Newbie's Thoughts on Trinity Theo. Sem.

Hello everyone!

I have been reading, with great interest, the forums at degreeinfo.com for a long time. I have especially been interested in the discussions regarding Trinity Theological Seminary out of Newburgh, IN. As a current Trinity student and full-time pastor, I chose Trinity so that I could continue my studies without neglecting my ministry or my family. I graduated with a B.A. Ministry from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College (www.ccbbc.edu), a school that acheived full accredidation from the SACS. I was a student as they went through the evaluation process and I have some ideal of what they are looking for. I respectfully disagree with those who think Trinity is the same Trinity from years ago--it has changed. It would not acheive candidate status with the NCA had it not improved its standards. As far as the workload is concerned, it is about twice as much as I did at Clear Creek. Clear Creek took about 2 1/2 to 3 years to acheive SACS status. My class was the first to benefit from R.A. I do think that Trinity will achieve RA status and they will do so rightfully. Thank you for allowing me to share with you and I really enjoy the board!

Steve

 

Thank you for your post. I remain deeply sceptical of TTS, but the more firsthand and current information, the better.

 

Uncle Janko,

Thanks for responding. I don't make any arguements that they had a questionable past, but I do think improvements are being made. I wrote about 100 pages total for my papers in the first class. That was more than I ever did at Clear Creek!

Steve

 

I've already expressed my opinions repeatedly on this which a use of the search function will indicate. Unless I need to clarify those sentiments , feel provoked, or receive new info I have nothing to add.

Good "luck."

 

Bill,

While I disagree with some of your concerns, I know that all of us draw upon our experiences. I am so sorry that yours wasn't the best. Thanks for sharing!

Steve

 

Greetings gbcpastor!

I too am deeply skeptical about Trinity's future... although I willfully admit to having great hope for their complete turn-around (specifically, academic standards and business practices) and... eventual... regional accreditation!?

The question that remains foremost in my mind is whether Trinity will offer future graduates (for a price of course) cute little stickers for their degree diplomas touting their RA status???

(Sorry, I just couldn't help myself!)

As a side note, I would be EXTREMELY interested in their D.A. program IF they did some serious revisions to content and standards, to include the embracing of the original D.A. concept of focusing on scholarly teaching!

In the mean time I am checking out Lubbock Christian University's M.Div. program for my future theological and ministry education desires...

 

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My principal issue was the ongoing lying. If that does not bother you that's fine.

 

Bill,

This is yet another serious issue... one question might be whether the school administration has changed faces... another might be what is the motivation for their RA accreditation venture... In the end it might just come down to the concept of Christian repentance...

But you really are right... can a bad apple be a good apple even after the cosmetic shine has been applied? Unethical motivations (greed) allows for relapse... I can only hope that the accreditation decision process probes deeply into Trinity to go beyond the simple shine on the apple into the soul of the school administration to determine the condition of their hearts.

 

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Has there been any public acknowledgement of those offences as the NT suggests? Or should it be thought enough to change leadership and/or seek RA and that covers those years of deception ?

 

Bill and Bruce,

Clearly you have deep feelings on this issue. All I'm saying is that from what I've seen, the standards they have are tougher than other regionally accredidated schools. At no point in the process did anyone at Trinity lie to me about anything. Could it be within the realm of possibility that Trinity is actually making progress !

Bill, I'm a minister, I don't believe in "luck"...he he.

Bruce, the degree I have from Clear Creek is RA and it was made retroactive to a couple of months earlier. I did not receive a "sticker" for it. I received a letter from SACS stating that my degree had an RA endorsement. I would imagine Trinity and the NCA would do the same.

Nothing like a spirited debate, huh guys?

Have a good one!

Steve

 

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Me and FIBBER McGee, vintage 2001



re: accreditation: Trinity has "global accreditation" [2001 TTS Catalogue, p. 23]

COMMENT:

a) Trinity's accreditation is a hoax {Steve Levicoff, alt.educ 12-09-98]

b) Trinity's accreditation is a "major misrepresentation." [John Bear,alt. ed. 12-03-2000].

c) The Liverpool claim is a "sham." [Jason Baker, alt.ed, 10-13-98}

d) The liverpool claim causes a lot of confusion. [Walston, Christian Guide, p. 42]/

When I pointed out these expert opinions , which were contrary to the TTS claim, to the TTS VP on T-Delta Forum ,I was told that these really didn't know what they were talking about , and I was banned.



2. re quality: "unparalled excellence" {same 2001 catalogue}

COMMENT: hahahahahahahaha






3 re utility: Liverpool means whole new range of transfer of credits and degrees.[the Lowe definition, p.5]

COMMENT: Right and the tooth fairy brought me a buck last nite.

 

Bill,

Obviously you have had much more contact with TTS than I... and I trust that the accreditation process will "flush out" the current issues in TTS's attempt to become RA.

No one (reasonable) is going to doubt the past transgressions of TTS... TTS's past speaks for itself... but I do believe that people (and schools) can repent of their sins... Let's just hope that they're serious with what they're doing.

gbspaster: The comment I made referenced TTS's selling of Liverpool stickers for their graduate's diplomas... The comment was not meant to be serious...

 

Bruce,

Sorry I didn't catch that...egg on my face!

Bill, I can't argue with you on what you said, but I had enough sense to know a school can't "accredit" itself. That's just silly!

I also appreciate your sense of humor. I just guess we'll have to sit back and see what happens.


Steve

 

A sense of humor is very important, especially within the context of heated - but respectful debate! And I assure you, there are many interested folks here sitting on the edge of their computer chairs just waiting to see if TTS becomes RA...

 

To gbcpastor,

Greetings, I'm also a student at Trinity and have found that the courses are very substantial and more rigorous than compared to other schools that have I have taken courses from.

Furtheremore, I agree with you that when ever I needed any information and or question answered, the faculty at Trinity have been honest and straightforward, as far as I can tell.

And as far as past history is concerned, well, I cannot comment on thier past accredidation issuses or policies.
However, it does seem like Trinity is trying to correct things with RA, but we'll have to wait and see!

All the best, in Christ,

Rich Hartel

A.A. in Theological Studies, Trinity College of the Bible (present)

 

It's "semi-comforting" to hear about positive experiences with the "new" TTS... Don't be too offended if some old die-hards (myself included - on occasion) exhibit aggressive behavior or disbelief towards TTS...

I truly do hope that TTS renews itself with authentic sincerity and puts their shady past way behind them... and I concur with Bill Grover, a public confession would go a long way in attempting to establish respectability within the audience of critics that inhabit this forum...

I would also like to encourage current students to periodically provide status reports to this forum as they progress through the program so that we might see the possibility of positive actions by TTS!

 

Since TTS appears to be gaining a modicum of institutional credibility, perhaps Masters Divinity School will follow a similar course.

 

My problems with Trinity in its present state are as follows:

1) They have never admitted that they had completely bogus accreditation -- Strike One.
2) They still own and run a blatant degree mill (MDS) -- Strike Two.
3) They have never refunded me over $1,000 they owe -- Strike Three.

Their out!

BLD

 

Sorry -- "their" should be "they're"

Why don't I ever catch these things until it's too late to edit?