Covington Theological Seminary

I honestly do not know too much about it. However, with the quality distance programs that are now available at the SBC seminaries, I am not sure why anyone would want to go with Covington.

 

==If you are going to go that route I think Andersonville would be a better choice. Covington's courses are mainly "text" courses, Andersonville has audio lectures to go with the textbooks and papers. Actually Andersonville has some good preachers (etc) doing lectures (see Harley Howard).

I don't know what your financial situation is, but Liberty's online seminary tuition is $225.00 per hour. They offer various scholarships, loans, and a payment plan. Better yet Liberty Theological Seminary is fully accredited by TRACS and SACS. Here is their Financial Aid webpage, and their tuition rate webpage.

Let us know which direction you go in and, either way, may God richly bless your studies! :thumbs:

 

I can vouch for the Maranatha program as being a good one, having taken some courses through it. An added attraction is that when I took them several years ago, pastors got the first 10 credits free. I don't know if they still have that program, but you might want to check into it, Joshua. :thumbsup:

 

And we all know how good a school must be if it's fully accredited, like Columbia.

MBBC is a fine school, but I didn't find it out by its accreditation.

 

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IMO... The quality of instruction in a seminary, in part, can normally be anticipated by (1)the academic preparation and commitment to scholarship of the faculty teaching Bible/Theology, as well as (2) devotion to the Word and to God of that faculty. Both qualities are important. While the latter quality is difficult to assess, the former is usually measurable by the accredited terminal degrees in the areas taught.

This is based on , IMO, the demonstrable fact, other things being equal, that one with a PhD from TEDS or DTS or the Bap Sem in PA [ as examples] in Systematic Theology, NT, or OT, is better prepared academically to teach OT, NT, or ST to grad level students than is one with a doc from Covington or Andersonville [as examples].

I suppose that one may contend that a doc is a doc regardless of where it is taken. But how could that be ? Compare the prerequisites and the curriculum of the doc programs of those examples.

Why is this important? Simply because a prof cannot teach that which he/she does not know. One who has not experienced for him/herself the rigor of accredited grad study cannot lead students through that rigor which he has not experienced.

Therefore, it is not likely that Covington profs with Covington docs are able to match the level of teaching done in more substantial programs. This creates another difficulty.

If fairness is part of the Christian ethic, how it be Christian to exert or require a mere portion of the rigor normally expected to earn a particular academic qualification? If grads of the Covington doc program do 1/2 of the work done as a standard in more rigorous doc programs , how is it Christian to claim the same qualification? Many wish to be called "Dr,Dr," but few wish to expend the effort normally required. And,cannot the same be said for lower qualifications?

Some use the caveat, "I want to learn, not get a degree." But then, there are many opportunities to learn. But substandard schools requiring substandard work offer grad degrees because degrees are what people want.

It may follow that in some cases (2) above, devotion to the Word, is insepable from (1) academic prepation to teach the Word. If one really wishes to do a fine job in teaching, or learning, then why would one cut so many corners in preparation to do that?

Why "expense," of course! But this is no argument. For if one looks toward South Africa, eg, one can find accredited programs wherein the cost totals under $3000 and wherein one may study at home. Or some TRACS accredited schools,as Faith Seminary -Salem, offer MDiv work at $150 per Q hr.

In these and others, quality is offered at reasonable prices. So finances is not a good argument for substandard education...IMO.

 

I know that cost is a legitimate issue for many people. Many wrestle with the idea of can I afford a quality education. However, probably the better question is can I afford not too?

 

Go with Liberty, I did! They are very helpful and they want you to suceed! I'm starting classes in January.

 

Isn't Covington considered a mill? Wasn't it one of the schools listed in the West Palm beach flap? Not trying to be critical...just thinking out loud.

 

==The problem there was not Covington, the problem was the guy was claiming he had degrees from schools like Southeastern when he really had degrees from Covington. If he had been honest about where he earned his degrees there would have been no problem. Many Baptist pastors have degrees from Covington and Andersonville. Those schools would not be my choice, I am just stating a fact.

 

I know that Luther Rice (www.lru.edu) is TRACS accredited and offers the MDiv entirely by distance. The tuition is 185 per credit hour.

 

If it's the education and not the degre that is important to you send Paidagogos a PM. He has six sites which offer FREE classes and training.I have taken several classes and recieved several certificates of completion. . The idea is to get a seminary education and training...the cost to you is in time and effort not money, oh and by the way all of the courses offered are better than what Covington can do for you.:godisgood:

 

Cost factor

If cost is the major issue, the SA schools offer excellent choices at bargain prices. UZThD can probably give you more specific details and advice.