Brethren,

I would like to applied to these seminaries schools (below) for an M.Div.,

but which one would you recommend?

1. GPTS
2. PRTS
3. MARS

FYI, Lord willing with an M.Div., I planned on working mainly among the Hispanic communities, but only the Lord knows. Most importantly, I know I do not deserved this blessing that Almighty God would allow me to learn more about His word and used me to shepherd His elect.

Blessings,

Gil Garcia
Los Angles, CA

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Gil Garcia
Rehoboth Reformed Church (RCUS)
La Habra, CA


"Indeed, one might say that as far as the doctrine of justification
is concerned, if you are not on the road to Wittenberg or Geneva, then the old proverb is indeed true: all roads lead to Rome." Carl Trueman

I vote for GPTS.

__________________
Josh Hicks, Chloë's Dad
Attending CCRPC, Member of TRBC
Reformers & Puritans -lllll- Puritan Pub
Board Rules - Signature Rules - Suggestion Box

Gpts

__________________
Larry Bray
Elder - Reformed Presbyterian Church of Boothwyn, PCA
Boothwyn, PA - http://www.rpcb.org/
Free Online Reformed Seminary - http://www.tnars.net
-----------------------------------------------------
“The Christian must not be of such a complying nature as to cut the coat of his profession according to the fashion of the times…" - William Gurnall

All three are excellent choices. IMHO the best out there currently. MARS is the only "accredited" one of the bunch if that makes a difference for you. I can put you in touch with a recent graduate if you would like.

__________________
Benjamin P. Glaser
Pittsburgh, PA,
Fairmount ARP Church
Candidate Under Care Pittsburgh Theological Seminary & Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary
"The benefit of deliverance becomes the more precious in the same proportion in which we are brought to apprehend the magnitude of the evil from which we have been rescued"
-- Zacharias Ursinus, Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism

There is a large Hispanic community about 10 minutes from PRTS. Within 20 minutes there are many migrant worker camps.

Gpts

__________________
--chRis
Psalm 115:1

Christopher Reeder
Husband to Kara, Father to Abigail (7), Caleb (6), Grace (4 1/2), Zoë (3), Elijah (1 1/2) and Hannah (born 8/8/2008)

Member: Pilgrim Presbyterian Church (OPC), Raleigh, NC

PRTS.

And, as an added bonus, Joel Beeke is like the Reformedest Rock star in the whole wide world, so there you go.

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Kevin
Far East
Deacon, Int'l Church

What can I say? I'm a student at MARS and have to recommend my own school. I only have good things to say about the school and the professors there. If you have any questions about it, feel free to e-mail me (casey.bessette AT gmail DOT com).

There is a recent graduate from MARS from Mexico who, right now, is working on a Hispanic church plant for the URC very close to the seminary. There is also a Hispanic church plant in the Chicago area (Cicero) headed up by the OPC. If you're looking for a place to get some experience, I'm willing to bet that both of these individuals would allow you to work with them. The seminary is practically in a suburb of Chicago, so there are many opportunities that accompany such a large city.

__________________
Casey Bessette
Westminster OPC • West Suburbs of Chicago • My Blog: Paradise Regained

"It is part of the calling of the ekklesia to learn to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge and also to make known within the world of science 'the manifold wisdom of God' in order that the final end of theology, as of all things, may be that the name of the Lord is glorified. Theology and dogmatics, too, exist for the Lord's sake." — Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, vol. 1, p. 46

Let's see . . . hmmmm . . . Beeke or Pippa or Venema. Sounds like you would do just fine at any of the three. Why not WSCAL too?

If I had an opportunity to do it over again and study under Beeke or attend GPTS, it would be an honor to do either. Upstart schools, rooted in the Reformed tradition, and connected to the church appeal to me greatly. You will probably win the strongest support on PB for either GPTS or RPTS.

Are they both stable financially and organizationally? Being accredited by ARTS would not bother me unless I anticipated attending a grad school of a university after the M.Div. My guess is that most places you would want to attend would accept either a PRTS or GPTS degree.

What ecclesiastical group do you see yourself affiliated with and how would they see either degree? Do you know any alums who could give you an "insider's" insight into the schools? And, have you visited the campuses. Schools often appear much different on paper than in reality.

__________________
Dennis E. McFadden, Ex Mainline Baptist (in Remission)
Atherton Baptist Homes, CEO
First Baptist Church of Alhambra, Member, Transformation Ministries (CA)

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Yeah, I was curious as to why you're not including WSC in your options? It wouldn't require a move out of state for you and there are some great professors there...

__________________
Pastor Steve Bradley
Trinity Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA)
www.trinityrpc.org
www.sermonaudio.com/trinityrpc
www.reformedvoice.com/trinityrpc
Riva, MD

GPTS is the only school I've had experience with. I did not attend there, but I've been a few of their conferences, and have always been impressed.

I have ordered and listened to some class lectures from Beeke's seminary, and those have been good. And being in Louisville, we get MARS stuff from time to time. Just a couple of months ago, I bought SEVERAL of the books written by the MARS staff (they are short, inexpensive, and well done). One of my elders like them so much he hasn't bothered to return them to me yet!

I would also concur with those who have mentioned WTS Cal for consideration. My own alma mater, Erskine, isn't bad, but there are one or two problems on the faculty (but many shining stars as well). As Ben mentioned, if the accreditation thing bothers you, then MARS is your best choice. But GPTS would be hard to beat.

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Tim Phillips
Pastor, Midlane Park Presbyterian Church (ARP)
Louisville, KY
Blog: Gairney Bridge

My alma mater, RPTS in Pittsburgh, PA, is a good choice and is accredited.

RPTS: Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

And I know at least two of us on the board will be attending this fall...

Casey,

I personally know Pastor Valentin Apulche, he and i very frequently talk on the phone. Pastor Apulche has translated many English Reformed works into Spanish which are available at Literatura Reformada.

By the way, the English version of this website (Reformed Literature) is also excellent, it has many Reformed works.

So, yes MARS is defintely on top of my list. Thank you very much for letting me know though. Maybe I will see you there.

May I suggest another one? How about Liberty Seminary. They are accredited, and the tuition is really low ($250/credit). The majority of your studies could be done at a distance.

__________________
Matthew
Free Grace Church
British Columbia, Canada

"The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said. "
-Peter Drucker

Any seminary school being not accredited is not issued with me.

Regarding WSC, I have visited WSC (seminary for a day), I have listened and read some of the professors their and I have sat under the preaching of several pastors who have graduated from their. So, I very much have considered WSC.

If it was up to me, I will put Beeke, Pipa/M. Smith, Venema, and Sproul, Packer, S. Ferguson, S. Clark, M. Winzer in one seminary.

Is Liberty Seminary a Baptist Seminary?

Yes...an independent one.

__________________
Ivan Schoen, Pastor * Maranatha Baptist Church, Poplar Grove, IL * http://maranatha-sbc.org/

"I want to assist churches and to assist pastors in training pastors. But, after fourteen years of service in this capacity, I am absolutely certain that the finest theological seminary on earth is absolutely incompetent at replicating the actual life of a Gospel congregation. I want to train a generation of pastors who will train pastors, and I want to help them in that task." --- Dr. R. Albert Mohler, President of THE Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

Even Bubba the Baptist would go to that one!

Even Bubba the Baptist would go to that one![/quote]

With all due respect, I do not think the Hispanic Reformed Church/Community would like me to think Independently, be a Baptist, and become a Bubba.

Thanks for the info. though.

With all due respect, I do not think the Hispanic Reformed Church/Community would like me to think Independently, be a Baptist, and become a Bubba.

Thanks for the info. though.[/quote]

Alrighty then.