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Affordable Seminaries

Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by Dr Alan G Phillips Jr, May 10, 2016.

  1. Dr Alan G Phillips Jr

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    Today, when many liberal, Christian authors decry large-scale injustices ignored or avoided by many conservative, Evangelical Christians, a proverbial elephant stands in their living room.

    A glaring oversight exists amidst cries for 'workers rights' or 'gender equity' in the modern church. One only has to conduct a brief comparative study of tuition costs at Christian seminaries in America to see what is hidden in plain sight.

    Once this is done, an honest question emerges: "Why do some of the professed 'progressive,' 'liberal' or 'modernist' seminaries have the highest tuition costs?

    This is not the time or place to evoke specific names or places. I will leave that conclusion to my saavy readers.

    But I ask, "Isn't there something hypocritical about academic institutions devoted to lofty ideals like 'social justice' or 'wars on poverty' that, at the same time, charge exhorbitant prices?

    Likewise, doesn't it bother the casual observer in the least that many Baptist seminaries labeled as "fundamentalist" or "ultra-conservative" keep their tuition costs low and affordable? Many of these conservative places are not widely known for emphasizing economic injustices in the public square, but in actuality they manage to keep their tuition and fees within a range that poorer, struggling seminarians might be able to afford.

    A retort that scholarships and loans are available in mainline sectors just won't do. It's a weak rationalization at a time when these sources of "relief" cannot keep up with the rising tuition cost at the "more reputable" and "progressive" seminaries.

    Considering seminary programs, which ones are REALLY fair and equitable from a Christian standpoint. Which ones are truly elitist. I wonder.
     
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  2. Greektim

    Greektim Well-Known Member

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    Well that was quite the first post. Thanks "doc".
     
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  3. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    Under Fair and Equitable I would list:
    • Maranatha Baptist University
    • International Baptist College and Seminary
    • Central Baptist Theological Seminary
     
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  4. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I really had not thought about this before. Ironic. Makes Emerson's statement ring true - "What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say."
     
  5. Greektim

    Greektim Well-Known Member

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    Which Central Baptist Seminary are you referring to?
     
  6. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    CBTS of Minneapolis, Minn.
     
  7. Emile Durks

    Emile Durks New Member

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    I am currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Luther Rice College and Seminary. I earned my M Div at Luther Rice and found it to be very helpful and rewarding, however, having completed 12 out of 36 required credit hours for the DMin program, I am finding that the DMin program is no more academically challenging than the M. Div. I would even say that the coursework is also less helpful for practical application to ministry contexts.

    The DMin at Luther Rice has not been a complete waste, but I am considering starting over at nearby Palmer Seminary. Palmer is an ATS school and has a better academic reputation than Luther Rice. I have repeatedly read articles and posts of individuals regarding Luther Rice as a diploma mill, though I would disagree with that sentiment. Though I would like to have something to show for the DMin coursework I have completed thus far, I would much rather earn a DMin from an institution where I can be stretched academically/theologically as well as receive the degree from a more reputable institution.

    Can anyone provide any insight on the reputations of Palmer Theological and Luther Rice?

    Thanks
     
  8. Ziggy

    Ziggy Well-Known Member
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    For a D.Min. that is primarily externally based and fully accredited, you might also consider Gordon-Conwell.
     
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