MARS vs RTS Charlotte

[Nathan B]

I am working through making a seminary decision this coming fall, and have narrowed things down to Mid-America or RTS Charlotte.

I like the professors at both places. I like the local Churches at both places. Both places in my mind would do an excellent job in preparing me for future ministry.

I'm leaning toward RTS because of a desire to do cross-cultural mission work and the PCA connections there.

Is there any advice on things that I should take into consideration or think about as I make this decision?

 

[arapahoepark]

Our own @Alan D. Strange teaches church history at MARS. And @py3ak went there too. So I am sure they'll put a plug in for it.
At Charlotte I'd love to study under Kruger and Cara too. Exceptional NT scholars, not that MARS doesn't have those too.

 

[Nathan B]

Our own @Alan D. Strange teaches church history at MARS. And @py3ak went there too. So I am sure they'll put a plug in for it.
At Charlotte I'd love to study under Kruger and Cara too. Exceptional NT scholars, not that MARS doesn't have those too.

Yes, absolutely superb professors, If I went to MARS, I would probably go to the same Church that Dr. Strange goes to - First OPC of South Holland.

Dr. Wingard told me when I visited RTS Jackson, a lot of times choosing seminaries is being like a kid going into a candy store.

 

[Alan D. Strange]

@Nathan B

We'd certainly be pleased to have you over at Mid-America. We do have the Center for Missions and Evangelism, under the direction of Dr. Eric Watkins, and we have PCA students and many PCA contacts (I've been on the GCP Board for 25 years), for the best sort of cross-pollination/fertilization. Please check into this.

As for going to the church at which I'm a pastor, you'd be quite welcome, though I'd think you'd want to go to a local URCNA. We have many good URCNA's near the seminary (as well as the other NAPARC denominations).

I will leave RTS-Charlotte to speak to its own merits, but those men you cite are fine NT scholars. We have a particularly good one in Marcus Mininger, who favorably compares to any other NT scholar. In my view, he is one of the leading confessionally Reformed Pauline scholars, a true successor to Richard B. Gaffin.

I appreciate the humorous quote from my old friend Charlie Wingard. Quite right. It is a real privilege that we have in this country--much fine theological training is available. May the Lord guide you in all your kingdom preparation and service.

Peace,
Alan

 

[ZackF]

Yes, absolutely superb professors, If I went to MARS, I would probably go to the same Church that Dr. Strange goes to - First OPC of South

Dr. Wingard told me when I visited RTS Jackson, a lot of times choosing seminaries is being like a kid going into a candy store.

I think it is easy for us Americans to forget that is not the case in most other places.

 

[Polanus1561]

you are URCNA.. I think MARS ought to be a clearer favorite.

 

[TheInquirer]

Granted I took classes online but I would rank Krueger at the very top and Cara near the bottom of the professors I had. If James Anderson is still at that campus, I would put him near the top as well.

 

[Blood-Bought Pilgrim]

Granted I took classes online but I would rank Krueger at the very top and Cara near the bottom of the professors I had. If James Anderson is still at that campus, I would put him near the top as well.

I second this-- the online classes I had with those three were incredible, and I'm sure their on-campus classes are even better. Cara in particular is one of the most interesting and helpful lecturers I have had the privilege of sitting under.