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Not sure if Dr. Luke had a college degree. Not sure if it was required in those days.I think we can assume he was educated.Other than that, what about the other 11. Do you think they finished high school?Surely they had an official degree because they changed the world with the Gospel Recorded Sermons @ www.pastorwiley.com

NO Larry - they would have honorary degrees only.We have a poster on here that will not recognize anything unless it is classwork.Real life learning from the master - with demonstrated success should be looked down upon - and given a certificate of Merit.No institution, under any circumstances, is allowed to recognize with a top degree anything that didn't involve butt time in a classroom.Sorry

Now as they [the Sanhedrin] obsessed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men (products of the yeshivas/recognized Judean Academies), they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus - Acts 4:13Warren Wiersbe writes in the introduction to a collection of A.W. Tower's essays, Tozer did not enjoy the privilege of a university or seminary training, or even a Bible school education for that matter; yet he has left us a shelf of books that will be mined for their spiritual wealth until the Lord returns.On the back jacket of the book The Best of Tozer, Wiersbe describes Tozer as a self-taught theologian who served as a pastor, writer, and an editor.Not that I aspire to be as prolific and effective writer as Tozer, at least I am encouraged. I have many hours logged with the Lee U extension, and even 3 hours at the PSOT, but with no degree.But, I have a passion as a student, and a library. I have explored the depths of Hebrew language, not so much the Greek; and mined the riches of word-study and gleaned from he benefits of historical and literary criticism.Unashamedly I love to study the Gospels and Apostolic Writings and marvel at the influence of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings and how Jesus and the Apostles drew their thoughts, understanding, and application from their predecessors. There have been many occasions when I found more inspiration, more joy and excitement over discovery while preparing for a message or lesson than I did presenting them God-HonoringChrist-CenteredBible-BasedSpirit-Led

I have several degrees but I don't measure anyone's ministry or intelligence based on their credentials (or lack thereof). I think what you said is crucial. We should all have a passion to continually be a student. And not necessarily in a formal academic setting. But we should be ever-learning and growing in our knowledge of the Bible and of the person of Jesus Christ!

Ok, lets address NB's statements seriatim (For them in Rio Lindo, ats one at a time.).1. Absolutely not true! Any legitimate form of learning has its merits.2. Again, faulty assessment. Real life learning from the master, with demonstrated success, is commendable. It is commendable for what it is. The percentage of persons who are awarded the honery docterate for this reason is very small. Many/most recipients of the honery docterate receive it because of: 1) name recognition that will help the PR of the awarding institution; and 2) fundraising or money donated to the awarding institution; seldom is it because of what the recipient has achieved in his/her field of study.3. The honery docterate IS NOT a top degree. It IS NOT an academic degree in any sense of the term. It's purpose IS NEVER to give the recipient the right to use the title Dr professionally.But you are correct in one thing, OTCP will not or ever address a person as Dr if that person has not earned the degree. But OTCP is certainly not the only one who holds this position. Check out this thread begun by Tom Sterbens in the Facebook group The Excellent Pastor in the COG. Read some of the 66 comments.www.facebook.com/groups/COGpastor/search/?query=honorary%20doctorate

I have several degrees but I don't measure anyone's ministry or intelligence based on their credentials (or lack thereof). I think what you said is crucial. We should all have a passion to continually be a student. And not necessarily in a formal academic setting. But we should be ever-learning and growing in our knowledge of the Bible and of the person of Jesus Christ! And what you said about the joy of sermon prep resonates with me as well. I appreciate that attitude. I do think ministers should have a fair understanding and use of the English language (I wish I did, and felt inadequate as a pastor for that reason).My dad (and many others) with a formal education of the 3rd grade was one of the most wise men I have ever known. He loved people, he appreciated his congregations, but always felt a need to study more Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

And your dad is to be commended, Cojak, fer his ministry. Like so many in his generation, your dear ole dad did not have access to formal training like is available today. His need to study more is what qualified him in terms of ongoing ministry. Praise the good Lord for the legacy your dad an his generation left us. In the end, each one of us is responsible to God for our level of training.