Thoughts and Opinions on PhD in Bible Exposition from Liberty University

[ss20ts]

Why revive a thread that died 6+ months ago? Move on!

[sanantone]

Why revive a thread that died 6+ months ago? Move on!

I wasn't online 6+ months ago, and six months is not a long time. It wasn't like a thread that's years old was revived. But, if it bothers you that much, you can volunteer for a moderator position or propose a new rule for the forum. Unless it's a forum rule, I'm just going to disregard your complaint.

[ss20ts]

Why revive a thread that died 6+ months ago? Move on!

I wasn't online 6+ months ago, and six months is not a long time. It wasn't like a thread that's years old was revived. But, if it bothers you that much, you can volunteer for a moderator position or propose a new rule for the forum. Unless it's a forum rule, I'm just going to disregard your complaint.

I asked because you specifically quoted someone you're currently having an argument with on here. You don't need to be snarky with everyone on here.

[sanantone]

Why revive a thread that died 6+ months ago? Move on!

I wasn't online 6+ months ago, and six months is not a long time. It wasn't like a thread that's years old was revived. But, if it bothers you that much, you can volunteer for a moderator position or propose a new rule for the forum. Unless it's a forum rule, I'm just going to disregard your complaint.

I asked because you specifically quoted someone you're currently having an argument with on here. You don't need to be snarky with everyone on here.

Misleading information in a thread should be corrected in the thread. Someone could search for information on Fuller or Moody and find misinformation on these schools in a fairly recent thread.

[ashkir]

I have the opposite advice from bjcheung: Avoid it unless you can realistically see future work options, even part-time options.

Residential seminaries overseas actually post job offers from time to time.  In the United States, you may have a hard time with finding any real offer in the field. The competition for those rare openings is fierce, and many PhD applicants come from top universities. I wouldn't count on online seminary options. It's extremely difficult to join residential Bible college and seminary faculties in the United States. The options for online seminary gigs are infinitesimally small. Keep in mind that many seminaries (Fuller Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, etc.) are known as affirmative action employers.   Your employment also depends on your ethnicity, so that factor must realistically be taken into consideration. Are you non-white? If not, you have an even smaller chance of getting that long-term faculty position after your PhD. Unless you receive a full scholarship or find a much cheaper program, I don't believe that it makes sense to go into possible debt over a fictional online seminary teaching gig. These online seminaries are often struggling financially, so this may not even provide a part-time salary. Personally, I would wait for a cheaper online doctorate option, or try finding a teaching position with a Master's degree. If you can't get a part-time position with a Master's, I wouldn't bank on a future career with an added doctorate.

Go for a PhD if you can get a full scholarship, or want to explore global teaching positions after financing the program on your own. Otherwise, I would avoid it.

---

Here's how the situation really looks ("Liberty University cuts divinity faculty"):

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019...ty-faculty

I absolutely agree with you. 100%. I grew up and was raised by my mom from an affluent religious family, who has worked in divinity schools across the Untied States and Canada. The circles, at least, for my religion--- Were very close knit. People stayed in their small circles. Outsiders never got preference and it is hard to break in, without being born into it.

I don't know how other sects of religions can be. But for mine, it was cutthroat, and it's actually partially why I left my religion because I couldn't stand how they treat people not born into it.

[TINASAM]

Reviving a year old thread to spam a link, well done!

[Alpha]

Reviving a year old thread to spam a link, well done!

You're right.  It's a classic move for a spammer.

[jsd]

both of you just quoted his spam link, thus making his SEO effort a success even after his own post is gone  

you two/a mod should probably edit that part out of the replies.

(Edit: Thanks for jumping on it, LevelUP)

[Sagan]

Earning degrees, even graduate degrees, by distance learning has become routine. But it wasn't always so. Liberty University was a true pioneer in distance learning, long before we had the internet and the World Wide Web as a delivery channel. For example Liberty had one of the first MBA programs by distance learning in the US.

The usual caveats about earning a doctorate by distance learning apply, of course (as they relate to starting a career in academia). But with Liberty's long history of delivering distance learning programs successfully, and putting Fallwell Jr's antics behind them, if you think this kind of degree meets your needs, Liberty seems to be a reasonable place to do it.