More Female Students at Southeastern:

by   Alison Wiseman                                                                                                                                  Vol. X, No. 6, June/July 1997

       When in June 1987 conservatives achieved a majority on the trustee board at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SE), Wake Forest, NC, and especially when the infamous "fundamentalist" Dr. Paige Patterson was elected president, those of a different persuasion claimed that women would spurn SE. Women were not supposed to feel at home in the "narrow-minded" world of conservative theology that stifled "women's rights." Yet despite the negative forecasts, female enrollment has risen steadily since 1993. The female student population grew by 69% from fall 1995 to fall 1996, from 147 to 248.

In addressing the issue of male-female equality, Patterson says, “The fact that the very earliest verses of Genesis emphasize full equality, dignity, and opportunity for women.” Patterson contends that equality of essence does not mean identical assignments. “Men, not women, are assigned spiritual headship in home and church, but such role assignments are no more demeaning than the roles assigned children or the role of the general populace relative to the magistrate,” he said.

These days the women enrolling at SE seem to have different priorities than some of the women who attended the school 10 or 15 years ago. According to a recent campus survey, most women described themselves as supporters and nurturers. They recognize their role as different, yet equally important. Instead of taking on the God-ordained role of a man, their goals are to fill the gaps with their God-given strengths as women.

Many of the current female students said SE was the only seminary they considered attending. A theologically conservative school with an emphasis on missions, sound biblical teaching, and the presence of the Holy Spirit were among the qualities SE women cited as their reasons for enrolling. The most popular degree program among women remains Christian education where 35% of the women are enrolled. Slightly more than 27% are pursuing degrees in Christian counselling. The third program most chosen by women is the master of divinity at 17.1%. Five percent of women enrolled in degree programs are working on a master of divinity in church planting.

SE’s female student population is expected to continue to rise. Currently a proposed master’s program in women’s studies from a biblical perspective is being reviewed. This new program could begin by fall 1997. [BP]