Is Accreditation the Most Critical Issue for Seminary?

[Jabbezzz]

Certainly, there are advantages when a school is accredited (regional or national accreditation), but is it the sole criterion for a quality biblical education?

Advantages include:

Access to federal loans/grants.
Secular oversight of program quality.

However, can an unaccredited school provide a quality academic experience? Of course, Bob Jones, Pensacola Christian, and for years Luther Rice (in its pre-TRACS years) are examples of such. There are other sincere academic institutions which offer religious/biblical/ministerial training, which do not currently hold regional/national accreditation, yet offer substantive programs of study.

I do not imply such schools as American College of Metaphysical Theology www.americancollege.com, but schools requiring legitimate coursework.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Pastor Larry]

Not even close. The critical issue for seminaries and colleges is the truth. Do they hold and teach the biblical truth without compromise and apology. There are very few, comparatively speaking, that do.

 

[Paul33]

Larry,

Why don't you share with us which schools you are referring to that teach and hold biblical truth. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this matter. Thanks.

Jabbezzz,

What schools are you referring to?

 

[Dr. Bob]

I wondering why seminaries would be accredited at all. The proof of the seminary was in the product and never thought about any outside organization so accrediting.

Is this a new movement?

 

[Dr. Bob]

Went on line and saw:

Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary (Lansdale, PA) is candidate status with Middle States - one of six regional (top of the line US accrediting)

Trinity Theological Seminary (Newburgh, IN, famous for pioneering distance ed) is also candidate with North Central States - another of the six top accrediting)

Central Theological Seminary (Plymouth, MN) has started the same process.

I am amazed . . and delighted. I teach adjunct prof at a local college and though called "doctor" can only get paid at "master's" level, since my MA from Maranatha is accredited, but DMin from Trinity is not.

 

[rufus]

Originally posted by Pastor Larry:
Not even close. The critical issue for seminaries and colleges is the truth. Do they hold and teach the biblical truth without compromise and apology. There are very few, comparatively speaking, that do.

Amen to that!

 

[gb93433]

I am glad the seminary I graduated from was accredited. The secular university I did my graduate work in was full of Mormons in the department. They kept me from getting my thesis accepted. Later I graduated from seminary. The following university accepted all my degrees and coursework because the seminary was accredited and awarded me a master's degree. Had it not been I would have had to repeat the master's cousework before being accepted into the doctoral program.

 

[Circuitrider]

It is true that our biblical training should be based on truth. However, if a man wants to consider the military chaplaincy, he must attend an accredited school. Right now the chaplaincy ranks are running at about 55% filled, so there is a great need.

Central Baptist Seminary in Plymouth, MN is beginning application through TRACS, but they plan to pursue North Central as soon as possible along with or after getting their TRACS rating.

 

[Greg Linscott]

Faith Baptist Theological Seminary ( http://faith.edu/seminary/ ), along with the Bible College, is accredited as a member of the North Central Association. There were a few in the seminary who were pursuing military chaplaincy when I was an undergrad, as I recall.

I would also say that the teaching of Biblical truth is key at any seminary. FBTS should get a strong look in this area, too, IMHO. There is a great deal of experience as well as scholarship in the faculty there.