Hello from a DTS student!
I was born and raised with Baptist (even went to a Baptist college) - but for numerous reasons chose not to attend a Baptist seminary. I am working on a linguistics degree and have just finished my first year. And wanted to give a shameless plug for my seminary.
Dallas Seminary is known all over the world for their strong academics. They push you greatly in your studies. But at the same time warn you to set your priorities properly - which may mean you have to sacrifice the 'A' for the sake of your family or ministry. They are not concerned with producing great pastors or missionaries....primarily they want to produce strong grounded followers of Christ.
Being around Baptist all my life I am glad to now be surrounded by strong Christians from many denominations. (I am not fool enough to think I have it all ‘right’.) They challenge me to know why I hold to the particular nuances of the faith that come from being Baptist.
I still work and worship with Baptist - even though some view me as a heretic for not choosing a Baptist seminary. (I have many such stories from run-ins with closed-minded people – but that’s another story.)
One thing you may have run into is people complaining that they are dispensationalists (often said with a snear). Well the school does hold to a dispensational theology. However, they do allow you to disagree with them on that. But you must know why you disagree. The dispensational theology does come through in the classes - but I (not a dispensationalist) have not had any problems with it.
Those same people who snear at the dispensational theology of the school might be surpised at how many people they read and listen to on the radio that are DTS grads. (If you hear that argument – just for fun ask that person to explain dispensationalism to you and why it’s a heresy. Be prepared for silence – for many who say that do not even know what dispensationalism is!)
To be fair, in the past DTS was very hardline in many areas. Which gave them a bad name with some people. Now, however, they are not as hardline.
(They even loosened the dress-code....women can now wear slacks. yeah!)
DTS pushes you to dig deep into your faith.
I am not saying that DTS is the best. It is only the best for you if that is where God calls you.
And one note about Criswell. There are a few DTS profs who teach classes there. But Criswell is a college not a seminary – therefore there is a difference in the approach because of that.
I pray that God will lead you to the right school. Do not give into the pressure to attend someplace just because it’s Baptist or holds to a particular politcal viewpoint. Wherever you go beware of the dynamics of the school (political, religious, focus) for they will affect you as you study there.
jo
