My eight year old son said something very interesting (and pretty funny) last night at the dinner table. In the course of a fairly normal conversation he told my wife that he probably knew more than she did. My wife and I looked at each other and then she replied "Why's that?". Then he gave an amazing answer: "Because you went to Bible college, so you probably didn't learn math.". We laughed pretty hard, but inside I wondered how accurate he actually was when it came to his assessment of Bible college (not my wife). There are many Bible colleges out there that offer quality education and accreditation that are very useful in life, unfortunately, there are many that do not. Let's take a look at some of the major red flags when considering a Bible College...
1. Is it accredited?
This one is important. This means that the institution will ensure a basic level of quality education for the student. It is a system of accountability that is recognized and in many cases necessary for your degree to be considered legitimate.
Example: My wife has her secondary education degree from an unaccredited IFB college. She cannot even substitute teach in the state of Oregon with that degree. It's pretty much worthless outside of some Christian schools.
Here's a good article that helps answer some questions about the importance of accreditation.
2. Is it connected with a particular church?
If this is the case, then you are on the path toward indoctrination and not education. The goal of that church is to make you a nice fit into that church. You are going to be taught the in's and out's of how to reproduce yourself into that particular brand and not taught the benefits of critical thinking and genuine leadership. You will become robotically them instead of having the capacity and encouragement to be uniquely you.
3. Where did the professors get their degrees?
Before you decide on a particular school, look up the professors and see where they were educated. If they all graduated from the same school or type of school then you are, again, on the path toward indoctrination. If they come from various backgrounds then the chances for quality education are increased. You will be frustrated by some, but you will learn to think and you will grow along the way. This is a good thing.
**If they all graduated from the same institution for which they now teach, run away!**
There are many more (and maybe you would like to add your thoughts in the comments), but these three will knock out most independent baptist colleges from consideration. You may have to pay a little more for a quality education that actually means something outside of the IFB world, but it's far better than saving a little money to get your indoctrination papers that mean very little to real world employers.
Most IFB colleges were started because many of the students that they sent off to real colleges weren't coming back IFB (or their particular brand of IFB). Think about it....
Think. Love. Live.
5 comments:
I'll disagree with #2, with the understanding of how it could be, and in some cases is, true.
I attend a school affiliated with my denomination. There are obvious connections. However, we have students and faculty from a range of faith traditions. I can't identify where I am being indoctrinated. Does this mean I can't see it? I can tell you exactly where I think my denomination fails.
It seems like too much of a blanket statement. Your 8-year-old said that! Wow. Smart/funny guy. Stay blessed...john
Thanks for this Tony. I totally agree. I would add to the accreditation point that the potential student should also check on the type of accreditation. I graduated from an IFB school that IS accredited but the accreditation is worthless to a state college because it's national and not regional accreditation. I found out that my BA is not accepted in grad schools so I am now having to complete a 2nd BA. In addition to that, none of my credits even transferred into the new BA, so I'm having to take all my classes again, even Gen ed classes. I would recommend checking what kind of accreditation your state universities will accept to see if the accreditation your Bible College has is worth anything.
My apologies to Trevor. I didn't realize until after my comment that he wrote article and not Tony. My mistake.
You pretty much summed up my "formal" theological training. If I knew then what I know now, I would NEVER have spent 5 years and X ammount of money for an unaccredited degree. The indocrination point also is very true. In fact, it was when I was in school and doing research for papers and stuff that I began running across differing (and in some cases, actually Biblical) opinions. When I voiced those concerns to the Pastor/College President/Executive Director/Boss - I was told that I was not a good fit at my job/church. When trying to find work after that, I was shocked to find that my degree was worthless. Now, when people ask my advice about college - GO TO A REAL SCHOOL!!
I come from a Evangelical background church and when i was in new york as immigrant some one suggested to join Unification Theological Seminary.
I asked the question Is this not a seminary founded by Rev. Moon ( A Cult according to Evangelicals) they said yes but you don`t have to become a Unifications or Moonies in order to study / graduate and because its Accredited with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as a professional graduate school of religious education and ministry.
Also, they student get Christian Ecumenism Scholarship and Note its not Moonies giving student the Money. The School also promises or convince students that they will get jobs in Christian Churches or hope atleast at Unification Affiliated Organisations. This is false all posts are widely given to South Koreans preferably. The Church is a sceptic even with other Nationals almost major post a
given to Korean loyalist to Moonies. others like Caucasians are given to have there foundation in west. Japanese are good people but Moonies misuse them for their Money just as catholic in past used people for indulgence so like wise conspiracy theory of spirit world in Unification is a Sorcery practice, Jesus is not he king of Spirit world it seems, dead Spirits of Ancestors can be redeemed upon payment of some money check out for your self this modern Purgatory beliefs. Moonies making money just like Gaddafi and sone fooling people even the Christian Ministers join them for monitory benefits and especially free tours to other nations.
I have too many to complain but the point is Unification Theological seminary is not recognized nor you get job or waste of time and Christians who are immature even in Christian seminaries don`t understand your perspective of faith when graduated from this Unification seminary.
Also, some churches have fallen down to accept homosexual priest in Anglican, Episcopalian, united Methodist, United Church and lot more to be listed. Some individual Pentecostal and independent Bible centers also have no proper Accreditation and don`t get job its waste of time and Money.
I wish to know how is the Christian life when sponsored by the mainline churches and may be a person can be Presbyter all life under Bishop grace but no hope to do doctorate.
Even to do doctorate student needs to know Koine Greek or Hebrew apart from German and thesis is not of your choice. When are you ended. Its waste. Also, don`t come abroad to study anything why risk of Job and especially theology is useless to study.
One truth Christianity is the best religion. Jesus Christ is real. Southern Baptist doctrine is quite reliable and Bible is the Word of G-d. Evangelical Faith is Normative. Do your research and know the truth.
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