Mathētēs

Thank you all very much for your help!

Hi all, Should I include my name in the text of my SOP? Is there a standard approach as to including one's name or not? Thank you!

Hi friends, My academic interests are in the historical, theological, and cultural contexts of the 1st-century Mediterranean world. Could you suggest a few graduate programs that have strengths in the social characteristics of ancient Mediterranean societies? Thank you!

Hi mks114, Duke doesn't offer an MAR. Their equivalent degree is the MTS.

Hi all, While many of the topics posted on this sub-forum are in regards to Christianity, it would be incorrect to assume this is the only religion or belief system in which we are interested. Much of my graduate studies has been on topics relevant to world religions, including animism/folk religions. I have now lived in Asia for about 10 years, engaging with people from diverse cultural, spiritual, and linguistic backgrounds in a secular yet also syncretistic context. I intend to return to graduate studies next year and pursue the historical, theological, and cultural context surrounding the first-century Mediterranean world. Although a common theme is to discuss the study of Christianity, I think many of us are also interested in learning about other belief systems and welcome such contributions.

Hi mks114, One significant difference between a MTS and a ThM is that a prerequisite for a ThM program is to already have earned a MDiv or its equivalent. This would usually comprise three years of prerequisite studies in contrast to one or two years for the MTS/MAR/MA. If considering the ThM, you should look at the institution's website or write to inquire as to if the equivalent of an MDiv is acceptable and what they consider to constitute MDiv equivalence. Another significant difference is that the purpose of a ThM program is to focus on one area of study beyond the level attained in the MDiv or equivalent studies. Some programs will allow for one or a few electives outside of that area, whereas others will not. The ThM is not intended to provide the opportunity for a broad range of studies, which can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on your purposes. If you intend to continue with New Testament studies and do not desire courses in other areas, then perhaps a ThM in New Testament is appropriate for you. If instead you desire your next degree to focus exclusively on another area, such as Old Testament, then the ThM may also be appropriate if you have the required level of Hebrew. If you prefer to study diverse areas, then a MTS/MAR would be more suitable than a ThM. The ThM is designed to be a one-year program, although the student could take longer and add additional courses for more diversity. The ThM is considered a higher degree than a two-year master's but is still at the master's level.

Thank you for your prompt post, LateAntique. I appreciate your background in the Classics and bringing that understanding to the study of Christianity. My background relevant to this forum is in biblical studies, and I would like to study the Mediterranean world of antiquity to better understand the environments and thoughts of those who wrote and received what would become canonical texts. I read David Levenson’s profile on Florida State’s website, and see that some of his writings are available for download. Could you please refer me to any other written sources that you have found especially helpful and demonstrate Dr. Levenson’s or other FSU faculty’s “Emphasis on primary sources and good, old close reading of texts”? Is there any other overarching approach or attitude toward the study of early Christianity within the department? Thank you very much for your input and assistance!

Greetings! I am applying to master's programs to focus on Early Christianity in its historical, theological, and cultural contexts. Florida State’s Religions of Western Antiquity program is thought to be a good program that is on the rise. I am deciding whether to apply and would like to know your thoughts on why Florida State's program is considered to be of increasingly high quality. For those of you who are applying to their program or have experience within it, what about it appeals to you?

Dear Postbib Yeshuist, The following quote is from the University of California at Berkeley "Application Tips" (http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admissions ... tips.shtml)

Hi Cardea, According to Duke's website, their M.T.S. tuition grants are need-based. "M.T.S. students may receive up to 22% each year and returning students also receive 22%." (http://www.divinity.duke.edu/admissions ... holarships). I would be very interested to learn if others on this site have experienced or heard differently. For those of you who have experience at Duke, what is the average amount of tuition assistance?

In addition to academic excellence, what are the core values of Yale's MAR program? Going beyond catalog descriptions, what are the overarching attitudes and approaches of Yale's programs and their leading professors to the study of the NT? Which current MAR and PhD faculty are more engaged with the NT text as informed by the history and culture of the Mediterranean world, as professor emeritus Wayne Meeks has done? I appreciate your thoughts and time. Thank you very much!

As braun_braun implied, "best" can be subjective depending on a student's interests and approach. I would appreciate learning what, in addition to academic excellence, are the core values of these NT programs? I am particularly interested in the distinctions between Yale, Duke, and Notre Dame. Going beyond catalog descriptions, what are the overarching attitudes and approaches in these programs and of their leading professors? For example, in what way is Yale a "traditionalist" in contrast to "critical" program? To what extent does Notre Dame being a Catholic institution impact theology in its NT program? Thank you for your input!

Hi Cardea, Congratulations on your acceptance to Candler! Your expertise in Classics and associated languages would definitely be a plus for applying to and doing well in programs in NT and early Christian origins. You are correct that your master's GPA and lack of research experience could be hindrances at the present time. However, your master's GPA may be significantly improved after this semester or after this year. In addition to raising your GPA, I suggest you utilize your research and writing opportunities so they are applied toward topics relevant to the NT and early Christianity, for example, relating Classical rhetorical practices to the writers/speakers in the NT. This interdisciplinary approach would help develop your knowledge of your current discipline, as well as helping to develop your knowledge of and experience in applying it to NT research. This could provide writing samples for your applications, and/or give you good content for your purpose statement, which would indicate to the NT/Early Christianity faculty that you have an understanding of relevant topics in the discipline and a sense of direction for your research. You could do an MA in NT first, and this would strengthen your PhD application compared to applying without a degree in theological studies. However, you should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of an MA over against an MTS/MAR. I would not suggest applying to a NT/Early Christianity PhD program without having obtained significant experience in those fields prior to your application. The competition is intense, as would be the time pressure to complete it within the time and/or funding limits. My suggestion would be to strengthen your background and other relevant languages at the master's level prior to applying for doctoral admissions. As for pursuing NT studies "on the side", you will need to discern to what extent you should delve into the field. There probably will not be much free time or energy apart from your major focus, and without the focus you would not be viewed as expert in the field. I suggest you ask the Author of the NT in what direction He desires to lead your heart, Cardia.

Hi ms114, The following also have Th.M. programs: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Emory Princeton Theological Seminary Talbot School of Theology (Biola)

Thank you for your apologetic. I respectfully offer the following passages as being pertinent to your topic. Jesus speaking in Matthew 5:17-20: 17