RA or State Accredited Bible School to test out theology?

Hey all,

I know COSC, TESC and Excelsior will allow a lot of testing-0ut for academic classes, but what Bible college (RA or state accredited) will allow one to test-out the Bible courses for a BA or BS?

Thanks,

Starkman

 

This may or may not be relevant, but the University of London offers a Bachelor of Divinity that can be done entirely by exam, and where an English New Testament track is now available. (Students were previously required to learn Greek and/or Hebrew.) It's possible to base the biggest chunk of the program on biblical studies, and you'd be walking out with a credential that serves as the academic component of ordination requirements in Commonwealth countries.


Cheers,

 

Thanks mucho, Tom!

Oh, and say, are these courses transferable to a US school? I know there's some differences in the layout of the degrees, but can the courses be considered commenserable for transfer?

Starkman

 

Two questions

Hey all,

Two questions about the U of L:

First, I'm interested in the Diploma of Theology. Has anyone taken it? If so, what was it like, particularly, say, in view of a set of courses comparable here in the states by an accredited theological university?

Second, are there any drawbacks to a Bach of Divinity (or rather, the Diploma of Theology) at U of L that I would encounter here in the states (you know, the "it's not accredited according to our standards" thing)?

RATS! Three questions I have:
Third, can anyone tell me something about the pros/cons of U of L and Lond Bible College? Remember, that the U of L, I'd probably only do the Diploma and not the Bach of Div.

Thanks all,

Starkman

 

Probably the most demanding

Along with the Lambeth Diploma of Student in Theology (STh) course offered by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the London BD, in my view, and I have studied most of them, is the most exacting 'academic', non-denominational theology degree programme int he world, esprcially if taken as an external student. It is an 'academic' degree, not one that hides behind a particular doctrine or religious group's way of looking at Gord, the world and so forth. It is an 'academic' degree without bias. You can study 'bias and interpretation of texts' but the programme itself does not offer anything other than an analytical and critical study of (mainly) Christianity.

telfax

 

U of London affiliation

Isn't Heythrop College (where the BD program is taught) a Jesuit school? Without criticising their theology, I would think they would definitely have their own set of theological distinctives.

 

Here's a snippet from the Heythrop College website:

• Its roots lie in the Roman Catholic tradition and this continues to shape its present character. The present funding for the College comes in large part from the British Jesuit Province and is an expression of its commitment to teaching and scholarship in philosophy and theology. While a majority of the theology lecturers are Catholic, the staff is ecumenical in having members of other Christian traditions on its staff of scholars and teachers.

 

no bias?

Saying that a school provides an "academic degree without bias" is somewhat misleading. If you teach without bias, it presupposes that you either know the absolute truth, or that nobody disagrees with you.

There are numerous schools of thought within Christianity, on countless issues. Every school takes a stand on particular issues. In the U of L prospectus, they refer to Deuteronomy being written in 750-700 BC, which precludes the possibility of Mosaic authorship. They also refer to "deutero-Isaiah", a theory that 2 people 200 years apart authored Isaiah. Without passing judgment, these are modernist theories presented as a given, which many scholars disagree with. Therefore, U of L displays bias, which is not inherently bad.

There are divinity schools (both denominational and those built around certain doctrines) which are academically rigorous. I have my own opinions as to which are doctrinally sound, but of course that too is based on . . . bias.

 

DGI,

Say, please post your thoughts on the schools of divinity you think are worth noting. I'd appreciate the information.

Thanks,

Starkman

 

Starkman,

With what I know of you and the place in which you find yourself theologically, I think you would find the program at London Bible College (to which you refer above) to be a source of great fulfillment to you.

A degree from that institution would be warmly received throughout the evangelical community here in the states (and around the world, for that matter). It is a first-rate school with much to offer.

Cory Seibel

 

Thanks very much, Corey,
I appreciate it.

Starkman

 

Re: Probably the most demanding

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HelloTelfax:

I would really be interested to have a discussion with a prof who teaches "Christianity" who does so with no biases.

Simply because it is done without being denominationally driven does not mean is done with no preconceptions or no convictions or no slanting toward one theological camp.

If such a prof is teaching, say, Systematic Theology, what are the texts? What are the collateral readings? Is Wesleyanism there represented? Is Dispensationalism? Is Covenant Theology? Is Greek Orthodoxy? Are Barth, Tillich, and Chas Hodge all there? Were these and all the others NOT
covered, then how can the class be taught without bias? Isn't it biased to exclude?

Or if the class is Bible the grammaticisms applied or not applied will influence the interpretations. What is the significance of the second "theos" in John 1:1 lacking the article? What is the correct text in 1:18 and does "monogenes" there really indicate essentiation? If such issues are not addressed and answers honestly sought has bias not occured?One's theology drives ones exegetics as McGrath's lecture in '98 at the University of Durham on that Gospel and monotheism demonstrates ( www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/5490/6thform ). And to some this is how it should be. Others say exegetics should control theology. Which view is
biased?
With all due respect, Telfax, to your obvious erudition, I will submit that to teach Christian doctrine without any bias seems to me to be bordering on the impossible and I'm not sure either of it being desirable. Further, I suggest that to be convinced of something and to make that conviction known is not hiding. I would be glad to privately or on a different forum discuss my views..I am not in hiding!

Or perhaps, I seek only to justify my own predispositions and am jealous of those who function so saintly without any?

 

Different approach!

Alright! I take on board what you guys are stating. However, over all, I think the London BD degree syllabus is the most 'academic' as distinct from 'biased from a doctrinal view' theology programme there is! Oaky, it's member collehge is essentiallt Roman Catholic and I cannot underatand why King's College (mainly Anglican) never took 'charge of the BD' because that college was the 'keeper' of the BD and was regarde as the centre of 'theolgical excellence' for years at London.

All this stated, the London BD syllabus goes cedntre-square and does allow for alternative views about almost everything however doctrinally or theologically screwed up ceratin groups may be! In EVERY discipline there is a 'middle road' amd there is in the ACADEMIC study of theology and/or the bible/christianity/Judaism without thjere being any church or doctrinal bias being present. Of course, even as an independent scholar anyone will come on down on one particular side or another. All I am arguing is that, in my view, the London BD programme, offers one of the most non-doctrinal, academically sound programmes available anywhere based on the most up to date biblical textual analysis.

I'll stop here.

telfax
telfax

 

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Howdy Starkman:

I've an idea for you! Why not simply email Western or Fuller or Westminster and ask the respective registrars.

Say, If I get a BD from London all by exam, will you let me into the MTh or PhD or whatever your goal is. Shonuff Trinity (Ind) will let you in. Find out if the others would. Only an email away.

 

Re: Re: Probably the most demanding

Now, Bill let us not go overboard here. The fact of the matter is that any Calvinist theologian is quite capable of teaching without any doctrinal bias. The reason for this is that they are able to present the unbiased biblical truth. Failure to comprehend this simple fact is demonstrative of the fact that the hearer does not have divine election. Such being the case they would do well to simply accept that while they cannot comprehend it, it nonetheless is biblically sound and unbiased........ in short *the truth*.

North
(who has elected to go get another diet Coke from the fridge)

 

Re: Re: Re: Probably the most demanding

777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777

"Our true wisdom is to embrace with meek docility, and without reservation, whatever the Scriptures have delivered."

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion,Book 1, Chapter 28

I have that towards which I am even more biased than I am in my bent toward Calvinism.

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: Probably the most demanding

There we go. Words of wisdom.

John Calvin is actually quite an interesting figure from history. Instituted public education in Geneva, safety & sanitation codes, etc.

North

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Probably the most demanding

And also quite a stringent code of conduct, which would no doubt be beneficial for DegreeInfo.

"What? But Officer, I didn't mean to use profanity on DegreeInfo, I was only describing that degree mill."

"Sorry, You have violated Article 4, Section 43.87 of the Calvinist Penal Code. That mandates a public flogging."

 

Yeah, but the flogging would need to be a virtual flogging done at a distance via the internet. So I'll take my chances...

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Probably the most demanding

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Admit it, Russell, you would renounce your Arminian inclinations if only you could recede into time and become a Calvin-cop.