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Bible College Question

Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by mr.johnson, Oct 15, 2015.

  1. mr.johnson

    mr.johnson New Member
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    Hello board, this is my first post and I am also new to Christ. Under abnormal circumstances, I have started attending an Independent Baptist church that has changed my aspect in life and vitalized a portion of me that had been too prideful before. I was not a person of disastrous sin, but I was a person content in the sin I did have. A person who was of no threat to Satan and therefore was not heavily tempted. Well, in the past few months I have been convicted. God has shown me that I need to start living for him, and since, I have had this spiritual awakenings of sort, Satan has been trying his best to establish himself in my life lately. I have had to distance my family, and parts of my wives family and friends, but it has allowed my family and I to grow closer to God. I thank him everyday for it, even if there are struggles, I know I have chosen the winning side and the fruits in our life have shown that as well. Through this all, I cannot run from this feeling that I need to do more and learn more. I am unclear as to what that calling has in store, but I know I am to be used. I am hungry for knowledge and the ability to delve deep into God's word with elders who can provide insight and guidance. I know this is what I am supposed to do. All the lives within my immediate family have been changing rapidly and I know God has something special planned for us, and it's an exciting time for us all. I have recently been saved and baptized (my wife and I). We feel as if God is really moving things within that church and our own lives; and that is what has led me to this forum. I am a high school history teacher in a public high school, with a bachelors in history from California State University of Sacramento. I am looking for the perfect school that can fill me with that spiritual wisdom I need to continue to be used by God. I am 26 year later old, married with a son. I want to be of use to my family, my church, and God.

    So my question to the board would be, do you know of any online bible colleges that you have experienced or have heard positive things about that I can look into? Thank you for the help.


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  2. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Mr. Johnson,

    I guess the first question I would ask, what do you want to do with your life henceforth?

    Secondly, do you think you are being called to some facet of ministry?

    If so, then I would prepare for the pastoral ministry which may mean seeking the Master of Divinity degree.

    If not the pastoral ministry then I would recommend a short university type master's degree. Mid Western Baptist Theological Seminary has one that is completely on line, very rigorous, and accredited.

    rd

    PS I will even provide you the link.

    http://www.mbts.edu/academics/masters-studies/mts-master-of-theological-studies-preaching-emphasis/
     
    #2 Rhetorician, Oct 16, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2015
  3. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    It doesn't exist. And even if it did as soon as you started attending it would no longer be perfect. :)
     
  4. mr.johnson

    mr.johnson New Member
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    Ha. True...


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  5. mr.johnson

    mr.johnson New Member
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    Thanks Rhetorician. I am going to pray on those issues and make sure before committing.

    What schools are good for Master of Divinity?


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  6. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    Maranatha Baptist University www.mbu.edu
     
  7. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Mr. Johnson,

    If you are settled into a particular "flavor" of Baptist denomination, philosophy of ministry, "soul-winning" motivation, theological under-pinnings and such; all will go a long way to helping you decide what you want to be and do. I know you are asking "what is God's will?" But that too can be worked out by taking the next step. Keep in mind your wife and family as you seek to answer these hard questions. Especially listen to your dear wife, God's speaks to them too in ways sometimes we men do not understand. Don't do anything too quickly but in concert with her and other, older and wiser elders / leaders of your local assembly.

    When you put your foot educationally into one circle it will enhance or detract from other circles. You will know what I mean as you go along. If you want the broadness (not liberalness) of the Southern Baptist Convention then you will need to go in that direction. If you want the strictness of the independent-fundamentalists Baptist that will put you down another completely different road. Neither is wrong or right necessarily, but just different. Choose slowly and choose carefully.

    When you answer some of these basic questions I, or other wise posters on the BB, can help you in direct proportion to what you want to do long term.

    I am in no way trying to sidestep your question or to patronize you; only trying to ask you some ministry and life questions that will help inform and hopefully conform your thinking.

    This is posted prayerfully and carefully after 18 years of college teaching, 21 years of education, and five degrees, earned while in my 30s and 40s and into my 50s with a wife and three children.

    So take it for what it is worth.

    "That is all!!"

    rd
     
  8. mr.johnson

    mr.johnson New Member
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    Thank you. I have been taking all this information in and trying to make the most informed decision. I do not want to make the mistake of rushing into something, but I know my wife and I have talked about it and see schooling as a definite need for me. She has been raised in churches and has attended bible college herself, and I know that I need a strong foundation of knowledge to add to my faith.

    I have a question maybe I can pose to you that you could help me out with now. I have been looking at some of the colleges proposed and I found one that's close, but I would be using their online program. It's called Golden Gate Baptist Seminary.

    Now, I have a bachelors in history...I am looking into getting a masters in either theology or masters of divinity. I am still in the early stages of researching these two degrees. Do you have any information on them or recommendations?




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  9. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Mr. Johnson,

    I am glad you asked. Yes I know a bit about them. They are Southern Baptist. They are in the process of restructuring, selling their property in the San Francisco area, downsizing, and moving to So. Cal. if I have understood correctly. They will still have some presence in No. Cal. in the future just not the full "brink and mortar" presence of the past years. I had the NT book of Ephesians under Dr. Rich Melick who started the PhD program for Golden Gate. He is quite a man and a foremost NT scholar in SBC life. You cannot go wrong with GG in my humble but most accurate opinion. LOL!!!!

    If you want to pastor, then you will probably need the Master of Divinity degree. It is the "gold standard" and "tool box" for the pastoral-preaching ministry. According to your age and ministry focus I might advise you to get a "lesser Master of Arts" degree like and MA in Pastoral Ministry or an MA in Old Testament or New Testament. But the MDiv will have all of the components needed for you to be a church planter, pastor-teacher, denominational worker, minister of education, para church worker, et al.

    The issues I argued in the other post are why it is relevant for you to "decide what you want to be when you grow up." I say that "tongue and cheek" like they told us when we graduated from high school. But, if and when you can get that fixed in your mind, as much as possible, your "calling;" then you can better set about to find the degree program and school that fits the criteria of that calling. But, like anything else, it is better to be over prepared and educated than to come up short on the educational scale.

    This is not to say that the education is a substitute for walking with God, having a Godly prayer life, or seeking Him as a devoted follower. But the more knowledge and commitment to education the more the Holy Spirit has to work with. And you know personally from teaching, that to know a subject has myriads of applications that can help you when you stand to speak.

    My humble pov.

    Private post me if you want. I would love to talk

    "That is all!"

    rd
     
  10. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Mr. Johnson,

    I invite you to go to the BB page listed below and work through the hyperlink concerning the MDiv degree. I think you will find it helpful. Here it it for your educational usage.

    https://www.baptistboard.com/threads/master-of-divinity-mini-discussion.96437/

    I think you will find it helpful and interesting.

    Let me know what you think when possible.

    "That is all!"

    rd
     
  11. mr.johnson

    mr.johnson New Member
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    I looked into that thread. I am still stewing over all the options and what will be best for my family and I and our efforts to serve God. I am leaning toward Golden Gate Baptist College...And I am leaning towards Master of Theology with the ability to go for my Master of Divinity after. I still have much choice praying to do on the topic, but I have been under conviction at home and in church that I am definitely being called to receive more knowledge so that I can help others.


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  12. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Mr. Johnson,

    How is it going, well I hope? I am glad to be able to help on some small level. May I offer one small corrective? The Master of Theology is based on the Master of Divinity degree. Usually the tools needed to do the advanced-advanced study for the Master of Theology are assumed that one holds the MDiv degree. Generally speaking the Master of Theology would be sought for someone who was making plans to do a PhD in New Testament , Church History et al; or some other advanced religious based discipline. The MDiv would provide basic understandings, the Master of Theology would provide an intermediate step.

    And I know if you are new to the church life academic world it can be a bit overwhelming.

    Respond to this post or PM me if needs, questions arise.

    "That is all!!!"

    rd
     
  13. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Mr. Johnson,

    Some more information if you please.

    First I would caution you on going to a Southern Baptist Seminary if you do not come out of an SBC church. Ministry philosophies and other issues abound that may not meet with yours. I am not saying not to do it, just saying to be ware.

    Secondly, many are not wanting to get or have the Master of Divinity degree. But I lobby for it all the time. I think it is the absolute least that the man of God should have to pastor. IMHO.

    Having said that, look at the hyperlink posted below, scroll down, and read what is said about the MDive degree. It will give you food for thought.

    http://sbcvoices.com/sbc-dinosaur-sightings-are-these-headed-for-extinction-part-one/

    "That is all!"

    rd
     
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