scguy1 said:I, too, am considering a nontraditional seminary. Why would Plain Old Bill and TomVols endorse Columbia Evangelical Seminary but not Covington Theological Seminary? Neither are accredited. Also, where would you put Luther Rice University in that mix since they are TRACS accredited but not ATS accredited? Thanks for your input!
I must say that there are some interesting minds on this forum. I appreciate the discussions as well as the philosophy given by each individual, for it may be that one enlightens the other. I suppose that was the same as existed in Paul's day on Mars Hill.
I would like to inject a thought or a bit of information I picked up on the internet concerning Columbia Evangelical Seminary. While it appears that CES is being recommended and there are those enjoying putting BDC down, I would like to share a site for you to visit: http://www.shields-research.org/Novak/james.htm
If the facts are true, and apparently they are, you will find CES operating out of a two room office, upstairs over a store. At least I found BDC in Dothan with an actual campus consisting of an administration building, classrooms, a library, auditorium that seats 450 people, a fellowship hall and a dorm, and a staff and an existing on-campus faculty.
Those who would like to take the time and be critical of Bethany's professors and curriculum, I would suggest that they explore the purpose of Bethany's existance. The purpose is not to educate men for teaching in a college or seminary, but rather to provide an education for those called of God to enter the ministry late in life. There are many who late in life feel the call of God to the pastorate, to missions, and even to serve as a missionary. They have families and are not privileged to have the necessities that others may have. They do not have the money to pay the large tuition costs of accredited institutions. These men and women deserve the right to earn a degree such as Bethany offers if that is their desire. An examination of BDC in respect to the required work and the oversight they are given in directing their studies, one will find that the school is not a "diploma mill" as some have suggested.
The Ph. D. programs offered by Bethany are in Religion and not Bible and Theology, even though one may major in Bible and Theology. Therefore, the Academic Board of Bethany did not feel that a study of Greek and Hebrew was necessary for a degree in Religion. Bethany refuses to offer a Doctor of Theology or even the Doctor of Sacred Theology because the school is aware that to offer these degree programs, a language requirement would be a must, and offering language through off-campus studies would be a very difficult task. Therefore, the school offers a Doctor of Theological Studies which does not require a language such as Greek and Hebrew. At least BDC is being honest about its programs of study and trying to avoid issuing degrees that demand a language, which is not true of some other institutions I know.
It is not my purpose to argue the pros and cons with those who participate on this forum, for I do not feel I am capable or worthy to be a part of such elite and magnificent minds. I do know the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savour, and I know there are men and women out there that Bethany can help.