Page 115 - THBI Student Handbook - 2020

AS DO MANY OTHER BIBLE COLLEGES, THBI OFFERS AN HONORARY DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAM FOR
THOSE WHO HAVE ACHIEVED A LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE AND DISTINCTION IN MINISTRY LEADERSHIP THAT IS
WORTHY OF BEING RECOGNIZED IN THIS MANNER.

Do not make the mistake of believing that this is simply a “shortcut” whereby you can bypass the
effort required to attain this level of achievement.
➢ HONORARY DOES NOT MEAN “EASIER” … In fact, it is often a much greater price to pay in terms of the
investment of effort and study gained through the course of life in the ministry to be recognized in this manner.
HONORARY MEANS - “HONORED”

According to historical records, universities in Europe began awarding degrees in the period known as the
“High Middle Ages”. Most education, and thus degrees, at that time were under ministry or church
supervision and doctorate degrees and were awarded “for the sake of the honor” (honoris causa), for the
achievements in the studies of Law, Medicine and the most prestigious degree was for Theological studies!

 What a difference in today’s western society … the Church is pushed out of schools, colleges and universities
and Theological Studies are often despised in secular culture! Its this same secular culture that is now
endeavoring to determine how to address a person who receives a Ministerial Degree given for the Cause of
Honor - - as in secular opinion is against the use of “Doctor”!
In most European kingdoms, education was overseen by the church. Thus, the church: 1) Developed
and organized the curriculum to be studied; 2) Created the testing and marking system; 3) Of course, guided
the students through their studies. “Since the creation of the first university in 1088 [1. There are multiple
accounts placing Bologna’s university founding in 1088, but it is not certain. ] A.D. in Bologna, Italy,
universities have been considered to be self-regulated, scholastic guilds of students and teachers who work
under the sanction of an ecclesiastical or civil authority.”
1
As secular academic education developed, the Doctor of Philosophy became the designation for doctoral
degrees in disciplines outside of the fields of Theology, Law & Medicine. While the first Ph.D. was awarded
2
in Paris in 1150, the early 1800s saw the degree gaining its contemporary status as the highest academic honor.
TODAY - - In the academic world, doctoral degrees are earned through years of focused studies in a particular
concentration. Still, honorary degrees are awarded based on standards and requirements that vary by college
or university. These degrees are not, generally, then used in the person’s title, such as “Dr. So & So”.

In Ecclesiastical schools, doctoral degrees are earned in like manner and honorary degrees are awarded, in
best case situations, for truly honorable reasons and justifications. One difference between SECULAR and
ECCLESIASTICAL realms is that, when rightly awarded, a minister can & should legitimately use the title “Dr.”
again, provided that his or her “honorary” doctoral degree was awarded based on legitimate merits.

1 www.lostkingdom.net/medieval-education-in-europe - -
“Medieval Education in Europe: A force of freedom and submission by Dimitris Romeo Havlidis”
2 The History of the Doctoral Degree Shane Hall - Updated May 10, 2019

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