Non-Seminary/Evangelical/Religious Online PhD in New Testament/Christian Origins

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by TheResidentAlien, Aug 23, 2014.

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  1. TheResidentAlien

    TheResidentAlien New Member

    Hey all,
    I have a question for everyone, and I am curious if someone can help me. I am looking into PhD Programs in New Testament and/or Christian Origins but I am trying to avoid evangelical seminaries, religious and faith based schools, or at least the conservative ones. I am not a Christian, and I am not religious, so I am aiming for a more secular program, one that won't require me to sign a faith statement, or at least be non related to a seminary. I have a Bachelor's Degree with Honors, and Masters of Theological Studies, so the Doctor of Philosophy is the next step in my academic career. I am considering not pursuing the traditional academic and educational route and becoming an independent scholar, studying and publishing what I want, when I want, and such. At least perhaps working for an online school or association like The Center for Inquiry or the American Atheist Society. Or something along those lines. The only ones I can find are in South Africa, which I am not against completely, as my Honors Supervisor at his PhD from the University of South Africa and he is one of the brightest guys I know. I am just interested if there is a program, that is reasonably affordable, respectable, and rigorous academically. Any ideas guys?
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Good luck finding what you're looking for!
     
  3. jumbodog

    jumbodog New Member

    What about taking a tangent? I'm thinking of something through a History department that would let you focus on the Bible as a historical document rather than a religious one. There might even be an anthropology department that could fit the bill too. Brainstorm along those lines.
     
  4. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    Think about the fact that you can do that starting right now. Are there sources of money for freethinking scholars on religion to study and publish what they want when they want, that aren't available to you today with a master's degree but would be with a doctorate?

    Tom Head, a Christian humanist and friend of this board, had his Absolute Beginner's Guide to the Bible published by a major publisher while he was a doctoral candidate years away from his PhD. By the way, that was a research doctorate by distance from Edith Cowan University, in applied hermeneutics via Interdisciplinary Studies. If you pursue a doctorate you should certainly look into Edith Cowan, and research doctorates at other Australian universities generally.

    Do the CFI, American Atheists and similar organizations actually hire their own scholars in New Testament/Christian origins? I'm sure freethinkers' organizations have some professional writing and research work. I also think this work could be bid for competitively with a master's, and that the incremental value of a doctorate would be limited.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 23, 2014
  5. TheResidentAlien

    TheResidentAlien New Member

    Not exactly. They run different programs from time to time. People seem to offer courses and they accept/decline them. Depends on the level of the interest. Just an idea.

    Does anyone have any information on an online/distance education PhD in Religious Studies/Theology/Biblical Studies at a non-fundamentalist/evangelical school?
     

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