How attractive is Baylor now for NT studies?

A commenter on a previous post asked me if the new acquisition of Bruce Longenecker will have a positive impact on Baylor’s rankings as a place to do NT PhD studies.  Well, for some time now I have been impressed with Baylor and I once considered applying there (but my own GRE scores were…less than ideal!).  I am publishing an article (coming out in 2009) in Baylor’s Perspectives in Religious Studies because I think it is a journal that puts out very good stuff (though not on the level of NTS or NovT).

Now, currently at Baylor is Charles Talbert and Mike Parsons -both excellent scholars who have constantly produce thoughtful pieces of research.  At the seminary (Truett) you have the rising start Todd Still whom I am privileged to call mentor and friend.  I have turned to him time and time again for advice.  And, of course, I have profited much from the scholarship of David Garland.  So Waco Texas has an excellent NT crew, but the recruiting of Longenecker I think will really catapult them onto a new plane.  Bruce has a sharp mind and now has the resources at his fingertips to do some really cutting-edge projects.

Baylor would be an attractive program especially for evangelicals who want to be part of a wider scholarly discussion (i.e. like those that go on at SBL) and benefit from good advanced coursework.  I am not sure if Baylor people are considered for jobs in secular universities or not.  If Bruce was at Baylor when I applied for PhD programs, I think I would have taken the GRE just one more time…