seems inherently gnostic to basically make it so difficult to be accepted and learn, hidden wisdom only for the initiated people.

 

[public hermit]

It depends on the seminary, but you might consider a ThM, which can be a terminal degree if you just want to learn or a step toward a higher degree if you want to teach. I'm certain a lot of introverts hold that degree. Academics very often tend toward the introversion, head-in-a-book kind of thing.

Master of Theology - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Arcangl86]

I'm not talking about an MDIV, just like an MA. I don't know anyone who has done it in real life. Although I have amassed a lot of book on theology (about 200 systematic and history/ philosophy) I'm not involved besides going to a church. I see that a lot require 3 letters of rec too. I'm interested in academic stuff not being a pastor. Are introverts discouraged because they are not very outgoing and highly involved? What exactly are they looking for? It seems inherently gnostic to basically make it so difficult to be accepted and learn, hidden wisdom only for the initiated people.

Going to seminary is like going to any graduate school really. Do you have a BA/BS? If not, that will be a good place to start. And also, what is your end goal?

 

[Jacque_Pierre22]

It depends on the seminary, but you might consider a ThM, which can be a terminal degree if you just want to learn or a step toward a higher degree if you want to teach. I'm certain a lot of introverts hold that degree. Academics very often tend toward the introversion, head-in-a-book kind of thing.

Master of Theology - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

yea I want to get that in Patristics but it requires an MA first.

 

[Jacque_Pierre22]

Going to seminary is like going to any graduate school really. Do you have a BA/BS? If not, that will be a good place to start. And also, what is your end goal?

I would like to honestly know all of it : systematic/exegesis, historical but if I had to choose it would systematics. The goal is writing academic books on obscure topics probably systematics and patristics. yea I have a business degree . For example, the Trinity is tied to systematics, patristics, and philosophy

 

[Arcangl86]

I would like to honestly know all of it : systematic/exegesis, historical but if I had to choose it would systematics. The goal is writing academic books on obscure topics probably systematics and patristics. yea I have a business degree . For example, the Trinity is tied to systematics, patristics, and philosophy

Honestly, you don't need to go to seminary to learn all of that. If you want to get into academia then, yeah you probably need to go to seminary and probably get a PhD. At the MA level there is going to be more similarity then differences academically, so I would just look at what seminaries are near by and take a look. Honestly, since you are seem to be on an academic track, I would avoid small denominational seminaries since they tend to focus on those seeking ordination, even if they have PhD programs. Your interest in both patristics and philosophy might make a Catholic seminary a good choice for you even at the MA level though.

But I want this to be perfectly clear. You don't need to go to seminary to became a skilled theologian.

 

[Jacque_Pierre22]

Honestly, you don't need to go to seminary to learn all of that. If you want to get into academia then, yeah you probably need to go to seminary and probably get a PhD. At the MA level there is going to be more similarity then differences academically, so I would just look at what seminaries are near by and take a look. Honestly, since you are seem to be on an academic track, I would avoid small denominational seminaries since they tend to focus on those seeking ordination, even if they have PhD programs. Your interest in both patristics and philosophy might make a Catholic seminary a good choice for you even at the MA level though.

But I want this to be perfectly clear. You don't need to go to seminary to became a skilled theologian.

thanks for the advice. the problem is how would I get recommendations. unless I use business ones. I hold to conservative Lutheranism beliefs but am interested in Russian philosophers/ theology (Uspensky, Berdaev, Bulgakov, Florovsky, Florensky etc); so it spans multiple fields

 

[Arcangl86]

thanks for the advice. the problem is how would I get recommendations. unless I use business ones. I hold to conservative Lutheranism beliefs but am interested in Russian philosophers/ theology (Uspensky, Berdaev, Bulgakov, Florovsky, Florensky etc); so it spans multiple fields

Reach out to some of your old professors. If not maybe enroll in some courses in writing and philosophy at a local community college, both to give yourself a grounding in some of the things you would be doing but also establishing contacts who can speak to your academic work. That's what they are looking for generally, not any kind of certification that you are theologically orthodox or the like.

 

[Jacque_Pierre22]

Reach out to some of your old professors. If not maybe enroll in some courses in writing and philosophy at a local community college, both to give yourself a grounding in some of the things you would be doing but also establishing contacts who can speak to your academic work. That's what they are looking for generally, not any kind of certification that you are theologically orthodox or the like.

ok thanks, yea I've been learning towards taking more philosophy locally and languages

 

[Arcangl86]

ok thanks, yea I've been learning towards taking more philosophy locally and languages

Yeah, it's a good idea if you been out of school for a while because getting back into the habits of study can be rough, especially since grad school is at such a higher level.

 

[public hermit]

yea I want to get that in Patristics but it requires an MA first.

Does it? It might depending on the institution, but I believe you can get a ThM with only having undergrad. It is a Masters. I'm almost certain but I'm also a falliblist, so...

 

[Arcangl86]

Does it? It might depending on the institution, but I believe you can get a ThM with only having undergrad. It is a Masters. I'm almost certain but I'm also a falliblist, so...

Not in the US. It's technically a Masters, but it's not a first graduate degree. You need to have a MA or MDiv for entry into a ThM program. In many cases it's the first stage of the PhD program, though that's not universal.

 

[public hermit]

Not in the US. It's technically a Masters, but it's not a first graduate degree. You need to have a MA or MDiv for entry into a ThM program. In many cases it's the first stage of the PhD program, though that's not universal.

Maybe I'm mistaken. I feel confident I know people who have earned a ThM with just undergrad, but maybe I'm wrong. I once thought, at 5 yoa, December and Christmas were the same day. It took me a bit to catch on.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

I'm not talking about an MDIV, just like an MA. I don't know anyone who has done it in real life. Although I have amassed a lot of book on theology (about 200 systematic and history/ philosophy) I'm not involved besides going to a church. I see that a lot require 3 letters of rec too. I'm interested in academic stuff not being a pastor. Are introverts discouraged because they are not very outgoing and highly involved? What exactly are they looking for? It seems inherently gnostic to basically make it so difficult to be accepted and learn, hidden wisdom only for the initiated people.

It just depends on your denomination / tradition, what you can afford personally, your level of involvement with your church body and/or congregation etc. If you feel called you can go just as long as you meet the enrollment criteria, chances are they will take you based on my experience being a part time student at Fuller Theological Seminary long ago.


All the other stuff on personality also really depends on church culture. Being an introvert is definitely not bad at all on the average, but some traditions have a tough time dealing with them. That was definitely my experience in the Pentecostal / Charismatic movement as an introvert. I noticed a few introvert ministers here and there in the movement, but it seemed to me that lots of people had to adopt a different persona in the pulpit than what was really true and natural for them in real life.

 

[Paidiske]

I'm not talking about an MDIV, just like an MA. I don't know anyone who has done it in real life. Although I have amassed a lot of book on theology (about 200 systematic and history/ philosophy) I'm not involved besides going to a church. I see that a lot require 3 letters of rec too. I'm interested in academic stuff not being a pastor. Are introverts discouraged because they are not very outgoing and highly involved? What exactly are they looking for? It seems inherently gnostic to basically make it so difficult to be accepted and learn, hidden wisdom only for the initiated people.

There are two separate things that a seminary does; one is give you an academic pathway for a course of study, and the other is form you for a vocation in ministry. If all you want is the academic pathway, then any reputable institution offering a course of study which meets your interests should suit you fine. Given the topics you're interested in, you might want to look for somewhere that will be able to help you with languages, as you may well need to read texts not available in English (even if those languages aren't part of your official course of study, if you see what I mean).

I have not found that introverts are discouraged. In fact, purely for the academic pathway, I have not found anyone who is capable of the course to be turned away (for example, I took classes alongside at least one atheist). In my experience it's only if you're in a ministry formation pathway that there's any screening, and then they'll be looking at questions of vocation, at psychological and relational health, at spirituality and leadership potential, and so on as well. But that will probably vary greatly by denomination.

 

[Jacque_Pierre22]

It just depends on your denomination / tradition, what you can afford personally, your level of involvement with your church body and/or congregation etc. If you feel called you can go just as long as you meet the enrollment criteria, chances are they will take you based on my experience being a part time student at Fuller Theological Seminary long ago.


All the other stuff on personality also really depends on church culture. Being an introvert is definitely not bad at all on the average, but some traditions have a tough time dealing with them. That was definitely my experience in the Pentecostal / Charismatic movement as an introvert. I noticed a few introvert ministers here and there in the movement, but it seemed to me that lots of people had to adopt a different persona in the pulpit than what was really true and natural for them in real life.

do you know if you can get more than one MA because from what I see is you have to specialize in exegetical, historical, or systematic...... that's kinda of weird to me. How would I be able to systematize the doctrines of the Bible if I don't know how to exegete the text?

 

[Paidiske]

You can do more than one degree at the same level. But (if it's anything like the MDiv I did) having a major doesn't mean you don't touch on the other areas; just that you have more units from that field of study than others. So, for example, my MDiv has a major in systematics, but I still did several units of Greek, Biblical studies, and all sorts of other things too.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

do you know if you can get more than one MA because from what I see is you have to specialize in exegetical, historical, or systematic...... that's kinda of weird to me. How would I be able to systematize the doctrines of the Bible if I don't know how to exegete the text?

I can't think of a reason why you would be barred from getting more than one master of arts in theology, religious studies, divinity or whatever. The more degrees you get the more money you spend, and the university is able to pay it's bills. If money and time spent isn't an issue for you I really can't think of a good reason why you would not be able to do this. Most people got other worries, the normal issue is how much education do I need to get X job.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I'm not talking about an MDIV, just like an MA. I don't know anyone who has done it in real life. Although I have amassed a lot of book on theology (about 200 systematic and history/ philosophy) I'm not involved besides going to a church. I see that a lot require 3 letters of rec too. I'm interested in academic stuff not being a pastor. Are introverts discouraged because they are not very outgoing and highly involved? What exactly are they looking for? It seems inherently gnostic to basically make it so difficult to be accepted and learn, hidden wisdom only for the initiated people.

I audited a Patristics course at the St. Paul Seminary (Catholic) alongside the seminarians. Only that course though, and there was no degree I was enrolled for.

Some seminary courses are only for the seminarians per se, but others are open to other degree students or the occasional auditor like me. I have a friend who got a degree in theology and then taught it at college level. I know others who have done the same without becoming or even intending to become ordained.

I remember looking at the course catalogue for Luther Northwest Seminary and it looked like most courses were open to people in most tracks. It looked like it would be like applying to grad school with transcripts and letters of recommendation and interviews and probably even a GRE.

Would a degree in theology be worth it? Maybe so. There's only so far you can go by being an autodidact. And since you don't know what you don't know the autodidact approach can leave you with holes in your learning. And, if you get a theology degree you also make the connections needed to work in the field and maybe get paid for it too.

 

[Jacque_Pierre22]

thanks for all the replies. It's interesting there is so little on gradcafe and urch