Golden Gate BTS

[Greektim]

What is the general view of this school (I know it is one of the 6). Specifically, I was wondering about their PhD program. I can't recall seeing anyone w/ a PhD from the school. Is it reputable? I know it is shorter than the standard 60 credit program. Would anyone recommend it and a NT prof to study under?

 

[Rhetorician]

Endorsement from Duke

What is the general view of this school (I know it is one of the 6). Specifically, I was wondering about their PhD program. I can't recall seeing anyone w/ a PhD from the school. Is it reputable? I know it is shorter than the standard 60 credit program. Would anyone recommend it and a NT prof to study under?

To all who have an ear:

I can highly recommend the PhD at GGBTS, not because I know of the degree but because I know who started the program. Dr. Rick Melick, an outstanding New Testament scholar, was the one if my understandings are rememberered correctly who set up the program. You can know for sure that the Biblical Language components will be strong.

I studied with Dr. Melick at Mid America back in the stone age, took some Greek with him, took Ephesians with him. He is first rate. He also has a chapter in the Broadman book David Dockery and I put together. He is truly a "scholar and a gentlement." Dr. Melick and this PhD program should be the "real deal."

"That is all!" :thumbsup:

 

[Greektim]

To all who have an ear:

I can highly recommend the PhD at GGBTS, not because I know of the degree but because I know who started the program. Dr. Rick Melick, an outstanding New Testament scholar, was the one if my understandings are rememberered correctly who set up the program. You can know for sure that the Biblical Language components will be strong.

I studied with Dr. Melick at Mid America back in the stone age, took some Greek with him, took Ephesians with him. He is first rate. He also has a chapter in the Broadman book David Dockery and I put together. He is truly a "scholar and a gentlement." Dr. Melick and this PhD program should be the "real deal."

"That is all!" :thumbsup:

Is their reputation hurt by the fact that their program is only 42 hours as opposed to the traditional 60?

 

[Rhetorician]

Rhetorician Response

Tim,

Cannot say a word about the rep of the place. But I can tell you this much: If you want a degree in Biblical Languages, from a conservative, Evangelical, Baptist, reasonably priced school; then this could be the program for you.

Also you did not say a thing concerning proximics. Where are you located and the delivery system may have as much to do with your attending GGBTS as anything?

But, I assure you Rich Melick would not let a BL program be "slip shod" or second rate.

This is about all I can say. I am reminded of a diamond commercial I heard again and again in Nashville, TN when I was a kid: "If you don't know diamonds, know your jeweler." Point being, I know the man who started the program and the quality of his life, both as a Christian gentleman and a Language scholar, commends the program to me. If I wanted a PhD in BL, was close, I would get there "quick, fast, and in a hurry!" :laugh:

"That is all!"

 

[Greektim]

Tim,

Cannot say a word about the rep of the place. But I can tell you this much: If you want a degree in Biblical Languages, from a conservative, Evangelical, Baptist, reasonably priced school; then this could be the program for you.

Also you did not say a thing concerning proximics. Where are you located and the delivery system may have as much to do with your attending GGBTS as anything?

But, I assure you Rich Melick would not let a BL program be "slip shod" or second rate.

This is about all I can say. I am reminded of a diamond commercial I heard again and again in Nashville, TN when I was a kid: "If you don't know diamonds, know your jeweler." Point being, I know the man who started the program and the quality of his life, both as a Christian gentleman and a Language scholar, commends the program to me. If I wanted a PhD in BL, was close, I would get there "quick, fast, and in a hurry!" :laugh:

"That is all!"

Thanks for the info... I'm out of country right now so nowhere is convenient. But hopefully I will finish my ThM at SEBTS in a couple years (on missionary exemption currently). If I decide to leave the field, there are many options to travel or relocate. It is just a matter of convincing my wife to move to Cali or Kentucky (or maybe even Texas ).

 

[gb93433]

I know one professor personally who teaches there and he was well prepared. That seminary would be my first choice of the six. They have not gotten caught up in the political football and image building like some of the others.

Ministry in CA is not cultural Christianity but rather like much of America.

 

[preachinjesus]

What is the general view of this school (I know it is one of the 6). Specifically, I was wondering about their PhD program. I can't recall seeing anyone w/ a PhD from the school. Is it reputable? I know it is shorter than the standard 60 credit program. Would anyone recommend it and a NT prof to study under?

Depends on what you want to do. When I saw the ad for GGTS' PhD program I remember thinking, "Oh yeah, they've got a PhD program." and being surprised.

GG is a nice seminary that makes up for the lack of robust faculty with a stunning campus. They're a decent school but seem to never get beyond a certain circle of influence. Maybe its the west coast thing, but you'd think given their location and proximity to such a wealth of significant ministries they'd grow like crazy.

They do have some excellent faculty, but the place is stifled. That's one of the reasons I was so glad that San Fran was able to host the ETS/SBL meetings this year. Maybe some more exposure to GG.

All that said, it's not the best PhD if you want to teach. Here's the thing, and this is what I say to a lot of people, PhDs are flooding the market right now. Even more than before and humanities PhDs specifically are out there like crazy. This is fine but the problem is most schools where you might teach aren't expanding their humanities programs. Even more so when it comes to a religion or divinity track. So what do you want to do with it?

If you want to pastor or have the ability to be a missionary who has academic credibility to teach in a 2nd or 3rd world school than its a fine degree. (Honestly I see PhDs taking over DMins in about fifteen years anyways...that is PhD being the preferred degree for pastors) But if you want to teach in a stateside or European school it won't get you far in the process. If you want to do the latter point go to a major school, do a MA/PhD there and rejoice when you're done. Then apply to schools.

Not being snarky or belittling GGTS. Like I said its a nice seminary. But why would they hire a guy with a DMin as their President if they were a major school? Think small, miss small imho. (I like their President, he's a nice guy but I'm just sayin)

The field isn't as open for academics right now and the guys who have been, or are, academics aren't retiring en masse anytime soon.

So why do you want to do the degree?

 

[Greektim]

Depends on what you want to do. When I saw the ad for GGTS' PhD program I remember thinking, "Oh yeah, they've got a PhD program." and being surprised.

GG is a nice seminary that makes up for the lack of robust faculty with a stunning campus. They're a decent school but seem to never get beyond a certain circle of influence. Maybe its the west coast thing, but you'd think given their location and proximity to such a wealth of significant ministries they'd grow like crazy.

They do have some excellent faculty, but the place is stifled. That's one of the reasons I was so glad that San Fran was able to host the ETS/SBL meetings this year. Maybe some more exposure to GG.

All that said, it's not the best PhD if you want to teach. Here's the thing, and this is what I say to a lot of people, PhDs are flooding the market right now. Even more than before and humanities PhDs specifically are out there like crazy. This is fine but the problem is most schools where you might teach aren't expanding their humanities programs. Even more so when it comes to a religion or divinity track. So what do you want to do with it?

If you want to pastor or have the ability to be a missionary who has academic credibility to teach in a 2nd or 3rd world school than its a fine degree. (Honestly I see PhDs taking over DMins in about fifteen years anyways...that is PhD being the preferred degree for pastors) But if you want to teach in a stateside or European school it won't get you far in the process. If you want to do the latter point go to a major school, do a MA/PhD there and rejoice when you're done. Then apply to schools.

Not being snarky or belittling GGTS. Like I said its a nice seminary. But why would they hire a guy with a DMin as their President if they were a major school? Think small, miss small imho. (I like their President, he's a nice guy but I'm just sayin)

The field isn't as open for academics right now and the guys who have been, or are, academics aren't retiring en masse anytime soon.

So why do you want to do the degree?

I'm glad you posted this. I wanted to know the pros and the cons. I have multiple ministry interests including teaching but not excluding church planting. I would love to be a "world traveler" of sorts and teach in up and coming areas like south africa or australia. But also, I enjoy writing and research so I would try to conjoin that w/ my ministries as well. It would be nice to teach in the states, but that is not my initial goal. As you say, I feel PhD's are going to be preferred in churches again, and I feel like GGBTS's PhD would help me develop my exegetical and teaching prowess.