Page 33 - THBI Student Handbook - 2020
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WHAT WE TEACH
True Hope Bible Institute offers a focused variety of religious degrees for a school of this type in the USA.
Additionally, we do not offer any secular “Arts”, “Sciences” or “Languages” (which represent a wide scope
of studies including such subjects as education, human relations, literature, mathematics, etc.). Our studies
are focused on Christian Faith & Ministry - - NOT any philosophies, Christian or secular. Therefore, THBI
does not offer or grant “PhD” degrees.
➢ Ph.D. is an abbreviation for "Doctor of Philosophy”. It is typically the highest academic college degree
awarded, taking twice as long as a bachelor's degree to complete. The average student takes at least 8
years of working doggedly through college studies to earn a PhD.
Again, since we teach FAITH and not philosophy, the doctoral degrees we offer are not “PhD” degrees.
The THBI Doctorate Degree is addressed in greater detail in a later section of this student handbook.
WHY GET A DEGREE?
There are some good reasons to pursue a solid Christian education and the degrees that go with it. It’s good
to learn something worthy, do something worthwhile, and earn something worth having.
Your reasons for taking the Bible Courses of the True Hope Bible Institute should not be to make you better
than someone else - - for they certainly will not do that! However, completing our Degree Studies will
certainly make you better than you were!
All of God’s people, especially those in committed ministry services should continue to grow personally
and professionally throughout our lives. Most of the servants and leaders in Biblical Christian Ministry
could use a little more confidence … and a degree can certainly boost your confidence level. Why? Not
because of how much you know, but your greater ability to help others gain knowledge and how to use it
in a meaningful way in their lives!
Quite often, the fact that you earned a degree will be respected among your peers and colleagues for it
shows them you have the commitment to improve your abilities. A degree may help relieve suspicious
minds; the skeptical are more readily quieted and may help to silence the “nay-sayers” you may encounter.
Religious degrees are becoming more important to those who minister because many of the people to whom
we minister have their own degrees, and it may prove helpful with many to be on a level that’s par to their
own educational level. Never before has a college degree meant so much for so many people.
A “Doctor’s” degree is like an overgrown preacher’s card. It can open “doors” for you to proclaim the
message of the Master - - doors which might otherwise remain shut. A “Doctor’s” degree is like an oversized
letter of recommendation because this reassures folks of your principles, ethics, and reliability.
➢ It’s not to puff up your ego, but to add a ring of authenticity to your sermon ideas.
A “Doctor’s” degree can help boost your voice for Jesus to a world lost in religious confusion.
➢ It’s not to make you popular with the world, but to lend credibility to your teaching and
preaching. It’s not for any personal vainglory, but just to extend the influence of your ministry of
God’s Holy Word.
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