I have a friend who is considering LBU? He is aware of the accreditation issues and just wants some good education. He is considering LBU. What is the verdict on LBU? Is my friend making a good choice, despite his disinterest in accreditation?
What is the Verdict on LBU?
Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by TCGreek, May 21, 2007.
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Personally I think accreditation is a good thing, but we should know how to use it and not let it use us. For example, when I think of a school like Whitefield Theological Seminary, which has no intention of seeking accreditation, yet is seems to be a very stalwart school, I wonder about accreditation and its overall importance.
Because accreditation has been created we must live with it. -
At least I hope and pray that is not part of their crtieria. :praying:
Debbie Mc -
For many reasons I think a person should seek an accredited degree because that has been interwoven in our educational system as a means of ensuring quality education.
If that were not the case, anyone can set up a university from his or her basement. I am all for accreditation and I do not see it as a government control issue per se, anymore than the government offering churches tax exempt status. They are two different things, I know that, but the government is involve, nevertheless. -
Lbu
I am enrolled at LBU. I had the same questions about accreditation so I initially went to American Christian College and you all know what happened to them. After much prayer, it came down to whether or not LBU offered a Biblically sound Christian education. I believe they do and I have been very happy with them. :thumbs: -
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Lbu
American Christian College and Seminary became accredited by TRAACS and attracted a lot of people who were looking for a Christian education on-line. It was nearly impossible to reach a professor or administrator for any reason as it was presumed that they were preoccupied with many problems they were having keeping within the guidelines of TRAACS. When it came time to be evaluated again by TRAACS, ACCS was lacking in many areas. As a matter of fact, one may go to the TRAACS website and look for actions taken in the November 2004 section ( I think that is the right date but I may be mistaken). Provisional approval was granted pending ACCS getting all their ducks in a row. They failed to accomplish that and lost their accreditation as a result. Those who were finishing their degree that year were allowed to graduate with an accredited degree but others, (myself included) lost money on tuition paid and books purchased.
I know that accreditation is a big consideration to most people seeking an education and it should well be important that one receive quality for their money. After attending and graduating from accredited institutions and the unaccredited LBU, I would still take LBU over the accredited college from which I obtained my B.S. LBU is solid, reputable, organized and extremely responsive from my experience and I would recommend LBU to anyone. :type: -
How, may I ask, does God let you, me, or anyone else know that he has "certified" a college? Does God promise in Scripture to give us special revelation concerning such matters? I work as an education counselor and an associate pastor. I would never counsel any student, whether looking for a secular or religious degree program, to use such a mystical way of choosing a school.
When it comes to professions such as medicine, law, teaching, counseling, etc., everyone agrees that a person must go to an accredited school to ensure they receive proper training. However, when it comes to preparation for THE most important job a man can have--pastoring a local assembly of believers--accreditation does not matter?! Mistakes made by a doctor in the operating room or a lawyer in a courtroom cannot keep a man from inheriting eternal life. But, false doctrines concerning Christ and Satan, heaven and hell, sin and righteousness, law and gospel, etc., can doom a man's soul!!
Please keep in mind that I understand that regionally or nationally accredited theological training does not guarantee that sound doctrine will flow from the pulpit every Sunday. But the comments you reference from Dr. Chappell seem to indicate he believes that a school can't be accredited and a Bible believing, soul winning, "God certified" (whatever that means) school at the same time. Somebody help me here! I am missing the logic in this argument. :confused:
Moreover, what in the world is sinful about a church wanting a pastor who has an accredited degree?! If the possession of an accredited degree does not matter to a church that’s completely fine with me. But to insinuate that churches looking for a pastor with an accredited degree are somehow less spiritual than churches that don’t consider accreditation to be a make or break issue, is, I think, way, waay, waay, WAAAY, out in left field!
But, of course, I could be wrong...
Eddie -
Kudos, Eddie!
:applause: :thumbs:
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Need historical perspective
The concept of academic freedom in the 1960-70's made it difficult to purge even heretical or liberal teachers from seminaries. Many times, to fire a professor over doctrinal issues brought accreditation into jeopardy as in the infamous SEMEX debacle of that era. Thus, it was not without reason that some schools thought it better to avoid the accreditation game altogether rather than acquire it and then lose it.
Of course, this problem resulted in several efforts to form recognized accreditors who were friendly to orthodoxy. TRACS, of course, was about the only successful one but it did not have much credibility in the early days.
So, you must understand the background before you pass judgment upon these folks. Know their reasons, history and background before pontificating. One is not obligated to agree with them but one should in fairness understand and recognize their viewpoint along with their right to hold said view. -
And what I meant by "God accredited" is what I just said in the previous paragraph. I never said that anything mystical happens.
I went to an accredited Baptist college my first year of college, and I wouldn't hire a Pastor from that school !!! Not enough Bible taught.
The Pastor we just called at our church graduated from West Coast. He is the man to lead our church. The other candidate went to some well-known school in Texas, but he just didn't "Have it" as far as our church is concerned. His stance on Grace and his stance on soul-winning were out of whack.
Debbie Mc (My son-in-law will be attending West Coast soon)