The
Church is to be the Pillar of Truth, Not Diversity by J. Parnell McCarter
In the welcome section
of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary’s (PRTS) handbook for its doctoral
program Dr. Joel Beeke writes (see https://prts.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Handbook-Doctoral-Studies-website.pdf?utm_source=Master+List&utm_campaign=7e1df3914d-Doctoral_Program2_1_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d20e7f489d-7e1df3914d-155668613
):
“…We are grateful for a
student body of diverse backgrounds and denominations..."
This is consistent with
the fact that PRTS, like other NAPARC (see http://www.puritans.net/articles/naparc.htm
for an article on NAPARC ) feeder seminaries, is
“accredited” by ATS or other such wicked accrediting agencies (see http://www.puritans.net/articles/ats.htm
for an article on ATS). These “accrediting” agencies push the “diversity agenda” (see http://www.puritans.net/articles/diversityagenda.htm
for an article on this agenda), prodded on by the US Department of Education. Economic benefits and “degree status” come
with accreditation. PRTS’s Dr. David
Murray writes in his article at http://headhearthand.org/blog/2016/02/03/new-doctoral-program-at-prts/
:
“…Foundational for
the doctoral program is the rationale behind the emphasis on both the
academic and spiritual formation of the student… PRTS seeks to
address, without compromising its academic standards and spiritual focus, the
financial challenges that often accompany a graduate degree. PRTS will address
this challenge in a sustainable way by… offering generous scholarships as
enabled… Disclaimer: PRTS has submitted a proposal to its accrediting
agency, the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), petitioning approval to
begin a PhD program. Although we cannot officially begin the accredited program
until that approval has been granted, we are allowed to begin offering course
work on a non-matriculating basis. Those interested in becoming candidates for
the prospective program may apply (complete form below) with the
understanding that acceptance will be as a non-matriculating student. Upon
ATS approval to launch the program officially, credits earned will be applied
toward fulfilling the degree requirements. “
Please carefully read my
article on ATS in order better to understand terms like “diversity” and
“spiritual formation” and why the ATS requires them as features of “accredited”
seminaries. The bottom line is that
truth takes a backseat to diversity and numbers of students and faculty.
This is all very
WRONG. This turns the church into a
Babel-enabling pillar of diversity instead of the pillar of truth God calls it
to be. The fruits of this are easy to
see.
Contrast the above model
with the theological schools of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland (FPCS)
and the Netherlands Reformed Congregations (NRC). They refuse to look to wicked “accrediting” agencies
like ATS. They only take men to their
theological school who are part of their church,
subscribing to its reformed theological standards, taught by their own church
officers who fully subscribe to these standards, and vetted not only for
doctrine but also walk. The criteria are
designed to promote truth, not diversity.
And if there are no or few men judged to be qualified for the ministry,
then they are not sweating if they have no or few students. They do not compromise on truth to get
numbers, financial benefit, and degree status from the government. Of course, given the sinfulness of man, no
school is perfect, but their basic model is sound.
This is RIGHT. The church is commanded to be the pillar of
truth in the world, upholding the Biblical doctrines of God’s word: “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to
behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the
pillar and ground of the truth.”