[Note: This is a sponsored review. See the disclaimer at the end of the post.]
Because the mind is the soul's primary vehicle for making contact with God, says philosopher J.P. Moreland, evangelicals have a duty to develop their intellects as a means of discipleship. For some, this form of discipleship will lead to the pursuit of a theological or pastoral education. Those preparing for vocational roles in the church often have an abundance of choices for graduate school and seminary level education that will help them develop their intellectual skills.
But what about those whose calling leads to a non-clergy role? And what about the future church leaders who need additional pre-seminary preparation? Often the offerings are extremely limited, particularly for those who must work full-time while pursuing an education. It is particularly difficult to find degrees in religious studies that are suitable for serious-minded evangelicals.
A handful of colleges and universities are beginning to fill that need by offering online degree programs that focus on religion. A useful resource is EarnMyDegree.com which lists two excellent schools, Liberty University and Grand Canyon University, that offer accredited degrees in religion.
Grand Canyon University, a for-profit, non-denominational Christian university based in Phoenix, AZ, was recently ranked 1st out of 86 in the online college rankings of the Online College Database. The university offers two degrees online, Bachelor of Arts in Christian Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies. The Christian Studies program offers Applied Ministry emphases in Biblical/Theological Studies, Pastoral, Worship, and Youth.
The other featured school is Liberty University, a liberal arts university in Lynchburg, VA founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell. Liberty is one of the few evangelical schools in which an accredited academic degree can be obtained completely online. The school has a broad array of options for religious studies, including an AA, BS, or MA in religion; Master's degrees in Christian Leadership, Divinity, Pastoral Counseling, Worship Studies, and Evangelism and Church Growth; and a Doctor of Ministry.
(Disclaimer: This review has been paid for by Christian Colleges Online. Being compensated for the review doesn't affect my critique--since my days in the military I've been an enthusiastic advocate for online degree programs--only my choice of subjects. To be honest, I wouldn’t have bothered to write a review on this topic had I not been hired to do so. But being paid to write about a product I already believe in helps pay the bills so that I can write about other things (such as the numerous books that I am behind on reviewing).)
Congratulations on personally hawking your first product. I would like to review Grand Canyon and Liberty myself, if they were interested in hiring me.
But I would have to let them know ahead of time that they shouldn't expect me to reach the same conclusions as they got from you ;)
I would also suggest you look at Whitefield Theological Seminary out of Florida: http://whitefield.edu/
"A handful of colleges and universities are beginning to fill that need by offering online degree programs that focus on religion. A useful resource is EarnMyDegree.com which lists two excellent schools, Liberty University and Grand Canyon University, that offer accredited degrees in religion."
otherwise known as diploma mills...any school that teaches biblical creationism as part of a scientific curiculum doesnt deserve to be called a school.
I'm curious, Joe, how much did they pay you for this? 30 pieces of silver? Okay, that was a little harsh, but seriously, you dilute your credibility by doing something like this. At the very least, you should put it off to the side or in a different font with a big sign that says "Paid Advertising."
I'd like to put a recommendation for two Christians Colleges I attended - Montreat-Anderson College and Warren-Wilson College in North Carolina.
As a former instructor at Grand Canyon during the present owners hostile takeover, I can only say... what a corrupt organization. GCU is nothing more than a diploma mill. Send the check, hand in several assignments, receive a degree. I would not call it Christian. The owners are non-practicing Mormoms. The school was founded on evangelical principles. Today it is called a "judeo-christian values based school. Huh???
I am attending Gordon Conwell Seminary (Charlotte Campus) remotely from California. They allow me to take 40% of my classes from a distance. Can I participate somehow? You got a nice list of things to consider?
There are a slew of other schools that offer part or all of your divinity degree online. And then there's the age-old question of accreditation.