jrt715

Hahaha. Understood.

@Jd, thanks for that. I'm general Protestant. Basically at this point I don't know which denomination better suits me. If I had to pick one it'd probably be Baptist, largely based on familiarity. Notwithstanding, I don't care about a denominational community at divinity school/seminary, but would rather have a variety of perspectives. However I want these perspectives to be Christian. I'm not opposed to interfaith study, but my spiritual formation need to be confined within Christianity. Sexual ethics, gender, Calvinist vs. Armenian, etc are not my initial focus. Rather I believe that my theology in those areas will form itself as I learn, ask questions, engage, and grow. I'm not sure HDS is where that can happen. I'm not sure about anything. I'm actually so torn over where to apply that it's consuming. Aside from the theological implications I'm concerned with moving my family, being able to so the workload, and building my academic résumé. Decisions decisions right? Haha.

@sarah, I appreciate your insight and am somewhat encouraged by your thoughts. Ultimately, when it comes to HDS, I'm concerned with encountering a Christian Theology program that more or less blends multiple faiths and is focused more on questioning how Christianity is valid in modern society rather than intellectual biblical instruction. My understanding from talking to others is that HDS is more focused on interfaith thinking, tolerance, an pluralism than developing solid theological frameworks for each religious preference. I'm ok with being in an interfaith program. I appreciate intellectual discussion and believe that tolerance and pluralism are important issues. However I want my M.Div work to be firmly rooted in Scripture. In some respects I'm not set in my theological framework persay, and don't want to find myself engaging in watered down Christianity for the sake of saving face amongst other students or faculty who have an entirely different faith system. This may or may not be true though. Perhaps you could shed some light for me. Just like in this forum I only know what people say. BUT I have yet to talk to a current student either except you. That pretty much gives your thoughts more weight as far as I'm concerned because its not just speculation. If the word I get from others is true, I'd rather go to a place like Gordon-Conwell or Boston U. At least there I can get grounded theologically and take the classes I want to (up to 1/3 of my degree) at any school within the Boston Theological Institute which includes HDS and 9 other schools. Anyway, I'm open to more thoughts and suggestions. I find out this week if I've been accepted into the reserve chaplaincy. The same day I find out I'm choosing a school to apply to.

Fair enough. I sort of thought the same thing. How do you like Duke?

No not at all. I figured I wouldn't stand a chance..at any of these schools really. Do you think differently? Also I've heard that theologically there isn't much focus if any on Christianity anymore. Do you have thoughts or insight on thi as well?

Thanks for the insight. My buddy is a Duke student currently and he was saying that the program at YDS is not the same as when much of the Duke faculty got their Phd's there. At any rate, I am not Catholic, so those few won't work. to be homest, I did not grow up in church and really do not have a specific denominational tie. Part of this is work related. When you move every two years you tend to choose places where you feel the Gospel is preached and your family is served rather than based on team loyalty. At this juncture theologically I am a conservative leaning moderate and more or less a Baptist. Where I fall within that spectrum is up for grabs. Originally I applied to and have been accepted at Reformed Theological, Liberty Baptist Theological, and the Southern Baptist Seminary. Nothing wrong with them, but as I consider my interests and academic goals I find myself wanting a Divinity School that will challenge and stretch me and help me to develop a solid theological framework pulling from multiple denominational perspectives. In other words I don't want to be indoctrinated. I also want to set myself up for further study. At the same time I'm looking for a school where people practice what they teach as well as a place where families are included. I'm not looking for anyone to hold my hand, but I think that for those of us with families God is calling them when He calls us. I want the school to support and foster that. Last, what's the word about Emory? As an Atlanta native it's home for me, yet some have cautioned me against going there. Any thoughts? Now that I've given more information, additional thoughts are welcomed. Thanks again.

Good to know. What do you know of YDS currently btw? I was told by a close friend that YDS is not as good as it once was and that Duke has replaced it in terms of academic excellence. I'm also wanting to get specifics on those programs from a family perspective as far as if any of the more academic programs foster an environment for the families that attend there. Any suggestions?

Bottom line up front is that I'm considering PTS, Emory, and Duke and want to know if I stand a chance. I am an active duty Soldier who recently completed my UG in Multi-Disciplinary Studies. I have applied to be a Reserve Chaplain and want to attend Seminary/Divinity School with the plan to get a Phd and become a professor. My cognate focuses at were Bible and Social Science. My UG GPA is a 3.3. I know my UG is generic, but amidst operational and combat deployments, combat injuries, training, and raising and providing for a family it is what I could do with the Army paying for it. I'm not worried about the financial part because the Army pays for it. More about getting in and living in an area where I can raise my toddlers and my wife can work. When I began this process I sought too much counsel from too many people and applied to places I'm now not really interested in attending. At this point I want to go where my wife and I want to go and at the same time really be in a place of faith and academic community and at the same time make up for my UG degree. So folks, do I have a shot??