questionable doctorates

[rlvaughn]

I've come to think that the proliferation of honorary doctorates is based on a few reasons.
1. The antipathy of calling a man "Pastor" away from his own church. This goes to the Distinctive of the Independence and Autonomy of the Local Church. And the antipathy towards the use of the title "Reverand."

We're not of a tribe that use "Pastor So-and-So" that often, though we do not object to it. I would have thought those who have an antipathy towards "Reverend" would generally feel the same toward "Doctor," but I have observed that is not the case.

2. The titles of Brother and Elder seem to be as smacking of Catholicism and Mormonism.

I've never noticed any negative association of "Brother" in our area. We use "Elder," but not many other churches do so. "Brother" is probably our most commonly used term.

 

[Salty]

Up here in Central New York - I rarely hear "Brother", Rev sometimes, and Pastor quite often.
We have had a couple of Doctorates in our Association - but is hardly used, unless in formal correspondence.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

I've come to think that the proliferation of honorary doctorates is based on a few reasons.

1. The antipathy of calling a man "Pastor" away from his own church. This goes to the Distinctive of the Independence and Autonomy of the Local Church. And the antipathy towards the use of the title "Reverand."
   
2. The titles of Brother and Elder seem to be as smacking of Catholicism and Mormonism.
3. It's only been in the last 20 years that doctorial level programs have been open to Fundmentalists.

There have been doctoral level programs for fundamentalists for much longer than 20 years at places like BJU.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

There have been doctoral level programs for fundamentalists for much longer than 20 years at places like BJU.

IIRC, BJU awarded PhDs, not ThDs or DMins.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

IIRC, BJU awarded PhDs, not ThDs or DMins.

Yes, BJU has had a PhD program in the Seminary for many years. I have not heard anything about BJU ever awarding ThDs. I do not know how long BJU has had the DMin program, but some of my friends have graduated from BJU with the DMin degree in the past 10 years or so.

 

[Paul from Antioch]

I took systematic theology from Lexie Wiggins at Temple Baptist Theological Seminary back in '76. He was a good prof and I enjoyed his classes. However, at that time he only had an M.Div.--which, however, is a 96 credit degree and thus equivalent to some Ph.D.'s in the secular realm, IMO. Many years later I saw him while on furlough from Japan, and he actually remembered me--flattering! He's in Heaven now. He was a good man.

Indeed he was. Never heard or saw any of the so-called "I've-got-my-Ph,D.-You-Don't!!" attitude from either Lexie Wiggins OR from any TN Temple faculty members. That DOES say something to me (Including the head of TN Temple/Highland Park BC!) I was there for H P's Wed Eve Prayer Service and though it took some time, her Pastor would read aloud EVERY ONE on her prayer list, no matter if they'd just recently join H P BC! It says something to me when a pastor of even a so-called "mega-church" takes the time to mention a person that more than likely he hadn't personally known, but knew that this one needed prayer. I've been to some rather small churches in which her pastor would NEVER mention of some newer person (maybe a visitor) stood in need of prayer. Jesus took the time to invite little children to come to Him; yet some pastors wouldn't give one such as that the time of day. Then we wonder why are faith seems to be withering away.

 

[John of Japan]

Indeed he was. Never heard or saw any of the so-called "I've-got-my-Ph,D.-You-Don't!!" attitude from either Lexie Wiggins OR from any TN Temple faculty members. That DOES say something to me (Including the head of TN Temple/Highland Park BC!) I was there for H P's Wed Eve Prayer Service and though it took some time, her Pastor would read aloud EVERY ONE on her prayer list, no matter if they'd just recently join H P BC! It says something to me when a pastor of even a so-called "mega-church" takes the time to mention a person that more than likely he hadn't personally known, but knew that this one needed prayer. I've been to some rather small churches in which her pastor would NEVER mention of some newer person (maybe a visitor) stood in need of prayer. Jesus took the time to invite little children to come to Him; yet some pastors wouldn't give one such as that the time of day. Then we wonder why are faith seems to be withering away.

Very well said, and I remember the same things about HPBC.

 

[Paul from Antioch]

Very well said, and I remember the same things about HPBC.

BTW, J of J, R U planning on attending the SoftheL Conference in July? Since I'm only about 30 or so mi away from the Boro, I do PLAN to be there for at least some of the Conf. I was at one of their Men's conferences in the fall a few years ago, but due to my having to use a walker to get around, it was somewhat of a challenge for me to manuver some of those stairwells.

 

[John of Japan]

BTW, J of J, R U planning on attending the SoftheL Conference in July? Since I'm only about 30 or so mi away from the Boro, I do PLAN to be there for at least some of the Conf. I was at one of their Men's conferences in the fall a few years ago, but due to my having to use a walker to get around, it was somewhat of a challenge for me to manuver some of those stairwells.

No, wish I could. We could meet and have coffee! I have a pretty full summer, though. By the way, if you're interested, I've written a new biography of John R. Rice that is coming out this summer: John R. Rice: The Last Revivalist of the Twentieth Century | On to Victory Press.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Do you plan on publishing a Kindle version?

 

[John of Japan]

Do you plan on publishing a Kindle version?

I have been told that is planned by the publisher.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Good, these days that all I'm buying. I save my change and get Amazon gift cards at a Coinstar machine.

 

[John of Japan]

Good, these days that all I'm buying. I save my change and get Amazon gift cards at a Coinstar machine.

Cool!