This time next year, I will be graduating from college. I'm planning on attending seminary for an M.Div, entering in the Fall of 2010, Lord willing. I guess this is a good time to start researching seminaries and things of that sort?

I live in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia and I want to stay close to home while I attend seminary. My #1 pick for a while has been Westminster, which is just 10 minutes from my house. If I'm accepted into WTS, I am 99% sure that I will go there. But for various reasons, I think it would be wise to research some other seminaries in the area.

Can anyone offer some suggestions and insight into this matter? The only other seminary in this area that I've heard about is Biblical Theological Seminary.

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Joel Lee
Redeemer Hoboken Church (attending)
Hoboken, NJ

There are reformed seminaries that offer distance education, like PRTS and GPTS. If you think you can do academic work without having to be at the seminary then you don't have to limit yourself to those around your area.

However, distance education is not for everyone and I myself would very much prefer the traditional brick and mortar education over distance ed. So, if you get accepted by WTS then I think that that would be your best choice.

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Joel de Leon
Member (man under care)
Christ Presbyterian Church, OPC
Salt Lake City, UT

The Cleansed Leper

Hmm. I had never really considered distance education. I may look into that, though I personally feel that I'll get a lot more out of each course if I am present in a room, listening to a professor directly. But it is something to think about. Thanks!

I agree that WTS should be your first choice.
Biblical Seminary is a very good school, and i would recommend it for a seminary in this area.


(by the way, i'm in a Phila. suburb as well...Boothwyn/Marcus Hook)

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Larry Bray
Elder - Reformed Presbyterian Church of Boothwyn, PCA
Boothwyn, PA - http://www.rpcb.org/
Free Online Reformed Seminary - http://www.tnars.net
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Christian ritual costs nothing and is worth nothing. True Christian religion costs all that we have and is worth everything.

Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary should be your first choice.

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Benjamin P. Glaser, M. Div, Licentiate, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Member Fairmount ARP Church
Pittsburgh, PA

Deo Vindice

That's not really close to Philadelphia suburbs...do they have an online option?

They are a very good seminary, my Pastor received his M.Div. from there.

Well, some of it depends on your long-term goals. If you plan on or are open to doing future academic work (PhD, ThM, publishing), then WTS is certainly one of the best Reformed seminaries. They have history, faculty, accreditation, a broad church base, interaction w/ non-Reformed (very important!), a theological journal, and high demands on students (including languages).

I'm not saying this to knock any other seminary. Just, if you want to go on academically, it will be much easier to do so through WTS than many other places. If you see yourself in a more niche group, then check out the appropriate school.

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Charlie Johnson
Downtown Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, student

No online but it is in PA...

From what I know, I would steer far clear of Biblical Seminary in its current condition. I hear that it was rather Reformed in days of yore, but things appear to have changed. I would characterize the general feel as "Emergent". I might note that they list Peter Enns as a current adjunct instructor.

To tell you the truth, I think I'd recommend RPTS in your situation.

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Bryan Peters
Providence Reformed Church (URCNA)
Des Moines, Iowa

Doctrinal truth should be preached always, openly, without compromise, and never dissembled or concealed. There is no offence in it; it is the staff of uprightness.
~Martin Luther~

Biblical, in Hatfield, will NOT steer you well, IMNSHO.
They have gone off the deep end.

Go to Westminster. Even if you end up not-liking things about it, you will probably never regret having a WTS degree.

Not that there's anything wrong with the school I attended (GPTS), I just don't mind cheering for Machen's old school, especially when it is a stone's throw from your residence.

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Rev. Bruce G. Buchanan
ChainOLakes Presbyterian Church, CentralLake, MI


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Agreed. The NT department is all gaga over NT Wright, NPP and assorted other nonsense.

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Fred Greco
Senior Pastor, Christ Church PCA (Katy, TX)
Christ Church Blog

"The heart is the main thing in true religion...It is the hinge and turning-point in the condition of man's soul. If the heart is alive to God and quickened by the Spirit, the man is a living Christian. If the heart is dead and has not the Spirit, the man is dead before God." (J.C. Ryle)

In my opinion, Franke is enough to scare anyone away from Biblical Seminary. I wouldn't touch that seminary right now with a 10 foot pole. Westminster, on the other hand (I have insider info on this) just hired Greg Beale to be the chair of the NT department!

WTS, in short, is definitely where you need to go, especially if you are within spitting distance of it.

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Rev. Lane Keister
Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
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Great! I feel a much greater peace about attending Westminster now. Now all that needs to happen is me getting accepted...

Thanks a lot for the input and suggestions, everyone. God bless.

We can pray, if that be God's will.

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Norm
IA PCA

In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:4-5

Plus WTS's building is really cool!
A great heritage!

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~ Charles Stephen Barribeau ~
Christ Presbyterian Church , OPC (They sing alot of Psalms!)
Original Westminster Standards (I need to study more...)
The Puritans were best! Also... I NEED TO READ MORE!!!
Philipians1:29(KJV) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Janesville, Wisconsin (In the fellowship of Bob Vigneault and Matt+Megan Meisberger)

Yes, that would be much appreciated. Always Lord willing!

You should take hope - they accepted me, surely they'll accept you!

-----Added 5/18/2009 at 07:59:11 EST-----

Seriously!? That makes attending WTS this fall even more awesome! Very exciting news.

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Jacob
Sovereign Grace Ministries
Covenant Fellowship Church
WTS M.A.R. in Theology student
West Chester, PA

"Grace renews nature; glory perfects grace." ~ John Owen
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