SE Returning to Classical Theological Education

by Dwayne Hastings                                                                                                       Vol. VIII, No. 2, February 1995

Students who began Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall 1994 have entered under a newly revised master of divinity degree program. The changes are part of a larger ongoing effort by the seminary to recast and bolster its various degree programs, moving the seminary back to a classical theological curriculum.

President Paige Patterson said, "The changes in the seminary's course requirements represent our desire to prepare students to fulfill God's calling in their lives when they leave Southeastern. The seminary is under an obligation to insure that its graduates are able to discern, defend and proclaim God's revealed truth in whatever area of ministry he leads them."

L. Russ Bush, dean of the faculty, said a primary motivation of the faculty was to arrive at a curriculum that best prepared students to be leaders in churches in the midst of a rapidly changing society. He said, "We attempted to determine, to the best of our judgment, what pastors and other ministers will really need to be effective in the 21st century."

Pastoral ministry candidates will now be required to complete six hours in biblical Hebrew and six hours in elementary Greek. Course work in church management and administration, and the teaching ministry of the local church also will be a part of the students' schedule.

In addition, they will complete a practicum in personal evangelism and sermon preparation and delivery.

The master of divinity foundational core, those subjects required of all master of divinity students, will be enhanced by the addition of required courses in Christian missions, basic evangelism and Christian philosophy. Students will still choose to concentrate in either pastoral ministries, Christian education, or church music in this degree program.

Bush notes the curriculum is "more coherent than before. A person who comes to Southeastern now has a very definite curriculum to follow. Yet there are still allowances for diversity." The curriculum also provides for "more consistency in the educational process," said Bush. "Professors will be able to presume a certain level of knowledge based on a student's year in the seminary. It will improve the ability for us to teach in our specialized courses."

Ben Johnson, professor of music, noted the master of divinity degree program continues to offer a concentration in church music. "It is particularly designed for the student who anticipates being called to a church for music responsibilities in addition to other ministry such as Christian education or pastoral counseling."

Bruce Powers, professor of Christian education, said the Christian education track of the master of divinity likewise "offers many opportunities for preparation in Christian ministry for those not called to pastor. This track allows a student 33 hours to prepare for staff group work, church development, or counseling positions."

He added, 'Persons called to small-church ministry may find the master of divinity with Christian education degree the best all-around preparation available for bivocational or part time pastors who must 'do it all.'"

All master of divinity candidates are required to earn 94 credit hours, up from the previous 88 hours. The doctor of ministry program has likewise been expanded, requiring 36 hours instead of the former 28 hours. [BP]