Cheapest theology master's

I would suggest Global University. They are NA (DEAC) and RA (HLC).

Theologically, they are pentecostal. But I haven't seen a requirement to adhere to a particular theology (though they do require you to adhere to a statement on same sex relations).

I realize that a pentecostal school likely doesn't fit your requirements, but here's why I'm suggesting it:

1. To me, I have a very different view of what makes a seminary "fundamentalist" versus moderate versus liberal. In my opinion, Princeton falls in the center. On the liberal side I would probably place Pacific School of Religion. That spectrum is going to differ for a number of people for a number of different reasons. I, as a humanist, have a very different approach to religion than someone who is not a humanist.

2. It's cheap. $9k for an MA in Biblical or Ministerial Studies.

3. It isn't an M.Div. Let's face it. Online M.Divs are becoming almost as common as MBA programs. Everyone thinks they want an M.Div. If you don't want one, that significantly narrows the space.

4. The admission requirements seem pretty denominationally neutral. Consider the denominations listed on the admissions application for your "primary religious affiliation:" Assemblies of God
Other Pentecostal
Other Protestant
Roman Catholic
Other (specify)

What I will also say is that I don't see how, when or why SATS would be requiring you to affirm anything, in particular. I attended the University of Scranton. UofS also has a doctrine of faith which aligns with Catholic theology. I'm not Catholic. Nor were many of my classmates. There were no baptisms at the front door of St. Thomas Hall as you walked in. The school had a statement of faith but they welcomed people of all, or no, faith to attend.

So you can go out and find a school that perfectly agrees with your faith then awesome. Otherwise, you may need to simply work with a school that has a differing philosophy but gives you the freedom to disagree with them.

The latter is going to depend heavily upon the school and program. But Liberty also seems to leave a lot of the faith particulars ambiguous requiring a pretty minimal adherence to a set doctrine of faith to get into their seminary.

But if price is a major mitigating factor, then Global stands ready for you. It is also self-paced, so that's a plus if you're into self-paced learning.

I've never taken coursework at either. But with Global, the affordable price (and per-course payment) suggests to me that you could try out a course relatively risk free and see if it meets your needs and whether it adequately meshes with your personal theology.

 

happy hunting!

 

If you're open to a Lebanese program, the Antiochian Orthodox Church has a pretty interesting program. It's an M.A. in Applied Orthodox Theology so, no idea if that jives with your personal theology. But, it is neither fundamentalist nor liberal.

Tuition is $1,000 per year. Some residencies (in PA) and a thesis are required. But the awarding university seems to be fully accredited and it looks like it would provide an interesting experience throughout.

 

Thank you for that good and interesting suggestion. I would mostly want to use the degree for adjunct teaching purposes.

 

Because I don't believe in it. I don't believe it is a true doctrine.

 

Thanks for the suggestion about Global. I had considered them and have not ruled them out, and I do like the self-paced study, but paying out of pocket would be a problem.

 

I would consider it, and I have an affinity with many aspects of Orthodox theology. But I couldn't attend the residencies. I need something fully online, at this point.

 

If there is no substitutionary atonement, then there is no point in Christianity.

 

I'm just going to share this article and step away slowly.

 

That is not true. Penal Substitution was unknown and untaught prior to the 16 the century; Satisfaction was unknown and untaught prior to Anselm. For the first millennium, Ransom/Christus Victor was taught. This was the view of the earliest churches, along with Recapitulation, and it is still the view of the Eastern Orthodox Church and many Anabaptists.

 

I am very familiar with Derek Flood. He has several good articles on this subject.

 

If DEAC accreditation is okay, you may consider Grace Communion Seminary, they are Evangelical but not Fundementalist. Cost is $150 per credit hour so $450 for each course. No scholarships to my knowledge and they offer a Master of Pastoral Studies or a Master of Theological Studies.

 

For what I understand, this field is very competitive for adjunct teaching so a doctorate is common even for adjunct positions.
The excelsior college would probably cost under 10K if you transfer cheap credits from NU. Most other RA degrees are very expensive.
The south African route seems to be less expensive but more rigorous as it relies on a defense of thesis that might take too much of your time while the American options require for the most part course work.
Some programs require residency or other requires actual ministry experience.
Also, bear in mind that there is a difference between MS in theological studies and the MS in Theology. The MS theology many times requires a MDiv but this is the preferred degree for academic purposes, the MS in theological studies is more like a stepping stone towards the MDiv and I dont think will mean much for an academic career as it is really meant to have a general understanding of theology but does not require paper publishing or serious academic work.
The MS in theological studies would work for a high school teacher that wants to teach religion or someone that wants to become an ordained minister at a church that does not require the MDiv but I dont think will work for someone teaching at an undergraduate school unless you have already experience in the field (e.g. ordained minister).
At NU, the MS in theological studies is really meant for self improvement and not really for an academic or ministerial career. The MDiv seems to be ministerial route but it is a 3 year full time degree that also requires professional practice and not just academic work.

 

Thank you for this source, but I believe I would need RA.

 

Thank you. Your comments are helpful. More and more, I realize that it may be the case that what I seek is unrealistic.