Which one?

DTS is not a baptist school. They do have some baptist students and profs though.

Criswell is certainly an option. I have known some recent and distant profs there. Good school, as I understand it.

 

Logsdon School of Theology at Hardin-Simmons and Truett Seminary at Baylor are both excellent schools. Also, Brite Divinity School at TCU is also an excellent seminary (they are a Disciples of Christ school, but they have a Baptist House of Studies where they teach Baptist doctrine, Baptist history and Baptist polity). Of course, since your current church is uniquely aligned with Southern Baptists of Texas, you’ll probably be discouraged from even considering them because of alleged “liberalism”. Unfortunately, if you go to either of these schools you will likely never be accepted by the Southern Baptist hierarchy and will always be treated with suspicion regarding your theology. If you attend one of the allegedly more “conservative” schools, you’ll be more politically connected to Southern Baptist life, but might be short-changed on your theological education.

It’s a tough choice to make. If you have any reservations about the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message or the leadership and practice of the SBC over the past 20 years, then you should consider Logsdon, Truett and Brite. If you have no pangs of conscience or issues with Southern Baptist leadership, character or behavior over the past 20 years, you should probably choose one of the allegedly conservative schools. (You can always lead a reform movement if you get disillusioned.)

Most of all, you should ask a number of people who know you and whom you trust (even if you don’t necessarily agree with their theology) where they think you would fit and seriously consider their counsel.

Then I would take a week to make make appointments and take a quick tour of the Texas schools, including schools from both sides of the Texas theological divide. Talk to professors and administrators and see what is available.

Then led God lead you in your choices.

 

Joshua-

Don't know your parameters..

Are you looking for something close to home? Or does it matter?

Looking for Big school? or does that matter?

This may not intrest you at all, but I attend a small Baptist College in North Mississippi.

It's a Women's college with a parallel program for men entering some form of the ministry and they do have Majors available in Music.

Tiny school in a tiny town, but highly respected. Many of the prominent leaders in the state convention and not a few of those involved with the SBC on the national level and overseas are graduates, even though we just graduated our 500th male student this last May.

Precentage wise, that's pretty good.

The School is Blue Mountain College.

350-400 students last year, about 60 of them male (NICE place to find that Minister's wife...lol, just kidding)

Costing my about 7K for next year (both semesters) not counting housing (I commute) but out of state students might pay more, I'm not sure.

The school has a reputation for being a pipeline to NOBTS. It is said that the Profs at New Orleans compliment BMC's Bible and Greek courses as being simenary level.

Anyway, go to http://bmc.edu for more info if you want to check it out.

If your not intrested, maybe someone else reading this thread will be.

Blessings in finding God's will for you.

 

Hello from a DTS student!

I was born and raised with Baptist (even went to a Baptist college) - but for numerous reasons chose not to attend a Baptist seminary. I am working on a linguistics degree and have just finished my first year. And wanted to give a shameless plug for my seminary.

Dallas Seminary is known all over the world for their strong academics. They push you greatly in your studies. But at the same time warn you to set your priorities properly - which may mean you have to sacrifice the 'A' for the sake of your family or ministry. They are not concerned with producing great pastors or missionaries....primarily they want to produce strong grounded followers of Christ.

Being around Baptist all my life I am glad to now be surrounded by strong Christians from many denominations. (I am not fool enough to think I have it all ‘right’.) They challenge me to know why I hold to the particular nuances of the faith that come from being Baptist.

I still work and worship with Baptist - even though some view me as a heretic for not choosing a Baptist seminary. (I have many such stories from run-ins with closed-minded people – but that’s another story.)

One thing you may have run into is people complaining that they are dispensationalists (often said with a snear). Well the school does hold to a dispensational theology. However, they do allow you to disagree with them on that. But you must know why you disagree. The dispensational theology does come through in the classes - but I (not a dispensationalist) have not had any problems with it.

Those same people who snear at the dispensational theology of the school might be surpised at how many people they read and listen to on the radio that are DTS grads. (If you hear that argument – just for fun ask that person to explain dispensationalism to you and why it’s a heresy. Be prepared for silence – for many who say that do not even know what dispensationalism is!)

To be fair, in the past DTS was very hardline in many areas. Which gave them a bad name with some people. Now, however, they are not as hardline.
(They even loosened the dress-code....women can now wear slacks. yeah!)

DTS pushes you to dig deep into your faith.

I am not saying that DTS is the best. It is only the best for you if that is where God calls you.

And one note about Criswell. There are a few DTS profs who teach classes there. But Criswell is a college not a seminary – therefore there is a difference in the approach because of that.

I pray that God will lead you to the right school. Do not give into the pressure to attend someplace just because it’s Baptist or holds to a particular politcal viewpoint. Wherever you go beware of the dynamics of the school (political, religious, focus) for they will affect you as you study there.

jo

 

I am not a DTS Grad nor have I been a student there. But some of my peers in the ministry have attended there and I have high regards at this point for the school.

 

But isn't Brite a bit more "liberal" than Logsdon or Truett?

 

But isn't Brite a bit more "liberal" than Logsdon or Truett? </font>[/QUOTE]The student body overall is more "liberal" because of all the mainstream affiliations, but the Baptist House of Studies is similar to what you would get at Logston or Truett.

Unfortunately, I heard this last Sunday that there has been quite a bit of turnover in the Baptist faculty within the last year. (I heard that from a close friend who graduated from Brite about 2 years ago.)

I'm not sure if I know enough about Brite at this point to recommend it.

 

I know I'm new here and all, and I don't know exactly what you are looking for as far as curriculum, but have you checked out Andersonville Theological Seminary? Check them out on the web at andersonvilleseminary.com . It was formerly Andersonville Baptist Seminary, but the name was changed to attract more students; the courses and outlook are the same. Oh, and the college is by mail, and on tape (mostly). They also offer a payment plan to help you get started quickly.

I am currently enrolled in an Associate program. You can't get in other college Associate programs for $1000 ($100 down, $50 a month ). And it's almost paid off, praise God! (Now if I'd only get off my backside and get to work on my course work... )

In Christ,
Trotter

 

I noticed in the bulletin this morning that Criswell College is adding a BA in Biblical Studies / Worship Leadership.
The blurb from their web site says:
"BA Biblical Studies / Worship Leadership
The Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Worship Leadership degree is not meant to be a substitute for a B.A. in Music degree. Rather, it will provide worship leadership and music courses and skills that will provide a minister with basic proficiencies directed toward ministry in medium to smaller churches and will allow the student to pursue the M.A. in Church Music degree from an accredited seminary."
This might be worth looking into.

 

Josh,

If you care any about my advice , you need to check out Southwestern. They are just about to get a campus going in Houston. Music program has always been excellent and I believe they now have studies that would interest you.