SA Theological Seminary

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by trigo, Dec 22, 2003.

Loading...
  1. trigo

    trigo New Member

    Hey guys, I've just enrolled at South African Theological Seminary for my Master's in Theology. They did accept my previous credits, just have to write a mini-thesis... Finally I've found an arrangement I've been looking for. Hope it works. The guys there are very accomodating. I'll do a Pastoral paper since there are few theological books around this country I am at. Let me know your thoughts (esp. for those doing their papers there).
     
  2. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    ===



    trigo


    I sincerely do wish you the best in doing your SATS work. It very likely is a good move on your part, so congratulations and blessings on your studies. I'm sure you will do well, and I know several here besides me will be happy to give whatever advice we can.

    But I do have a question:

    I searched briefly for any previous post by you re SATS but found none. It likely was there and I just didn't see it. So I don't know what your preparation is to do this "mini thesis." In UZ, btw, the term 'thesis' is at doc level and the dissertation is at masters.

    I would be interested to know your past educational experience in theology if you would share that. I am hoping that you have more than just undergrad work in theology, ie, more than a BA, and are not were that not case being offered a master's degree for simply writing a paper of, say, 30,000 words.

    I would worry about such a deal as it would appear to be doing far and away less than doing coursework plus a thesis . At Point Loma the masters in theology was 30 grad units plus the thesis (or one could opt to do 6 more grad units instead of a thesis, which I did). At Western the ThM was, including the MDiv equivalency which was a prerequisite, 120 semester units plus the thesis. I got only 4 units of credit for an exegetical thesis on Determining the Referent in Pauline Baptismal Passages that took me a year to write.

    At this point I am , it's true, doing the DTh by thesis only. But with the equivalent of three masters degrees in theology of ascending difficulty ,done mostly by coursework, under my belt , which provide IMO a solid base to do a research only degree, I feel OK doing it that way. The UZ catalogue states that were an applicant not sufficiently prepared to begin research, then coursework as well would be required.

    My interest in your situation goes beyond any envy that one is getting higher degrees in theology in ways easier than or quicker than I. My concern is that were GAAP thesis only degrees demonstrated to be considerably less in substance than those, IMO, substandard , nonaccreited, USA seminaries which I so often criticize, then possibly I should have kept my mouth shut about about the latter all this time. I also desire that the study of theology wherever it is done is done with rigor equal to the nature of the qualification being earned.

    The important issue should really be how much is learned, not just how fast the degree is earned.

    So could you clarify what your past theological education is and exactly what SATS is requiring of you beyond that?

    Thanks,
     
  3. trigo

    trigo New Member

    Dear Bill
    I finished my STB (Bachelor in Sacred Theology) from Don Bosco in the Philippines which is affiliated to the Salesian Pontifical University (Rome). Then I went to Holy Rosary Major Seminary to do my Master's in Theology. Finished all the courses plus thesis but did not get the diploma because I did not defend - because I was shipped to the missions. So now they ask me to do 40 SA credits to complete. That means a something like 60 page thesis.
     
  4. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Good luck Trigo. Sounds like you have a solid background. Maybe one day you will join Bill there at UNIZUL (although he may be an alumnus before too long????).

    As an aside I cannot wait to call Bill....." Dr. Bill". Although, if a PhD = Piled Higher and Deeper, what does a DTh =??

    North
     
  5. Myoptimism

    Myoptimism New Member

    Dung Thrown Hurriedly?
     
  6. trigo

    trigo New Member

    Nice. Here the some students call MBA - Married But Available
     
  7. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Hi Trigo. Welcome aboard and good luck at SATS.
     
  8. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member


    ===

    trigo:

    That sounds good. You mentioned a lack of theological books where you are. Of course, there's a lot of stuff on the web. Some good. Some not. Neither do I know what sort of facilitation SATS provides. If I can help in any way , let me know.
     
  9. trigo

    trigo New Member

    Thanks Bill!
    I did find some materials on the web. For this paper they're helpful... But I do believe that for solid theological principles, solid books are still the best sources. Luckilly I'm doing a pastoral one.
    But if I do get through with this, I'm going to bother you a lot about going through the Dth at Unizul.....hopefully your finished by that time. Good luck too! Season's greetings.
     
  10. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    ===

    I will happily look forward to sharing with you my experience at Unizul. I hope to finish the dissertation by 11-04 and receive the degree in 5-05 if my work is found acceptable.
     

Share This Page