Episode 194: “Diploma Mills in Christian Education”

Recovering Fundamentalist Podcast

Recovering Fundamentalist

Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.8 • 722 Ratings

🗓️ 29 May 2025

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of the Recovering Fundamentalist Podcast, Host, JC Groves sits down with Dr. Marcus Merritt, Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Luther Rice Theological Seminary, for an honest and eye-opening conversation about accreditation in Christian education. Whether you’re considering Bible college, seminary, or guiding the next generation of church leaders, this episode dives into the practical, theological, and ministry-related implications of choosing an accredited vs. unaccredited institution. We talk about: What accreditation actually is—and why it matters The real-world consequences of unaccredited degrees How credibility in education supports the credibility of ministry The balance between spiritual formation and academic rigor With humor, honesty, and insight, this conversation challenges some deeply held assumptions and offers clarity for anyone navigating the world of Christian higher ed. Grab your coffee, light up that cigar, and join us for a conversation every pastor, student, and parent needs to hear. Website: https://www.lutherrice.edu Request Info Page: https://www.lutherrice.edu/requestinfo/ Doctor of Ministry Page: https://www.lutherrice.edu/degree-programs/doctor_of_ministrys Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lutherrice_official https://recoveringfundamentalist.org/ https://www.patreon.com/c/RecoveringFundamentalistPodcastJC?redirect=true https://hopechurchcatoosa.com/

Transcript

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0:00.0	You are listening to the recovering fundamentalist podcast where faith and real life collide.
0:06.0	In a world full of noise, division, and debate, we're here to cut through the clutter with honest conversations, bold truth, and a whole lot of grace.
0:15.2	Whether you're questioning, growing, or just trying to make sense of it all, you've got a seat at the table.
0:21.1	Let's join J.C. Groves for today's episode.
0:24.4	Let's go.
0:30.4	I've got no.
0:31.3	I'm a good morning.
0:33.9	My heart is no way so.
0:41.3	The recovering fundamentalist podcast starts in three. You know it makes women stupid as college.
0:43.3	Jesus was not a burtender.
0:45.3	Hi, man!
0:46.3	Two, you have locked your mind.
0:50.3	Long-tonged-tonged heifers have given me a lot more trouble than heifers wearing bridges. you know that say amen like that let me tell you something bozo they'll be setting frosties in hell for this boy up puts on a pair of pink tongue to wear amen i sucked my thumb that i was 14 years of eight you have one unheard message.
1:16.5	First unheard message sent yesterday at 7.15 p.m.
1:22.6	I was told in my entire life that our unaccredited Christian education was superior by far to any secular program.
1:30.3	We were always told that accreditation was just a way for some untold government entity to force secular teaching.
1:37.3	Of course, when I graduated high school, Bible College was the next logical step.
1:41.3	They always told us to just go one year, get your feet wet and
1:45.3	being a grown-up and learning how to better serve Christ, and then at the end of the year,
1:49.5	they ask you why you're second-guessing God's calling on your life, or ask if you want
1:54.0	to be a quitter. The particular Bible college I attended in Texas was created to keep from
1:59.2	losing all of the church's good workers
	...

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