Distance Learning in Theology

That's an excellent question, Bill. I think, however, that I'd frame it a bit differently. Instead of asking how it's demonstrable that other unaccredited seminaries do not equal the rigor of CBTS, perhaps we should ask what those other schools have historically done to prove equal rigor.

As you know, accredited North American research doctorates in biblical and theological studies require rigorous entrance exams in one's desired concentration. For example, the New Testament Studies department at DTS has a seven-fold entrance exam that requires proficiency in Greek grammar and syntax, textual criticism, NT history, NT theology, NT introduction, etc. The exams are followed by an interview with the members of the NT department, wherein any question about NT studies is fair game. Numerous CBTS graduates have cleared these hurdles sufficiently to enter the PhD program at DTS, and several of them have survived the entire process and earned a PhD or ThD from the seminary. When a number of students from a school like CBTS perform adequately, the school begins to acquire a certain reputation. Thus, I would submit that the acceptance of CBTS graduates by DTS is attributable to academic proficiency demonstrated over the past few decades, and not just the fact that CBTS maintains a curriculum that reflects a classical approach to theological education. Of course, I think the latter is what makes the former possible, but it's not the mere existence of the latter that counts.

I assume the same holds true for the acceptance of CBTS graduates by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I know one individual who earned a 4.0 GPA in both the MDiv and ThM programs at CBTS, and subsequently earned a PhD at TEDS. The director of PhD studies noted that this individual was the best doctoral student in theological studies throughout his tenure as a student. I think it's safe to say that TEDS will gladly continue to consider graduates of CBTS.

It's significant to note that CBTS is a fundamentalist school (and for those on this board who confuse the two, fundamentalism and evangelicalism are not one in the same), and neither DTS nor TEDS fit this description. Thus, these are not cases of one school accommodating another because of shared pet convictions. Though CBTS, DTS and TEDS share a common commitment to the essentials of historic Christianity (e.g., the infallibility of the Bible, the bodily resurrection of Christ, etc.), they do not necessarily toe the same lines on less important matters.

So, Bill, I think it's quite possible for other schools to establish sound academic reputations like that enjoyed by CBTS, but curriculum alone won't cut it. Academic rigor needs to be practically demonstrated over several years, and though there are a handful of unaccredited schools that have done just that, they are indeed rare.

 

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Specifically how to practice this rigor? IDEA: get the DTS pretests and teach to them? LOL

Nice to chat with you Ed, keep up the good work,

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accreditation for Central Seminary

I noticed in the Central Seminary catalog that they are pursuing accreditation. I called the school and they said it is with the American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries. They are not a DoE recognized body, but I notice that Maranatha (regionally accredited) is a member of this group.

Ed, Bill, are you familiar with AACCS?

 

Re: accreditation for Central Seminary

American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries is not an accrediting body. Appropriately, unaccredited member schools of which I'm aware (Pillsbury Baptist Bible College, Virginia Baptist College, FaithWay Baptist College, etc.) are careful to note that they are not accredited and/or are seeking accreditation (typically with TRACS or AABC). Accredited member schools (Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Clearwater Christian College) are careful to list their AACCS affiliation under memberships and not accreditation. It would be most unfortunate for CBTS to successfully pursue membership with AACCS and claim accreditation as a result.

 

Ed,

You were looking into Norm Geisler's school at one point. Have you decided to pursue the doctorate in Apologetics?

North

 

Furthermore, are you still in dialogue with London Bible College about the prospect of doing a PhD there?

Cory Seibel

 

North,

My inquiry was for professional rather than personal reasons.

Regards,

Ed

 

Cory,

Yes, I'm still in dialog with LBC. My proposal was accepted and I have been formally offered a place at the school, but there are some new financial wrinkles to iron out before I can proceed.

Regards,

Ed

 

Central Seminary accreditation

Ed,

Thanks for clearing up the status of the American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries. I called Central this morning and talked to Dr. Milliman. Apparently the secretary grabbed the wrong folder when I asked about them pursuing accreditation. According to Dr. Milliman, they are currently members of AACCS and are pursuing regional accreditation through North Central Association.

 

Re: Central Seminary accreditation

That's excellent news!

 

Re: Central Seminary accreditation

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Imagine that. CBTS and Trinity of Indiana aimed at a common goal. OK, on your mark, get set, go!! Where's the gamblers among us?

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'at dog won' hunt. NCA says never heard of Trinity.

 

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Now, now Uncle Janko, we all know the Trinity profession that they indeed are in the running for NCA accreditation. So what if NCA says they've never heard of them. Remember, faith is the evidence of things unheard!


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And since Trinity shares the honor of Nipsnick accreditation with Rev McIlvenna's swingers sex institute, where Newburgh's concerned it's...confidence in things obscene.

 

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Assuming sexual swingers are "inappropriate," Is Trinity condemned I wonder because of whom its "accreditor" approves? Are all in ATS theologically correct (to me paramount to ethically correct) or are all in NCA morally upright? Even we involved with TRACS have our closet, our secret "sins": (not that I'm confessing any, you understand!) But were I pure enough to, seriously now, not in the jesting we do here, judge Trinity, it would not be for its enrollment in NAPSNC( the accreditor?) and their fellowship with "sinners" in that capacity.

Nor would I ready my noose because Trinity demands so little of their students. I could talk at length on this! They require quite a bit, perhaps as much or more than some RA or TRACS schools in some degree programs (lessor chance of being comparable with PhD/ThD RA/GAAP programs).

No, what I would judge Trinity for is its misrepresentation of the utility of their accreditation. Trinity robs God's people! That is Trinity's guilt in my opinion! Get your stones ready to aim at this old man, for if Trinity had made no such claims and if it did its grad programs with a bit more rigor, I would have stayed ...perhaps...NCA or not! Oh, I'd keep UZ and ACCS, just do three not two!


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Actually, I was just setting up the punch line.

Without getting overly serious, I think in Trinity's case there is a certain reflection cast on them by choosing (among the array of worthless accreditations) a tiny outfit whose most famous accreditand (is that a word?) is McIlvenna's wild thang. If they are the staunch evangelicals they claim to be, wouldn't they be concerned about the association? If Nipsnick accredited 50 schools and one of them was weird and TTS was another, nobody would notice. If Nipsnick was a GAAP accreditor, maybe nobody would notice. If the Liverpool/Canterbury/bumper sticker business had never been bruited about by TTS, maybe nobody would notice. As it stands, however, the NAPSNC label is just one more marketing weirdness on the part of a school replete with whole hogg evasions.

As William Lackland put it, "a shiten shepherde and a clean sheepe."

 

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Bill
Or as Jesus put it, " The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

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Bill, you and I are on the same side on this. If TTS would just clean up their ethical act, float MDS down the river to Paducah, drop any pretense to a UK affiliation, quit lying about their contacts with NCA, quit the "financial aid" shenanigans and in general straighten up and fly right, Nipsnick accreditation would be a harmless foible. TTS would also--then and only then--deserve praise for offering the DA degree, which still has a certain "ugly duckling" appeal to me. Sadly, to reverse-paraphrase Clough, in this case I'm afraid that "hopes may be liars."