I'm a full-time pastor with a Bachelors in Bible & Theology. I've been feeling stirred to seek an MDiv for some time now, for personal and ministry enrichment, and in order to have a credential to teach as an adjunct at my alma mater. Likewise, one of the men in the congregation I serve would like to eventually enter the ministry, and he is wrapping up an interdisciplinary bachelors degree. He believes his next step is an MDiv.
We both lean toward a "modified calvinist" view of soteriology. I also lean towards a historic premil view of eschatology. However, we're not "rabid" in these areas, and don't want to make them points of contention or argument. I know a number of you are LBTS grads. From your experience, would my friend and I be able to exist happily in the LBTS Distance MDiv program? We love the flexibility, the delivery method and the reasonable price. We also love the idea of working together on our degrees, enjoying a sort of mini-cohort as we study. However, we don't want to walk into a perpetual warzone and be considered heretics over these issues.
Any input or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!
I am a 5 point Calvinist, historic premillenialist, who is currently enrolled in Liberty's M.Div. program. I have been well received, and I highly recommend the program.
The closest thing to a "war" I have experienced, was a paper I did on the "Sovereignty of God and the Free will of Man." The professor marked all over the paper on areas that he disagreed with me on, but I still received a 97 on the paper...
You should have no problem, as long as you are not condescending or rude, and express your thoughts in a civil manner. I wish you all the best in your studies!
Sounds like we're on similar pages, then. If you can address your views on that topic and still come out with a 97, it seems like they probably aren't out to argue the issue unfairly. I certainly have no reason to be rude; it was actually unkind behavior from Calvinistic students during undergrad that caused me to simply ignore the Doctrines of Grace for many years.
If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been in the program? Are you taking 9 or more credits a semester? I'm curious about the workload at 9 credits, as I think that is how many I would need to defer my undergrad loans (not that I'd have to do so, but it would help). I want to make sure I don't take too much at a time and neglect my pastoral ministries.
Thanks for your input, Havensdad! Anyone else have anything to share?
Last semester was my first. I completed the maximum 15 CH's; this semester, I am ALSO taking the full 15 CH's, plus I got permission to take an extra class from New Orleans Baptist Seminary (if you are not planning on taking resident classes, and want to study Hebrew and Greek in depth, you will have to do the same. Liberty only offers one class each, which are "tools" classes, in each of the languages, by distance).
So this semester I am actually taking 18 CH's. Remember, though, that my only job ATM is a part time Youth pastor position. If I were working a 40 hour a week job, there is no way I could keep up the pace. 12 hours per semester would be doable, with a full time job, IMHO.
So, here are some suggestions. Liberty's DE classes are actually 8 weeks long, so that there are two 8 week terms (the "B" and "D" terms), one after the other, with a third term (the "C" term) overlapping each by 4 weeks a piece, like so...
Do NOT take more than 2 classes, during the exact same 8 week term, if possible. Three classes, on the same 8 week schedule, is simply too much. All of your research projects, papers, etc., become due at the same time, and it is a huge problem. If you are going to take 9, take 1 in the B term, 1 in the C term, and 1 in the D term. if you are going to take 12 CHs, you could do 2 and 2 (or 1 1 2). If you are taking 15, like I did this semester, do 2 1 2. Get the idea? The 4 week offset means that while in one class your big projects are coming due, the other class has just geared up.
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hope all of this helps. Blessings in your studies!
Thanks! I'd love to do 12 if possible, as I'm aiming for 4 or 5 years to complete the degree, and 12 would put me in at 4. Are there options for summer terms or winter terms as well? I'm sure I can find that on their website, but if you know offhand, feel free to share.
Yeah, forget all of that stuff in there (you know, the Bible?) about God giving teachers to the Church, to equip the saints...
Did you happen to click on my signature? I am nuts about evangelism: but that does not excuse me from the required diligent study which should be done by anyone entering the pastorate.
Getting degrees just for the sake of getting degrees would be simple foolishness! However, my desire is to rightly handle the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). Knowing my personality and goals, I think the best way I can grow in that area is through structured study, such as a seminary program.
However, if it requires me to stop telling the world about Christ to do it, I won't be a part of it. That's actually why I'm seeking a program like this distance education option, which allows one to stay in their ministry context.
I appreciate your zeal for evangelism, but would encourage you not to look down on those who wish to pursue formal education. Blessings!
Yet, the apostle Paul had the highest level of education one could get in those days, and still went away for several years of study and prayer before engaging in the ministry. Notice, if you will, that he was the one chosen to write the majority of the New Testament.
First, Paul never condemns his education. He condemns his life of finding perfection by keeping rules. He never says "I wish I would never have studied the Word of God!" That would be ridiculous, and would contradict scripture.
Secondly, he said a similar thing about his life. This does not mean his life was worthless. You need to take things in context. You are presenting, in a very real way, why ministers need training from other ministers in seminary, regarding proper hermeneutics. The Bible cannot just mean whatever you want it to mean: it has whatever meaning its author has assigned.
Thirdly, if he counted his education as loss (which is never stated), why did he go away for several more years of study and prayer, AFTER he was saved?
What you have said lacks any semblance of sense. Please go get your own thread, and quit derailing this one. I believe it is against the rules.
I would respectfully echo Havensdad's request. I'd like to focus this thread on getting additional feedback from other folks on here about LBTS's program, as I am excited about the opportunity... but also a little nervous about out it working well for myself and my friend.
Dr. Caner from LBTS had some communication with my friend, and offered his email address for our questions. I'm interested to see what his response is, and pray it's grace filled and affirmative.