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Mathētēs

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Everything posted by Mathētēs

  1. Hi bYg. Thanks for your reply and helpful references. I considered taking the Syriac sequence at U of Chicago, which will use Coakley, but I am not able to fit it into my schedule. Therefore, I will need to study on my own for the present time. Most of the documents I have seen use Estrangela, as does Thackston. How do you think Thackston compares to other Syriac grammars? I would like to purchase one and am considering the options. Thank you!
  2. BYg, where did you learn Syriac, and where or using what texts would you recommend studying it? Thank you!
  3. In answer to your question concerning to which schools you should apply, a good approach would be to read the interests of the respective faculty. Some very good institutions may have professors who would be or would not be interested in your topic. There isn't any point in applying to work with a professor who isn't interested in your topic; that would be a waste of time and money. Therefore, do the leg work and focus in on those universities and professors who have similar interests as yours. Then write concise emails to the professors you selected, briefly introducing yourself and your interests, and asking a few informed questions to help discern each professor's interests and approach. The closer the match, the better the fit, and thus the greater likelihood of your acceptance and happiness.
  4. This may be true when considering more objective criteria, such as GPA or reputation of one's current institution. However, the PhD application process is different from applying to undergraduate programs in that overall fit of an applicant is weighed much more heavily. This takes into consideration factors such as how appealing an applicant's topic is to a potential adviser. Perhaps your topic would be of greater interest to a professor at a more competitive institution, and thereby the possibility of your acceptance there be greater. The opposite is also true of institutions perceived as less competitive: if one's topic is not of interest to a professor, then the probability of acceptance is much less.
  5. Relative difficulty seems to be based on which was learned later or which is used less often. I don't think that either language is intrinsically more difficult than the other, although they are different. The primary challenges with both Greek and Hebrew concern the verbal systems. In Greek you must learn many paradigms, in Hebrew there are less paradigms to memorize but probably more irregularities. At the end of one year of study, you would know the basic grammar of either language. The second year would be necessary for more advanced syntax, exegesis, and additional vocabulary. I don't think you would necessarily be farther along with either language after a year of study. It would probably be best to base your decision on what texts and topics interest you the most. Greek may also help you in the sciences since many scientific words come from Greek, as is also true of Latin.
  6. With many funded PhD programs only accepting 1 or 2 applicants per adviser, I don't think any program can be considered a backup.
  7. Westcott, for what reasons are you particularly fond of Boston College? I am beginning to explore BC's offerings and am considering applying to their PhD program in Biblical Studies. Thank you. Mathetes
  8. Greetings, A biblical language or biblical languages will be an important part of biblical studies courses. Since Hellenistic Greek is not an option for you at this time, you could consider starting classical Hebrew. Latin would be a good fit due to the interests you expressed. If you are sure you would like to go on to a PhD, then I would strongly suggest beginning either German or French. Having a biblical language and at least one research language will truly strengthen your applications, and also save time and money later.
  9. Did anyone on this board receive an invitation to interview for the Biblical and Theological Studies PhD program at Wheaton? If so, please share some of the highlights of your application for the benefit of those of us who may apply in the future. Thank you!
  10. Greetings, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) offers a ThM in Missions and Evangelism, and a PhD in Intercultural Studies.
  11. Greetings! I have two years of Koine Greek and am interested in gaining experience with Classical. My purpose includes eventually applying for a Ph.D. program in New Testament and Early Christianity. Are Koine and Classical so different that I should begin with an introductory course? Would a post-bacc admissions committee view my two years of Koine as being the equivalent of two years of Classical? Thanks for your help!
  12. is still waiting . . .

  13. Hi, Wagnern! I assume you are going to be using your Greek during the MTS for study of the Greek Testament and perhaps the Septuagint. In my opinion, it would be useful to have Latin, even if your period of theological study is prior to the late second century, because many secondary sources were written in Latin by later writers. Engaging with their work in the original language would only help your research and future applications. Many Biblical Studies Ph.D. programs will require that another ancient language be obtained in addition to Greek and Hebrew, and Latin will be one of the options. To begin it during your MTS will put you another step forward. However, if Biblical Studies is your goal, you will also need Hebrew and, if you haven't yet begun, it would probably be best to begin Hebrew in your first year of the MTS and perhaps Latin in your second. If you are interested in pursing a Ph.D. in Classics, then you would be able to concentrate in Greek or Latin. However, the post-baccalaureate descriptions I have seen say the strongest applications have both. I assume this is even more necessary at the doctoral level.
  14. What is Duke's procedure for admitting students from the MTS waitlist? Now that April 15 has past, will they admit a group at one time in the next week or next month, or will they admit one or a few several times? I would greatly appreciate hearing the experiences of those of you who are familiar with their waitlist process. Thank you!
  15. Has anyone heard from Duke about MTS financial aid?
  16. Postbib, with your research interests concerning peoples of religious texts, I would think that at the doctoral level it will be imperative to be able to work with the original languages of the texts. Therefore, abilities in biblical Hebrew would be essential for the Hebrew Bible, and Koine Greek for the New Testament. Others may also be necessary or helpful, such as Aramaic or Syriac. Although it is outside my field, I find it difficult to believe that in-depth doctoral scholarship can be accomplished in Islamic studies without knowledge of Arabic. My suggestion is that you continue in Koine Greek to fulfill a second year: continuing with exegesis courses or an exegesis course and a New Testament book study. According to your previous posts, this would fulfill your requirement, and also provide basic exegetical ability. I also suggest you begin Arabic and Hebrew/Aramaic/Syriac. I do not see how you can competently relate to experts in the individual religions without basic competencies in these. German will probably be necessary or at least helpful. Learning to read theological German could be accomplished over a summer or other intensive term. Best wishes.
  17. I'm very happy for you, Postbib! Congratulations!!!
  18. Rejoicing with you, Late Antique! Congratulations!!!
  19. NervousNellie, I suggest thinking about what it is you want to study and pass on to others. What language is most necessary to do research in that area? Which subject in the Divinity curriculum appeals to you most? What topic motivated you to apply? If you are considering doctoral study, German or French would be helpful now and probably necessary later.
  20. Thanks Sparky and Late Antique. Should I buy Wheelock or a different grammar to begin learning Latin? Which introduction to the church Fathers written in English do you recommend?
  21. Thanks, Sparky! Congratulations on your acceptance at Notre Dame! I am interested in strengthening my Hebrew to be more capable than I currently am in the OT. As to how much I will use it for further research though, I am not sure. I am more interested in the relationship between first-century cultures and the New Testament authors and early audiences. Yes, I am also interested in canon formation, and also the apocrypha as related to the interpretation of the canonical writings. Why do you ask?
  22. I am interested in the writing of the New Testament and its reception within the first two or three centuries. I plan to begin studying Latin this fall or in 2011. Please pardon my ignorance, but at what time does Latin begin to feature prominently in the writings of the early Church? In what century do the church Fathers or others begin writing in Latin? I am trying to decide whether I should focus on starting Latin in the fall or take a second year of Hebrew. Which should I focus on first? Thanks for your thoughts!
  23. Does anyone know how many applicants Duke usually wait lists for their MTS program? I counted two on the Results page, and one of those is mine. A Results post says that the person received a letter. Have others received MTS decision letters from Duke?
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