The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Columbia Evangelical Seminary

I checked out some of the ones you listed, J_Edwards. I like the looks of Bahnsen Theological Seminary, but I couldnt find any info about distance learning. Do you know if they do this?

Theo, I also liked the link you provided to http://www.birminghamseminary.org/certap.asp. It looks reasonably priced and I liked the certificate course on Apologetics. Do you know if they are accredited...not that its ultra important to me.

Thanks again to everyone for their advice. Its probably saving me from a bad decision!

Re Birmingham Theological Seminary's accreditation: they are accredited by ARTS which has a website at

http://www.artseminaries.org/

and Birmingham Theological Seminary's site says:
The BTS programs are primarily designed to accommodate those who wish to pursue their studies on a part-time basis. The student may elect to take all their course work at BTS and be granted a degree from BTS. Other students may choose to attend BTS for only a few semesters before transferring to a full time residence program at another seminary. An increasingly popular option is for the student is to combine regular campus classes with the BTS Distance Education Component to facilitate a more rapid completion of their program while remaining in the work force and active in their home church.

BTS is accredited with the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries (ARTS). ARTS is a growing accrediting association comprised of graduate institutions that hold to the doctrines of the Reformed faith...

Credits from BTS have been accepted at several evangelical institutions subject to the policies and degree requirements of each school. The student who expects to receive a degree from an institution other than BTS should write for specific information concerning applicability of work taken at BTS. Several major seminaries have been willing to either accept transfer credit from BTS or recognize a BTS degree as the prerequisite for pursuing a more advanced degree.

The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) has granted BTS full academic credit for Bible coursework. This extends to continuing education units as well. The appropriate credit for continuing education units will be granted by ACSI based upon transcripts provided by the applicant seeking certification.

As of February, 2006, Birmingham Theological Seminary has become an “affiliate institution” of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. ABHE, formerly known as The Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, (AABC) of Orlando. Florida, is recognized by the US Department of Education as an accrediting governing body. The “affiliate status” will now allow BTS to take advantage of the many programs and services that the Association provides. This presents BTS with the opportunity of inclusion on the Association website and a listing in the ABHE Directory, along with the opportunity to network with like institutions, to gain additional assistance working toward the accreditation process and access to the consultative services of ABHE.

BTS has a special relationship with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The PCA has adopted an internship program which must be completed prior to ordination which is in addition to the Master of Divinity degree. BTS is so structured that this additional requirement can be accommodated.

The curriculum has been designed to fulfill the requirements of the uniform curriculum of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The Theological Education Committee of the PCA's General Assembly has approved the program. Thus graduates of BTS are eligible for ordination in any presbytery of the PCA.

I think they are worth looking at for what you are seeking in apologetics. But again, talk with them if you are interested and discuss what you want with them, and check out other schools as well, such as those recommended by J. Edwards and Robin.

Theo

BTS regularly conducts in-residence courses, however the entire program may be completed through correspondence. Now if you attend there be cautious as they are "in some ways" thought to be associated with the Auburn controversy and thus that stigma may follow you. Moreover, Bahnsen concentrates on the philosophy of Bahnsen & Van Til, and thus YOU will be considered a Bahnsenite after graduation. Whitefield does not leave the same stigma (though I have heard they have some that drift the same direction (that is Auburn) and I think some are more Clarkian than Van Tillian; someone correct that if I am wrong — (it comes from a source I have not spoken to in a while)….. Thus, a lot depends on what you desire to do with your studies after graduation, et. al. and who you desire to be associated with …..

Accreditation is important "sometimes" and then only certain types of accreditation are accepted by "some" schools. If you desire to “teach” then accreditation should be high on your list, if you plan to only serve in a church, then it should be less of a priority, however, either way the reputation of the school will still be important.

Not everyone that graduates from Harvard is Liberal. Be careful here. Some conservatives go to Harvard to be educated in Liberal studies so they can be better equipped to write and teach against Liberalism (I have a friend headed that direction in a few months, et. al.). However, most (but not all) that graduate from Harvard are Liberal.

J_Edwards,

Im not too familiar with the auburn avenue issue. Any elaboration would be appreciated.

Oh, I also looked at RTS and their virtual curriculum - http://www.rts.edu/site/academics/degree_programs/mar/virtualc.aspx. It looks interesting too. Is this your school?

Im looking mostly to use my education to teach in the church as a layman and not an official. I see myself as doing sunday schools or youth group stuff...maybe leading small group studies, etc. So I guess I dont need an accredited degree. But it would be nice to get real seminary training from reputable scholars.

Good points about the Harvard school. Friends of mine from Asbury say going to seminary can be the hardest thing on your faith because of some of the liberal teachings that can go on at schools. I hope your friend has a strong foundation.

Pilgrim wrote:
Rumors is all they are. There have been old rumors that the school supports theonomy/reconstructionism, but Dr. Talbot, president of the seminary, assures me that they are not. They teach presuppositional, confessional apologetics. Graduates from Whitefield are found in all of the most conservative Presbyterian denominations. Several teaching elders in my presbytery (including Dr. R.C. Sproul Sr, a graduate of Whitefield) recommend it highly.

-Robin

Robin,

Are you sure about RC Sproul Sr? I thought he got his divinity degrees from Pittsburgh Theology Seminary (or a name similar) and the Free University of Amsterdam.

Now, I'm thinking that RC Sproul Jr got his degree from Whitfield.

R.C. Sproul Sr. holds degrees from Westminster College, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the Free University of Amsterdam, and Whitefield Theological Seminary.


Wes

John,

I believe you are correct. R.C. Sproul, Sr., earned his undergraduate degree from Westminster College, his graduate degree from Pittsburg Xenia Seminary and his doctorate from the University of Amsterdam. Methinks it is R.C. Sproul, Jr. who studied at Whitefield. And I will refrain from making any comments in regard to whether or not he should be considered someone to recommend the school. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/evilgrin.gif" alt="" />

Wes,

And what degree did R.C. Sproul, Sr. earn from Whitefield? This is the first I've heard of this. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" />

Not to speak for Wes, but R.C. Sproul Sr. has a doctorate of some kind from Whitefield. IVP has shown this about him on their books in the past:

"Sproul, a noted speaker, author and minister, is president of Ligonier Ministries, which he founded in the early 1970s. His Renewing Your Mind broadcast, sponsored by Ligonier Ministries, is now heard on more than 300 radio stations in the United States and in more than 100 countries throughout the world. Sproul is senior minister of preaching at St. Andrews Chapel and professor of systematic theology and apologetics at Reformed Theological Seminary. He holds doctorate degrees from Free University of Amsterdam and Whitefield Theological Seminary."

But I don't know specifically what that doctorate from Whitefield is in.

Theo

Thanks Theo for verifying that information. What comes to my mind is that perhaps the degree is "Honorary"?? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />

Yes, I attended RTS. It is a good school. However, all the schools being discussed here WTS, WTS (Whitefield), BTS, IIIM, and RTS all would give you a good education for your intended goals...... RTS Virtual is good (you can complete a MA--66 hours)--plus you can still attend on-campus (at different campuses, FL, MS, NC, Wash DC, Atlanta) and have personal interaction with professors. However, some courses transfer between campuses and other don't (systematics is broken up differently at different campuses), so "check" on this before applying to specific classes ....

Your friend from Asbury is correct. Prayer and information from "many" sources is important in "your" decision. Have no fear though the Holy Spirit will direct you. I was going to go the Westminster, but then my father died. This left my mother, who has leukemia, alone. Since she lives in Florida, I decided and the Lord miraculously provided, for my family to move to Florida and I attended RTS. Though I have attended several seminaries out of all of them RTS has been the most rewarding ...

Here is some information on Auburn Avenue, which I understand (Robin who posts here) is not an issue to be concerned about at Whitefield (but see my question to Robin here). However, at BTS I believe it is an issue.

Like you this is "the first" I have heard of RC Sproul, Sr having a degree from Whitefield (but, it is on his curriculum vitae). However, he is not listed on the WTS Graduate pages, thus leading me to a similar conclusion that it may be an honorary degree as well.

Uhmm, how does this square with Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. (Reconstructionist Partial Preterist) being the Director DC at Whitefield and being on staff at BTS?

Nope, you heard it right - Sproul Senior has one of his degrees from Whitefield.