Are Church Bible Colleges any better than diploma mills?

This is the kind of attitude that I detest.
There is no "real" information here. It is more accurately the arrogant opinion of one who seems to "think somewhat of himself."

And that's my OPINION.

The truth is that most large colleges have become institutional monuments. They no longer have very much relevance to the local church.
I find no biblical support for these man made monuments. What I find scripturally is that each local church is to "teach faithful men who shall be able to teach others also." The idea is to train preachers who will go out and start other local churches, who then train preachers who will go out and start local churches, who then train preachers who will go out...

As far as accreditation goes, it is only good for man to recognize man. It means nothing to the local church. Unless of course that "local" church is a member of some megalithic monstrosity such as the SBC.

In His service;
Jim

 

Jim,

I don't think anyone said there is anything wrong inherently with a church-based Bible institution - provided that the mission of the school is the edification of Christians.

Why do you make a fuss over accreditation? Should this not be based on a school's resources (faculty, library, etc)?

Going to bible college to study with like-minded believers is a noble thing. But degrees (especially advanced ones) from accredited bodies SHOULD have particular qualifications.

Devoted bible study under local ministers using only the KJB and a handful of very conservative books is not a bad thing. It may well strengthen your convictions and knowledge - but it won't qualify you to be a "doctor" of theology.

 

I am limited in my participation to one church shepherding school, so I don't see why there is the assumption that a church would limit Studies to a particular Theological view point and a certain Bible version. Why would a local church not be equipt for the training up of believers to do the work of the ministry. I'm not against accredidation, but I don't think our goal in education is the accredited degree either.

 

"Why would a local church not be equipt for the training up of believers to do the work of the ministry."

I certainly could be equipped. But training to be a minister is different than earning a degree in something.

 

Jim said, "This is the kind of attitude that I detest.
There is no "real" information here. It is more accurately the arrogant opinion of one who seems to "think somewhat of himself."
------------------------------------------------
Ok. this is hard to do with a stinky ol' shoe in my mouth.
I apologize for this comment.
The following words used by Dr. Bob set me "off", and I should have been a lot more gracious in stating my irritation.
"Ludicrous" "Pathetic sham" "Real college" Real school"
Maybe you did not mean to be condescending or arrogant. It came across that way to me. If you did not intend it that way, I apologize.

In His service;
Jim

 

To the point of the thread.
Yes, local New Testament church Bible Colleges are better than a diploma mill, or degree mill. That is if we understand such "mills" to be those "businesses" as designed to sell credentials for profit with no thought other than making a quick buck.

I know many a man, however, who have gotten ALL of their education at a local church Bible College, and are now on the mission field reaping the harvest. Local church Bible colleges are therefore not simply for edifying or equipping the local body.

So, to reiterate, local church Bible Colleges are infinitely better that those "sham" mills.
BTW, I resent the comment that local church Bible Colleges "...are designed to keep $$ and workers..." as Dr. Bob said. This is too much of a generalization and is not true. Most that I know of do not keep workers, and are not designed to keep money. That comment sir, is unfair.
In His servide;
Jim