Some jackalope came at me on X/Twitter a few days ago. He said he has been a reader of mine for years; even praying for me (which apparently makes him all knowledgeable on my life and motivations). He appears to be an Orthodox person, with a foul and aggressive mouth (behind the keyboard). His main attack on me was based on the premise that I donโt start what I finish: that I, โbail.โ You cannot be more absurd and presumptuous. One of the things he said that I consistently bail on is my education; starting but never finishing. Assertions abound online, without knowledge. But I thought it would be an interesting exercise, then, to detail my educational history. The reality is that I ALWAYS finish what I start. I consider it my โYesโ before the living God, my Father. The following history illustrates something: i.e., I have high aspirations; I take steps of faith (to see); I am a determined soul. Ironically, the reason I have remained so focused on getting a PhD over these last two decades is because of a commitment I made before God to do so; and because I believe He has been leading me that way for years (even if He hasnโt made it easy, or even viable). At this point I donโt care if I do or I donโt finally get the doctorate. If I do, the Lord is good. If I donโt, the Lord is good. For me, it is simply a matter of finishing what I believe I โstartedโ years ago. Anyway, the following index turned into a labyrinth. Within this labyrinth I have achieved two accredited degrees: the BA and MA degrees (some of the schooling prior was transferred into and thus contributed to the earning of the BA degree). The early years reflect on someone who wasnโt quite sure what he was doing in life, per se. The middle part reflects someone who settled in and finished the degrees he set out to do. The latter part reflects someone who isnโt quite willing to ever throw in the towel; thus, my willingness and openness to some treks that havenโt ultimately worked out.
Higher Educational History
- Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College (now, Arizona Christian University). Attended just after graduating from high school: dates: 08-1992โ12-1992. Program of study: Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology.
- Long Beach City College (CA). Dates: 1993โ1994. Program of Study: General Studies.
- Liberty University (online). Dates: Spring, 1995. Program of study: Biblical Survey, OT&NT.ย Degree: Certificate.
- Calvary Chapel Bible College (CA). Dates: 1996โ1997. Program of Study: Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology, and Koine Greek.ย Degree:ย One Year Certificate.ย
- Multnomah Bible College (OR). Dates: 1998โ2001. Program of Study: Double Major, Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology, Minor, Koine Greek. Degree: Bachelor of Arts.
- Accepted to Talbot School of Theology (Biola). Dates: 2001. Program of Study: Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion. Status: never started, financial and logistical problems.
- Multnomah Biblical Seminary (OR). Dates: 2002โ2003. Program of Study: New Testament Studies, Historical Theology. Degree: Master of Arts.
- Accepted to Fuller Theological Seminary (CA). Dates: 2004. Program of Study: PhD, Historical Theology. Status: never started, financial and logistical problems.
- Accepted to Talbot School of Theology (Biola). Dates: 2004. Program of Study: Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion. Status: never started, financial and logistical problems.
- Accepted to Chafer Theological Seminary (CA). Dates: 2004. Program of Study: ThM, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: never started, financial and logistical problems.
- Accepted to Regent College (Vancouver, British Columbia). Dates: 2004. Program of Study: ThM, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: never started, financial and logistical problems.
- Accepted to South African Theological Seminary. Dates: Winter 2010. Program of Study: PhD, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: never started, financial problems.
- Princeton Theological Seminary (correspondence). Dates: Spring 2014. Program of Study: Continuing Education Theological credits.
- *Concordia Academic Theological Consortium, Intl. (PR). Dates: 2022โ2022. Program of Study: ThD, Systematic and Historical Theology. Degree: Doctorate of Theologyย (gave it back, not accredited/other reasons.)
- *University of America Curaรงao. Dates: 2022โ2023. Program of Study: ThD, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: the school turned out to be fraudulent, based on a highly elaborate and persuasive scam.
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dates: Present, 2024. Program of Study: PhD, Modern and Patristic Theology, Comparative Theology. Status: pending (prayer and consideration).
- St. Alcuin House Seminary. Dates: Present, 2024. Program of Study: PhD, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: pending (prayer and consideration).
- [University of Aberdeen. Dates: Present, potential start date, January 20, 2025. Program of Study:ย Postgraduate Diploma, New Testament and Early Christianity.ย Status: pending (finances).]
Some might question why my hard press to continue formal higher theological education. In a way, I view such work as part of my sanctification process. But also, as I already noted: I want to finish what I feel I started. Iโm way beyond the โvanityโ of it all. Ultimately, nobody really cares if you have these higher degrees or not; unless youโre in the middle of the academy (which Iโm not, nor ever want to be, really). I am not sharing this to receive any further advice from anyone, in regard to my educational prospects. I am a fifty-year-old man who has been faithfully walking with the risen Christ for decades upon decades. Of course, we always are and should be learning, being sanctified, and hopefully growing etc. But I have real life people (and some online folks) who I look to for advice. I share the above because the joker who came at me made me think about my higher educational history. It is very organic and involved, representative of a long journey from the time I was 18 till now. I finish what I start, by the grace of Christ at work in me. Solo Christo
I sure appreciate (and relate) to your story. I have been “in school” (a list of 9) pursuing higher education goals since I graduated High School in 1997. I am currently (finally) working on my PhD at Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City. A close friend once asked why I was bothering. My answer is simply, I love the Scriptures, and I would be engaged in deep study whether I was in school or not, so why not get some credit for it. You are right about what really matters: “faithfully walking with the risen Christ.” Thank you for sharing your journey. May the Lord continue to bless your life.
Yesโฆ I can relate, Bobby. And Iโve also learned that (in the involved [and, all too often, progressive] complex of the โweakness of the fleshโ) one must sometimes โorderโ the priority of one matter over another, knowing that our temporal state is ultimately redeemed and glorified in the perfection of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Solo Christoโฆ Emetโฆ and amen.
@Michael, thank you for your comment. I have said exactly what you have said, many times over the years. I’m already doing the work and study, and so why not get credit via a degree for it at the same time. Glad I’m not the only one with this type of story (I know there are many of us out there, really). Awesome that you were able to land somewhere and finally get to pursue the PhD; very cool! Blessings, and keep up the good work.
PS. I am Southern Californian myself; growing up in my early life in the Temecula area. We moved when I was mid way through high school to the inner city of Long Beach where my dad accepted a senior pastor position at a Baptist church in North Long Beach (I still consider that area my home).
@Richard, and you are another, of many out there, who can relate. Thankfully the Lord isn’t limited in His usage of us by our respective educations etc. But I will always value higher theological and biblical education; I think the church needs this type of discipleship desperately.