Lawandtheology

Thanks for the detailed feedback and the advice (I will be posting an abridged version in the law forum). It is very much appreciated. Also, congrats on making the military a career. I started off as a 19D (when Reagan was still in office) and went back in briefly as a Russian linguist. Studying at DLI in Monterey must be one of the best assignments in the military (much better than the desert warfare I practiced at Fort Bliss).

I have a few questions and appreciate in advance any advice regarding any or all of these questions. (apologies for the length of the intro - but I've seen a lot of responses to others that say more information helps with the advice) A little background first. I am approaching 50 and I've seen a few posts about it being difficult to enter academia at this age (as if it wasn't hard enough already)...so I am not primarily concerned with getting into the absolute best phd programs in the future (which I might also be precluded from by my age). Also, I am an attorney who does contract work (by the hour) so working part time on a european phd is convenient for me (though I may take a year off from my studies to reevaluate and apply to funded phd programs). I have a background in theology, but it would not be considered "academic" (a year at a SB seminary and later a thesis-only MTH in practical theology - 45,000 words and published the 5,000 word version in a non-prestigious peer-reviewed journal). Then went to law school (University of Texas), graduated in the top 10% and while there published 1) in another non-prestigious peer reviewed theology journal, 2) published a peer-reviewed tax law article, and 3) published 2 more law review articles (not peer-reviewed). Since then I've published another law review article. None of the articles are in top tier law reviews, and my best law review articles have an overlap of law and theology or history. My long-term goal - despite the limitations based on my age, I would like to see if teaching is an option. At this point I realize that teaching law would be my best bet, but even with my grades and publishing I would need a PhD in addition to my JD since most of the competition went to higher ranked schools (and probably have phds as well). Additionally, I understand that if I wanted to teach at undergrad (pre-law, theology or history) I would likely be limited to adjunct positions unless I published something substantial. Intermediate goal - get into a Phd program (in theology) and write on a law and theology topic. I have a solid topic in mind already, and have been working through the application process with some great gentlemen over at VU Amsterdam. It is more properly a historical theology topic as it deals with the Reformation era. Short term goal - choosing the right Masters program (that is still available). I work at a small law firm and we have peaks and valleys (which is conducive to part-time phd work). But, currently we are in a valley with nothing in the pipeline. So, last month, I was given permission to work remotely for a year so that I can enter a taught masters program (which I think I need given I have not completed a taught postgraduate course (other than the JD). By that point, however, most application deadlines had passed...and, having not foreseen this option, I have not yet taken the GRE. So, I looked at overseas and applied to the following programs: Aberdeen (MLitt in Medieval and Early Modern Studies); St. Andrews (MLitt in Reformation Studies) and Edinburgh (Mth in Theology in History). All 3 programs have advantages and disadvantages. Edinburgh will have the best courses on reformation theology but no courses on early modern law (I have not asked if they would allow me to take a directed reading course with someone from the law faculty yet); Aberdeen will have the best faculty for early modern law but no theology experts (I have not asked if they would allow me to take a directed reading course with someone from the divinity faculty yet); and St. Andrews probably has the best balanced program (but have already stated they do not have someone to supervise the legal aspect if I wanted to proceed to a Phd there). Finally, to be clear, the St. Andrews and Aberdeen degrees are more accurately history degrees (or interdisciplinary at best), not theology. So finally my questions (or my thoughts that should be corrected): 1) I assume that the prestige of these schools in general would likely be ranked 1) Edinburgh, 2) St. Andrews and 3) Aberdeen. Does that perception change for the specific programs given that Edinburgh is a theology course (albeit theology in history) and the other two are history courses? 2) If I pursue a phd in UK/Europe, I'm not too worried about the history vs theology nature of these three masters degrees, given that the interdisciplinary nature of the history degrees would still be useful in a historical theology dissertation. I would probably prefer the Mth from Edinburgh (the gaps in my theological education are probably more critical to what I want to right about than my understanding of early modern law (civil or common)) and it may be a little better if I wanted to pursue a Phd in historical theology at Oxbridge or at Edinburgh. If any of this is off base, please let me know. 3) However, if I did want to apply in a couple of years to a US historical theology program, I assume it might make a bigger difference, but I am unsure. Does anyone have any anecdotal evidence of how an interdisciplinary degree from the early modern period would be viewed by a serious historical theology program? 4) Also, if you think there are programs I should consider (whether Masters programs that are still accepting applications or PhD programs that would be a good fit for a law and reformation theology dissertation), please let me know. 5) I am currently planning on doing my Phd through VU Amsterdam (I say currently as we have still not nailed down the proposal and I am not sure how my application will be received by the reviewing panel/board...but I'm hoping that with 2 supervisors already on board I will be admitted). One of the benefits of VU is that I can register as a part-time external candidate and will not be charged tuition. Since then I've discovered that their theology dept is ranked very highly per the QS World Rankings (7th in 2017, 5th in 2018 and 15th in 2019). I've seen a lot of threads regarding UK or European PHD vs US, and I understand the weaknesses of the dissertation only Phd, and that faculty members on a hiring committee may have to google Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ... but once they do look it up (if they do) will it be taken seriously? In law firm hiring, the US News rankings of your school made a huge difference...but I have no idea how VU's ranking will be viewed. Or to put it another way, given how limited my future in academia may already be (based on my age) is VU a wise decision because I will take on no debt, or is it the final nail in the coffin for teaching theology? 6) Finally, and I may need to ask this in a different forum, I think that the limitations of a european phd are less important to teaching at a law school and that, with a law and theology topic, a phd from VU Amsterdam might be just what I need. Any corrective thoughts, advice or alternative suggests are much appreciated. Also apologies for typos and grammar errors.