Advice from Theologians

Greetings Mighty Forum~~

I'm looking for more advice from the theological camp. Educational future, steps, strategy questions.

I want to write, at this point, a DL PhD in OT studies, including an emphasis in Christian spirituality. This is a combo most evangelicals are not interested in, IMHO.

Situational issues:

1.) I have no public theological library in Bakersfield. The closest would probably be Fuller Seminary, about 1hr 15min away.

2.) I have no knowledge of German, or theological German. I do know some French and could probably pick up Theo. French so so. Any practical advice on overcoming this limitation?

3.) I have minimal coursework in theology, and would like to pick up some courses either as I go, or before enrolling. Where? Should these courses go toward a second graduate theology degree?

4.) I would prefer it be a British or European school, since I have time to "do it right" (sorry Bill). Does anyone on the board have a suggestion for "how to find the right reader?" I know nothing, or almost nothing of scholars beyond the American continent. Since I'm removed from the academic environment, I don't have many academics to "rub shoulders" with to find out what's new.

5.) I teach secondary school and I have summers off. How can I best use this to my advantage?

Yours,

Chris

 

Cory might have some ideas. Good "luck."

 

How about Lampeter for the PhD?

Although mid-Wales in the summer is likely to be a somewhat dampening experience for somebody from California.

Or there's Heythrop.

And Cambridge now does part time PhDs.

Angela

 

Christopher,

Thanks for the update.

I think you'll find that a handful of evangelical scholars are interested in the relationship between OT studies and spirituality. It's simply a matter of looking in the right places.

If you're looking for a doctoral program in OT that would enable you to integrate a Christian spirituality focus, I'd encourage you to contact the following schools:

Nazarene Theological College, Manchester
St. John's College, Nottingham
Trinity College, Bristol
All of these are validated by major British universities with highly regarded and highly rated theology faculties.

I have reasons to believe that each of these might take some interest in your desired focus and may feel able to accomodate you.

Each of these will require some time in residence: NTC should expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 weeks per year; the others will expect 6 weeks per year. However, if you have your summers free, I'd strongly encourage you to consider whether it would be possible for you to fulfill these residency expectations.

Also, while your comments seem to imply that enrolling in a South African school is not necessarily 'doing it right', I'd urge you not to rule out the University of Pretoria too quickly. They truly are a first-rate and widely respected outfit that offers an interesting opportunity for folks to do doctoral work in OT. Their program is designed with student creativity in mind. So, I'd imagine that they'd entertain the possibility of you integrating your interest in spirituality into your OT studies.

 

Chris,

For what it's worth, I inquired at St. John's within the last 4 or 6 months, and they told me they were not currently admitting non-residential students. I gathered they were going through some growth and needed to focus on the residential program.

Dave

 

Thanks guys

Thanks for the replies guys:

Cory: I didn't mean to rip on Pretoria at all. I'm sure it is an excellent institution and I know, doubtless, you have done your research. After reviewing the infamous thread in which Ed K. argued persuasively against SA PhD's utility in the States, I have mostly decided, for the time being, to avoid them. I don't disagree, ultimately, with your decision though because I think the PhD is all about one's advisor, and almost nothing about the school.

Bill: Thanks for the wishes. I consider myself "lucky" to have met you, virtually, anyway

Of those three schools, I was most intrigued by looking at Trinity Bristol initially, about 6 months ago, when I started into this whole DL journey. I don't have time to do an extensive peek right now, but will do so when time allows.

The only thing that I think will trip me up from continuing on this OT/Spirituality track is if Spurgeon's accepts my Multnomah credits as well as my Trinity credits for transfer into their BD. Cory, do you know if they would do this? If I can transfer enough credit into that program, I would be happy to take a year or so to do a BD first. That could change the direction of my studies and would make me much more marketable after the PhD.

Either way, I will always love the OT.

Yours,

Chris