WillOfAMonk
Puritan Board Freshman
I am new member to the Puritan Board, so I hope I have started this post in an appropriate thread. I could really use the help of your collective knowledge!
I have been struggling with the decision of which seminary to attend for a little while now, and I'm hoping that perhaps some of the fine folks here can help supply some much needed information.
First, a little about my search. I think the pressure to choose the “right” school is exacerbated by the fact that I had such a terrible experience getting my undergrad degree. I spent four years at a public university, and when it was all over, I don't feel like I was ever really challenged or given much of an opportunity to grow. Receiving my diploma was somewhat of a hollow victory; I had been handed a symbol without having first received the thing it symbolized. Following college, I spent several years trying to give myself the kind of education I felt I had missed out on.
This time around, I wanted to make sure that I didn't make the same mistake, especially because the stakes are even higher. What I learn in seminary will undoubtedly affect my understanding of theology, scripture, and God. I wanted to make sure that as I left seminary I would be sufficiently equipped to enter into ministry, and to eventually pursue my doctorate if I chose to. My desire was to find a theologically conservative school (e.g. one that affirmed the inerrancy and infallibility of the scriptures, etc.) that would be rich in substance and academically rigorous.
After much thought and prayer I decided on Westminster in Philadelphia (WTS). However, later I learned of WSCAL. Location wise, I'd much rather be in California, not only for the weather, but because I have family living both in San Diego and Anaheim. That being said, I don't want to make my seminary decision around issues of convenience or weather – I want to make my decision based on the quality of the education. I have studied both catalogues and websites and the curricula seem very similar. I've spoken to both admission offices. Both appear to be conservative schools, committed to the historic, reformed faith; they both emphasize studying the scriptures in the original languages, require multiple courses on doctrine, presuppositional apologetics, and would likely require reading many of the same authors (e.g. Calvin, Kline, Machen, Van Til, Vos, etc.). So, I see the similarities. What I haven't been able to find a clear answer to is what the differences are. What are their distinctive qualities? Do they emphasize different things? Are there any theological disagreements between them? What unique things do they each have to offer? If I chose one school, would there be anything I would miss out on by not going to the other? I feel like understanding their differences will help me be able to discern where I belong. I would love any information you could provide that might help me make an informed decision between these two schools. Thank you all so, so much.
I have been struggling with the decision of which seminary to attend for a little while now, and I'm hoping that perhaps some of the fine folks here can help supply some much needed information.
First, a little about my search. I think the pressure to choose the “right” school is exacerbated by the fact that I had such a terrible experience getting my undergrad degree. I spent four years at a public university, and when it was all over, I don't feel like I was ever really challenged or given much of an opportunity to grow. Receiving my diploma was somewhat of a hollow victory; I had been handed a symbol without having first received the thing it symbolized. Following college, I spent several years trying to give myself the kind of education I felt I had missed out on.
This time around, I wanted to make sure that I didn't make the same mistake, especially because the stakes are even higher. What I learn in seminary will undoubtedly affect my understanding of theology, scripture, and God. I wanted to make sure that as I left seminary I would be sufficiently equipped to enter into ministry, and to eventually pursue my doctorate if I chose to. My desire was to find a theologically conservative school (e.g. one that affirmed the inerrancy and infallibility of the scriptures, etc.) that would be rich in substance and academically rigorous.
After much thought and prayer I decided on Westminster in Philadelphia (WTS). However, later I learned of WSCAL. Location wise, I'd much rather be in California, not only for the weather, but because I have family living both in San Diego and Anaheim. That being said, I don't want to make my seminary decision around issues of convenience or weather – I want to make my decision based on the quality of the education. I have studied both catalogues and websites and the curricula seem very similar. I've spoken to both admission offices. Both appear to be conservative schools, committed to the historic, reformed faith; they both emphasize studying the scriptures in the original languages, require multiple courses on doctrine, presuppositional apologetics, and would likely require reading many of the same authors (e.g. Calvin, Kline, Machen, Van Til, Vos, etc.). So, I see the similarities. What I haven't been able to find a clear answer to is what the differences are. What are their distinctive qualities? Do they emphasize different things? Are there any theological disagreements between them? What unique things do they each have to offer? If I chose one school, would there be anything I would miss out on by not going to the other? I feel like understanding their differences will help me be able to discern where I belong. I would love any information you could provide that might help me make an informed decision between these two schools. Thank you all so, so much.
