Next year, I will be beginning some sort of master's degree. A master's degree in history, historical theology, and Biblical languages are currently the programs that I'm most considering. From there, I will pursue either a Ph.D. in Medieval Historical Theology or in Medieval History. I may or may not do a master's thesis. I want to do my doctorate dissertation on something concerning the Crusades.
Medieval History has for most of my life, always been my favorite subject. Though I have also considered a Ph.D. in New Testament in recent years, I have wanted to be a historian since I was fourteen years of age. At about fourteen, I gave my first lecture on history. My chosen topic was the American Civil War for a homeschool group that I was part of. Nevertheless, my study of New Testament topics and Biblical Studies, in general, has enriched my knowledge of Medieval Theology.
With my love for Medieval History, I spent much of my High School years desiring to do a degree in either Church History or general history. In 2019, I made an unexpected change, though, I decided to major in English literature. I don't regret that decision.
In many ways, majoring in English has been very informative to me. For example, I have learned more about grammar and writing from my degree. I have also got further acquainted with the great writers of the past. Indeed, I have also learned about publishing and editing---important tools to me in getting my books published. Studying the literature of the past has been a joyful experience. I see the English major as the most essential degree for anyone who wants to be a novelist. I'm proud of English literature degrees for increasing writers' creativity and analyzing skills. That said, history, has historically been my favorite subject. Had I not majored in English, I would feel more lost about where to proceed with my books in getting them published. English made me a better writer. History, however, is my chosen field to be a professor. In many ways, I consider English one of the best degrees on the market. By majoring in English and eventually doing graduate study in history, it allows me to get the best out of my two favorite disciplines of study.
Then there is seminary. I have had theological interest primarily since the age of thirteen. As my mother read me a book about Early Christianity and how the Early Christians were led by a plurality of elders, I began to question other forms of church government that I had seen that had not been based on this practice (particularly the single pastor with deacons and committee groups as is common in many Baptist Churches). By seventeen, my study of Early Christianity had enlightened me to the realization that the Early Christians had a view of the Eucharist very different from most contemporary Baptist Churches.
Unfortunately, it is far too common for people in many American churches to hold onto traditions that they were raised to believe and never question them. Many Presbyterians, Anglicans, Methodists, and Lutherans never examine the lack of historical evidence for baptism by sprinkling in the ancient church. Likewise, many Baptists assume what their pastors and theologians tell them about the Lord's Table as if these men were mini-popes.
I learned a long time ago that it's much easier to take someone else' word for what is correct theology rather than doing one's own research in the Bible and church history. Doing the latter is simply much harder.
Whether or not I end up a pastor or priest, I'm strongly convinced that a knowledge of Biblical languages and Biblical as well as Historical theology would benefit every believer. These are some reasons that I wish to pursue graduate studies in seminary as well.
I'm not certain whether I will be pursuing a master's in history or a master of arts in seminary. I will likely do the latter as I have pastoral intentions. I hope to learn at least some Greek and Hebrew for theological purposes. As a matter of interest, Historical Theology probably intrigues me more than learning Biblical languages though I do see great value in both.
In general, literature, history, and theology are my three main interests. I am quite likely that I will be pursuing a degree in each. Thankfully, Liberty allows those who get master's degrees in theology to still pursue a Ph.D. in history.
I've had a lifelong love for history. When I was a young boy, I would love to look at the pictures in Usborne Books concerning castles and knighthood. Before I moved to Knoxville TN in 2005, one of my closest friends in Jacksonville NC had a strong interest in the Arthurian legends as I did. We frequently played the Wars of Camelot. When I moved to Knoxville, though, most of the children that I interacted with had less interest in Medieval literature than I did. For several years thereafter, some of my interest in Medieval Times was detained as a result until I began writing my own novels on the Crusades in 2010.
Right now, I'm trying to get LU to add classes in Latin. Having taken two years of Latin in High School, I hope to be familiar enough with the Latin language to help my Medieval dissertation. I've wanted to be a formal researcher in Medieval Times for a long time. I'm coming closer now to that reality.
