SBC Seminaries (cont.)

[JGrayhound]

I joined too late to join in the discussion on the other thread, so I decided to start this one.

Which seminary is the best?

I fully believe that Southern is the best. That is why I decided to attend here. I weighed all of the pros/cons of all 6, and Southern was the best...by far.

I think the critiques that some people posted about Southern are off-base, and I would love to answer any critics as best I can.

I don't wish to trash any seminary, because all are equipping ministers for the kingdom of God...but obviously some are better at it than others. So, I hope this will be a fair discussion and a friendly one.

 

[Rev. G]

Let me start by saying that I believe SBTS is a very, very fine school. However, I think it is very strong in some areas while other seminaries may be stronger in other areas.

Now, let me ask a question, what makes a seminary the "best" one? Or even a "great" or a "good" one?

 

[neal4christ]

Southeastern, all the way!

Of course, I am a little biased since I currently attend there.

Neal

 

[JGrayhound]

In my opinion, these factors weigh into a good seminary:

-reaffirmation of classical disciplines that counter the ani-intellectualism of modern evangelicalism
-stressing personal piety and devotion
-a faculty that is respected academically, but at the same time is concerned witht the spiritual development of their students
-not detaching itself from 'the church' and in fact endorses the 'local church'
-quality academics
-strong leadership (pres, deans, and faculty)
-respected institution
-focus on proper theology, alongide proper application (church work and missions)
-teaching a correct doctrine of salvation so that missions is not done in vain, but rather done through Biblical means

these are just a few that came to mind...by no means is this an exhaustive list.

IMO, Southern is the school (in the SBC) that meets these criteria best.

Southeastern, while a good school, lacks in the academic arena, at least when compared to SBTS. Southern is one of the most respected academic seminaries in the country (even outside of the SBC), Southeastern is not (although I do think it is 2nd in the SBC). The faculty at SBTS is second to no one. The stress is not on just academics, though....they stress a pious life as well as evangelism/missions. It is wrong to say that SBTS is not concerned with evangelism.

 

[neal4christ]

Southern is one of the most respected academic seminaries in the country (even outside of the SBC), Southeastern is not (although I do think it is 2nd in the SBC)

Give us a little time, our reputation will catch up with where we are now! We haven't been where we currently are for long, we had a hole to dig out of from the ones here before Paige Patterson came along. I wouldn't trade the professors or the academics I have had so far for anything.

That's okay, I see you may be a little partial as well, since you are from Louisville! I would put SBTS up there at number two for me, so I can live with SEBTS as number two for you!

Neal

 

[JGrayhound]

Of course I am not partial....seeing as I attend Southern.

But, before I decided to attend here I tried to make as educated a decision as possible. That educated decision was Southern. SEBTS was nothing that sticks out and makes it better than anywhere else. It's one of those things about "being good at everything, but great at nothing".

I am not knocking SEBTS at all, just my observations. Like I said, SEBTS is without a doubt second in SBC schools. When I start my PhD, I will be applying there (along with several other schools).

 

[neal4christ]

I am not knocking SEBTS at all, just my observations.

I don't think you are, I am just giving you a hard time!

I have great respect for Southern as well. However, seeing as Southeastern is the school I attend, I can't put any other one above it!

Neal

 

[JGrayhound]

understandable

 

[Bible-boy]

SEBTS! Oh, did I acknowledge that I am a current student at SEBTS? I think that JGrayhound is a bit out of touch in saying that SEBTS "lacks in the academic arena." I don't want to attempt to list all of the academic accomplishments of the SEBTS faculty; however, consider a few of these:

Dr. David Allen Black
Dr. George W. Braswell, Jr.
Dr. Emir F. Caner
Dr. Andreas J Kostenberger
Dr. Alvin L. Reid
Dr. Peter R. Schemm, Jr.
and of course... Dr. Paige Patterson

These are just a few of the highly respected and well published evangelical scholars that currently teach at SEBTS.

Additionally, if you are interested in missions SEBTS leads the field with our 2 + 2 MDiv. in International Church Planting Program. Our 2 + 2 students are the most highly sought after missionaries in the world.

Like Neal said, we have had a long hard up-hill climb for the past ten years. However, SEBTS is now really coming into its own and is a bright star among the six SBC schools. Finally, with our new $50 million "Scholarship on Fire" capital campaign SEBTS will most certainly become known as one of, if not, the finest seminaries in the world. Phase I of “Scholarship on Fire” calls for $16.5 Million for the following: $7,000,000 for a new state-of-the-art library; $5,500,000 for a new Campus Center; $2,000,000 for financial aid support and endowment; and $2,000,000 for Missions support endowment. It is great to be here at the very beginning of this bold new thrust and as a SEBTS staff member to have the opportunity to participate in helping contribute to the future of this fine institution.

 

[TaterTot]

Originally posted by JGrayhound:
-reaffirmation of classical disciplines that counter the ani-intellectualism of modern evangelicalism
-stressing personal piety and devotion
-a faculty that is respected academically, but at the same time is concerned witht the spiritual development of their students
-not detaching itself from 'the church' and in fact endorses the 'local church'
-quality academics
-strong leadership (pres, deans, and faculty)
-respected institution
-focus on proper theology, alongide proper application (church work and missions)
-teaching a correct doctrine of salvation so that missions is not done in vain, but rather done through Biblical means

NOBTS also exhibits these qualities and more. I believe that we are the only seminary that offers textual criticism on the post-graduate level (which is a plus for us). NOBTS is also the only SBC seminary with a center for textual study. My husband has had opportunity to work with a facsimile of Vaticanus, which I dont believe is available at sister schools. As for missions, each student is required to take part in missions/evangelism - and New Orleans is an awesome place to do that. My area of study is music, (grad 2000 - MMCM,) and to my knowledge, (and I COULD be wrong) NOBTS is the only one with a full opera/theater group that produces several secular operas/operettas a year in addition to religious works. We scouted out all 6 schools back in 1998, too, before making our choice, and we thought we would end up at Southern or Southwestern.(This was soon after the Molly Marshall deal and there was still some controversy there at Southern.) I agree that each seminary is turning out fine ministers, and each seminary has areas that could use improvement in someone's opinion.
TaterTot

 

[JGrayhound]

I said that in context of comparison to Southern.

I do not really want to get into a "peeing contest" over this issue. I respect Dr.Black (I just read one of his books) and Dr.Kostenberger (sp?). I was not knocking SEBTS, I think it is a good school, and the only other SBC seminary I would truly consider (I think the gap after these 2 is widening as we speak).
Southern is known for its academics. It is one of the most respected academic schools in the country. SE isn't there...yet. We have a long list of scholars (Mohler, Ware, Schreiner, Block, Akin, Stein, Nettles, Fuller, Gentry, Moore, Nash, Polhill, Cutrer, Puckett, etc.) that are well-respected. Southern also had more presenters at ETS than ANY other seminary. But, it does not neglect the practical aspect of theological training, which many of the more 'academic' schools do. It is my opinion, the perfect match of academia with practical ministry.

BTW, Southern does have a copy of Vaticanus and we also have the "2 plus 2" program. I think that is a staple of the SBC schools. The missions programs (as far as I know) are fairly uniform throughout the convention.

Like I said, I feel that SBTS is academically superior but that in no way denies the fact that SEBTS is a very good school.

 

[Bible-boy]

Originally posted by JGrayhound:
I said that in context of comparison to Southern.

I do not really want to get into a "peeing contest" over this issue.

Me neither!

I respect Dr.Black (I just read one of his books) and Dr.Kostenberger (sp?).

Yup, you spelt it rite.

Septin the "o" oughta have two little dot thingies above it.

BTW, Southern does have a copy of Vaticanus and we also have the "2 plus 2" program. I think that is a staple of the SBC schools. The missions programs (as far as I know) are fairly uniform throughout the convention.

Regarding the 2 + 2 program: It may be that all six SBC schools now offer it. However, It started here at SEBTS and everybody else is a photocopy.

Don't get me wrong. I like SBTS. She is our sister school. Like Neal said since I am a SEBTS student and staff member I can't vote any other way. SBTS runs a close second in my book.

 

[JGrayhound]

The "2 plus 2" program is a good idea. Good job with that one.

I have some friends who are doing it. I think that it should become a pre-req for ANYONE who goes on the mission field. We need trained people out there who have proper theological training.

Everyone's a theologian....just most of them are horrible theologians with a horrid view of God.

 

[All about Grace]

As I stated in a previous thread, I have attended both SEBTS and SBTS. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. As far as recognized scholars in the academic world, SBTS definitely has more. Kostenberger (and possibly Black -- even though his MT views are not very popular in other circles) are really the only "reputable" SEBTS scholars in the biblical/theological evangelical fields. SBTS could name a few more who have a wider reputation. I find it interesting that there are a few profs who have transitioned from SEBTS to SBTS in the last few years. Rumor indicates the academic emphasis at SBTS might have been the primary appeal.

As I mentioned before, both institutions reflect their presidents. SEBTS functions more like a Bible-belt mega-church and SBTS mirrors a northeastern "high" church. If anyone questions such an assertion, simply attend an average chapel service on each campus and you will immediately discover what I mean.

Both schools are good schools and both have potentials that could be productive or harmful.

 

[swaimj]

Have any of you guys at SEBTS taken a class with Dr. Bruce Little? I took a couple of his classes when he taught at Piedmont Baptist College when I was a student there. He is a godly man and his classes definitely s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d my mind.

 

[Siegfried]

Originally posted by swaimj:
Have any of you guys at SEBTS taken a class with Dr. Bruce Little? I took a couple of his classes when he taught at Piedmont Baptist College when I was a student there. He is a godly man and his classes definitely s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d my mind.

Not yet. I had Christian philosophy with Bush instead. I would like to take Little's Problem of Evil class as one of my electives if it fits into my schedule.

By the way, I just PM'ed you.

 

[Speedpass]

Even though I have become leery of the SBC more and more in recent years, I would attend Southern if I had to choose an SBC seminary.

 

[neal4christ]

Have any of you guys at SEBTS taken a class with Dr. Bruce Little?

I am currently taking Christian Philosophy with him. He is extremely intelligent and a very devout man. I thoroughly enjoy him and his class and would recommend him to anyone. And yes, my brain hurts sometimes after leaving his class!

Neal

 

[TomVols]

I can't say enough good things about SBTS. I recommend it highly.

 

[D.R.]

I am a student at NOBTS. Though I may be a bit biased, I think it has not been shown the respect of the other institutions. Next year, it will become the largest evangelical seminary in the world. It has the second largest library in the SBC and North America's largest Greek manuscript collection. Dr. William Warren is the foremost authority in North America on manuscript research and is heading up the International Greek New Testament Project, which has found its home at New Orleans. We will begin an M.Div degree in Philosophy next year, with Dr. Robert Stewart as head of the program (he studied with N.T. Wright at Oxford and did his disertation on the man's apologetic method, though not a Moderate as Dr. Wright is). Our library boasts of a newly found 1st edition of both Luther's Commentary on Romans and a 1st edition Calvin commentary. Also there were many other pamphlets found in our attic that may alter what is written in textbooks regarding the history of Baptists. Sorry PCC guys, we didn't originate from John the Baptist and the King James wasn't written from the original manuscripts. Also our Hebrew department now boasts of Archie England a scholar who is fluent in seven ancient languages including Egyptian and Akkadian and I believe Ugaritic. We will also soon become, due to Dr. Steven Ortiz, the finder of the Davidic Stone inscription and fellow of William Dever, the only Southern Baptist Seminary to sponser a dig team in the Middle East and offer a Biblical Studies degree with an emphasis in Biblical archeology. I could go on all day, but I think this should at least suffice to say that we are by far underated in comparison to the other Big 6. Also we are the only folks not to sign the "Soul Member" document. See the post I created with the same title for more details on that.

WE HOLLA
dr