Recommended Reading
From Amazon.com: "Christians should evaluate philosophy by biblical criteria. This will shed greater light on the developments in the history of philosophy and better prepare us for the intellectual challenges of our time. The fall of Adam brought intellectual as well as moral corruption on the human race, and the effects of the fall can be seen in the work of philosophers, most of whom try to understand the world autonomously through reasoning apart from God's revelation. Some philosophers have appealed to God's revelation, but their work has often been compromised with the wisdom of the world. Revelation should inform reason, and not the other way round. In the past, even Christian theology was corrupted by the movement toward intellectual autonomy, creating the tradition of liberalism, which has unhappily dominated academic theology down to the present day. But there is hope a new generation of Christian thinkers take God's Word seriously. Frame's unique new contribution augments that process."
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Hood Theological Seminary
Hood Theological Seminary Quick Facts
Denominational Affiliation
African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Founded
1879
Theological Orientation
Moderate
Degrees Offered
MDiv; MTS; DMin
Number of Students
c. 181
Tuition Costs for 2018 - 2019
$600/hr
Location
Salisbury, NC
School URL
hoodseminary.edu
Introduction to Hood Theological seminary
Named after AME Zion Church Bishop and school founder James Walker Hood, Hood Seminary had humble beginnings as the Zion Wesley Institute. A move to Salisbury, NC in 1882 brought a new president (Joseph C. Price) and a new name, Livingstone College. In time, the college and seminary would become separate, and in 2001 the seminary assumed independent operations. A new campus and unprecedented growth marked the beginning of the 21st century and a new period of development for Hood Theological Seminary.
Academic Life
Hood offers three academic degrees (two masters and one doctoral) - the MDiv, MTS, and DMin. Both the MDiv and MTS are offered in either Track I or Track II formats. Track I is the traditional program (two year for the MTS, three for the MDiv) and meets Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Track II classes are designed for working or commuting students and meet on Friday and Saturday. As you would expect, the track II programs take a bit longer to complete.
The seminary divides its courses into the following five areas: Biblical Studies, History of Christianity, Theology and Ethics, Religion and Society, and Pastoral Theology. Students in both master's-level programs have three components to their programs: basic courses, electives, and a research project. The DMin requires 35 credit hours, including a major research project.
Student Life
A relatively small seminary, HTS hopes that its faculty, students, and staff will engage each other in Christian community outside of the normal "work" of the school. This community is forged in many ways, including group participation in worship, which takes place Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Opportunities for students to participate in worship are available, including either preaching or assisting in the liturgy.
Of course, there is no better way to build community than by sharing a
good meal, so Hood Seminary comes together for a common meal on Tuesdays
through Thursdays from 12:10 pm - 1:00 pm. Further opportunities for
fellowship include the Seminary Choir, the Student Government
Association, and the Christian Educators Fellowship.
While a relatively small community, the Salisbury, NC area has much to offer seminary students. There is the Salisbury Symphonic Orchestra as well as a chamber ensemble devoted to Baroque music. Within a reasonably short drive there are a number of museums, regular musical performances, theaters, parks, lakes, local sports teams, and many historical outings. And for you Andy Griffith fans, you're only an hour away from Mt. Airy, Griffith's home town and inspiration for the town Mayberry.
Housing
HTS offers numerous housing options for its students (currently 57 single and double rooms). The rooms all offer basic amenities such as microwave and refrigerator. Shared laundry facilities are also available. For students who elect to live off-campus, it's worth noting that the cost of living in Salisbury is incredibly affordable, particularly compared to other college (and seminary) towns.
Financial Aid
Through the generosity of its donors (particularly the AME Zion Church), the costs of attending HTS are far lower than they would be otherwise. In addition to subsidized tuition, students are eligible for further assistance based on both merit and need. The seminary awards grants-in-aid, tuition remission (based in part on employment at the Seminary), scholarships (based on merit), and government-sponsored student loans. Specific prizes based on merit are also distributed each year.
Location
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