Which online seminary?

[KRay]

Due to being in the Navy, I am looking for a school that offers a 100% online Masters in Ministry, Bible, Christian Leadership, or something of that nature that I can add on to later in my career when I have a little more time to get the Masters in Divinity. I sat down with my Pastor about it and mentioned that I had been looking at Liberty University and Peidmont Baptist College, both of which he said were pretty liberal. As an Independent Fundament Baptist, are there any accredited schools that you can suggest for me? Maranatha is one that my Pastor mentioned, any other suggestions?

 

[Havensdad]

Due to being in the Navy, I am looking for a school that offers a 100% online Masters in Ministry, Bible, Christian Leadership, or something of that nature that I can add on to later in my career when I have a little more time to get the Masters in Divinity. I sat down with my Pastor about it and mentioned that I had been looking at Liberty University and Peidmont Baptist College, both of which he said were pretty liberal. As an Independent Fundament Baptist, are there any accredited schools that you can suggest for me? Maranatha is one that my Pastor mentioned, any other suggestions?

Liberty is liberal??!!

What is "liberal" about Liberty? They are ultra Conservative, Fundamental, and Baptist.

 

[labaptist]

To a IFB Liberty is considered liberal because they aren't KJV only, are associated with the SBC, and play alot of CCM (Not sure though how much the CCM though would matter if its online.) Tennessee Temple has an online program but they're pretty much Liberty Jr in my estimation. There aren't too many IFB colleges that are accredited that have online programs. BJU has some online classes but I'm not sure if they have enough to get a full degree with yet.

 

[Havensdad]

To a IFB Liberty is considered liberal because they aren't KJV only, are associated with the SBC, and play alot of CCM (Not sure though how much the CCM though would matter if its online.) Tennessee Temple has an online program but they're pretty much Liberty Jr in my estimation. There aren't too many IFB colleges that are accredited that have online programs. BJU has some online classes but I'm not sure if they have enough to get a full degree with yet.

That is not representative of IFB churches. Plenty of IFB churches are not involved in the KJV Only "movement" (read cult). I wish they would find a different name for it...those things have nothing to do with conservatism.

 

[KRay]

That is not representative of IFB churches. Plenty of IFB churches are not involved in the KJV Only "movement" (read cult). I wish they would find a different name for it...those things have nothing to do with conservatism.

My current IFB church teaches out of the KJV only, but members of the congregation have other translations. His reasoning behind stating that they are liberal, is because they allow admission to non-believers.

 

[jaigner]

My current IFB church teaches out of the KJV only, but members of the congregation have other translations. His reasoning behind stating that they are liberal, is because allow admission to non-believers.

That in no way, shape, or form makes one liberal.

You should branch out a little and try some from the larger evangelical tradition. You will be refreshed learning with those who are as committed to Scripture, believe in the necessity of a personal relationship with Christ, and have differing ideas.

Only learning from those who agree with us leaves us unchallenged and unrefined.

Fuller has good programs. Check them out.

 

[Havensdad]

My current IFB church teaches out of the KJV only, but members of the congregation have other translations. His reasoning behind stating that they are liberal, is because allow admission to non-believers.

The seminary doesn't (any Master's ministerial degrees). You have to sign a document of substantial agreement with the statement of faith, be a member in good standing with a church, submit a pastoral recommendation, give a personal testimony of your salvation experience, etc. No unbelievers allowed. More than that, there is a questionnaire that you have to fill out, which eliminates Mormons, Catholics, Jehovah's witnesses, modalists, etc. (you have to deny these teachings for admission).

Now, they will let other denominations take classes there (although the statement of faith would not allow some denominations)...but I certainly don't see a problem with that. They are not allowed to teach, or anything.

I am taking classes at Liberty, FYI.

 

[KRay]

That is good to hear. We have a good Christian family that lives up the street from us and the wife received her undergrad degree from there. She highly recommends it and my wife will start her Masters degree there this June (non-seminary). I like the university because they are VERY military friendly. I will look at Fuller, and then pray about which of the three I should attend (Fuller, Liberty, or Maranatha). My Pastor did say that he would give me a recommendation to Liberty, as well as other Christian universities, as needed.

 

[labaptist]

Fuller is way more liberal then Liberty. I am glad your pastor doesn't have a problem recommending you to LU. I think alot of IFB pastors would.

 

[jaigner]

Fuller is way more liberal then Liberty. I am glad your pastor doesn't have a problem recommending you to LU. I think alot of IFB pastors would.

Uh...Fuller isn't liberal. They're solidly evangelical.

 

[KRay]

Fuller is way more liberal then Liberty. I am glad your pastor doesn't have a problem recommending you to LU. I think alot of IFB pastors would.

I looked at Fuller and their degree programs online don't line up with what I am looking for so I didn't even need to look at their beliefs.

My Pastor put it to me this way; LU is a good school and he would consider hiring someone with a degree from there, but if that individual was competing with someone that has a degree from a more conservative seminary, he would choose the more conservative program. This way he wouldn't feel as though he would have to continuously check the material that the youth Pastor, etc. was teaching.

I completely understand, and respect, his view on the subject.

 

[PilgrimPastor]

Liberty is liberal??!!

What is "liberal" about Liberty? They are ultra Conservative, Fundamental, and Baptist.

I have been told my degrees from Liberty were from a "Liberal" school. That is a matter of perspective. You have to be pretty "Conservative" or something else entirely... to call Liberty Liberal. :smilewinkgrin:

 

[PilgrimPastor]

To a IFB Liberty is considered liberal because they aren't KJV only, are associated with the SBC, and play alot of CCM (Not sure though how much the CCM though would matter if its online.) Tennessee Temple has an online program but they're pretty much Liberty Jr in my estimation. There aren't too many IFB colleges that are accredited that have online programs. BJU has some online classes but I'm not sure if they have enough to get a full degree with yet.

I have 3 degrees from Liberty and am working on a terminal degree from Temple Baptist and in my experience at least, that is pretty close to accurate.

 

[StefanM]

I have been told my degrees from Liberty were from a "Liberal" school. That is a matter of perspective. You have to be pretty "Conservative" or something else entirely... to call Liberty Liberal. :smilewinkgrin:

Liberty isn't even close to liberal. About the only left-leaning things you'll find at LU are left-justified research papers, due to formatting.

 

[jaigner]

Liberty isn't even close to liberal. About the only left-leaning things you'll find at LU are left-justified research papers, due to formatting.

LOL - Liberty is, if anything, far-right leaning. It does depend on perspective to a point, but that's like Pat Robertson calling Pat Buchanan a liberal.

Ridiculous.

K - hope you find what you're looking for. Remember that it's okay to study with those who don't line up with you on everything.

Blessings in your pursuits.

 

[KRay]

I appreciate all of the assistance. I have narrowed it down to LU and Maranatha. I will just pray over these two schools. Maranatha may not even be a possibility if they do not accept Military Tuition Assistance as a form of payment.

 

[TomVols]

If accreditation makes a difference, Liberty would be a good choice. If not, Columbia Evangelical is a good choice, as is Luther Rice Seminary.

As for Liberty, when did they allow undergrads to not be believers? When I was recruited there back over 20 yrs ago, they required a profession of faith.

 

[labaptist]

Luther Rice is nationally accredited (TRACS) though that accreditation isn't as accepted as the regional accreditation that Liberty has.

 

[StefanM]

Luther Rice is nationally accredited (TRACS) though that accreditation isn't as accepted as the regional accreditation that Liberty has.

Right or wrong, TRACS accreditation doesn't do much beyond making the programs eligible for federal aid. If a program isn't RA, its degrees have a hard time getting recognized.

 

[KRay]

If accreditation makes a difference, Liberty would be a good choice. If not, Columbia Evangelical is a good choice, as is Luther Rice Seminary.

As for Liberty, when did they allow undergrads to not be believers? When I was recruited there back over 20 yrs ago, they required a profession of faith.

I did to for the program that I just applied to. I guess that he was talking about the non-seminary degrees, which I wouldn't think would matter much.