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What Degree?

Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by nate, Nov 19, 2005.

  1. nate

    nate New Member

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    I'm not sure what degree I need to go to school for! I do not feel the calling to be a Pastor but I am really interested in learning the original languages of Scripture and perhaps being able to help translate recent Text discoveries and study original language texts. But I do not know what exactly I will need to take in college. Can someone help me out? Thanks.

    Nate
     
  2. mioque

    mioque New Member

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    Remember your French/Russian/Spanish/German/English teacher in high school?
    That person probably had a degree in the language (s)he taught.
    I'm pretty sure one can earn a doctorate in Koine Greek, Aramaïc or Biblical Hebrew (specialising in translating instead of teaching) at a number of very respected American universities.
     
  3. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Mioque is right, Nate. But you don't really need to worry about these things until your sophomore year. Most everyone has to take the same classes your freshman year, and you don't get to classes in your major until your 2nd year.

    If studying the original languages is that path you want to travel, you may be feeling the call to be a Bible college teacher. My son feels called to be a teacher, and has gone this route: B. A. with a major in Bible, M. A. in Biblical Studies at the same Bible college, the credits of which apply to the M. Div. which he is now pursuing at a seminary. He may or may not work on the doctorate before he is actually hired somewhere. Either route is possible.

    May God guide you and keep you! :cool:
     
  4. Brother Ian

    Brother Ian Active Member

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    Enter school with an undeclared major and pray the Lord will lead you in the direction He wants you to go.

    If you're interested in language, major in Greek or one of the other original languages of Scripture. If God doesn't want you there, He'll tell you.
     
  5. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    What do you want to do to earn a living? I ask because if you want to be an accountant, then major in accounting or business, and minor in the languages or learn them on the side. There are excellent self-study resources out there for Greek and Hebrew.
     
  6. El_Guero

    El_Guero New Member

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    Nate

    Go over to Japan (or Korea) and teach English for two years.

    Come back and get a bachelor's degree in the Biblical & Classical languages and one modern.

    Wherever your modern language is - go there for a semester stay at home program.

    Go get an MA in linguistics. Get a second MA in Greek, or Hebrew.

    Then you might be ready for a Ph.D. IMHO.

    ;)
     
  7. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Hate to disagree with you El_Guero, but when kids come over here fresh out of HS to teach English, they are usually out for fun and not serious about life. Nate, being a serious young man, would have to put up with that kind of company--unless of course he wanted to work with a missionary teaching English in his church! ;)

    If he were to go your route, I would suggest that he get that BA first and then come on over. Going overseas to get first hand knowledge of a living language is good advice, though. My son, having grown up in Japan and speaking the language fluently, found Greek and Hebrew easier than most of his peers, getting the "Biblical Languages Award" at college graduation. [​IMG]
     
  8. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    Get a B.A. in something related to languages, get M.A. in Biblical Languages, then get a Ph.D.

    If you go with El Guero's track, you won't be able to get a decent job until about 15 years after high school. Not to mention you'll be 100k+ in debt.
     
  9. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Nate,

    Get a BA/BS in something with which you can make a living; like say a teaching credential. Then you can make a living anywhere in the world.

    Many good schools have language programs. You may even want to go to a place like the University of Michigan that has a great Semitics Language program of study. If you would consider a Southern Baptist context, Mid America and The Southern Baptist Seminary @ Louisville both have strong language programs and they are NOT all that expensive.

    It would really help if you knew for certain that you wanted to b/c a minister. Then the MDiv is a MUST. The BA/BS, MA, MDiv route is necessary. If you want to teach in the Biblical languages then the PhD or ThD is absolutely necessary.

    Take it from one who knows and has "been down the road," you can hardly find a place to teach with the MA/MDiv unless it is at some small and/or unaccredited Bible college or institute. And, that is OK too if that is your ultimate goad.

    The BA/BS, MA, MDiv, & PhD/ThD route all from RA accredited colleges, universities, &/or seminaries is definitively the way to go. Then, no one anywhere can say you are not qualified.

    Take note of the small un-accredited Bible colleges, church attached Bible Schools and institutes; they nearly always do not have any real scholars. They would love to have one or two as I have described above on their staff to enhance their credibility.

    Be the best you can be under the guidance, sovereignty (sp?), and providence of God. DO NOT TAKE THE SHORT WAY OR THE EASY WAY!!!!! You will regret it in the long run I promise you.

    sdg!

    rd
     
  10. nate

    nate New Member

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    Thank you guys so much! You have all really helped and I appreciate it. Someone asked would original languages be a hobby or a profession I'm not sure yet I'm just praying asking God what I should be!My Pastor has urged me to go to Dallas he really liked it there and said the staff was great!But I think I would rather go to The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville KY. But again I'm still not sure just praying. Thanks again for all the great advice!
    In Christ,
    Nate
     
  11. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Nate,

    You also need to decide (if you can) if you are a "dyed in the wool Southern Baptist" or not. The educational program @ DTS is top rate, especially if you want to do the Biblical Languages.

    BUT, this is big BUT. In some instances if you have the ThM from DTS you may be limited in what you can do and where you can go ministry wise. Some circles of the SBC still do not look fondly on a Master's from DTS. Although, it is not as difficult as it once was for a host or reasons we cannot discuss here.

    Another down side to DTS is the price. It has become prohibitive to some. It seems like it may be as much or more than $10,000 per year and you can do the whole thing "out the door" at Southern for that, if the prices have held in the last few years.

    Some Dallas guys may need "to chime in here" to set me straight. I may need it! HA!

    Just a couple of other things to think about and ponder.

    sdg!

    rd
     
  12. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    I haven't seen that play out, Rhet [​IMG]
    Folks with ThMs from DTS have had pretty good success at getting pastorates in my end of the state.

    You are very correct in that, if the gentleman is SBC, then an SBC seminary is his best financial bet. Tuition is much, much cheaper at SBC seminaries if you are Southern Baptist.
     
  13. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    Major in your main area of interest that you intend to make a living at and minor in the language of your choice. You will probably find that language will take up the majority of your time. In languages there is usually a high drop out rate.
     
  14. nate

    nate New Member

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    Thanks for the details Rhet. I do plan on going to an SBC school simply because I prefer the conservative atmosphere.
     
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