Seminary

rpeters · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 01:12 PM

Im looking for a good seminary that has online and campus component. I have loooked into Trinty Ievangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL and western Thelogical Seminary in Holland, MI. I need something close by me I can not afford to move and it seems like Trinity and Western could have what I need. I am trying to pick the best seminary with the responsibilities i have as father and responsibility to provide for my family. Any Suggestions?

Backwoods Presbyterian · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 01:14 PM

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI...

larryjf · #3 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 01:57 PM

I think PRTS is a great seminary, and i would second that recommendation.

JOwen · #4 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 03:05 PM

me too.

raekwon · #5 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 03:50 PM

Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis has an excellent online program called "Access" where the M.A.R. can be earned in its entirety, or partial credit can be earned toward the M. Div (with the rest completed on campus). I'm not sure how far away your part of Illinois is from StL...

rpeters · #6 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 05:35 PM

IT is a bit of a drive for me I live in Bourbonnais, IL

rpeters · #7 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 05:39 PM

does Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary have a distance learning component?

3John2 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 07:37 PM

Prts.

Ivan · #9 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpeters

does Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary have a distance learning component?

It appears that it does not.

Ivan · #10 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpeters

Im looking for a good seminary that has online and campus component. I have loooked into Trinty Ievangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL and western Thelogical Seminary in Holland, MI. I need something close by me I can not afford to move and it seems like Trinity and Western could have what I need. I am trying to pick the best seminary with the responsibilities i have as father and responsibility to provide for my family. Any Suggestions?

How about...

http://www.midamerica.edu/

It's in Dyer, Indiana. Other than Trinity it has to be one of the closet seminaries to you. I know you are south of Chicago by about forty miles or so. Yeah, St. Louis would be quite a hike for you.

Reformed Theological Seminary has a distance education degree. A lot of folk around here think they are good. I'm assuming that since you came to the Puritan Board you are looking for a Reformed Seminary.

Ivan · #11 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 08:22 PM

It turns out Mid-America is much closer than Trinity.

markkoller · #12 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 10:33 PM

Why the need for a campus exactly? If your are not really able to move and your studies are for the pastorate or personal edification your alternatives might broaden a bit. For example Whitefield Theological Seminary sounds like it might be a good fit. Inexpensive, solid Reformed teaching, work at your own pace, etc.

www.whitefield.edu

There is a church that serves as a campus but its in Lakeland, Florida. Most all of the seminary work is through distance education with mentor involvement.

SolaScriptura · #13 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 11:09 PM

What is your theological/denominational background? I think the answer to this question should in large part determine what school(s) you consider.

Kevin · #14 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 12:01 AM

Several of us on the PB are (or have been) students at Haddington House Trust .

larryjf · #15 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 12:09 AM

If you don't mind completely online, you may want to try the completely free seminary that i'm involved with...
The North American Reformed Seminary

Ivan · #16 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolaScriptura

What is your theological/denominational background? I think the answer to this question should in large part determine what school(s) you consider.

He's Reformed Church of America

rpeters · #17 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 02:03 AM

I would go to Mis America, bu they do not have a night or Evening. I want to be able to Pursue a M.div part time while working full time. The best option my Be Trinity. I am really looking for a M.div Program with online and camput compnent. Does Whitefield have a online component? And yes I am reformed. I looked at Western Thelogical Seminary in Holland, MI. I have heard on the boards here that it was Liberal and I had emailed Bill MOunce and he said it was not and he might be teaching there soon. And helpfull ideas would be nice.

Ivan · #18 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpeters

Does Whitefield have a online component?

Whitefield is all online. It is not accredited, if that is something you need. Reformed Theological Seminary's online program is not for a MDIV. Of course, Trinity is not Reformed. I know nothing about Western, but I'd trust the advice you'll get here from others.

Here's a link to Covenant in St. Louis:

http://www.covenantseminary.edu/attending/distance.asp

It might fit what you're looking for.

rpeters · #19 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 03:38 AM

I have recently found that PRTS is accredited and I can complete haph through distance and they do have modular classes

rpeters · #20 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 04:42 AM

Let me try this again I hope this works

Joshua · #21 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpeters

Let me try this again I hope this works

Perfect. Thanks!

rpeters · #22 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 03:34 PM

I Have looked at the pros and cons of all of them. I Think Trinity would be the best choice for several reason they have online an campus is fairly close to my house. They have weekend and night classes. Where as Mars does not. I know it is not completely reformed, But prominent professors there are reformed Carson, Feinberg, and some others. It does also have arminian thought there to, but for me this is the best choice. Give me your ideas?

rpeters · #23 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 06:04 PM

I have been contacted of the PRTS distance education. Who knows about and how good is it? What is the split from what can be taken distance and what can be a taken on campus?

uberkermit · #24 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpeters

Who knows about and how good is it?

Nate Eshelman is a student there, so he could speak directly to your question. If he does not see this thread, why not pm him and ask him some questions? His board name is nleshelman. From what I understand, it is a decent school. I have heard some excellent preachers who did their training there. One fellow is Eric Moerdyk of the Abottsford FRC. I have a notion that Jack Schoeman of the Monarch FRC(?) also studied there.

From the PRTS Catalogue (pg 86):

Quote:

Taped Courses & the Long Distance Program
The seminary is presently taping most of its courses in order to
allow students to complete required courses and in order to further
our plans for a Long Distance Program.
In order to complete his program on schedule, a student may
find it necessary to complete courses via tape. When taken for
credit, taped courses are charged regular tuition rates, and the student
is responsible for contacting the supervising professor for assignments
and exams. Students should make an effort to finish
taped courses during the semester in which they are taken to
avoid having tapes out on loan for an extended period of time;
otherwise they may be purchased for $3 per tape.
The taped courses are also available to students who wish to
apply for courses at PRTS but who cannot move to our campus in
order to take the course in-person. At present, students are allowed
to take up to 50 per cent of their courses long distance. In order to
complete the second half of their program, they are required to attend
class on campus. Plans for a complete long distance program
are being made; we hope to offer this option by the year 2010.
The courses currently available on tape (or CD) are as follows:

If you wish to see the courses, have a look at the PDF.

As an aside, GPTS also has a distance program.

DMcFadden · #25 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 07:05 PM

When I was finishing college TEDS was my first choice. Unfortunately, in my carnal state, I was too "California" and afraid of the weather (both snow and humidity). What a wuss! If I were planning to attend seminary now, it would probably be PRTS or Greenville. BTW, accreditation is a slippery eel. PRTS and GPTS are both part of ARTS, not a regional accrediting agency let alone one affiliated with the ATS (the standard accrediting organization for theological schools in the U.S.). I wonder how Westminster is able to keep their accreditation with their teaching position on male elders. ATS insistence on diversity and gender equality are two of the biggest factors for the dramatic rise in number of skirts in the seminary classrooms. If you want to keep the libs at bay, better high female professors.

Does that matter? Only if you want to pursue a teaching career where accreditation is essential. And, in the case of PRTS, GPTS, and Whitefield, Reformed denominations have variously accepted their degrees as allowing one to sit for ordination examination.

So, Trinity would give you more vocational flexibility in the future (ATS accredited as well as regionally = geen light for further graduate work requiring a masters). My guess is that you could begin the kinds of doctoral programs that you would be interested in from any of the three "unaccredited" schools without much difficulty, however. In the theological world there is accredited and unaccredited but credible. None of those three are diploma mills and they consistently rank highly in the estimation of those who complete their programs.

However, please hear this one plea from an old guy who regrets attending a "caffeteria" seminary in his youth.

Places like Trinity cater to a multiplicity of "perspectives" from various points of view. In my experience (admittedly at Fuller), such an approach breeds such "tolerance" for different points of view that it actually leads to a paralysis of analysis in forming your own theological commitments. You will likely emerge from seminary knowing the Bible, theology, and Church History LESS WELL than if you selected a solid Reformed (e.g., GPTS, PRTS, WS-Cal), arminian (e.g., Asbury), or dispensational school (e.g., Dallas or Masters). In fact, some of the sharpest pastor-theologians I have ever met were trained at either Westminster OR Dallas!

Backwoods Presbyterian · #26 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMcFadden

When I was finishing college TEDS was my first choice. Unfortunately, in my carnal state, I was too "California" and afraid of the weather (both snow and humidity). What a wuss! If I were planning to attend seminary now, it would probably be PRTS or Greenville. BTW, accreditation is a slippery eel. PRTS and GPTS are both part of ARTS, not a regional accrediting agency let alone one affiliated with the ATS (the standard accrediting organization for theological schools in the U.S.).

Does that matter? Only if you want to pursue a teaching career where accreditation is essential. And, in the case of PRTS, GPTS, and Whitefield, Reformed denominations have variously accepted their degrees as allowing one to sit for ordination examination.

So, Trinity would give you more vocational flexibility in the future (ATS accredited as well as regionally = geen light for further graduate work requiring a masters). My guess is that you could begin the kinds of doctoral programs that you would be interested in from any of the three without much difficulty. In the theological world there is accredited and unaccredited but credible. None of those three are diploma mills and they consistently rank highly in the estimation of those who complete their programs.

However, please hear this one plea from an old guy who regrets attending a "caffeteria" seminary in his youth.

Places like Trinity cater to a multiplicity of "perspectives" from various points of view. In my experience (admittedly at Fuller), such an approach breeds such "tolerance" for different points of view that it actually leads to a paralysis of analysis in forming your own theological commitments. You will likely emerge from seminary knowing the Bible, theology, and Church History LESS WELL than if you selected a solid Reformed (e.g., GPTS, PRTS, WS-Cal), arminian (e.g., Asbury), or dispensational school (e.g., Dallas or Masters). In fact, some of the sharpest pastor-theologians I have ever met were trained at either Westminster OR Dallas!

I agree 100%. The mingling of mainline Methodists, Presbyterians, and various AME Zion denominations here at Pittsburgh Seminary leads to, as Rev. McFadden so adroitly put it, a cafeteria education which has hindered my development spiritually and academically. For example it is hard to take stands in class because you cannot rightly quote Westminster or Calvin etc, when it is a document and a fellow 3/4 of the class does not hold to or listen to...