I need a distance learning bible college that is extremely affordable and accredited!

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ChristianMaker

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Dec 14, 2011
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First off let me describe my situation. I am thirty one years old and certainly tired of waiting to advance in my Christian faith. I need facts and I need them now! So please give me as much detailed information as you possibly can.

I just got married in July and my wife and I are staying with family in a rather large house. We do not have much as bills with no children but are hungry for the Lord. I have made plenty of money in the past and can do again in the future if I needed to; but that is not where the Lord will have me. That is just an empty road. I have learned that money doesn’t bring happiness nor does it keep out the rain. I am currently working part time making much less and she might be getting another second part time job to make ends meet and save some money.

What I am trying to say is that we are in the situation by choice entirely. We are trying to save are pennies; get our certifications; degrees and have time for ourselves while at the same time spend time with family. We are by no means hurting but also by no means well off. She already has a degree and is currently seeking a certification and I am going to a community college for business world and working part time.

What I need is a real and practical solution to a bible college that is accredited and realistic; and what I mean realistic is extremely affordable with a good reputation. I am looking for a college to where I can take classes at a reasonable rate or at my own pace. Take a few here and there part time or full time or maybe even just one at a time. As far as prices go anything close to 400 or even 200 is absolutely crazy per credit hour. I mean how in the world is someone suppose to be able to afford 1200.00 per class. I can be somewhat flexible on some of these things but I need a good balance of everything. I wouldn’t mind actual books too and not just CDs or mp3s. I think someone else mentioned that once before. Also someone else said you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Well it 2011 with technology today I would think you could have your cake and eat it too but I could be wrong. So if I am just hit it between my eyes and tell me my facts.

To sum it up I am just looking for a clean good bible college that is accredited with a good reputation so that when I am finished with all of my schooling in any capacity with my secular degree and my biblical degree I can go in any direction God has for me. I do not want to end up creek without a paddle because I made the wrong decision and cut corners. Money is a concern because if it is expensive I just can’t go. And where does that leave me?

Considerations from raw internet searching:

Accredited

Moody Bible Institute / Global University / South African Theological Seminary / Etc …

Non-Accredited

Andersonville Theological / Columbia Evangelical Seminary / Etc …

The above credited options are still between 150-200 per semester hour. So basically even the cheaper accredited colleges are going to cost me over 500.00 per class? Are you serious? How is anyone suppose to afford that? Or do I just have the all wrong?
The non-accredited schools seem to be my only financial solution needing any under 100.00 per credit hour. One just takes the chance that his Biblical Degree might not have as much spunk as his accredited counterpart.
I guess what I am thinking if I am looking at this for more of hobby reasons like casual discipleship for the Lord in my church and personal growth the non-accredited colleges would be a fine choice? Or would they? If I wanted to one day branch out and do something professional for the Lord I would need to go into debt and partake in a more expensive school? Is that what everyone is telling me?
Well anyhow thank you so much for taking the time in reading my thread. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated and well taken. So let’s blow up this thread and figure some things out.
 

aspen

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You are 31 yo, married and still live at home?

Nice comprehension, Tom.

ChristianMarker, you cannot make a decision like this from information gathered on an opinion board - assemble a list of top choices and go visit them.
 

7angels

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i don't know your religion preference but if you contact AFCM international training center they have a video bible school that teaches people to become disciples of Christ.

i am currenting in the program and have taken great strides in getting to know and understand God a lot better. it has brought me to a new relationship with God.

i don't know if it is accredited because i did not enroll for that reason but to get closer to God. but these video schools are world wide and is even part of our church and many other churches. i don't know if that is good or not for accredited hours but it goes to about 65-84 hours of total teaching. i would seriously consider looking into it.

sorry unsure how to post links so you will have to search for it.
 

ChristianMaker

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Dec 14, 2011
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@tomwebster

You know it really hurts that there will always be people like this. My very first reply is an insult. I mean when are people going to change? Probably never. I mean even in a Christian forum a person not protected from sly insults. I even stated in my post that I have made money before and was very successful and productive citizen.
I made this change in order to get my life right with God and figure things out. Why is that so hard for people to understand. Better late than never right?

@aspen
@Shep
@jiggyfly
@7angels

Thank you for helping. Also when someone lists a school please let me know if they are accredited or non-accredited if you don’t mind. Also let me know which one you would lean towards as well. I really do appreciate all the help you guys could give. Thank you so much and have a wonderful day!
 

tomwebster

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@tomwebster

You know it really hurts that there will always be people like this. My very first reply is an insult. I mean when are people going to change? Probably never. I mean even in a Christian forum a person not protected from sly insults. I even stated in my post that I have made money before and was very successful and productive citizen.
I made this change in order to get my life right with God and figure things out. Why is that so hard for people to understand. Better late than never right?
...


No insult, just asking a question. Wondering why a 31 yo married man would want to live a home again. When I was 31 you could not have paid me enough to live at home with parents.
 

aspen

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No insult Tom, why are your comments usually short and snarky? You appear to be intelligent and you claim to be a Christian - why not use your posts to contribute to the board instead of pantsing everyone you choose to respond to?
 

THE Gypsy

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Hey...Not everyone wants to be long and windy.
smilie_girl_275.gif
 

ChristianMaker

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Dec 14, 2011
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@tomwebster

Obviously it was a question disguised as an insult. This was not a thread or topic about peoples living conditions or why they do things; but is about a Christian wanting to seek the Lord in educating himself and is willing to change to accomplish his goals. Not to mention at any age it should not matter where life takes him.

You also could have private messaged me if you were yearning so bad to have your question answered but you wanted to solicit your question publicly to spark a reaction out of other members and myself. Well congratulations you got what you accomplished and I hope you are happy and satisfied.

I would just urge a word of caution because biblically you are dancing on a fence. For example: 1 Corinthians 8:6-9 urges one not to be a stumbling block to other believers. Also in Titus 2:7 we should be of an excellent example. Here is a geat link to learn more about offending people. Yes you can possibly offend someone but a living condition I do not think is a major biblical sin that needs to pointed out.

http://www.answersin...ould-not-offend

In any case if anyone else has more information on colleges please contribute because I would love to start my journey asap!
 

goodshepard55

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All the links I posted were accredited schools with online classes...I do not lean towards anyone of them as I am not interested in a degree in Bible Studies, I have a degree in nursing and computers...too busy to go back to school....
 

ChristianMaker

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Dec 14, 2011
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http://www.okbu.edu/
- Accredited - To Expensive
http://onlinebiblecollege.com/site/
- Non-Accredited - Not Sure?
http://www.amesintl.org/
- Non-Accredited - Not Sure?
http://internetbiblecollege.com/
- Not Sure? - Not Sure?
http://theschoolofchrist.org/
- Not Sure? - Not Sure?
www.nationsu.org
- Non-Accredited - Affordable
http://www.satsonline.org/
- Accredited - Possible
http://www.lhbionline.com/
- Accredited - Affordable
www.lru.edu
- Accredited - To Expensive
http://www.globaluniversity.edu/
- Accredited - Affordable
http://www.sbc.net/colleges.asp
- Accredited - To Expensive
https://www.scofield.me/Tuition.html
- Mill
http://www.luonline.com/index.cfm?PID=20693
- Accredited - To Expensive
http://www.lhbionline.com/
- Accredited - To Expensive
http://www.midcontinent.edu/
- Accredited - To Expensive
http://www.sebc.edu/
- Accredited - To Expensive
http://www.boycecollege.com/academics/onlinelearning/
- Accredited - To Expensive
http://www.leeuniversity.edu/
- Accredited - To Expensive
Charis Bible College
- Not Sure? - Possible
Covenant Theological Seminary
- Accredited - To Expensive

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What do you think about these any ideas?

I think I am going to go with the most affordable accredited option for my future goals and dreams with the Lord!
 

ChristianMaker

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Dec 14, 2011
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Thank you so much for all of the kind replies. I really appreciate it. I am still on my journey; but believe I am going to go with the most affordable accredited option. Even if I just take a few classes here and there. One day I will have a fully respectable bible degree that I may use for the Lord in the future if needed. And if not I will have the knowledge for my own personal understanding and reasons .

That I may ultimately learn how to serve the Lord properly. For my own personal edification; and finally to learn how to serve others around me properly.

This way since I am going to do it. I mine as well have something to show for it when I’m done. Something inside still has a hint of maybe going with an extremely affordable and respectable non-accredited bible college for simply knowledge and personal hobby like reasons.

At the end of the day I will probably go with Affordable Accredited Option! Never know where the future may take me!

Best,
ChristianMaker
 

ChristianMaker

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Dec 14, 2011
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Nothing is in any particular order …

List Final: Bible Schools

columbiaseminary
- NA - Affordable - Good Reputation
amesintl
- NA - Affordable - Good Reputation
nationsu
- NA - Affordable - Good Reputation
inste
- NA - Affordable - Good Reputation
satsonline
- A - Affordable - Good Reputation
lhbionline
- A - Affordable - Good Reputation
globaluniversity
- A - Affordable - Good Reputation
sebts
- A - To Expensive - Good Reputation
sebc
- A - To Expensive - Good Reputation
boycecollege
- A - To Expensive - Good Reputation
valorcollege
- A - Affordable - Good Reputation
covenantseminary
- A - To Expensive - Good Reputation
moody
- A - Affordable - Good Reputation

Misc: Sites or Books

sbc.net/colleges
bakersguide
Walston’s Guide to Christian Distance Learning
Geteducated

My Picks: What I am leaning towards

satsonline
lhbionline
globaluniversity
moody

I am still reading “Walston’s Guide to Christian Distance Learning” so things might change; but I am pretty much set on these schools because they are affordable to our budget. All I want is a very affordable respectable degree and I believe these schools can provide that. Remember this is more hobby driven than Pastoral driven. I am still seeking a college degree at my local community college and will transferring to a university once I complete my associates. I just want to take a couple of Christian classes here and there along the way while I purse my secular degree. This is for my own personal edification and for me to prepare myself for the service of the Lord in the future for whatever that may bring. I really appreciate everyone’s comments and look forward to growing with everyone in the future. Also please don’t hesitate to add last minute comments. Thank you everyone and have a wonderful day!

And to everyone else that had concerns about my wife working too much. She is on a mission and is doing exactly what she wants to do. I told her not to take the second job but she insisted. Plus when I was making good money before I saved up some money. I also have extremely low interest loans that I can personally take out that are custom to me if needed. I am working part time and we are by no means struggling. As far as her family goes they asked us to move in. We had our own place but they are a little older in age and wanted some companionship. It was a win win for everyone. Not everyone fights with their family; some families love each other and look forward to spending time with each other. I’m sure our situation will change in the future but for right now this is where God wants everyone in our family to be. We just need to watch our pennies and make sure we do not get into a bad situation by being careless. However I do appreciate everyone’s concern. I can’t wait until I get my degree and can go into the work place once again as a paid professional and on my free time spread the word of God because I know how and I have the love in my heart.

God bless everyone!