 Johnny Hunt, pastor of a Georgia mega-church was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention on first ballot this week.
It appears he has two ‘degrees’ that have come from diploma mills, which is not going to help the credibility of the battered Southern Baptists.
Ethics Daily has the details. The article gives some examples of times Hunt has been introduced with these ‘degrees’ without question or correction.
Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Ga., identifies himself with the title “Dr.” and lists two accredited educational institutions on his personal Web site from which he did not receive a doctorate. Yet he is often identified publicly as having degrees—degrees that come from two diploma mills.
On his personal Web site, It’s A New Day Ministries, the “internet home of the preaching ministry of Dr. Johnny Hunt,” his educational credentials are Gardner-Webb College and the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. No reference is made to the terminal or honorary degree which affords him the prestigious title of “Dr. Johnny Hunt.”
When Hunt is named in conference programs, he is listed as having degrees from schools other than those on his Web site. Where I come from passing yourself off as accredited when you aren’t, giving yourself academic luster without doing the work is called lying, fake credentials speak to ego and pride and the bible has a fair bit to say about that. It will be interesting to see what Hunt has to say for himself.
Alright to put this up in the air I myself live in geogia and have met the man. If there is any question you want me to ask tell me b/c ill do it. He has great speakin skills, while what he has to say is a little weird in my mind. For all of you who like him, I propose a question when he says only babtists are chrisrtian is’nt he lying?
Ready for this?
I live a few minutes from CTS (Covington), have a pastor who graduated from there (he also has a degree from Shorter Univ.), and am researching Covington myself for the purpose of possibly enrolling. My pastor is my dearest brother in Christ and we know each other well. He believes that Covington would be a good move for me based on what I am trying to accomplish which is nothing more than to better equipped to do God’s work and serve in a larger and more knowledgeable capacity. I have obtained Covington’s catalogue and I can tell you that all certificates and degrees offered require semester hours (varying amounts according to level of education)and even dissertations. They make no claims to prepare their graduates for secular work. In fact, they state just the opposite. While I don’t believe anyone who has any knowledge of how the education system works will believe that the upper level of degrees line up with that of accredited institutions, some merit should be awarded to those investing several years and hard earned money. I could not allow myself to be called Dr. if I earned such a degree from there because the meaning poured into that term is different from the better recognized definition the world uses. That having been said, let me finish by saying that according to their catalogue, they offer NO degrees or certificates free of charge or based on life experience even thought the latter can be applied for a certain amount of credit.
The teachers are all active in their churches and/or ministries, and they work at Covington without pay.
The website and catalogue also speak of ongoing missions and mission trips involving students and alumni as well as other reports of the result of God’s work through this school. While I have yet to decide on whether to enroll or not, it would seem to me that money generated by free degrees that require little or no study, work, or involvement is not the case here.
JD: Thanks for that.
By all means ask him. He says he didn’t earn them. Moved on. As current elected head of a denomination I haven’t read him addressed the ethics of diploma mills. You can see the being discussed in Baptist magazines.
Rich:
The word ‘amateur’ is not a bad word, it’s a great word.
No one is asking or forcing me to go to a church with an unaccredited minister, or go out of my way to listen to a minister who puffs up their credentials or allows others to do so for them.
No one is forcing you too either.
You’re an adult and you get to make your own choices.
I’m not going to put you down.
You are saying you are weighing your options and trying to make an informed choice.
I’m sorry to read a minister who has done some recognized academic work and makes a living because he made a different choice is advising you to do this, but that’s between you and him.
I guess I wasn’t aware theological educational choices in Georgia are so limited you have to consider schooling from a business which spiritualizes or politicizes it’s choice for those studying for ministry not to meet national and international academic standards.
Your informed choice, your money.
You now know that thousands fall into educational traps like Covington without awareness because the advertising and sales pitch is slick.
“…some merit should be awarded to those investing several years and hard earned money. ”
Why?
“I could not allow myself to be called Dr. if I earned such a degree from there because the meaning poured into that term is different from the better recognized definition the world uses.”
You might be able to educate the people around “Dr.” Hunt. He isn’t known for stopping people from calling him Dr.
The world includes thousands and thousands of men and women who have earned their degrees, their licence as Rev. and we recognize them across borders and denominations. They got that right in seminaries and bible colleges accepted as institutions of higher learning.
God has no beef with accredidation.
http://www.counterfeitdegrees.com/
Bene,
Have you just labeled my Pastor? Is it not slightly dangerous to label someone based on such a limited amount of knowledge or info. on a person? I don’t believe you have that right as you know not his character, involvement in ministry, or most importantly, his heart.
“No one is asking or forcing me to go to a church with an unaccredited minister, or go out of my way to listen to a minister who puffs up their credentials or allows others to do so for them.
No one is forcing you too either.”
You are correct. However, I don’t require a Pastor to have the highest degree in the land to attend a church where he teaches. I believe the foremost requirement is where my God wants me to be and of that I have confirmation so I don’t need a blessing from anyone concerning that. Primary to the level of secondary education would be where a Pastor stands biblically.
“I guess I wasn’t aware theological educational choices in Georgia are so limited you have to consider schooling from a business which spiritualizes or politicizes it’s choice for those studying for ministry not to meet national and international academic standards.”
Have you personally checked out Covington’s material? Do you know their curriculum? I have found many who say it mirrors that in better known institutions that have government approved accreditation. I do not necessarily defend Covington because I am still searching. I do know that if I find that their studies are in fact biblically sound and doctrinally correct, I will give them serious consideration. I have no need or desire at this point in my life for full time college committment nor do I wish to be at the top of every list for choices of church officials. I simply would like a sound biblical education in order to better understand and relay the Gospel, it’s history, it’s texts, and it’s significance.
I see no need to deny someone of credit when accomplishing a goal of education. That credit of course, should fit the accomplishment. Perhaps the names of such degrees should be changed so as not to mirror those of other “accredited” institutions. I am not the professor here. I still know very little of these matters. I do however, believe that even though a school chooses not to be government accredited, they can provide an education that proves to be helpful to an individual according to the path they so choose.
Do you believe that? Do you believe that a basic or maybe even somewhat slightly higher, in-depth bible course can be taught and proven beneficial? Not your ordinary Wed. night bible class mind you, but more intense with various options for legitimate study?
Is it possible to remove some of the academia and just teach scripture, Jewish and/or Hebrew history, Christian heritage, basic hermaneutics, eschatology, and apologetics?
Thank you for informing me that you won’t put me down. You know, some things are better left unsaid.
Rich:
Voice tone is lost online. Sigh.
I said it’s between you and your pastor and I’m commending you for researching, checking, and thinking things through.
I’ve taken unaccredited courses, they don’t wind up on my resume.
I’ve taken accedited courses by long distance learning while working.
They go on the resume.
This post questions the ethics of accepting honourary degrees from diploma mills.
I’ve read the Covington material, you can get the same thing at accredited institutions if you want it. Either way it’s your life, your money, your choices.
We differ in a minor point I think.
“I do however, believe that even though a school chooses not to be government accredited, they can provide an education that proves to be helpful to an individual according to the path they so choose. Do you believe that?”
Each person is unique, and universities and seminaries weigh standards, life circumstance etc. You still make up the course work, but where I live depending on what you’ve accomplished, you might be admitted as a mature student.
You won’t get course credit for study at an institution that doesn’t meet standards.
Nor should you.
Covington has chosen to opt out, to tell the rest of academia to basically go to hell. You obviously get that and I’m hearing you say you’re okay with that, their church will employ you, end of story.
I have to ask myself this.
If Covington offers such great curriculum, why are they not paying their teachers? Why, given the money they take in have they not applied for accreditation so grads don’t have to start over again if they chose a career path in ministry?
Of course they are delighted to take your money.
Where you and I are different is how big that red flag is for each of us.
An education should help teach us to learn. Do you believe that?
Sometimes a paid for course can be for fun and exploration. Still doesn’t belong on the resume.
It is your money, your life, your choices.
If you chose to go into IT, you aren’t going to chose a diploma mill. If you chose to be a teacher, you’ll go to university and teachers college. If you chose ministry, the SBC has six seminaries that will prepare you for the necessary licencing to hatch, match and dispatch. Liberty U is independent Baptist. ORU is independent. Regent U.
They chose to line up with community educational standards, not undermine them. Their students can transfer without huge financial, course credit and time losses.
A friend of mine wants to do some serious theological study but not go into ministry; they have a life, a job and this pursuit is for them.
An opportunity for higher education was not possible when they were starting out. Like you they are looking at both accredited and unaccredited options.
If they chose an accredited path, they will have to take some make up courses to learn ‘how to.’ If they study for the pleasure of studying, no make up work. Like you they know the difference and why institutions of higher learning have standards. Their choice, their money, their life, their decision.
BD,
I can appreciate your concern about this issue and perhaps we don’t disagree as much as it may seem. I do believe a Christian should be motivated to respond to what is or may seem to be an open sin. It can and does cast a shadow on the organization as well as the Christian faith. It does appear as if the church can be it’s own worst enemy at times.
I do understand the difference between learning for fun and learning for the sake of advancement. I do believe learning should teach us to learn. Far too often, I learn by mistake. My situation IS different. I do not seek this education to advance my career within the church but rather to put it to use wherever I can, help those in need, and teach those willing to learn what little I know.
My Pastor does have degrees from other accredited schools as I mentioned but he obtained the Covington degree long ago and prior to attending the others. He understands what his degree means. He is aware that the school isn’t accredited. I don’t think he realized that at the time he first attended. I told him of my desire to get more in-depth knowledge of scripture to help me personally and he is of the opinion that if that’s all I want then Covington would be fine. I am still looking at other schools.
Also, please consider as you use this blog to seek resolution to situations within the church that you don’t cause any. The cursing is definitely not necessary and may only cause others to scoff at us even more. Don’t they have enough material for that as it is?
Thanks.
You’re right Rich. I didn’t need to curse, I could have used Covington’s own words.
“We have not nor will we seek governmental acceptance, accreditation, or funding for the effectiveness of our programs.”
Three different issues, three messages.
I’ve appreciated your candor and wish you well as you pursue your goals – go under the mercy.
I work for a long established (est. 1802 by Catholic Church) Canadian university and we hand out about 5 or 6 honouary PHDs a year to big supporters, public figures, etc. and most of them regularly use the term Dr. afterwards.
The US accreditation system is a problem to start with; you can go to a legitimate DOE school and still be looked at sideways when you try to transfer credits to a regional school and then throw in a bunch of “independent religious ” schools and diploma mills and it’s just a mess. And the inference that distance education is somehow substandard is part of the continued elitism in modern academia.
My family has been (non-allied) Baptists for generations so firstly let me explain a pillar of our faith. Each church is largely independent when it comes to pulpit decisions and choose their own pastors. So there will be a wide range of creditials; from very little to 2 yrs at a local (often only denominationally recognized) Bible College to traditional 4 year seminaries; there will be a lot of these types of schools who may or may not be accredited and have no intention to be. Many of these more fundimentalist schools claim only God’s authority.
I quess what I’m saying is regardless of whether Convington is or is not, many independent evangelical pastor’s parchment may be questionable, outside their own church.
Dr. Hunt and several of the other pastors who have been exposed as having questionable degrees may well have an issue if they failed to disclose the nature of their school(s) to the pulpit committees during the hiring/investigation process, just as any CEO or other employee would.
As long as the congregation/church is satisfied, the issue will only really of interest to those on the outside.
Pingback: Dr? Charles McVety | Religious Right Alert
I am completely lacking the understanding as to why Christians of any nominations would attack Dr. Johnny M. Hunt, but with your attacks and vicious rhetoric’s you elevate this true man of God who as presented both cheeks to you on many occasions. He’s really in great company all the prophets throughout history suffered attacks, John the Baptist was beheaded and the Son of God crucified!
By men that were like exactly like you men who wanted to know by what authorities. I am slightly more combative then you two Canadian Vipers and I am just learning how to turn the other cheek, and I don’t hide my name behind some cute name (Bene Diction) this is my real name J.C.Viger and I have many years of correspondence with Pastor Johnny Hunt and he with the help of God take lost soil souls and shows them how to experience the love of God.
So find someone else to slander and put on your best Pharisees suit on and drape yourself with no hope our commitment to anything but to yourself indulgence in seeding lies and hatred. You can say “bonjour†with ease try to get on your knees and ask God for forgiveness you monster!
J.C.Viger we all pray for you before you reach the point of no rescue
JC:
You aren’t following this are you?
Did you mean denomination as opposed to nomination?
The discussion is diploma mills and honouary degrees from unaccredited institutions.
It addresses practice, not character or calling.
If you have new information to provide, then provide it.
Mr. Hunt acknowledges the facts, responded, as did his employee.
You might want to read the BDBO site policy. Play nice.
Than you for your prayers.
This reminds me of the famous checker speech by former President Nixon then Vice President. Anyone who knows Pastor Johnny Hunt knows that it’s God words that he trying to spread not that he recieved a degree from some university. If you would have been there in the early years and saw what he took over and what it became of a man who the Holy Spirit besieged you would understand that Pastor Johnny Hunt does not go around insisting that he be addressed as Dr. Hunt, he goes around talking anout what Jesus did on Cavalry. As to his resume you are handling this as if he was looking for some glamourus job somewhere.
He lives the life of a Christian determine to fill heaven with souls that may not have heard the good news. So by using your influence and casting dark shadows on such a man you are than in direct confrontation with what God wishes the worls to know “Agape” and “Compassion” and “Mercy”. Those who attend certain stature know full well that they will come under attack, it is very unfortunate that it as to come who claim to be emulating Jesus.
I challenge you to approach Pastor Johnny Hunt and see for yourself the wonderful man of God he truly his and see the importance he attach’s to this diplomat that is feature on your blog!If I offended you, please forgive me, and if you vist http://www.fbcw.org and listen with your heart you’ll hear biblical truth and if you observe with the eyes of a Christians you’ll see lives being change every week. On any given Sunday people who had no hope or now basking in the love and mercy of Jesus Christ the Son of God!That’s because of the presence of the Holy Spirit!
So in ending this posting I will remove from my thoughts and my heart any ill feeling toward your point of view and honestly will pray for you’ll pastor Johnny would want me too and Jesus would demand it!
Sincerely
J.C.Viger
“…you would understand that Pastor Johnny Hunt does not go around insisting that he be addressed as Dr. Hunt, he goes around talking about what Jesus did on Cavalry. As to his resume you are handling this as if he was looking for some glamorous job somewhere.”
While Johnny Hunt never verbally insisted, he hasn’t stopped anyone who used Dr. be they in-house media, ministers etc. He admits that.
As for a glamourous job, I doubt being elected president of the SBC is glamorous but that is where he wound up.
Hunt isn’t the first elected exec in the SBC to have had diploma mills hand him a fake degree, he has earned undergrad degrees and an honourary from an accredited institution. While some running and working in SBC academia have spoken up, most people don’t know, don’t see this as an ethical and denominational issue.
If my memory serves me well it’s about Jesus Christ the Son of God who died for the sins of the world, and this is what matters. As Pastor Johnny Hunt delivering the word of God from the pulpit I see very few that can measure in any denomination!
So as a christian academic you find fault in someone who accepted these honorary degrees, well throughout time theologists and academia have done so little to bring the good news to those who had no hope but took a great deal of time to inscript their names in history, for their egos demanded their foot print to be instilled in history.
I would like to challenge this idea that your intelectual prouesses and your academic repertoire is for the service of God, but again we who feel differently about spititual valor. You who point the judging finger of guilt toward anyone who approaches your select little group of pseudo christian.
I let time go bye and I observed that very few have any interest in what you have to say, but I took the time to let you know how I feel. In these difficult time when a spiritual warfare is going on for the souls of so many, who do you serve?
Best Regards
J.C.Viger we continue to pray for you, there’s miracles that happens everyday !!!
JC:
It is about Jesus Christ, born lived crucified and raised.
You aren’t going to get any debate about Him.
I’m not an academic JC.
Doesn’t change the ethics of diploma mills or the reality Christians are targeted and use them.
“A lie that is left unchallenged, is perceived and believed as the truth.”
When you get caught lying, it is to late. Many have been caught up in this and now are involved in a massive coverup scheme within this denomination.
There is no excuse for deception in a church. A man may not need a degree, but he sure needs to be right with GOD.
And I too see many that are not right with GOD and for them to tell anyone what they think as a human about an eternal subject, especially the institutionalized Baptist and there followers is downright hypocritical. Many follow the wrong man though, thinking he(the preacher) or a certain church membership is going to get him/her into heaven.
These fakes will one day has a higher judge to answer to and that is when justice and vengeance will be repaid to these deceivers – I think.
But they think they do nothing wrong. Oh well. Keep passing the plate and filling it up for them and their high dollar callings.
It now is becoming harder to tell between a Wheat and a Tare from our pulpits.
These boys are getting real good at it. Just look at what happened to Mike Everson. He tried the DR route until he was caught red handed. The GBC posted he graduated from 3 institutions or colleges 16 months ago( In the January 17th 2008 edition page 3) and we just found out in the May 21st 2009 edition of the propaganda tool, on Page 3 lower bottom corrections corner, that too was a bald face lie told to the readers of the Georgia based Baptist newspaper The Christian Index by Gerald Harris and the GBC Chairman / Publisher Robert White.
All these boys are backscratching buddies!
But Mike Everson, a former Chairman of the Executive Committee, was exposed earlier for much more deception at his former church Prays Mill Baptist, so no one is really surprised.
It’s so very unfortunate that you want to continue to attack a man of God who preaches the word of God with the greatest of humility.As I read your comments I see that it is the the SBC that you have a problem with. You are probably a Roman Catholic and you have a history of deception in your luggage. You are probably looking at the http://www.fbcw.org site and try to figure out how many of them were Catholic (Roman) before the word of God drew them to Churches that actually made a commitment to teach the word of God.
But assuming that you are a Canadian in a country that performs as many abortions as they are births, were needles are distributated in paks by government and dogooders, and where Catholic Churches lay empty , one would wonder what you are doing about bringing these people back into the family of God?
Lies you say…about the fact that most Canadians have no believe system of any kind, and the Gospel is never heard anywhere, you who accuses is that what God as put in your heart. What did you say when the government of Canada force all studying to be medical doctors that they would have to perform abortions to get their diplomas, because the law in Canada demands abortion at will, what did you blog about that.
When Cardinal Turcotte gave special permission to have a Catholic priest admitted homosexual and admitted prostitute the right to run for an election in the province of Quebec in a seperatist party that as for a leader the former head of the Communist Party of Canada what did you blog my brother?
I see now that your voice echoes into the dark abyss of Canadian nothingness. Attacking a man who never once said follow me but listen to what God says/ Oui je croit que c’est le temps qu’ont vous silence, parceque la noirceur qui habite dans votre coeur est peut etre contagieux.
J.C.Viger
JC:
I’ll try to clear up a few misconceptions for you.
Personally no, I’m not Catholic, I have Catholics in my family.
I probably don’t have as many issues with Roman Catholic doctrine and practise as you might. The Quiet Revolution broke hold of the church on some of Canada was broken somewhat and I think that is a good thing.
I don’t know where you got your abortion stats, or drug treatment stats, you decide what you want to believe.
I don’t know where you got the idea OB/GYN is a bad thing to learn to become a physician, or that it is a bad thing to have an abortion performed by a licenced physican.
Med students aren’t forced to perform an abortion to be licenced. As for handing out needles most provinces have needle exchange programs for obvious reasons, I’m not sure if you are referring to BC’s safe injection program.
You been reading Lifesite and WND? I’d take what an American lobby group says with a grain of salt. (MSfC)
I assume you are speaking about Fr. Gravel – QP elections. I don’t know if I blogged about him or not, you are welcome to do a search.
Yes, I have issues with the SBC leadership. I don’t agree with moving abusers around and not holding them accountable. I don’t agree with the CR and how people were treated. The need for SBC churches in Canada is questionable, our Baptist communities are vibrant.
Your French is quite good, however did you mean ‘crois’ instead of croit and ‘qu’on’ instead of qu’ont?
Johnny Hunt has two honourary diploma mill doctorates JC. He took them, he’s kept them. That fact hasn’t changed since you were here last.
The whole Southern Baptist Group is full of these FAKE Dr degreed folks.
Deception is very much alive and growing within The S B C about as fast as our Southern Kudzu..they keep thriving even – especially in the heat because they cover each others “roots”!
I see that in true Canadian fashion you did not post the last article because the truth was actually more than your Canadian mind set can handle.
You live in the darkness and Satan is who you serve….
JC:
Which last article?
I doubt you’d be happy if I turned your statement toward you as in: have you noticed what is going on with Crossroads Christian Communications?
Help me out, tell me what article and I’ll post it.
Johnny Hunt has disclosed the fact that his doctorates are honorary. However, he doesn’t correct anyone when they introduce him as Dr. Hunt. Others before Hunt who have used the title of Dr. without having earned an actual doctorate from a regionally accredited school include Adrian Rogers, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, and Chuck Swindoll. Then, there are those who hold earned “doctorates” from schools that are not regionally accredited. Herb Reavis allows himself to be called Dr. but he does not have a doctorate from a regionally accredited school. Charles Stanley, Jerry Vines, John Phillips, O.S. Hawkins and many more have degrees from Luther Rice. While Luther Rice is accredited by TRACS it is not regionally accredited. Therefore, Luther Rice should not be placed on the same academic level as a regionally accredited seminary. The Lousiana Baptist University is another popular school that is not regionally accredited. I agree with the author of this blog that when preachers use the title Dr. when they have not earned a regionally accredited degree they are wrong. What purpose does it serve to put Dr. in front of your name when you don’t have a doctorate that is recognized by a regional accrediting agency? I think we all know the answer to that question. I attended a Southern Baptists of Texas Evangelism Conference in Euless, TX a few years ago. I was very disturbed to hear the announcer introducing Johnny Hunt, Herb Reavis and others as Dr. It is a lie.
For the record, those that have Honorary degrees like Billy Graham, they can be used legally.
Lots of people have them.
Only way they are of no good, like Doctor of Law, or something like that or a Medical Honorary degree.
And in case you wonder, my Doctor’s degree was hard earned.
But in our organization, I have issued many honorary Doctor’s degrees and they use the Dr. in front of there name.
IF someone is trying to say they earned them, and didn’t that is a different thing.
Now I am sure the President of the SBC was completely check out, and I am sure his Church knew where his degrees come from.
What it boils down too, he is a Conservative and some may not like it so they run him down, with anything they can to prove him not worthy of the office.
Glad I am an in a Independent Organization.
The people who use the Doctor prefix to their name and are
not practising medicine or Divinity are usually vain or terribly
insecure.
They use the title to bolster their self-confidence and their
perception of esteem from their peers.
These people usually have offices filled with photographs of
them and little else–except the Doctor’s degree, of course.
They are like the prima donnas who have mirrors in every
room of the house and many mirrors in the main living quarters
so that they can glance and see that they are PERFECT!
Real doctors are modest and not vain. Doctors of divinity
are also modest in keeping with the Christian message.
Will society ever return to only “earned” doctorates?
The door has been flung open and the ersatz doctors
populate the land and muddle the issues of the day
and it’s hard for most people to tell who’s who.
Maybe it’s time to start limiting degree-granting facilities
the licence to offer honorary degrees for a few decades
while the madness subsides. Short of that, shut them down
for a few decades until they come to their senses.
Where in the Christian world is there space for self-importance?
There isn’t. That’s the Christian message. Too bad so
many “Doctors” are tainting the message.
Too many honorouary doctorates given out (often for dubious or ‘political’ reasons) dilutes the value of real doctorates, and undermines the hard work and achievements of those who actually earned theirs, in my opinion. And I agree with Torontonian it muddies the water as to who is an expert in their field and who is not. I wouldn’t be holding my breath for that ‘madness’ to go away though (I’m sure nobody is) – it’s an unfortunate reality of the fallen human condition. I’m very leary of Christian leaders who like to show off their titles, such as Apostle, Prophet, Bishop, Reverend, Doctor, etc, when Jesus was no respecter of persons and doesn’t want us to be either. I thought the whole idea of Protestantism was to put all that idolatry and carnality behind us – but it seems to be making a comeback in the evangelical Christian world unfortunately.
Pingback: Woes of the SBC Pharisees « BaptistPlanet
It seems to me you have a spirit of bitterness; I wonder from whence it came….
If you call a “diploma mill” a college where you will spend two nights a week for five years studying (while working a full time job perhaps) a “diploma mill”, I wonder what your motive is. Is it that you have not education yourself? Or is it perhaps that you are angry at all Christians? Or perhaps just angry at anyone who attempts to increase their knowledge?
I suggest you enroll in Covington Theological Seminary and study with fellow students for the time necessary to earn an associate, a baccalaureat, a masters or a doctorate, and then see if you feel it is a “diploma mill”. You will find extension classes all over the US, and in a multitude of foriegn countries… Investigate before you castigate.
Neil Anderson
You tell me what the definition of a diploma mill is.
I already gave you a legitimate one recognized in the US and internationally.
You tell me if Covington accreditation is sufficient to get you into a decent position, a transferable job anywhere in your country, and a transfer of credits if required to recognized institutions of higher learning without time and monetary loss.
What do you understand the role of an accrediting agency to be?
You tell me if you graduate from Covington what career possibilities are open to you.
If students in unaccredited schools are learning for the joy of learning, fine. It’s their money, their choice.
A Diploma has no credibility to the one who calls us home
A college ‘per sae’ has no credibility to the one who calls us home
May I remind you of something -
we are nothing until we have lost our something – our something is that which trips us up.
I don’t need to say I AM
I just go out daily doing what I do and hoping that my will never exceeds anothers, that my hope never denies another, that my love ‘gifts and never takes anothers ability to love, that ‘I AM’ never walks
However in the event of someone trespassing on my ‘patch’ so help me Lord I WILL………………………….. exceed all expectations of their will and bring out yours ……………………
Education CAN be a good thing depending on and from that which ‘presents it’ Bitterness roots many a child because of ‘you will’ do this’ do that’ be this’ be that’ to teach in freedom for freedom, so we all have choices ‘in the/at the end – is precious to the Fathers will – INDOCTRINATE IS SO DAMN EASY for those who want fruits of hate to grow –
How you teach – he is watching- how you meet he is watching – how you lead he is taking ………………… Too many dictators are in evidence right now
The freedom for my children to choose to either love or hate depends soley on how I myself tackle such circumstances – honour, dignity, persistence, and a willingness to accept defeat if it means they don’t have to ( loose their dignity as a result )
LOVE HAS NEVER FAILED ME it just hurts when I witness that it does them
Pingback: California State Christian University | Bene Diction Blogs On
To J.C. Viger…
If you wish to defend Pastor Hunt, then do so without the hateful personal attacks that you have made thus far.
I will not weigh in on the issue of accreditation, the use of an honorary degree should be an issue with the local church on is pastor of, and the pastor and God. Yet, I would hesitate to use something which may needlessly stir up controversy.
It does not help your case to personally attack those with an opinion different from your own. Do not forget that the Scriptures teach that Jesus did not rail against His accusers, but was silent as a lamb let to the slaughter. Jesus did not need to do so. His actions and His sacrifice, and the Heavenly Father spoke for Him. It was the Father who exalted Him (Philippians 2:5-11).
Do not think that you are acting like Peter at Pentecost or later at Solomon’s Portico (Acts 2 & 3). While he plainly spoke the truth, and attested to what was public knowledge, Peter spit no poison at the crowds. Yes, he did say that they were the ones who delivered and disowned Jesus and had Him put to death. Yet Peter also acknowledged that they did so out of ignorance. At no time did Peter, ever, rail against the multitudes; just like the Savior. If you have a problem with what some people have written, fine…that is your right. It is not, however, your right to do so with the venom and anger that I have read in your comments. You accuse without knowledge or evidence. You attempt to cloud the issue by slander and inuendo which you cannot prove. I remind you of what Romans 12:14-21 says, epspecially v. 14: “Bless those who persecute you; BLESS AND DO NOT CURSE”. Can you honestly say that what you have written conforms to God’s Holy Word? Can you truthfully say that what you have written has helped your pastor and the cause of Christ? I belive that although you have not “cussed” you have cursed those who have honest differences with Pastor Johnny and what he does. If you wish to argue, then do it with civility and love. If you state something as fact, then provide the evidence to back it up…cite it and refer to it clearly.
You cannot further the cause of the Gospel with what you have said, and in the attitude you have displayed.
I do not know pastor Hunt, but I have heard a few of His sermons. I do not have a quarrel with what I have heard. I do not confess to know all about him nor can I really speak to the issue of accreditation with any authority. I can however, speak with the authority of the Scriptures as to how we treat one another. It is very specific on how you are to conduct yourself in the world. Please, consider what you have written, and look over your texts, not with your eyes, but the eyes of Christ. Have your words helped or hindered? Have they healed or hurt?
I would ask all concerned to do the same.
One more thing to add…
It does not seem to me that pastor Hunt’s character or calling is being attacked; but his wisdom in using a title which he may not have earned. While I can see no wrong in having such a title conferred on myself, I would refrain from using it if such use would stir up needless controversy. The Scriptures teach us to abstain from all appearance of evil. If such use does appear wrong, whether it is or not, then it should not be used. I would not knowingly do anything that would bring shame on the name of Jesus. Perhaps, if pastor Hunt is still using the honorific, he might consider stopping it. It would not make him less of a pastor or Bible teacher, and it might help to close the mouths of his critics.
I would consider a man on the basis of what he teaches, and how he lives his life. I would not do so on the basis of a title. It is how he lives as a disciple of Christ that is truly important.
Perhaps we all should think about that one too.
In love and in Christ’s service,
David Hamlin.