Spurgeon's or University of the Free State: Opinions Requested!

By the way, I am not familiar with this gentleman. Yet, he sounds very qualified to assist you in the areas of study that interest you. Yes, sounds like a good match to me.

 

I don't, but it's worth mentioning that some beautiful hymns have been written in Afrikaans; Potchefstroom actually has a choir that has released two CDs of Afrikaans hymns, but I can't remember the titles at the moment. (Hey, Russell! This ring a bell?)

Anyway, this certainly sounds like a promising lead--and even from way over here in Mississippi, I can vouch for Pretoria having a more ecumenical reputation than Potch or Free State. Pretoria is urban and progressive (being the capital of South Africa, if I'm not mistaken), and the cultural diversity there would lead, I think, to a very broad and Baptist-friendly theology department.

As always, best of luck!


Peace,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

CL,

Yes, deciding on the area of focus is a very important decision--and a very difficult one. I could combine theology and the arts at the U. of Pretoria; I wish I could combine Anabaptist studies and the arts at Spurgeon's.

Anyway, I believe my choices have been narrowed to these two schools.

Thanks again!

 

Hey, Tom, thanks for that post!

And CL again, too.

I really appreciate all the assistance I've gotten from everyone who has responded; it's been very helpful.

Tom, CL, North, Russell--you continue to give me very valuable input; I greatly appreciate it!

 

I'd also like to add that I heard again from the guy who coordinates the MA in Creative Writing at the U. of Cape Town; he said there would be no problem in submitting a collection of Christian/spiritual poetry.

I believe, though, that I would rather creatively-orient a theology degree than theologically-orient a creative degree, one resaon being that I would rather teach theology than English.

 

Maybe you could do a program in Anabaptist studies and the arts at Pretoria...?

Peace,

------------------
Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

Cl,

Very good point. I was unaware that the degree is actually awarded by Uof W. You are finishing up at Spurgeon are you not?
If I remember you posted that issue of the person with a US MDiv attempting their Ph.D. and being over their head. That was intriguing from the perspective of preparation US vs British. Much can be said for our liberal arts education and yet much can be said for the field specific preparation that the British do. I think someone else posted that they had attempted a British math Ph.D. and found that the US Masters degree did not prepare them for the level of acadmeic rigour.

I appreciate your insights CL. Good luck. Where have you decided to do your doctoral work.

North

 

Hey, North. Good to hear from you. Thanks for your interaction and interest.

Yes, I'm finishing up at Spurgeon's (I think! I hope! I pray!--at times, through heavy tears of agony). I actually am working busily today at trying to wrap up my final essay. I then will devote the next several months to completing my thesis, which will focus on new member assimilation in churches working among transitory populations. I hope to have my degree conferred next year some time.

You know, I think that the American guy struggling to rise to the appropriate academic level in the Spurgeon's PhD program had more to do with his inadequate research preparation than it did with his discipline-specific preparation. Many American MDiv programs, being primarily practical degrees, do not require a calibre of research and writing that would allow one to seque effortlessly into PhD research. This particular gentleman commented to me about the challenges he had faced in understanding the scholarly level at which he was expected to perform; it was just quite significantly higher than what had been expected of him at Knox Theological Seminary, where he had completed his MDiv.

Thus, the conventional wisdom that American students might do well to complete an MTh before undertaking British PhD study has as much to do with the attainment of appropriate research skills as it does with the attainment of further discipline-specific knowledge.

As far as my doctoral aspirations are concerned, I've narrow the field, but am still a bit uncertain. I am quite interested in Potchefstroom. There is an outside chance I might pursue the Zululand DTh. If you want to speak strictly in terms of which school offers me the most appropriate framework for undertaking doctoral study, I find the University of South Africa quite attractive. I still am contemplating whether I possess the patience and courage to try to navigate my way through UNISA studentship. My reason for remaining interested in UNISA is that its department of Practical Theology has faculty members with expertise relevant to the area in which I'd like to conduct doctoral research. I'm hoping to concentrate my research on transitioning traditional churches to reach generation X. This would involve the juxtaposition of appropriate social analysis and change theory within a Practical Theology framework. Both generational issues and change theory have been studied in the UNISA department of Practical Theology. So, someone there might really be able to be of assistance to me. I guess we'll see what comes of that.

I'm also giving some strong consideration to undertaking a residential degree program in teaching and learning with a concentration in research methods from the University of North Dakota. This program would allow me to develop skills in social analysis that would really compliment my applied theology background. In addition, I could take coursework in communications, sociology, religion, and other fields that are closely related to practical theology. I have some powerful connections in the research methods department at UND who could really make some things happen for me. I guess we'll see.

I have a little time to think about it. Actually, I'll have even more time if I don't get back to this paper. So, here I go...

Thanks for your interest. I hope you are enjoying your work with Zululand. They really strike me as a pretty neat, quality outfit.

 

Tom,

An interesting idea; I'll certainly look into it. I believe I'd have a better chance of doing that at Pretoria than at UFS.

 

Yes, that does sound like an interesting idea. Please keep us posted.

 

CL,

I certainly will.

It would be ideal for me if I could combine those two areas in a degree program; if I can't, I'll have to decide whether I would rather teach history and doctrine or Christian arts--worship, liturgy, music and literature, because whatever I choose for master's studies I guess I'll have to focus on the same thing in doctoral studies.

 

Not at all! In fact, one professor I've met did something very close to what you're doing--she earned an M.A. in religion and arts, then chased it with a Ph.D. in biblical studies. As long as the two fields are both related to theology, it should be doable.


Peace,

------------------
Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

Tom,

Thanks! So, could I do sort of the reverse of that (subject-wise)-- get Spurgeon's MTh in Anabaptist/Baptist Studies and then go for a PhD in theology and arts?

 

I hope not; I'm still looking at going from an M.A. in Humanities to a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion.


Peace,

------------------
Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

ACK! This should be "I hope so". Jeez. I'm gonna go get another cup of coffee.


Peace,

------------------
Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

Thanks for asking. So far I am enjoying it. Professor Song (UNIZUL) and Reuben Van Rensburg (SATS) have been very responsive. I am still in the process of articulating my Research Proposal. I am excited about the prospects for researching a topic I have a great deal of interest in.

North

 

I must admit that, since last we engaged in this dialogue, I have continued to warm to the possibility of study through Zululand. As much as I think UNISA is a fine institution with a fine reputation, every time I begin to give it serious consideration, reality sets in. I am forced to face how absolutely difficult and frustrating it is to cope with the complexity and nonresponsiveness one encounters when dealing with UNISA. That is most unfortunate. So, while in a more ideal situation I might pursue doctoral study at UNISA, I find myself repeatedly repelled by the UNISA system.

While I haven't ruled out the program at UND to which I referred, I think the greater likelihood is that I will pursue doctoral study at an institution that will enable me to continue working within a theological framework.

Zululand really impresses me. The total picture of what they offer fits well with my priorities and objectives. I agree that Reuben is a tremendously helpful guy. I've been very encouraged by all my dialogues with him. I have yet to bother Dr. Song with my correspondence, but imagine that I might begin to do so soon.