GOVERNMENT MUST APPROVE OF THEOLOGICAL DEGREES?

Government Must Approve of Theological Degrees?  
November 9, 2007

Kerby Anderson

            If you are concerned about religious liberty and the right of seminaries to educate future Christian leaders, then you need to know about an important case out of Texas that will have a far reaching impact.

The case involved Tyndale Theological Seminary. It was informed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that the seminary would be fined as punishment for issuing theological degrees without government approval. The bureaucrats argued that Tyndale could not call itself a seminary without seeking their approval of its curriculum, professors, and governing board.

In the spirit of full disclosure, let me mention my brief relationship with Tyndale Seminary. Although I was not a faculty member, I did on two occasions teach a one-day seminar to the students similar to courses I have taught at other seminaries like Dallas Theological Seminary. And I might also mention that some of the other professors were individuals who held degrees from Wheaton College, Dallas Seminary, Trinity Divinity School, etc. In other words, the credentials of the professors and caliber of their teaching were not the issue.

What was at issue was governmental control. Tyndale did not first seek permission from the state of Texas before it began teaching and granting degrees.

Two other seminaries joined the suit: The Hispanic Bible Institute in San Antonio and the Southern Bible Institute in Dallas. These institutes which train Hispanic and African-American pastors joined later because they also were prevented from calling themselves seminaries or issuing theological degrees without state approval and control.

The Texas Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the three seminaries in what is a landmark religious freedoms lawsuit. The Chief Justice ruled that the state requirement "impermissibly intrudes upon religious freedom protected by the United States and Texas Constitutions." I think this is a great victory for religious liberty. I'm Kerby Anderson, and that's my point of view.

By Kerby Anderson Click here for bio and archived articles