Some jackalope came at me on X/Twitter a few days ago. He said he has been a reader of mine for years; even praying for me (which apparently makes him all knowledgeable on my life and motivations). He appears to be an Orthodox person, with a foul and aggressive mouth (behind the keyboard). His main attack on me was based on the premise that I don’t start what I finish: that I, “bail.” You cannot be more absurd and presumptuous. One of the things he said that I consistently bail on is my education; starting but never finishing. Assertions abound online, without knowledge. But I thought it would be an interesting exercise, then, to detail my educational history. The reality is that I ALWAYS finish what I start. I consider it my “Yes” before the living God, my Father. The following history illustrates something: i.e., I have high aspirations; I take steps of faith (to see); I am a determined soul. Ironically, the reason I have remained so focused on getting a PhD over these last two decades is because of a commitment I made before God to do so; and because I believe He has been leading me that way for years (even if He hasn’t made it easy, or even viable). At this point I don’t care if I do or I don’t finally get the doctorate. If I do, the Lord is good. If I don’t, the Lord is good. For me, it is simply a matter of finishing what I believe I “started” years ago. Anyway, the following index turned into a labyrinth. Within this labyrinth I have achieved two accredited degrees: the BA and MA degrees (some of the schooling prior was transferred into and thus contributed to the earning of the BA degree). The early years reflect on someone who wasn’t quite sure what he was doing in life, per se. The middle part reflects someone who settled in and finished the degrees he set out to do. The latter part reflects someone who isn’t quite willing to ever throw in the towel; thus, my willingness and openness to some treks that haven’t ultimately worked out.
Higher Educational History
- Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College (now, Arizona Christian University). Attended just after graduating from high school: dates: 08-1992—12-1992. Program of study: Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology.
- Long Beach City College (CA). Dates: 1993—1994. Program of Study: General Studies.
- Liberty University (online). Dates: Spring, 1995. Program of study: Biblical Survey, OT&NT. Degree: Certificate.
- Calvary Chapel Bible College (CA). Dates: 1996—1997. Program of Study: Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology, and Koine Greek. Degree: One Year Certificate.
- Multnomah Bible College (OR). Dates: 1998—2001. Program of Study: Double Major, Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology, Minor, Koine Greek. Degree: Bachelor of Arts.
- Accepted to Talbot School of Theology (Biola). Dates: 2001. Program of Study: Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion. Status: never started, financial and logistical problems.
- Multnomah Biblical Seminary (OR). Dates: 2002—2003. Program of Study: New Testament Studies, Historical Theology. Degree: Master of Arts.
- Accepted to Fuller Theological Seminary (CA). Dates: 2004. Program of Study: PhD, Historical Theology. Status: never started, financial and logistical problems.
- Accepted to Talbot School of Theology (Biola). Dates: 2004. Program of Study: Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion. Status: never started, financial and logistical problems.
- Accepted to Chafer Theological Seminary (CA). Dates: 2004. Program of Study: ThM, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: never started, financial and logistical problems.
- Accepted to Regent College (Vancouver, British Columbia). Dates: 2004. Program of Study: ThM, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: never started, financial and logistical problems.
- Accepted to South African Theological Seminary. Dates: Winter 2010. Program of Study: PhD, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: never started, financial problems.
- Princeton Theological Seminary (correspondence). Dates: Spring 2014. Program of Study: Continuing Education Theological credits.
- Concordia Academic Theological Consortium, Intl. (PR). Dates: 2021—2022. Program of Study: PhD, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: gave degree back, not accredited or viable.
- University of America Curaçao. Dates: 2021—2023. Program of Study: ThD, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: the school turned out to be fraudulent, based on a highly elaborate and persuasive scam.
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dates: Present, 2024. Program of Study: PhD, Modern and Patristic Theology, Comparative Theology. Status: pending (prayer and consideration).
- St. Alcuin House Seminary. Dates: Present, 2024. Program of Study: PhD, Systematic and Historical Theology. Status: pending (prayer and consideration).
Some might question why my hard press to continue formal higher theological education. In a way, I view such work as part of my sanctification process. But also, as I already noted: I want to finish what I feel I started. I’m way beyond the “vanity” of it all. Ultimately, nobody really cares if you have these higher degrees or not; unless you’re in the middle of the academy (which I’m not, nor ever want to be, really). I am not sharing this to receive any further advice from anyone, in regard to my educational prospects. I am a fifty-year-old man who has been faithfully walking with the risen Christ for decades upon decades. Of course, we always are and should be learning, being sanctified, and hopefully growing etc. But I have real life people (and some online folks) who I look to for advice. I share the above because the joker who came at me made me think about my higher educational history. It is very organic and involved, representative of a long journey from the time I was 18 till now. I finish what I start, by the grace of Christ at work in me. Solo Christo