Seminary

[Blackhawk]

Hi all! Since others are asking for advice I will also.

I am getting my MDIV right now and looking for a seminary to get my PHD in historical theology. I want to focus on spiritual formation and discipleship and how a church can learn from the past how believers grow in the Lord. I am not sure exactly what time period I want to focus on but I am interested in the early church fathers (particularly the Greek fathers right now), Calvin (and those from the middle ages that influenced him), and John Owen. I know that covers a lot of time but they all are laced together in many ways.

But anyways. I am basically looking for a few things.

1. A seminary that is either completely in the reformed tradition or one that is atleast somewhat reformed.

2. A program that is flexible enough that they would understand me writing about the pastoral theology of Calvin or John Owen or something like that for my dissertation.

3. A seminary that is not only academically focused but also ministry focused.

4. A historical or systematic theology Prof. that is either an expert on the subeject of pastoral theology or spiritual formation. Or one that has a great heart for it. I am kind of looking for someone to study under. (this one might not be possible)


Right now I am looking at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Westminster in Philadelphia, or Southwestern Baptist theological seminary(where I am going now)

Does anyone have any advice or ideas about where a good place for me to go would be?

 

[drstevej]

4. A historical or systematic theology Prof. that is either an expert on the subeject of pastoral theology or spiritual formation. Or one that has a great heart for it. I am kind of looking for someone to study under. (this one might not be possible)

Dr. John Hannah (Dallas Theological Seminary) - Fits this extremely well. His field is primarily Colonial America but he has a breadth of knowledge and a very pastoral heart. He is a Calvinist.

If you contact him tell him I said "Hi." Meredith and I were the first wedding he did (almost 30 years ago). I had him for 7 courses and he was my thesiis advisor.

I am not sure what PhD programs are now offered, but the school fits your criteria. And you are an hour away.

Hannah, is an incredible professor and scholar. He certainly shaped my spiritual development.

 

[Blackhawk]

Dr. John Hannah (Dallas Theological Seminary) - Fits this extremely well. His field is primarily Colonial America but he has a breadth of knowledge and a very pastoral heart. He is a Calvinist.

If you contact him tell him I said "Hi." Meredith and I were the first wedding he did (almost 30 years ago). I had him for 7 courses and he was my thesiis advisor.

I am not sure what PhD programs are now offered, but the school fits your criteria. And you are an hour away.

Hannah, is an incredible professor and scholar. He certainly shaped my spiritual development.

hmmm. that is interesting. I had not given DTS much thought because I have heard some negative things about it. Not anything heretical but just that it was not very reformed. I will look into it though.

 

[ClementofRome]

My perception of DTS is that they are 4 point (rejecting the "L"). If this is the case, it may be workable.

 

[drstevej]

My perception of DTS is that they are 4 point (rejecting the "L"). If this is the case, it may be workable.

Actually, the doctrinal statement of DTS does not address the extent of the atonement.

I had three DTS profs in the 70s who were 5 pointers and there were others there that were not clear on Total Depravity, Unconditional Election and Irresistable Grace.

 

[eutychus]

One step up from Southwestern is Southern, y'know...

Plus you can say you lived in Kentucky while studying there, and that requires some type of accolade in itself.

 

[Gabriel]

http://www.rts.edu/ It's all you need and more.

 

[gtsecc]

Nashotah House might be out, as well as St. Vlads, but then again you might want to challenge yourself.

Nashotah House

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary

 

[tigersnare]

RTS, nuff said.

 

[erin74]

Said it before - will say it again. Come to Australia. I think you would be able to find that available at Moore Theological College. Most of our lecturers go O/S to do their PHD's, so why not do the same. The US dollar is stronger than ours, so it would probably make it comparable. We have a welsh friend for who this was the most economical way to go. It is an excellent theological college, with excellent bible teaching, and very capable bible teachers. And it offers a PHD program. I can't speak for the exact expertise of each of the lecturers - but check out the site, you would probably recognise whether they seem to be on about the same stuff or not. If it helps a lot of them have gone to Oak Hill or Wheaten I believe to complete their PHD studies - am I right in assuming this is the kind of reformed theology you are after?

www.moore.edu.au

Go on - it's a great place to live for a while (or forever)!!!!

erin

 

[Blackhawk]

One step up from Southwestern is Southern, y'know...

Plus you can say you lived in Kentucky while studying there, and that requires some type of accolade in itself.

Actually I have looked into Southern. David Puckett is a calvin scholar and another professor area of expertise is the pastoral theology of Beza. I ma thinking about working on the pastoral theology of CAlvin so it looks really good. I always worry about how people outside the SBC look at SBC seminaries. So in a sense I feel that if I do not go to Trinity or some place like that then I won't find a place to teach or will have to settle. I know this just shows a lack of faith but it is how I feel. Also I know that SBC seminaries are good schools and getting better and better. So I will have to wait and see. Thanks everyone for the good input. I will look into all the schools y'all suggested.

BH

 

[drstevej]

Actually I have looked into Southern. David Puckett is a calvin scholar and another professor area of expertise is the pastoral theology of Beza. I ma thinking about working on the pastoral theology of CAlvin so it looks really good. I always worry about how people outside the SBC look at SBC seminaries. So in a sense I feel that if I do not go to Trinity or some place like that then I won't find a place to teach or will have to settle. I know this just shows a lack of faith but it is how I feel. Also I know that SBC seminaries are good schools and getting better and better. So I will have to wait and see. Thanks everyone for the good input. I will look into all the schools y'all suggested.

BH

BTW, I went to seminary (DTS) with David Puckett. He is a great guy. Jackson, Mississippi boy.

Since you are interested in the pastoral theology of Calvin you might appreciate an article I did for the Westminster Theological Journal:

"The Sinews of the Body of Christ: Calvin's View of Church Discipline"

 

[JM]

Hi all! Since others are asking for advice I will also.

I am getting my MDIV right now and looking for a seminary to get my PHD in historical theology. I want to focus on spiritual formation and discipleship and how a church can learn from the past how believers grow in the Lord. I am not sure exactly what time period I want to focus on but I am interested in the early church fathers (particularly the Greek fathers right now), Calvin (and those from the middle ages that influenced him), and John Owen. I know that covers a lot of time but they all are laced together in many ways.

But anyways. I am basically looking for a few things.

1. A seminary that is either completely in the reformed tradition or one that is atleast somewhat reformed.

2. A program that is flexible enough that they would understand me writing about the pastoral theology of Calvin or John Owen or something like that for my dissertation.

3. A seminary that is not only academically focused but also ministry focused.

4. A historical or systematic theology Prof. that is either an expert on the subeject of pastoral theology or spiritual formation. Or one that has a great heart for it. I am kind of looking for someone to study under. (this one might not be possible)


Right now I am looking at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Westminster in Philadelphia, or Southwestern Baptist theological seminary(where I am going now)

Does anyone have any advice or ideas about where a good place for me to go would be?

I'm applying here: http://www.gpts.edu/ Just waiting for my list of courses.

 

[Blackhawk]

I'm applying here: http://www.gpts.edu/ Just waiting for my list of courses.

Interesting site and looks like a good place but I do not see any PHD programs.

 

[drstevej]

I'm applying here: http://www.gpts.edu/ Just waiting for my list of courses.

Dr. Pipa, the President of this seminary, was a classmate of mine at Westminster Seminary (doctoral program). Didn't realize he was at the school. Great guy.

Ivan Davis (visiting lecturer) was also in our class.

Looks like a good school, SP.

 

[Bulldog]

Nashotah House might be out, as well as St. Vlads, but then again you might want to challenge yourself.

Nashotah House

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary

So St. Vladimirs is...."Reformed Orthodox"?

 

[ClementofRome]

I'm applying here: http://www.gpts.edu/ Just waiting for my list of courses.

Reality: Not accredited.....a Masters degree from gpts will not get you into an accredited doctoral program (just a heads up...maybe not of concern).

My opinion on the matter: Strict subscriptionist/Strict Sabbatarian/TR to the max

Blessings

 

[Blackhawk]

Dr. Pipa, the President of this seminary, was a classmate of mine at Westminster Seminary (doctoral program). Didn't realize he was at the school. Great guy.

Ivan Davis (visiting lecturer) was also in our class.

Looks like a good school, SP.

Did you go to school with every contemporary theologian?

 

[JM]

Reality: Not accredited.....a Masters degree from gpts will not get you into an accredited doctoral program (just a heads up...maybe not of concern).

My opinion on the matter: Strict subscriptionist/Strict Sabbatarian/TR to the max

Blessings

Good looking our C of R, I'm not interested in 'accredited' doctoral programs. I'm big on Biblical separation and see no need to worry about it. Thanks for looking out.

 

[drstevej]

Did you go to school with every contemporary theologian?

It's called being educated beyond your intelligence.