who are the seminary educated wof scholars?

[Daniel Marsh]

Canonical List of Pastors & Teachers With Fake Doctorates – Dust Off The Bible
Dr. Who? – Televangelists With Fake Educations and Degrees – Dust Off The Bible
pastors with fake degrees – Dust Off The Bible

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Aug 22, 2018 — Steven Furtick has long been a bane to the Evangelical church on the basis of his own self-admission: he's unqualified for the pastorate.

"
Perhaps no diploma mill has been more successful than “Life Christian University,” which consists of a group of people with mostly phony degrees who have awarded “doctorates” to dignitaries such as “Dr.” Rodney Howard-Browne, “Dr.” Joyce Meyer, “Dr.” Kenneth Copeland, “Dr.” Norvel Hayes, “Dr.” Kevin McNulty, “Dr. Billye Brim, and “Dr.” Benny Hinn. Whether these “doctorates” are “earned” or honorary is not clear — though the difference would be little more than a technicality.

Some diploma mills for ministers make no pretense to legitimacy. American Fellowship Church sells an honorary “Doctorate of Divinity degree” for $50. The Universal Life Church offers a free “Doctorate of Divinity degree” for anyone who receives their rubber-stamp ordination. “Cambridge Theological Seminary,” also offers “free” doctorates” but if one wishes to have an actual diploma, fees will be assessed, including ones for “transcripted application,” “permanent records,” and “state-approved institutional registration.”

This mill casts aspersions on competing mills and titillates potential clients with the promise of the added prestige one will have using their phony title:

4



Fake It…

"
"Name it and Frame it" -- Phony Doctorates in the Church

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Revealed: This is why ‘pastors’ are obsessed with the fake ‘Dr’ title

"Butler is the head of Word of Faith International Christian Center, a far right Christian church in Detroit with 21,000 members. All of the signs of corruption are there, from the meaningless degrees (he claims two of them, both from completely unaccredited institutes, with an honorary doctorate from an obscure Canadian Bible school) to the fact that his church refuses to allow anyone to view their financial records."
Rev. Keith Butler Exposed | ScienceBlogs

 

[Daniel Marsh]

The Lousy Educations of Many Christian Fundamentalist Preachers: Is There a Doctor in the House?

 

[Daniel Marsh]

I am not playing favorites in the above group of posts

 

[hislegacy]

Is Trinity College of Florida an acceptable degree in your opinion?

Degree Completion - Trinity College

 

[now faith]

Ask the Holy Spirit or your wife, she will explain it to you.

That statement was uncalled for.

 

[now faith]

If you were not directing this towards me - please ignore the following comment -

If you were directing this towards me -

First, I am WOF - licensed and Ordained through the largest Word of Faith ministry in the world. 256 Bible Schools globally. (Just so you are aware of my background.

Second, what I am asking of my dear brother who is questioning seminary level scholars is to compare the Doctrinal Statements of a Word of Faith Church and compare it to other Spirit Filled denominations.

Example:

BOTH - Kenneth Hagin Ministries and the Assemblies of God have IDENTICAL Doctrines or "Statements of Belief".

Since the thread has been open for some time and he is debating based on seminary level information - then asking his to compare Doctrinal Statements is a viable question.

If you believe the OP is not a member of this faith group - that is something you should bring up with the mods.

Kenneth E Hagin, was ordained by the Assemblies of God.

 

[now faith]

God only knows.

 

[spiritfilledjm]

Aug 22, 2018 — Steven Furtick has long been a bane to the Evangelical church on the basis of his own self-admission: he's unqualified for the pastorate.

"
Perhaps no diploma mill has been more successful than “Life Christian University,” which consists of a group of people with mostly phony degrees who have awarded “doctorates” to dignitaries such as “Dr.” Rodney Howard-Browne, “Dr.” Joyce Meyer, “Dr.” Kenneth Copeland, “Dr.” Norvel Hayes, “Dr.” Kevin McNulty, “Dr. Billye Brim, and “Dr.” Benny Hinn. Whether these “doctorates” are “earned” or honorary is not clear — though the difference would be little more than a technicality.

Some diploma mills for ministers make no pretense to legitimacy. American Fellowship Church sells an honorary “Doctorate of Divinity degree” for $50. The Universal Life Church offers a free “Doctorate of Divinity degree” for anyone who receives their rubber-stamp ordination. “Cambridge Theological Seminary,” also offers “free” doctorates” but if one wishes to have an actual diploma, fees will be assessed, including ones for “transcripted application,” “permanent records,” and “state-approved institutional registration.”

This mill casts aspersions on competing mills and titillates potential clients with the promise of the added prestige one will have using their phony title:

4



Fake It…

"
"Name it and Frame it" -- Phony Doctorates in the Church

It is not an accredited institution that calls or qualifies any preacher of God's Word. Rather only God Himself.

 

[now faith]

It is not an accredited institution that calls or qualifies any preacher of God's Word. Rather only God Himself.

Yes The Holy Spirit guides us in all truth.
A seminary will reflect its doctrine, God Qualifies who He calls.
A fine degree may up your income but not your education of Gods kingdom.

 

[spiritfilledjm]

Jack van impe“Dr.” Jack Van Impe








Good old Jack almost did not make the list. His most current information from his ministry website no longer lists him as Dr. Jack Van Impe. But lets not get too excited yet. He has, in the past, added the prefix to his name and quite often. He known for having large sections of the Bible memorized but no one told ol Jack that memorization is not the same as education.

Documented education
“Earned” PhD from Pacific International University in an unknown field. (Source)
The school had no class rooms and only did correspondence courses from a single building by unknown professors.
They had no educational requirements for incoming students and no degree requirements and no accreditation.
According to a few sources, Jack received an B.A. from Detroit Bible Institute, which then turned in to William Tyndale College, and more recently is no longer an active school. They closed their doors in 2005. (Source)
Detroit Bible Institute also graduated the current dean of the Divinity School at Liberty University. Liberty is the school founded by Jerry Falwell (another fraud). These guys run in tight circles folks!
To the school’s credit they were an accredited institution in 1960, after bought by Tyndale.
However, Van Impe and the gang all graduated in the early 50’s. In fact, they were some of the first students. Van Impe started taking classes in the 3rd or 4th year of existence. (Source)
Dr Mike Murdock“Dr.” Mike Murdock








Dr. Mike might the worst of the worst. This guy actually sells a “free” product called Miracle Manna. No, I am not kidding. It’s one of the most dubious Televangelist scams of all time. To his credit he did at least attempt an education at a real school. Sadly, he only last 3 semesters. “Wait, you mean I actually have do work and learn stuff? NOPE!” Mike, you don’t get the participation award unless you finish.

Documented education
3 semesters at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (accredited).
Honorary Doctorate degree from International Seminary. (Source)
International Seminary in NOT accredited but their website tries very hard to convince students that “many” of their credits will still transfer to other schools that ARE accredited. (Source)
Rod Parsley“Dr.” Rod Parsley








If Rod Parsley was somehow related to Creflo Dollar I would not be surprised. I have never seen two people who could tie literally every sermon into “give me all your money.” If he can’t get you to donate to his ministry he will try to get you to give to his “school.” The irony is painful. Parsley has enough money to pay the tuition of every student that steps into the doors of his school yet he wants the poor people in Columbus Ohio to pay it for him.

Documented education
Earned B.A. in Ministry from Circleville Bible College, now called Ohio Christian University, which is an actual school (Source).
This means that up till now he is the most educated person on this list. Good work Ohio.
Even though it is a real school today, it did not receive ANY accreditation until 2006 when it was changed to Ohio Christian University. Rod graduated long before that. But at least he tried and finished a degree, even if it’s not recognized by an accreditation.
Honorary Doctorate from Indiana Christian University and Liberty University. (Source)
Indiana university was associated with Lester Sumrall and had zero accreditation until 2008. I am not sure that matters, though. He still holds a fake PhD.
Liberty University is an actual accredited university and they are currently the largest Christian university in the world! Regardless, its still an honorary PhD.
John Hagee“Dr.” John Hagee








John Hagee is the undisputed champion of education among the televangelists. Although it’s a rather low bar……. if any bar at all.

Here is the problem. Johnny, the degrees that you DO have are not related to anything Christian or biblical. A degree in education does not qualify you to teach the Bible anymore than an engineering degree would qualify someone to be a medical professional.

Documented education
Earned M.A. in Education Administration from the University of North Texas. (Source)
Not only is this a real accredited school but he actually completed the entire degree!!
Earned B.S. in Education and History from Trinity University.
Once again a real degree from a real school. Dang this guy is good.
Earned “Diploma” of theology from Assemblies of God University; then called Southern Bible Institute (operating in conjunction with the Richey Evangelistic Temple).
This school (according to people closer to the situation than I) was a Bible Institute that was accredited by a Bible college agency of some kind but not regionally.
It appears as though Hagee likely transfered away from this school rather than completing his diploma. Based on the fact that he has a B.S., I am assuming he transfered, not merely dropped out.
Honorary (Here we go again) Doctorate from Oral Roberts and another from some little unknown Hebrew school named Netanya Academic College.
The education record of John Hagee is slightly difficult because he has dates listed for his degrees and no dates for his Bible training in SBI. The Way Back Machine contains a snapshot of his education Bio from his personal website in 2002. The following quote is from his own website in 2002.

Dr. Hagee attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas on a football scholarship and was on the Academic Dean’s List. He graduated with a B.S. in 1964. He also attended North Texas State University where he received his Masters Degree in 1966. In 1989 he received his Honorary Doctorate from Oral Roberts University. His theological training came at Southwestern Bible Institute near Dallas where he was President of his class and a member of the College Concert Choir.

It seems as though he probably did not graduate or it was something other than a diploma that he earned. It’s also no clear when in his educational career that he attended this school.

Tim Lahaye“Dr.” Tim Lahaye








Tim Lahaye will always be known as the Left Behind guy. Sadly, the only thing that got left behind was his education. He is also one of the ministers on this list who have mysteriously “earned” a PhD without doing any graduate work and virtually no undergraduate work. Not fishy at all……

Documented education
“Earned” Doctor of Ministry from Western Baptist Theological Seminary, now called Western Seminary. (Source)
To be clear, Western Seminary as we now know it is a real accredited school. However, that happened long after Lahaye graduated and the school was bought out.
Also note that even if the school was well recognized a D.Min does not qualify him as a prophecy expert. Most D.Min programs focus on pastoral ministry only. In seminary its what we call the “easy doctor degree.” They serve only two purposes. 1) To become a better minister while furthering your education and 2) to get a cheap and easy “Dr.” affixed to your title and an accompanying pay bump.
In addition, it should be noted that no master’s degree was ever earned or recognized for Lahaye. How he earned a doctoral degree without a master’s degree is a mystery. It’s literally the most basic requirement of entering a doctoral program.
“Earned” B.A. in unknown subject from Bob Jones, in 1950. (Source)
Honorary Doctorate from Liberty University. (Source)
The only thing surprising about the honorary degree is that it’s not from Bob Jones. They hand those out like water in the desert, to anyone famous that they can.
kenneth-russell“Dr.” Kenny Russell




Kenny Russell runs a profitable Hebrew Roots program. Somehow he has managed to get the attention of some big players in the Hebrew Roots organization, such as Michael Rood and has even spoken at credible churches like The Vineyard. However, the ONLY public information that exists about his education comes from his own company’s facebook page where he listed his education as MUCH less than his title asserts. Below is the education listed by “Dr.” Russell.

Documented education
“Studied” at Tabernacle Bible College and Seminary (Source)
TBCS is accredited by two non-profit agencies that are widely known as diploma mill accrediting agencies. For a full list of these fake agencies see the list below.
You can tell they are fake even if you don’t see the list because 3/4 of the accreditation page on their website is an apology about why they are not accredited by a real agency. (Source)
They claim that SOME credits MIGHT transfer to real schools “Based on information provided by alumni and the institution, many colleges and universities have accepted transferred credits and degrees from Tabernacle Bible College and Seminary.”
Here is the thing Kenny, if you have your education listed on your facebook and it’s nowhere near a doctorate degree, then how can you go around claiming to be a doctor? Isn’t that a sin? Isn’t that deceiving people?

denis-otero“Dr.” Denis Otero






Denis Otero has an interesting record. He’s been to a handful of actual institutions and actually completed some form of coursework. Yet all of these institutions were diploma mills and unaccredited. The funny thing is they have names remarkably similar to actual universities that ARE credible. Trying to deceive much?

Otero’s education is actually listed in abundant locations. He even claims to be the decedent of the Levitical Jews and is studying DNA at his current job as a professor… at the same fake college that he graduated from. A full bio and listing of his edication can be found on his ministry’s website, “Torah Unleashed“.

Documented education
PhD candidate in Doctor of Religious Studies, Trinity Southwest University and is currently as PH.D candidate (Source)
TSU us is another non-accredited school yet is tries to sound accredited. They are accredited only as a provider of continuing educational units (CEU). They are NOT accredited for actual degrees. They list later on that “TSU has chosen to remain non-aligned with respect to accreditation.”(Source)
Doctor of Ministry, Southwest University, Alb. NM
Interestingly, TSU and SW are the same school. The website lists them deceptively. The only schools in Albaquerque are TSU and a visual arts school. So it’s gotta be TSU.
Masters in Divinity, Trinity Theological Seminary Indiana/University of Liverpool ENG
TTS is actually better known as “Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary” and they are a distance learning school.
First let’s clear up that TTS is NOT a school based out of Liverpool England. That is a confusing note from Denis’ bio. TTS is a diploma mill based out of Newburg, Indiana and once had some distance learning classes in Liverpool. (Source)
It applied for multiple accredidations and they were all denied. They still remain unaccredited by any recognized institution.
Bachelors in Theology from the University of Albuquerque, Alb. NM
No reference is made as to what the degree was in but the U of A has been closed for a very long time. (Source)
It was a Catholic university that closed in 1986 and somehow this training provided Denis with the background to become a “priest” which he also claims to be.
Though, it seems strange since his facebook claims that he was ordained a Catholic Priest by the Episcopal church. That is not fishy at all. (Source)
“Diploma” in Biblical Studies from Hal Lindsay’s Light and Powerhouse Training Center in Southern California
It’s by Hal Lindsay…. I won’t go into details about his defunct institution since it’s not a real school or a real degree but just a diploma listed.
John MacArthur

“Dr.” John MacArthur






As noted by Link Hudson (in the comments) one very well known reformed pastor has been putting Dr. on the seminary website he founded. I also discovered a number of youtube videos he put up bearing the title “Dr.”. (Video 1, Video 2) I am saddened by this turn of events because I thought Johhny M had some integrity. While he may have two actual real earned degrees, he does NOT have an earned doctorate degree. But why in the world would a well known pastor need to use the Dr. in his name if he has his own seminary? The truth is that he does so to appear more educated than he is. That is why the title is primarily used on his education websites and videos.

Documented education
Honorary Doctorate degrees from Talbot School of Theology and Grace Graduate School. (Source(s): Seminary Website, Degree 1, Degree 2)
Talbot is a fine school but John certainly did not earn a doctorate degree from there.
Grace is also a fine school with a real accreditation, but his degree from there was not earned.
Earned Masters of Divinity, from Talbot Theological Seminary (Source)
Talbot is indeed a legitimate school and we applaud him for getting a real degree from a real school.
Earned BA in (unknown), from Azusa Pacific University (Source)
While Azusa is also a real school, I could not figure out what he actually got his undergraduate degree from.
.

At this point, honestly, I'm not sure what your point is. I mean, all but one (to my knowledge) are pastors who are continuist, meaning that they believe the sign gifts (tongues, prophecy etc.) are for today and did not die off with the amen in Revelation. I'm not sure if any are considered WOF but at this point, it sounds like you're arguing against WOF without naming it specifically by discrediting these people who, regardless of the degrees they have, have all brought millions to a knowledge of Christ. That's just my opinion.

As far as MacArthur goes, I may not agree with a good chunk of his theology, but that man had spent over 50 years constructing his full commentary of every verse in the Bible before he released it. That feat, in and of itself, would lead an institution to give him an honorary doctorate for the sheer dedication he put into it. Honorary doctorates are given as recognition of achievement...hence why you don't see a ton of letters after their name whenever they write their name, all they get is the right to call themselves "Dr."

Regardless, there is no greater teacher to anyone than the Holy Spirit. There is nobody who calls anyone to ministry other than God and there is nobody who qualifies one for ministry other than God. One can go to college all they want to and still leave as dull and unqualified when they went in and still attain their degree. I had multiple classmates while I was in bible college who graduated...and then later decided that they no longer believed, that they were gay, that they were transgendered. A piece of paper from a school means absolutely nothing when it comes to ministry and biblical knowledge.

 

[hislegacy]

Kenneth E Hagin, was ordained by the Assemblies of God.

He was originally ordained by the Baptist in the 30’s. Then came to the Assemblies of God in the 40’s after, as he put it, receiving the left foot of fellowship from the Baptist.

There was a break in fellowship between him and the Assemblies at some point, but he never spoke of it that I know of.

Both KHM and the AOG have a history with the writings of PC Nelson, who helped develop the Doctrinal stances. Brother Hagin often referred to him as Dad Nelson for many of the same reasons we call him Dad Hagin.

you’ll find the exact same doctrine in a book entitled “The Foundations of Pentecostal Theology” by Duff and vanCleaf.

This text is used in many of the Pentecostal Charismatic denominations.

 

[hislegacy]

Billy Graham was not seminary trained. I guess he is a false minister also.

 

[spiritfilledjm]

Billy Graham was not seminary trained. I guess he is a false minister also.

Was accreditation even a thing back in his day?

 

[spiritfilledjm]

Billy Graham was not seminary trained. I guess he is a false minister also.

Also, he did, at least, earn a degree from a bible institute in Florida that is now Trinity College of Florida. It didn't become accredited with the Association of Biblical Higher Education until 96 but is not accredited regionally with SACS. He also graduated from Wheaton with a degree in anthropology. However, he was ordained by a group of baptist clergy at a church in Florida as well.

Too bad he was unqualified for the pastorate since he didn't have an accredited degree...all those millions he brought to Christ means nothing I guess.

 

[now faith]

I cannot help to think of Reinhart Bonnike ,I know he attended a seminary at a young age.
To say the least His work in Africa was tremendous.
His Gift brought somewhere near 100 million confessions for Christ.
He was a humble man you could see the love of God in his life.

 

[chad kincham]

Jesus had no degree from any seminary, either.

There’s a reason seminary’s are called cemeteries.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I have found that in spiritual matters, sometimes dumb people's opinions, when based on the word of God, are much better than smart people's opinions that are based on their own "intelligence."
Consider the world we live in today. Remember that it is being run by "smart" people.
Sometimes people have the common sense educated out of them.

"I would just as soon hear a donkey bray at midnight in a tin barn, as to listen to people like that talk."
Kenneth Hagin

 

[actionsub]

There was a time about 10 years ago when Kenneth Copeland was offering scholarships to prospective seminary students.