Covington Theological Seminary

This is a quote from Martin on a previous thread: food for thought.

[My pastor's ThM and ThD are from Covington (unaccredited) yet, and I say this honestly, he is the best pastor I have ever had. He earned his degrees years ago before the rise of modern distance learning. He was also very poor and did not have the resources to go on to three years of seminary (MDiv) and then more (DMin, etc).

I want to see people get accredited degrees because of the limitations/stigma that come with unaccredited degrees.]

If you are not worried about accreditation and the opinions of others, then maybe Covington might be a good choice. Prayer about it with your family, however.

 

I have not seen anything about Covington which makes me think it is credible. If you have a limited budget, I would suggest you invest that money in quality books and invest the time to soak up all you can in them. I think that would be a much better investment of your time and money.

That advice will not be accepted by many because they want diploma affirmation that they've passed certain requirements and stand approved. Such affirmation, though, means little if the institution is questionable, at best.

Could you tell a bit more about yourself? Age? Level of education thus far? What are your academic goals? Are you presently in the ministry? How limited is your budget?

Blessings,
Bill

 

==You have your hands full there for sure. My pastor graduated from Covington Seminary (ThM, ThD). He is a fine man of God who knows the Bible. Since I imagine you are planning on preaching and/or being a pastor? If so, and if that is in a Baptist Church, then Covington will probably be just fine for you. There is also Andersonville Seminary which you can look into. I have to mention them because Harley Howard teaches some courses for them. He is a great preacher and teacher. I have heard some of his lectures that the school uses. I normally suggest people attend accredited schools and I would suggest you look into Luther Rice University. However I understand that your situation may prevent you from going that route. If you are going in the direction I suspect then I see no reason why Covington would be a big problem (as long as you don't plan on trying to transfer credits/degree to a different school).

God Bless!

 

I could not agree with you anymore, Martin. Well, put. I see no reason why a school's credibility always has to be questioned because it is unaccredited. Before BJU was TRACS accredited it produced some of the finest. For example, Dan B. Wallace in his significant "Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics" cites Richard's Young's Intermediate NT Greek; Besides, there is the outstanding work of Robert Reymond, "The New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith." These two works were done before BJU got TRACS accredited and most of the profs are inbred.

Pastor Timothy, the counsel of Martin is worth serious consideration. If the Lord is leading you there, then by all means go there. When I think of Charles Stanley before LRS was TRACS accredited, the opinions of dissenters should not matter, unless they are willing to PAY your tuition.

God Bless!

 

Recommendations

Of the several unaccredited at a distance seminaries (Covington, Andersonville, Bethany, and Louisana Baptist University) frequently discussed on this board, I would rank Covington dead last. My recommendation would be Louisana Baptist University and Theological Seminary (http://www.lbu.edu). Some of their graduates are notable people who have earned respect in the world. Also, they are recognized by the BBFI. Because of their position within the BBFI, I think their credits or at least degrees may be acceptable at some BBFI schools including Liberty University.

 

Accreditation not the question

In the case of Covington, I don't think accreditation is the overarching question. It is a matter of credibility. For example, PCC (http://www.pcci.edu/) is unaccredited but by any comparison, PCC wins hands down over Covington. Greenville Presbyterian Seminary (http://www.gpts.edu/) in Greenville, SC is unaccredited but it is immeasurably superior to Covington. As for Covington, the signs of low academic quality are evident from a casual perusal of the school, its faculty and its program.

On the other hand, it is not a good comparison between BJU and Covington. BJU has a well-earned reputation for academic quality regardless of it narrowness of beliefs. Also, the inbreeding of the BJ seminary faculty results in a narrow doctrinal view rather than academic ineptness. A well-trained and competent faculty rigorously trained this inbred faculty; the same cannot be said for Covington. Also, you must look at the programs, operation and resources of the two schools; there’s no comparison. Thus, the only thing they have in common is that they were unaccredited. This is a too limited basis for comparison.

 

On the other hand, it is not a good comparison between BJU and Covington. BJU has a well-earned reputation for academic quality regardless of it narrowness of beliefs. Also, the inbreeding of the BJ seminary faculty results in a narrow doctrinal view rather than academic ineptness. A well-trained and competent faculty rigorously trained this inbred faculty; the same cannot be said for Covington. Also, you must look at the programs, operation and resources of the two schools; there’s no comparison. Thus, the only thing they have in common is that they were unaccredited. This is a too limited basis for comparison.[/QUOTE]

Paidagagos, your knowledge of CTS is obvious and to compare it to BJU when it was UA is truly unnecessary. If CTS is such then I cannot make an equal argument for such a school.

Pastor Timothy, the choice is still yours. God bless.

 

Is Covington KJVO? Did I read an ad of theirs that said the only textbook is the Bible?

 

Covington Seminary

I couldn't tell whether or not Covington was KJVO when I attended. I do believe that all Scripture quotes within the lesson material were from the KJV.

I can tell you that there are many fine texts used by Covington. Looking over at my bookshelf I see:

The Words and Works of Jesus Christ - J. Dwight Pentecost
Major Bible Themes - Lewis Sperry Chafer
Exploring Romans - John Phillips

These are not all I used, of course, but just what I see right now.

 

Covington uses some good texts, and they don't allow you to lollygag around with your studies. I have a couple of friends who have gone through them.

Andersonville is a rip, though. You can guess and pass the tests, and there is nothing to stop a non-Christian from getting a degree from them.

 

==My attitude towards some of these schools has softened over the past few months. I still think attending an accredited school is important for those who may wish to transfer their credits or degrees to other schools or for those who think they may wish to teach (etc) at some point in the future. However for those who are remaining in their local church and working at the lay level I think schools like Covington are fine. I also think schools like Covington are fine for pastors who just don't have the money to attend larger seminaries (even via distance learning). Sure the graduate programs at Covington may not rise up to the standards of Trinity Evangelical (etc) but if a person does the work and is dedicated to their program they can still learn a great deal from schools like Covington. I know because my pastor graduated from Covington and he is very knowledgeable about the Word of God. I have met/known others who graduated from Covington or Andersonville and the same is true of them. So if a person works hard they can learn much from schools like Covington. I suppose a person could attend Covington (etc) in order to get around the more demanding schools (ie...a shortcut). That is bad but there is really nothing we can do about that. I imagine people cut corners in schools of all types.

As for Andersonville allowing non-Christians in their programs I suppose it could happen. But that happens everywhere. Even statements of faith, testimonies, references, and church recomendation forms don't keep lost people out of seminary. When I was at Southeastern Seminary there was a gentlemen saved during chapel. I believe he was in his last year in the MDiv program. Maybe taking courses from Andersonville will help bring someone who "thinks" they are saved, but are not, truly come to Christ. Harley Howard, who has recorded some courses for Andersonville, is a great preacher and teacher. I have heard one of his lectures for Andersonville, and I have heard many of his sermons, and anyone listening to him will learn alot. If they are not saved may the Lord use Dr Howard's teachings to lead them to salvation.

The only problems I have with schools like Andersonville and Covington, apart from their lack of offical accreditation, is that (a) they are generally KJVO, (b) they are anti-Calvinistic, (c) they are weak on church history, and (d) they are very weak on the Biblical languages.

 

I don't think anyone is bashing Covington. We are however giving sound advice on what to look for in a school and what choice might be best for the seeker.

At any rate, there are always going to be those schools that are going to be on off the radar and one must be designed for such. Even as we speak of accredited schools there are still some schools that are more desirable than others; for example, someone might choose a TEDS over a NOBTS or a Southern seminary over a Talbot. So a person still has to choose, but as they say, You get what you pay for.

 

I still think the best distance unaccredited seminary is Columbia Evangelical Seminary, where Dr. Ric Walston is president. Aside from that, Whitefield is also good, though they do have "accreditation" from an unapproved source. Still, their rigor and structure is excellent.

 

Covington = book based

Andersonville = audio based

 

Timothy,

You are in a conundrum, I'll admit. In your situation, I do think online/distance study is the way to go. Having said that, I would not recommend Andersonville, Covington, or Bethany. It is not because they are not accredited. I have examined their catalogs and faculty, as well as their diploma requirements. I do not think they are credible institutions.

On the other hand, I do recommend Whitefield. Though Whitefield is not regionally or nationally accredited, it is rigorous and has a good reputation. I don't know enough about Columbia Evangelical Seminary to make a recommendation. I have, though, heard some good things about Louisiana Baptist University.

Still, I do not understand not looking at Luther Rice University. It may not be as inexpensive as some, but it is not as expensive as many and is credible and accredited. You could take a couple of course a semester, and it would be a long haul to graduate. Still, you could do it. I fully appreciate your financial situation---I did my seminary work with 3 daughters at home and had two in college during the latter part of it.

I speak as among friends, so nothing personal is intended in my taking issue with some of the advice given. I think you can benefit as much from the study of good books as you will from studying through a place like Andersonville. You won't have a diploma, but a diploma from Andersonville doesn't mean much anyway. I do not intend to be harsh---only realistic. Can you learn through places like Covington? Probably, but I don't think that's justification enough. You can learn in a lot of situations and experiences. To me, it's a matter of integrity.

I recognize some will charge me with elitism and make some sophomoric argument that God is the one who empowers a minister, not an institution of higher education. That sets up a false dichotomy. God alone makes the minister, but God is not honored when that minister gains a credential from an institution that is not credible. If you are going to spend precious time and money for academic work, make sure its not money wasted.

If you want the academic credential that a diploma provides, please get one from an institution that is recognized as a credible institution.

Blessings,
Bill