LBST PhD in Theology and Apologetics

Can anyone comment on their personal experience with this program?

It is RA with modular residency, although the website is not clear on how frequent the modulars are. In addition to theology and apologetics, you can select a second concentration in another area such as church history or biblical studies.

The program appears to be about as good as a DL PhD can be. I understand LBST is very conservative, which is fine.

Any other thoughts on this program?

Thanks,
Jon

 

Ooops, I meant LBTS...

 

What do the initials LBTS mean?

 

Sorry Ted. In my haste I did not expand. I was using LBTS for Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

Liberty looks like a great option. Any thoughts?

Background: I have a masters in theological studies and want the PhD to expand my options for teaching (religious studies, theology, philosophy, etc...) either at a local school or adjuncting online.

 

Most teaching positions will be denomination-specific. Does LBTS line up with your denominational background?

Also, there aren't a lot of options for adjuncting these kind of courses online. Relatively few schools offer these kind of programs when compared to business and other fields

Do you intend to use the PhD for something other than academia? (I.e. pastoring, denominational service, parachurch ministries, etc.)

I ask these questions because teaching positions in this field are few and far between.

 

In my research I have seen several adjunct positions available in this field, including some full-time. Plus, I certainly have time, given the length of time to finish a doctorate. I do intend to supplement the PhD with a masters in Astronomy to give me more options. LBTS does work for me denominationally, so no problem there. I am not called to pastoral ministry, but rather to teach. However, I will also be teaching within my church.

 

I've see some as well. What would be good to know is the volume of applicants. Almost to a person, almost everyone in the field with whom I have spoken highly recommends against pursuing a PhD for teaching purposes unless one feels a crystal-clear call to do so. The problem is that there are many PhDs with much fewer positions to be filled.

In baptist circles, often instructors and professors are required to have pastoral experience, even for teaching in the more "academic" subjects. Even when not absolutely required, it is often preferred. All other things being equal, a candidate with pastoral experience beats a candidate without pastoral experience. This makes sense to a degree, as the courses taught generally are designed to prepare individuals for vocational ministry.

Another factor may be your educational pedigree. You seem to have a master's from a Wesleyan school. Adding a degree from Liberty may complicate matters, as you may be perceived as "neither fish nor fowl" denominationally.

 

JCU has a decent looking degree in astronomy
JCU - JCU Masters of Astronomy Program
A former contibutor to degreeinfo earned this one.
(JCU also has certificate, DA and Ph.D. options.)

APU has this masters in planetary science
APU Degree Program: Master of Science in Space Studies-Capstone Option

 

Ian,

I'm looking at the MSc in Astronomy from Swinburne, AU.

 

All good points. I do feel called to teach, especially in the area of the interface between science and faith. That's why I am pursuing credentials in both fields. Plus, in my research while doing my masters, there seems to be an increase in the demand for those who can bridge those two worlds (based on a survey done at Boston U: Degrees: PhD Specialization in Science, Philosophy, and Religion ).

 

May I ask the area/field regarding 'research while doing my masters'? (just curious, mostly...but also finishing up a masters in apol).

Also, may I ask where you did your masters? distance? (theology?). Thx.

I considered the Liberty PhD (distance, and apol/theol), but decided against it as I prefer the research based PhD, and I am not comfortable with Liberty theologically.

 

Seeing nanoose's post and remembering that he attended BIOLA made me remember BIOLA's MA in Science & Religion, which is (AFAIK) the best science & religion program available which is taught from a Christian perspective:

Home « Science & Religion « Biola University

Ex, the site notes that "Many of the advanced seminars will be taught by internationally-known visiting scholars such as William Dembski on Intelligent Design, and William Lane Craig on the philosophy of Cosmology, which will provide students with "front row" access to the best contemporary work in these areas."

It is available in a "distance learning modular format" ... I'm not sure exactly how that works in terms of when & how long you'd have to be on campus.

 

My thesis at Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College was a brand-new, self-contained graduate-level course entitled "Science for Pastors." The course examined three of the most hotly debated topics in the debate between science and faith: creation, evolution, and human free will. Each of these areas was examined through the lens of twentieth-century science (relatvity, cosmology, quantum mechanics, chaos and complexity theory, and genetics). The course was specifically designed to help pastors relate current science (as the general revelation of God) to a lay congregation. Part of the text of the thesis, of course, detailed the need for such a course which lead me to the survey by Boston University.

I was fortunate to have a top-flight ATS-accredited school within driving distance to do my masters. I only wish there was a quality school within driving distance to do my doctorate.

 

Trinity College Bristol is a UK school that offers distance-based research degrees (with mandatory yearly visits to the UK):

Home - Trinity College Bristol

If you can find/convince one of their faculty to supervise your research they seem like a good option. They are validated by University of Bristol, so your degree would actually be from University of Bristol. Note that the contact form on their site doesn't work (or at least it didn't for me ... but you can email admissions directly to ask them about entry into their program at " pg-admin @ trinity-bris .ac .uk " (without spaces of course).

 

Thanks emmzee, but there's no way to do a trip to the UK every year.

In a nutshell, I need a high-quality (RA) DL-only program to earn a PhD in the areas of theology/philosophy/religion&science. It must be US-based. I will continue searching.

In the meantime, I will begin making contacts at various schools to begin adjuncting both online and at my local community college in religion/theology using my masters.

Thanks for all the input,

Jon