SBC Seminaries (cont.)

oh BTW, as a side note -- I am planning on coming to Southern Seminary eventually to get a Th.M in Theology, because they do have the best theology program in the Southern Baptist Convention (basically because it's the only one that teaches strictly Reformed theology). I know I am going to hear it from you Arminians for that one.

WE HOLLA
dr

 

I have not had the pleasure..yet, to sit under his teaching. However, he and I are members of the same church and he will be teaching one of our upcoming adult discipleship classes.

 

So you go to Open Door, right?

Neal

 

Yup! I'm the Director of the Men's Ministry there.

 

Cool! I work with some guys at UPS that go there and my pastor used to go there before he started pastoring our church (Dwayne Beddingfield). I am the youth minister at Glen Royal Baptist. Small world!

Neal

 

Cool! I work with some guys at UPS that go there and my pastor used to go there before he started pastoring our church (Dwayne Beddingfield). I am the youth minister at Glen Royal Baptist. Small world!

Neal </font>[/QUOTE]Hey Neal,

Has Dwayne told you about our up coming Men's Retreat to Ft. Caswell? I believe that he is planning on coming with several of the Glen Royal men. Dr. Pete Schemm will be the main speaker. The theme is "Is Prove Yourself a Man" and the dates are March 14-15, 2003. Also we will take a half-day trip over to Wilmington to tour the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship.

 

This faulty image proves once again that one of SBTS's strongest suits may also be one of her greatest weaknesses.

 

I would love to be able to do full time seminary. Unfortunately we have only a sattelite office from Goldengate here in Phoenix. I am working full time and interning at a mission church. Fortunately there is Seminary Extension. It gives me the option to study when I have 15 min or 3 hours available. But I heard that NOBS is best (of course that is where my cousin went so I may be prejudiced)

 

SBC by Grace,

Why is my perception of Southern faulty and why is it a weakness as well as a strength? I feel I am fairly right about it teaching strictly Reformed theology and I think that is the reason why it is considered in Evangelistic circles to be the best of the Big 6. After that comment I am interested in your thoughts on the matter.
DR

 

The Theology faculty is not strictly Reformed nor do they teach strict Calvinism. That is a misconception about SBTS (one that I believe Mohler is trying to downplay).

I have spent 6+ years in the ThM & PhD programs (Systematics & NT), so I know most of the profs in these fields well. Many of them are Reformed in nature (even though they may not be 5-pointers), but there does seem to be somewhat of a balance (particularly in biblical studies).

I believe this "strictly Reformed" image of SBTS is something they must shed to minister to the average SBC church. The moment a seminary is perceived as strictly Calvinistic, they have lost the pulse of the pew people. The Calvinism bug is prevalant at Southern and its bite leaves certain fledgling students with an arrogance and isolationism that turns away those of a differing persuasion. Mohler seems to be taking strides to move away from this "my way or no way" mentality that plagues some in the Reformed camp. It is this spirit that could hurt SBTS inwardly.

SBC seminaries should be centers of learning for those on both ends of the Calvinism/Arminianism spectrum. They must allow for diversity on this issue. If a seminary becomes recognized as solely a Calvinistic institution, they will set a course that guarantees damage. Rumors have already surfaced of some of the big names in resurgence circles discouraging their students to attend SBTS b/c of this image.

Balance is the key. Mohler is smart enough to recognize this fact. One can only pray he is able to correct the faulty image before it becomes destructive.

 

I would like to know where you get your numbers regarding Southern being the fastest growing. To my knowledge, NOBTS carries this distinction and is now growing at the rate that southwestern is declining. Next year we will be the largest evangelical seminary in the world, a major jump from being the 6th largest about 10 years ago.
DR

Also when I said that there theology was strictly Reformed, I did not mean that there was no Arminian influence, just that men like Shreiner, Ware, and Nettles and others were strictly Reformed and teaching theology there, as opposed to most Southern Baptist seminaries where one or more departments are Reformed or not Reformed. The influence of Reformed theology is evident throughout the school, not just in one department, like here in New Orleans.

 

Do you suppose the infighting among Baptists in Texas could be the main cause of that???

 

Could be. But the increased success of SBTS, NOBTS, and MWBTS are probably better explanations.

 

You guys are blessed to be able to attend a SBC seminary of the caliber we have now!!!!

An old SBC guy who wishes he could have been born a lot earlier or a little later.

But don't worry....I was smart enough to straighten myself out after I was corrupted in the cemetery!

 

I know and I am very thankful to be able to attend now!

Neal

 

AMEN!