South Florida Center for Theological Studies

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Bill Highsmith, Oct 7, 2002.

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  1. Bill Highsmith

    Bill Highsmith New Member

    A friend is considering enrolling in an MDiv program at South Florida Center for Theological Studies (www.sfcts.org). This school has "associate member" status in ATS, but is not otherwise accredited.

    Does anyone have any information about the utility of such a program as far as ordination is concerned? Does anyone have any information about this school in particular?

    Thanks.
     
  2. BLD

    BLD New Member

    Ordination criteria are completely left up to the body doing the ordaining, whether a denomination or local church. I would advise him/her to check with them.
     
  3. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    I note a certain Walter Richardson teaches there with a PhD from Trinity Theological Seminary.

    I agree w-BLD, if the purpose exclusively is ordination have your friend check it out with the denomination.

    The unknowable is your pal's future needs as in denominational changes or later educational aspirations. If it gets ATS should be OK.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 7, 2002
  4. Bill Highsmith

    Bill Highsmith New Member

    Thanks for the replies. I realize that each denomination has its own ordination policies. The "Associate" status by ATS is not equivalent to ATS accreditation. It means that there was at least some level of review, but I don't think "Associate" even indicates candidate status, although the web site says that they are "well on their way" to ATS accreditation. The school has had Associate status since 1996. It has no accreditation at this point.

    The web site states no affiliation with any denominations; I take that to mean that there are none that would accept their degrees (for those that require an M.Div.).

    The seminaries associated with his denomination are all RA/ATS schools, so I have strong doubt that this school will help, even though there seems to be no absolute requirement at present for an accredited M.Div. The practical matter is that this seems to be that one is expected. (This is all under review, now, apparently.)

    It is my (hardened) opinion that unaccredited degrees have little utility in other fields. (I don't wish to debate that point for the umpteenth time.) I just wasn't sure how "generally" useful an unaccredited divinity degree would be for someone looking for professional ministerial work.
     
  5. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

     
  6. ejkvck

    ejkvck New Member

    Let me add my 2 cents into this. This school is
    fairly new but they did get the Associate level from
    ATS. I hate to think of a seminary getting to this
    status only and not going to the next step. There
    are not that many theology schools down there. Hopefully
    they will continue on plus seek RA. Yes it is a risk for student
    to go there at this point thus they must check with their
    denominations bodies to get the ok.

    Ernest
     
  7. Guest

    Guest Guest

    TTS!

    Not again!

    Must this always be an issue? hee hee
     
  8. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    =================================
    Yes, indeed, it is decreed. I am predestined to expose the Trinity hyperbole and the Arminian heresy.

    Check out the Phoenix Seminary (RA) site www.phoenixseminary.edu where a Fred W. Chay teaches with a Trinity doc also and supervises the Dmin program as well. Must be"my"TTS as when I in my unenlightened stage of life I discussed it on the Trinity forum and the Trinity staff kept mum. Is the utility of the TTS doc growing like weeds? Whhooaa, maybe I must eat crow?

    ==================================
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 16, 2002
  9. Bill Highsmith

    Bill Highsmith New Member

    Epilogue: although the associated seminaries of the denomination in question are all RA/ATS, my friend has been told that the SFCTS program would be accepted. He has decided to enroll because of the sparse options in our neck of the woods (not that he had any choice, since this was predestined).
     
  10. Tom Head

    Tom Head New Member

    FWIW, I have seen ATS-accredited schools that neither have nor need RA--a good local example is Wesley Biblical Seminary.


    Cheers,
     
  11. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Knox may be another. For theological seminaries where people are either going to become clergy or go on to Th.D.'s they do not necessarily need RA.

    North
     
  12. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    ========================================

    See there? Everyone should witness that Bill Highsmith is trying to turn this thread into a theological circus. Now, here I am much tempted to run with this bait like some barracuda with an anchovy clamped in its teeth! But no, no, I must resist! Even though I'd love to bounce this scenario off the several positions:

    Open Theism: this is not predestined as God didn't know his denomination would approve!

    Arminianism: God foresaw from eternity all things and chose that seminary because He foreknew Bill's friend would choose it!

    Molinism: God arranged the circumstances knowing what Bill's friend would do.

    Calvinism: God destined everything including Bill's friend's choice either by the will of decree or by the will of precept. This , however, is not determinism as the choice is consistent with Bill's friend's nature.

    The last is true and God also planned here to tempt me to engage in theological discussion once again.

    But, I'm glad I resisted that temptation! Sigh, I'm so sanctified!

    =====================================
     
  13. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Bill,

    Even your banter reveals that you do not truly embrace hyper-calvinistic theology. If calvinism was a correct theological system, you COULD NOT RESIST. But, as you yourself have noted, you have resisted. I'm very proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Now if we can do something about the lack of humility (e.g., "Im so sanctified!") The true arminian would certainly have been sanctified, but he wouldn't have boasted of being so. <grin>
     
  14. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    =========================================

    Of course one can resist in Calvinism. The resistance may be predestined.

    Yes, I will admit I'm prideful. Fortunately it is my only fault!

    =========================================
     
  15. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Ag shame, these liberal theological discussions are too hard for me to follow!
     
  16. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Its all about grace, UJ. Surely a Lutheran brother can relate to GRACE.
     
  17. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Grace abounding to the chief of sinners...galumph galumph galumph.
     
  18. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Now Russell, as Bill pointed out his resistance was predestined as part of God's plan and in doing so was not thwarting the will of Bill but using it for his purposes. Seconsly, never mind the *if* stuff as you and I both know that Calvinism is *the* only scriptural approach. <grin>. Pray that the Holy Spirit may enlighten your troubled Arminian heart. <grin>

    The other thing is that I suppose if we were to observe this from the point of view of Open Theism then God was caught off guard by Bill's resistance and will shortly be giving him a spanking.

    North
     
  19. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    =======================================

    I think God (forgive me) is still getting over the shock of Arminius' Biblical bellyflopping on election. As anyone knows, Arminianism is much closer to open theism than is calvinism as the former two tout a libertarian view of the will ; the third of this triad is process theology.

    I just jigged around these topics in the four papers just finished for my first ACCS class and the UZ thesis has chap two dabbling with both process theology and open theology as well in my attempt to use the divine decree and God,s relation to creation to evince the temporality of the Son's relative subordination. BOY am I enjoying myself!! I asked my super if I could discuss Arminianism too and he responded: HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (not really) Actually Arminianism wii be in chap 2 ..."sock, bop, whammo!!!!!!!"

    How are ya doing North? Enjoying your classes?

    ==============================================
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 20, 2002
  20. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Seems like you are in quite a productive mode!

    I am moving along with my classes and enjoying them a great deal. The main text for the Systamtic Theology course is Grudem who does a very good job of articulating the Reformed (Calvinist) position but also giving fair hearing to the Arminian perspective. Of course what comes across as logical is the Reformed position.

    At my current pace I hope to finish in another year or so. I will then need to embark on another program to use up my GI Bill.

    North
     

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