B. H. Carroll Theological Institute

B. H. Carroll Theological Institute is an unaccredited Christian Baptist institution in Arlington, Texas with multiple sources of funding and a self-perpetuating board of governors. It is named after Benajah Harvey Carroll and teaches Baptist principles and practices. [http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=1133 Three schools claim part of B.H. Carroll's legacy] , "The Baptist Standard", December 19, 2003.] It operates in cooperation primarily with Baptist churches, [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1043EA775AF30492&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Theology education taken to churches] , "Fort Worth Star-Telegram", August 1, 2004.] and also cooperates with other Great Commission Christians. The institution offers classes in both conventional classroom settings and by innovative means. It trains students in "“teaching churches” located in multiple Texas cities, as well as through interactive lessons taught over the Internet", [http://www.abpnews.com/766.article Unconventional seminary begins second year of instruction] , "Associated Baptist Press", January 13, 2006.] with 20 such "teaching churches" in operation throughout Texas as of November 2006. [http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/living/religion/16088457.htm Without a campus, seminary is still going strong] , "Fort Worth Star-Telegram", November 25, 2006.] The school plans to focus on the use of distance education to make it easier for students to obtain theological education. [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FEA60DFF519A1C0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM New Baptist seminary aims to open in '04: Church officials say school to make it easier to get theology degrees] , "Dallas Morning News", November 5, 2003.] As of 2006, the school's second year of operation, B. H. Carroll Theological Institute has 300 students taking courses they hope will lead to seminary degrees and an additional 300 students auditing courses. Bruce Corley is BHCTI's president.

While it is certified to grant degrees by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, unaccredited-Christian|B. H. Carroll Theological Institute

As of 2008, The Institute is in the process of applying for accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).Fact|date=July 2008

History

The institute's founding chancellor is Russell Dilday, a former president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, who launched the institute in part as a response to what he has called the "disruption" of theological education in the Southern Baptist Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. Dilday had been forced out as president of Southwestern after fundamentalists gained control of that seminary The four inaugural faculty members at Carroll all formerly taught at Southwestern. [http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/news/2003/11_7_2003/ne071103carroll.shtml Mark Wingfield, "Carroll Institute hires first faculty, denies competition with Southwestern"] , "Biblical Recorder", November 7, 2003.] including Corley, who was a professor of New Testament and Greek and the Dean of the School of Theology there. [ [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-8992235.html Four leave Southwestern Baptist to join new seminary] , "Fort Worth Star-Telegram", November 5, 2003.] Corley was awarded both a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) from Southwestern. [ [http://www.bhcti.org/index.cfm?action=page&contentid=150 Bruce Corley, Th.D.] , accessed November 1, 2006.] However, Dilday denies that Carroll serves only moderate Baptist churches at odds with the conservative drift in the Southern Baptist Convention.

Southwestern's president, Paige Patterson, has criticized Carroll Institute for using the name of Carroll, his seminary's founding president, saying

"People are, of course, free to employ whatever name they wish. Whether this is done with integrity depends on whether the principles of the one whose name is thereby invoked are honored and espoused. While one may question the justice of using the name of the founder of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in a competing effort against that seminary, the real test will be whether they have honored Carroll's name or just used it."

However, Carroll biographer Alan LeFever takes issue with Patterson's statement. Carroll was theologically conservative, he notes, but the only guide for Southwestern faculty during his tenure was the New Hampshire Confession of Faith, which is less restrictive than the Southern Baptist Convention's 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.

Academics and accreditation

According to the Carroll Institute's website, "the institute is a graduate-level community of faith and learning dedicated to equipping men and women called to serve Christ in the diverse and global ministries of His church". [ [http://www.bhcti.org/AboutUs/index.cfm?action=page&contentid=116 B. H. Carroll Theological Institute: Mission Statement] , accessed September 16, 2006.]

Since its opening, the institute had stated that it was actively seeking certification in Texas through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), [http://www.bhcti.org/AboutUs/index.cfm?action=page&contentid=118 Accreditation] , accessed October 26, 2006.] a process that could take up to two years, during which time the institution was forbidden to use degree terminology or imply that it can offer degrees. [ [http://www.thecb.state.tx.us//GeneralPubs/Agenda/Ag2003_04/VG/VGChap7.pdf PRIVATE AND OUT-OF-STATE PUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OPERATING IN TEXAS: Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS] from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, dated April 2003] As of January 25, 2007, B. H. Carroll Theological Institute was granted a "Certificate of Authority to grant degrees" by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), which expires January 31, 2009. [http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/certauthhist.cfm History of Certificate of Authority Actions] , accessed March 5, 2007.] With its THECB certification, the school is offering programs leading to a Master of Divinity degree with major in Christian Ministry, Master of Music degree with major in Christian Ministry or a Master of Arts degree with majors in Theology, Education, and Music. [ [http://www.bhcti.org/about-us/teaching-churches/guidelines.html Guidelines] , B.H. Carroll Theological Institute, updated May 9, 2007. Accessed June 11, 2007.]

The institute currently has no approval or standing with the Council on Higher Education Accreditation or any group recognized by the United States Department of Education.

In 2004, BHCTI said, that upon receipt of Texas certification, it plans to pursue accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), one of six regional accrediting organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education. [ [http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=1426 Carroll Institute offers new approach to theological training] , "The Baptist Standard", March 5, 2004.] In 2006, Corley stated that the school planned to apply for accreditation "from four accrediting agencies". [ [http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=4445 Carroll Institute installs president, administrators] , "The Baptist Standard", January 20, 2006.] In November 2006, the school said that it had taken preliminary steps to prepare for SACS accreditation. The school has said that it will also seek accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). The school is soliciting members of its prayer network to pray for several of the school's pressing needs, including "Accreditation of the Institute by SACS & ATS". [ [http://www.bhcti.org/support/prayer-network.html Prayer Network] , B. H. Carroll Theological Institute, updated April 14, 2007. Accessed June 11, 2007.]

Library

The institute's library received a donation of nearly 5,000 volumes from Eddie Belle Newport, widow of John Newport, longtime academic vice president at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. An additional 500 volumes were donated by Lois Hendricks, widow of longtime theology professor William Hendricks.

References

External links

* [http://www.bhcti.org/ Official site]
* [http://www.bgct.org/texasbaptists/Page.aspx?&pid=2299&srcid=2308 Carroll Institute holds exploratory meeting]