Thinking about a PhD in New Testament?
April 5, 2008
I just came across this article at the blog of Nijay Gupta, a PhD student at Durham University. It’s subjective, as is any advice concerning getting into PhD programs, but it is the most helpful, informative, and thorough bit of information on the subject that I’ve come across. Check it out!
April 7, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Wowsers, it is quite thorough. I have given that a tidbit of thought and have been pondering whether I would want to go to a first tier school or not. I still don’t know what God will have for me.
April 7, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Thought about any particular programs?
April 7, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Not really, it’s just been a thought bouncing around since I talked to Dr. Fipps. I would love to study in Europe but I think it would be cost prohibitive, and that article seems to confirm that. I thought of Princeton, but I don’t know how I would fair in such a liberal environment. I also thought of Dallas Theological. While it would limit me as to where I could teach, Dan Wallace would be a huge draw there.
But, an MDiv or a ThM could be the stopping point for me. I have a lot of praying to do to find out. And I think that I will be done with my MDiv in 2011 so I have plenty of time to find out.
What are your upcoming plans?
April 7, 2008 at 5:15 pm
In Fall 2009, I’ll begin another MA, either in Classics from U of Kentucky or in Early Christian Studies from Notre Dame. I’m not sure which would be the better for me at this point–each has different attractive aspects–so I’ll just apply to both and see what my options are. For the PhD, I’ve got a good-sized list of schools, but near the top of the list are Notre Dame, U of Virginia, UNC, and U of Sheffield.
I assume that by Princeton you mean PTS. I don’t think it would be too liberal for you. Princeton University, maybe. PTS, nah.
Studying in the UK certainly is expensive. I was looking very seriously at an MA at Sheffield, but I’ve now ruled that out since, among other reasons, it would be so much more expensive. I’d be more willing to fork over the money for the PhD, though.