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Accrediting Bodies

Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by Dr. Bob, Dec 8, 2004.

  1. paidagogos

    paidagogos Active Member

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    Accreditation may not be inherently evil or wrong but it does exert pressure to be more concerned about academics rather than spiritual quality. As I have argued elsewhere, there is a need for Christian schools at all levels, not just the highest. Bible institutes serve a good and useful function in advancing the Gospel. Many missionaries, pastors, evangelists, and laymen, who are Bible institute graduates, have effectively served the Lord around the world whereas a substantial number of first-rate seminary graduates have fumbled the ball. Education did not make the difference. After all, faithfulness is the criterion by which the Lord judges His servants.

    On these Baptist Board threads, I have seen much discussion about accreditation and higher education but I have read little, if any, about goodness, spirituality, dedication to service, etc. Methinks, this supports my point that concern about accreditation tends to overshadow the really important things. We must put our priorities on the spiritual and strive for the best academic program that we can achieve. Beginning with Harvard, supposedly Christian institutions have had a way of going quickly astray when in competition with academics. I think it is the pride factor. It’s hard to be humble and intellectual (at least, think you are intellectual and educated).
     
  2. foxrev

    foxrev New Member

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    What purpose does accreditation serve? Is it really necessary? There are many Universities/Colleges in the US that are not and do just fine. Does II Timothy 2:15 apply?
     
  3. Bro. Lewis

    Bro. Lewis New Member

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    ISN'T ACCREDITATION SEEKING THE APPROVAL OF A HIGHER AUTHORITY? IF AN INSTITUTION SUCH AS A CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL OR BIBLE COLLEGE ARE MINISTRIES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH AND BASED ON THE BIBLE, THEN FOR THEM TO GET ACCREDITATION FROM THE STATE WOULD BE LIKE A HARVARD GRAD. WITH A PHD GETTING HIS ACCREDITATION FROM A 3 YEAR OLD.
     
  4. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety," Proverbs 11:14

    There can be demonstrated (as many of the previous postings have done) that there are probably as many legitimate, scriptural reasons for a school (be it anywhere from Pre-K to post grad) might either pursue or eschew accreditation from any number of a variety of conservative, biblically valid accrediting agencies as well as those that may be considered primarily that of a secular basis.

    Moreover, what an educational institute does with such accreditation (or lack thereof) can also be subject to varying degrees of interpretation.

    Accreditation, by itself, is neither inherently always "of the devil" any more than it is always "of the Lord."

    There are accrediting agencies ("Christian" as well as otherwise) that are totally above board and open as to their purpose(s), and there are those that are merely fronts so that certain educational institutes can boldly proclaim that, "Yes brother, we ARE accredited!"

    I've come to notice that in many cases the legitmacy of an educational institution seems to be inversly proportional to the degree by which it advertises itself as accredited.

    Likewise, one needs to examine for oneself what one's own educational goals may be in either seeking or shunning admission to (non-)accredited institutions.

    Suppose one (for whatever reason)finds himself needing to transfer credits from one institution to another. Will that "gaining" institution honor those credits? Maybe so, maybe not. No institution is duty-bound to honor the work done at another. Accreditation can be helpful in such cases or it may not mean a thing.

    Nor can accreditation by itself always guarantee the quality of each individual student that graduates from an institution that either is/isn't accredited.

    Can an accredited driving school always guarantee that none of its graduates will ever be in an accident? No more than can the fact that the possession of a driver's license therefore guarantees the safety of all of those who possess one, or that the possession of a marriage license guarantees the quality or longevity of that marriage.
     
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