SEU (Southern Eastern University) updates

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Justin

I wonder just how many licensed UPCi minsters have degrees from "degree-mills"?

It would be easier to count how many have legitimate degrees.

Part of the problem has been hostility to the Oneness message on the part of some Trinitarian institutions. The answer to that, however, is not to go out and buy a fake sheepskin and try to pass yourself off as a "Doctor."

[JN Anderson]

Originally Posted by pelathais

It would be easier to count how many have legitimate degrees.

Part of the problem has been hostility to the Oneness message on the part of some Trinitarian institutions. The answer to that, however, is not to go out and buy a fake sheepskin and try to pass yourself off as a "Doctor."

Good point

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by pelathais

It would be easier to count how many have legitimate degrees.

Part of the problem has been hostility to the Oneness message on the part of some Trinitarian institutions. The answer to that, however, is not to go out and buy a fake sheepskin and try to pass yourself off as a "Doctor."

I'm Oneness and have not once endured hostility trying to earn a legit theology degree. What sort of hostility are we talking about?

Another part of the problem is those more concerned about veneer, image, having the title and having little desire for actual learning.

[DAII]

Originally Posted by Maximilian

I'm Oneness and have not once endured hostility trying to earn a legit theology degree. What sort of hostility are we talking about?

Another part of the problem is those more concerned about veneer, image, having the title and having little desire for actual learning.

Right. But I believe it is ingrained and inherent in a performance-based culture that makes such stark distinction between "ministry" and "laity".

A systemic problem and symptom.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by Maximilian

I'm Oneness and have not once endured hostility trying to earn a legit theology degree. What sort of hostility are we talking about?

Another part of the problem is those more concerned about veneer, image, having the title and having little desire for actual learning.

And the result... buy your doctorate from a degree-mill and save yourself from all of that "learning" hassle.

[Pro31:28]

Originally Posted by Maximilian

I'm Oneness and have not once endured hostility trying to earn a legit theology degree. What sort of hostility are we talking about?

Another part of the problem is those more concerned about veneer, image, having the title and having little desire for actual learning.

Does anyone else not see an interesting correlation here?

Religiously: clean up the outside, make yourself presentable to others- do not talk about what might be going on in your heart or your personal life because then you are "unspiritual"- At least that's what my former experience was. Is it so far a leap to think that someone who is taught to dress and act the part, would see a huge problem with claiming a degree to look better?

Maybe I am reaching here, I probably am, but there it seems that once you become good at pretending to be religious on the outside, the "props" just seems to come easier as well...
Just a thought.

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by Pro31:28

Does anyone else not see an interesting correlation here?

Religiously: clean up the outside, make yourself presentable to others- do not talk about what might be going on in your heart or your personal likfe because then you are "unspiritual"- At least that was my former experience was. Is it so far a leap to think that someone who is taught to dress and act the part, would see a huge problem with claiming a degree to look better?

Maybe I am reaching here, I probably am, but there it seems that once you become good at pretending to be religious on the outside, the "props" just seems to come easier as well...
Just a thought.

I think that's a very worthy observation, and yes, one I was hinting at myself.

I definitely see a relationship.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by Pro31:28

Does anyone else not see an interesting correlation here?

Religiously: clean up the outside, make yourself presentable to others- do not talk about what might be going on in your heart or your personal life because then you are "unspiritual"- At least that's what my former experience was. Is it so far a leap to think that someone who is taught to dress and act the part, would see a huge problem with claiming a degree to look better?

Maybe I am reaching here, I probably am, but there it seems that once you become good at pretending to be religious on the outside, the "props" just seems to come easier as well...
Just a thought.

Great point, just like the pharisees. These guys are clean cut and well educated (at least the degrees hanging on their walls say so), but on the inside, yuck! Looks like a few licensed UPCi minsters should have listened to Jesus.

If Holiness always starts on the inside, why is it that the "outside" is always taught first?

[Baron1710]

Just for the sake of making it clear, I have not been scared off I just don't have the time today. And James if you and your friends persist in your criminal misrepresentation and threats, I will follow up on it.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Maximilian

I'm Oneness and have not once endured hostility trying to earn a legit theology degree. What sort of hostility are we talking about?

Another part of the problem is those more concerned about veneer, image, having the title and having little desire for actual learning.

Many theological seminaries had a requirement that those attending sign a confession of faith expressing belief in some form of the Doctrine of the Trinity.

As it relates to our Bible Schools getting accreditation, the national accrediting body for Bible Schools (I forget which acronym) had for years required acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity as stated in their belief statement. In the past 20 or 30 years, there have been many "Independent" accrediting bodies pop up, but there have also been many scandals of academic credentials similar to the ones being discussed here.