Preachers with "Doctor" in their title.

Source Scripture · Nov 18, 2010

Ive noticed many Christian preachers call themselves Doctor in their title. I became curious about whether they had legitimate doctorate degrees, so I did some research and found out they received these degrees from uncertified diploma mills. They are not legitimate degrees. To earn a doctorate you must spend years in hard study and work, and these fake degrees are dishonest in my opinion.

I also learned that these degrees from diploma mills are against the law in Florida, where two famous preachers live, who have these degrees.

JimB · Nov 18, 2010

Two preachers that I know, both who present themselves as “Doctor,” actually finished their first year of college. I think one of them flunked out. They have high school diplomas and “honorary” doctorate degrees from unknown little “colleges,” both in the same state (Florida); one for raising funds for the school and the other for being a published author who spoke at a commencement service. Both were, at the time, traveling ministers and the title “Dr.” in front of their name increased their value to their audience. This is in direct opposition to Jesus’ words (and warning) in Matt. 23.5-12. However, I do have immense respect for men/women with EARNED doctorates who refuse to bill themselves as “Dr.”—and, thankfully, there are many of them. They know their gift and not their title make room for them.

~Jim

Love God. Love people. Period.

Faulty · Nov 18, 2010

I don't have a problem with someone calling themselves a Doctor, if they've earned that degree.

I do have a problem if it's not earned and used in a way to gain respect not earned.

It reminds me of a time when I was finishing up my Master's degree and my wife asked me if people with that degree get some kind of title to go with it. (It's a valid question for her as I'm the only one in either of our families to ever graduate a college.)

I told her that when a person earns a Doctorate degree then people call them "Doctor". So, when I finish my Master's degree, she could feel free to call me... "Master"

I thought that was funnier than she did.

Yekcidmij · Nov 18, 2010

Faulty said:
ISo, when I finish my Master's degree, she could feel free to call me... "Master"

Haha

Big Drew · Nov 18, 2010

Yeah...my pastor has a PhD in Divinity...you'd never know it though...he doesn't put Dr. in front of his name or wear it as a title...he just has the diploma up on his wall in his study at his house.

JimB · Nov 18, 2010

Big Drew said:
Yeah...my pastor has a PhD in Divinity...you'd never know it though...he doesn't put Dr. in front of his name or wear it as a title...he just has the diploma up on his wall in his study at his house.

Kudos to your pastor.

~Jim

Love God. Love people. Period.

zaksmummy · Nov 18, 2010

My brother has got a Phd in theology, and yes he did the graft!

Have a conversation about theology with him is somewhat interesting.

JimB · Nov 18, 2010

A person who has earned a doctorate has every right to call himself “Doctor”—he earned the right.

It’s debatable whether someone who has not earned the degree should have one although people like, say, a President or Billy Graham have earned it in other ways.

~Jim

Love God. Love people. Period.

Source Scripture · Nov 18, 2010

Faulty said:
I don't have a problem with someone calling themselves a Doctor, if they've earned that degree.

I do have a problem if it's not earned and used in a way to gain respect not earned.

It reminds me of a time when I was finishing up my Master's degree and my wife asked me if people with that degree get some kind of title to go with it. (It's a valid question for her as I'm the only one in either of our families to ever graduate a college.)

I told her that when a person earns a Doctorate degree then people call them "Doctor". So, when I finish my Master's degree, she could feel free to call me... "Master"

I thought that was funnier than she did.

Thanks for the chuckle, "Master Faulty".

K2K · Nov 18, 2010

I had an English professor that had earned his Doctorate degree but did not think it appropriate to be called "Doctor" because a "Doctor" in our society is generally thought to be someone who practices medicine. Since that was it's accepted use in our society that is how it should appropriately be used, was his oppinion. To do otherwise was pride, so he insisted that we call him by his name.

Always in His Presence · Nov 18, 2010

What comes from a persons heart, how and what they minister is 1,000 times more important than initials in front of their name.

Alive_Again · Nov 18, 2010

<I told her that when a person earns a Doctorate degree then people call them "Doctor". So, when I finish my Master's degree, she could feel free to call me... "Master"

That's hilarious! The Mahster will see you now! Use your best Boris Karloff.

<Ive noticed many Christian preachers call themselves Doctor in their title. I became curious about whether they had legitimate doctorate degrees, so I did some research and found out they received these degrees from uncertified diploma mills.

A great many of them received honorary degrees from religious colleges. I would surmise that like a many Master's degree programs, where you can receive college credit for your life experience (which you pay for), and probably together with your demonstrated knowledge of the Word (which they recognize), honor you with the title.

I have mixed feelings about it myself. (Apostle) June Newman Davis was going to school and the Lord wouldn't let her finish her degree because He didn't want her accepting titles of men. His honor was far greater than anything man would bestow on her.

It's up to the Lord because sometimes He does honor us through men. Ultimately, we are to seek our honor from above. Fleshly titles can be a form of fig leaves, which we use to cover our nakedness. This implies that you feel the need to cover.
My pastor received an honorary doctorate, and he put the "Dr." in front of the nam
We can't judge another person's heart, so I just try and put it out of my mind. e on the sign. I don't feel like it added anything to him. He's a blessed and anointed man without any of that. I would think a man of the Spirit wouldn't attach to much to that. I won't judge him. I haven't heard anyone call him doctor yet.

cyberlizard · Nov 19, 2010

zaksmummy said:
My brother has got a Phd in theology, and yes he did the graft!

Have a conversation about theology with him is somewhat interesting.

yep. As I recall the thesis of his dissertion was specifically to do with the greek construction of two particular chapters. Greek makes no sense to me whatsoever, give me Hebrew any day of the week.

Hilariously last week he was speaking to my wife about his website. Over the past five years he has been developing a PHP driven website. This time he told her he was learning C++ and had she ever heard of it. Catrin laughed and said, I have lived with a computer genius for yours (I used to program to make ends meet). Ohhh, was the reply. I don't think he ever twigged that C++ had been around for so long. I would love to learn another more recent computer language these days but between work and writing a book, I just cannot be stuffed.

Steve

Svt4Him · Nov 19, 2010

If someone has a doctoate degree, I care less how they got it, they're a dr. To say you'd only call someone it if they worked hard means that if someone didn't work hard, graduated at the bottom of their class (50% do!) then you wouldn't? Ya, ok. I've sen honorary doctrates given to some well deserving people who have done more for their area of expertise than those who 'worked hard to get it' and they totally deserve that title. I'm a CMA, I can post those initials behind my name knowing I worked hard, but I don't say those CMA who just winged it don't deserve the initials, it's not for me to judge.

But a funny story, a friend got his Dr through a ministry and used it to get upgraded on his flights. On one flight there was a medical emergency so they said, "don't worry, there's a dr here." They got a surprise when he told them it was in theology and was an honorary doctrate. Oh to see that one.

Svt4Him, CMA

Married to:

Svt4Him's wife, BScN (Hon), RN.

JimB · Nov 19, 2010

Years ago, my dad’s brother, after he became an accountant, sent dad a letter with the return address, “Franklin E. Miller, CPA.” Dad, a hard working blue collar guy with a ninth-grade education wrote him back and in the return address scribbled, “Joe E. Miller, AFL-CIO.”

~Jim

Love God. Love people. Period.

Seeking Him · Nov 19, 2010

Does anyone know if Mike Murdock has a real doctorate?

Faulty · Nov 19, 2010

Seeking Him said:
Does anyone know if Mike Murdock has a real doctorate?

It's honorary from the International Seminary in Florida.

JESUSIAM · Nov 19, 2010

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. -Philippians 1:15-18

Be Bless !!!

Seeking Him · Nov 19, 2010

Faulty said:
It's honorary from the International Seminary in Florida.

What is all that, is it accredited, is it considered legitimate?

AudioArtist · Nov 19, 2010

I am against the use of 'Dr' when those using the title haven't gone through the proper process usually needed to get it.

However - and this might just be my experience - but I've been quite disappointed a number of times with those I've come across who have studied to get their doctorate properly (I'm thinking specifically of fields like Biblical studies, theology, philosophy and Christian Apologetics here.) I guess I thought having to go through the strenuous process of getting a doctorate in a subject would offer some guarantee of intellectual imagination and rigour, but that doesn't seem to always be the case. I must admit I am easily swayed by the Dr. before someone's name, but time and time again I've been disappointed; by books, lectures, debates. Even the writing style itself has been quite limp in a number of Christian books I've read by those with a proper Dr. before their name.

I have a friend who did well in Biblical studies at a respected secular institution, and he is now finishing his doctorate. I am amazed at the stuff he hasn't heard of, and he himself has shared that he is surprised at the limited vision of those studying with him. They know a few specific fields in great detail, but I guess even a doctorate can't guarantee breadth of vision and a competent understanding of logic, history and culture in general.

Preachers with "Doctor" in their title.

Source Scripture

Guest

Legend

bind on pick up

Presbyterian, Polymath

Believer

Legend

Senior Member

Legend

Source Scripture

Guest

Newbie

Jesus is the only Way

Resident Alien

the electric lizard returns

Legend

Legend

Regular Member

bind on pick up

A Son of God

Regular Member

AudioArtist

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency