Columbia Evangelical Seminary

Martin · Feb 20, 2005

What does everyone here think about Columbia Evangelical Seminary? http://www.columbiaseminary.edu/

The school is not accredited, and seems to point this out every chance they get. Dr James White has two degrees from CES.

Martin.

Nord · Feb 20, 2005

Well....I think they are a legitmate and honest attempt. I also have high regard for Dr. Walston.

The other side is that with so many affordable Christian education programs around, I see little reason to do a degree there.

Even at the doctorate level, there are very affordable South African theological degrees. South africa has a very well respected education system and well respected theolgical faculties.

As an example, Bill Grover on http://www.degreeinfo.com did his doctorate at the UNIZUL (not top tier theological school but good). Bobby Loubser is the department chair (you can do an internet search for his curriculum vitae). The doctorate cost less than 2000 US dollars.

The point is why do an unaccredited doctorate. Bill Grover is already doing adjunct faculty work based on his accredited (equivalent doctorate). I find it hard to believe that someone would be doing the same based on their CES doctorate (maybe based on an accredited Masters).

Nord

gb93433 · Feb 21, 2005

There are numerous reasons why to have an accreditied degree. A cousin of mine graduated many years ago from a Christian college and essentially does not have a degree. Her husband is not in very good health so she tried to get a teaching credential to teach school and help pay the bills. Her degree is not recognized so she is working at a much lower paying job.

PastorSBC1303 · Feb 21, 2005

I personally would stay away from any school that was no accredited. They may be a fine school with fine teachers, etc. But in the long run it is worth your time, energy and money to go with an accredited school.

UZThD · Feb 23, 2005

Originally posted by Nord:

As an example, Bill Grover on http://www.degreeinfo.com did his doctorate at the UNIZUL (not top tier theological school but good).

The point is why do an unaccredited doctorate. Bill Grover is already doing adjunct faculty work based on his accredited (equivalent doctorate).

===

um...well..may be and sort of, my friend. In the quest for pure truth, may I add possible qualifications to your kind statement:

1) So far, ( in two months of trying) I've only two "gigs." I just got back last night from Sacramento. I drove (round trip) 1100 miles to gratuitously substitute teach a one day (4 1/2 hour) class in Christology. I REALLY enjoyed introducing those students at an RA seminary to some of the problems with which Christologists must deal .

As long as I can financially afford it, I won't take money to teach about Christ. But, understand, I'm on a pension , so, do not need as much as some do to get paid for teaching.

It is true that the curriculum director asked for my vitae, and that I included the ThD (D.Th) from Unizul. But as you may know, it sometimes is the case that one with just a ThM (ie, the ATS sort of four year grad degree) can teach at the master's level which those students are at.

Still, my own ThM is in Biblical Studies, not in Systematic Theology. Therefore, it may well be that the UZ ThD was weighed by the curriculum director in his decision to allow me to do that subbing in that complex area which is part of Systematic Theology.

Anyway, doing that was a drop of Heaven falling on me who is so undeserving to serve in that capacity since I threw away my youth instead of serving God then. Now I do it with diabetes and the through the complexities of severe familial difficulties of which you, my friend, are aware! Oh that I had served Him before!

2) Another drop of Heaven on me is that on March 5th I will read a paper on Christology to the NW section of the Evangelical Theological Society. This is not for the plenary session but is for a smaller session of only 40 minutes. There too ,some even w-out docs may be allowed to read papers--but that is not typical. Most who do presentations have docs.

When I applied to do so I listed , again, in my vitae the Unizul ThD as a qualification. But I have ne solid evidence that that qualification served to get my offer accepted. Regardless, I'm thrilled that I can do it.

So, my friend, I just wanted to clarify that while I think the UZ doc is serving me well, I don't wish for the perception to be that I am "setting the world on fire" because of it.

I personally think that the worth of my UZ experience might be measurable by the comments of a prof of NT at a USA RA school who has his PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary and who is twice published in the area of my dissertation. This one feels , after reading every chapter, that the product of the UZ experience, ie, the dissertation, is the equivalent of that of a Dallas dissertation and that my dissertation or parts of it should be published either in journals or in a book because its ideation and argument presents and supports a Christological view in a manner that adds to the understanding of that area of study. So, I am saying that in that sense my Unizul experience is by at least that one thought to have prepared me to contribute in scholarly venues.

That dissertation took three blessed years of thinking extensively and writing about our Wonderful Lord. For an old sinner [ in May I graduate, in June I'm 65 ] like me to have the chance, which Unizul was used to provide, to do that in a respectable and rigorous manner was , indeed, IMO, Heaven's grace outpoured.

Bill Grover
Click to expand...

Rhetorician · Feb 23, 2005

Martin,

You can do a search on the BB for "CES" or "Rick Walston" and find some more opinions about CES. I am one of their mentors and would be glad to talk to you on or off the BB about the programs.

sdg!

rd

Rhetorician · Feb 23, 2005

Martin,

Check out this web page on the BB.

http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/8/413.html?

rd

El_Guero · Feb 23, 2005

Any body know of nay groups that have graduate certificates?

El_Guero · Feb 23, 2005

ooops
Probably should have been
Does any one know of any graduate certificate programs?

Broadus · Feb 24, 2005

Originally posted by El_Guero:
ooops
Probably should have been
Does any one know of any graduate certificate programs?
Click to expand...

Sorry,

I don't understand your question.

Bill

Rhetorician · Feb 25, 2005

Broadus,

Some grad schools have a program that is something like 1/2 of a master's. You can get a "graduate certificate" in a particular discipline by doing 15-18 grad hrs or some such. I looked at a grad cert in bio&medical ethics but decided not to do the program. This may be what El_Guero is talking about??

sdg!

rd

El_Guero · Feb 25, 2005

RD,

That is: but, half of a master's is 50 hours ...

I was thinking more along the lines of 3 to 9 hours ...

Non-traditional is even better ...

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