Displaying Credentials

Are you asking if it is OK for someone to display their credentials in order to establish their credibility?

If so, I think this is an acceptable motivation. It ‘proves’ that someone studied their field and completed the work necessary to earn their degree.

The problem is that this, in reality(and spiritually speaking), doesn’t prove much of anything, but IMO serves as more of a starting point on which one can weigh the veracity of the information they present.

[J Johnson]

To make yourself credible before the public, do you get degrees in theology and have that printed on the book? If your motive is not to boast yourself for your own glory, but rather to gain man’s trust (all things to all people), is it right?

Thanks.

I’m not entirely sure what you’re saying here. Are you saying that you think you want to write books about theology, so you are considering getting degrees in theology? If so, I’d say you’re on the verge of a very bad decision. That is, if your primary motivation for seeking a degree is to get the letters, neither your studies nor your books are likely to be credible in the truest sense.

There is no reason to pursue a non-professional degree other than the knowledge it contains. If you don’t think you need the education, just skip it. People will read your books if they’re worth reading, and perhaps even if they’re not. Besides, for the time and trouble, pastoring a mega-church will increase your readership more than an advanced degree will. ;)

I really don’t understand your question.

J.Johnson,

I do not think it is wrong to display credentials in order to gain credibility. Nor do I think it is wrong to display credentials in order to let people know where you are coming from. For example, at my blog — and in my profile here — I communicate truthfully that I received my B.A. in Biblical studies from Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University) in Columbia, South Carolina, and my M.Div. from Covenant Theological Seminary, in St. Louis, Missouri. This honestly tells people the kind of theological bent my training is from, if they desire to check it out. For example, CIU is known for its strong emphasis on missions stemming from its roots in the Keswick Movement, and Covenant is a P.C.A. school. Both have a reputation for theological conservatism and high academic standards, but both also have a particular theological mindset. Given the fact that I am a self-confessing Reformed Baptist, I obviously do not agree with all that these schools teach, but knowing that I was trained in them does say something about my background that is helpful. It says I have been well trained, but it also tells people the bias present in my training, for better or for worse.

As for getting a theological education simply “to be all things to all people,” I think I question this motive. It seems to me that you should honestly believe that such training will be beneficial in helping you to serve God better overall, or else it may not be worth doing. I mean, why spend so much of your time and money doing something you don’t really think will actually help you grow in Christ just so you can have some added credibility as an author? In such a case, it is doubtful whether you will benefit from the education as you ought to anyway. On the other hand, if you think such an education — from a good, Christ-honoring school — is what God would have you do in order to help you grow in the faith and train you for serving Him more faithfully, then it will serve you well.

Hope this helps.

Keith