I am looking for a seminary to get an MDiv. I have the option of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Orlando. Problem is I am more independent fundamental Baptist, and I am far more conservative theologically than many Southern Baptist ministers. I am wondering if that will be a problem at NOBTS? Does anyone know if they are more conservative or moderate with bible courses, theology, ministry preparation, or evangelism and missions?
Where in the world did you get the crazy idea that you are far more conservative than many sbc pastors? I can assure you, you have no idea what you are talking about
I am sorry if I sounded nuts. I have been in SBC churches where I had to leave on multiple occasions. The role of women as not being able to have anything but a servant (deacon) role caused friction at one church. The argument that sermons are to be for explaining the Word not for lengthy sermons on topics with little in the way of bible verses forced me to leave another. The idea people are potentially going to hell if they get into sins like drunkenness and fornication got me a rebuke. The flat out opposition to Joel Osteen caused friction. The opposition to bible twisting by Celebrate Recovery forced me to avoid other churches after an incident. My opposition to Charismaticism caused friction.
I should not have used the term conservative. I was using the wrong word. Honestly I have no idea what term I should use. I do know it has been a rocky road before going to my current IFB church.
My son is independent fundamental Baptist (Maranatha Baptist University grad) and took a class at an SBC seminary. Felt he was "way too conservative" when compared to the positions of both faculty and fellow students.
Maranatha now has a full IFB seminary program and would probably be a better fit for an IFB pastor.
If you want to be a Ford mechanic, you train in a Ford garage . . .
(Second hand, from my conversations with him a dozen years back)
Issues with rampant anti-calvinistic bent, separation from worldliness, sectarianism (he didn't go to an SBC undergrad so wasn't part of the clique of SBC), denominational hierarchy, liberal tendency away from inspiration, lack of strong doctrinal teaching.
We were many years at FBC Dallas (SBC under Dr Criswell) as my kids were young teens.
They saw the weakness in separation and lack of deep doctrinal teaching in the SBC in general, but we were blessed at FBC to have Criswell College and uber-conservative folk.
Kids noticed at SBC camp for our county that everything was "simplistic" and no depth.
And I personally fellowship with the Founder's Group of the SBC and attended many conferences. My church today is closer to SBC than anything (no affiliation) but only with the Founder's type. Many local SBC pastors are like those my son saw in the class in seminary.
In the leadership it is. The last few years the emergent post modern calvies have shown up in a sea of beards to the conventions to get them elected. They are not representative of the average church.
To the OP, after explaining what I meant by "conservative," is the environment at NOBTS, especially in Orlando, conducive to a fundamentalist with my beliefs?
They are unfortunately representative of a lot of SBC churches. The big SBC churches around here are liberal. The First Baptist in all the town's around here might as well be the First Methodist. One of the small SBC churches just down the road has women deacons. SBC is much more liberal than I like. It's time for another purging.
I think you would define that word differently than most do today. You might want to research the history on its usage.
But to answer your question they will not likely make a thing of it if you dont and quite frankly in that setting I cant figure out why you would want to.
I have a Bachelors in Political Science specializing in International Relations from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. I attended a year at Rollins College studying Music in Winter Park at the Bachelors level. I have 45 graduate credit hours towards an MDiv at the liberal Asbury Theological Seminary. I was a liberal Christian as of 2004 up to 4.5 years ago when I was saved.
I feel sorry, Brother. That place is evil. Teaching the OT is historically inaccurate, that the NT is not written by the apostles, and so much more doctrine of demons. Then again Asbury's Orlando campus is just down the road from me. :(