tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post3860496857202119536..comments2024-03-10T10:54:59.776-07:00Comments on Ben Witherington: Canny Carnoustie and Delightful DurhamBen Witheringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-76020451249863791522008-01-29T09:27:00.000-08:002008-01-29T09:27:00.000-08:00Hi Michael:Of course the answer to your question d...Hi Michael:<BR/><BR/>Of course the answer to your question depends on what you've already got under your belt and on your CV. I don't think you need multiple masters, one is enough, but if the goal is just academic teaching, then an M.A. in Biblical studies with a good concentration on the languages and exegesis and theology should do the job on either side of the water. You will need to know German and French as well-- reading knowledge of theological sources in those languages. <BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/><BR/>Ben W.Ben Witheringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-15457954302902999492008-01-29T08:34:00.000-08:002008-01-29T08:34:00.000-08:00What would you supposed to be the best course to p...What would you supposed to be the best course to plot in trying a degree at a place like Durham (or any of the various schools mentioned)? For instance, an MA or MDiv here (U.S.)...then another MA of special interest and language studies...and then apply to Durham? I've heard that you need a lot more language proficiency and knowledge to jump into doctoral work on the other side of the pond. Can you add you two cents for me?Mike Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08968049104737268713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-16267173170575103492008-01-28T10:08:00.000-08:002008-01-28T10:08:00.000-08:00How nice to read all these good comments about Dur...How nice to read all these good comments about Durham. I am undoubtedly biased, but I think that the northern counties of England contain some of the lovliest places in the world. That being said, they also contain my hometown, Sunderland, which is far from lovely. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing your story with us, Ben.eddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08844547375595007385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-89150669170781040382008-01-23T10:31:00.000-08:002008-01-23T10:31:00.000-08:00Durham is absolutely lovely. I took an MA in Theol...Durham is absolutely lovely. <BR/><BR/>I took an MA in Theology & Religion there last year, and moved down to Cambridge this fall to start my PhD studies. Not a day passes without our wishing we were back in Durham; the air and spirit of this gorgeous town is simply unbeatable.David Nyströmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01455508993588388990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-87245747038724142482008-01-23T04:14:00.000-08:002008-01-23T04:14:00.000-08:00Thank you Dr Witherington. Sounds great as a Anglo...Thank you Dr Witherington. Sounds great as a Anglo-wannabe-Methodist. I actually remember reading one of David Wilkinson's books. God blessUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04966094280731041932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-25915083703982388902008-01-23T01:31:00.000-08:002008-01-23T01:31:00.000-08:00In my feed-reader, this comment shows up just abov...In my feed-reader, this comment shows up just above the news from Logos that <A HREF="http://www.logos.com/products/prepub/details/3676" REL="nofollow">a number of your works</A> will be available in Logos format soon. <BR/><BR/>Great news - I am using your volume on Corinthians for an essay at the moment! Unfortunately, the essay will be due in before the books are released in electronic format...<BR/><BR/>Glad you are enjoying yourself over here in England.Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11824013233238439906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-67347940431188718042008-01-22T17:42:00.000-08:002008-01-22T17:42:00.000-08:00Hi Chris:I do indeed recommend Durham for you, and...Hi Chris:<BR/>I do indeed recommend Durham for you, and for you to contact my friend David Wilkinson, the principal at St. John's college. Yes indeed they have the degree you speak of, and the atmosphere at John's college is both ecumenical and decidedly evangelical in the best sense of the word. Anglicans and Methodists get on well there, and benefit from the cross fertilization.<BR/><BR/>BW3Ben Witheringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-52066126923464213172008-01-22T14:29:00.000-08:002008-01-22T14:29:00.000-08:00Ah, Durham! I'm currently serving as a Methodist ...Ah, Durham! I'm currently serving as a Methodist 'missionary' in West Yorkshire, but I grew up on Tyneside, and Durham is one of our favourite places. You'll probably know the story of how the site of the cathedral was chosen: the monks wandering with Cuthbert's bones on their long flight from the Vikings followed a cow, and decided that where the cow lay down they would rebury the saint and build a cathedral. The cow just happened to lie down in the most fortifiable spot in the north of England...<BR/><BR/>I met Kingsley Barrett a few times when I served in a circuit in Northumberland; he came every year to speak to a fellowship group. He was always a delight - warm, erudite, learned, humble, eminently approachable. I couldn't get away from the fact that this delightful man was one of the best and most famous NT scholars in the world. I remembered an interview with him in the 'Epworth Review' in which it was said he loved going out to preach in the little mining villages of County Durham. In one conversation he described himself as "historian by nature, theologian by grace." Lovely. Glad you had the chance to be there, Ben. Thanks for giving me another taste of home...Rev Tony Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09248241050776947372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-76714797905389531972008-01-22T14:13:00.000-08:002008-01-22T14:13:00.000-08:00Dr Witherington,I'm currently considering a theolo...Dr Witherington,<BR/><BR/>I'm currently considering a theology degree, but don't know where to do it (I live in the UK). Would you recommed Durham University? Do they do a decent Philosophy with Theology degree? <BR/><BR/>Very much appreciate your excellent blog.<BR/><BR/>(I'm a conservative (not strict inerranist) Christian who would appreciate somewhere without Hector Avalovians) God bless :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04966094280731041932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-32336240381490922832008-01-22T08:22:00.000-08:002008-01-22T08:22:00.000-08:00Oh my word, I cannot even believe that Francis Wat...Oh my word, I cannot even believe that Francis Watson moved from Aberdeen to Durham! Now it is DEF. on the top of the UK list (and so long to Aberdeen, it would seem, haha)! (I absolutely love Paul and the Hermeneutics of Faith, as well as Text and Truth.) Thank you for the head's up, and for your thoughts on the matter. I agree with you that all of those factors are of the utmost importance. Have a nice week!<BR/>Shalom,<BR/>SarahSarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15931156548697185481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-65847184988094621492008-01-22T03:37:00.000-08:002008-01-22T03:37:00.000-08:00Hi Sarah:There are numerous factors that put a sch...Hi Sarah:<BR/><BR/>There are numerous factors that put a school like Durham or St. Andrews at the top of the list: 1) there is the spiritual ethos. You are mostly dealing with devout Christian scholars who genuinely care about you and your work, and your relationship with God; 2) Durham and St. Andrews both have some fine Christian Churches, and a good group of evangelical students to make up a support network; 3) Durham in particular has ministerial training in John's College, including Methodist training as well as Anglican. Living in Johns is like living in a Christian college. It's great and supplements what the larger University and the theology department can offer; 4) both Durham and St. Andrews are nicely remote from the distractions of London, Oxford, or Cambridge (both of the latter are too close to London). Doctoral work is easier without the distractions and tourist stuff as well. 5) Durham not only has a great legacy, it now has on staff John Barclay, Francis, Watson, Walter Moberley, Loren Stuckenbroeck, plus Dunn and Barrett are still around as well, as is Tom Wright. It's hard to do better than that anywhere. 6) Oxford and Cambridge are more expensive, and the cost of living in those places more expensive than in Durham. St. Andrews is also better than Oxford and Cambridge on cost. I could go on, but you catch my drift,<BR/><BR/>Ben W.Ben Witheringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-8435660909990408362008-01-21T23:16:00.000-08:002008-01-21T23:16:00.000-08:00Wow, thanks for sharing your amazing postgrad expe...Wow, thanks for sharing your amazing postgrad experiences at Durham! There is a part of me that cannot help but hope against hope that it somehow manages to work out for me to study in England (and Durham is at the top of the list). I am curious to hear, though, the reasoning for your claim that Durham is still one of the best theology departments. It seems to me like you might be basing this judgment on something beyond the scholars that make up the department (though, no doubt, that is also very important), and if you are, I would be very interested to hear about the other factors that you have found to be particularly excellent about it.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15931156548697185481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-88542989271227205632008-01-21T17:45:00.000-08:002008-01-21T17:45:00.000-08:00Well the current Bishop and I discussed reconnoite...Well the current Bishop and I discussed reconnoitering but he was at a conference outside of Durham and could not get away. Besides, he and Maggie had just visited us in Lexington in November.<BR/><BR/>BW3Ben Witheringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-14809245731014573042008-01-21T17:15:00.000-08:002008-01-21T17:15:00.000-08:00Did you get to visit with the current Bishop?Did you get to visit with the current Bishop?Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07730380523612763354noreply@blogger.com