Free and near free Christian education and Bible Schools

[rev_spbaker]

Thanks for the links guys, and while accredidation pleases the world, I am more after the knowledge gained. What difference does it make whether we have knowledge to share or an accredited degree. It is what we do with the training received.

Elaborers recently added Homeless Ministry Training, and though I received a certificate, the training changed the way I look at the homeless due to the way I was raised.

[Michael Mooney]

Here is a link to free lectures from Yale University about the entire Old Testament. They will not give you credits, but they will give you information.

http://open.yale.edu/courses/religious_studies/introduction-to-the-old-testament-hebrew-bible/home.html

[Michael Mooney]

Since you are not interested in recognition through a diploma etc. Here is another awesome link:

http://thirdmill.org/seminary/default.asp/site/iiim/category/seminary

It is totally free and very informative, but you will got no recognition, just knowledge.

[PilgrimPastor]

Thanks for all of those links! 

I have spent a lot of time researching the accreditation issue as I have earned all of my degrees completely through distance learning.  I have a Bachelor of Science in Religion (Bible / Theology) from Liberty University, a Master of Arts in Religion (Church Ministry), and I am wrapping up the Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.  Liberty is Federally Accredited by TRACS (Transnational Association of Colleges and Schools) and SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools).  I was fortunate to use active duty military benefits for most of the cost of those degrees but most are not so fortunate and those degrees - if paid for completely out of pocket - are worth the better part of $100,000.00

Now, I am currently working toward the Doctor of Sacred Theology with North Tennessee Bible Institute & Seminary which is not federally accredited.  The course work is outstanding and I am getting the opportunity to study subjects that I have not previously even touched on - A comparative theological study of the Babylonian Talmud, (Jewish texts from the Babylonian exile) for example.  The cost is MUCH less than Liberty and still available completely through distance learning. 

I think the real question you have to ask yourself when weighing these issues is, "What do I hope to attain with this degree(s)?"  I Pastor a local church and congregations do want to know if their Pastor is qualified.  The Liberty name tells them right away a few things about me.  Namely, that I am conservative in theology and that I am a student of God's word.  BUT, I am quit certain that a degree from North Tennessee, Freedom Bible College, Louisiana Baptist, Andersonville, and a host of others would open just as many doors IF the pastoral candidate is truly called, equipped for ministry, and competent in communicating those qualities to a search committee.  I stuck with Federal Accreditation through the M.Div. primarily because I want to keep the door open for Federal Chaplaincy with the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) Hospital system after I retire from the Pastorate.

While on active duty in the Marines I used to preach at nursing homes and rescue shelters.  NOBODY ever asked me for a list of degrees and credentials!  They asked if I was willing first and foremost and secondly if I was able.  It really is a matter of equipping for ministry visa vi 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (NKJV) and trusting in Christ for the gift of the Holy Spirit in ministry. 

Even after earning all of the big name degrees and spending years in the ministry I find myself more and more drawn to the basics of spending quality time in the Bible and in prayer for God to reveal Himself to me that I might reveal Him to others!

2 cents...

[Michael Mooney]

Brother I totally agree.  I graduated from the Bible Collage program of Liberty University (Willimington's School of the Bible) and have one semester left before earning my Bachelor of Science in Religion as you did (all through distance learning).

[lbdhoyte]

Just a couple of things about accreditation from someone who has spent the first half of his life working in institutions of higher education.

In much of the educational community, accreditation is a good thing. It provides a framework withing which an institution can organize itself to provide a quality education.

There also "accredited" schools, recognized by reputable agencies where the accreditation is only good on the day that the visiting team is on campus. This happens because the administration brings the campus up to speed for the periodic visit, then slack off again. Every now and then, they do get caught and lose accreditation, but not often enough.

A much better option is to select the program that you want to attend based on your needs and goals and the reputation of the program within the community, whether the program is accredited or not.

[johnie1]

here is another one. you will only use your bible for all your studies.
www.triplejministry.org